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Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc. - Recent Material Event
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PART I
Overview
Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated (Healthcare
Realty or the Company) was incorporated in
Maryland in 1993 and is a self-managed and self-administered
real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns,
acquires, manages, finances and develops income-producing real
estate properties associated primarily with the delivery of
outpatient healthcare services throughout the United States.
The Company operates so as to qualify as a REIT for federal
income tax purposes. As a REIT, the Company is not subject to
corporate federal income tax with respect to net income
distributed to its stockholders. See Federal Income Tax
Information in Item 1 of this report.
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had invested in real
estate properties, excluding assets held for sale and including
investments in two unconsolidated joint ventures, as shown in
the table below:
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The Company also provided property management services for 131
healthcare-related properties nationwide, totaling approximately
8.5 million square feet at December 31, 2008. The
Companys portfolio of properties is focused predominantly
on the outpatient services and medical office segments of the
healthcare industry and is diversified by tenant, geographic
location and facility type.
As of December 31, 2008, the weighted average remaining
years to maturity pursuant to the Companys long-term
master leases, financial support agreements, and multi-tenanted
occupancy leases was approximately 4.4 years, with
expiration dates ranging from 2009 to 2025.
Business
Strategy
Healthcare Realtys strategy is to own and operate quality
medical office and other outpatient-related facilities that
produce stable and growing rental income. Consistent with this
strategy, the Company selectively seeks acquisition and
development opportunities located on or near the campuses of
large, stable healthcare systems. Additionally, the Company
provides a broad spectrum of services needed to own, develop,
lease, finance and manage its portfolio of healthcare properties.
Management has streamlined the Companys portfolio to focus
on medical office and other outpatient-related facilities
associated with large acute care hospitals and leading health
systems because it views these facilities as the most stable,
lowest-risk real estate investments. Inpatient hospitals and
outpatient-related
facility tenants have historically received more than half of
the nations healthcare spending each year, totaling $2.2
trillion in 2007. Healthcare spending is projected to increase
yearly, comprising an estimated 19.5% of the nations GDP
by 2017. In addition, management believes that the diversity of
tenants in the Companys medical office and other
outpatient-related facilities, which includes physicians of
nearly two-dozen specialties, as well as surgery, imaging, and
diagnostic centers, lowers the Companys financial and
operational risk. In 2008, the Company had only one healthcare
provider that accounted for 10% or more of the Companys
revenues, including revenues of discontinued operations,
HealthSouth Corporation at 11%.
Over the last few years, the market for quality medical office
and other outpatient-related facilities attracted many
non-traditional
and/or
highly-leveraged buyers, which resulted in a significant
increase in the competition for these assets. The recent and
ongoing turmoil in the credit markets, however, has resulted in
the Company seeing fewer buyers competing for such properties,
which has provided more opportunities to acquire real estate
properties with attractive risk-adjusted returns. While
management has observed only a slight decrease in asset prices,
the Companys relatively conservative capital structure
positions it well to take advantage of the current credit market
dislocation and any resulting future decline in asset prices. In
2008, the Company acquired approximately $335.6 million in
real estate assets and funded $8.0 million in a new mortgage
note receivable. In January 2009, the Company acquired the
remaining membership interest in a joint venture in which it
previously held a minority interest for approximately
$4.4 million and assumed related debt of approximately
$12.8 million. The entity owns a 62,246 square foot
on-campus medical office building. See Note 4 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for more details on these
acquisitions.
The Company believes that its construction projects will provide
solid, long-term investment returns and high quality buildings.
