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Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-63619
[LOGO OF FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST APPEARS HERE]
$500,000,000
DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED SHARES AND COMMON SHARES
Federal Realty Investment Trust (the "Trust") may from time to time offer in
one or more series (i) its unsecured debt securities (the "Debt Securities"),
(ii) its preferred shares (the "Preferred Shares"), and (iii) its common
shares of beneficial interest, no par or stated value (the "Common Shares"),
with an aggregate public offering price of up to $500,000,000 (or its
equivalent based on the exchange rate at the time of sale) in amounts, at
prices and on terms to be determined at the time of offering. The Debt
Securities, Preferred Shares, and Common Shares (collectively, the
"Securities") may be offered, separately or together, in separate series in
amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in a supplement to this
Prospectus (a "Prospectus Supplement").
The Debt Securities will be direct unsecured obligations of the Trust and
may be either senior Debt Securities (the "Senior Securities") or subordinated
Debt Securities (the "Subordinated Securities"). The Senior Securities will
rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the
Trust. The Subordinated Securities will be subordinated to all existing and
future Senior Debt of the Trust, as defined. See "Description of Debt
Securities."
The specific terms of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
being delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and
will include, where applicable: (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the
specific title, aggregate principal amount, currency, form (which may be
registered or bearer, or certificated or global), authorized denominations,
maturity, rate (or manner of calculation thereof) and time of payment of
interest, terms for redemption at the option of the Trust or repayment at the
option of the Holder, terms for sinking fund payments, terms for conversion
into Preferred Shares or Common Shares, covenants and the initial public
offering price; (ii) in the case of Preferred Shares, the specific title and
stated value, any dividend, liquidation, redemption, conversion, voting and
other rights, and the initial public offering price; and (iii) in the case of
Common Shares, the initial public offering price. In addition, such specific
terms may include limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and
restrictions on transfer of the Securities, in each case as may be appropriate
to preserve the status of the Trust as a real estate investment trust ("REIT")
for federal income tax purposes.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will also contain information, where
applicable, about certain United States federal income tax considerations
relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Securities
covered by such Prospectus Supplement.
The Securities may be offered directly, through agents designated from time
to time by the Trust, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents
or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the Securities, their
names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount
arrangement between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable
from the information set forth, in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. See
"Plan of Distribution." No Securities may be sold without delivery of the
applicable Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the
offering of such Securities.
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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The date of this Prospectus is September 30, 1998.
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Trust is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and
other information can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Section
maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549; Midwest Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661; and Northeast Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center,
New York, New York 10048. The Commission also maintains a web site at
http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding registrants, including the Trust, that file
electronically with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other
information concerning the Trust can also be inspected at the office of the
New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
The Trust will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this
Prospectus is delivered, upon their written or oral request, a copy of any or
all of the documents incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to
such documents). Written requests for such copies should be addressed to Kathy
Klein, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Federal Realty Investment
Trust, 1626 East Jefferson Street, Rockville, Maryland 20852-4041 (telephone
301/998-8100).
The Trust has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3
(the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), of which this Prospectus forms a part, with respect to
the Securities offered hereby. For further information with respect to the
Trust and the Securities offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration
Statement and exhibits thereto. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to
the contents of any contract or other documents are not necessarily complete,
and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or
documents filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such
statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Trust with the Commission are
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference and are made a part hereof:
1. The Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997.
2. The Trust's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
March 31, 1998 and June 30, 1998.
3. The Trust's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
February 24, 1998, March 10, 1998, March 11, 1998, May 11, 1998 and August
7, 1998.
Each document filed subsequent to the date of this Prospectus pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and prior to termination
of the offering of all Securities to which this Prospectus relates shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and shall be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such document.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement herein, in any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement relating to a specific offering of
Securities or in any other subsequently filed document that is also
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this Prospectus or any accompanying Prospectus Supplement. Subject to the
foregoing, all information appearing in this Prospectus and each accompanying
Prospectus Supplement is qualified in its entirety by the information
appearing in the documents incorporated by reference.
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THE TRUST
Federal Realty Investment Trust (the "Trust") is an owner, operator and
redeveloper of retail properties. Founded in 1962 as a District of Columbia
business trust of unlimited duration, the Trust is a self-administered equity
real estate investment trust ("REIT"). The Trust consolidates the financial
statements of various entities which it controls. At June 30, 1998 the Trust
owned 114 retail properties and one apartment complex.
An important part of the Trust's strategy is to acquire older, well-located
properties in prime, densely populated and affluent areas and to enhance their
operating performance through a program of renovation, expansion,
reconfiguration and retenanting. The Trust's traditional focus has been on
community and neighborhood shopping centers that are anchored by supermarkets,
drug stores or high volume, value oriented retailers that provide consumer
necessities. Late in 1994 the Trust expanded this strategy to include retail
buildings and shopping centers in prime established main street shopping
areas. In addition, the Trust amended its by-laws in 1996 to permit
investments west of the Mississippi River. The Trust continually evaluates its
properties for renovation, retenanting and expansion opportunities. Similarly,
the Trust regularly reviews its portfolio and from time to time considers
selling certain of its properties. For several years the Trust has been
seeking sites in its core markets suitable for the construction of new retail
properties. Several sites have been identified and beginning in 1998 the Trust
is focusing considerable time and resources on ground up development.
The Trust's portfolio of properties has grown from 42 as of January 1, 1993
to 115 at June 30, 1998. During this period the Trust acquired 78 retail
properties for approximately $675 million. During this same period five
shopping centers were sold. Also during this period the Trust spent over
$250 million to renovate, expand, improve and retenant its properties. The
majority of the acquisitions were funded with cash. Of the properties not
fully acquired by cash, one was acquired by means of capital and ground
leases, one was acquired for Common Shares and the assumption of a mortgage,
one was acquired for cash and the assumption of a municipal bond issue and the
others were acquired for cash with minority investments by third parties. This
growth was financed through borrowing and equity offerings, since each year
the Trust has distributed all or the majority of its cash provided by
operating activities to its shareholders.
The Trust's 114 retail properties, consisting of 55 shopping centers and 59
main street retail properties, are located in 16 states and the District of
Columbia. Twenty-one of the properties are located in the Washington, D.C.
metropolitan area; twenty are in California; fourteen are in Connecticut;
eleven are in Pennsylvania, primarily in the Philadelphia area; ten are in New
Jersey; ten are in Texas; seven are in Illinois; three are in Virginia; four
are in Massachusetts; six are in New York; two are in Florida; two are in
Arizona; and there is one in each of the following states: Georgia, Michigan,
North Carolina and Oregon.
The Trust continues to seek older, well-located shopping centers and retail
buildings to acquire and then to enhance their revenue potential through a
program of renovation, retenanting and remerchandising. The Trust has also
located sites where it intends to develop new retail properties.
The Trust has made 144 consecutive quarterly distributions and has increased
its distribution rate for each of the last 31 years. This is the longest
record of annual distribution increases in the REIT industry. The current
annual indicated distribution rate is $1.76 per share.
The Trust maintains its offices at 1626 East Jefferson Street, Rockville,
Maryland 20852-4041 (telephone 301/998-8100).
