e424b5
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration
No. 333-131278
Pricing Supplement No. 1
(To Prospectus dated January 25, 2006
and Prospectus Supplement dated March 20, 2007)
UDR, Inc.
$150,000,000
Medium-Term Notes, Series A
Due Nine Months or More From Date of Issue
The notes will bear interest at a rate of 5.50% per year.
We will pay interest on the notes on April 1 and
October 1 of each year. The first interest payment will be
made on October 1, 2007. The notes will mature on
April 1, 2014, unless redeemed prior to that date.
The notes will be our senior indebtedness under our senior
indenture dated November 1, 1995, which we refer to as the
indenture. The notes will not be subject to a
sinking fund and will not be convertible or exchangeable into
other securities.
Investing in the notes involves risks. See Risk
Factors beginning on page S-1 of the accompanying
prospectus supplement dated March 20, 2007 and on
page 3 of the accompanying prospectus dated
January 25, 2006.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this
prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any
pricing supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
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Per Note | |
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Total | |
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Public offering price
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99.655% |
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$ |
149,482,500 |
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Underwriting discount
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0.600% |
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$ |
900,000 |
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Proceeds to us (before expenses)
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99.055% |
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$ |
148,582,500 |
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Interest will accrue from March 27, 2007.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. expects to deliver the notes in
book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depositary
Trust Company against payment in New York, New York on or about
March 27, 2007.
Book-Running Manager
Citigroup
Co-Managers
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SunTrust Robinson Humphrey |
Wells Fargo Securities |
March 20, 2007
You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement and the
accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. Neither we
nor any agent has authorized any other person to provide you
with different or additional information. If anyone provides you
with different or additional information, you should not rely on
it. Neither we nor the agents are making an offer to sell the
notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not
permitted. You should assume that the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus and prospectus relating to any issuance
of notes, is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of
the applicable document. Our business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects may have changed since that
date. References in this prospectus supplement to
UDR, we, us, our
or the company are to UDR, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page | |
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Pricing Supplement |
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PS-1 |
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PS-1 |
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PS-1 |
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PS-4 |
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Prospectus Supplement |
Forward-Looking Statements
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ii |
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Recent Developments
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S-1 |
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Risk Factors
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S-1 |
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Description of Notes
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S-3 |
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Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes
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S-28 |
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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
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S-31 |
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Plan of Distribution
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S-43 |
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Incorporation of Information Filed with the SEC
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S-44 |
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Legal Matters
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S-45 |
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Experts
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S-45 |
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Prospectus |
About This Prospectus
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2 |
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Where You Can Find More Information
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2 |
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Incorporation of Information Filed with the SEC
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2 |
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United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc.
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3 |
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Risk Factors
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3 |
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Use of Proceeds
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3 |
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General Description of Securities That We May Offer
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4 |
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Description of Debt Securities
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4 |
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Description of Preferred Stock
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19 |
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Description of Common Stock
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21 |
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Description of Warrants
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26 |
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Description of Purchase Contracts
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26 |
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Description of Units
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27 |
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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
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27 |
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Selling Securityholders
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42 |
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Plan of Distribution
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42 |
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Forward-Looking Statements
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42 |
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Legal Matters
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43 |
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Experts
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43 |
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i
UDR, INC.
UDR, Inc. is a self administered real estate investment trust,
or REIT, that owns, acquires, renovates, develops and manages
apartment communities nationwide. At December 31, 2006, our
apartment portfolio included 242 communities located in 33
markets, with a total of 70,339 completed apartment homes. In
addition, we had five apartment communities under development.
We changed our corporate name from United Dominion Realty Trust,
Inc. to UDR, Inc. on March 14, 2007. References in this
pricing supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement and
the accompanying prospectus to UDR, United
Dominion Realty Trust, Inc., United Dominion,
the Company, we, us or
our shall be deemed to refer to UDR, Inc.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from the sale of the notes are estimated to be
approximately $148.3 million after deducting the
underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. We intend
to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay outstanding
indebtedness under our $500 million unsecured revolving
credit facility or for other general corporate purposes. Our
$500 million unsecured revolving credit facility matures in
May 2008 and, at our option, can be extended an additional year.
We have the right to increase the credit facility to
$750 million under certain circumstances. Based on our
current credit ratings, the credit facility bears interest at a
rate equal to LIBOR plus 57.5 basis points. Under a
competitive bid feature, and for so long as we maintain an
Investment Grade Rating, we have the right to bid out 100% of
the commitment amount. As of March 19, 2007,
$233.5 million was outstanding under the credit facility
leaving $266.5 million of unused capacity. Amounts repaid
under the unsecured credit facilities may be reborrowed.
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
The following description of the terms of the Medium-Term Notes,
Series A Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue,
referred to in this pricing supplement as the notes,
supplements, and to the extent inconsistent replaces, the
description of the general terms and provisions of debt
securities contained in the accompanying prospectus supplement
and prospectus. It is important for you to consider the
information contained in this pricing supplement and the
accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus in making your
investment decision.
General
We will issue the notes as a series of Debt Securities under an
indenture, referred to in this pricing supplement as the
indenture, dated as of November 1, 1995, as
amended or modified from time to time, with U.S. Bank
National Association, successor trustee to Wachovia Bank,
National Association (formerly First Union National Bank of
Virginia), as trustee. The terms of the notes include those
provisions contained in the indenture, the terms of which are
more fully described in the accompanying prospectus supplement
and prospectus and under the section entitled
Covenants below, and those made part of
the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
The notes are subject to all of these terms, and holders of
notes are referred to the indenture and the Trust Indenture Act
for a statement of those terms. The notes will be our direct,
senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of
our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to
time outstanding. Reference is made to the section entitled
Description of Debt Securities in the accompanying
prospectus, Description of Notes Certain
Covenants in the accompanying prospectus supplement and to
Covenants below for a description of the
covenants applicable to the notes. We will issue each note as a
book-entry note represented by one or more fully registered
global securities or as a fully registered certificated note.
The notes will only be issued in fully registered form in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.
PS-1
Principal and Interest
The notes will bear interest at the rate of 5.50% per year
and will mature on April 1, 2014. The notes will bear
interest from March 27, 2007 and interest will be payable
semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of
each year, commencing on October 1, 2007 (each such date
being an interest payment date) to the persons in
whose name the notes are registered in the security register on
the preceding March 17 or September 16, whether or not
a business day, as the case may be (each such date being a
record date). Interest on the notes will be computed
on the basis of a
360-day year consisting
of twelve 30-day months.
If any interest payment date or the maturity date falls on a day
that is not a business day, the required payment shall be made
on the next business day as if it were made on the date the
payment was due and no interest shall accrue on the amount so
payable for the period from and after the interest payment date
or the maturity date, as the case may be, until the next
business day.
Covenants
The section in the accompanying prospectus entitled
Description of Debt Securities and the section in
the accompanying prospectus supplement entitled
Description of Notes Certain Covenants
describe promises we make in the notes for the benefit of the
holders of the notes. However, the covenant limiting UDR,
Inc.s incurrence of debt set forth in Section 1004(a)
of the indenture, which is described under the heading
Description of Debt Securities Covenants Under
the Senior Indenture, shall not apply to the notes offered
under this prospectus supplement. Instead, the following
covenant shall apply to the notes, as discussed in more detail
under the heading Certain Covenants in the
accompanying prospectus supplement (capitalized terms not
otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings assigned to
them in the indenture):
The Trust will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to,
incur any Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the
incurrence of such additional Debt and the application of the
proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all
outstanding Debt of the Trust and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP is greater
than 65% of the sum of (without duplication) (i) the
Trusts Total Assets as of the end of the calendar quarter
covered in the Trusts Annual Report on
Form 10-K or
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q, as the
case may be, most recently filed with the Commission (or, if
such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the
Trustee) prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt and
(ii) the purchase price of any real estate assets or
mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities
offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not
used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or
used to reduce Debt), by the Trust or any Subsidiary since the
end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained
in connection with the incurrence of such additional Debt.
Optional Redemption
We may redeem all or part of the notes at any time at our option
at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) the
principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus accrued and
unpaid interest to the redemption date or (2) the
Make-Whole Amount for the notes being redeemed.
Make-Whole Amount means, as determined by the
Quotation Agent, the sum of the present values of the principal
amount of the notes to be redeemed, together with the scheduled
payments of interest (exclusive of interest to the redemption
date) from the redemption date to the maturity date of the notes
being redeemed, in each case discounted to the redemption date
on a semi-annual basis, assuming a
360-day year consisting
of twelve 30-day
months, at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus accrued and unpaid
interest on the principal amount of the notes being redeemed to
the redemption date.
Adjusted Treasury Rate means, with respect to any
redemption date, the sum of (x) either (1) the yield
for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue,
under the heading that represents the average for the
immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recent
published statistical release
PS-2
designated H.15 (519) or any successor
publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System and that establishes yields on
actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to
constant maturity under the caption Treasury Constant
Maturities (provided, if no maturity is within three
months before or after the remaining term of the notes being
redeemed, yields for the two published maturities most closely
corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be
determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated
or extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis,
rounded to the nearest month) or (2) if such release (or
any successor release) is not published during the week
preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields,
the rate per year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to
maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a
price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a
percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable
Treasury Price for such redemption date, in each case calculated
on the third business day preceding the redemption date, and
(y) 0.15%.
Comparable Treasury Issue means the United States
Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a
maturity comparable to the remaining term from the redemption
date to the maturity date of the notes being redeemed that would
be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with
customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate
debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of
the notes being redeemed.
Comparable Treasury Price means, with respect to any
redemption date, (x) the average of three Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after
excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotations so obtained or (y) if fewer than five Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations are so obtained, the average of all
such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations so obtained.
Quotation Agent means the Reference Treasury Dealer
selected by the indenture trustee after consultation with UDR,
Inc.
Reference Treasury Dealer means any of
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co,
their respective successors and assigns and three other
nationally recognized investment banking firms selected by UDR,
Inc. that is a primary U.S. Government securities dealer.
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations means, with
respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption
date, the average, as determined by the indenture trustee, of
the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount)
quoted in writing to the indenture trustee by such Reference
Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
third business day preceding such redemption date.
PS-3
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is acting as book-running manager
in connection with the offering of the notes and is acting as
representative of the underwriters named below. Subject to the
terms and conditions stated in the distribution agreement dated
March 20, 2007, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., SunTrust
Capital Markets, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC have
agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to those
underwriters, the principal amount of notes set forth opposite
such underwriters name.
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Underwriter |
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Principal Amount of Notes |
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Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
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$ |
120,000,000 |
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SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc.
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15,000,000 |
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Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
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15,000,000 |
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Total
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$ |
150,000,000 |
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The distribution agreement provides that the obligations of the
underwriters to purchase the notes included in this offering are
subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other
conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the
notes if they purchase any of the notes.
The underwriters propose to offer some of the notes directly to
the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover
page of this prospectus supplement and some of the notes to
dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to
exceed 0.360% of the principal amount of the notes. The
underwriters may allow, and dealers may reallow, a concession
not to exceed 0.180% of the principal amount of the notes on
sales to other dealers. After the initial offering of the notes
to the public, the representatives may change the public
offering price and concessions.
The following table shows the underwriting discount that we are
to pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering
(expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the notes).
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Paid by |
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UDR, Inc. |
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Per note
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0.600% |
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UDR, Inc. expects that delivery of the notes will be made
against payment therefor on or about the closing date specified
on the cover page of this pricing supplement, which will be the
fifth business day following the date on which the notes are
priced (T+5). Under
Rule 15c6-1 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market
generally are required to settle in three business days after
the date the securities are priced, unless the parties to any
such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers
who wish to trade notes on the date of the pricing or the next
succeeding business day will be required, by virtue of the fact
that the notes will settle in T+5, to specify an alternative
settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a
failed settlement; such purchasers should also consult their own
advisors in this regard.
In connection with the offering, Citigroup Global Markets Inc.,
on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell notes in
the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment,
syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions.
Over-allotment involves syndicate sales of notes in excess of
the principal amount of notes to be purchased by the
underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short
position. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of
the notes in the open market after the distribution has been
completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.
Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of
notes made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline
in the market price of the notes while the offering is in
progress.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids
permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a
syndicate member when Citigroup Global Markets Inc., in covering
syndicate short positions or making stabilizing purchases,
repurchases notes originally sold by that syndicate member.
PS-4
Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or
retarding a decline in the market price of the notes. They may
also cause the price of the notes to be higher than the price
that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of
these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these
transactions in the
over-the-counter market
or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these
transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
We estimate that our total expenses for this offering will be
approximately $250,000. Several of the underwriters or
affiliates have performed investment banking and advisory
services for us from time to time for which they have received
customary fees and expenses. The underwriters and their
affiliates may, from time to time, engage in commercial or
investment banking or advisory services with and perform
services for us and certain of our affiliates in the ordinary
course of their business. In addition, affiliates of
underwriters participating in this offering are lenders under
one or both of our existing credit facilities. Because the
amounts to be repaid to these affiliates from the net proceeds
of the offering of the notes may exceed 10% of the net proceeds
from the offering, this offering is being conducted in
compliance with Rule 2710(c)(8) of the Conduct Rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be
required to make because of any of those liabilities.
PS-5
Prospectus Supplement
(To Prospectus dated January 25, 2006)
UDR, Inc.
Medium-Term Notes, Series A
Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue
The following terms will generally apply to the medium-term
notes that we will sell from time to time using this prospectus
supplement and the attached prospectus.
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Ranking as senior indebtedness
under the companys senior indenture
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Mature nine months or more from
the date of issue
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May be subject to redemption at
our option or repurchase at the option of the holder
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Fixed or floating interest rate.
The floating interest rate formula may be based on:
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CD rate |
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CMT rate |
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Commercial paper rate |
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Eleventh district cost of funds rate |
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Federal funds rate |
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LIBOR |
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Prime rate |
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Treasury rate |
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Another rate or formula set forth in a pricing supplement |
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Fixed rate notes may bear no
interest when issued at a discount from the principal amount due
at maturity
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Certificated or book-entry form
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Payments in U.S. dollars or
one or more foreign currencies
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Interest paid on fixed rate notes
and floating rate notes will be paid on the dates specified in
the pricing supplement
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Minimum denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples of $1,000, or other specified
denominations for foreign currencies
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The final terms of each note will be specified in a pricing
supplement which may be different from the terms described in
this prospectus supplement.
Investing in the notes involves risks. See Risk
Factors beginning on page S-1 of this prospectus
supplement and on page 3 of the accompanying prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this
prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any
pricing supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
the pricing terms of the notes will be:
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Price to Public |
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Agents Commission |
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Proceeds to Us |
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Per note
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100%
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.125% - .750%
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99.875% - 99.250%
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We may sell notes to the agents referred to below as principal
for resale at varying or fixed offering prices or through the
agents as agent using their reasonable efforts on our behalf. We
may also sell notes without the assistance of any agent.
JPMorgan
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Banc of America Securities LLC |
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SunTrust Robinson Humphrey |
March 20, 2007
You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus and any pricing supplement relating to
any issuance of notes. Neither we nor any agent has authorized
any other person to provide you with different or additional
information. If anyone provides you with different or additional
information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the
agents are making an offer to sell the notes in any jurisdiction
where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that
the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any
pricing supplement relating to any issuance of notes, is
accurate only as of the date on the front cover of the
applicable document. Our business, financial condition, results
of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
Effective March 14, 2007, we changed our corporate name
from United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc. to UDR, Inc.
References in this prospectus supplement to UDR,
we, us, our or the
company are to UDR, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
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Page | |
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ii |
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S-1 |
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S-1 |
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S-3 |
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S-28 |
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S-31 |
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S-43 |
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S-44 |
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S-45 |
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S-45 |
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Prospectus |
About this Prospectus
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2 |
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Where You Can Find More Information
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2 |
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Incorporation of Information Filed
with the SEC
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2 |
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United Dominion Realty Trust,
Inc.
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3 |
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Risk Factors
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3 |
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Use of Proceeds
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3 |
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General Description of Securities
that We May Offer
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4 |
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Description of Debt Securities
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4 |
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Description of Preferred Stock
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19 |
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Description of Common Stock
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21 |
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Description of Warrants
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26 |
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Description of Purchase Contracts
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26 |
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Description of Units
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27 |
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Material U.S. Federal Income
Tax Considerations
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27 |
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Selling Securityholders
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42 |
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Plan of Distribution
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42 |
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Forward-Looking Statements
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42 |
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Legal Matters
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43 |
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Experts
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43 |
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i
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document, including the documents incorporated by reference
in this document, contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, by their nature,
involve estimates, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions,
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or
outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in a
forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements
include, without limitation, statements concerning property
acquisitions and dispositions, development activity and capital
expenditures, capital raising activities, rent growth, occupancy
and rental expense growth. Examples of forward-looking
statements also include statements regarding our expectations,
beliefs, plans, goals, objectives and future financial or other
performance. Words such as expects,
anticipates, intends, plans,
believes, seeks, estimates
and variations of such words and similar expressions are
intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Any
forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it
is made. Except to fulfill our obligations under the United
States securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any
such statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date
on which it is made.
Examples of factors that can affect our expectations, beliefs,
plans, goals, objectives and future financial or other
performance include, but are not limited to, the following:
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unfavorable changes in apartment market and economic conditions
that could adversely affect occupancy levels and rental rates, |
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the failure of acquisitions to achieve anticipated results, |
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possible difficulty in selling apartment communities, |
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the timing and closing of planned dispositions under agreement, |
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competitive factors that may limit our ability to lease
apartment homes or increase or maintain rents, |
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insufficient cash flow that could affect our debt financing and
create refinancing risk, |
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failure to generate sufficient revenue, which could impair our
debt service payments and reduce distributions to stockholders, |
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development and construction risks that may impact our
profitability, |
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potential damage from natural disasters, including hurricanes
and other weather-related events, which could result in
substantial costs to us, |
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risks from extraordinary losses for which we may not have
insurance or adequate reserves, |
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uninsured losses due to insurance deductibles, self-insurance
retention, uninsured claims or casualties, or losses in excess
of applicable coverage, |
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delays in completing developments and lease-ups on schedule, |
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our failure to succeed in new markets, |
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changing interest rates, which could increase interest costs and
affect the market price of our securities, |
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potential liability for environmental contamination, which could
result in substantial costs to us, |
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the imposition of federal taxes if we fail to qualify as a REIT
under the Internal Revenue Code in any taxable year, |
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our internal control over financial reporting may not be
considered effective which could result in a loss of investor
confidence in our financial reports, and in turn have an adverse
effect on our stock price, and |
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changes in real estate laws, tax laws and other laws affecting
our business. |
All of the above factors are difficult to predict, contain
uncertainties that may materially affect actual results, and may
be beyond our control. New factors emerge from time to time, and
it is not possible for our management to predict all of such
factors or to assess the effect of each such factor on our
business.
Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the
forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any
of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore any of
these statements included in this document or in the documents
incorporated by reference may prove to be inaccurate. In light
of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking
statements included herein, the inclusion of such information
should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other
person that the results or conditions described in such
statements or our objectives and plans will be achieved.
iii
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Effective March 14, 2007, we changed our corporate name
from United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc. to UDR, Inc. References
in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus,
and in any documents incorporated by reference therein, to
United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc., United
Dominion, the Company, we,
us or our shall be deemed to refer to
UDR, Inc.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in the notes involves risks. Before investing in the
notes, you should carefully consider, among other matters, the
risk factors below and information set forth under the heading
Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on
Form 10-K and
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q, which
are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus, as the same may be updated from
time to time by filings under the Exchange Act that we
incorporate by reference herein.
Notes Indexed to Interest Rate, Currency or Other Indices or
Formulas May Have Risks Not Associated with a Conventional Debt
Security
If you invest in notes indexed, as to principal, premium, if
any, and/or interest, if any, to one or more interest rate,
currency or other indices or formulas, you will be subject to
significant risks not associated with similar investments in a
conventional fixed rate or floating rate debt security. These
risks include, without limitation, fluctuation of the particular
indices or formulas and the possibility that you will receive a
lower, or no, amount of principal, premium or interest and at
different times than you expected. We have no control over a
number of factors, including economic, financial and political
events, that are important in determining the existence,
magnitude and longevity of these risks and their results. In
addition, if an index or formula used to determine any amounts
payable in respect of the notes contains a multiplier or
leverage factor, the effect of any change in the particular
index or formula will be magnified. In recent years, values of
certain indices and formulas have been volatile and volatility
in those and other indices and formulas may be expected in the
future. However, past experience is not necessarily indicative
of fluctuations that may occur in the future.
Redemption May Adversely Affect Your Return on the Notes
If your notes are redeemable at our option, we may choose to
redeem your notes at times when prevailing interest rates are
relatively low. In addition, if your notes are subject to
mandatory redemption, we may be required to redeem your notes
also at times when prevailing interest rates are relatively low.
As a result, you generally will not be able to reinvest the
redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective
interest rate as high as the current interest rate on the notes
being redeemed.
There May Not Be a Trading Market for Your Notes; Many
Factors Affect the Trading and Market Value of Your Notes
Upon issuance, your notes will not have an established trading
market. A trading market for your notes may not develop or be
maintained if developed. In addition to our creditworthi-
S-1
ness, many factors affect the trading market for, and trading
value of, your notes. These factors include:
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the complexity and volatility of the index or formula applicable
to your notes, |
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the method of calculating the principal, premium and interest in
respect of your notes, |
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the time remaining to the maturity of your notes, |
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the outstanding amount of notes related to your notes, |
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any redemption features of your notes, |
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the amount of other debt securities linked to the index or
formula applicable to your notes, and |
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the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates
generally. |
There may be a limited number of buyers when you decide to sell
your notes. This may affect the price you receive for your notes
or your ability to sell your notes at all. In addition, notes
that are designed for specific investment objectives or
strategies often experience a more limited trading market and
more price volatility than those not so designed. You should not
purchase any notes unless you understand and are able to bear
the risk that the notes may not be readily saleable, that the
value of the notes will fluctuate over time and that these
fluctuations may be significant.
Foreign Currency Notes are Subject to Exchange Rate and
Exchange Control Risks
If you invest in notes that are denominated and/or payable in a
currency other than U.S. dollars, referred to in this
prospectus supplement as foreign currency notes, you
will be subject to significant risks not associated with an
investment in a debt security denominated and payable in
U.S. dollars, including, without limitation, the
possibility of material changes in the exchange rate between
U.S. dollars and the applicable foreign currency and the
possibility of the imposition or modification of exchange
controls by the applicable governments or monetary authorities.
We have no control over the factors that generally affect these
risks, including economic, financial and political events and
the supply and demand for the applicable currencies. Moreover,
if payments on your foreign currency notes are determined by
reference to a formula containing a multiplier or leverage
factor, the effect of any change in the exchange rates between
the applicable currencies will be magnified. In recent years,
exchange rates between U.S. dollars and certain currencies
have been highly volatile and volatility between these
currencies or with other currencies should be expected in the
future. Fluctuations in any particular exchange rate that have
occurred in the past are not necessarily indicative, however, of
fluctuations that may occur in the future. Depreciation of the
currency applicable to your foreign currency notes against the
U.S. dollar would result in a decrease in the
U.S. dollar equivalent yield of your foreign currency
notes, in the U.S. dollar equivalent value of the principal
and any premium payable at maturity or any earlier redemption of
your foreign currency notes and, generally, in the
U.S. dollar equivalent market value of your foreign
currency notes.
Governmental or monetary authority exchange controls could
affect exchange rates and the availability of the payment
currency for your foreign currency notes on a required payment
date. Even if there are no exchange controls, it is possible
that the currency in which your foreign currency rates are
payable will not be available on a required payment date due to
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circumstances beyond our control. In these cases, we will be
allowed to satisfy our obligations in respect of your foreign
currency notes in U.S. dollars.
Our Credit Ratings May Not Reflect All Risks of an Investment
in the Notes
The credit ratings assigned to our medium-term note program may
not reflect the potential impact of all risks related to
structure and other factors on any trading market for, or
trading value of, your notes. In addition, real or anticipated
changes in our credit ratings will generally affect any trading
market for, or trading value of, your notes. Accordingly, you
should consult your own financial and legal advisors as to the
risks entailed by an investment in the notes and the suitability
of investing in the notes in light of your particular
circumstances.
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
The following description of the terms of the Medium-Term Notes,
Series A Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue,
referred to in this prospectus supplement as the
notes, supplements, and to the extent inconsistent
replaces, the description of the general terms and provisions of
debt securities contained in the accompanying prospectus. The
pricing supplement for each offering of an issue of notes will
contain the specific information and terms for that offering.
The pricing supplement may also add, update or change
information contained in the accompanying prospectus and this
prospectus supplement. It is important for you to consider the
information contained in the accompanying prospectus, this
prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement in making your
investment decision.
General
We will issue the notes as a series of Debt Securities under an
indenture, referred to in this prospectus supplement as the
Indenture, dated as of November 1, 1995, as
amended or modified from time to time, with U.S. Bank
National Association, successor trustee to Wachovia Bank,
National Association (formerly First Union National Bank of
Virginia), as trustee. The Indenture is subject to, and governed
by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The following
summary of certain provisions of the notes and the Indenture
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the actual provisions of the notes and the
Indenture. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this
prospectus supplement shall have the meanings given to them in
the accompanying prospectus, the notes or the Indenture, as the
case may be. The term Debt Securities, as used in
this prospectus supplement, refers to all debt securities issued
and issuable from time to time under the Indenture, including
the notes offered by this prospectus supplement. The following
description of notes will apply to each note offered hereby
unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
All of our Debt Securities that we have issued or will issue
under the Indenture, including the notes offered hereby, will be
our unsecured general obligations and will rank equally with all
of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time
to time outstanding. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate
principal amount of Debt Securities that we may issue
thereunder. Accordingly, we may issue Debt Securities from time
to time in one or more series up to the aggregate initial
offering price authorized by us for the particular series. We
may, from time to time, without the consent of the registered
holders of the notes offered hereby, issue medium-term notes
that are part of the same series as the notes or other Debt
Securities under the Indenture in addition to the notes offered
hereby.
S-3
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
notes that bear interest will either be fixed rate notes or
floating rate notes, as specified in the applicable pricing
supplement. We may also issue discount notes, indexed notes and
amortizing notes, as specified in the applicable pricing
supplement.
Each note will mature on any day nine months or more from its
date of issue, referred to herein as the stated maturity
date, as specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
unless the principal thereof (or, any installment of principal
thereof) becomes due and payable prior to the stated maturity
date, whether, as applicable, by the declaration of acceleration
of maturity, notice of redemption at our option, notice of the
registered holders option to elect repayment or otherwise
(the stated maturity date or any date prior to the stated
maturity date on which the particular note becomes due and
payable, as the case may be, is referred to as the
maturity date with respect to the principal of the
particular note repayable on that date).
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
the notes will be denominated in, and payments of principal,
premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, in respect thereof
will be made in, U.S. dollars. The notes also may be
denominated in, and payments of principal, premium, if any,
and/or interest, if any, in respect thereof may be made in, one
or more foreign currencies. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement, payments in respect of foreign
currency notes will be made in the currency in which those
foreign currency notes are denominated. See Special
Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes Payment of
Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest, if any. The
currency in which a note is denominated (or, if that currency is
no longer legal tender for the payment of public and private
debts in the country issuing that currency or, in the case of
Euro, in the member states of the European Union that have
adopted the single currency in accordance with the Treaty
establishing the European Community, as amended by the Treaty on
European Union, the currency which is then legal tender in the
related country or in the adopting member states of the European
Union, as the case may be) is referred to as the Specified
Currency with respect to the particular note. References
to U.S. dollars or $ are to the
lawful currency of the United States of America.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
you will be required to pay for your notes in the Specified
Currency. At the present time, there are limited facilities in
the United States for the conversion of U.S. dollars into
foreign currencies and vice versa, and commercial banks do not
generally offer
non-U.S. dollar
checking or savings account facilities in the United States. The
agent from or through which a foreign currency note is purchased
may be prepared to arrange for the conversion of
U.S. dollars into the Specified Currency to enable you to
pay for your foreign currency note, provided that you make a
request to that agent on or prior to the fifth business day (as
defined below) preceding the date of delivery of the particular
foreign currency note, or by any other day determined by that
agent. Each conversion will be made by an agent on the terms and
subject to the conditions, limitations and charges as that agent
may from time to time establish in accordance with its regular
foreign exchange practices. You will be required to bear all
costs of exchange in respect of your foreign currency note. For
more information, see Special Provisions Relating to
Foreign Currency Notes below.
Interest rates that we offer on the notes may differ depending
upon, among other factors, the aggregate principal amount of
notes purchased in any single transaction. Notes with different
variable terms other than interest rates may also be offered
concurrently to different investors.
S-4
We may change interest rates or formulas and other terms of
notes from time to time, but no change of terms will affect any
note we have previously issued or as to which we have accepted
an offer to purchase.
We will issue each note as a book-entry note represented by one
or more fully registered global securities or as a fully
registered certificated note. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement, the minimum denominations of each
note other than a foreign currency note will be $1,000 and
integral multiples of $1,000.
We will make payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and
interest, if any, on, book-entry notes represented by global
securities through the trustee to The Depositary Trust Company
or its successor or assigns, referred to in this prospectus
supplement as the Depositary. In the case of
certificated notes, we will make payments of principal and
premium, if any, due on the maturity date in immediately
available funds upon presentation and surrender thereof (and, in
the case of any repayment on an optional repayment date, upon
submission of a duly completed election form if and as required
by the provisions described below) at the office or agency
maintained by us for this purpose in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, currently the corporate trust office of
the trustee located at 40 Broad Street, 5th Floor, New
York, New York 10004. We will make payments of interest, if any,
due on the maturity date of a certificated note to the person to
whom payment of the principal thereof and premium, if any,
thereon shall be made.