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had four construction
projects underway with budgets totaling approximately
$174.0 million. The Company expects completion of the core
and shell of three of the projects with budgets totaling
approximately $88.0 million during 2009 and expects
completion of the core and shell of the fourth project with a
budget totaling approximately $86.0 million in the first
quarter of 2010. In addition to the projects currently under
construction, the Company is financing an on-campus medical
office development of an outpatient campus comprised of six
facilities, with a total budget of approximately
$72 million, of which the Company has already advanced
$42.2 million. The Company expects to finance the remaining
$29.8 million during 2009 and 2010. With respect to five of
the six facilities, the Company will have an option to purchase
each such facility at a market cap rate upon its completion and
full occupancy. The sixth facility is being acquired by the
tenant.
The Company plans to continue to meet its liquidity needs,
including funding additional investments in 2009, paying
dividends and funding debt service, with cash flows from
operations, borrowings under the
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Unsecured Credit Facility, proceeds from mortgage notes
receivable repayments, proceeds from sales of real estate
investments, proceeds from secured debt borrowings, or
additional capital market financings. The Company also had
unencumbered real estate assets of approximately
$1.9 billion at December 31, 2008, which could serve
as collateral for secured mortgage financing. Furthermore, the
Company anticipates renewing its Unsecured Credit Facility
during 2009. Management believes that sufficient funding
commitments will be available to the Company, but that the
interest rate upon renewal will likely be higher than the
Companys current interest rate (LIBOR + 0.90%). At
December 31, 2008, the Companys leverage ratio [debt
divided by (debt plus stockholders equity less intangible
assets plus accumulated depreciation)] was approximately 45.0%
with 64.6% of its debt portfolio maturing after 2010. Also, at
December 31, 2008, the Company had borrowings outstanding
of $329.0 million under its $400 million Unsecured
Credit Facility with a capacity remaining of $71.0 million.
See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and
Capital Resources in Item 7 and Risk
Factors in Item 1A of this report for more discussion
concerning the Companys liquidity and capital resources.
Acquisitions
and Dispositions
2008
Acquisitions
During 2008, the Company acquired 27 real estate properties and
funded a mortgage note receivable for approximately
$294.5 million and assumed related debt of approximately
$43.4 million, net of fair value adjustments, including an
80% interest in a joint venture that concurrently acquired four
buildings for an investment of $28.8 million. These
acquisitions were funded with net proceeds from an equity
offering in September 2008 totaling $196.0 million,
borrowings under the Unsecured Credit Facility, and proceeds
from real estate dispositions. See Note 4 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on these
acquisitions.
2008
Dispositions
During 2008, the Company disposed of seven real estate
properties for approximately $27.1 million and disposed of
two parcels of land for approximately $9.8 million. Also, a
portion of the Companys preferred equity investment in a
joint venture was redeemed for $5.5 million and one
mortgage note receivable totaling approximately
$2.5 million was repaid. These dispositions were used to
repay amounts under the Unsecured Credit Facility and to fund
additional real estate investments. See Note 4 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on these
dispositions.
2009
Acquisition
In January 2009, the Company acquired the remaining membership
interest in a joint venture which owns a 62,246 square foot
on-campus medical office building in Oregon for approximately
$4.4 million and assumed outstanding indebtedness of
approximately $12.8 million bearing interest at 5.91% with
maturities beginning in 2021. The building is approximately 97%
occupied with lease terms ranging from 2009 through 2025. Prior
to the acquisition, the Company had an equity investment in the
joint venture of approximately $1.7 million and accounted
for its investment under the equity method.
Potential
Dispositions
As discussed in more detail in Note 4 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements, included in the 12 assets held for sale at
December 31, 2008, are 10 properties that were pending
disposition at December 31, 2008 which, if sold, would
result in additional net proceeds of approximately
$80 million.
Purchase
Options
At December 31, 2008, the Company had approximately
$94.0 million in real estate properties that were subject
to exercisable purchase options held by the respective operators
and lessees that had not been exercised. On a
probability-weighted basis, the Company estimates that
approximately $19.4 million of these options might be
exercised in the future. During 2009, additional purchase
options become exercisable on
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properties in which the Company had a gross investment of
approximately $16.9 million at December 31, 2008. The
Company anticipates, on a probability-weighted basis, that
approximately $8.4 million of these options might be
exercised in the future. Though other properties may have
purchase options exercisable in 2010 and beyond, the Company
does not believe it can reasonably estimate the probability of
exercise of these purchase options in the future.