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement for any
offering of Securities, the Trust intends to use the majority of the net
proceeds from the sale of Securities offered by the Trust to repay debt
(including repayments of amounts drawn on lines of credit for property
acquisitions), make improvements to properties, acquire additional properties
and for working capital.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth the Trust's consolidated ratios of earnings
to fixed charges for the periods shown:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED JUNE 30,
---------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997 1998
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1.50x 1.61x 1.55x 1.59x 1.70x 1.70x 1.74x
</TABLE>
The ratios of earnings to fixed charges were computed by dividing earnings
by fixed charges. For this purpose, earnings consist of income before gain on
sale of real estate and extraordinary items and fixed charges. Fixed charges
consist of interest expense (including interest costs capitalized) and the
portion of rent expense representing an interest factor. In October 1997, the
Trust issued $100 million of 7.95% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred
Shares ("Series A Preferred Shares"). The ratio of earnings to combined fixed
charges and preferred dividends was 1.64x for the year ended December 31,
1997, and 1.54x for the six month period ended June 30, 1998. There were no
preferred dividends paid by the Trust prior to 1997; as a result, the ratio of
earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends for the years ended
December 31, 1993 through December 31, 1996, and the six months ended June 30,
1997, are unchanged from the ratios presented in this section.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
GENERAL
The Senior Securities are to be issued under an indenture dated as of
September 1, 1998, as supplemented from time to time (the "Senior Indenture"),
between the Trust and First Union National Bank, Trustee, and the Subordinated
Securities are to be issued under an indenture dated as of December 1, 1993,
as supplemented from time to time (the "Subordinated Indenture"), between the
Trust and First Union National Bank, Trustee. The term "Trustee" as used
herein shall refer to First Union National Bank as appropriate for Senior
Securities or Subordinated Securities. The forms of the Senior Indenture and
the Subordinated Indenture (being sometimes referred to herein collectively as
the "Indentures" and individually as an "Indenture") are filed as exhibits to
the registration statement. The Indentures are subject to and governed by the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"). The statements made under
this heading relating to the Debt Securities and the Indentures are summaries
of the provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are qualified
in their entirety by reference to the Indentures and such Debt Securities.
Parenthetical references below are to the Indentures and capitalized terms
used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in
the Indentures.
TERMS
The Debt Securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of the Trust. The
indebtedness represented by the Senior Securities will rank equally with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Trust. The indebtedness
represented by the Subordinated Securities will be subordinated in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of the Senior Debt of the Trust as
described under "Subordination."
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Each Indenture provides that the Debt Securities may be issued without limit
as to aggregate principal amount, in one or more series, in each case as
established from time to time in or pursuant to authority granted by a
resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or as established in one or
more indentures supplemental to such Indenture. All Debt Securities of one
series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a
series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders of the Debt
Securities of such series, for issuances of additional Debt Securities of such
series (Section 301 of each Indenture).
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 such series (Section 608 of each Indenture).
In the event that two or more persons are acting as Trustee with respect to
different series of Debt Securities, each such Trustee shall be a Trustee of a
trust under the applicable Indenture separate and apart from the trust
administered by any other Trustee (Section 609 of each Indenture), and, except
as otherwise indicated herein, any action described herein to be taken by each
Trustee may be taken by each such Trustee with respect to, and only with
respect to, the one or more series of Debt Securities for which it is Trustee
under the applicable Indenture.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the series of
Debt Securities being offered for the specific terms thereof, including:
(1) the title of such Debt Securities and whether such Debt Securities
are Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities;
(2) the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities and any limit
on such aggregate principal amount;
(3) the percentage of the principal amount at which such Debt Securities
will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion
of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of
the maturity thereof, or (if applicable) the portion of the principal
amount of such Debt Securities that is convertible into Common Shares or
Preferred Shares, or the method by which any such portion shall be
determined;
(4) if convertible, in connection with the preservation of the Trust's
status as a REIT, any applicable limitations on the ownership or
transferability of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares into which such
Debt Securities are convertible;
(5) the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates,
on which the principal of such Debt Securities will be payable;
(6) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method by
which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which such Debt Securities
will bear interest, if any;
(7) the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates,
from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on
which any such interest will be payable, the Regular Record Dates for such
Interest Payment Dates, or the method by which such Dates shall be
determined, the Persons to whom such interest shall be payable, and the
basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-
day year of twelve 30-day months;
(8) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable, where such Debt
Securities may be surrendered for conversion or registration of transfer or
exchange and where notices or demands to or upon the Trust in respect of
such Debt Securities and the applicable Indenture may be served;
(9) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and
the other terms and conditions upon which such Debt Securities may be
redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the option of the Trust, if the Trust
is to have such an option;
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(10) the obligation, if any, of the Trust to redeem, repay or purchase
such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or
at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which,
the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which
such Debt Securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, as a whole or
in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(11) if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which such
Debt Securities are denominated and payable, which may be a foreign
currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency
or currencies, and the terms and conditions relating thereto;
(12) whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any)
or interest, if any, on such Debt Securities may be determined with
reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or
method may, but need not be, based on a currency, currencies, currency unit
or units or composite currency or currencies) and the manner in which such
amounts shall be determined;
(13) any additions to, modifications of or deletions from the terms of
such Debt Securities with respect to the Events of Default or covenants set
forth in the applicable Indenture;
(14) whether such Debt Securities will be issued in certificated or book-
entry form;
(15) whether such Debt Securities will be in registered or bearer form
and, if in registered form, the denominations thereof if other than $1,000
and any integral multiple thereof and, if in bearer form, the denominations
thereof and terms and conditions relating thereto;
(16) the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance
provisions of Article XIV of the applicable Indenture;
(17) the terms, if any, upon which such Debt Securities may be
convertible into Common Shares or Preferred Shares of the Trust and the
terms and conditions upon which such conversion will be effected,
including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate and the
conversion period;
(18) whether and under what circumstances the Trust will pay Additional
Amounts as contemplated in the applicable Indenture on such Debt Securities
in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so,
whether the Trust will have the option to redeem such Debt Securities in
lieu of making such payment; and
(19) any other terms of such Debt Securities not inconsistent with the
provisions of the applicable Indenture (Section 301 of each Indenture).
The Debt Securities may provide for less than the entire principal amount
thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
("Original Issue Discount Securities") (Section 502 of each Indenture).
Special U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations
applicable to Original Issue Discount Securities will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Except as may be set forth in any Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities
will not contain any provisions that would limit the ability of the Trust to
incur indebtedness or that would afford Holders of Debt Securities protection
in the event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving the Trust
or in the event of a change of control. Restrictions on ownership and
transfers of the Trust's Common Shares and Preferred Shares are designed to
preserve its status as a REIT and, therefore, may act to prevent or hinder a
change of control. See "Description of Common Shares" and "Description of
Preferred Shares." Reference is made 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 the Trust that are
described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision
providing event risk or similar protection.
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DENOMINATIONS, INTEREST, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt
Securities of any series will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples thereof (Section 302 of each Indenture).