We will make payments of interest, if any, on a certificated
note due on any Interest Payment Date (as defined below) other
than the maturity date by check mailed to the address of the
registered holder entitled thereto appearing in the security
register. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will make payments
of interest, if any, due on any Interest Payment Date other than
the maturity date to each registered holder of $10,000,000 (or,
if the Specified Currency is other than U.S. dollars, the
equivalent thereof in the particular Specified Currency) or more
in aggregate principal amount of certificated notes (whether
having identical or different terms and provisions) by wire
transfer of immediately available funds if the applicable
registered holder has delivered appropriate wire transfer
instructions in writing to the trustee not less than
15 days prior to the particular Interest Payment Date. Any
wire transfer instructions received by the trustee shall remain
in effect until revoked by the applicable registered holder. For
special payment terms applicable to foreign currency notes, see
Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency
Notes Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest,
if any.
The term business day means any day, other than a
Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on
which commercial banking institutions are authorized or required
by law, regulation or executive order to close in The City of
New York; provided, however, that, with respect to foreign
currency notes, the day must also not be a day on which
commercial banking institutions are authorized or required by
law, regulation or executive order to close in the Principal
Financial Center (as defined below) of the country issuing the
Specified Currency (or, if the Specified Currency is Euro, the
day must also be a day on which the Trans-European Automated
Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) System
is open); provided, further, that, with respect to notes as to
which LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis, the day must
also be a London Banking Day (as defined below). London
Banking Day means a day on which commercial banking
institutions are open for business (including dealings in the
Designated LIBOR Currency (as defined below) are transacted in
the London interbank market.
S-5
Principal Financial Center means, as applicable:
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the capital city of the country issuing the Specified Currency;
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the capital city of the country to which the Designated LIBOR
Currency relates; |
provided, however, that with respect to U.S. dollars,
Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, South African rand
and Swiss francs, the Principal Financial Center
shall be The City of New York, Sydney, Toronto, London (solely
in the case of the Designated LIBOR Currency), Johannesburg and
Zurich, respectively.
Book-entry notes may be transferred or exchanged only through
the Depositary. Registration of transfer or exchange of
certificated notes will be made at the office or agency
maintained by us for this purpose in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, currently the corporate trust office of
the trustee located at 40 Broad Street, 5th Floor, New
York, New York 10004. No service charge will be
imposed for any such registration of transfer or exchange of
notes, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection therewith (other than certain exchanges not involving
any transfer).
The defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions contained in
the Indenture shall apply to the notes.
Redemption at Our Option; No Sinking Fund
If an initial redemption date is specified in the applicable
pricing supplement, we may redeem the particular notes prior to
their stated maturity date at our option on any date on or after
that initial redemption date in whole or from time to time in
part in increments of $1,000 or any other integral multiple of
an authorized denomination specified in the applicable pricing
supplement (provided that any remaining principal amount thereof
shall be at least $1,000 or other minimum authorized
denomination applicable thereto), at the applicable
Redemption Price (as defined below), together with unpaid
interest accrued thereon to the date of redemption. We must give
written notice to registered holders of the particular notes to
be redeemed at our option not more than 60 nor less than 30
calendar days prior to the date of redemption.
Redemption Price, with respect to a note, means
an amount equal to the initial redemption percentage specified
in the applicable pricing supplement (as adjusted by the annual
redemption percentage reduction, if applicable) multiplied by
the unpaid principal amount thereof to be redeemed. The initial
redemption percentage, if any, applicable to a note shall
decline at each anniversary of the initial redemption date by an
amount equal to the applicable annual redemption percentage
reduction, if any, until the Redemption Price is equal to
100% of the unpaid principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For
a discussion of the redemption of discount notes, see
Discount Notes.
The notes will not be subject to, or entitled to the benefit of,
any sinking fund.
Repayment at the Option of the Holder
If one or more optional repayment dates are specified in the
applicable pricing supplement, registered holders of the
particular notes may require us to repay those notes prior to
their stated maturity date on any optional repayment date in
whole or from time to time in part in increments of $1,000 or
any other integral multiple of an authorized denomination
specified in the applicable pricing supplement (provided that
any remaining principal amount thereof shall be at least $1,000
or other minimum authorized denomination applicable thereto), at
a
S-6
repayment price equal to 100% of the unpaid principal amount
thereof to be repaid, together with unpaid interest accrued
thereon to the date of repayment. A registered holders
exercise of the repayment option will be irrevocable. For a
discussion of the repayment of discount notes, see
Discount Notes.
For any note to be repaid, the trustee must receive, at its
corporate trust office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, not more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior
to the date of repayment, the particular notes to be repaid and:
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in the case of a certificated note, the form entitled
Option to Elect Repayment duly completed, or |
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in the case of a book-entry note, repayment instructions from
the applicable Beneficial Owner (as defined below) to the
Depositary and forwarded by the Depositary. |
Only the Depositary may exercise the repayment option in respect
of global securities representing book-entry notes. Accordingly,
Beneficial Owners of global securities that desire to have all
or any portion of the book-entry notes represented thereby
repaid must instruct the Participant (as defined below) through
which they own their interest to direct the Depositary to
exercise the repayment option on their behalf by forwarding the
repayment instructions to the trustee as aforesaid. To ensure
that these instructions are received by the trustee on a
particular day, the applicable Beneficial Owner must so instruct
the Participant through which it owns its interest before that
Participants deadline for accepting instructions for that
day. Different firms may have different deadlines for accepting
instructions from their customers. Accordingly, Beneficial
Owners should consult their Participants for the respective
deadlines. All instructions given to Participants from
Beneficial Owners of global securities relating to the option to
elect repayment shall be irrevocable. In addition, at the time
repayment instructions are given, each Beneficial Owner shall
cause the Participant through which it owns its interest to
transfer the Beneficial Owners interest in the global
security representing the related book-entry notes, on the
Depositarys records, to the trustee.
If applicable, we will comply with the requirements of
Section 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder, and any other
securities laws or regulations in connection with any repayment
of notes at the option of the registered holders thereof.
We may at any time purchase notes at any price or prices in the
open market or otherwise. Notes so purchased by us may, at our
discretion, be held, resold or surrendered to the trustee for
cancellation.
Interest
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
each interest-bearing note will bear interest from its date of
issue at the rate per annum, in the case of a fixed rate note,
or pursuant to the interest rate formula, in the case of a
floating rate note, in each case as specified in the applicable
pricing supplement, until the principal thereof is paid or duly
provided for. We will make interest payments in respect of fixed
rate notes and floating rate notes in an amount equal to the
interest accrued from and including the immediately preceding
Interest Payment Date in respect of which interest has been paid
or duly provided for, or from and including the date of issue,
if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, to but
excluding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the maturity
date, as the case may be (each, an Interest Period).
S-7
Interest on fixed rate notes and floating rate notes will be
payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date and on the
maturity date. The first payment of interest on any note
originally issued between a Record Date (as defined below) and
the related Interest Payment Date will be made on the Interest
Payment Date immediately following the next succeeding Record
Date to the registered holder of such date on the next
succeeding Record Date. The Record Date shall be the
fifteenth calendar day, whether or not a business day,
immediately preceding the related Interest Payment Date.
Fixed Rate Notes
Interest on fixed rate notes will be payable semiannually in
arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year or on any other
date(s) specified in the applicable pricing supplement (each, an
Interest Payment Date with respect to fixed rate
notes) and on the maturity date. Each payment of interest on an
Interest Payment Date will include interest accrued to but
excluding such Interest Payment Date. Interest on fixed rate
notes will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve
30-day months.
If any Interest Payment Date or the maturity date of a fixed
rate note falls on a day that is not a business day, we will
make the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest on the next succeeding business day with the same force
and effect as if made on the date such payment was due, and no
additional interest will accrue on such payment from and after
such Interest Payment Date or the maturity date, as the case may
be.
Floating Rate Notes
Interest on floating rate notes will be determined by reference
to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Interest Rate Bases,
which may, as described below, include:
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the CD Rate, |
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the CMT Rate, |
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the Commercial Paper Rate, |
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the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, |
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the Federal Funds Rate, |
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LIBOR, |
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the Prime Rate, |
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the Treasury Rate, or |
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any other Interest Rate Basis or interest rate formula as may be
specified in the applicable pricing supplement. |
The applicable pricing supplement will specify certain terms of
the floating rate notes being offered thereby, as described
below, including:
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whether the Floating Rate Note is: |
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a Regular Floating Rate Note, |
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a Floating Rate/ Fixed Rate Note or |
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an Inverse Floating Rate Note, |
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the fixed rate commencement date, if applicable, |
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Fixed Interest Rate, if applicable, |
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Interest Rate Basis or Bases, |
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Initial Interest Rate, if any, |
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Interest Reset Dates, |
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Interest Payment Dates, |
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Index Maturity, |
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Maximum Interest Rate and/or Minimum Interest Rate, if any, |
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Spread and Spread Multiplier, if any, or |
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if one or more of the applicable Interest Rate Bases is LIBOR or
the CMT Rate, the Designated LIBOR Currency and LIBOR Page or
the applicable CMT Telerate Page. |
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
the interest rate derived from the applicable Interest Rate
Basis will be determined in accordance with the applicable
provisions below. The interest rate in effect on each day will
be:
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if that day is an Interest Reset Date (as defined below), the
rate determined as of the Interest Determination Date (as
defined below) immediately preceding that Interest Reset Date, or |
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if that day is not an Interest Reset Date, the rate determined
as of the Interest Determination Date immediately preceding the
most recent Interest Reset Date; |
provided, however, that the interest rate in effect for the
period, if any, from the date of issue to the first Interest
Reset Date will be the Initial Interest Rate.
The Spread is the number of basis points to be added
to or subtracted from the related Interest Rate Basis or Bases
applicable to a floating rate note. The Spread
Multiplier is the percentage of the related Interest Rate
Basis or Bases applicable to a floating rate note by which the
Interest Rate Basis or Bases will be multiplied to determine the
applicable interest rate of such floating rate note. The
Index Maturity is the period to maturity of the
instrument or obligation with respect to which the related
Interest Rate Basis or Bases will be calculated.
Regular Floating Rate Notes. Unless a floating
rate note is designated as a floating rate/fixed rate
note, or an inverse floating rate note, or as
having an Addendum attached or having Other/ Additional
Provisions apply, in each case relating to a different interest
rate formula, the particular floating rate note will be
designated as a regular floating rate note and will
bear interest at the rate determined by reference to the
applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases:
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plus or minus the applicable Spread, and/or |
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multiplied by the applicable Spread Multiplier. |
Commencing on the first Interest Reset Date, the rate at which
interest on a regular floating rate note is payable will be
reset as of each Interest Reset Date; provided, however, that
the interest rate in effect for the period, if any, from the
date of issue to the first Interest Reset Date will be the
initial interest rate (the Initial Interest Rate).
S-9
Floating Rate/ Fixed Rate Notes. If a floating
rate note is designated as a floating rate/fixed rate
note, the particular floating rate note will bear interest
at the rate determined by reference to the applicable Interest
Rate Basis or Bases:
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plus or minus the applicable Spread, and/or |
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multiplied by the applicable Spread Multiplier. |
Commencing on the first Interest Reset Date, the rate at which
interest on a floating rate/fixed rate note is payable will be
reset as of each Interest Reset Date; provided, however, that:
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the interest rate in effect for the period, if any, from the
date of issue to the first Interest Reset Date will be the
Initial Interest Rate, and |
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the interest rate in effect for the period commencing on the
fixed rate commencement date to the maturity date will be the
Fixed Interest Rate, if specified in the applicable
pricing supplement, or, if not so specified, the interest rate
in effect on the day immediately preceding the fixed rate
commencement Date. |
Inverse Floating Rate Notes. If a floating rate
note is designated as an inverse floating rate note,
the particular floating rate note will bear interest at the
Fixed Interest Rate minus the rate determined by reference to
the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases:
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plus or minus the applicable Spread, and/or |
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multiplied by the applicable Spread Multiplier; |
provided, however, that the interest rate on an inverse floating
rate note will not be less than zero. Commencing on the first
Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest on an inverse
floating rate note is payable will be reset as of each Interest
Reset Date; and provided, further, that the interest rate in
effect for the period, if any, from the date of issue to the
first Interest Reset Date will be the Initial Interest Rate.
Interest Reset Dates. The applicable pricing
supplement will specify the dates on which the rate of interest
on a floating rate note will be reset (each, an Interest
Reset Date), and the period between Interest Reset Dates
will be the Interest Reset Period. The Interest
Reset Dates will be, in the case of floating rate notes which
reset:
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daily each business day, |
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weekly the Wednesday of each week, with the exception of
weekly reset floating rate notes as to which the Treasury Rate
is an applicable Interest Rate Basis, which will reset the
Tuesday of each week, except as described below under
Interest Determination Dates, |
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monthly the third Wednesday of each month, with the
exception of monthly reset floating rate notes as to which the
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate is an applicable Interest
Rate Basis, which will reset on the first calendar day of the
month, |
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quarterly the third Wednesday of March, June, September
and December of each year, |
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semiannually the third Wednesday of the two months of each
year specified in the applicable pricing supplement, and |
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annually the third Wednesday of the month of each year
specified in the applicable pricing supplement, |
S-10
provided however, that, with respect to floating rate/fixed rate
notes, the rate of interest thereon will not reset after the
particular fixed rate commencement date.
If any Interest Reset Date for any floating rate note would
otherwise be a day that is not a business day, the particular
Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next succeeding
business day, except that in the case of a floating rate note as
to which LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and that
business day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, the
particular Interest Reset Date will be the immediately preceding
business day. In addition, in the case of a floating rate note
as to which the Treasury Rate is an applicable Interest Rate
Basis, if the Interest Determination Date would otherwise fall
on an Interest Reset Date, the particular Interest Reset Date
will be postponed to the next succeeding business day.
Interest Determination Dates. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable pricing supplement, the interest
rate applicable to an Interest Reset Period commencing on the
related Interest Reset Date will be determined by reference to
the applicable Interest Rate Basis as of the particular
Interest Determination Date, which will be:
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with respect to the Federal Funds Rate and the Prime Rate
the business day immediately preceding the related Interest
Reset Date, |
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with respect to the CD Rate, the CMT Rate and the Commercial
Paper Rate the second business day preceding the
applicable Interest Reset Date, |
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with respect to the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate
the last working day of the month immediately preceding the
applicable Interest Reset Date on which the Federal Home
Loan Bank of San Francisco publishes the Index (as
defined below), |
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with respect to LIBOR the second London Banking Day
preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date unless the
Designated LIBOR currency is British pounds sterling, in which
case the Interest Determination Date will be the applicable
Interest Reset Date, and |
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with respect to the Treasury Rate the day in the week in
which the applicable Interest Reset Date falls on which day
Treasury Bills (as defined below) are normally auctioned (i.e.,
Treasury Bills are normally sold at auction on Monday of each
week, unless that day is a legal holiday, in which case the
auction is normally held on the following Tuesday, except that
the auction may be held on the preceding Friday); provided,
however, that if an auction is held on the Friday of the week
preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date, the Interest
Determination Date will be the preceding Friday. |
The Interest Determination Date pertaining to a floating rate
note the interest rate of which is determined with reference to
two or more Interest Rate Bases will be the latest business day
which is at least two business days before the related Interest
Reset Date for the applicable floating rate note on which each
Interest Reset Basis is determinable. Each Interest Rate Basis
will be determined on the Interest Determination Date, and the
applicable interest rate will take effect on the related
Interest Reset Date.
Calculation Dates. Unless otherwise specified in
the applicable pricing supplement, U.S. Bank National
Association will be the Calculation Agent. The
interest rate applicable to each Interest Reset Period will be
determined by the Calculation Agent on or prior to the
Calculation Date (as defined below), except with respect to
LIBOR and the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, which will
be determined on the particular Interest Determination Date.
Upon request of the registered holder of a floating rate note,
the Calculation Agent will disclose the interest rate then in
effect and, if determined, the interest rate that will become
S-11
effective as a result of a determination made for the next
succeeding Interest Reset Date with respect to the particular
floating rate note. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
pricing supplement, the Calculation Date, if
applicable, pertaining to any Interest Determination Date will
be the earlier of:
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the tenth calendar day after the particular Interest
Determination Date or, if such day is not a business day, the
next succeeding business day, or |
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the business day immediately preceding the applicable Interest
Payment Date or the maturity date, as the case may be. |
Maximum and Minimum Interest Rates. A floating
rate note may also have either or both of the following:
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a maximum numerical limitation, or ceiling, on the per annum
rate of interest in effect with respect to such note that may
accrue during any Interest Reset Period (a Maximum
Interest Rate), and |
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a minimum numerical limitation, or floor, on the per annum rate
of interest in effect with respect to such note that may accrue
during any Interest Reset Period (a Minimum Interest
Rate). |
In addition to any Maximum Interest Rate that may apply to a
floating rate note, the interest rate on floating rate notes
will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by
New York law, as the same may be modified by United States law
of general application.
Interest Payments. The applicable pricing
supplement will specify the dates on which interest on floating
rate notes is payable (each, an Interest Payment
Date with respect to Floating Rate Notes). The Interest
Payment Dates will be, in the case of floating rate notes which
reset:
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daily, weekly or monthly the third Wednesday of each month
or the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of
each year, as specified in the applicable pricing supplement, |
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quarterly the third Wednesday of March, June, September
and December of each year, |
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semiannually the third Wednesday of the two months of each
year specified in the applicable pricing supplement, and |
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annually the third Wednesday of the month of each year
specified in the applicable pricing supplement. |
In addition, the maturity date will also be an Interest Payment
Date.
If any Interest Payment Date other than the maturity date for
any floating rate note would otherwise be a day that is not a
business day, such Interest Payment Date will be postponed to
the next succeeding business day, except that in the case of a
floating rate note as to which LIBOR is an applicable Interest
Rate Basis and that business day falls in the next succeeding
calendar month, the particular Interest Payment Date will be the
immediately preceding business day. If the maturity date of a
floating rate note falls on a day that is not a business day, we
will make the required payment of principal, premium, if any,
and interest on the next succeeding business day with the same
force and effect as if made on the date that payment was due,
and no additional interest will accrue on the payment for the
period from and after the maturity date to the payment on that
next succeeding business day.
S-12
All percentages resulting from any calculation on floating rate
notes will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a
percentage point, with five-one millionths of a percentage point
rounded upwards. For example, 9.876545% (or .09876545) would be
rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655). All dollar amounts used in or
resulting from any calculation on floating rate notes will be
rounded, in the case of U.S. dollars, to the nearest cent
or, in the case of a foreign currency, to the nearest unit (with
one-half cent or unit being rounded upwards).
With respect to each floating rate note, accrued interest is
calculated by multiplying its principal amount by an accrued
interest factor. The accrued interest factor is computed by
adding the interest factor calculated for each day in the
particular Interest Period. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement, the interest factor for each of
those days will be computed by dividing the interest rate
applicable to such day by 360, in the case of floating rate
notes as to which the CD Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, the Federal Funds Rate,
LIBOR or the Prime Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis, or
by the actual number of days in the year, in the case of
floating rate notes as to which the CMT Rate or the Treasury
Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable pricing supplement, the interest
factor for floating rate notes as to which the interest rate is
calculated with reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases
will be calculated in each period in the same manner as if only
the applicable Interest Rate Basis specified in the applicable
pricing supplement applied.
The Calculation Agent shall determine the rate derived from each
Interest Rate Basis in accordance with the following provisions.
CD Rate. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement, CD Rate means:
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(1) the rate on the particular Interest Determination Date
for negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit having
the Index Maturity specified in the applicable pricing
supplement as published in H.15(519) (as defined below) under
the heading CDs (secondary market), or |
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(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) is not so
published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest
Determination Date for negotiable U.S. dollar certificates
of deposit of the particular Index Maturity specified in the
applicable pricing supplement as published in H.15 Daily Update
(as defined below), or other recognized electronic source used
for the purpose of displaying the applicable rate, under the
caption CDs (secondary market), or |
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(3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not so
published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest
Determination Date calculated by the Calculation Agent as the
arithmetic mean of the secondary market offered rates as of
10:00 A.M., New York City time, on that Interest
Determination Date, of three leading nonbank dealers in
negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit in The City
of New York (which may include the Agents or their affiliates)
selected by the Calculation Agent for negotiable
U.S. dollar certificates of deposit of major United States
money market banks for negotiable United States certificates of
deposit with a remaining maturity closest to the particular
Index Maturity specified in the applicable pricing supplement in
an amount that is representative for a single transaction in
that market at that time, or |
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(4) if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are
not quoting as mentioned in clause (3), the CD Rate in
effect on the particular Interest Determination Date. |
S-13
H.15(519) means the weekly statistical release
designated as H.15(519), or any successor publication, published
by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
H.15 Daily Update means the daily update of
H.15(519), available through the worldwide web site of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System at
http:/www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h15/update, or any
successor site or publication.
CMT Rate. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement, CMT Rate means:
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(1) if Reuters Page FRBCMT is specified in the
applicable pricing supplement: |
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(a) the percentage equal to the yield for United States
Treasury securities at constant maturity having the
Index Maturity specified in the applicable pricing supplement as
published in H.15(519) under the caption Treasury Constant
Maturities, as the yield is displayed on Reuters (or any
successor service) on page FRBCMT (or any other page as may
replace the specified page on that service) (Reuters
Page FRBCMT) or, if not so displayed, on the
Bloomberg service (or any successor service) on Page NDX 7
(or any other page as may replace the specified page on that
service) (Bloomberg Page NDX 7), for the particular
Interest Determination Date, or |
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(b) if the rate referred to in clause (a) does not so
appear on Reuters Page FRBCMT or Bloomberg Page NDX 7,
as the case may be, on the related Calculation Date, the
percentage equal to the yield for United States Treasury
securities at constant maturity having the
particular Index Maturity and for the particular Interest
Determination Date as published in H.15(519) under the caption
Treasury Constant Maturities, or |
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(c) if the rate referred to in clause (b) does not so
appear in H.15(519), the rate on the particular Interest
Determination Date for the period of the particular Index
Maturity as may then be published by either the Federal Reserve
System Board of Governors or the United States Department of the
Treasury that the Calculation Agent determines to be comparable
to the rate which would otherwise have been published in
H.15(519), or |
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(d) if the rate referred to in clause (c) is not so
published on the related Calculation Date, the rate on the
particular Interest Determination Date calculated by the
Calculation Agent as a yield to maturity based on the arithmetic
mean of the secondary market bid prices at approximately
3:30 P.M., New York City time, on that Interest
Determination Date of three leading primary United States
government securities dealers in The City of New York (which may
include the Agents or their affiliates) (each, a Reference
Dealer), selected by the Calculation Agent from five
Reference Dealers selected by the Calculation Agent and
eliminating the highest quotation, or, in the event of equality,
one of the highest, and the lowest quotation or, in the event of
equality, one of the lowest, for United States Treasury
securities with an original maturity equal to the particular
Index Maturity, a remaining term to maturity no more than
1 year shorter than that Index Maturity and in a principal
amount that is representative for a single transaction in the
securities in that market at that time, or |
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(e) if fewer than five but more than two of the prices
referred to in clause (d) are provided as requested, the
rate on the particular Interest Determination Date calculated by
the Calculation Agent based on the arithmetic mean of the bid
prices obtained and neither the highest nor the lowest of the
quotations shall be eliminated, or |
S-14
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(f) if fewer than three prices referred to in
clause (d) are provided as requested, the rate on the
particular Interest Determination Date calculated by the
Calculation Agent as a yield to maturity based on the arithmetic
mean of the secondary market bid prices as of approximately
3:30 P.M., New York City time, on that Interest
Determination Date of three Reference Dealers selected by the
Calculation Agent from five Reference Dealers selected by the
Calculation Agent and eliminating the highest quotation or, in
the event of equality, one of the highest and the lowest
quotation or, in the event of equality, one of the lowest, for
United States Treasury securities with an original maturity
greater than the particular Index Maturity, a remaining term to
maturity closest to that Index Maturity and in a principal
amount that is representative for a single transaction in the
securities in that market at that time, or |
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(g) if fewer than five but more than two prices referred to
in clause (f) are provided as requested, the rate on the
particular Interest Determination Date calculated by the
Calculation Agent based on the arithmetic mean of the bid prices
obtained and neither the highest nor the lowest of the
quotations will be eliminated, or |
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(h) if fewer than three prices referred to in
clause (f) are provided as requested, the CMT Rate in
effect on the particular Interest Determination Date. |
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(2) if Reuters Page FEDCMT is specified in the
applicable pricing supplement: |
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(a) the percentage equal to the one-week or one-month, as
specified in the applicable pricing supplement, average yield
for United States Treasury securities at constant
maturity having the Index Maturity specified in the
applicable pricing supplement as published in H.15(519) opposite
the caption Treasury Constant Maturities, as the
yield is displayed on Reuters (or any successor service) on
page FEDCMT (or any other page as may replace the specified
page on that service) (Reuters Page FEDCMT) or,
if not so displayed, on the Bloomberg service (or any successor
service) on Bloomberg Page NDX 7, for the week or
month, as applicable, ended immediately preceding the week or
month, as applicable, in which the particular Interest
Determination Date falls, or |
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(b) if the rate referred to in clause (a) does not so
appear on Reuters Page FEDCMT or Bloomberg Page NDX 7,
as the case may be, on the related Calculation Date, the
percentage equal to the one-week or one-month, as specified in
the applicable pricing supplement, average yield for United
States Treasury securities at constant maturity
having the particular Index Maturity and for the week or month,
as applicable, preceding the particular Interest Determination
Date as published in H.15(519) opposite the caption
Treasury Constant Maturities, or |
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(c) if the rate referred to in clause (b) does not so
appear in H.15(519) on the related Calculation Date, the
one-week or one-month, as specified in the applicable pricing
supplement, average yield for United States Treasury securities
at constant maturity having the particular Index
Maturity as otherwise announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of
New York for the week or month, as applicable, ended immediately
preceding the week or month, as applicable, in which the
particular Interest Determination Date falls, or |
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(d) if the rate referred to in clause (c) is not so
published on the related Calculation Date, the rate on the
particular Interest Determination Date calculated by the
Calculation Agent as a yield to maturity based on the arithmetic
mean of the secondary market bid prices at approximately
3:30 P.M., New York City time, on that Interest |
S-15
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Determination Date of three Reference Dealers selected by the
Calculation Agent from five Reference Dealers selected by the
Calculation Agent and eliminating the highest quotation, or, in
the event of equality, one of the highest, and the lowest
quotation or, in the event of equality, one of the lowest, for
United States Treasury securities with an original maturity
equal to the particular Index Maturity, a remaining term to
maturity no more than 1 year shorter than that Index
Maturity and in a principal amount that is representative for a
single transaction in the securities in that market at that
time, or |
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(e) if fewer than five but more than two of the prices
referred to in clause (d) are provided as requested, the
rate on the particular Interest Determination Date calculated by
the Calculation Agent based on the arithmetic mean of the bid
prices obtained and neither the highest nor the lowest of the
quotations shall be eliminated, or |
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(f) if fewer than three prices referred to in
clause (d) are provided as requested, the rate on the
particular Interest Determination Date calculated by the
Calculation Agent as a yield to maturity based on the arithmetic
mean of the secondary market bid prices as of approximately
3:30 P.M., New York City time, on that Interest
Determination Date of three Reference Dealers selected by the
Calculation Agent from five Reference Dealers selected by the
Calculation Agent and eliminating the highest quotation or, in
the event of equality, one of the highest and the lowest
quotation or, in the event of equality, one of the lowest, for
United States Treasury securities with an original maturity
greater than the particular Index Maturity, a remaining term to
maturity closest to that Index Maturity and in a principal
amount that is representative for a single transaction in the
securities in that market at the time, or |
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(g) if fewer than five but more than two prices referred to
in clause (f) are provided as requested, the rate on the
particular Interest Determination Date calculated by the
Calculation Agent based on the arithmetic mean of the bid prices
obtained and neither the highest or the lowest of the quotations
will be eliminated, or |
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(h) if fewer than three prices referred to in
clause (f) are provided as requested, the CMT Rate in
effect on that Interest Determination Date. |
If two United States Treasury securities with an original
maturity greater than the Index Maturity specified in the
applicable pricing supplement have remaining terms to maturity
equally close to the particular Index Maturity, the quotes for
the United States Treasury security with the shorter original
remaining term to maturity will be used.
Commercial Paper Rate. Unless otherwise specified
in the applicable pricing supplement, Commercial Paper
Rate means:
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(1) the Money Market Yield, (as defined below), on the
particular Interest Determination Date of the rate for
commercial paper having the Index Maturity specified in the
applicable pricing supplement as published in H.15(519) under
the caption Commercial Paper-Nonfinancial, or |
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(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) is not so
published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, the Money Market Yield of the rate on the
particular Interest Determination Date for commercial paper
having the particular Index Maturity as published in H.15 Daily
Update, or such other recognized electronic source used for the
purpose of displaying the applicable rate, under the caption
Commercial Paper-Nonfinancial, or |
S-16
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(3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not so
published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest
Determination Date calculated by the Calculation Agent as the
Money Market Yield of the arithmetic mean of the offered rates
at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on that
Interest Determination Date of three leading dealers of
U.S. dollar commercial paper in The City of New York (which
may include the Agents or their affiliates) selected by the
Calculation Agent for commercial paper having the particular
Index Maturity specified in the applicable pricing supplement
placed for industrial issuers whose bond rating is
Aa, or the equivalent, from a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization, or |
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(4) if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are
not quoting as mentioned in clause (3), the Commercial
Paper Rate in effect on the particular Interest Determination
Date. |
Money Market Yield means a yield (expressed as a
percentage) calculated in accordance with the following formula:
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Money Market Yield =
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360 × D
360
- (D × M)
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× 100
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where D refers to the applicable per annum rate for
commercial paper quoted on a bank discount basis and expressed
as a decimal, and M refers to the actual number of
days in the applicable Interest Reset Period.