Construction
in Progress and Other Commitments
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had four medical
office buildings under construction with estimated completion
dates ranging from the third quarter of 2009 through the first
quarter of 2010. At December 31, 2008, the Company had
$84.8 million invested in construction in progress,
including land held for development, and expects to fund
$82.4 million and $10.1 million in 2009 and 2010,
respectively, on the projects currently under construction.
Included in construction in progress are two parcels of land
held for future development totaling approximately
$17.3 million at December 31, 2008. See Note 14
to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more details on the
Companys construction in progress at December 31,
2008.
The Company also had various remaining first-generation tenant
improvement obligations budgeted as of December 31, 2008
totaling approximately $17.0 million related to properties
that were developed by the Company and a tenant improvement
obligation totaling approximately $0.4 million related to a
project developed by a joint venture acquired by the Company in
2008.
In addition to the projects currently under construction, the
Company is financing an on-campus medical office development of
an outpatient campus comprised of six facilities, with a total
budget of approximately $72 million, of which the Company
has already advanced $42.2 million. The Company expects to
finance the remaining $29.8 million during 2009 and 2010.
With respect to five of the six facilities, the Company will
have an option to purchase each such facility at a market cap
rate upon its completion and full occupancy. The sixth facility
is being acquired by the tenant.
Contractual
Obligations
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had long-term
contractual obligations of approximately $1.5 billion,
consisting primarily of $1.1 billion of long-term debt
obligations. For a more detailed description of these
contractual obligations, see Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Liquidity and Capital
Resources Contractual Obligations, in
Item 7 of this report.
Competition
The Company competes for the acquisition and development of real
estate properties with private investors, healthcare providers,
other healthcare-related REITs, real estate partnerships and
financial institutions, among others. The business of acquiring
and constructing new healthcare facilities is highly competitive
and is subject to price, construction and operating costs, and
other competitive pressures.
The financial performance of all of the Companys
properties is subject to competition from similar properties.
Certain operators of other properties may have capital resources
in excess of those of the Company or the operators of the
Companys properties. In addition, the extent to which the
Companys properties are utilized depends upon several
factors, including the number of physicians using the healthcare
facilities or referring patients there, healthcare employment,
competitive systems of healthcare delivery, and the areas
population, size and composition. Private, federal and state
payment programs and other laws and regulations may also have an
effect on the utilization of the properties. Virtually all of
the Companys properties operate in a competitive
environment, and patients and referral sources, including
physicians, may change their preferences for a healthcare
facility from time to time.
Government
Regulation
The healthcare industry continues to face rising costs in the
delivery of healthcare services, increased competition for
patients, an economy struggling with rising unemployment and a
growing population of
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uninsured patients, higher bad debt expense, changes in
reimbursement levels by private and governmental payors, and
scrutiny by federal and state legislative and administrative
authorities, thus presenting the industry and its individual
participants with uncertainty. These various changes can affect
the economic performance of some or all of the Companys
tenants and clients. The Company cannot predict the degree to
which these changes may affect the economic performance of the
Company, positively or negatively.
The facilities owned by the Company and the manner in which they
are operated are affected by changes in the reimbursement,
licensing and certification policies of federal, state and local
governments. Facilities may also be affected by changes in
accreditation standards or procedures of accrediting agencies
that are recognized by governments in the certification process.
In addition, expansion (including the addition of new beds or
services or acquisition of medical equipment) and occasionally
the discontinuation of services of healthcare facilities are, in
some states, subjected to state regulatory approval through
certificate of need laws and regulations. Loss by a
facility of its ability to participate in government-sponsored
programs because of licensing, certification or accreditation
deficiencies or because of program exclusion resulting from
violations of law would have a material adverse effect on
facility revenues.