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
principal of (and applicable premium, if any) and interest on any series of
Debt Securities will be payable at the corporate trust office of the Trustee,
initially located at First Union National Bank, 230 S. Tryon Street, 9th
Floor, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-1179 in the case of the Senior
Securities and the Subordinated Securities, provided that, at the option of
the Trust, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of
the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Security Register or by wire
transfer of funds to such Person at an account maintained within the United
States (Sections 301, 305, 306, 307, and 1002 of each Indenture).
Any interest not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest
Payment Date with respect to a Debt Security ("Defaulted Interest") will
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the applicable Regular Record
Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name such Debt Security is
registered at the close of business on a special record date (the "Special
Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the
applicable Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to each Holder of such Debt
Security not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be
paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more completely described
in the applicable Indenture (Section 307 of each Indenture).
Subject to certain limitations imposed upon Debt Securities issued 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 of such Debt
Securities at the corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee referred to
above. In addition, subject to certain limitations imposed upon Debt
Securities issued in book-entry form, the Debt Securities of any series may be
surrendered for conversion or registration of transfer thereof at the
corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee referred to above. Every Debt
Security surrendered for conversion, registration of transfer or exchange
shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer. No
service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of
any Debt Securities, but the Trust may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith
(Section 305 of each Indenture). If the applicable Prospectus Supplement
refers to any transfer agent (in addition to the applicable Trustee) initially
designated by the Trust with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the
Trust may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or
approve a change in the location through which any such transfer agent acts,
except that the Trust will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each
Place of Payment for such series. The Trust may at any time designate
additional transfer agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities
(Section 1002 of each Indenture).
Neither the Trust nor either Trustee shall be required to (i) 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; (ii)
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 (iii) issue, register the transfer of or exchange
any Debt Security that has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the
Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Debt Security not to be so repaid
(Section 305 of each Indenture).
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MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE
The Trust may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or
substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into, any other
corporation or trust or entity provided that (a) either the Trust shall be the
continuing corporation, or the successor corporation (if other than the Trust)
formed by or resulting from any such consolidation or merger or which shall
have received the transfer of such assets shall expressly assume payment of
the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debt
Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the
covenants and conditions contained in each Indenture; (b) immediately after
giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness that becomes
an obligation of the Trust or any Subsidiary as a result thereof as having
been incurred by the Trust or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction,
no Event of Default under the Indenture, and no event which, after notice or
the lapse of time, or both, would become such an Event of Default, shall have
occurred and be continuing; and (c) an officers' certificate and legal opinion
covering such conditions shall be delivered to each Trustee (Sections 801 and
803 of each Indenture).
CERTAIN COVENANTS
Existence. Except as permitted under "Merger, Consolidation or Sale," the
Trust will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in
full force and effect its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory)
and franchises; provided, however, that the Trust shall not be required to
preserve any right or franchise if it determines that the preservation thereof
is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business (Section 1004 of each
Indenture).
Maintenance of Properties. The Trust will cause all of its material
properties used or useful in the conduct of its 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 the judgment of the Trust may be necessary so that the
business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously
conducted at all times (Section 1005 of each Indenture).
Insurance. The Trust will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep
all of its insurable properties insured against loss or damage at least equal
to their then full insurable value with insurers of recognized responsibility
and having a rating of at least A-:XII in Best's Key Rating Guide (Section
1006 of each Indenture).
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Trust will pay or discharge or cause
to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (i) all
taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any
Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Trust or any
Subsidiary, and (ii) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies
which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Trust or
any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Trust shall 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 (Section 1007 of each Indenture).
Provision of Financial Information. Whether or not the Trust is subject to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Trust will within 15 days of each
of the respective dates by which the Trust would have been required to file
annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents with the Commission if
the Trust were so subject (i) transmit by mail to all Holders of Debt
Securities, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register,
without cost to such Holders copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports
and other documents that the Trust would have been required to file with the
Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Trust
were subject to such Sections, (ii) file with the applicable Trustee copies of
the annual reports, quarterly reports and
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other documents that the Trust would have been required to file with the
Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Trust
were subject to such Sections and (iii) promptly upon written request and
payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, supply copies of
such documents to any prospective Holder (Section 1008 of each Indenture).
Additional Covenants. Any additional covenants of the Trust with respect to
any series of Debt Securities will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
Each Indenture provides that the following events are "Events of Default"
with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder: (a) default
for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest on any Debt Security
of such series; (b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if
any, on) any Debt Security of such series at its Maturity; (c) default in
making any sinking fund payment as required for any Debt Security of such
series; (d) default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or
warranty of the Trust contained in the Indenture (other than a covenant added
to the Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Debt Securities issued
thereunder other than such series), continued for 60 days after written notice
as provided in the applicable Indenture; (e) a default under any bond,
debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by the
Trust (including obligations under leases required to be capitalized on the
balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles but
not including any indebtedness or obligations for which recourse is limited to
property purchased) in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $5,000,000
or under any 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 the Trust (including such leases but not including such
indebtedness or obligations for which recourse is limited to property
purchased) in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $5,000,000 by the
Trust, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created
which default shall have resulted in such indebtedness becoming or being
declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have
become due and payable or such obligations being accelerated, without such
acceleration having been rescinded or annulled; (f) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver,
liquidator or trustee of the Trust or any Significant Subsidiary or either of
its properties; and (g) any other Event of Default provided with respect to a
particular series of Debt Securities (Section 501 of each Indenture). The term
"Significant Subsidiary" means each significant subsidiary (as defined in
Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act) of the Trust.
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 such case the applicable 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, such portion of the
principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Debt
Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by written notice
thereof to the Trust (and to the applicable Trustee if given by the Holders).
However, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding
under either 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
applicable Trustee, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal
amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt
Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may
be) may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (a) the
Trust shall have deposited with the applicable Trustee all required payments
of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities
of such 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
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applicable Trustee and (b) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment
of accelerated principal (or specified portion thereof), with respect to Debt
Securities of such 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 each Indenture (Section 502 of each 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 such series and its consequences, except a
default (x) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on any Debt Security of such series or (y) 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 Outstanding Debt Security
affected thereby (Section 513 of each Indenture).
Each Trustee is required to give notice to the Holders of Debt Securities
within 90 days of a default under the applicable Indenture unless such default
shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that such Trustee may
withhold notice to the Holders of any series of Debt Securities of any default
with respect to such series (except a default in the payment of the principal
of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of such series or in
the payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of any Debt Security of
such series) if the Responsible Officers of such Trustee consider such
withholding to be in the interest of such Holders (Section 601 of each
Indenture).
Each Indenture provides that no Holders of Debt Securities of any series may
institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to such
Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, except in the case of failure of the
applicable 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 such series, as well as an offer of indemnity reasonably
satisfactory to it (Section 507 of each Indenture). This provision will not
prevent, however, any Holder of Debt Securities from instituting suit for the
enforcement of payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on such Debt Securities at the respective due dates thereof (Section 508 of
each Indenture).
Subject to provisions in each Indenture relating to its duties in case of
default, neither Trustee is under an obligation to exercise any of its rights
or powers under such Indenture at the request or direction of any Holders of
any series of Debt Securities then Outstanding under such Indenture, unless
such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee thereunder reasonable security
or indemnity (Section 602 of each Indenture). 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 each Indenture, as the case
may be) shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable Trustee,
or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon such Trustee. However, each
Trustee may refuse to follow any direction which is in conflict with any law
or the applicable Indenture, which may involve such Trustee in personal
liability or which may be unduly prejudicial to the Holders of Debt Securities
of such series not joining therein (Section 512 of each Indenture).
Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, the Trust must deliver
to each Trustee a certificate, signed by one of several specified officers,
stating whether or not such officer has knowledge of any default under the
applicable Indenture and, if so, specifying each such default and the nature
and status thereof (Section 1009 of each Indenture).
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
Modifications and amendments of either Indenture may be made only with the
consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all
Outstanding Debt Securities issued under such Indenture which are affected by
such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no
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such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each
such Debt Security affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the
principal of, or any installment of interest (or premium, if any) on, any such
Debt Security; (b) reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of
interest on, or any premium payable on redemption of, any such Debt Security,
or reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that
would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity
thereof or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of
repayment of the Holder of any such Debt Security; (c) change the Place of
Payment, or the coin or currency, for payment of principal of, premium, if
any, or interest on any such Debt Security; (d) impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any such Debt
Security; (e) reduce the above-stated percentage of Outstanding Debt
Securities of any series necessary to modify or amend the applicable
Indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions thereof or certain
defaults and consequences thereunder or to reduce the quorum or voting
requirements set forth in the applicable Indenture; or (f) 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 such action or to provide that certain other provisions
may not be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of such Debt
Security (Section 902 of each Indenture).
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of Outstanding
Debt Securities issued under either Indenture have the right to waive
compliance by the Trust with certain covenants in such Indenture (Section 1011
of each Indenture).
Modifications and amendments of either Indenture may be made by the Trust
and the respective Trustee thereunder without the consent of any Holder of
Debt Securities for any of the following purposes: (i) to evidence the
succession of another Person to the Trust as obligor under such Indenture;
(ii) to add to the covenants of the Trust for the benefit of the Holders of
all or any series of Debt Securities or to surrender any right or power
conferred upon the Trust in such Indenture; (iii) to add Events of Default for
the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities; (iv) to
add or change any provisions of either Indenture to facilitate the issuance
of, or to liberalize certain terms of, Debt Securities in bearer form, or to
permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities in uncertificated form,
provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the
Holders of the Debt Securities of any series in any material respect; (v) to
change or eliminate any provisions of either Indenture, provided that any such
change or elimination shall become effective only when there are no Debt
Securities Outstanding of any series created prior thereto which are entitled
to the benefit of such provision; (vi) to secure the Debt Securities; (vii) to
establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series, including the
provisions and procedures, if applicable, for the conversion of such Debt
Securities into Common Shares or Preferred Shares of the Trust; (viii) to
provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee or facilitate
the administration of the trusts under either Indenture by more than one
Trustee; (ix) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in either
Indenture, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests
of Holders of Debt Securities of any series issued under such Indenture; or
(x) to supplement any of the provisions of either Indenture to the extent
necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of
such Debt Securities, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the
interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series (Section 901 of
each Indenture).
Each Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of a series have
given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
thereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of Debt
Securities, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security
that shall be deemed to be outstanding shall be the amount of the principal
thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination
upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, (ii) the principal
amount of a Debt Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that shall be
deemed outstanding shall be the
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U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the issue date for such Debt Security,
of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount
Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent on the issue date of such Debt Security
of the amount determined as provided in (i) above), (iii) the principal amount
of an Indexed Security that shall be deemed outstanding shall be the principal
face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise
provided with respect to such Indexed Security pursuant to Section 301 of each
Indenture, and (iv) Debt Securities owned by the Trust or any other obligor
upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Trust or of such other
obligor shall be disregarded (Section 101 of each Indenture).
Each Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the Holders of
Debt Securities of a series (Section 1501 of each Indenture). A meeting may be
called at any time by the applicable Trustee, and also, upon request, by the
Trust or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of such series, in any such case upon notice given as provided
in the Indenture (Section 1502 of each Indenture). Except for any consent that
must be given by the Holder of each Debt Security affected by certain
modifications and amendments of either Indenture, any resolution presented at
a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present
may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series; provided,
however, that, except as referred to above, any resolution with respect to any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action that may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified
percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or
adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the
affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal
amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series. Any resolution
passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any
series duly held in accordance with either Indenture will be binding on all
Holders of Debt Securities of that series. The quorum at any meeting called to
adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened meeting, will be Persons holding or
representing a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities
of a series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such
meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which may be given by the Holders
of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of a series, the Persons holding or representing such
specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
such series will constitute a quorum (Section 1504 of each Indenture).
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, if any action is to be taken at a
meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series with respect to any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action that either Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by
the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding
Debt Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or
more additional series: (i) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for
such meeting and (ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities
of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account
in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under such
Indenture (Section 1504 of each Indenture).
SUBORDINATION
Upon any distribution to creditors of the Trust in a liquidation,
dissolution or reorganization, the payment of the principal of and interest on
the Subordinated Securities 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 (Sections 1601 and 1602 of the Subordinated Indenture), but the
obligation of the Trust to make payment of the principal and interest on the
Subordinated Securities will not otherwise be affected (Section 1608 of the
Subordinated Indenture). No payment of principal or interest may be made on
the Subordinated
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Securities at any time if a default on Senior Debt exists that permits the
holders of such Senior Debt to accelerate its maturity and the default is the
subject of judicial proceedings or the Trust receives notice of the default
(Section 1603 of the Subordinated Indenture). After all Senior Debt is paid in
full and until the Subordinated 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 (Section 1607 of the Subordinated Indenture). By reason of such
subordination, in the event of a distribution of assets upon insolvency,
certain general creditors of the Trust may recover more, ratably, than holders
of the Subordinated Securities.
Senior Debt is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as the principal of and
interest on, or substantially similar payments to be made by the Trust in
respect of, the following, whether outstanding at the date of execution of the
Subordinated Indenture or thereafter incurred, created or assumed:
(a) indebtedness of the Trust for money borrowed or represented by purchase-
money obligations, (b) indebtedness of the Trust evidenced by notes,
debentures, or bonds, or other securities issued under the provisions of an
indenture, fiscal agency agreement or other instrument, (c) obligations of the
Trust as lessee under leases of property either made as part of any sale and
leaseback transaction to which the Trust is a party or otherwise,
(d) indebtedness of partnerships and joint ventures which is included in the
consolidated financial statements of the Trust, (e) indebtedness, obligations
and liabilities of others in respect of which the Trust is liable contingently
or otherwise to pay or advance money or property or as guarantor, endorser or
otherwise or which the Trust has agreed to purchase or otherwise acquire, and
(f) any binding commitment of the Trust to fund any real estate investment or
to fund any investment in any entity making such real estate investment, in
each case other than (1) any such indebtedness, obligation or liability
referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above as to which, in the instrument
creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding,
it is provided that such indebtedness, obligation or liability is not superior
in right of payment to the Subordinated Securities or ranks pari passu with
the Subordinated Securities, (2) any such indebtedness, obligation or
liability which is subordinated to indebtedness of the Trust to substantially
the same extent as or to a greater extent than the Subordinated Securities are
subordinated, and (3) the Subordinated Securities (Section 101 of the
Subordinated Indenture). At June 30, 1998, Senior Debt aggregated
approximately $648 million. There are no restrictions in the Subordinated
Indenture upon the creation of additional Senior Debt.
DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Under each Indenture, the Trust may discharge certain obligations to Holders
of any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder 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 such currency or currencies, currency
unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Debt
Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness
on such Debt Securities in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and
interest to the date of such deposit (if such Debt Securities have become due
and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be
(Section 401 of each Indenture).
Each Indenture provides that, if the provisions of Article Fourteen thereof
are made applicable to the Debt Securities of or within any series pursuant to
Section 301 of such Indenture, the Trust may elect either (a) to defease and
be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such 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 such Debt Securities and the obligations to
register the transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities, to replace
temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, to maintain
an office or agency in respect of such Debt Securities and to hold moneys for
payment in trust) ("defeasance") (Section 1402 of each
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Indenture) or (b) to be released from its obligations with respect to such
Debt Securities under Sections 1004 to 1008, inclusive, of each Indenture
(being the restrictions described under "Certain Covenants") or, if provided
pursuant to Section 301 of each Indenture, its obligations with respect to any
other covenant, and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not
constitute a default or an Event of Default with respect to such Debt
Securities ("covenant defeasance") (Section 1403 of each Indenture), in either
case upon the irrevocable deposit by the Trust with the applicable Trustee, in
trust, of an amount, in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units or
composite currency or currencies in which such Debt Securities are payable at
Stated Maturity, or Government Obligations (as defined below), or both,
applicable to such Debt Securities which 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 premium, if any) and interest
on such Debt Securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments
thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor (Section 1404 of each Indenture).
Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, the Trust has
delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (as specified in
each Indenture) to the effect that the Holders of such Debt Securities will
not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a
result of such 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 such defeasance or covenant defeasance
had not occurred, and such Opinion of Counsel, in the case of defeasance, must
refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a
change in applicable U. S. federal income tax law occurring after the date of
the Indenture (Section 1404 of each Indenture).
"Government Obligations" means securities which are (i) direct obligations
of the United States of America or the government which 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 (ii) obligations
of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or
instrumentality of the United States of America or such government which
issued the Foreign Currency in which the Debt Securities of such series are
payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith
and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other
government, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the
option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt
issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such
Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any
such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the
holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such
custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to
the holder of such 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 such
depository receipt (Section 101 of each Indenture).
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if after
the Trust has deposited funds and/or Government Obligations to effect
defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to Debt Securities of any
series, (a) the Holder of a Debt Security of such series is entitled to, and
does, elect pursuant to Section 301 of either Indenture or the terms of such
Debt Security to receive payment in a currency, currency unit or composite
currency other than that in which such deposit has been made in respect of
such Debt Security, or (b) a Conversion Event (as defined below) occurs in
respect of the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such
deposit has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Debt Security
shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied
through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on
such Debt Security as they become due out of the proceeds yielded by
converting the amount so deposited in respect of such Debt Security into the
currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such Debt Security
becomes payable as a result of such election or such cessation
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of usage based on the applicable market exchange rate (Section 1405 of each
Indenture). "Conversion Event" means the cessation of use of (i) a currency,
currency unit or composite currency both by the government of the country
which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central
bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking
community, (ii) the ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the
settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European
Communities or (iii) any currency unit or composite currency other than the
ECU for the purposes for which it was established. Unless otherwise provided
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, all payments of principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on any Debt Security that are payable in a
Foreign Currency that ceases to be used by its government of issuance shall be
made in U.S. dollars (Section 101 of each Indenture).
In the event the Trust effects covenant defeasance with respect to any Debt
Securities and such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of
the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the Event of Default
described in clause (d) under "Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with
respect to Sections 1004 to 1008, inclusive, of each Indenture (which Sections
would no longer be applicable to such Debt Securities) or described in clause
(g) under "Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with respect to any other
covenant as to which there has been covenant defeasance, the amount in such
currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such Debt Securities
are payable, and Government Obligations on deposit with the applicable
Trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the
time of their Stated Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on
such Debt Securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event
of Default. However, the Trust would remain liable to make payment of such
amounts due at the time of acceleration.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if
any, permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any
modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the Debt
Securities of or within a particular series.
CONVERSION RIGHTS
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Debt Securities are
convertible into Common Shares or Preferred Shares will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include
whether such Debt Securities are convertible into Common Shares or Preferred
Shares, the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the
conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option
of the Holders or the Trust, the events requiring an adjustment of the
conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the
redemption of such Debt Securities.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities (the "Global Securities") that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary (the "Depositary") identified in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. Global
Securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either
temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement
with respect to a series of Debt Securities will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such series.
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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES
GENERAL
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of preferred shares
(the "Preferred Shares"). On October 6, 1997, the Trust issued 4,000,000
shares of 7.95% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (liquidation
preference $25.00 per share); no other Preferred Shares are outstanding.
The following description of the Preferred Shares sets forth certain general
terms and provisions of the Preferred Shares to which any Prospectus
Supplement may relate. The statements below describing the Preferred Shares
are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to
the applicable provisions of the Trust's Third Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration of Trust") and Bylaws and applicable
statement of designations (the "Statement of Designations").
TERMS
Subject to the limitations prescribed by the Declaration of Trust, the Board
of Trustees is authorized to fix the number of shares constituting each series
of Preferred Shares and the designations and powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof, including such provisions as may be
desired concerning voting, redemption, dividends, dissolution or the
distribution of assets, conversion or exchange, and such other subjects or
matters as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Trustees. The Preferred
Shares will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust (except
as described under "Shareholder Liability" below) and will have no preemptive
rights.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Preferred
Shares offered thereby for specific terms, including:
(1) The title and stated value of such Preferred Shares;
(2) The number of such Preferred Shares offered, the liquidation
preference per share and the offering price of such Preferred Shares;
(3) The dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s)
of calculation thereof applicable to such Preferred Shares;
(4) The date from which dividends on such Preferred Shares shall
accumulate, if applicable;
(5) The procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for such
Preferred Shares;
(6) The provision for a sinking fund, if any, for such Preferred Shares;
(7) The provision for redemption, if applicable, of such Preferred
Shares;
(8) Any listing of such Preferred Shares on any securities exchange;
(9) The terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which such Preferred
Shares will be convertible into Common Shares of the Trust, including the
conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof);
(10) Any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or
restrictions of such Preferred Shares;
(11) A discussion of federal income tax considerations applicable to such
Preferred Shares;
(12) The relative ranking and preferences of such Preferred Shares as to
dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Trust;
(13) Any limitations on issuance of any series of Preferred Shares
ranking senior to or on a parity with such series of Preferred Shares as to
dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Trust; and
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(14) Any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions
on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve the status of
the Trust as a REIT.
RANK
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred
Shares will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Trust, rank (i) senior to all classes or
series of Common Shares or other capital shares of the Trust, and to all
equity securities ranking junior to such Preferred Shares; (ii) on a parity
with all equity securities issued by the Trust the terms of which specifically
provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the Preferred
Shares; and (iii) junior to all equity securities issued by the Trust the
terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to
the Preferred Shares. The term "equity securities" does not include
convertible debt securities.