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate. Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate means:
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(1) the rate equal to the monthly weighted average cost of
funds for the calendar month immediately preceding the month in
which the particular Interest Determination Date falls as set
forth under the caption 11th District on the
display on Reuters (or any successor service) on
page COFI/ARMS (or any other page as may replace the
specified page on that service) (Reuters
Page COFI/ARMS) or, if not so displayed, on the
Bloomberg service (or any successor service) on page ALLX COF
(or any other page as may replace the specified page on that
service) (Bloomberg Page ALLX COF) as of
11:00 A.M., San Francisco time, on that Interest
Determination Date, or |
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(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) does not so
appear on Reuters Page COFI/ARMS or Bloomberg Page ALLX
COF, as the case may be, the monthly weighted average cost of
funds paid by member institutions of the Eleventh Federal Home
Loan Bank District that was most recently announced (the
Index) by the Federal Home Loan Bank of
San Francisco as the cost of funds for the calendar month
immediately preceding that Interest Determination Date, or |
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(3) if the Federal Home Loan Bank of
San Francisco fails to announce the Index on or prior to
the particular Interest Determination Date for the calendar
month immediately preceding that Interest Determination Date,
the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate in effect on the
particular Interest Determination Date. |
Federal Funds Rate. Federal Funds Rate Notes will
bear interest at the rates (calculated with reference to the
Federal Funds Rate and the Spread and/or Spread Multiplier, if
any) specified in such Federal Funds Rate Notes. The Federal
Funds Rate will be calculated by reference to either the Federal
Funds (Effective) Rate, the Federal Funds Open Rate or the
Federal Funds Target Rate, as specified in the applicable
pricing supplement.
S-17
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
Federal Funds Rate means the rate determined by the
Calculation Agent as of the applicable Interest Determination
Date (a Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination
Date) in accordance with the following provisions:
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(1) If Federal Funds (Effective) Rate is the
specified Federal Funds Rate in the applicable note, the Federal
Funds Rate as of the applicable Federal Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date shall be the rate with respect to such date
for United States dollar federal funds as published in H.15(519)
opposite the caption Federal funds (effective), as
such rate is displayed on Reuters on page FEDFUNDS1 (or any
other page as may replace such page on such service)
(Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1) under the heading
EFFECT, or, if such rate is not so published by 3:00
P.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date, the rate with
respect to such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date
for United States dollar federal funds as published in H.15
Daily Update, or such other recognized electronic source used
for the purpose of displaying such rate, under the caption
Federal funds (effective). If such rate does not
appear on Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1 or is not yet published in
H.15(519), H.15 Daily Update or another recognized electronic
source by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, then the Federal Funds Rate with respect to
such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date shall be
calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be the arithmetic
mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight United
States dollar federal funds arranged by three leading brokers of
U.S. dollar federal funds transactions in The City of New York
(which may include the agents or their affiliates) selected by
the Calculation Agent, prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City time,
on the Business Day following such Federal Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date; provided, however, that if the
brokers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as
mentioned in this sentence, the Federal Funds Rate determined as
of such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date will be
the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such Federal Funds Rate
Interest Determination Date. |
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(2) If Federal Funds Open Rate is the specified
Federal Funds Rate in the applicable note, the Federal Funds
Rate as of the applicable Federal Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date shall be the rate on such date under the
heading Federal Funds for the relevant Index
Maturity and opposite the caption Open as such rate
is displayed on Reuters on page 5 (or any other page as may
replace such page on such service) (Reuters
Page 5), or, if such rate does not appear on Reuters
Page 5 by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
Calculation Date, the Federal Funds Rate for the Federal Funds
Rate Interest Determination Date will be the rate for that day
displayed on FFPREBON Index page on Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg), which is the Fed Funds Opening Rate as
reported by Prebon Yamane (or a successor) on Bloomberg. If such
rate does not appear on Reuters Page 5 or is not displayed
on FFPREBON Index page on Bloomberg or another recognized
electronic source by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
related Calculation Date, then the Federal Funds Rate on such
Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date shall be
calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be the arithmetic
mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight United
States dollar federal funds arranged by three leading brokers of
United States dollar federal funds transactions in The City of
New York (which may include the agents or their affiliates)
selected by the Calculation Agent prior to 9:00 A.M., New
York City time, on such Federal Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date; provided, however, that if the
brokers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as
mentioned in this sentence, the Federal Funds Rate determined as
of such Federal Funds Rate Interest |
S-18
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Determination Date will be the Federal Funds Rate in effect on
such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date. |
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(iii) If Federal Funds Target Rate is the
specified Federal Funds Rate in the applicable note, the Federal
Funds Rate as of the applicable Federal Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date shall be the rate on such date as displayed
on the FDTR Index page on Bloomberg. If such rate does not
appear on the FDTR Index page on Bloomberg by 3:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on the Calculation Date, the Federal Funds
Rate for such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date
will be the rate for that day appearing on Reuters Page
USFFTARGET= (or any other page as may replace such page on such
service) (Reuters Page USFFTARGET=). If such rate
does not appear on the FDTR Index page on Bloomberg or is not
displayed on Reuters Page USFFTARGET= by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the
Federal Funds Rate on such Federal Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date shall be calculated by the Calculation Agent
and will be the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last
transaction in overnight United States dollar federal funds
arranged by three leading brokers of United States dollar
federal funds transactions in The City of New York (which may
include the agents or their affiliates) selected by the
Calculation Agent prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City time,
on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date. |
LIBOR. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement, LIBOR means:
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(1) With respect to any Interest Determination Date
relating to a floating rate note for which the interest rate is
determined with reference to LIBOR (a LIBOR Interest
Determination Date), LIBOR will be the rate for deposits
in the Designated LIBOR Currency having the Index Maturity
specified in such note as such rate is displayed on Reuters on
page LIBOR01 (or any other page as may replace such page on such
service for the purpose of displaying the London interbank rates
of major banks for the Designated LIBOR Currency) (Reuters
Page LIBOR01) as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on such
LIBOR Interest Determination Date. If no such rate so appears,
LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be
determined in accordance with the provisions described in clause
(2) below. |
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(2) With respect to a LIBOR Interest Determination Date on
which no rate is displayed on Reuters Page LIBOR01 as specified
in clause (1) above, the Calculation Agent shall request
the principal London offices of each of four major reference
banks (which may include affiliates of the agents) in the London
interbank market, as selected by the Calculation Agent, to
provide the Calculation Agent with its offered quotation for
deposits in the Designated LIBOR Currency for the period of the
Index Maturity specified in the applicable note, commencing on
the related Interest Reset Date, to prime banks in the London
interbank market at approximately 11:00 A.M., London time,
on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date and in a principal
amount that is representative for a single transaction in the
Designated LIBOR Currency in such market at such time. If at
least two such quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on such
LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean
calculated by the Calculation Agent of such quotations. If fewer
than two such quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on such
LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean
calculated by the Calculation Agent of the rates quoted at
approximately 11:00 A.M., in the applicable Principal
Financial Center (as defined below), on such LIBOR Interest
Determination Date by three major banks (which may include
affiliates of the agents) in such Principal Financial Center
selected by the Calculation Agent |
S-19
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for loans in the Designated LIBOR Currency to leading European
banks, having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable
note and in a principal amount that is representative for a
single transaction in the Designated LIBOR Currency in such
market at such time; provided, however, that if the banks
so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as
mentioned in this sentence, LIBOR determined as of such LIBOR
Interest Determination Date shall be LIBOR in effect on such
LIBOR Interest Determination Date. |
Designated LIBOR Currency means the currency
specified in the applicable note as to which LIBOR shall be
calculated or, if no such currency is specified in the
applicable note, U.S. dollars.
Principal Financial Center means (i) the
capital city of the country issuing the specified currency or
(ii) the capital city of the country to which the
Designated LIBOR Currency, if applicable, relates, except, in
each case, that with respect to United States dollars,
Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, New Zealand
dollars, South African rand and Swiss francs, the
Principal Financial Center shall be The City of New
York, Sydney, Toronto, London (solely in the case of the
Designated LIBOR Currency), Wellington, Johannesburg and Zurich,
respectively.
Prime Rate. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement, Prime Rate means:
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(1) the rate on the particular Interest Determination Date
as published in H.15(519) under the caption Bank Prime
Loan, or |
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(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) is not so
published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest
Determination Date as published in H.15 Daily Update, or such
other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of
displaying the applicable rate, under the caption Bank
Prime Loan, or |
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(3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not so
published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest
Determination Date calculated by the Calculation Agent as the
arithmetic mean of the rates of interest publicly announced by
each bank that appears on Reuters on page USPRIME1 (or any other
page as may replace such page on such service for the purpose of
displaying prime rates or base lending rates of major United
States banks) (Reuters Page USPRIME1) as the
applicable banks prime rate or base lending rate as of
11:00 A.M., New York City time, on that Interest
Determination Date, or |
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(4) if fewer than four rates referred to in clause (3)
are so published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
related Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest
Determination Date calculated by the Calculation Agent as the
arithmetic mean of the prime rates or base lending rates quoted
on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by
a 360-day year as of
the close of business on that Interest Determination Date by
three major banks (which may include affiliates of the Agents)
in The City of New York selected by the Calculation
Agent, or |
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(5) if the banks so selected by the Calculation Agent are
not quoting as mentioned in clause (4), the Prime Rate in
effect on the particular Interest Determination Date. |
Treasury Rate. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement, Treasury Rate means:
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(1) the rate from the auction held on the particular
Interest Determination Date (the Auction) of direct
obligations of the United States (Treasury Bills)
having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable pricing
supplement under the caption INVEST RATE |
S-20
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on the display on Reuters (or any successor service) on
page USAUCTION 10 (or any other page as may replace
that page on that service) (Reuters
Page USAUCTION 10) or
page USAUCTION 11 (or any other page as may replace
that page on that service) (Reuters
Page USAUCTION 11) or, if not so displayed, on
the Bloomberg service (or any successor service) on page
AUCK 18 (or any other page as may replace the specified
page on that service) (Bloomberg Page
AUCK 18), or |
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(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) is not so
published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, the Bond Equivalent Yield (as defined below)
of the rate for the applicable Treasury Bills as published in
H.15 Daily Update, or another recognized electronic source used
for the purpose of displaying the applicable rate, under the
caption U.S. Government Securities/ Treasury Bills/
Auction High, or |
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(3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not so
published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, the Bond Equivalent Yield of the auction rate
of the applicable Treasury Bills as announced by the United
States Department of the Treasury, or |
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(4) if the rate referred to in clause (3) is not so
announced by the United States Department of the Treasury, or if
the Auction is not held, the Bond Equivalent Yield of the rate
on the particular Interest Determination Date of the applicable
Treasury Bills as published in H.15(519) under the caption
U.S. Government Securities/ Treasury Bills/ Secondary
Market, or |
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(5) if the rate referred to in clause (4) not so
published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest
Determination Date of the applicable Treasury Bills as published
in H.15 Daily Update, or another recognized electronic source
used for the purpose of displaying the applicable rate, under
the caption U.S. Government Securities/ Treasury
Bills/ Secondary Market, or |
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(6) if the rate referred to in clause (5) is not so
published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, the rate on the particular Interest
Determination Date calculated by the Calculation Agent as the
Bond Equivalent Yield of the arithmetic mean of the secondary
market bid rates, as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York
City time, on that Interest Determination Date, of three primary
United States government securities dealers (which may include
the Agents or their affiliates) selected by the Calculation
Agent, for the issue of Treasury Bills with a remaining maturity
closest to the Index Maturity specified in the applicable
pricing supplement, or |
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(7) if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are
not quoting as mentioned in clause (6), the Treasury Rate
in effect on the particular Interest Determination Date. |
Bond Equivalent Yield means a yield (expressed as a
percentage) calculated in accordance with the following formula:
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Bond Equivalent Yield =
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D × N
360
- (D × M)
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× 100
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where D refers to the applicable per annum rate for
Treasury Bills quoted on a bank discount basis and expressed as
a decimal, N refers to 365 or 366, as the case may
be, and M refers to the actual number of days in the
applicable Interest Reset Period.
S-21
Certain Covenants
With respect to the notes offered under this prospectus
supplement and accompanying prospectus, the covenant limiting
our incurrence of debt as set forth in Section 1004(a) of
the Indenture and described on page 8 of the accompanying
prospectus under the heading Description of Debt
Securities-Covenants Under the Senior Indenture, shall be
superseded by a similar covenant that changes the limitation of
our outstanding debt on a consolidated basis determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles from
60% to 65%. For the notes offered under this prospectus
supplement and accompanying prospectus, the new covenant that
replaces the covenant set forth in Section 1004(a) of the
Indenture (and which is described on page 8 of the accompanying
prospectus) provides that we will not, and will not permit any
subsidiary to, incur any Debt (as defined beginning on
page 9 of the accompanying prospectus) if, immediately
after giving effect to the incurrence of the additional Debt and
the application of the proceeds from the Debt, the aggregate
principal amount of all of our outstanding Debt on a
consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles is greater than 65% of the sum
of, without duplication:
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our Total Assets (as defined on page 10 of the accompanying
prospectus) as of the end of the calendar quarter covered in our
Annual Report on
Form 10-K or
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q, as the
case may be, most recently filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or, if the filing is not permitted under
the Exchange Act, with the trustee, prior to the incurrence of
the additional Debt, and |
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the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages
receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering
proceeds received, to the extent the proceeds were not used to
acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to
reduce Debt, by us or any subsidiary since the end of the
calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in
connection with the incurrence of the additional Debt. |
In addition to the covenants discussed in the accompanying
prospectus under the section entitled Description of Debt
Securities, we are required to maintain Total Unencumbered
Assets of not less than 150% of the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of our Unsecured Debt. For purposes of this
covenant, the following capitalized terms are defined as follows:
Total Unencumbered Assets means the sum of
(i) those Undepreciated Real Estate Assets not subject to
an encumbrance and (ii) all other assets of UDR and its
Subsidiaries not subject to encumbrance determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding
accounts receivable and intangibles).
Subsidiaries or Subsidiary means a
corporation, a limited liability company or a partnership a
majority of the outstanding voting stock, limited liability
company or partnership interests, as the case may be, of which
is owned, directly or indirectly, by UDR or by one or more other
Subsidiaries of UDR. For purposes of this definition,
voting stock means stock having voting power for the
election of directors, managing members or trustees, whether at
all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such
voting power by reason of any contingency.
Undepreciated Real Estate Assets as of any date
means the original cost plus capital improvements of real estate
assets of UDR and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.
Unsecured Debt means debt of UDR or any Subsidiary
that is not secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or
security interest of any kind upon any of their properties.
S-22
Other/ Additional Provisions; Addendum
Any provisions with respect to the notes, including the
specification and determination of one or more Interest Rate
Bases, the calculation of the interest rate applicable to a
floating rate note, the Interest Payment Dates, the stated
maturity date, any redemption or repayment provisions or any
other term relating to the notes, may be modified and/or
supplemented as specified under Other/ Additional
Provisions on the face of the applicable notes or in an
addendum relating to the applicable notes, if so specified on
the face of the applicable notes, and, in each case, as
specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
Discount Notes
We may from time to time offer notes, that we refer to herein as
discount notes, that have an Issue Price (as
specified in the applicable pricing supplement) that is less
than 100% of the principal amount thereof (i.e. par) by more
than a percentage equal to the product of 0.25% and the number
of full years to the stated maturity date. Discount notes may
not bear any interest currently or may bear interest at a rate
that is below market rates at the time of issuance. Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, the
difference between the Issue Price of a discount note and par is
referred to as the discount. In the event of
redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity of a discount
note, the amount payable to the holder of a discount note will
be equal to the sum of:
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the Issue Price (increased by any accruals of discount) and, in
the event of any redemption of the applicable discount note, if
applicable, multiplied by the initial redemption percentage
specified in the applicable pricing supplement (as adjusted by
the annual redemption percentage reduction, if applicable), and |
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any unpaid interest accrued on the discount notes to the date of
the redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity, as the
case may be. |
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
for purposes of determining the amount of discount that has
accrued as of any date on which a redemption, repayment or
acceleration of maturity occurs for a discount note, a discount
will be accrued using a constant yield method. The constant
yield will be calculated using a
30-day month,
360-day year
convention, a compounding period that, except for the Initial
Period (as defined below), corresponds to the shortest period
between Interest Payment Dates for the applicable discount note
(with ratable accruals within a compounding period), a coupon
rate equal to the initial coupon rate applicable to the discount
note and an assumption that the maturity of a discount note will
not be accelerated. If the period from the date of issue to the
first Interest Payment Date for a discount note (the
Initial Period) is shorter than the compounding
period for the discount note, a proportionate amount of the
yield for an entire compounding period will be accrued. If the
Initial Period is longer than the compounding period, then the
period will be divided into a regular compounding period and a
short period with the short period being treated as provided in
the preceding sentence. The accrual of the applicable discount
may differ from the accrual of original issue discount for
purposes of the Internal Revenue Code, certain discount notes
may not be treated as having original issue discount within the
meaning of the Internal Revenue Code, and notes other than
discount notes may be treated as issued with original issue
discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
S-23
Indexed Notes
We may from time to time offer notes, referred to herein as
indexed notes, with the amount of principal, premium
and/or interest payable in respect thereof to be determined with
reference to the price or prices of specified commodities or
stocks, to the exchange rate of one or more designated
currencies relative to one or more other indexed currencies or
to other items, in each case as specified in the applicable
pricing supplement. In certain cases, holders of indexed notes
may receive a principal payment on the maturity date that is
greater than or less than the principal amount of such indexed
notes depending upon the relative value on the maturity date of
the specified indexed item. Information as to the method for
determining the amount of principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest, if any, payable in respect of indexed notes, certain
historical information with respect to the specified indexed
item and any material U.S. tax considerations associated
with an investment in indexed notes will be specified in the
applicable pricing supplement.
Amortizing Notes
We may from time to time offer notes, referred to herein as
amortizing notes, with the amount of principal
thereof and interest thereon payable in installments over their
terms. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing
supplement, interest on each amortizing note will be computed on
the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day
months. Payments with respect to amortizing notes will be
applied first to interest due and payable thereon and then to
the reduction of the unpaid principal amount thereof. Further
information concerning additional terms and provisions of
amortizing notes will be specified in the applicable pricing
supplement, including a table setting forth repayment
information for such amortizing notes.
Book-Entry Notes
We have established a depositary arrangement with The Depository
Trust Company with respect to the book-entry notes, the terms of
which are summarized below. Any additional or differing terms of
the depositary arrangement with respect to the book-entry notes
will be described in the applicable pricing supplement.
Upon issuance, all book-entry notes of like tenor and terms up
to $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount bearing interest (if
any), at the same rate or pursuant to the same formula and
having the same date of issue, specified currency, Interest
Payment Dates, if any, stated maturity date, redemption
provisions (if any), repayment provisions (if any) and other
terms, will be represented by a single global security. Each
global security representing book-entry notes will be deposited
with, or on behalf of, the Depositary and will be registered in
the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. No
global security may be transferred except as a whole by a
nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another
nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or another
nominee of the Depositary to a successor of the Depositary or a
nominee of a successor to the Depositary.
So long as the Depositary or its nominee is the registered
holder of a global security, the Depositary or its nominee, as
the case may be, will be the sole owner of the book-entry notes
represented thereby for all purposes under the Indenture. Except
as otherwise provided below, the Beneficial Owners of the global
security or securities representing book-entry notes will not be
entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes and
will not be considered the registered holders thereof for any
purpose under the Indenture, and no global security representing
book-entry notes shall be exchangeable or transferable.
Accordingly, each
S-24
Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of the Depositary
and, if that Beneficial Owner is not a Participant (as defined
below), on the procedures of the Participant through which that
Beneficial Owner owns its interest to exercise any rights of a
registered holder under the Indenture. The laws of some
jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take
physical delivery of securities in certificated form. Such
limits and laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial
interests in a global security representing book-entry notes.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
each global security representing book-entry notes will be
exchangeable for certificated notes of like tenor and terms and
of differing authorized denominations in a like aggregate
principal amount, only if (i) the Depositary notifies us
that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the
global securities or the Depositary has ceased to be a clearing
agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in any such case
we fail to appoint a successor to the Depositary within 90
calendar days, (ii) we, in our sole discretion, determine
that the global securities shall be exchangeable for
certificated notes or (iii) an Event of Default (as defined
in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing with respect to
the notes under the Indenture and beneficial owners representing
a majority in principal amount of the book-entry notes
represented by the global securities advise the Depositary to
cease acting as depository for the global securities. Upon any
such exchange, the certificated notes shall be registered in the
names of the Beneficial Owners of the global security or
securities representing book-entry notes, which names shall be
provided by the Depositarys relevant Participants (as
identified by the Depositary) to the trustee.
The following is based on information furnished by the
Depositary:
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The Depositary will act as securities depository for the
book-entry notes. The book-entry notes will be issued as fully
registered securities registered in the name of Cede &
Co. (the Depositarys partnership nominee). One fully
registered global security will be issued for each issue of
book-entry notes, each in the aggregate principal amount of such
issue, and will be deposited with the Depositary. If, however,
the aggregate principal amount of any issue exceeds
$500,000,000, one global security will be issued with respect to
each $500,000,000 of principal amount and an additional global
security will be issued with respect to any remaining principal
amount of such issue. |
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The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company organized
under the New York Banking Law, a banking
organization within the meaning of the New York Banking
Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a clearing
corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code, and a clearing agency registered
pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange
Act. The Depositary holds securities that its participants
(Participants) deposit with the Depositary. The
Depositary also facilitates the settlement among Participants of
securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in
deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry
changes in its Participants accounts, thereby eliminating
the need for physical movement of securities certificates.
Direct Participants of the Depositary (Direct
Participants) include securities brokers and dealers
(including the agents), banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. The Depositary is
owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the New York
Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange Inc., and the
NASD, Inc. (formerly the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc.). Access to the Depositarys system is also
available to others such as securities brokers and dealers,
banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a
custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, |
S-25
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either directly or indirectly (Indirect
Participants). The rules applicable to the Depositary and
its Participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. |
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Purchases of book-entry notes under the Depositarys system
must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will
receive a credit for such book-entry notes on the
Depositarys records. The ownership interest of each actual
purchaser of each book-entry note represented by a global
security (Beneficial Owner) is in turn to be
recorded on the records of Direct Participants and Indirect
Participants. Beneficial Owners will not receive written
confirmation from the Depositary of their purchase, but
Beneficial Owners are expected to receive written confirmations
providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic
statements of their holdings, from the Direct Participants or
Indirect Participants through which such Beneficial Owner
entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests
in a global security representing book-entry notes are to be
accomplished by entries made on the books of Participants acting
on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners of a global
security representing book-entry notes will not receive
certificated notes representing their ownership interests
therein, except in the event that use of the book-entry system
for such book-entry notes is discontinued. |
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To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities
representing book-entry notes which are deposited with, or on
behalf of, the Depositary are registered in the name of the
Depositarys nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of
global securities with, or on behalf of, the Depositary and
their registration in the name of Cede & Co. effect no
change in beneficial ownership. The Depositary has no knowledge
of the actual Beneficial Owners of the global securities
representing the book-entry notes; the Depositarys records
reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose
accounts such book-entry notes are credited, which may or may
not be the Beneficial Owners. The Participants will remain
responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of
their customers. |
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Conveyance of notices and other communications by the Depositary
to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect
Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect
Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by
arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time. |
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Neither the Depositary nor Cede & Co. will consent or
vote with respect to the global securities representing the
book-entry notes. Under its usual procedures, the Depositary
mails an Omnibus Proxy to a company as soon as possible after
the applicable Record Date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns
Cede & Co.s consenting or voting rights to those
Direct Participants to whose accounts the book-entry notes are
credited on the applicable Record Date (identified in a listing
attached to the Omnibus Proxy). |
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Principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payments on
the global securities representing the book-entry notes will be
made in immediately available funds to the Depositary. The
Depositarys practice is to credit Direct
Participants accounts on the applicable payment date in
accordance with their respective holdings shown on the
Depositarys records unless the Depositary has reason to
believe that it will not receive payment on such date. Payments
by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case
with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer
form or registered in street name, and will be the
responsibility of such Participant and not of the Depositary,
the trustee or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, to the
Depositary is the responsibility of |
S-26
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the company and the trustee, disbursement of such payments to
Direct Participants shall be the responsibility of the
Depositary, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial
Owners shall be the responsibility of Direct Participants and
Indirect Participants. |
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If applicable, redemption notices shall be sent to
Cede & Co. If less than all of the book-entry notes of
like tenor and terms within an issue are being redeemed, the
Depositarys practice is to determine by lot the amount of
the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be
redeemed. |
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A Beneficial Owner shall give notice of any option to elect to
have its book-entry notes repaid by us, through its Participant,
to the trustee, and shall effect delivery of such book-entry
notes by causing the Direct Participant to transfer the
Participants interest in the global security or securities
representing such book-entry notes, on the Depositarys
records, to the trustee. The requirement for physical delivery
of book-entry notes in connection with a demand for repayment
will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the global
security or securities representing such book-entry notes are
transferred by Direct Participants on the Depositarys
records. |
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The Depositary may discontinue providing its services as
securities depository with respect to the book-entry notes at
any time by giving reasonable notice to us or the trustee. Under
such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities
depository is not obtained, certificated notes are required to
be printed and delivered. |
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We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry
transfers through the Depositary (or a successor securities
depository). In that event, certificated notes will be printed
and delivered. |
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The information in this section concerning the Depositary and
the Depositarys system has been obtained from sources that
we believe to be reliable, but neither we nor any agent takes
any responsibility for the accuracy thereof. |
S-27
SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES
General
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
foreign currency notes will not be sold in, or to residents of,
the country issuing the Specified Currency. The information set
forth in this prospectus supplement is directed to prospective
purchasers who are United States residents and, with respect to
foreign currency notes, is by necessity incomplete. We and the
agents disclaim any responsibility to advise prospective
purchasers who are residents of countries other than the United
States with respect to any matters that may affect the purchase,
holding or receipt of payments of principal of, and premium, if
any, and interest, if any, on, their foreign currency notes.
These purchasers should consult their own financial and legal
advisors with regard to these risks. See Risk Factors
Foreign Currency Notes are Subject to Exchange Rate and
Exchange Control Risks.
Payment of Principal, Premium, if Any, and Interest, if
Any
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
we are obligated to make payments of principal of, and premium,
if any, and interest, if any, on, a foreign currency note in the
Specified Currency. Any amounts so payable by us in the
Specified Currency will be converted by the exchange rate agent
named in the applicable pricing supplement (the Exchange
Rate Agent) into U.S. dollars for payment to the
registered holders thereof unless otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement or a registered holder elects, in
the manner described below, to receive these amounts in the
Specified Currency.
Any U.S. dollar amount to be received by a registered
holder of a foreign currency note will be based on the highest
bid quotation in The City of New York received by the Exchange
Rate Agent at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time,
on the second business day preceding the applicable payment date
from three recognized foreign exchange dealers (one of whom may
be the Exchange Rate Agent) selected by the Exchange Rate Agent
and approved by us for the purchase by the quoting dealer of the
Specified Currency for U.S. dollars for settlement on that
payment date in the aggregate amount of the Specified Currency
payable to all registered holders of foreign currency notes
scheduled to receive U.S. dollar payments and at which the
applicable dealer commits to execute a contract. All currency
exchange costs will be borne by the registered holders of
foreign currency notes by deductions from any payments. If three
bid quotations are not available, payments will be made in the
Specified Currency.
Registered holders of foreign currency notes may elect to
receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal,
premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, in the Specified
Currency by submitting a written request to the trustee at its
corporate trust office in The City of New York on or prior to
the applicable Record Date or at least fifteen calendar days
prior to the maturity date, as the case may be. This written
request may be mailed or hand delivered or sent by cable, telex
or other form of facsimile transmission. A holder of foreign
currency notes may elect to receive all or a specified portion
of all future payments in the Specified Currency and need not
file a separate election for each payment. This election will
remain in effect until revoked by written notice delivered to
the trustee on or prior to a Record Date or at least fifteen
calendar days prior to the maturity date, as the case may be.
Registered holders of foreign currency notes to be held in the
name of a broker or nominee should contact their broker or
nominee to determine whether and how an election to receive
payments in the Specified Currency may be made.
S-28
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
if the Specified Currency is other than U.S. dollars, a
Beneficial Owner of a global security or securities which elects
to receive payments of principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest, if any, in the Specified Currency must notify the
Participant through which it owns its interest on or prior to
the applicable Record Date or at least fifteen calendar days
prior to the maturity date, as the case may be, of its election.