Although the Company is not a healthcare provider or in a
position to refer patients or order services reimbursable by the
federal government, to the extent that a healthcare provider
leases space from the Company and, in turn, subleases space to
physicians or other referral sources at less than a fair market
value rental rate, or otherwise arrange for remuneration to such
a referral source, the Anti-Kickback Statute (a provision of the
Social Security Act addressing illegal remuneration) and the
Stark Law (the federal physician self-referral law) could be
implicated. The Companys leases require the lessees to
agree to comply with all applicable laws.
A significant portion of the revenue of healthcare providers is
derived from government reimbursement programs, such as the
federal Medicare program and the joint federal and state
Medicaid program. Although lease payments to the Company are not
directly affected by government reimbursement, changes in these
programs could adversely affect healthcare providers and
tenants ability to make payments to the Company.
The Medicare and Medicaid programs are highly regulated and
subject to frequent evaluation and change. Government healthcare
spending has increased over time; however, changes from year to
year in reimbursement methodology, rates and other regulatory
requirements have resulted in a challenging operating
environment for healthcare providers. Spending on government
reimbursement programs is expected to continue to rise
significantly over the next 20 years, particularly as the
government seeks to expand public insurance programs for the
uninsured. While government proposals for achieving universal
healthcare coverage and other costly initiatives could benefit
healthcare providers by decreasing the level of uninsured
patients and bad debt expense, Congress could select to slow the
growth in healthcare spending by limiting reimbursement rates to
healthcare providers. Reductions in the growth of Medicare and
Medicaid payments could have an adverse impact on healthcare
providers financial condition and, therefore, could
adversely affect the ability of providers to make rental
payments. However, the Company expects healthcare providers to
continue to adjust to new operating challenges, as they have in
the past, by increasing operating efficiency and modifying their
strategies for profitable operations and growth.
The Company believes its strategic focus on the medical office
and outpatient sector of the healthcare industry mitigates risk
from changes in public healthcare spending and reimbursement
because physician practices generally derive a large portion of
their revenue from private insurance and
out-of-pocket
patient expense. The diversity of the Companys
multi-tenant medical office facilities also provides lower
reimbursement risk as payor mix varies from physician to
physician, depending on location, specialty, patients, and
physician preferences.
Legislative
Developments
Each year, legislative proposals for health policy are
introduced in Congress and state legislatures, and regulatory
changes are enacted by government agencies. These proposals,
individually or in the aggregate,
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could significantly change the delivery of healthcare services,
either nationally or at the state level, if implemented. Among
the matters under consideration or recently implemented are:
The Company cannot predict whether any proposals will be adopted
or what effect, whether positive or negative, such proposals
would have on the Companys business.
Environmental
Matters
Under various federal, state and local environmental laws,
ordinances and regulations, an owner of real property (such as
the Company) may be liable for the costs of removal or
remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances at, under
or disposed of in connection with such property, as well as
certain other potential costs relating to hazardous or toxic
substances (including government fines and injuries to persons
and adjacent property). Most, if not all, of these laws,
ordinances and regulations contain stringent enforcement
provisions including, but not limited to, the authority to
impose substantial administrative, civil and criminal fines and
penalties upon violators. Such laws often impose liability
without regard to whether the owner knew of, or was responsible
for, the presence or disposal of such substances and may be
imposed on the owner in connection with the activities of an
operator of the property. The cost of any required remediation,
removal, fines or personal or property damages and the
owners liability therefore could exceed the value of the
property
and/or the
aggregate assets of the owner. In addition, the presence of such
substances, or the failure to properly dispose of or remediate
such substances, may adversely affect the owners ability
to sell or lease such property or to borrow using such property
as collateral. A property can also be negatively impacted either
through physical contamination or by virtue of an adverse effect
on value, from contamination that has or may have emanated from
other properties.