DIVIDENDS
Holders of the Preferred Shares of each series will be entitled to receive,
when, as and if declared by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, out of assets
of the Trust legally available for payment, cash dividends at such rates and
on such dates as will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Each such dividend shall be payable to holders of record as they appear on the
share transfer books of the Trust on such record dates as shall be fixed by
the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
Dividends on any series of the Preferred Shares may be cumulative or non-
cumulative, as provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Dividends, if
cumulative, will be cumulative from and after the date set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. If the Board of Trustees of the Trust fails
to declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of the
Preferred Shares for which dividends are noncumulative, then the holders of
such series of the Preferred Shares will have no right to receive a dividend
in respect of the dividend period ending on such dividend payment date, and
the Trust will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for such period,
whether or not dividends on such series are declared payable on any future
dividend payment date.
If Preferred Shares of any series are outstanding, no dividends will be
declared or paid or set apart for payment on the Preferred Shares of the Trust
of any other series ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to
the Preferred Shares of such series for any period unless (i) if such series
of Preferred Shares has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends have
been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such payment on the Preferred
Shares of such series for all past dividend periods and the then current
dividend period or (ii) if such series of Preferred Shares does not have a
cumulative dividend, full dividends for the then current dividend period have
been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such payment on the Preferred
Shares of such series. When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum
sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) upon Preferred Shares of
any series and the shares of any other series of Preferred Shares ranking on a
parity as to dividends with the Preferred Shares of such series, all dividends
declared upon Preferred Shares of such series and any other series of
Preferred Shares ranking on a parity as to dividends with such Preferred
Shares shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per
Preferred Share of such series and such other series of Preferred Shares shall
in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per
share on the Preferred Shares of such series (which shall not include any
accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such
Preferred Shares do not have a cumulative dividend) and such other series of
Preferred Shares bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of
interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on
Preferred Shares of such series which may be in arrears.
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Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless (i) if
such series of Preferred Shares has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative
dividends on the Preferred Shares of such series have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past dividend periods and
the then current dividend period and (ii) if such series of Preferred Shares
does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the Preferred Shares of
such series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared
and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for the
then current dividend period, no dividends (other than in Common Shares or
other capital shares ranking junior to the Preferred Shares of such series as
to dividends and upon liquidation) shall be declared or paid or set aside for
payment or other distribution shall be declared or made upon the Common
Shares, or any other capital shares of the Trust ranking junior to or on a
parity with the Preferred Shares of such series as to dividends or upon
liquidation, nor shall any Common Shares, or any other capital shares of the
Trust ranking junior to or on a parity with the Preferred Shares of such
series as to dividends or upon liquidation be redeemed, purchased or otherwise
acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for
a sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares) by the Trust (except by
conversion into or exchange for other capital shares of the Trust ranking
junior to the Preferred Shares of such series as to dividends and upon
liquidation).
Any dividend payment made on shares of a series of Preferred Shares shall
first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with
respect to shares of such series which remains payable.
REDEMPTION
If so provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred Shares
will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at the option of the
Trust, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at
the redemption prices set forth in such Prospectus Supplement.
The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Shares that is
subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of such Preferred
Shares that shall be redeemed by the Trust in each year commencing after a
date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified,
together with an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon
(which shall not, if such Preferred Shares do not have a cumulative dividend,
include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend
periods) to the date of redemption. The redemption price may be payable in
cash or other property, as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
If the redemption price for Preferred Shares of any series is payable only
from the net proceeds of the issuance of capital shares of the Trust, the
terms of such Preferred Shares may provide that, if no such capital shares
shall have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are
insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, such
Preferred Shares shall automatically and mandatorily be converted into the
applicable capital shares of the Trust pursuant to conversion provisions
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless (i) if such series of Preferred Shares
has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on all shares of any
series of Preferred Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are declared
and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart
for payment for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period
and (ii) if such series of Preferred Shares does not have a cumulative
dividend, full dividends on the Preferred Shares of any series have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof set apart for payment for the then current dividend
period, no shares of any series of Preferred Shares shall be redeemed unless
all outstanding Preferred Shares of such series are simultaneously redeemed;
provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or
acquisition of Preferred Shares of such series to preserve the REIT status of
the Trust or pursuant to
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a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all
outstanding Preferred Shares of such series, and, unless (i) if such series of
Preferred Shares has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on all
outstanding shares of any series of Preferred Shares have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past dividend periods and
the then current dividend period and (ii) if such series of Preferred Shares
does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the Preferred Shares of
any series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared
and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for the
then current dividend period, the Trust shall not purchase or otherwise
acquire directly or indirectly any Preferred Shares of such series (except by
conversion into or exchange for capital shares of the Trust ranking junior to
the Preferred Shares of such series as to dividends and upon liquidation);
provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or
acquisition of Preferred Shares of such series to preserve the REIT status of
the Trust or pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms
to holders of all outstanding Preferred Shares of such series.
If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Preferred Shares of any
series are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed will be
determined by the Trust and such shares may be redeemed pro rata from the
holders of record of such shares in proportion to the number of such shares
held by such holders (with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional
shares) or by lot in a manner determined by the Trust.
Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60
days before the redemption date to each holder of record of Preferred Shares
of any series to be redeemed at the address shown on the share transfer books
of the Trust. Each notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the
number of shares and series of the Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (iii) the
redemption price; (iv) the place or places where certificates for such
Preferred Shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price;
(v) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such
redemption date; and (vi) the date upon which the holder's conversion rights,
if any, as to such shares shall terminate. If fewer than all the Preferred
Shares of any series are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to each such holder
thereof shall also specify the number of Preferred Shares to be redeemed from
each such holder. If notice of redemption of any Preferred Shares has been
given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by
the Trust in trust for the benefit of the holders of any Preferred Shares so
called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date dividends will
cease to accrue on such Preferred Shares, and all rights of the holders of
such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price.
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Trust, then, before any distribution or payment shall be
made to the holders of any Common Shares, excess shares or any other class or
series of capital shares of the Trust ranking junior to the Preferred Shares
in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Trust, the holders of each series of Preferred Shares shall be entitled
to receive out of assets of the Trust legally available for distribution to
shareholders liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation
preference per share (set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement), plus
an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid thereon (which shall not
include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend
periods if such Preferred Shares do not have a cumulative dividend). After
payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are
entitled, the holders of Preferred Shares will have no right or claim to any
of the remaining assets of the Trust. In the event that, upon any such
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the available
assets of the Trust are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating
distributions on all outstanding Preferred Shares and the corresponding
amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of capital shares of
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the Trust ranking on a parity with the Preferred Shares in the distribution of
assets, then the holders of the Preferred Shares and all other such classes or
series of capital shares shall share ratably in any such distribution of
assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would
otherwise be respectively entitled.
If liquidating distributions shall have been made in full to all holders of
Preferred Shares, the remaining assets of the Trust shall be distributed among
the holders of any other classes or series of capital shares ranking junior to
the Preferred Shares upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, according to
their respective rights and preferences and in each case according to their
respective number of shares. For such purposes, the consolidation or merger of
the Trust with or into any other corporation, trust or entity, or the sale,
lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the property or business of
the Trust, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Trust.