The applicable Participant must notify the Depositary of its
election on or prior to the third business day after the
applicable Record Date or at least twelve calendar days prior to
the maturity date, as the case may be, and the Depositary will
notify the trustee of that election on or prior to the fifth
business day after the applicable Record Date or at least ten
calendar days prior to the maturity date, as the case may be. If
complete instructions are received by the Participant from the
applicable Beneficial Owner and forwarded by the Participant to
the Depositary, and by the Depositary to the trustee, on or
prior to such dates, then the applicable Beneficial Owner will
receive payments in the Specified Currency.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
we are obligated to make payments of the principal of, and
premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, on, foreign currency
notes which are to be made in U.S. dollars in the manner
specified herein with respect to notes denominated in
U.S. dollars. We will make payments of interest, if any, on
foreign currency notes which are to be made in the Specified
Currency on an Interest Payment Date other than the maturity
date by check mailed to the address of the registered holders of
their foreign currency notes as they appear in the security
register, subject to the right to receive these interest
payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds under
the circumstances described under Description of
NotesGeneral. We will make payments of principal of,
and premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, on, foreign
currency notes which are to be made in the Specified Currency on
the maturity date by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to an account with a bank designated at least fifteen
calendar days prior to the maturity date by the applicable
registered holder, provided the particular bank has appropriate
facilities to make these payments and the particular foreign
currency note is presented and surrendered at the office or
agency maintained by us for this purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, in time for the trustee to make
these payments in accordance with its normal procedures.
Availability of Specified Currency
If the Specified Currency for foreign currency notes is not
available for any required payment of principal, premium, if
any, and/or interest, if any, due to the imposition of exchange
controls or other circumstances beyond our control, we will be
entitled to satisfy our obligations to the registered holders of
these foreign currency notes by making payments in
U.S. dollars on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate,
computed by the Exchange Rate Agent, on the second business day
prior to the particular payment or, if the Market Exchange Rate
is not then available, on the basis of the most recently
available Market Exchange Rate or as otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement.
The Market Exchange Rate for a Specified Currency
other than U.S. dollars means the noon dollar buying rate
in The City of New York for cable transfers for the Specified
Currency as certified for customs purposes (or, if not so
certified, as otherwise determined) by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York. Any payment made in U.S. dollars under such
circumstances shall not constitute an Event of Default (as
defined in the Indenture).
S-29
All determinations referred to above made by the Exchange Rate
Agent shall be at its sole discretion and shall, in the absence
of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and binding on
the registered holders of the foreign currency notes.
Judgments
Under current New York law, a state court in the State of New
York would be required to render a judgment in respect of a
foreign currency note in the Specified Currency, and a judgment
in the Specified Currency would be converted into
U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of
entry of the judgment. Accordingly, registered holders of
foreign currency notes would be subject to exchange rate
fluctuations between the date of entry of a foreign currency
judgment and the time when the amount of the foreign currency
judgment is paid in U.S. dollars and converted by the
applicable registered holder into the Specified Currency. We
have not consented to be sued in New York state court and it is
not certain whether a New York state court would otherwise have
jurisdiction to enter a binding judgment against us in respect
of a foreign currency note. It is also not certain whether a
non-New York state court would follow the same rules and
procedures with respect to conversions of foreign currency
judgments.
We will indemnify the registered holder of any note against any
loss incurred as a result of any judgment or order being given
or made for any amount due under the particular note and that
judgment or order requiring payment in a currency (the
Judgment Currency) other than the Specified
Currency, and as a result of any variation between:
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the rate of exchange at which the Specified Currency amount is
converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of that
judgment or order, and |
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the rate of exchange at which the registered holder, on the date
of payment of that judgment or order, is able to purchase the
Specified Currency with the amount of the Judgment Currency
actually received. |
S-30
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
This section supplements the discussion under the caption
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
in the accompanying prospectus. The following discussion
describes the material U.S. federal income tax
considerations relating to the ownership and disposition of our
notes. Because this is a summary that is intended to address
only material U.S. federal income tax consequences
generally relevant to all holders relating to the ownership and
disposition of our notes, it may not contain all the information
that may be important to you. Except as discussed under the
caption General below, this discussion does not
address any aspects of U.S. federal income taxation
relating to our election to be taxed as a real estate investment
trust. A summary of material U.S. federal income tax
considerations relating to our election to be taxed as a real
estate investment trust, or REIT, is provided in the
accompanying prospectus. The discussion under the caption
General below supersedes the corresponding
discussion under the caption Material U.S. Federal
Income Tax Considerations General in the
accompanying prospectus. The discussion under the caption
Recent Tax Legislation below provides important
information concerning recent legislative changes to the
discussion under the caption Material U.S. Federal Income
Tax Considerations in the accompany prospectus.
We urge you to consult your tax advisors regarding the
specific tax consequences to you of the acquisition, ownership,
and disposition of our notes and of our election to be taxed as
a REIT. Specifically, you are urged to consult your tax advisor
regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, foreign, and
other tax consequences of such acquisition, ownership,
disposition, and election, and regarding potential changes in
applicable tax laws.
General
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the federal income tax
laws commencing with our taxable year ended December 31,
1972. We believe that we have operated in a manner that permits
us to satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the
applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to
meet, through actual annual operating results, distribution
levels and diversity of stock ownership, the various
qualification tests imposed under the Internal Revenue Code.
Although we intend to continue to operate to satisfy such
requirements, no assurance can be given that the actual results
of our operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy
such requirements.
The provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury
Regulations promulgated thereunder and other federal income tax
laws relating to qualification and operation as a REIT are
highly technical and complex. This summary is qualified in its
entirety by the applicable Internal Revenue Code provisions,
rules and Treasury Regulations thereunder, and administrative
and judicial interpretations thereof. Further, the anticipated
income tax treatment described in this prospectus supplement may
be changed, perhaps retroactively, by legislative,
administrative or judicial action at any time.
The law firm of Morrison & Foerster LLP has acted as
our tax counsel in connection with the filing of this prospectus
supplement. In connection with this filing, Morrison &
Foerster LLP will opine that we have been organized and have
operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification
and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code for each
of our taxable years beginning with the taxable year ended
December 31, 2003 through our taxable year ended
December 31, 2006, and if we continue to be organized and
operated after
S-31
December 31, 2006 in the same manner as we have prior to
that date, we will continue to qualify as a REIT. The opinion of
Morrison & Foerster LLP will be based on various
assumptions and representations made by us as to factual
matters, including representations made by us in this prospectus
supplement and a factual certificate provided by one of our
officers. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as a REIT
depends upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests
imposed under the Internal Revenue Code and discussed in the
accompanying prospectus, relating to our actual operating
results, asset diversification, distribution levels, and
diversity of stock ownership, the results of which have not been
and will not be reviewed by Morrison & Foerster LLP.
Accordingly, neither Morrison & Foerster LLP nor we can
assure you that the actual results of our operations for any
particular taxable year will satisfy these requirements.
In brief, if certain detailed conditions imposed by the REIT
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code are satisfied, entities,
such as us, that invest primarily in real estate and that
otherwise would be taxable for U.S. federal income tax
purposes as corporations, generally are not taxed at the
corporate level on their REIT taxable income that is
distributed currently to stockholders. This treatment
substantially eliminates the double taxation (i.e.,
taxation at both the corporate and stockholder levels) that
generally results from investing in corporations under current
law.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any year, however, we will be
subject to U.S. federal income tax as if we were an
ordinary corporation, and our stockholders will be taxed in the
same manner as stockholders of ordinary corporations. In that
event, we could be subject to potentially significant tax
liabilities, the amount of cash available for distribution to
our stockholders could be reduced and we would not be obligated
to make any distributions. Moreover, we could be disqualified
from taxation as a REIT for four additional taxable years.
Additional information concerning the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of our qualification as a REIT and the requirements
of qualification and taxation as a REIT can be found in the
accompanying prospectus.
Tax Consequences of an Investment in Our Notes
The following summary describes certain material
U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the
purchase, ownership, and disposition of the notes as of the date
hereof. This discussion does not cover every type of note that
we might issue. Any additional U.S. federal income tax
considerations relevant to a particular issue of the notes (for
example, special considerations relevant to indexed notes, notes
providing for contingent payments, or notes denominated in a
currency other than the U.S. dollar) will be provided in
the pricing supplement for such notes. Except where noted, this
summary applies only to notes held as capital assets and does
not apply to special situations, such as those of dealers in
securities or currencies, tax-exempt organizations, individual
retirement accounts and other tax deferred accounts, financial
institutions, life insurance companies, persons holding notes as
a part of a hedging or conversion transaction or a straddle,
persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, or persons
(other than non-U.S. holders) whose functional
currency is not the U.S. dollar. Except as otherwise
indicated, this disclosure is addressed only to persons who
acquire the notes at original issue and does not address the tax
consequences to subsequent purchasers of the notes. The
discussion below is based upon the current U.S. federal income
tax laws and interpretations thereof as of the date hereof. Such
authorities may be repealed, revoked, or modified, potentially
on a retroactive basis, so as to result in federal income tax
consequences
S-32
different from those discussed below. Furthermore, except as
otherwise indicated, the following summary does not consider the
effect of any applicable foreign, state, local, or other tax
laws or estate or gift tax considerations.
If an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal
income tax purposes holds notes, the tax treatment of a partner
in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the
partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a
partner of a partnership holding our notes, you are encouraged
to consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of
the ownership and disposition of the notes.
We urge you to consult your tax advisor regarding the specific
tax consequences to you of the acquisition, ownership and
disposition of the notes. Specifically, you are encouraged to
consult your tax advisor regarding the federal, state, local,
foreign, and other tax consequences of such acquisition,
ownership and disposition of the notes and regarding potential
changes in applicable tax laws.
U.S. Holders
As used herein, a U.S. holder of a note means a
beneficial owner of a note that for U.S. federal income tax
purposes is:
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a citizen or resident of the United States, |
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a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes that is created or
organized in or under the laws of the United States or any
political subdivision thereof, |
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal
income taxation regardless of its source, or |
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a trust if (a) a U.S. court is able to exercise
primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one
or more United States persons have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust or (b) it has a valid
election in place to be treated as a United States person. |
Payments of Interest on Notes
Interest paid on a note (including qualified stated interest, as
defined below under Original Issue Discount)
generally will be taxable to a U.S. holder as interest
income at the time it is paid or accrued, in accordance with the
U.S. holders regular method of accounting for tax
purposes and will be ordinary income.
Original Issue Discount
U.S. holders of notes issued with original issue discount
will be subject to special tax accounting rules, as described in
greater detail below. U.S. holders of such original
issue discount notes generally must include original issue
discount in gross income in advance of the receipt of cash
attributable to that income, regardless of the holders
usual method of tax accounting. However, U.S. holders of
original issue discount notes generally will not be required to
include separately in income cash payments received on the
notes, even if denominated as interest, to the extent those cash
payments do not constitute qualified stated interest.
Original issue discount generally will arise if the stated
redemption price at maturity of a note exceeds its
Issue Price by an amount equal to or greater than a
specified de minimis
S-33
amount, which is generally 0.25% of the stated redemption price
at maturity multiplied by the number of complete years to
maturity. The Issue Price of each note in a
particular offering will be the first price at which a
substantial amount of that particular offering is sold to the
public, not including any sales to an underwriter, placement
agent or similar person. The stated redemption price at
maturity of a note is equal to the sum of all payments to
be made on the note other than qualified stated
interest. The term qualified stated interest
means stated interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or
in property, other than debt instruments of the issuer, at least
annually during the entire term of the note at a single fixed
rate that appropriately takes into account the length of the
interval between payments.
U.S. holders of original issue discount notes with a
maturity of more than one year from issuance generally must
include original issue discount in income on a constant
yield basis, regardless of their usual method of tax
accounting and in advance of the receipt of some or all of the
related cash payments. The amount of original issue discount
includible in income by the initial U.S. holder of an
original issue discount note is the sum of the daily
portions of original issue discount with respect to the
note for each day during the taxable year or portion of the
taxable year on which that U.S. holder held such note. This
amount is referred to as accrued original issue
discount. The daily portion is determined by allocating to
each day in any accrual period a pro rata portion of
the original issue discount allocable to that accrual period. A
U.S. holder can use accrual periods of any length from one
day to one year to compute accruals of original issue discount,
provided that in determining the original issue discount
allocable to an accrual period the yield to maturity is adjusted
to reflect the length of that accrual period, and further
provided that each scheduled payment of principal or interest
occurs either on the first or the last day of an accrual period.
The amount of original issue discount allocable to any accrual
period is an amount equal to the excess, if any, of:
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the product of the notes adjusted issue price
at the beginning of the accrual period and its yield to
maturity, properly adjusting for the length of the accrual
period, over |
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the aggregate of all qualified stated interest payments
allocable to the accrual period. |
The yield to maturity of a note equals the discount rate that,
when used to compute the present value of all principal and
interest payments under the note, produces a present value equal
to the Issue Price of the note. The adjusted issue
price of a note at the beginning of any accrual period
generally is equal to its Issue Price:
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increased by the accrued original issue discount for each prior
accrual period, determined without regard to the amortization of
any acquisition or bond premium, as described below; and |
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reduced by any payments made on the note, other than payments of
qualified stated interest, on or before the first day of the
accrual period. |
Under these constant yield rules, a U.S. holder will have
to include in income increasing amounts of original issue
discount in successive accrual periods.
Floating Rate Notes
Floating rate notes are subject to special original issue
discount rules, generally depending upon the characterization of
the floating rate notes as either variable rate debt
instruments or contingent payment debt
instruments under applicable Treasury Regulations.
Following is a summary of the rules applicable to floating rate
notes that are variable rate debt instruments. The
rules applicable to floating rate notes that are contingent
payment debt
S-34
instruments will be described in the applicable pricing
supplement. If you are considering the purchase of floating rate
original issue discount notes, you should carefully examine the
applicable pricing supplement and you are encouraged to consult
your tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax
consequences to you of purchasing, holding and disposing of
those notes.
A note generally will be a variable rate debt
instrument if the note:
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has an Issue Price that does not exceed the total noncontingent
principal payments due under the note by more than a specified
de minimis amount; |
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provides for stated interest, paid or compounded at least
annually, at a current value of (a) one or more qualified
floating rates, (b) a single fixed rate and one or more
qualified floating rates, (c) a single objective rate or
(d) a single fixed rate and a single objective rate that is
a qualified inverse floating rate; and |
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does not provide for any contingent principal payments. |
A qualified floating rate is any variable rate if:
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variations in the value of such rate can reasonably be expected
to measure contemporaneous variations in the cost of newly
borrowed funds in the currency in which the note is denominated;
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it is equal to: (a) the product of a qualified floating
rate described above and a fixed multiple that is greater than
0.65 but not more than 1.35; or (b) the product of a
qualified floating rate described above and a fixed multiple
that is greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35, increased or
decreased by a fixed rate. |
A rate is not a qualified floating rate if the rate is subject
to one or more restrictions such as a cap or floor, unless such
restriction is fixed throughout the term of the note or the
restriction is not reasonably expected as of the issue date to
significantly affect the yield of the note.
An objective rate is a rate, other than a qualified
floating rate, that is determined using a single fixed formula
and that is based upon objective financial or economic
information that is not within the control of the issuer (or a
party related to the issuer) and is not unique to the
circumstances of the issuer (or a party related to the issuer).
A rate is not an objective rate, however, if it is
reasonably expected that the average value of such rate during
the first half of the notes term will be either
significantly less than or significantly greater than the
average value of the rate during the final half of the
notes term. An objective rate is a qualified inverse
floating rate if:
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the rate is equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified floating
rate; and |
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variations in the rate can reasonably be expected to inversely
reflect contemporaneous variations in the qualified floating
rate. |
If a note provides for stated interest at either a single
qualified floating rate or an objective rate, all stated
interest on the note which is unconditionally payable in cash or
property, other than debt instruments of the issuer, at least
annually will constitute qualified stated interest and the
amount of original issue discount, if any, is determined by
using, in the case of a qualified floating rate or a qualified
inverse floating rate, the value, as of the issue date of the
qualified floating rate or the qualified inverse floating rate
or, in the case of any other objective rate, a fixed rate that
reflects the reasonably expected yield for the note.
S-35
If a note does not provide for stated interest at a single
qualified floating rate or objective rate, or at a single fixed
rate, other than at a single fixed rate for an initial period,
the amount of interest and original issue discount accruals on
the note generally are determined by:
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(i) determining a fixed rate substitute for each variable
rate provided under the note, which is generally the value of
each variable rate as of the issue date or, in the case of an
objective rate that is not a qualified inverse floating rate, a
rate that reflects the reasonably expected yield on the note; |
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(ii) constructing the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument
(using the fixed rate substitute described above); |
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(iii) determining the amount of qualified stated interest
and original issue discount with respect to the equivalent fixed
rate debt instrument; and |
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(iv) making the appropriate adjustments for actual variable
rates during the applicable accrual period. |
If a note provides for stated interest either at one or more
qualified floating rates or at a qualified inverse floating
rate, and in addition provides for stated interest at a single
fixed rate, other than at a single fixed rate for an initial
period, the amount of interest and original issue discount
accruals are determined as in the immediately preceding
paragraph with the modification that the note is treated, for
purposes of the first three steps of the determination, as if it
provided for a qualified floating rate, or a qualified inverse
floating rate, if the note provides for a qualified inverse
floating rate, rather than a fixed rate. The qualified floating
rate, or qualified inverse floating rate, replacing the fixed
rate must be such that the fair market value of the note as of
the issue date would be approximately the same as the fair
market value of an otherwise identical debt instrument that
provides for the qualified floating rate, or qualified inverse
floating rate, rather than the fixed rate.
If a floating rate note does not qualify as a variable rate debt
instrument under applicable Treasury Regulations, then such note
will be treated as a contingent payment debt instrument. The
material U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding
floating rate notes that are treated as contingent payment debt
instruments will be described in the applicable pricing
supplement.
Optional Redemption
Certain of the notes may contain provisions permitting them to
be redeemed prior to their stated maturity at our option and/or
at the option of the holder. Original issue discount notes
containing those features may be subject to rules that differ
from the general rules discussed in this prospectus supplement.
If you are considering the purchase of original issue discount
notes with those features, you should carefully examine the
applicable pricing supplement and you are encouraged to consult
your tax advisors with respect to those features since the tax
consequences to you with respect to original issue discount will
depend, in part, on the particular terms and features of the
notes.
Short-Term Notes
Notes having a term of one year or less are referred to as
short-term notes. In the case of short-term notes,
all payments (including all stated interest) will be included in
the stated redemption price at maturity and will not be
qualified stated interest. U.S. holders that report income
for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the accrual method
and certain other
S-36
U.S. holders are required to accrue discount on these
short-term notes as ordinary income on a straight-line basis,
unless an election is made to accrue the discount according to a
constant yield method based on daily compounding. The discount
will be equal to the excess of the total payments on the
obligation over the Issue Price of a short-term note, unless the
U.S. holder elects to compute this discount using tax basis
instead of Issue Price. In general, individuals and certain
other cash method U.S. holders of short-term notes should
not be required to include accrued discount in their income
currently unless they elect to do so. They may, however, be
required to include stated interest in income as the income is
received. In the case of a U.S. holder that is not
required, and does not elect, to include discount in income
currently, any gain realized on the sale, exchange or retirement
of the short-term note generally will be ordinary income to the
extent of the discount accrued through the date of sale,
exchange or retirement. In addition, a U.S. holder that
does not elect to currently include accrued discount in income
may be required to defer deductions for a portion of the
U.S. holders interest expense with respect to any
indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry the
notes.
Acquisition Premium; Amortizable Bond
Premium
Acquisition Premium. A U.S. holder that purchases an
original issue discount note in the initial offering or from
another holder for an amount that is greater than its adjusted
issue price but equal to or less than the sum of all amounts
payable on the note after the purchase date other than payments
of qualified stated interest will be considered to have
purchased that note at an acquisition premium. The
amount of original issue discount which the U.S. holder
must include in its gross income with respect to the note for
any taxable year will be reduced, but not below zero, by the
portion of the acquisition premium allocable to that year under
applicable rules.
Amortizable Bond Premium. A U.S. holder that
purchases a note, including a purchase at original issue, for an
amount in excess of the sum of all amounts payable on the note
after the purchase date other than qualified stated interest
will be considered to have purchased the note at a
premium. If the note purchased is an original issue
discount note, that U.S. holder will not be required to
include any original issue discount in income. A
U.S. holder generally may elect to amortize the premium
over the remaining term of the note on a constant yield method
as an offset to qualified stated interest otherwise includible
in income under the U.S. holders regular accounting
method. Special rules apply if the premium allocable to a
certain period exceeds the qualified stated interest for that
period.
If a U.S. holder does not elect to amortize bond premium on
a note, the premium will decrease the gain or increase the loss
otherwise recognized on disposition of the note. The election to
amortize premium on a constant yield method, once made, applies
to all debt obligations held or subsequently acquired by the
electing U.S. holder on or after the first day of the first
taxable year to which the election applies and may not be
revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
Market Discount
If you purchase at its original issuance a note that has a term
of more than one year for an amount that is less than its Issue
Price, you will be treated as having purchased such note at a
market discount, unless such market discount is less
than a specified de minimis amount. A subsequent purchaser of a
note will, subject to the same de minimis exception, be treated
as having purchased the note at a market discount if
the subsequent purchaser acquires the
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note for an amount that is less than its stated redemption price
at maturity, or, in the case of a note having original issue
discount, less than its adjusted issue price. If the market
discount rules apply, any gain recognized by the holder upon a
sale or other disposition of the note will be treated as
ordinary income rather than capital gain to the extent of that
portion of the market discount that accrued prior to the
disposition.
Under the market discount rules, you will be required to treat
any partial principal payment on, or any gain realized on the
sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a note as
ordinary income to the extent of the lesser of (1) the
amount of such payment or realized gain or (2) the market
discount which you have not previously included in income and
that is treated as having accrued on such note at the time of
such payment or disposition. Market discount will be considered
to accrue ratably on a straight-line basis during the period
from the date of acquisition to the stated maturity date of the
note, unless you elect to accrue market discount on a constant
yield basis. Such an election will apply only to the notes with
respect to which you make it and may not be revoked.
You may be required to defer the deduction of all or a portion
of the interest paid or accrued on any indebtedness you incurred
or maintained to purchase or carry a note with market discount
until the stated maturity of the note or certain earlier
dispositions, because a current deduction is only allowed to the
extent the interest expense exceeds an allocable portion of
market discount.
You may elect to include market discount in income currently as
it accrues (on either a straight-line or a constant yield
basis), in which case the rules described above regarding the
treatment as ordinary income of gain upon the disposition of the
note and upon the receipt of certain cash payments and regarding
the deferral of interest deductions will not apply to you.
Generally, such currently included market discount is treated as
ordinary interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Such an election will apply to all debt instruments with market
discount acquired by you on or after the first day of the first
taxable year to which such election applies and may be revoked
only with the consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
Constant Yield Election for All
Interest
U.S. holders may elect to treat all interest on any note as
original issue discount and calculate the amount includible in
gross income under the constant yield method. For the purposes
of this election, interest includes each of the following, as
adjusted by any amortizable bond premium or acquisition premium:
stated interest, original issue discount (including de minimis
original issue discount), market discount, and de minimis market
discount. The election is made for a particular note in the
taxable year in which the U.S. holder acquired the note,
but may affect other notes owned or acquired by the
U.S. holder and may not be revoked without the consent of
the Internal Revenue Service. U.S. holders are encouraged
to consult with their tax advisors about this election.
Sale, Exchange, and Retirement of
Notes
Upon the sale, exchange, retirement, or other taxable
disposition of a note, a U.S. holder generally will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the
amount realized upon the disposition, less an amount
attributable to any accrued but unpaid interest not previously
included in income, which will be taxable as interest income,
and such holders adjusted tax basis in the note. A
U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in a note will, in
general, be
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the U.S. holders cost for that note, increased by
original issue discount, market discount or any discount with
respect to a short-term note previously included in income by
the U.S. holder, and reduced by any amortized premium and
any cash payments on the note other than qualified stated
interest. Except with respect to notes denominated in currencies
other than U.S. dollars or notes that are classified as
contingent payment debt instruments, neither of which this
summary discusses, and except as described above with respect to
certain short-term notes or with respect to market discount, any
gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss. Such gain
or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time
of the disposition, the note has been held for more than one
year. Under current U.S. federal income tax law set to
expire for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2011,
long term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. holders will
generally be subject to tax at a maximum rate of 15%. The
ability of U.S. holders to deduct capital losses is subject to
limitations under the Code.
Special Rules Applicable to Certain
Notes
We will summarize in the applicable pricing supplement the
U.S. federal income tax consequences with respect to any
notes we may offer that are denominated in currencies other than
U.S. dollars, that are contingent payment debt instruments,
that provide for payments of principal and interest thereon in
installments over the term of the note, or that provide for
payments determined with reference to one or more indices.
Backup Withholding and Information
Reporting
Payments of interest and principal on the notes, original issue
discount accrued with respect to the notes, and the proceeds
received upon the sale or other disposition of the notes may be
subject to Internal Revenue Service information reporting and
backup withholding tax. Payments to certain U.S. holders,
including, among others, corporations and certain tax-exempt
organizations, generally are not subject to information
reporting or backup withholding. Payments to a non-corporate
U.S. holder will be subject to information reporting, and
may also be subject to backup withholding tax, if such holder:
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is notified by the Internal Revenue Service that it has failed
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fails to certify, under penalties of perjury, that it has
furnished a correct taxpayer identification number and that the
Internal Revenue Service has not notified the U.S. holder
that it is subject to backup withholding. |
A U.S. holder that does not provide us with its correct
taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties
imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. Any amount paid as
backup withholding will be creditable against the
U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability,
if any, and will otherwise be refundable, provided that the
requisite procedures are followed.
You are encouraged to consult your tax advisor regarding your
qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and
information reporting and the procedures for obtaining such an
exemption, if applicable.
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Non-U.S. Holders
The following is a summary of the U.S. federal tax
consequences that will apply to you if you are a
non-U.S. holder of
notes. The term
non-U.S. holder
means a beneficial owner of a note who or that is not a
U.S. holder. The discussion is based on current law and is
for general information only. The discussion addresses only
certain and not all aspects of U.S. federal income
taxation. Special rules may apply to certain
non-U.S. holders
such as controlled foreign corporations and
passive foreign investment companies. Such entities
are encouraged to consult their tax advisors to determine the
U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences that
may be relevant to them.
Stated Interest on Notes
Subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding,
no U.S. federal income or withholding tax will be imposed
with respect to the payment of interest on a note owned by a
non-U.S. holder
that is not effectively connected with the conduct by the
non-U.S. holder of a trade or business within the United States,
or a permanent establishment maintained in the United States if
certain tax treaties apply, provided that (1) such
non-U.S. holder
does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total
voting power of all classes of our voting stock, (2) such
non-U.S. holder is
not a controlled foreign corporation, as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code, that is related, directly or indirectly, to us,
(3) such
non-U.S. holder is
not a bank whose receipt of interest on a note is pursuant to a
loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its
business, (4) the interest on the notes is not contingent
on our earnings or on certain other attributes specified in the
applicable rules, and (5) such
non-U.S. holder
provides us or our withholding agent with appropriate
documentation of the
non-U.S. holders
foreign status. The documentation requirement will be met if:
(a) you provide your name and address, and certify, under
penalties of perjury, that you are not a United States person,
which certification may be made on an Internal Revenue Service
Form W-8BEN or a successor form or (b) a securities
clearing organization, bank, or other financial institution that
holds customers securities in the ordinary course of its
business holds the note on your behalf and certifies, under
penalties of perjury, that it has received Internal Revenue
Service Form W-8BEN from you or from another qualifying
financial institution intermediary, and, in certain
circumstances, provides a copy of the Internal Revenue Service
Form W-8BEN. If the notes are held by or through certain
foreign intermediaries or certain foreign partnerships, such
foreign intermediaries or partnerships must also satisfy the
certification requirements of applicable Treasury Regulations.
If a
non-U.S. holder
cannot satisfy the requirements described above, interest
payments, including original issue discount, made to such
non-U.S. holder
will be subject to a 30% withholding tax unless the beneficial
owner of the note provides us or our paying agent with a
properly executed (1) Internal Revenue Service
Form W-8BEN or successor form claiming an exemption from
withholding or eligibility for a reduced rate under the benefit
of a tax treaty or (2) Internal Revenue Service
Form W-8ECI or successor form stating that interest paid on
the note is not subject to withholding tax because it is
effectively connected with the beneficial owners conduct
of a trade or business in the United States, or, if an income
tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent
establishment of the
non-U.S. holder.
If a
non-U.S. holder is
engaged in a trade or business in the United States and
payments, including original issue discount, on a note are
effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or
business, or, if an income tax treaty applies, attributable to a
U.S. permanent
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establishment of the
non-U.S. holder,
the
non-U.S. holder,
although exempt from the 30% withholding tax discussed above,
will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such
payments, including original issue discount, at regular
graduated rates in the same manner as if it were a
U.S. holder. In addition, if such holder is a foreign
corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to
30%, or lower rate specified by an applicable treaty, of its
effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year,
subject to adjustments. For this purpose, payments, including
original issue discount, on a note, to the extent included in
taxable income, will also be included in such foreign
corporations earnings and profits.
Sale, Exchange, and Retirement of
Notes
In general, no U.S. federal income or withholding tax will
be imposed with respect to any gain or income realized by a
non-U.S. holder
upon the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement, or other
disposition of a note. However, any such gain or income will be
subject to U.S. federal income tax if either (1) such
gain or income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade
or business of the
non-U.S. holder,
or, if an income tax treaty applies, attributable to a
U.S. permanent establishment of the
non-U.S. holder,
in which case the
non-U.S. holder
will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such gain or
income at regular graduated rates in the same manner as if it
were a U.S. holder and may also, in the case of a corporate
holder, be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% or lower
applicable treaty rate, or (2) the
non-U.S. holder is
an individual who is present in the United States for
183 days or more in the taxable year of such sale,
exchange, retirement or other disposition, and certain other
conditions are present, in which case the
non-U.S. holder
will incur a 30%, or lower rate specified by an applicable
treaty, tax on such gain or income or (3) the gain
represents accrued interest or original issue discount, in which
case it would be subject to the rules that apply to interest.