VOTING RIGHTS
Holders of the Preferred Shares will not have any voting rights, except as
set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by law or as
indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Whenever dividends on any Preferred Shares shall be in arrears for six
consecutive quarterly periods, the holders of such Preferred Shares (voting
separately as a class with all other series of Preferred Shares upon which
like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) will be entitled
to vote for the election of two additional Trustees of the Trust at the next
annual meeting of shareholders and at each subsequent meeting until (i) if
such series of Preferred Shares has a cumulative dividend, all dividends
accumulated on such shares of Preferred Shares for the past dividend periods
and the then current dividend period shall have been fully paid or declared
and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment or (ii) if
such series of Preferred Shares does not have a cumulative dividend, four
consecutive quarterly dividends 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 Trustees of the Trust will be increased by two Trustees.
Unless provided otherwise for any series of Preferred Shares, so long as any
Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the Trust will not, without the
affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
shares of each series of Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, given in
person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (such series voting
separately as a class), (i) authorize or create, or increase the authorized or
issued amount of, any class or series of capital shares ranking prior to such
series of Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends or the
distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up or
reclassify any authorized capital shares of the Trust into any such shares, or
create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or
evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend, alter or
repeal the provisions of the Trust's Declaration of Trust or the Statement of
Designations for such series of Preferred Shares, whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise (an "Event"), so as to materially and adversely
affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of such series of
Preferred Shares or the holders thereof; provided, however, with respect to
the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above, so long as the
Preferred Shares remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially
unchanged, taking into account that upon the occurrence of an Event, the Trust
may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of any such Event shall not be
deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges
or voting power of holders of Preferred Shares and provided further that
(x) any increase in the amount of the authorized Preferred Shares or the
creation or issuance of any other series of Preferred Shares, or (y) any
increase in the amount of authorized shares of such series or any other series
of Preferred Shares, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the
Preferred Shares of such series with respect to payment of dividends or the
distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not
be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences,
privileges or voting powers.
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The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time
when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall
be effected, all outstanding shares of such series of Preferred Shares shall
have been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have
been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.
CONVERSION RIGHTS
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of Preferred Shares
are convertible into Common Shares will be set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the number of
Common Shares into which the Preferred Shares are convertible, the conversion
price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as
to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the Preferred
Shares or the Trust, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion
price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of
such series of Preferred Shares.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
As discussed below under "Description of Common Shares--Shareholder
Liability," the Declaration of Trust provides that no shareholder, including
holders of Preferred Shares, shall be personally liable for the acts and
obligations of the Trust and that the funds and property of the Trust shall be
solely liable for such acts or obligations. The Declaration of Trust provides
that, to the extent practicable, each written instrument creating an
obligation of the Trust shall contain a provision to that effect. The
Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust shall indemnify and hold
harmless shareholders against all claims and liabilities and related
reasonable expenses to which they may become subject by reason of their being
or having been shareholders. In some jurisdictions, however, with respect to
tort and contract claims where shareholder liability is not so negated, claims
for taxes and certain statutory liability, shareholders may be personally
liable to the extent that such claims are not satisfied by the Trust. The
Trust carries public liability insurance that the Trustees consider adequate.
Thus, any risk of personal liability to shareholders is limited to situations
in which the Trust's assets plus its insurance coverage would be insufficient
to satisfy the claims against the Trust and its shareholders.
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP
As discussed below under "Description of Common Shares--Restrictions on
Ownership," for the Trust to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), not more than 50% in value of its
outstanding capital shares may be owned, directly or constructively, by five
or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities)
during the last half of a taxable year. To assist the Trust in meeting this
requirement, the Trust may take certain other actions to limit the beneficial
ownership, directly or indirectly, by a single person of more than 9.8% of the
Trust's outstanding equity securities, including any Preferred Shares of the
Trust. Therefore, the Statement of Designations for each series of Preferred
Shares will contain certain provisions restricting the ownership and transfer
of the Preferred Shares. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will specify any
additional ownership limitation relating to a series of Preferred Shares.
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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES
GENERAL
The Common Shares are issued pursuant to the Declaration of Trust. The
Common Shares (no par or stated value) are equal with respect to distribution
and liquidation rights, are not convertible, have no preemptive rights to
subscribe for additional Common Shares, are nonassessable (except as described
under "Shareholder Liability" below) and are transferable in the same manner
as shares of a corporation. Each shareholder is entitled to one vote in person
or by proxy for each Common Share registered in his name and has the right to
vote on the election or removal of Trustees, amendments to the Declaration of
Trust, proposals to terminate, reorganize, merge or consolidate the Trust or
to sell or dispose of substantially all of the Trust's property and with
respect to certain business combinations. The Trust will have perpetual
existence unless and until dissolved and terminated. Except with respect to
the foregoing matters, no action taken by the shareholders at any meeting
shall in any way bind the Trustees. The Common Shares offered by the Trust
will be, when issued, fully paid and nonassessable (except as described under
"Shareholder Liability" below).
Without shareholder approval, the Trust may issue an unlimited number of
securities, warrants, rights, or other options to purchase Common Shares and
other securities convertible into Common Shares.
Several provisions in the Declaration of Trust may have the effect of
deterring a takeover of the Trust. These provisions (i) establish the
percentage of outstanding Common Shares required to approve certain matters,
including removal of a Trustee, amendment of any section of the Declaration of
Trust that provides for a shareholder vote, the reorganization, merger,
consolidation, sale or termination of the Trust and a sale of substantially
all of the assets of the Trust, at 80% unless the matter to be acted upon is
approved or recommended by the Board of Trustees in which event the percentage
is 66 2/3%; (ii) restrict ownership of the Trust's outstanding capital shares
by a single person to 9.8% of such capital shares unless otherwise approved by
the Board of Trustees to assist in protecting and preserving the qualification
of the Trust as a real estate investment trust under the Code; and (iii)
include a "fair price" provision that would deter a "two-stage" takeover
transaction by requiring an 80% vote of outstanding Common Shares for certain
defined "business combinations" with shareholders owning more than 9.8% of
Common Shares or their affiliates if the transaction is neither approved by
the Board of Trustees nor meets certain price and procedural conditions.
In addition, the Declaration of Trust includes provisions for (i) the
classification of Trustees into three classes serving three year staggered
terms and (ii) the authorization of Trustees to issue an unlimited number of
Common Shares and to issue additional classes of equity securities in
unlimited numbers with such rights, qualifications, limitations or
restrictions as are stated in the Board of Trustees' resolution establishing
such class of securities.
In 1989, the Trustees adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan (the "Plan"). Under
the Plan, one right was issued for each outstanding Common Share and a right
will be attached to each Share issued in the future. The rights authorize the
holders to purchase Common Shares at a price below market upon the occurrence
of certain events, including, unless approved by the Board of Trustees,
acquisition by a person or group of certain levels of beneficial ownership of
the Trust or a tender offer. The rights are redeemable by the Trust for $.01
and expire in 1999.