Estate Tax
A note beneficially owned by an individual who at the time of
death is a
non-U.S. holder
will not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax as a result
of such individuals death, provided that such individual
does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total
voting power of all classes of our voting stock and that
interest payable on the note is not contingent on our earnings
or certain other attributes specified in the applicable rules,
and provided that the interest payments with respect to such
note, if received at the time of such individuals death,
would not have been effectively connected with the conduct of a
U.S. trade or business by such individual.
Information Reporting and Backup
Withholding
Backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to
payments made to a
non-U.S. holder of
a note if the holder has provided the required certification
that it is not a United States person, as described above,
provided that the payor does not have actual knowledge that the
owner is a United States person. However, certain information
reporting on IRS Form 1042-S may still apply with respect to
interest payments even if certification is provided.
Payment of the proceeds of a disposition of a note by a
non-U.S. holder
made to or through the U.S. office of a broker is generally
subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless
the holder or beneficial owner certifies that it is not a
U.S. holder, as described above, or otherwise establishes
an exemption. Generally, Internal Revenue Service
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information reporting and backup withholding will not apply to a
payment of disposition proceeds if the payment is made outside
the United States through a foreign office of a foreign
broker-dealer. If the proceeds from a disposition of a note are
paid to or through a foreign office of a U.S. broker-dealer
or a
non-U.S. office of
a foreign broker-dealer that is (i) a controlled
foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, (ii) a person 50% or more of whose gross income
from all sources for a specified three-year period was
effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business,
(iii) a foreign partnership with one or more partners who
are U.S. persons and who in the aggregate hold more than
50% of the income or capital interest in the partnership, or
(iv) a foreign partnership engaged in the conduct of a
trade or business in the United States, then backup withholding
and information reporting generally will apply unless the
non-U.S. holder
satisfies certification requirements regarding its status as a
non-United States person and the broker-dealer has no actual
knowledge that the owner is not a United States person.
A non-U.S. holder
should consult its tax advisor regarding application of
withholding and backup withholding in its particular
circumstance and the availability of and procedure for obtaining
an exemption from withholding and backup withholding under
current Treasury Regulations.
Due to the complexity of the U.S. federal income tax
rules applicable to noteholders, potential investors should
consult their tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of the
acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the notes.
Possible Legislative or Other Actions Affecting Tax
Considerations
Prospective investors should recognize that the present
U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in us
may be modified by legislative, judicial or administrative
action at any time, and that any such action may affect
investments and commitments previously made. The rules dealing
with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under
review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the
Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department,
resulting in revisions of regulations and revised
interpretations of established concepts as well as statutory
changes. Revisions in U.S. federal tax laws and
interpretations thereof could adversely affect the tax
consequences of an investment in us.
State and Local Taxes
We and our noteholders may be subject to state or local taxation
in various jurisdictions, including those in which we or they
transact business or reside. The state and local tax treatment
of us and our noteholders may not conform to the
U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed above.
S-42
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Under the terms of a distribution agreement, dated
March 20, 2007, we are offering the notes on a continuous
basis through or to J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc of
America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman,
Sachs & Co., KeyBanc Capital Markets, a division of
McDonald Investments Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc., Wachovia Capital
Markets, LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, referred to in
this prospectus supplement individually as an agent
or collectively as the agents. The agents,
individually or in a syndicate, may purchase notes, as
principal, from us from time to time for resale to investors and
other purchasers at varying prices relating to prevailing market
prices at the time of resale as determined by the applicable
agent or, if so specified in the applicable pricing supplement,
for resale at a fixed offering price. However, we may agree with
an agent for that agent to utilize its reasonable efforts on an
agency basis on our behalf to solicit offers to purchase notes
at 100% of the principal amount thereof, unless otherwise
specified in the applicable pricing supplement. We will pay a
commission to an agent, ranging from .125% to .750% of the
principal amount of each note, depending upon its stated
maturity, sold through that agent as our agent, unless otherwise
agreed. We will negotiate commissions with respect to notes with
stated maturities in excess of 30 years that are sold
through an agent as our agent at the time of the related sale.
Any note sold to an agent as principal will be purchased by that
agent at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof
less a percentage of the principal amount equal to the
commission applicable to an agency sale of a note of identical
maturity. An agent may sell notes it has purchased from us as
principal to certain dealers less a concession equal to all or
any portion of the discount received in connection with that
purchase. An agent may allow, and dealers may reallow, a
discount to certain other dealers. After the initial offering of
notes, the offering price (in the case of notes to be resold on
a fixed offering price basis), the concession and the
reallowance may be changed.
The notes will not have an established trading market when
issued. Also, the notes will not be listed on any securities
exchange. An agent may make a market in the notes, as permitted
by applicable laws and regulations, but is not obligated to do
so and may discontinue any market-making at any time without
notice. A secondary market for any notes may not develop, and
purchasers of notes may not be able to sell notes in the future.
Each purchaser of a note will arrange for payment as instructed
by the relevant agent. The agents are required to deliver the
proceeds of the notes to us in immediately available funds, to a
bank designated by us in accordance with the terms of the
distribution agreement, on the date of settlement.
Each agent may be deemed to be an underwriter within
the meaning of the Securities Act. We have agreed to indemnify
the agents against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments that they
may be required to make in connection with such indemnification.
We have agreed to reimburse the agents for certain expenses,
including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for
the agents.
We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer
made hereby without notice. We have the right to accept offers
to purchase notes and may reject any proposed purchase of notes
as a whole or in part. The agents will have the right, in their
discretion reasonably exercised, to reject any offer to purchase
notes, as a whole or in part.
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In connection with the purchase of notes by an agent, as
principal, for resale at a fixed price, such agent may engage in
transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
price of the notes. Such transactions may consist of bids or
purchases of notes for the purpose of pegging, fixing or
maintaining the price of the notes. Specifically, such agent may
overallot in connection with such offering, creating a syndicate
short position. In addition, such agent may bid for and purchase
the notes in the open market to cover syndicate short positions
or to stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the
notes. Finally, such agent or its syndicate may reclaim selling
concessions allowed for distributing of notes in the offering,
if such agent repurchases previously distributed notes in the
market to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the
notes. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the
market price of the notes above independent market level. The
agents are not required to engage in any of these activities and
may end any of them at any time.
Concurrently with the offering of the notes through the agents,
we may issue other securities as contemplated in the
accompanying prospectus.
The agents and certain of their affiliates may engage in
commercial or investment banking or advisory services with and
perform services for us and certain of our affiliates in the
ordinary course of business. We have a lending relationship with
U.S. Bank National Association, the trustee under the
Indenture for the notes.
It is possible that 10% or more of the net proceeds of an
offering of notes covered by a pricing supplement will be
applied to repayment of a loan or loans made to us by one or
more of the agents or any of their respective affiliates. Under
the Conduct Rules of the NASD, special considerations apply to a
public offering of securities where more than 10% of the net
proceeds will be paid to a participating underwriter or any of
its affiliates. Therefore, any such offering will be conducted
pursuant to Rule 2710(h) of the NASD Conduct Rules.
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION FILED WITH THE SEC
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 you to those
documents. Any information that we refer to in this manner is
considered part of this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus. Any information that we file with the
SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement will
automatically update and, where applicable, supersede the
information contained in this prospectus supplement.
We are incorporating by reference the following documents that
we have previously filed with the SEC (Commission File
No. 1-10524), except for any document or portion thereof
deemed to be furnished and not filed in accordance
with SEC rules:
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Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2006. |
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Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed
with the SEC on February 16, 2007, March 15, 2007 and
March 19, 2007 (Item 8.01 information only). |
We are also incorporating by reference any future filings that
we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus
supplement and prior to the termination of this offering. In no
event, however, will any of the information that we
furnish to the SEC in accordance with SEC rules be
incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included in, this
prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
S-44
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the notes and certain U.S. federal income
tax matters will be passed upon for us by Morrison &
Foerster LLP. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the
agents by Sidley Austin LLP, New York, New York. The opinions of
Morrison & Foerster LLP and Sidley Austin LLP will be
conditioned upon, and subject to certain assumptions regarding
future action required to be taken by us and the Indenture
trustee in connection with the issuance and sale of any
particular notes, the specific terms of the notes and other
matters which may affect the validity of the notes but which
cannot be ascertained on the date of such opinions.
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public
accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial
statements and schedule included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2006, and managements
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, as set forth
in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and
elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial
statements and schedule and managements assessment are
incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young
LLPs reports, given on their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
S-45
PROSPECTUS
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Purchase Contracts
Units
We may from time to time offer and sell common stock, preferred
stock, debt securities, warrants and purchase contracts, as well
as units that include any of these securities. The debt
securities, preferred stock, warrants and purchase contracts may
be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common or
preferred stock or other securities of ours.
We will offer our securities in amounts, at prices and on terms
to be determined at the time we offer those securities. We will
provide the specific terms of the securities and the terms of
the offering in supplements to this prospectus. You should read
this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement
carefully before you invest in our securities.
We may offer and sell these securities on a delayed or
continuous to or through one or more agents, underwriters or
dealers as designated from time to time, directly to one or more
purchasers, through a combination of these methods or any other
method as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. In
addition, this prospectus may be used to offer any of these
securities for the account of persons other than us as provided
in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any agents, dealers
or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the
applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable
commissions or discounts.
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol UDR.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before buying our
securities, you should refer to the risk factors included in our
periodic reports, in prospectus supplements relating to specific
offerings and in other information that we file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. See Risk Factors
on page 3.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
January 25, 2006
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a shelf registration
statement that we have filed on
Form S-3 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. By using a shelf
registration statement, we may sell, at any time and from time
to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of the
securities described in this prospectus. The exhibits to our
registration statement contain the full text of certain
contracts and other important documents we have summarized in
this prospectus. Because these summaries may not contain all the
information that you may find important in deciding whether to
purchase the securities we offer, you should review the full
text of these documents. The registration statement and the
exhibits can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the
heading Where You Can Find More Information.
This prospectus only provides you with a general description of
the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we
will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific
information about the terms of those securities and the
offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or
change information contained in this prospectus. You should read
both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with
the additional information described below under the heading
Where You Can Find More Information.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements
and other information with the SEC. Our filings with the SEC are
available to the public on the Internet at the SECs web
site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any
document we file with the SEC at its public reference room at
100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for more
information about their public reference room and their copy
charges. Our reports, proxy statements and other information
about us may also be inspected at:
The New York Stock Exchange
20 Broad Street
New York, New York 10005
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION FILED WITH THE SEC
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 you to those
documents. Any information that we refer to in this manner is
considered part of this prospectus. Any information that we file
with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will
automatically update and, where applicable, supersede the
information contained in this prospectus.
We are incorporating by reference the following documents that
we have previously filed with the SEC (Commission File
No. 1-10524), except for any document or portion thereof
deemed to be furnished and not filed in accordance
with SEC rules:
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Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004. |
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Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2005. |
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Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 2005. |
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Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2005. |
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Current Reports on
Form 8-K and
Form 8-K/ A filed
with the SEC on January 11, 2005, March 22, 2005,
April 6, 2005, May 9, 2005, May 19, 2005,
May 27, 2005, August 1, 2005, August 11, 2005,
November 15, 2005, December 5, 2005, December 14,
2005, December 19, 2005, December 23, 2005, and
January 6, 2006. |
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Our definitive Proxy Statement dated April 1, 2005, filed
in connection with our Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on
May 3, 2005. |
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The description of our capital stock contained in our
Registration Statement on
Form 8-A/ A dated
and filed with the SEC on November 7, 2005, including any
amendments or reports filed with the SEC for the purpose of
updating such description. |
We are also incorporating by reference any future filings that
we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange
Act, after the date of this prospectus and prior to the
termination of this offering. In no event, however, will any of
the information that we furnish to the SEC in any
Current Report on
Form 8-K from time
to time be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included
in, this prospectus.
We will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered a copy of
any of the documents referred to above by written or oral
request to:
United Dominion Realty Trust, Inc.
1745 Shea Center Drive, Suite 200
Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129
Attention: Investor Relations
Telephone: (720) 283-6120
We maintain a web site at www.udrt.com. The reference to our web
site does not constitute incorporation by reference of the
information contained at the site and you should not consider it
a part of this prospectus or any other document we file with or
furnish to the SEC.
UNITED DOMINION REALTY TRUST, INC.
We are a self-administered real estate investment trust, or
REIT, that owns, acquires, renovates, develops and manages
apartment communities nationwide. As of December 31, 2005,
our portfolio included 259 communities with a total of 74,875
apartment homes nationwide.
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the applicable
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the
Code. To continue to qualify as a REIT under the
Code, we must continue to meet certain tests which, among other
things, generally require that our assets consist primarily of
real estate assets, our income be derived primarily from real
estate assets, and that we distribute at least 90% of our REIT
taxable income (other than our net capital gain) to our
stockholders. As a qualified REIT, we generally will not be
subject to U.S. federal income taxes on our REIT taxable
income to the extent we distribute such income to our
stockholders.
We were formed in 1972 as a Virginia corporation and
reincorporated in the State of Maryland in June 2003. Our
principal executive offices are located at 1745 Shea Center
Drive, Suite 200, Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129. The
telephone number of our principal executive offices is
(720) 283-6120. Our corporate headquarters is located at
400 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. The telephone
number of our corporate headquarters is (804) 780-2691.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before purchasing
our securities, in addition to the other information in this
prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should
carefully consider the risk factors under the heading
Factors Affecting Our Business and Prospects in the
Business section of our most recent Annual Report on
Form 10-K, which
is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the
applicable prospectus supplement, as the same may be updated
from time to time by our filings under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus
supplement, we will use the net proceeds we receive from the
sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and the
accompanying prospectus
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supplement for general corporate purposes. General corporate
purposes may include additions to working capital, capital
expenditures, repayment of debt, funding improvements to
properties, and acquiring and developing additional properties.
Pending application of the net proceeds, we intend to invest the
proceeds in interest bearing accounts and short-term, interest
bearing securities.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES THAT WE MAY OFFER
We may offer and sell, at any time and from time to time:
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our debt securities, in one or more series, which may be senior
debt securities or subordinated debt securities, |
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shares of our common stock, par value $.01 per share, |
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shares of our preferred stock, without par value, |
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warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock or debt
securities, |
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purchase contracts, |
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units that include any of these securities, and |
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any combination of these securities. |
The terms of any securities we offer will be determined at the
time of sale. We may issue debt securities, preferred stock,
warrants and purchase contracts that are convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or
other securities of ours. When particular securities are
offered, a supplement to this prospectus will be filed with the
SEC, which will describe the terms of the offering and sale of
the offered securities.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may offer debt securities, in one or more series, which may
be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, in
each case under an indenture entered into between us and a
trustee. The debt securities will be our direct obligations. We
will describe the particular terms of each series of debt
securities offered, including a description of the material
terms of the applicable indenture, in a prospectus supplement.
This description will contain all or some of the following, as
applicable:
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the title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities
are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, |
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the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities being
offered, the aggregate principal amount of debt securities
outstanding, and any limit on the principal amount, including
the aggregate principal amount of debt securities authorized, |
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the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities
are convertible into our common stock, preferred stock or other
securities, including the conversion price or its manner of
calculation, the conversion period, provisions as to whether
conversion will be at our option or the option of the holders,
the events requiring an adjustment to the conversion price and
provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption
of the debt securities, |
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the percentage of the principal amount at which we will issue
the debt securities and, if other than the principal amount of
the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount payable
upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity, or, if
applicable, the portion of the principal amount of the debt
securities that is convertible into our capital stock, or the
method for determining the portion, |
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if convertible, in connection with the preservation of our
status as a REIT, any applicable limitations on the ownership or
transferability of our capital stock into which the debt
securities are convertible, |
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the denominations of the debt securities, if other than
denominations of an integral multiple of $1,000, |
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the date or dates, or the method for determining the date or
dates, on which the principal of the debt securities will be
payable and the amount of principal payable on the debt
securities, |
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the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the
debt securities will bear interest, if any, or the method for
determining the rate or rates, the date or dates from which the
interest will accrue or the method for determining the date or
dates, the interest payment dates on which any interest will be
payable and the regular record dates for the interest payment
dates or the method for determining the dates, the person to
whom interest should be payable, and the basis for calculating
interest if other than that of a
360-day year consisting
of twelve 30-day months, |
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the place or places where the principal of, and any premium or
make-whole amount, any interest on, and any additional amounts
payable in respect of, the debt securities will be payable,
where holders of debt securities may surrender for registration
of transfer or exchange, and where holders may serve notices or
demands to or upon us in respect of the debt securities and the
applicable indenture, |
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any provisions for the redemption of the debt securities, the
period or periods within which, the price or prices, including
any premium or make-whole amount, at which, the currency or
currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which
the debt securities may be redeemed in whole or in part at our
option, if we have the option, |
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our obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase the debt
securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision
or at the option of a holder of the debt securities, and the
period or periods within which or the date or dates on which,
the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies,
currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in
which, and other terms and conditions upon which the debt
securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in
part, pursuant to the obligation, |
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if other than United States dollars, the currency or currencies
in which the debt securities will be denominated and payable,
which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign
currencies or a composite currency or currencies, |
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whether the amount of payments of principal of, and any premium
or make-whole amount, or any interest on the debt securities may
be determined with reference to an index, formula or other
method, which index, formula or method may be based on one or
more currencies, currency units, composite currencies,
commodities, equity indices or other indices, and the manner for
determining the amounts, |
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whether the principal of, and any premium or make-whole amount,
or any interest or additional amounts on the debt securities are
to be payable, at the election of United Dominion or a holder,
in a currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies other than that in which the debt
securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period
or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon
which, the election may be made, and the time and manner of, and
identity of the exchange rate agent with responsibility for,
determining the exchange rate between the currency or
currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
currencies in which the debt securities are denominated or
stated to be payable and the currency or currencies, currency
unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the
debt securities are to be so payable, |
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provisions, if any, granting special rights to the holders of
the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events, |
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any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events
of default or covenants of United Dominion with respect to the
debt securities, whether or not the events of default or
covenants are consistent with the events of default or covenants
set forth in the applicable indenture, |
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whether the debt securities will be issued in certificated or
book-entry form, |
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the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant
defeasance provisions of the applicable indenture, |
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whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional
amounts as contemplated in the applicable indenture on the debt
securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental
charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the
debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts, and the
terms of the option, |
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any restrictions or condition on the transferability of the debt
securities, |
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the exchanges, if any, on which the debt securities may be
listed, |
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the trustee, authenticating or paying agent, transfer agent or
registrar, and |
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any other material terms of the debt securities and the
applicable indenture. |
The debt securities may be original issue discount securities,
which are debt securities that may provide for less than their
entire principal amount to be payable upon declaration of
acceleration of their maturity. Special U.S. federal income
tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to original
issue discount securities will be described in the prospectus
supplement.
Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus
supplement, we will issue our senior debt securities under an
indenture dated as of November 1, 1995, between us and the
trustee under the indenture, which is U.S. Bank National
Association, formerly Wachovia Bank, National Association
(formerly First Union National Bank). We refer to this indenture
as the Senior Indenture. Unless we specify otherwise
in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue our
subordinated debt securities under the indenture dated as of
August 1, 1994, between us and the trustee under the
indenture, which is SunTrust Bank (formerly known as Crestar
Bank). We refer to this indenture as the Subordinated
Indenture. The Senior Indenture and the Subordinated
Indenture are sometimes referred to in this prospectus
individually as an Indenture and collectively as the
Indentures. As trustees, U.S. Bank and SunTrust
Bank serve two roles. First, the trustees can enforce your
rights against us if we default on the debt securities. Second,
the trustees assist in administering our obligations under the
debt securities, such as payments of interest.
Below, we describe the Indentures and summarize some of their
provisions. However, we have not described every aspect of the
Indentures or the debt securities that we may issue under the
Indentures. You should refer to the actual Indentures for a
complete description of their provisions and the definitions of
terms used in them. In this prospectus, we provide only the
definitions for some of the more important terms in the
Indentures. Wherever we refer to defined terms of the Indentures
in this prospectus or in the prospectus supplement, we are
incorporating by reference those defined terms. The Senior
Indenture and Subordinated Indenture are exhibits to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
General Terms
The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of
debt securities that we may issue and provide that we may issue
debt securities from time to time in one or more series, except
that the Senior Indenture contains limitations on the amount of
indebtedness that we may incur, as described in more detail
below.
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The senior debt securities issued under the Senior Indenture
will be unsecured obligations and will rank on a parity with all
of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The
subordinated debt securities issued under the Subordinated
Indenture will be our unsecured obligations and will be
subordinated in right of payment to all senior debt.
Each Indenture allows for any one or more series of debt
securities to have one or more trustees. Any trustee under
either Indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or
more series of debt securities, and a successor trustee may be
appointed to act with respect to the series. If two or more
persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series
of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust
under the applicable Indenture separate and apart from the trust
administered by any other trustee. Unless this prospectus or the
applicable prospectus supplement states differently, each
trustee of a series of debt securities may take any action that
we may take under the applicable Indenture.
We will provide you with more information in the applicable
prospectus supplement regarding any deletions, modifications or
additions to the events of default or covenants that are
described below, including any addition of a covenant or other
provision.
Denominations, Interest, Registration and Transfer
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states differently,
the debt securities of any series issued under an Indenture in
registered form will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples of $1,000. Unless the prospectus supplement
states otherwise, the debt securities of any series issued under
an Indenture in bearer form will be issuable in denominations of
$5,000.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the trustees will pay the principal of and any
premium and interest on the debt securities issued under an
Indenture and will register the transfer of any debt securities
at their offices. However, at our option, we may distribute
interest payments by mailing a check to the address of each
holder of debt securities that appears on the register for the
debt securities.
Any interest on the debt securities not punctually paid or duly
provided for on any interest payment date will cease to be
payable to the holder on the applicable regular record date.
This defaulted interest may be paid to the person in whose name
the debt security is registered at the close of business on a
special record date for the payment of the defaulted interest.
We will set the special record date and give the holder of the
debt security at least 10 days prior notice. In the
alternative, this defaulted interest may be paid at any time in
any other lawful manner, all as more completely described in the
applicable Indenture.
Subject to any limitations imposed upon debt securities issued
under an Indenture in book-entry form, the debt securities of
any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the
same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor
of different authorized denominations upon surrender to the
applicable trustee of the debt securities. In addition, subject
to any limitations imposed upon debt securities issued under an
Indenture in book-entry form, a holder may surrender the debt
securities to the trustee for conversion or registration of
transfer. Debt securities surrendered for conversion,
registration of transfer or exchange will be duly endorsed or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer from the holder.
A holder will not have to pay a service charge for any
registration of transfer or exchange of any debt securities, but
we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
applicable tax or other governmental charge.
If the prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agent, in
addition to the applicable trustee that we initially designated
with respect to any series of debt securities, we may at any
time rescind the designation of the transfer agent or approve a
change in the location through which the transfer agent acts,
except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in
each place of payment for the series. We may at any time
designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series
of debt securities issued under an Indenture.
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Neither we nor the trustees under the Indentures will be
required to:
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issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of
any series during a period beginning at the opening of business
15 days before any selection of debt securities of that
series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the
day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, |
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register the transfer of or exchange any debt security, or
portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed
portion of any debt security being redeemed in part, or |
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issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security
that has been surrendered for repayment at the holders
option, except the portion, if any, of the debt security not to
be repaid. |
Merger, Consolidation or Sale
The Indentures generally provide that we may consolidate with,
or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets
to, or merge with or into, any other entity, provided that:
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either we will be the continuing entity, or the successor entity
formed by or resulting from the consolidation or merger or that
will have received the transfer of the assets is an entity
organized and existing under the laws of the United States or
any state and will expressly assume payment of the principal of,
and any premium or make-whole amount, if any, and interest on
all of the debt securities issued under the Indenture and the
due and punctual performance and observance of all of the
covenants and conditions contained in the Indenture, |
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immediately after giving effect to the transaction and treating
any resulting indebtedness that becomes our or any
subsidiarys obligation as having been incurred by us or
the subsidiary at the time of the transaction, no event of
default under the Indenture, and no event which, after notice or
the lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default,
will have occurred and be continuing, and |
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we receive an Officers Certificate and legal opinion as to
compliance with these conditions. |
Covenants Under the Senior Indenture
The Senior Indenture provides that we will not, and will not
permit any subsidiary to, incur any Debt (as defined below) if,
immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the
additional Debt and the application of the proceeds from the
Debt, the aggregate principal amount of all of our outstanding
Debt on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles is greater than 60% of
the sum of, without duplication:
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our Total Assets (as defined below) as of the end of the
calendar quarter covered in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K or
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q, as the
case may be, most recently filed with the SEC, or, if the filing
is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the trustee, prior
to the incurrence of the additional Debt, and |
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the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages
receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering
proceeds received, to the extent the proceeds were not used to
acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to
reduce Debt, by us or any subsidiary since the end of the
calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in
connection with the incurrence of the additional Debt. |
In addition to the foregoing limitations on the incurrence of
Debt, the Senior Indenture provides that we will not, and will
not permit any subsidiary to, incur any Debt secured by any
mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, encumbrance or security interest
of any kind upon any of our or any subsidiarys property
if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the
Debt and the application of the proceeds from the Debt, the
aggregate principal amount of all of our outstanding Debt on a
consolidated basis that is secured by any mortgage, lien,
charge, pledge, encumbrance or security interest on our or any
subsidiarys property is greater than 40% of our Total
Assets.
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In addition to the foregoing limitations on the incurrence of
Debt, the Senior Indenture provides that we will not, and will
not permit any subsidiary to, incur any Debt if the ratio of
Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service (as defined
below) to the Annual Service Charge (as defined below) for the
four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to
the date on which the additional Debt is to be incurred will
have been less than 1.5, on a pro forma basis after giving
effect to the Debt and to the application of the proceeds from
the Debt, and calculated on the assumption that:
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the Debt and any other Debt incurred since the first day of the
four-quarter period and the application of the proceeds
therefrom, including to refinance other Debt, had occurred at
the beginning of the period, |
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our repayment or retirement of any other Debt since the first
day of the four-quarter period had been incurred, repaid or
retired at the beginning of the period, except that, in making
the computation, the amount of Debt under any revolving credit
facility will be computed based upon the average daily balance
of the Debt during the period, |
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in the case of Acquired Debt (as defined below) or Debt incurred
in connection with any acquisition since the first day of the
four-quarter period, the related acquisition had occurred as of
the first day of the period with the appropriate adjustments
with respect to the acquisition being included in the pro forma
calculation, and |
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in the case of our acquisition or disposition of any asset or
group of assets since the first day of the four-quarter period,
whether by merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset purchase or
sale, the acquisition or disposition or any related repayment of
Debt had occurred as of the first day of the period with the
appropriate adjustments with respect to the acquisition or
disposition being included in the pro forma calculation. |
The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the incurrence of Debt.
The following terms used in the covenants summarized above have
the indicated meanings:
Acquired Debt means Debt of a person
(i) existing at the time the person becomes a subsidiary or
(ii) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets
from the person, in each case, other than Debt incurred in
connection with, or in contemplation of, the person becoming a
subsidiary or the acquisition. Acquired Debt will be deemed to
be incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets
from any person or the date the acquired person becomes a
subsidiary.
Annual Service Charge as of any date means the
maximum amount that is payable in any period for interest on,
and original issue discount of, our Debt and the amount of
dividends that are payable in respect of any Disqualified Stock
(as defined below).
Capital Stock means, with respect to any person, any
capital stock, including preferred stock, shares, interests,
participations or other ownership interests, however designated,
of the person and any rights (other than debt securities
convertible into or exchangeable for corporate stock), warrants
or options to purchase any capital stock.
Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service for
any period means Funds From Operations (as defined below) plus
amounts that have been deducted for interest on Debt.
Debt of United Dominion or any subsidiary means any
indebtedness of United Dominion, or any subsidiary, whether or
not contingent, in respect of, without duplication:
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borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or
similar instruments, |
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indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge,
encumbrance or any security interest existing on property owned
by United Dominion or any subsidiary, |
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the reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in
connection with any letters of credit actually issued or amounts
representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase
price of |
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any property or services, except any balance that constitutes an
accrued expense or trade payable, or all conditional sale
obligations or obligations under any title retention agreement, |
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the principal amount of all obligations of United Dominion or
any subsidiary with respect to redemption, repayment or other
repurchase of any Disqualified Stock, or |
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any lease of property by United Dominion or any subsidiary as
lessee that is reflected on United Dominions consolidated
balance sheet as a capitalized lease in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles to the extent, in the
case of items of indebtedness under the first three bullet
points above, that any of the items, other than letters of
credit, would appear as a liability on United Dominions
consolidated balance sheet in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and also includes, to the extent not
otherwise included, any obligation of United Dominion or any
subsidiary to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or
otherwise, other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary
course of business, debt of another person, other than United
Dominion or any subsidiary. |
Debt will be deemed to be incurred by us or any subsidiary
whenever we or a subsidiary creates, assumes, guarantees or
otherwise becomes liable for that Debt.