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP
For the Trust to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% in
value of the outstanding capital shares, including in some circumstances
capital shares into which outstanding securities (including the Securities)
might be converted, may be owned actually or constructively by five or fewer
individuals or certain other entities at any time during the last half of the
Trust's taxable year. To assist
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the Trust in meeting this requirement, the Trust (a) by lot or other equitable
means, may prevent the transfer of and/or may call for redemption a number of
capital shares sufficient for the continued qualification of the Trust as a
REIT and (b) may refuse to register the transfer of capital shares and may
take certain other actions to limit the beneficial ownership, directly or
indirectly, by a single person of more than 9.8% of the Trust's outstanding
equity securities. Capital shares reserved for issuance upon conversion of any
class of then outstanding convertible securities of the Trust may be
considered outstanding capital shares for purposes of this provision if the
effect thereof would be to cause a single person to own or to be deemed to own
more than 9.8% of the Trust's outstanding capital shares. Without shareholder
approval, the Trust may issue an unlimited number of securities, warrants,
rights or other options to purchase Common Shares and other securities
convertible into Common Shares.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
The Declaration of Trust provides that no shareholder shall be personally
liable in connection with the Trust's property or the affairs of the Trust.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trust shall indemnify and
hold harmless shareholders against all claims and liabilities and related
reasonable expenses to which they may become subject by reason of their being
or having been shareholders. In addition, the Trust is required to, and as a
matter of practice does, insert a clause in its contracts that provides that
shareholders shall not be personally liable thereunder. However, in respect to
tort claims and contract claims where shareholder liability is not so negated,
claims for taxes and certain statutory liability, the shareholders may, in
some jurisdictions, be personally liable to the extent that such claims are
not satisfied by the Trust. The Trust carries public liability insurance that
the Trustees consider adequate. Thus, any risk of personal liability to
shareholders is limited to situations in which the Trust's assets plus its
insurance coverage would be insufficient to satisfy the claims against the
Trust and its shareholders.
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT
The Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Common Shares is American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, New York, New York.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The Trust believes it has operated, and the Trust intends to continue to
operate, in such manner as to qualify as a REIT under the Code, but no
assurance can be given that it will at all times so qualify. The provisions of
the Code pertaining to REITs are highly technical and complex. The following
is a brief and general summary of certain provisions that currently govern the
federal income tax treatment of the Trust and its shareholders. For the
particular provisions that govern the federal income tax treatment of the
Trust and its shareholders, reference is made to Sections 856 through 860 of
the Code and the treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. The following
summary is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
Under the Code, if certain requirements are met in a taxable year, a REIT
generally will not be subject to federal income tax with respect to income
that it distributes to its shareholders. If the Trust fails to qualify during
any taxable year as a REIT, unless certain relief provisions are available, it
will be subject to tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on
its taxable income at regular corporate rates, which could have a material
adverse effect upon its shareholders.
To qualify as a REIT, the Trust must comply with a number of annual
requirements regarding its income, assets and distributions. These
requirements impose a number of restrictions on the Trust's operations. For
example, the Trust may not lease property if the lease has the effect of
giving the Trust a share of the net income of the lessee. The amount of
personal property that may be included under
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a lease may not exceed a defined, low level, and the Trust may not provide
services to its tenants, other than customary services and de minimis non-
customary services. The Trust's ability to acquire non-real estate assets is
restricted, and a 100% tax is imposed on any gain that the Trust realizes from
sales of property to customers in the ordinary course of business (other than
property acquired by reason of certain foreclosures), effectively preventing
the Trust from participating directly in condominium projects and other
projects involving the development of property for resale. Minimum
distribution requirements also generally require the Trust to distribute at
least 95% of its taxable income each year (excluding any net capital gain).
In any year in which the Trust qualifies to be taxed as a REIT,
distributions made to its shareholders out of current or accumulated earnings
and profits will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income except that
distributions of net capital gains designated by the Trust as capital gain
dividends will be taxed as long-term capital gain income to the shareholders.
A portion of such gains may be taxed at the 25% rate applicable to "Section
1250" gains. To the extent that distributions exceed current or accumulated
earnings and profits, they will constitute a return of capital, rather than
dividend or capital gain income, and will reduce the basis for the
shareholder's Securities with respect to which the distribution is paid or, to
the extent that they exceed such basis, will be taxed in the same manner as
gain from the sale of those Securities.
Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the
appropriateness of an investment in the Securities offered hereby and with
respect to the tax consequences arising under federal law and the laws of any
state, municipality or other taxing jurisdiction, including tax consequences
resulting from such investor's own tax characteristics. In particular, foreign
investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning the tax
consequences of an investment in the Trust, including the possibility of
United States income tax withholding on Trust distributions.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Trust may sell Securities to or through underwriters, and also may sell
Securities directly to other purchasers or through agents.
The distribution of the Securities may be effected from time to time in one
or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at
market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
In connection with the sale of Securities, underwriters may receive
compensation from the Trust or from purchasers of Securities, for whom they
may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions.
Underwriters may sell Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may
receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions
from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may
act as agents. Underwriters, dealers, and agents that participate in the
distribution of Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts
or commissions they receive from the Trust, and any profit on the resale of
Securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be
identified, and any such compensation received from the Trust will be
described, in the Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, each series
of Securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other
than the Common Shares which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Any
Common Shares sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will be listed on such
exchange, subject to official notice of issuance. The Trust may elect to list
any series of Debt Securities or Preferred Shares on an exchange, but is not
obligated to do so. It is possible
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that one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of Securities, but
will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any
time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity
of the trading market for the Securities.
Under agreements the Trust may enter into, underwriters, dealers, and agents
who participate in the distribution of Securities may be entitled to
indemnification by the Trust against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, or be customers of, the Trust in the ordinary course of
business.
If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Trust will authorize
underwriters or other persons acting as the Trust's agents to solicit offers
by certain institutions to purchase Securities from the Trust pursuant to
contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions
with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks,
insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and
charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be
approved by the Trust. The obligations of any purchaser under any such
contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the Securities
shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the
jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such
other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or
performance of such contracts.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The legality of the Securities offered hereby is being passed upon for the
Trust by Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP, 1800 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20036-1800. Certain REIT tax matters relating to the Trust
are being passed upon by Goodwin, Procter & Hoar LLP, Exchange Place, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109. Brown & Wood LLP, One World Trade Center, New York, New
York 10048-0557 will act as counsel to any underwriters, dealers or agents.
EXPERTS
The Consolidated FInancial Statements and Schedules of the Trust as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the years in the three year period
ended December 31, 1997 incorporated herein by reference have been
incorporated herein in reliance on the reports dated February 5, 1998 of Grant
Thornton LLP, independent certified public accountants, also incorporated by
reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting
and auditing.
With respect to the unaudited interim financial information included in the
Trust's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1998
and June 30, 1998 which are incorporated herein by reference, Grant Thornton
LLP has applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards
for a review of such information. However, as stated in their reports dated
May 5, 1998 and August 5, 1998 included in the Trust's Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1998 and June 30, 1998 and
incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they do not express
an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of
reliance on their reports on such information should be restricted in light of
the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Grant Thornton LLP is not
subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of
1933 for their reports on the unaudited interim financial information because
those reports are not "reports" or a "part" of the registration statement
prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11
of the Securities Act.
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