Disqualified Stock means, with respect to any
person, any capital stock of the person that by the terms of the
capital stock, or by the terms of any security into which it is
convertible or for which it is exchangeable or exercisable, upon
the happening of any event or otherwise:
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matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund
obligation or otherwise, |
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is convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Debt or
Disqualified Stock, or |
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is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or
in part, in each case on or prior to the Stated Maturity of the
series of debt securities. |
Funds From Operations for any period means income
before gains or losses on investments and extraordinary items
plus amounts that have been deducted, and minus amounts that
have been added, for the following items, without duplication:
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provision for preferred stock dividends, |
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provision for property depreciation and amortization, and |
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the effect of any adjustments for significant non-recurring
items, including any noncash charge resulting from a change in
accounting principles in determining income before gains or
losses on investments and extraordinary items for the period, as
reflected in our financial statements for the period determined
on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. |
Total Assets as of any date means the sum of:
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our Undepreciated Real Estate Assets, and |
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all of our other assets determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, but excluding intangibles. |
Undepreciated Real Estate Assets as of any date
means the original cost plus capital improvements of our real
estate assets on the date, before depreciation and amortization
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.
Except as described above, the Indentures do not contain any
provisions that would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or
that would afford holders of the debt securities protection in
the event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving
us or in the event of a change of control. However, our Articles
of Restatement, referred to in this prospectus as our charter,
contains ownership and transfer restrictions relating to our
stock that are designed primarily to preserve our status as a
REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Code
generally provides that concentration of more than 50% in value
of direct or
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indirect ownership of our stock in five or fewer individual
stockholders during the last six months of any year, or
ownership of our stock by fewer than 100 persons on more than a
limited number of days during any taxable year, will result in
our disqualification as a REIT for such purposes. Provisions of
our charter that are intended to prevent concentration of
ownership may prevent or hinder a change of control. You should
refer to the applicable prospectus supplement for information
with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or
additions to the events of default or covenants of United
Dominion that are described in this section, including any
addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk
or similar protection.
Covenants Under Both Indentures
Each Indenture includes the following covenants:
Existence. Except as described above under Merger,
Consolidation or Sale, we will do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect
our existence, rights, both under our charter and statutory, and
franchises. However, we will not be required to preserve any
right or franchise if our board of directors determines that its
preservation is no longer desirable in the conduct of our
business and the business of our subsidiaries as a whole and
that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material
respect to the holders of the debt securities of any series.
Maintenance of Properties. We will cause all of our
properties used or useful in the conduct of our business or the
business of any subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good
condition, repair and working order and supplied with all
necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary
repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements
thereof, all as in our judgment may be necessary so that our
business may be properly and advantageously conducted at all
times. However, we will not be prevented from selling or
otherwise disposing of for value our properties in the ordinary
course of business.
Insurance. We will, and will cause each of our
subsidiaries to, keep all of our insurable properties insured
against loss or damage in an amount at least equal to their then
full insurable value with financially sound and reputable
insurance companies.
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. We will pay or
discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same
becomes delinquent:
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all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or
imposed upon us or any subsidiary or upon our or any
subsidiarys income, profits or property, and |
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all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies that, if
unpaid, might by law become a lien upon our or any
subsidiarys property. |
However, we will not be required to pay or discharge or cause to
be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim
whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings.
Provision of Financial Information. Whether or not we are
subject to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, we
will, to the extent permitted under the Exchange Act, file with
the SEC the annual reports, quarterly reports and other
documents that we would have been required to file with the SEC
pursuant to Sections 13 and 15(d) if we were subject to
those Sections. We will also in any event:
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within 15 days of each required filing date |
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transmit by mail to all holders of debt securities, as their
names and addresses appear in the security register, without
cost to the holders, copies of the annual reports and quarterly
reports that we would have been required to file with the SEC
pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if we
were subject to those Sections, and |
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file with the trustee copies of the annual reports, quarterly
reports and other documents that we would have been required to
file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act if we were subject to those Sections, and |
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if our filing the documents with the SEC is not permitted under
the Exchange Act, promptly upon written request and payment of
the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, supply copies
of the documents to any prospective holder. |
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver
Each Indenture provides that the following events are
events of default with respect to any issued series
of debt securities:
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default for 30 days in the payment of any installment of
interest or additional amounts payable on any debt security of
the series, |
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default in the payment of the principal of, or any premium or
make-whole amount on any debt security of the series at its
maturity, |
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default in making any sinking fund payment as required for any
debt security of the series, |
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default in the performance of any other covenant of United
Dominion contained in the Indenture, other than a covenant added
to the Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt
securities issued under the Indenture other than the series,
continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in
the Indenture, |
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default under any bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or
instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may
be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by
us, or by any subsidiary, the repayment of which we have
guaranteed or for which we are directly responsible or liable as
obligor or guarantor, having an aggregate principal amount
outstanding of at least $10,000,000, whether the indebtedness
now exists or will later be created, which default will have
resulted in the indebtedness being declared due and payable
prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due
and payable, without the acceleration having been rescinded or
annulled within 10 days after written notice as provided in
the Indenture, |
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the entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of one or more
judgments, orders or decrees against us or any subsidiary in an
aggregate amount, excluding amounts covered by insurance, in
excess of $10,000,000 and those judgments, orders or decrees
remain undischarged, unstayed and unsatisfied in an aggregate
amount, excluding amounts covered by insurance, in excess of
$10,000,000 for a period of 30 consecutive days, |
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certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or
court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of United
Dominion or any significant subsidiary or for all or
substantially all of either of their properties, and |
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any other event of default provided with respect to the series
of debt securities. |
The term significant subsidiary means each
significant subsidiary, as defined in
Regulation S-X
promulgated under the Securities Act, of United Dominion.
If an event of default under either Indenture with respect to
debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and
is continuing, then in every case the trustee or the holders of
not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of that series may declare the principal amount, or,
if the debt securities of that series are original issue
discount securities or indexed securities, the portion of the
principal amount as may be specified in their terms, of, and any
make-whole amount on, all of the debt securities of that series
to be due and payable immediately by written notice to us, and
to the trustee if given by the holders. However, at any time
after the declaration of acceleration with respect to debt
securities of the series, or of all debt securities then
outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be,
has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of
the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of
not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
debt
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securities of the series, or of all debt securities then
outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be,
may rescind and annul the declaration and its consequences if:
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we will have deposited with the trustee all required payments of
the principal of and any premium or make-whole amount and
interest, and any additional amounts, on the debt securities of
the series, or of all debt securities then outstanding under the
applicable Indenture, as the case may be, plus certain fees,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the trustee, and |
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all events of default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated
principal, or specified portion thereof and any premium or
make-whole amount, or interest, with respect to the debt
securities of the series, or of all debt securities then
outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be,
have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture. |
Each Indenture also provides that the holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities
of any series, or of all debt securities then outstanding under
the applicable Indenture, as the case may be, may waive any past
default with respect to the series and its consequences, except
a default:
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in the payment of the principal of, or any premium or make-whole
amount, or interest or additional amounts payable on any debt
security of the series, or |
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in respect of a covenant or provision contained in the
applicable Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without
the consent of the holder of each affected outstanding debt
security. |
Each trustee is required to give notice to the holders of debt
securities within 90 days of a default under the applicable
Indenture. However, the trustee may withhold notice to the
holders of any series of debt securities of any default with
respect to that series, except a default in the payment of the
principal of, or any premium or make-whole amount, or interest
or additional amounts payable, on any debt security of the
series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment in
respect of any debt security of the series, if the trustee
considers the withholding to be in the interest of the holders.
Each Indenture provides that no holders of debt securities of
any series may institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise,
with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder,
except in the case of failure of the trustee for 60 days to
act after it has received a written request to institute
proceedings in respect of an event of default from the holders
of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of the series, as well as an offer of reasonable
indemnity. This provision will not prevent, however, any holder
of debt securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of
payment of the principal of, and any premium or make-whole
amount, interest on and additional amounts payable with respect
to, the debt securities at their respective due dates.
Modification of the Indentures
We and the applicable trustee may modify and amend either
Indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities
issued under the Indenture affected by the modification or
amendment. However, we must have the consent of the holders of
all affected outstanding debt securities to:
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change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any premium
or make-whole amount, or any installment of principal of or
interest or additional amounts payable on, any debt security, |
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reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of
interest on, or any premium or make-whole amount payable on
redemption of, or any additional amounts payable with respect
to, any debt security, or reduce the amount of principal of an
original issue discount security or make-whole amount, if any,
that would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration
of its maturity or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely
affect any right of repayment of the holder of any debt security, |
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change the place of payment, or the coin or currency, for
payment of principal of, and any premium or make-whole amount,
or interest on, or any additional amounts payable with respect
to, a debt security, |
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impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
payment on or with respect to any debt security, |
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reduce the percentage of outstanding debt securities of any
series necessary to modify or amend the applicable Indenture, to
waive compliance with any provisions of that Indenture or any
defaults and consequences thereunder or to reduce the quorum or
voting requirements set forth in the Indenture, or |
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modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of the provisions
relating to the waiver of certain past defaults or certain
covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect
the action or to provide that certain other provisions may not
be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of the
debt security. |
The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of
outstanding debt securities issued under either Indenture have
the right to waive our compliance with some covenants in the
Indenture.
Subordination
Upon any distribution to our creditors in a liquidation,
dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding, the payment
of the principal of and interest on subordinated debt securities
issued under the Subordinated Indenture will be subordinated to
the extent provided in the Subordinated Indenture in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of all senior debt. Our
obligation to make payment of the principal and interest on the
subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected.
No payment of principal or interest may be made on the
subordinated debt securities at any time if a default on senior
debt exists that permits the holders of the senior debt to
accelerate its maturity and the default is the subject of
judicial proceedings or we receive notice of the default. After
all senior debt is paid in full and until the subordinated debt
securities are paid in full, holders will be subrogated to the
rights of holders of senior debt to the extent that
distributions otherwise payable to holders have been applied to
the payment of senior debt. By reason of this subordination, in
the event of a distribution of assets upon insolvency, certain
of our general creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders
of the subordinated debt securities.
Senior debt is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as the
principal of and interest on, or substantially similar payments
to be made by United Dominion in respect of, the following,
whether outstanding at the date of execution of the Subordinated
Indenture or thereafter incurred, created or assumed:
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our indebtedness for money borrowed or represented by
purchase-money obligations, |
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our indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, or bonds, or
other securities issued under the provisions of an indenture,
fiscal agency agreement or other instrument, |
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our obligations as lessee under leases of property either made
as part of any sale and lease-back transaction to which we are a
party or otherwise, |
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indebtedness of partnerships and joint ventures that is included
in our consolidated financial statements, |
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indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of others in respect
of which we are liable contingently or otherwise to pay or
advance money or property or as guarantor, endorser or otherwise
or which we have agreed to purchase or otherwise
acquire, and |
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any binding commitment of us to fund any real estate investment
or to fund any investment in any entity making a real estate
investment, in each case other than the following: |
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any indebtedness, obligation or liability referred to in the
above bullet points as to which, in the instrument creating or
evidencing the same pursuant to which the same is outstanding,
it is provided that the indebtedness, obligation or liability is
not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt
securities or ranks pari passu with the subordinated debt
securities, |
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any indebtedness, obligation or liability that is subordinated
to indebtedness of United Dominion to substantially the same
extent as or to a greater extent than the subordinated debt
securities are subordinated, and |
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the subordinated debt securities. |
At December 31, 2005, our senior unsecured debt aggregated
approximately $1.8 billion.
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Under each Indenture, we may discharge certain obligations to
holders of any series of debt securities issued under the
Indenture that have not already been delivered to the applicable
trustee for cancellation and that either have become due and
payable or will become due and payable within one year, or
scheduled for redemption within one year, by irrevocably
depositing with the applicable trustee, in trust, funds in the
currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which the debt securities are payable
in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on the
debt securities in respect of principal, and any premium or
make-whole amount, and interest and any additional amounts
payable to the date of the deposit, if the debt securities have
become due and payable, or to the stated maturity or redemption
date, as the case may be.
Each Indenture provides that, if the provisions of its
Article Fourteen are made applicable to the debt securities
of or within any series pursuant the Indenture, we may elect:
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defeasance, which is to defease and be discharged
from any and all obligations with respect to the debt
securities, except for the obligation to pay additional amounts,
if any, upon the occurrence of certain events of tax, assessment
or governmental charge with respect to payments on the debt
securities and the obligations to register the transfer or
exchange of the debt securities, to replace temporary or
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to
maintain an office or agency in respect of the debt securities
and to hold moneys for payment in trust, or |
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covenant defeasance, which is to be released from
our obligations with respect to the debt securities under
provisions of each Indenture described under Covenants
Under the Senior Indenture and Covenants Under Both
Indentures above, or, if provided pursuant to
Section 301 of each Indenture, our obligations with respect
to any other covenant, and any omission to comply with the
obligations will not constitute a default or an event or default
with respect to the debt securities issued under the Indenture. |
In either case upon our irrevocable deposit with the applicable
trustee, in trust, of an amount, in the currency or currencies,
currency unit or currency units or composite currency or
currencies in which the debt securities are payable at stated
maturity, or Government Obligations (as defined below), or both,
applicable to the debt securities that through the scheduled
payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms
will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal
of, and any premium or make-whole amount, and interest on the
debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous
payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor.
Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, we
have delivered to the applicable trustee an opinion of counsel,
as specified in each Indenture, to the effect that the holders
of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss
for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the
defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to
U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same
manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the
defeasance or covenant
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defeasance had not occurred. In the case of defeasance, the
opinion of counsel must refer to and be based upon a ruling of
the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable
U.S. federal income tax laws occurring after the date of
the Indenture.
Government Obligations means securities that are:
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direct obligations of the United States of America or the
government that issued the foreign currency in which the debt
securities of a particular series are payable, for the payment
of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or |
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obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting
as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America
or the government that issued the foreign currency in which the
debt securities of the series are payable, the payment of which
is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit
obligation by the United States of America or any other
government, which, in either case, are not callable or
redeemable at the option of the issuer, and will also include a
depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as
custodian with respect to any Government Obligation or a
specific payment of interest on or principal of any Government
Obligation held by the custodian for the account of the holder
of a depository receipt, provided that, except as required by
law, the custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from
the amount payable to the holder of the depository receipt from
any amount received by the custodian in respect of the
Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or
principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by the
depository receipt. |
Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, if after
we have deposited funds and/or Government Obligations to effect
defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to debt
securities of any series issued under an Indenture:
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the holder of a debt security of the series is entitled to, and
does, elect pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture or the
terms of the debt security to receive payment in a currency,
currency unit or composite currency other than that in which the
deposit has been made in respect of the debt security, or |
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a Conversion Event (as defined below) occurs in respect of the
currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the
deposit has been made, the indebtedness represented by the debt
security will be deemed to have been, and will be, fully
discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal
of, and any premium or make-whole amount, and interest on the
debt security as they become due out of the proceeds yielded by
converting the amount deposited in respect of the debt security
into the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which
the debt security becomes payable as a result of the election or
cessation of usage based on the applicable market exchange rate. |
Conversion Event means the cessation of use of:
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a currency, currency unit or composite currency, other than the
ECU or other currency unit, both by the government of the
country that issued the currency and for the settlement of
transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of
or within the international banking community, |
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the ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the
settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within
the European Communities, or |
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any currency unit or composite currency other than the ECU for
the purposes for which it was established. |
Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, all
payments of principal of, and any premium or make-whole amount,
and interest on any debt security issued under an Indenture that
is payable in a foreign currency that ceases to be used by its
government of issuance will be made in United States dollars.
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If we effect covenant defeasance with respect to any debt
securities and those debt securities are declared due and
payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the
amount in the currency, currency unit or composite currency in
which the debt securities are payable, and Government
Obligations on deposit with the trustee, will be sufficient to
pay amounts due on the debt securities at the time of their
stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on
the debt securities at the time of the acceleration resulting
from the event of default. This situation will not apply in the
case of an event of default described in the fourth bullet point
under Events of Default, Notice and Waiver of either
Indenture, which sections would no longer be applicable to the
debt securities or described in the last bullet point under
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver with respect to
a covenant as to which there has been covenant defeasance.
However, we would remain liable to make payment of the amounts
due at the time of acceleration.
The prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions,
if any, permitting defeasance or covenant defeasance, including
any modifications to the provisions described above, with
respect to the debt securities of or within a particular series.
Book-Entry System
We may issue debt securities of a series as one or more fully
registered global securities. We will deposit the global
securities with, or on behalf of, a depository bank identified
in the prospectus supplement relating to the series. We will
register the global securities in the name of the depository
bank or its nominee. In that case, one or more global securities
will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations
equal to the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt
securities of the series represented by the global security or
securities. Until any global security is exchanged in whole or
in part for debt securities in definitive certificated form, the
depository bank or its nominee may not transfer the global
certificate except to each other, another nominee or to their
successors and except as described in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
The prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of
the depository arrangement with respect to a series of debt
securities that a global security will represent. We anticipate
that the following provisions will apply to all depository
arrangements.
Upon the issuance of any global security, and the deposit of the
global security with or on behalf of the depository bank for the
global security, the depository bank will credit, on its
book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective
principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the
global security to the accounts of institutions, also referred
to as participants, that have accounts with the
depository bank or its nominee. The accounts to be credited will
be designated by the underwriters or agents engaging in the
distribution or placement of the debt securities or by us, if we
offer and sell the debt securities directly. Ownership of
beneficial interests in the global security will be limited to
participants or persons that may hold interests through
participants.
Ownership of beneficial interests by participants in the global
security will be shown by book-keeping entries on, and the
transfer of that ownership interest will be effected only
through book-keeping entries to, records maintained by the
depository bank or its nominee for the global security.
Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security by
persons that hold through participants will be shown by
book-keeping entries on, and the transfer of that ownership
interest among or through the participants will be effected only
through book-keeping entries to, records maintained by the
participants.
The laws of some jurisdictions require that some of the
purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the
securities in definitive certificated form rather than
book-entry form. Such laws may impair the ability to own,
transfer or pledge beneficial interests in any global security.
So long as the depository bank for a global security or its
nominee is the registered owner of the global security, the
depository bank or the nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities
represented by the global security for all purposes under the
Indenture.
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Except as described below or otherwise specified in the
applicable prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial interests
in a global security:
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will not be entitled to have debt securities of the series
represented by the global security registered in their names, |
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will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
debt securities of the series in definitive certificated
form, and |
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will not be considered the holders thereof for any purposes
under the applicable indenture. |
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the
global security must rely on the procedures of the depository
bank and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures
of the participant through which the person directly or
indirectly owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder
under the applicable indenture. The depository bank may grant
proxies and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action that a holder is entitled to give or take
under the indenture.
We understand that under existing industry practices, if we
request any action of holders or any owner of a beneficial
interest in the global security desires to give any notice or
take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under
the indenture, the depository bank for the global security would
authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial
interest to give notice or take action, and the participants
would authorize beneficial owners owning through the
participants to give notice or take action or would otherwise
act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through
them.
Principal and any premium and interest payments on debt
securities represented by a global security registered in the
name of a depository bank or its nominee will be made to the
depository bank or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner of the global security. None of us, the trustee
or any paying agent for the debt securities will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records
relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests in any global security or for maintaining, supervising
or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership
interests.
We expect that the depository bank for any series of debt
securities represented by a global security, upon receipt of any
payment of principal, premium or interest, will credit
immediately participants accounts with payments in amounts
proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the
principal amount of the global security as shown on the records
of the depository bank. We also expect that payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global
security or securities held through the participants will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is
now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers
registered in street name, and will be the
responsibility of the participants.
If the depository bank for any series of debt securities
represented by a global security is at any time unwilling or
unable to continue as depository bank and we do not appoint a
successor depository bank within 90 days, we will issue the
debt securities in definitive certificated form in exchange for
the global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our
sole discretion determine not to have the debt securities of a
series represented by one or more global securities and, in that
event, will issue debt securities of the series in definitive
certificated form in exchange for the global security
representing the series of debt securities.
Debt securities of the series issued in definitive certificated
form will, except as described in the applicable prospectus
supplement, be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral
multiples thereof and will be issued in registered form.
Trustees
U.S. Bank National Association (formerly Wachovia Bank,
National Association) is the trustee under the Senior Indenture.
SunTrust Bank is the trustee under the Subordinated Indenture,
as well as the
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indenture dated December 19, 2005 relating to our
4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2035. Both
U.S. Bank and SunTrust Bank have lending relationships with
us.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
The following description sets forth general terms and
provisions of our preferred stock. Specific terms of any series
of preferred stock offered by a prospectus supplement will be
described in that prospectus supplement. You should review our
charter for a more complete description of the preferences,
limitations and relative rights of a particular series of
preferred stock.
General
We are authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, without par value. The preferred stock is issuable in
series designated by our board of directors, without further
stockholder action and pursuant to our charter, with the
designations, preferences, terms, rights, restrictions,
limitations, qualifications, terms and conditions of redemption
and other relative rights as our board of directors may approve.
We currently have four designated series of preferred stock:
8.60% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock,
Series C Junior Participating Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock, Series E Cumulative Convertible Preferred
Stock and Series F Preferred Stock. At December 31,
2005, there were outstanding 5,416,009 shares of
Series B Preferred Stock and 2,803,812 shares of
Series E Preferred Stock. No shares of Series C
Preferred Stock or Series F Preferred Stock have been
issued. We will not issue any shares of Series C Preferred
Stock except upon the exercise of rights as described below
under Description of Common Stock Preferred
Stock Purchase Rights. We will not issue additional shares
of any outstanding series of preferred stock.
Our preferred stock will have the dividend, liquidation,
redemption, conversion and voting rights described below unless
otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a
particular series of preferred stock. In an offering of a series
of our preferred stock, the prospectus supplement will provide
specific terms of the series, including:
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the title and liquidation preference per share of the preferred
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the price at which the series will be issued, |
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the dividend rate or method of its calculation, the dates on
which dividends will be payable and the dates from which
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any redemption or sinking fund provisions of the series, |
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any conversion provisions of the series, and |
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any additional dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund
and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and
restrictions of the series. |
Our preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and
nonassessable. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus
supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock,
each series will rank on a parity as to dividends and
distributions in the event of a liquidation with each other
series of preferred stock and, in all cases, will be senior to
the common stock.
Dividend Rights
Holders of preferred stock of each series will be entitled to
receive, when declared by our board of directors, cash dividends
at the rates and on the dates as set forth in the prospectus
supplement relating to the series of preferred stock. The rate
may be fixed or variable or both and may be cumulative,
noncumulative or partially cumulative.
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If the prospectus supplement provides, as long as any shares of
preferred stock are outstanding, no dividends will be declared
or paid or any distributions be made on the common stock unless
the accrued dividends on each series of preferred stock have
been fully paid or declared and set apart for payment and we
will have set apart all amounts, if any, required to be set
apart for all sinking funds, if any, for each series of
preferred stock.
If the prospectus supplement so provides, when dividends are not
paid in full upon any series of preferred stock and any other
series of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends
with the series of preferred stock, all dividends declared upon
the series of preferred stock and any other series of preferred
stock ranking on a parity as to dividends will be declared pro
rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on the
series of preferred stock and the other series will in all cases
bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per
share on the series of preferred stock and the other series bear
to each other.
Each series of preferred stock will be entitled to dividends as
described in the prospectus supplement relating to the series,
which may be based upon one or more methods of determination.
Different series of preferred stock may be entitled to dividends
at different dividend rates or based upon different methods of
determination. Except as provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement, no series of preferred stock will be entitled to
participate in our earnings or assets.
Rights Upon Liquidation
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of United Dominion, the holders of
each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive out
of our assets available for distribution to stockholders the
amount stated or determined on the basis set forth in the
prospectus supplement relating to the series. This distribution
may include accrued dividends, if the liquidation, dissolution
or winding up is involuntary. If the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up is voluntary, the distribution may equal the current
redemption price per share provided for the series set forth in
the prospectus supplement, otherwise than for the sinking fund,
if any, provided for the series. Any preferential basis for the
distribution will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.
If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of United Dominion, the amounts payable with
respect to preferred stock of any series and any other shares of
our stock ranking as to any such distribution on a parity with
the series of preferred stock are not paid in full, the holders
of preferred stock of the series and of the other shares will
share ratably in any distribution of our assets in proportion to
the full respective preferential amounts to which they are
entitled or on such other basis as is set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement. The rights, if any, of the
holders of any series of preferred stock to participate in our
remaining assets after the holders of other series of preferred
stock have been paid their respective specified liquidation
preferences upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
United Dominion will be described in the prospectus supplement
relating to the series.
Redemption
A series of preferred stock may be redeemable, in whole or in
part, at our option, and may be subject to mandatory redemption
pursuant to a sinking fund, in each case upon terms, at the
times, the redemption prices and for the types of
consideration set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to
the series. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of
preferred stock that is subject to mandatory redemption will
specify the number of shares of the series that we will redeem
in each year commencing after a specified date at a specified
redemption price per share, together with an amount equal to any
accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption.
If, after giving notice of redemption to the holders of a series
of preferred stock, we deposit with a designated bank funds
sufficient to redeem the preferred stock, then from and after
the deposit, all shares called for redemption will no longer be
outstanding for any purpose, other than the right to receive the
redemption price and the right to convert the shares into other
classes of our capital stock. The prospectus supplement will set
forth the redemption price relating to a particular series of
preferred stock.
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Except as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
preferred stock is not subject to any mandatory redemption at
the option of the holder.
Sinking Fund
The prospectus supplement for any series of preferred stock will
state the terms, if any, of a sinking fund for the purchase or
redemption of that series.
Conversion Rights
The prospectus supplement for any series of preferred stock will
state the terms, if any, on which shares of that series are
convertible into shares of common stock or another series of
preferred stock. The preferred stock will have no preemptive
rights.
Voting Rights
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of
preferred stock will set forth any voting rights applicable to
that series.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
Our charter contains ownership and transfer restrictions
relating to our stock that are designed primarily to preserve
our status as a REIT. These restrictions, which apply to our
preferred stock and our common stock, include the ownership and
transfer restrictions discussed in more detail below under
Description of Common Stock Restrictions on
Ownership and Transfer.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The prospectus supplement will state our selection for the
transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for a
series of preferred stock. The registrar for shares of preferred
stock will send notices to preferred stockholders of any
meetings at which holders of preferred stock have the right to
vote on any matter.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
The following is a summary of some of the important terms of our
common stock. The following discussion also summarizes some of
the terms of our preferred stock, our stockholder rights plan
and Maryland law. None of these summaries or descriptions is
complete and all of them are qualified by reference to our
charter, bylaws and stockholder rights plan and the applicable
provisions of Maryland law. You should review the applicable
Maryland law as well as our charter, bylaws and stockholder
rights plan for a more complete description of our common stock.
General
We are authorized to issue 250,000,000 shares of common
stock, $0.01 par value per share. As of December 31,
2005, there were 134,012,053 shares of our common stock
issued and outstanding and 23,833,710 shares of our common
stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock
options, convertible notes, convertible preferred stock and
operating partnership units exchangeable for our common stock.
Voting Rights
Holders of our common stock have one vote per share and are not
entitled to cumulate votes in the election of directors. The
holders of our outstanding Series E Preferred Stock are
entitled to vote on an as converted (one-for-one)
basis as a single class in combination with the holders of our
common stock at any meeting of stockholders for the election of
directors or for any other purpose on which holders of
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our common stock are entitled to vote. If we issue shares of our
Series F Preferred Stock, the holders thereof will be
entitled to one vote for each share of the Series F
Preferred Stock they hold, voting together with the holders of
our common stock, on each matter submitted to a vote of
securityholders at a meeting of our stockholders.
Dividends
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends
if, when and as declared by our board of directors out of
legally available funds after payment of, or provision for, full
cumulative dividends on shares of our preferred stock then
outstanding. In the event of our voluntary or involuntary
liquidation or dissolution, holders of our common stock are
entitled to share ratably in our distributable assets remaining
after satisfaction of the prior preferential rights of our
preferred stock and the satisfaction of all of our debts and
liabilities. Holders of our common stock do not have preemptive
rights.
The dividend and liquidation rights of holders of our common
stock are specifically limited by the terms of the outstanding
preferred stock, which in general provide that no dividends will
be declared or paid on the common stock unless the accrued
dividends on each series of outstanding preferred stock have
been fully paid or declared and set apart for payment, and that
in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
our company, the holders of each series of outstanding preferred
stock will be entitled to receive out of our assets available
for distribution to stockholders the liquidation preference of
that series before any amount is distributed to holders of
common stock.
Certain Maryland Law Provisions
As a Maryland corporation, we are subject to certain
restrictions concerning certain business
combinations (including a merger, consolidation, share
exchange or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer or
issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between us
and an interested stockholder. Interested
stockholders are persons: (i) who beneficially own 10% or
more of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock, or
(ii) who are affiliates or associates of us who, at any
time within the two-year period prior to the date in question,
were the beneficial owners of 10% or more of the voting power of
our outstanding stock. Such business combinations are prohibited
for five years after the most recent date on which the
interested stockholder became an interested stockholder.
Thereafter, any such business combination must be recommended by
the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of
at least: (i) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by
holders of the outstanding voting shares voting together as a
single voting group, and (ii) two-thirds of the votes
entitled to be cast by holders of the outstanding voting shares
other than voting shares held by the interested stockholder or
an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder with
whom the business combination is to be effected, unless, among
other things, the corporations stockholders receive a
minimum price for their shares and the consideration is received
in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as
previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.
These provisions of Maryland law do not apply, however, to
business combinations that are approved or exempted by the board
of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder
becomes an interested stockholder.
Also under Maryland law, 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, excluding shares owned by the acquirer or by
officers or directors who are employees of the corporation.
Control shares are shares of stock which, if
aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer
or shares of stock for which the acquirer is able to exercise or
direct the exercise of voting power except solely by virtue of a
revocable proxy, would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting
power in electing directors within one of the following ranges
of voting power:
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one-tenth or more but less than one-third, |
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one-third or more but less than a majority, or |
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a majority or more of all voting power. |
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Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is
then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained
stockholder approval. A control share acquisition
means, subject to certain exceptions, the acquisition of,
ownership of or the power to direct the exercise of voting power
with respect to, control shares.
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 bylaws contain a provision exempting from the
control share acquisition statute any acquisitions by any person
of shares of our stock.
Under Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the Maryland General
Corporation Law, a Maryland corporation that has a class of
equity securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 and that has at least three directors who are not
officers or employees of the corporation, are not acquiring
persons, are not directors, officers, affiliates or associates
of any acquiring person, or are not nominated or designated as a
director by an acquiring person, may elect in its charter or
bylaws or by resolution of its board of directors to be subject
to certain provisions of Subtitle 8 that may have the
effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the
corporation. These provisions relate to a classified board of
directors, removal of directors, establishing the number of
directors, filling vacancies on the board of directors and
calling special meetings of the corporations stockholders.
We have not made the election to be governed by these provisions
of Subtitle 8 of the Maryland General Corporation Law.
However, our charter and our bylaws permit our board of
directors to determine the number of directors subject to a
minimum number and other provisions contained in such documents.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
Our charter contains ownership and transfer restrictions
relating to our stock that are designed primarily to preserve
our status as a REIT. These restrictions include but are not
limited to the following:
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no person may beneficially own or constructively own shares of
our outstanding equity stock (defined as stock that
is either common stock or preferred stock) with a value in
excess of 9.9% of the value of all outstanding equity stock
unless our board of directors exempts the person from such
ownership limitation, provided that any such exemption shall not
allow the person to exceed 13% of the value of our outstanding
equity stock; |
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any transfer that, if effective, would result in any person
beneficially owning or constructively owning equity stock with a
value in excess of 9.9% of the value of all outstanding equity
stock (or such higher value not to exceed 13% as determined
pursuant to an exemption from our board of directors) shall be
void as to the transfer of that number of shares of equity stock
which would otherwise be beneficially owned or constructively
owned by such person in excess of such ownership limit; and the
intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such excess
shares of equity stock; |
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except as provided in our charter, any transfer that, if
effective, would result in the equity stock being beneficially
owned by fewer than 100 persons shall be void as to the transfer
of that number of shares which would be otherwise beneficially
owned or constructively owned by the transferee; and the
intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such excess
shares of equity stock; and |
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any transfer of shares of equity stock that, if effective, would
result in us being closely held within the meaning
of Section 856(h) of the Code shall be void as to the
transfer of that number of shares of equity stock which would
cause us to be closely held within the meaning of
Section 856(h) of the Code; and the intended transferee
shall acquire no rights in such excess shares of equity stock. |
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Transfer Agent
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A., 161 North Concord Exchange, South
St. Paul, Minnesota 55075.
Exchange Listing
Our common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol UDR.
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
Pursuant to our First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement
dated September 14, 1999, each share of our common stock
evidences one right to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a
share of our Series C Junior Participating Cumulative
Redeemable Preferred Stock. Except with respect to certain
preferential rights, each one one-thousandth of a share of
Series C Preferred Stock is structured to be the equivalent
of one share of common stock. The exercise price of the rights
is $45.00, subject to adjustment. The rights are not currently
exercisable and no shares of Series C Preferred Stock are
currently outstanding.
The rights will separate from the common stock and a
distribution of certificates evidencing the rights will occur
upon the earlier of:
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10 business days following a public announcement that a
person or group of related persons has acquired, or obtained the
right to acquire, beneficial ownership of more than 15% of the
outstanding shares of common stock, or |
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10 business days following the commencement of a tender offer or
exchange offer that would result in a person or group
beneficially owning more than 15% of the outstanding shares of
common stock. |
Generally, the rights will become exercisable at the time of the
distribution of certificates evidencing the rights as set forth
above. The rights will expire at the close of business on
February 4, 2008, unless we redeem or exchange them earlier.
The Series C Preferred Stock is junior to all other
outstanding series of preferred stock in respect of rights to
receive dividends and to participate in distributions or
payments in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding
up. The Series C Preferred Stock is senior to the common
stock and any other capital stock of United Dominion ranking, as
to dividends and upon liquidation, junior to the Series C
Preferred Stock.
Holders of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock will be
entitled to receive, if, when and as declared by our board of
directors, out of legally available funds, cumulative
preferential cash dividends payable quarterly in an amount per
share equal to the greater of:
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$0.01 or |
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subject to adjustment set forth in the charter, 1,000 times the
aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000
times the aggregate per share amount, payable in kind, of all
non-cash dividends or other distributions, other than dividends
payable in shares of common stock, declared on the common stock
since the immediately preceding quarterly dividend payment date,
or, with respect to the first quarterly dividend payment date,
since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of
Series C Preferred Stock. |
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
United Dominion, the holders of shares of Series C
Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid out of our assets
legally available for distribution to our stockholders, subject
to the prior preferential rights of our other preferred stock
ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock, a
liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, plus accrued
and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of payment, which is
referred to as the Series C Preferred Liquidation
Preference. After the payment to the holders of the shares
of the Series C Preferred Stock of the full Series C
Preferred Liquidation Preference, the holders of the
Series C Preferred Stock as such shall have no right
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or claim to any of our remaining assets until the holders of
common stock shall have received an amount per share, referred
to as the common adjustment, equal to the quotient
obtained by dividing the Series C Preferred Liquidation
Preference by 1,000, subject to adjustments as set forth in the
charter. Following the payment of the full amount of the
Series C Preferred Liquidation Preference, the full amount
of any liquidation preference payable to holders of any of our
other shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series C
Preferred Stock as to any liquidation distribution, and the full
amount of the common adjustment, respectively, holders of shares
of the Series C Preferred Stock, such other shares and
shares of the common stock shall be entitled to receive their
ratable and proportionate share of our remaining assets to be
distributed in the ratio of 1,000 (subject to adjustment as set
forth in our charter) to 1 with respect to the Series C
Preferred Stock, such other shares and the common stock, on a
per share basis, respectively. In the event that there are not
sufficient assets available after payment in full of the
Series C Preferred Liquidation Preference and such other
liquidation preferences to permit payment in full of the common
adjustment, then the remaining assets shall be distributed
ratably to the holders of the common stock.
The outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock may be
redeemed at the option of the board of directors as a whole, but
not in part, at any time, or from time to time, at a redemption
price per share equal to 1,000 (subject to certain adjustments
as set forth in our charter) times the Average Market Value of
the common stock, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends to and
including the date fixed for redemption. The Average
Market Value is the average of the closing sale prices of
a share of the common stock during the
30-day period
immediately preceding the date before the redemption date quoted
on the Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange Listed Stocks,
or, if the common stock is not quoted on the Composite Tape, on
the New York Stock Exchange, or, if the common stock is not
listed on such exchange, on the principal United States
registered securities exchange on which the common stock is
listed, or, if the common stock is not listed on any such
exchange, the average of the closing bid quotations with respect
to a share of common stock during such
30-day period on The
Nasdaq Stock Market, or if no such quotations are available, the
fair market value of a share of common stock as determined by
our board of directors in good faith.
Each share of Series C Preferred Stock entitles its holder
to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of our
stockholders. In general, the holders of shares of Series C
Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of common stock vote
together as one voting group on all those matters. If the
Series C Preferred Stock is listed or admitted to trading
on the New York Stock Exchange, approval by the holders of at
least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series C
Preferred Stock will be required for adoption of any amendment
to our charter or bylaws that would materially affect the
existing terms of the Series C Preferred Stock.
Whenever dividends on any shares of Series C Preferred
Stock are in arrears for six or more consecutive quarterly
periods, the holders of such shares, voting separately as a
class with all other series of preferred stock having like
voting rights, will be entitled to vote for the election of two
additional directors of United Dominion at a special meeting
called by the holders of record of at least 10% of the
Series C Preferred Stock or the holders of any other series
of preferred stock so in arrears or at the next annual meeting
of stockholders, and at each subsequent annual meeting until all
dividends accumulated on such shares of Series C Preferred
Stock for the past dividend periods and the current dividend
period shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment. In
such case, the entire board of United Dominion will be increased
by two directors.
The dividend rate on the Series C Preferred Stock, the
common adjustment, the Series C Preferred Stock redemption
price and the number of votes per share of Series C
Preferred Stock and certain other terms of the Series C
Preferred Stock are all subject to adjustment upon the
declaration of any dividend payable in common stock, subdivision
of the outstanding common stock or combination of the
outstanding shares of common stock into a smaller number of
shares.
The Series C Preferred Stock is not convertible into or
exchangeable for any other property or securities of United
Dominion except as provided in Article VI of our charter.
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Effective January 6, 2004, we appointed Wells Fargo Bank,
N.A. as Rights Agent under the First Amended and Restated Rights
Agreement, replacing Mellon Investor Services LLC.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants, in one or more series, for the purchase
of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities.
Warrants may be issued independently or together with our common
stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be attached to
or separate from any offered securities.
The warrants will be evidenced by warrant certificates. Unless
otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the warrant
certificates may be traded separately from the common stock,
preferred stock or debt securities, if any, with which the
warrant certificates were issued. Warrant certificates may be
exchanged for new warrant certificates of different
denominations at the office of an agent that we will appoint.
Until a warrant is exercised, the holder of a warrant does not
have any of the rights of a holder of our stock or debt
securities and is not entitled to any payments on any debt
securities or shares of stock issuable upon exercise of the
warrants.
A prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus relating to
a particular series of warrants to issue debt securities or
shares of stock will describe the terms of those warrants,
including:
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the title and the aggregate number of warrants, |
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the debt securities or stock for which each warrant is
exercisable, |
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the date or dates on which the right to exercise such warrants
commence and expire, |
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the price or prices at which such warrants are exercisable, |
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the currency or currencies in which such warrants are
exercisable, |
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the periods during which and places at which such warrants are
exercisable, |
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the terms of any mandatory or optional call provisions, |
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the price or prices, if any, at which the warrants may be
redeemed at the option of the holder or will be redeemed upon
expiration, |
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the identity of the warrant agent, and |
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the exchanges, if any, on which such warrants may be listed. |
You may exercise warrants by payment to our warrant agent of the
exercise price, in each case in such currency or currencies as
are specified in the warrant, and giving your identity and the
number of warrants to be exercised. Once you pay our warrant
agent and deliver the properly completed and executed warrant
certificate to our warrant agent at the specified office, our
warrant agent will, as soon as practicable, forward securities
to you in authorized denominations or share amounts. If you
exercise less than all of the warrants evidenced by your warrant
certificate, you will be issued a new warrant certificate for
the remaining amount of warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
We may issue purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase
from us, and us to sell to the holders, our securities at a
future date or dates. The purchase contracts may require us to
make periodic payments to the holders of purchase contracts.
These payments may be unsecured or prefunded on a basis to be
specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the purchase
contracts.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of
any purchase contract. The purchase contracts will be issued
pursuant to documents to be issued by us. You should read the
particular terms of the documents, which will be described in
more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
We may issue units consisting of one or more purchase contracts,
warrants, debt securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of
common stock or any combination of such securities. The
applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the
units and of the securities comprising the units, including
whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising
the units may be traded separately. You should read the
particular terms of the documents pursuant to which the units
would be issued, which will be described in more detail in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion describes the material
U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to our
qualification and taxation as a REIT which may be material to
purchasers of our securities. This summary is based on current
law, is for general information only and is not tax advice. The
tax treatment of a holder of our debt or equity securities will
vary depending upon the terms of the specific securities
acquired by such holder, as well as the holders particular
situation. You are urged to review the applicable prospectus
supplement in connection with the purchase of any of our
securities, and to consult your own tax advisor regarding the
specific tax consequences to you of investing in our securities
and of our election to be taxed as a REIT.
We urge you to consult your own tax advisor regarding the tax
consequences to you of the acquisition, ownership and
disposition of our securities and of our election to be taxed as
a REIT. Specifically, you should consult your own tax advisor
regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, foreign, and
other tax consequences of such acquisition, ownership,
disposition and election and regarding potential changes in
applicable tax laws.
General
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the federal income tax
laws commencing with our taxable year ended December 31,
1972. We believe that we have been organized and operated in a
manner that permits us to satisfy the requirements for taxation
as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Code.
Qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to
meet, through actual annual operating results, asset
diversification, distribution levels and diversity of stock
ownership, the various qualification tests imposed under the
Code discussed below. Although we intend to continue to operate
to satisfy such requirements, the actual results of our
operations for any particular taxable year may not satisfy such
requirements.
The provisions of the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations
promulgated thereunder and other U.S. federal income tax
laws relating to qualification and operation as a REIT and the
taxation of holders of our securities are highly technical and
complex. The following sets forth the material aspects of the
laws that govern the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a
REIT. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the
applicable Code provisions, rules and Treasury regulations
thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations
thereof. Further, the anticipated income tax treatment described
in this prospectus may be changed, perhaps retroactively, by
legislative, administrative or judicial action at any time.
Morrison & Foerster LLP has acted as our tax counsel in
connection with the filing of this prospectus. In connection
with this filing, Morrison & Foerster LLP will opine
that we have been organized and have operated in conformity with
the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under
the Code for each of our taxable years beginning with the
taxable year ended December 31, 2002 through our taxable
year ended December 31, 2005, and if we continue to be
organized and operated after December 31, 2005 in the same
manner as we have prior to that date, we will continue to
qualify as a REIT. The opinion of Morrison & Foerster
LLP will be based on various assumptions and representations
made by us as to factual matters, including representations made
by us in this prospectus and a factual certificate provided by
one of our officers. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as
a REIT depends upon our ability to meet the various
qualification tests imposed under the Code and discussed below,
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relating to our actual annual operating results, asset
diversification, distribution levels, and diversity of stock
ownership, the results of which have not been and will not be
reviewed by Morrison & Foerster LLP. Accordingly,
neither Morrison & Foerster LLP nor we can assure you
that the actual results of our operations for any particular
taxable year will satisfy these requirements.
In brief, if certain detailed conditions imposed by the REIT
provisions of the Code are satisfied, entities, such as us, that
invest primarily in real estate and that otherwise would be
treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as
corporations, generally are not taxed at the corporate level on
their REIT taxable income that is distributed
currently to stockholders. This treatment substantially
eliminates the double taxation (i.e.,
taxation at both the corporate and stockholder levels) that
generally results from investing in corporations under current
law.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any year, however, we will be
subject to U.S. federal income tax as if we were an
ordinary corporation and our stockholders will be taxed in the
same manner as stockholders of ordinary corporations. In that
event, we could be subject to potentially significant tax
liabilities, the amount of cash available for distribution to
our stockholders could be reduced and we would not be obligated
to make any distributions. Moreover, we could be disqualified
from taxation as a REIT for four taxable years.
REIT Taxation
In any year in which we qualify as a REIT, in general, we will
not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that portion
of our net income that we distribute to stockholders, except as
follows:
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First, we will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any
undistributed REIT taxable income, including undistributed net
capital gain. However, we can elect to pass through
any of our taxes paid on our undistributed net capital gain
income to our stockholders on a pro rata basis. |
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Second, under certain circumstances, we may be subject to the
alternative minimum tax on our items of tax
preference. |
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Third, 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 subject to tax at the highest corporate
rate on such income. |
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Fourth, if we have net income from prohibited transactions
(which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of property
held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of
business, generally other than, foreclosure property and
property involuntarily converted), such income will be subject
to a 100% penalty tax. |
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Fifth, as discussed in detail below, if we should fail to
satisfy the gross income tests or the asset tests, and
nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because certain
other requirements have been satisfied, we ordinarily will be
subject to a penalty tax relating to such failure, computed as
described below. Similarly, if we maintain our REIT status
despite our failure to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT
qualification, other than the gross income tests and asset
tests, we must pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. |
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Sixth, if we should fail to distribute during each calendar year
at least the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income for such
year, (2) 95% of our net capital gain income for such year,
and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior
periods, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of
such required distribution over the amounts distributed. |
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Seventh, if we acquire any asset from a C-corporation
(i.e., generally a corporation subject to full
corporate-level tax) in a transaction in which the basis of the
asset in our hands is determined by reference to the basis of
the asset (or any other property) in the hands of the
C-corporation, and we recognize gain on the disposition of such
asset during the
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on which we acquired such asset, then, to the extent of any
built-in, unrealized gain at the time of acquisition, such gain
generally will be subject to tax at the highest regular
corporate rate. |
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Eighth, we may be subject to an excise tax if our dealings with
our taxable REIT subsidiaries, defined below, are not at
arms length. |
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Finally, any earnings we derive through a taxable REIT
subsidiary will effectively be subject to a corporate-level tax. |
Requirements for Qualification
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association
(1) which is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by
transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of
beneficial interest; (3) which would be taxable as a
domestic corporation, but for Sections 856 through 860 of
the Code; (4) which is neither a financial institution nor
an insurance company subject to certain provisions of the Code;
(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or
more persons; (6) not more than 50% in value of the
outstanding stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by
five or fewer individuals, as defined in the Code, at any time
during the last half of each taxable year; and (7) which
meets certain other tests, described below, regarding the nature
of its income and assets and minimum distribution requirements
with respect to its REIT taxable income.
The 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 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a
taxable year of less than 12 months. If we were to fail to
satisfy condition (6) during a taxable year, that failure
would not result in our disqualification as a REIT under the
Code for such taxable year as long as (i) we satisfied the
stockholder demand statement requirements described in the
succeeding paragraph and (ii) we did not know, or
exercising reasonable diligence would not have known, whether we
had failed condition (6).
We believe we have issued sufficient stock with sufficient
diversity of ownership to satisfy conditions (5) and
(6) above. Moreover, to evidence compliance with these
requirements, we must maintain records which disclose the actual
ownership of our outstanding stock. In fulfilling our
obligations to maintain records, we must and will demand written
statements each year from the record holders of designated
percentages of our stock disclosing the actual owners of our
stock. A list of those persons failing or refusing to comply
with such demand must be maintained as part of our records. A
stockholder failing or refusing to comply with our written
demand must submit with his U.S. federal income tax returns
a similar statement disclosing the actual ownership of our stock
and certain other information. In addition, our charter
restricts the transfer of our shares in order to assist in
satisfying the share ownership requirements. These restrictions
are discussed in more detail above under the heading
Description of Common Stock Restrictions on
Ownership and Transfer.
Although we intend to satisfy the stockholder demand letter
rules described in the preceding paragraph, our failure to
satisfy these requirements will not result in our
disqualification as a REIT under the Code but may result in the
imposition of Internal Revenue Service penalties against us.
We currently have several direct corporate subsidiaries and may
have additional corporate subsidiaries in the future. Certain of
our corporate subsidiaries will be treated as qualified
REIT subsidiaries under the Code. A corporation will
qualify as a qualified REIT subsidiary if we own 100% of its
outstanding stock and we and the subsidiary do not jointly elect
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, 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 Code (including
all REIT qualification tests). Thus, in applying the
requirements described in this prospectus the subsidiaries in
which we own a 100% interest (other than taxable REIT
subsidiaries) will be ignored, and all assets, liabilities and
items of income, deduction and credit of such subsidiaries will
be treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income,
deduction and credit. A qualified
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REIT subsidiary is not subject to U.S. federal income tax
and our ownership of the stock of such a subsidiary will not
violate the REIT asset tests, described below under Asset
Tests.
In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership,
U.S. Treasury regulations provide that the REIT will be
deemed to own its proportionate share, generally based on its
pro rata share of capital interest in the partnership, of the
assets of the partnership and will be deemed to be entitled to
the gross income of the partnership attributable to such share.
In addition, the character of the assets and gross income of the
partnership shall retain the same character in the hands of the
REIT for purposes of satisfying the gross income tests and the
asset tests, described below. Thus, our proportionate share of
the assets, liabilities and items of income of a partnership in
which we own an interest, directly or indirectly will be treated
as our assets, liabilities and items of income for purposes of
applying the requirements described below. The taxation of our
investments in partnerships is discussed below under
Investments in Partnerships.
We report our net income based on the calendar year.
Asset Tests
At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we generally
must satisfy three tests relating to the nature of our assets.
First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be
represented by interests in real property, interests in
mortgages on real property, shares in other REITs, cash, cash
items and government securities (as well as certain temporary
investments in stock or debt instruments purchased with the
proceeds of new capital raised by us). Second, although the
remaining 25% of our assets generally may be invested without
restriction, securities in this class generally may not exceed
either (1) 5% of the value of our total assets as to any
one nongovernment issuer, (2) 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of any one issuer, or (3) 10% of the value of
the outstanding securities of any one issuer. Third, not more
than 20% of the total value of our assets can be represented by
securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries
(described below). Securities for purposes of the above 5% and
10% asset tests may include debt securities, including debt
issued by a partnership. However, debt of an issuer will not
count as a security for purposes of the 10% value test if the
security qualifies for any of a number of exceptions applicable,
for example, to straight debt, as specially defined
for this purpose.
We and a corporation in which we own stock may make a joint
election for such subsidiary to be treated as a taxable
REIT subsidiary. The securities of a taxable REIT
subsidiary are not subject to the 5% asset test and the 10% vote
and value tests described above. Instead, as discussed above, a
separate asset test applies to taxable REIT subsidiaries. The
rules regarding taxable REIT subsidiaries contain provisions
generally intended to ensure that transactions between a REIT
and its taxable REIT subsidiary occur at arms
length and on commercially reasonable terms. These
requirements include a provision that prevents a taxable REIT
subsidiary from deducting interest on direct or indirect
indebtedness to its parent REIT if, under a specified series of
tests, the taxable REIT subsidiary is considered to have an
excessive interest expense level or
debt-to-equity ratio.
In addition, a 100% penalty tax can be imposed on the REIT if
its loans to or rental, service or other agreements with its
taxable REIT subsidiary are determined not to be on arms
length terms. No assurance can be given that our loans to or
rental, service or other agreements with our taxable REIT
subsidiaries will be on arms length terms. A taxable REIT
subsidiary is subject to a corporate level tax on its net
taxable income, as a result of which our earnings derived
through a taxable REIT subsidiary are effectively subject to a
corporate level tax notwithstanding our status as a REIT. To the
extent that a taxable REIT subsidiary pays dividends to us in a
particular calendar year, we may designate a corresponding
portion of dividends we pay to our noncorporate stockholders
during that year as qualified dividend income
eligible to be taxed at reduced rates to such recipients. The
taxation of U.S. holders of our equity stock is discussed
below under Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders.
We have made elections to treat several of our corporate
subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries. We believe that the
value of the securities we hold of our taxable REIT subsidiaries
does not and will not represent more than 20% of our total
assets, and that all transactions between us and our taxable REIT
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subsidiaries are conducted on arms length terms. In
addition, we believe that the amount of our assets that are not
qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test will
continue to represent less than 25% of our total assets and will
satisfy the 5% and both 10% asset tests.
Beginning in 2005, if we fail to satisfy the 5% and/or 10% asset
tests for a particular quarter, we will not lose our REIT status
if the failure is due to the ownership of assets the total value
of which does not exceed a specified de minimis threshold,
provided that we come into compliance with the asset tests
generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in
which we identify the failure. In addition, beginning in 2005,
other failures to satisfy the asset tests generally will not
result in a loss of REIT status if (i) following our
identification of the failure, we file a schedule with the
Internal Revenue Service describing each asset that caused the
failure; (ii) the failure was due to reasonable cause and
not to willful neglect; (iii) we come into compliance with
the asset tests generally within six months after the last day
of the quarter in which the failure was identified; and
(iv) we pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the
amount determined by multiplying the highest corporate tax rate
by the net income generated by the prohibited assets for the
period beginning on the first date of the failure and ending on
the earlier of the date we dispose of such assets and the end of
the quarter in which we come into compliance with the asset
tests.
Gross Income Tests
We must satisfy two separate percentage tests relating to the
sources of our gross income for each taxable year. For purposes
of these tests, where we invest in a partnership, we will be
treated as receiving our pro rata share based on our capital
interest in the partnership of the gross income and loss of the
partnership, and the gross income of the partnership will retain
the same character in our hands as it has in the hands of the
partnership. The taxation of our investments in partnerships is
discussed below under Investments in Partnerships.
At least 75% of our gross income for a taxable year must be
qualifying income. Qualifying income generally
includes (1) rents from real property (except as modified
below); (2) interest on obligations collateralized by
mortgages on, or interests in, real property; (3) gains
from the sale or other disposition of interests in real property
and real estate mortgages, other than gain from property held
primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of our
trade or business, or dealer property;
(4) dividends or other distributions on shares in other
REITs, as well as gain from the sale of such shares;
(5) abatements and refunds of real property taxes;
(6) income from the operation, and gain from the sale of
property acquired at or in lieu of a foreclosure of the mortgage
collateralized by such property, or foreclosure
property; (7) commitment fees received for agreeing
to make loans collateralized by mortgages on real property or to
purchase or lease real property; and (8) income from
temporary investments in stock or debt instruments purchased
with the proceeds of new capital raised by us.
Rents received from a tenant will not, however, qualify as rents
from real property in satisfying the 75% test (or the 95% test
described below) if we, or an owner of 10% or more of our equity
securities, directly or constructively owns (i) in the case
of any tenant that is a corporation, stock possessing 10% or
more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
entitled to vote, or 10% or more of the total value of shares of
all classes of stock of such tenant; or (ii) in the case of
any tenant that is not a corporation, an interest of 10% or more
in the assets or net profits of such tenant, or a related
party tenant, unless the related party tenant is a taxable
REIT subsidiary and certain other requirements are satisfied. In
addition, if rent attributable to personal property, leased in
connection with a lease of real property, is greater than 15% of
the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of
rent attributable to such personal property will not qualify as
rents from real property. Moreover, an amount received or
accrued generally will not qualify as rents from real property
(or as interest income) for purposes of the 75% test and 95%
test (described below) if it is based in whole or in part on the
income or profits of any person. Rent or interest will not be
disqualified, however, solely by reason of being based on a
fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales. Finally,
for rents received to qualify as rents from
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real property, we generally must not operate or manage the
property or furnish or render certain services to tenants, other
than through an independent contractor who is
adequately compensated and from whom we derive no revenue or
through a taxable REIT subsidiary. The independent
contractor or taxable REIT subsidiary requirement,
however, does not apply to the extent that the services provided
by us are usually or customarily rendered in
connection with the rental of space for occupancy only, and are
not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant.
For both the related party tenant rules and determining whether
an entity qualifies as an independent contractor of a REIT,
certain attribution rules of the Code apply, pursuant to which
ownership interests in certain entities held by one entity are
deemed held by certain other related entities.
In general, if a REIT provides impermissible services to its
tenants, all of the rent from that property will be disqualified
from satisfying the 75% test and 95% test (described below).
However, rents will not be disqualified if a REIT provides de
minimis impermissible services. For this purpose, services
provided to tenants of a property are considered de minimis
where income derived from the services rendered equals 1% or
less of all income derived from the property (as determined on a
property-by-property basis). For purposes of the 1% threshold,
the amount treated as received for any service shall not be less
than 150% of the direct cost incurred by the REIT in furnishing
or rendering the service.
We do not receive any rent that is based on the income or
profits of any person. In addition, we do not own, directly or
indirectly, 10% or more of any tenant (other than, perhaps, a
tenant that is a taxable REIT subsidiary where other
requirements are satisfied). Furthermore, we believe that any
personal property rented in connection with our apartment
facilities is well within the 15% restriction. Finally, we do
not believe that we provide services, other than within the 1%
de minimis exception described above, to our tenants that are
not customarily furnished or rendered in connection with the
rental of property, other than through an independent contractor
or a taxable REIT subsidiary. We do not intend to rent to any
related party, to base any rent on the income or profits of any
person (other than rents that are based on a fixed percentage or
percentages of receipts or sales), or to charge rents that would
otherwise not qualify as rents from real property.
In addition to deriving 75% of our gross income from the sources
listed above, at least 95% of our gross income for a taxable
year must be derived from the above-described qualifying income,
or from dividends, interest or gains from the sale or
disposition of stock or other securities that are not dealer
property. Dividends from a corporation (including a taxable REIT
subsidiary) and interest on any obligation not collateralized by
an interest on real property are included for purposes of the
95% test, but not (except with respect to dividends from a REIT)
for purposes of the 75% test. For purposes of determining
whether we comply with the 75% and 95% tests, gross income does
not include income from prohibited transactions
(discussed below).
From time to time, we may enter into hedging transactions with
respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Our hedging
activities may include entering into interest rate or other
swaps, caps and floors, or options to purchase such items, and
futures and forward contracts. Through the end of our 2004 tax
year, to the extent that we entered into an interest rate swap
or cap contract, option, futures contract, forward rate
agreement or any similar financial instrument to hedge our
indebtedness incurred to acquire or carry real estate
assets, any periodic income or gain from the disposition
of such contract was qualifying income for purposes of the 95%
gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test. Beginning
in 2005, to the extent a transaction meets certain
identification requirements and hedges any indebtedness incurred
or to be incurred to acquire or carry real estate
assets, including interest rate hedges as well as other
types of hedges, any income or gain from the disposition of such
a hedging transaction will be disregarded in applying the 95%
gross income test, but will continue to be taken into account as
nonqualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test.
To the extent that we hedge with other types of financial
instruments, or in other situations, it is not entirely clear
how the income from those transactions will be treated 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.
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Our investment in apartment communities generally gives rise to
rental income that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75%
and 95% gross income tests. Gains on sales of apartment
communities, other than from prohibited transactions, as
described below, or of our interest in a partnership generally
will be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross
income tests. We have leases on certain other properties that we
own and we treat the income from those leases as nonqualifying
income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests;
however, we anticipate that income from those properties and our
other investments will not result in our failing the 75% or 95%
gross income test for any year.
Even if we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% tests
for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for such
year if we are entitled to relief under certain provisions of
the Code. These relief provisions will generally be available if
our failure to comply was due to reasonable cause and not to
willful neglect, and we timely comply with requirements for
reporting each item of our income to the Internal Revenue
Service. It is not possible, however, to state whether in all
circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these
relief provisions. Even if these relief provisions apply, we
will still be subject to a special tax upon the greater of
either (1) the amount by which 75% of our gross income
exceeds the amount of our income qualifying under the 75% test
for the taxable year or (2) the amount by which 90% (95%
for 2005 and later taxable years) of our gross income exceeds
the amount of our income qualifying for the 95% income test for
the taxable year, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect
our profitability.
Like-Kind Exchanges
We may dispose of our properties in transactions intended to
qualify under a provision of the Code which permits the
nonrecognition of loss or gain on the exchange of property held
for productive use in a trade or business or for investment for
property of like kind. No assurance can be given
that our nonrecognition of loss or gain will be respected for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. If not, we may be
required to make additional distributions to our stockholders
under the deficiency dividend procedures set forth
below.
Annual Distribution Requirements
To qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends
(other than capital gain dividends) to our stockholders each
year in an amount equal to at least (A) the sum of
(i) 90% of our REIT taxable income (computed without regard
to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain) and
(ii) 90% of the net income (after tax), if any, from
foreclosure property, minus (B) the sum of certain items of
non-cash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income. Such
distributions must be paid in the taxable year to which they
relate, or in the following twelve months if declared before we
timely file our tax return for such year and if paid on or
before the first regular dividend payment after such
declaration. These distributions are taxable to stockholders in
the year in which paid, even though the distributions relate to
our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution
requirement. To the extent that we do not distribute all of our
net capital gain or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%,
of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to
tax on the undistributed amount at regular corporate tax rates,
as the case may be. (However, we can elect to pass
through any of our taxes paid on our undistributed net
capital gain income to our stockholders on a pro rata basis.)
Furthermore, if we should fail to distribute during each
calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary
income for such year, (2) 95% of our net capital gain
income for such year, and (3) any undistributed taxable
income from prior periods, we would be subject to a 4% excise
tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of
the amounts actually distributed and the amount of any net
capital gains we elected to retain and pay tax on. For these and
other purposes, dividends declared by us in October, November or
December of one taxable year and payable to a stockholder of
record on a specific date in any such month shall be treated as
both paid by us and received by the stockholder during such
taxable year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by us
by January 31 of the following taxable year.
We believe that we have made timely distributions sufficient to
satisfy the annual distribution requirements. It is possible
that in the future we may not have sufficient cash or other
liquid assets to meet the distribution requirements, due to
timing differences between the actual receipt of income and
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actual payment of expenses on the one hand, and the inclusion of
such income and deduction of such expenses in computing our REIT
taxable income on the other hand. Further, as described below,
it is possible that, from time to time, we may be allocated a
share of net capital gain attributable to the sale of
depreciated property that exceeds our allocable share of cash
attributable to that sale. To avoid any problem with the
distribution requirements, we will closely monitor the
relationship between our REIT taxable income and cash flow and,
if necessary, will borrow funds or issue preferred or common
stock to satisfy the distribution requirement. We may be
required to borrow funds at times when market conditions are not
favorable.
If we fail to meet the distribution requirements as a result of
an adjustment to our tax return by the Internal Revenue Service
or we determine that we understated our income on a filed
return, we may retroactively cure the failure by paying a
deficiency dividend (plus applicable penalties and
interest) within a specified period.
Beginning in 2005, if we should fail to satisfy one or more
requirements for REIT qualification, other than the gross income
tests and asset tests, we may retain our REIT qualification if
the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful
neglect, and if we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such
failure.
Under legislation enacted in 2004, the utilization of losses
allocable to leased property owned by a partnership having both
taxable and tax-exempt partners may be subject to certain
limitations. As a result, beginning in 2006, certain losses
generated with respect to properties owned by a partnership in
which we invest, such as our operating partnerships, may be
disallowed, which could increase the amount of distributions we
are required to make in a particular year in order to meet the
REIT distribution requirements and also could increase the
portion of distributions to our stockholders that are taxable as
dividends.
Prohibited Transaction Rules
A REIT will incur a 100% penalty tax on the net income derived
from a sale or other disposition of property, other than
foreclosure property, that the REIT holds primarily for sale to
customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business, which
we refer to as a prohibited transaction. Under a
safe harbor provision in the Code, however, income from certain
sales of real property held by the REIT for at least four years
at the time of the disposition will not be treated as income
from a prohibited transaction. We believe that none of our
assets is held for sale to customers and that a sale of any of
our assets would not be in the ordinary course of our business.
Whether a REIT holds an asset primarily for sale to
customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business
depends, however, on the facts and circumstances in effect from
time to time, including those related to a particular asset.
Although we will attempt to ensure that none of our sales of
property will constitute a prohibited transaction, we cannot
assure you that none of such sales will be so treated.
Failure to Qualify
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year
and the relief provisions do not apply, we will be subject to
tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our
taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to
stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify will not be
deductible by us, nor will they be required to be made. In such
event, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and
profits, all distributions to stockholders will be taxable as
ordinary income, and, subject to certain limitations in the
Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends
received deduction and noncorporate distributees may be eligible
to treat the dividends as qualified dividend income
taxable at capital gain rates. Unless entitled to relief under
specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from
taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year
during which qualification was lost. It is not possible to state
whether we would be entitled to such statutory relief.
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Investments in Partnerships
The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal
income tax considerations applicable solely to our investment in
entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income
tax purposes. The discussion does not cover state or local tax
laws or any U.S. federal tax laws other than income tax
laws.
We hold a direct ownership interest in certain partnerships. In
general, partnerships are pass-through entities
which are not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather,
partners are allocated their proportionate shares of the items
of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership,
and are potentially subject to tax thereon, without regard to
whether the partners receive a distribution from the
partnership. We include our proportionate share, based on our
capital interest in a partnership, of the foregoing partnership
items for purposes of the various REIT income tests, and we
include our allocable share of such partnership items in the
computation of our REIT taxable income. Any resultant increase
in our REIT taxable income increases our distribution
requirements, but is not subject to U.S. federal income tax
in our hands provided that such income is distributed to our
stockholders. Moreover, for purposes of the REIT asset tests, we
include our proportionate share, generally based on our capital
interest in the partnership, of assets held by the partnerships.
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Tax Allocations with Respect to the Properties |
Pursuant to Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain, loss
and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated
property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an
interest in the partnership (such as some of our properties),
must be allocated in a manner such that the contributing partner
is charged with, or benefits from, respectively, the unrealized
gain or unrealized loss associated with the property at the time
of the contribution. The amount of such unrealized gain or
unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the
fair market value of contributed property at the time of
contribution, and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the
time of contribution, or a book-tax difference. Such
allocations are solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes
and do not affect the book capital accounts or other economic or
legal arrangements among the partners. Our two material
partnership subsidiaries, referred to in this discussion as the
operating partnerships, have property subject to
book-tax differences. Consequently, the partnership agreement of
the operating partnerships requires such allocations to be made
in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Code.
In general, the partners who contributed appreciated assets to
the operating partnerships will be allocated lower amounts of
depreciation deductions for tax purposes and increased taxable
income and gain on sale by the operating partnerships of the
contributed assets (including some of our properties). This will
tend to eliminate the book-tax difference over time. However,
the special allocation rules under Section 704(c) of the
Code do not always entirely rectify the book-tax difference on
an annual basis or with respect to a specific taxable
transaction, such as a sale. Thus, the carryover basis of the
contributed assets in the hands of the operating partnerships
can be expected to cause us to be allocated lower depreciation
and other deductions, and possibly greater amounts of taxable
income in the event of a sale of such contributed assets, in
excess of the economic or book income allocated to us as a
result of such sale. This may cause us to recognize taxable
income in excess of cash proceeds, which might adversely affect
our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements.
In addition, the application of Section 704(c) of the Code
is not entirely clear and may be affected by authority that may
be promulgated in the future.
Generally, any gain realized by the operating partnerships on
the sale of property held by the operating partnerships will be
capital gain, except for any portion of such gain that is
treated as certain depreciation or cost recovery recapture. Our
share of any gain realized by the operating partnerships on the
sale of any dealer property generally will be
treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is
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subject to a 100% penalty tax, as discussed above under
Prohibited Transaction Rules. Under existing law,
whether property is dealer property is a question of fact that
depends on all the facts and circumstances with respect to the
particular transaction. The operating partnerships intend to
hold their properties for investment with a view to long-term
appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring,
developing, owning and operating their properties, and to make
such occasional sales of their properties as are consistent with
our investment objectives. Based upon such investment
objectives, we believe that in general our properties should not
be considered dealer property and that the amount of income from
prohibited transactions, if any, will not be material.
Investment in Our Stock
The following summary describes certain U.S. federal income
tax consequences relating to the purchase, ownership, and
disposition of our equity stock as of the date hereof. This
summary deals only with equity stock held as capital
assets, (within the meaning of Section 1221 of the
Code), and does not address tax considerations applicable to an
investors particular circumstances or to investors that
may be subject to special tax rules, including, without
limitation, financial institutions (including banks), insurance
companies, dealers in securities or currencies, persons subject
to the mark-to market rules of the Code, persons that will hold
our stock as a position in a hedging transaction,
integrated transaction, straddle or
conversion transaction for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, entities treated as partnerships for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. holders, as
defined below, that have a functional currency other
than the U.S. dollar, persons subject to the alternative
minimum tax provisions of the Code and, except as expressly
indicated below, tax-exempt organizations.
In addition, if a partnership (including for this purpose any
entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax
purposes) is a holder of our equity stock, the tax treatment of
a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the
status of the partner and upon the activities of the
partnership. Holders that are partnerships, and partners in such
partnerships, should consult their tax advisors about the
U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, holding
and disposing of our equity stock.
As used herein, the term U.S. holder means any
beneficial owner of our equity stock who or that is for
U.S. federal income tax purposes (i) a citizen or
resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or other
entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia,
(iii) an estate the income of which is subject to
U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source,
(iv) a trust if (A) a court within the United States
is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration
of the trust and (B) one or more U.S. persons have the
authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or
(v) certain eligible trusts that elect to be taxed as
U.S. persons under applicable U.S. Treasury
regulations. As used herein, the term
non-U.S. holder
means a beneficial owner of our equity stock who or that is not
a U.S. holder.
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Taxation of Taxable U.S. Holders |
As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions made to our
taxable U.S. holders on our equity stock out of current or
accumulated earnings and profits (and not designated as capital
gain dividends or qualified dividend income) will be
taken into account by them as ordinary income, and
U.S. holders that are corporations will not be entitled to
a dividends received deduction.
Qualified dividend income of noncorporate taxpayers
is currently taxed as net capital gain, thus reducing the
maximum tax rate on such dividends to 15% for taxable years
ending after December 31, 2002 and beginning before
January 1, 2009. In general, dividends paid by REITs are
not eligible for the 15% tax rate on qualified dividend
income and, as a result, our ordinary REIT dividends will
continue to be taxed at the higher ordinary income tax rate.
Dividends received by a noncorporate stockholder could be
treated as qualified dividend income, however, to
the extent we have dividend income from taxable corporations
(such as a taxable REIT subsidiary) and to the extent such
dividends are attributable to income that is subject to tax at
the REIT level (for example, if we distributed less than 100% of
our
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taxable income). In general, to qualify for the reduced tax rate
on qualified dividend income, a stockholder must hold our common
stock for more than 60 days during the
121-day period
beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on
which our common stock becomes ex-dividend; different holding
periods apply to our preferred stock.
To the extent we make distributions in excess of current and
accumulated earnings and profits, these distributions are
treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the
U.S. holder, reducing the tax basis of a
U.S. holders equity stock by the amount of such
distribution (but not below zero), with distributions in excess
of the U.S. holders tax basis treated as proceeds
from a sale of equity stock, the tax treatment of which is
described below. Distributions will generally be taxable, if at
all, in the year of the distribution. However, any dividend
declared by us in October, November or December of any year and
payable to a U.S. holder who held our equity stock on a
specified record date in any such month shall be treated as both
paid by us and received by the U.S. holder on
December 31 of such year, provided that the dividend is
actually paid by us during January of the following calendar
year.
In general, distributions which are designated by us as capital
gain dividends will be taxable to U.S. holders as gain from
the sale of assets held for greater than one year, or
long-term capital gain. That treatment will apply
regardless of the period for which a U.S. holder has held
the equity stock upon which the capital gain dividend is paid.
However, corporate U.S. holders may be required to treat up
to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.
Noncorporate taxpayers are generally taxable at a current
maximum tax rate of 15% for long-term capital gain attributable
to sales or exchanges occurring on or after May 6, 2003 but
before January 1, 2009. A portion of any capital gain
dividends received by noncorporate taxpayers might be subject to
tax at a 25% rate to the extent attributable to gains realized
on the sale of real property that correspond to our
unrecaptured Section 1250 gain.
We may elect to retain, rather than distribute as a capital gain
dividend, our net long-term capital gain. In such event, we
would pay tax on such retained net long-term capital gain. In
addition, to the extent designated by us, a U.S. holder
generally would (1) include his proportionate share of such
undistributed long-term capital gain in computing his long-term
capital gain for his taxable year in which the last day of our
taxable year falls (subject to certain limitations as to the
amount so includable), (2) be deemed to have paid his share
of the U.S. federal income tax imposed on us on the
designated amounts included in such U.S. holders
long-term capital gain, (3) receive a credit or refund for
such amount of tax deemed paid by the U.S. holder,
(4) increase the adjusted basis of his equity stock by the
difference between the amount of such includable gain and the
tax deemed to have been paid by him, and (5) in the case of
a U.S. holder that is a corporation, appropriately adjust
its earnings and profits for the retained capital gains in
accordance with U.S. Treasury regulations.
Distributions made by us and gain arising from the sale or
exchange by a U.S. holder of equity stock will not be
treated as passive activity income, and as a result,
U.S. holders generally will not be able to apply any
passive losses against this income or gain.
U.S. holders may not include in their individual income tax
returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.
Disposition of Equity Stock. Upon any taxable sale or
other disposition of our equity stock, a U.S. holder will
recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes
in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the amount
of cash and the fair market value of any property received on
the sale or other disposition and (2) the
U.S. holders adjusted basis in the equity stock for
tax purposes.
This gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss, and will be
long-term capital gain or loss, respectively if our equity stock
has been held for more than one year at the time of the
disposition. Noncorporate U.S. holders generally are
taxable at a current maximum rate of 15% on long-term capital
gain. The U.S. Treasury has the authority to prescribe, but
has not yet prescribed, regulations that would apply a capital
gain tax rate of 25% (which is generally higher than the
long-term capital gain tax rates for noncorporate
U.S. holders) to a portion of capital gain realized by a
noncorporate U.S. holder on the sale of REIT stock that
would correspond to the REITs unrecaptured
Section 1250 gain. U.S. holders are urged to
consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their
capital gain tax liability. A corporate
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U.S. holder will be subject to tax at a maximum rate of 35%
on capital gain from the sale of our equity stock regardless of
its holding period for the shares.
In general, any loss upon a sale or exchange of our equity stock
by a U.S. holder who has held such shares for six months or
less (after applying certain holding period rules) will be
treated as a long-term capital loss, to the extent of
distributions (actually made or deemed made in accordance with
the discussion above) from us required to be treated by such
U.S. holder as long-term capital gain.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Payments of
dividends on our equity stock and proceeds received upon the
sale, redemption or other disposition of our shares may be
subject to Internal Revenue Service information reporting and
backup withholding tax. Payments to certain U.S. holders
(including, among others, corporations and certain tax-exempt
organizations) are generally not subject to information
reporting or backup withholding. Payments to a non-corporate
U.S. holder generally will be subject to information
reporting. Such payments also generally will be subject to
backup withholding tax if such holder:
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fails to furnish its taxpayer identification number, which for
an individual is ordinarily his or her social security number, |
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furnishes an incorrect taxpayer identification number, |
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is notified by the Internal Revenue Service that it has failed
to properly report payments of interest or dividends, or |
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fails to certify, under penalties of perjury, that it has
furnished a correct taxpayer identification number and that the
Internal Revenue Service has not notified the U.S. holder
that it is subject to backup withholding. |
A U.S. holder that does not provide us with its correct
taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties
imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. Any amount paid as
backup withholding will be creditable against the
U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability,
if any, and otherwise will be refundable, provided that the
requisite procedures are followed.
You should consult your tax advisor regarding your qualification
for an exemption from backup withholding and information
reporting and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption, if
applicable.
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Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Holders |
Based upon a published ruling by the Internal Revenue Service, a
distribution by us to, and gain upon a disposition of our equity
stock by, a U.S. holder that is a tax-exempt entity will
not constitute unrelated business taxable income, or
UBTI, provided that the tax-exempt entity has not
financed the acquisition of its equity stock with
acquisition indebtedness within the meaning of the
Code and the stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade
or business of the tax-exempt entity. However, for tax-exempt
U.S. holders that are social clubs, voluntary employee
benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts
and qualified group legal services plans exempt from
U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7),
(c)(9), (c)(l7) and (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, income
from an investment in us will constitute UBTI unless the
organization properly sets aside or reserves such amounts for
purposes specified in the Code. These tax-exempt
U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisers
concerning these set aside and reserve requirements.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, however, a portion of
the dividends paid by us may be treated as UBTI to certain
domestic private pension trusts if we are treated as a
pension-held REIT. We believe that we are not, and
we do not expect to become, a pension-held REIT. If
we were to become a pension-held REIT, these rules generally
would only apply to certain pension trusts that held more than
10% of our shares.
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Taxation of
Non-U.S. Holders
The following is a discussion of certain anticipated
U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and
disposition of our equity stock applicable to
non-U.S. holders
of such shares. The discussion is based on current law and is
for general information only. The discussion addresses only
certain and not all aspects of U.S. federal income
taxation. Special rules may apply to certain
non-U.S. holders
such as controlled foreign corporations and
passive foreign investment companies. Such entities
should consult their own tax advisors to determine the
U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences that
may be relevant to them.
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Distributions from the Company |
1. Ordinary Dividends. The portion of dividends
received by
non-U.S. holders
payable out of our current and accumulated earnings and profits
which are not attributable to capital gains and which are not
effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the
non-U.S. holder
will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%
(unless reduced by an applicable income tax treaty). In general,
non-U.S. holders
will not be considered engaged in a U.S. trade or business
solely as a result of their ownership of our equity stock. In
cases where the dividend income from a
non-U.S. holders
investment in our equity stock is effectively connected with the
non-U.S. holders
conduct of a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax
treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent
establishment of the
non-U.S. holder),
the
non-U.S. holder
generally will be subject to U.S. tax at graduated rates,
in the same manner as U.S. holders are taxed with respect
to such dividends (and may also be subject to the 30% branch
profits tax in the case of a corporate
non-U.S. holder).
2. Non-Dividend Distributions. Unless our stock
constitutes a USRPI (as defined below), distributions by us
which are not paid out of our current and accumulated earnings
and profits will not be subject to U.S. income or
withholding tax. If it cannot be determined at the time a
distribution is made whether or not such distribution will be in
excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, the
distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate
applicable to dividends. However, the
non-U.S. holder
may seek a refund of such amounts from the Internal Revenue
Service if it is subsequently determined that such distribution
was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings
and profits. If our equity stock constitutes a USRPI, a
distribution in excess of current and accumulated earnings and
profits will be subject to 10% withholding tax and may be
subject to additional taxation under FIRPTA (as defined below).
However, the 10% withholding tax will not apply to distributions
already subject to the 30% dividend withholding.
We expect to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate
of 30% on the gross amount of any distributions of ordinary
income made to a
non-U.S. holder
unless (1) a lower treaty rate applies and proper
certification is provided or (2) the
non-U.S. holder
files an Internal Revenue Service
Form W-8ECI with
us claiming that the distribution is effectively connected with
the
non-U.S. holders
conduct of a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax
treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent
establishment of the
non-U.S. holder).
However, the
non-U.S. holder
may seek a refund of such amounts from the Internal Revenue
Service if it is subsequently determined that such distribution
was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings
and profits.
3. Capital Gain Dividends. Under the Foreign
Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, or FIRPTA, a
distribution made by us to a
non-U.S. holder,
to the extent attributable to gains, which we refer to as
USRPI Capital Gains, from dispositions of United
States Real Property Interests, or USRPIs, will be
considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or
business of the
non-U.S. holder
and therefore will be subject to U.S. income tax at the
rates applicable to U.S. holders, without regard to whether
such distribution is designated as a capital gain dividend. (The
properties owned by us generally are USRPIs.) Distributions
subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits
tax in the hands of a corporate
non-U.S. holder
that is not entitled to treaty exemption. Notwithstanding the
preceding, distributions received on our equity stock, to the
extent attributable to USRPI Capital Gains, will not be treated
as gain recognized by the
non-U.S. holder
from the sale or exchange of a USRPI if
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(1) the class of our equity stock held by such
non-U.S. holder is
regularly traded on an established securities market located in
the United States and (2) the
non-U.S. holder
did not own more than 5% of such class of shares at any time
during the one-year period ending on the date of the
distribution. The distribution will instead be treated as an
ordinary dividend to the
non-U.S. holder,
and the tax consequences to the
non-U.S. holder
will be as described above under Ordinary Dividends.
Distributions attributable to our capital gains which are not
USRPI Capital Gains generally will not be subject to
U.S. federal income taxation, unless (1) investment in
our equity stock is effectively connected with the
non-U.S. holders
U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty
applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment
of the
non-U.S. holder),
in which case the
non-U.S. holder
will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with
respect to such gain (except that a corporate
non-U.S. holder
may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax), or
(2) the
non-U.S. holder is
a non-resident alien individual who is present in the United
States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and
certain other conditions are present, in which case the
non-resident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on
the individuals U.S. capital gain.
We generally will be required to withhold and remit to the
Internal Revenue Service 35% of any distributions to
non-U.S. holders
that are designated as capital gain dividends, or, if greater,
35% of a distribution that could have been designated as a
capital gain dividend. Distributions can be designated as
capital gain dividends to the extent of our net capital gain for
the taxable year of the distribution. The amount withheld is
creditable against the
non-U.S. holders
U.S. federal income tax liability. This withholding will
not apply to any amounts paid to a holder of not more than 5% of
a class of our equity stock while such class of stock is
regularly traded on an established securities market. Instead,
those amounts will be treated as described above under
Ordinary Dividends.
Disposition of Our Equity Stock. Unless our equity stock
constitutes a USRPI, a sale of such shares by a
non-U.S. holder
generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income
taxation unless (1) the investment in the equity stock is
effectively connected with the
non-U.S. holders
U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty
applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment
of the
non-U.S. holder),
or (2) the
non-U.S. holder is
a non-resident alien individual who is present in the United
States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and
certain other conditions are present.
Our equity stock will not constitute a USRPI if we are a
domestically controlled REIT. A domestically
controlled REIT is a REIT in which, at all times during a
specified testing period, less than 50% in value of its shares
is held directly or indirectly by
non-U.S. holders.
We believe that we are, and we expect to continue to be, a
domestically controlled REIT, and therefore that the sale of our
equity stock will not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA.
Because at least some classes of our equity stock will be
publicly traded, however, no assurance can be given that we will
continue to be a domestically controlled REIT.
Even if we do not constitute a domestically controlled REIT, a
non-U.S. holders
sale of our equity stock generally will not be subject to tax
under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI provided that (1) the
shares are regularly traded (as defined by
applicable U.S. Treasury regulations) on an established
securities market and (2) the selling non-U.S holder held
(taking into account constructive ownership rules) 5% or less of
our outstanding equity stock at all times during a specified
testing period. It is currently anticipated that our stock will,
in the future, be regularly traded on an established securities
market within the meaning of this provision.
If gain on the sale of our equity stock were to be subject to
taxation under FIRPTA, the
non-U.S. holder
would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. holder
with respect to such gain (subject to applicable alternative
minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of
non-resident alien individuals). In addition, the purchaser of
the equity stock could be required to withhold 10% of the
purchase price and remit such amount to the Internal Revenue
Service.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Backup
withholding will apply to dividend payments made to a
non-U.S. holder of
our equity stock unless the holder has certified that it is not a
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U.S. holder and the payor has no actual knowledge that the
owner is not a
non-U.S. holder.
Information reporting generally will apply with respect to
dividend payments even if certification is provided.
Payment of the proceeds from a disposition of our shares by a
non-U.S. holder
made to or through the U.S. office of a broker is generally
subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless
the holder or beneficial owner certifies that it is not a
U.S. holder or otherwise establishes an exemption.
Generally, Internal Revenue Service information reporting and
backup withholding will not apply to a payment of disposition
proceeds if the payment is made outside the United States
through a foreign office of a foreign broker-dealer. If the
proceeds from a disposition of our shares are paid to or through
a foreign office of a U.S. broker-dealer or a
non-U.S. office of
a foreign broker-dealer that is (i) a controlled
foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, (ii) a person 50% or more of whose gross income
from all sources for a specified three-year period was
effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business,
(iii) a foreign partnership with one or more partners who
are U.S. persons and who in the aggregate hold more than
50% of the income or capital interest in the partnership, or
(iv) a foreign partnership engaged in the conduct of a
trade or business in the United States, then backup withholding
and information reporting generally will apply unless the
non-U.S. holder
satisfies certification requirements regarding its status as a
non-U.S. holder
and the broker-dealer has no actual knowledge that the owner is
not a
non-U.S. holder.
A non-U.S. holder
should consult its tax advisor regarding application of
withholding and backup withholding in its particular
circumstance and the availability of and procedure for obtaining
an exemption from withholding and backup withholding under
current U.S. Treasury regulations.
Other Tax Considerations
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Dividend Reinvestment Program |
Stockholders participating in our common stock dividend
reinvestment program are treated as having received the gross
amount of any cash distributions which would have been paid by
us to such Stockholders had they not elected to participate in
the program. These distributions will retain the character and
tax effect applicable to distributions from us generally.
Participants in the dividend reinvestment program are subject to
U.S. federal income and withholding tax on the amount of
the deemed distributions to the extent that such distributions
represent dividends or gains, even though they receive no cash.
Shares of our common stock received under the program will have
a holding period beginning with the day after purchase, and a
tax basis equal to their cost (which is the gross amount of the
distribution).
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Possible Legislative or Other Actions Affecting Tax
Considerations |
Prospective investors should recognize that the present
U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in us
may be modified by legislative, judicial or administrative
action at any time, and that any such action may affect
investments and commitments previously made. The rules dealing
with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under
review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the
Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department,
resulting in revisions of regulations and revised
interpretations of established concepts as well as statutory
changes. Revisions in U.S. federal tax laws and
interpretations thereof could adversely affect the tax
consequences of an investment in us.
We and our stockholders may be subject to state or local
taxation in various jurisdictions, including those in which we
or they transact business or reside. The state and local tax
treatment of us and our stockholders may not conform to the
U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed above.
Consequently, prospective stockholders should consult their own
tax advisers regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on
an investment in our equity stock.
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SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
Information about selling securityholders, where applicable,
will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a
post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC
under the Exchange Act which are incorporated by reference.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the offered securities on a delayed or continuous
basis through one or more agents, underwriters or dealers,
directly to one or more purchasers, through a combination of any
of these methods of sale, or in any other manner, as provided in
the applicable prospectus supplement. This prospectus may also
be used to offer any of these securities for the account of
persons other than us as provided in the applicable prospectus
supplement. We will identify the specific plan of distribution,
including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers
and their compensation in a prospectus supplement.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in
this prospectus contain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933, Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements, by their nature, involve estimates, projections,
goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from
those expressed in a forward-looking statement. Such
forward-looking statements include, without limitation,
statements concerning property acquisitions and dispositions,
development activity and capital expenditures, capital raising
activities, rent growth, occupancy and rental expense growth.
Examples of forward-looking statements also include statements
regarding our expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives
and future financial or other performance. Words such as
expects, anticipates,
intends, plans, believes,
seeks, estimates and variations of such
words and similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks
only as of the date on which it is made; and, except to fulfill
our obligations under the United States securities laws, we
undertake no obligation to update any such statement to reflect
events or circumstances after the date on which it is made.
Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the
forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any
of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore we cannot
assure you that any of these statements included in this
document or in the documents incorporated by reference will
prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties
inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the
inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a
representation by us or any other person that the results or
conditions described in such statements or our objectives and
plans will be achieved.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the securities being
offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Morrison &
Foerster LLP. Any agents or underwriters will be represented by
their own counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public
accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial
statements and schedule for the year ended December 31,
2004 included in our Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on
November 15, 2005, and has audited managements
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 included in our
Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004, as set forth in their
reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus
and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial
statements and schedule and managements assessment are
incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young
LLPs reports, given on their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
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UDR, Inc.