Operations of the properties owned, developed or managed by the
Company are and will continue to be subject to numerous federal,
state, and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations,
including those
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relating to the following: the generation, segregation,
handling, packaging and disposal of medical wastes; air quality
requirements related to operations of generators, incineration
devices, or sterilization equipment; facility siting and
construction; disposal of non-medical wastes and ash from
incinerators; and underground storage tanks. Certain properties
owned, developed or managed by the Company contain, and others
may contain or at one time may have contained, underground
storage tanks that are or were used to store waste oils,
petroleum products or other hazardous substances. Such
underground storage tanks can be the source of releases of
hazardous or toxic materials. Operations of nuclear medicine
departments at some properties also involve the use and
handling, and subsequent disposal of, radioactive isotopes and
similar materials, activities which are closely regulated by the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission and state regulatory agencies. In
addition, several of the properties were built during the period
that asbestos was commonly used in building construction and
other such facilities may be acquired by the Company in the
future. The presence of such materials could result in
significant costs in the event that any asbestos-containing
materials requiring immediate removal
and/or
encapsulation are located in or on any facilities or in the
event of any future renovation activities.
The Company has had environmental site assessments conducted on
substantially all of the properties currently owned. These site
assessments are limited in scope and provide only an evaluation
of potential environmental conditions associated with the
property, not compliance assessments of ongoing operations. The
Company is not aware of any environmental condition or liability
that management believes would have a material adverse effect on
the Companys financial position, earnings, expenditures or
continuing operations. While it is the Companys policy to
seek indemnification relating to environmental liabilities or
conditions, even where leases and sale and purchase agreements
do contain such provisions, there can be no assurances that the
tenant or seller will be able to fulfill its indemnification
obligations. In addition, the terms of the Companys leases
or financial support agreements do not give the Company control
over the operational activities of its lessees or healthcare
operators, nor will the Company monitor the lessees or
healthcare operators with respect to environmental matters.
Insurance
The Company generally requires its tenants to maintain
comprehensive liability and property insurance that covers the
Company as well as the tenants. The Company also carries
comprehensive liability insurance and property insurance
covering its owned and managed properties. In addition, tenants
under long-term net master leases are required to carry property
insurance covering the Companys interest in the buildings.
The Company has also obtained title insurance with respect to
each of the properties it owns, insuring that the Company holds
title to each of the properties free and clear of all liens and
encumbrances except those approved by the Company.
Employees
As of December 31, 2008, the Company employed
223 people. The employees are not members of any labor
union, and the Company considers its relations with its
employees to be excellent.
Federal
Income Tax Information
The Company is and intends to remain qualified as a REIT under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
Code). As a REIT, the Companys net income will
be exempt from federal taxation to the extent that it is
distributed as dividends to stockholders. Distributions to the
Companys stockholders generally will be includable in
their income; however, dividends distributed that are in excess
of current
and/or
accumulated earnings and profits will be treated for tax
purposes as a return of capital to the extent of a
stockholders basis and will reduce the basis of the
stockholders shares.
Introduction
The Company is qualified and intends to remain qualified as a
REIT for federal income tax purposes under Sections 856
through 860 of the Code. The following discussion addresses the
material tax
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considerations relevant to the taxation of the Company and
summarizes certain federal income tax consequences that may be
relevant to certain stockholders. However, the actual tax
consequences of holding particular securities issued by the
Company may vary in light of a securities holders
particular facts and circumstances. Certain holders, such as
tax-exempt entities, insurance companies and financial
institutions, are generally subject to special rules. In
addition, the following discussion does not address issues under
any foreign, state or local tax laws. The tax treatment of a
holder of any of the securities issued by the Company will vary
depending upon the terms of the specific securities acquired by
such holder, as well as the holders particular situation,
and this discussion does not attempt to address aspects of
federal income taxation relating to holders of particular
securities of the Company. This summary is qualified in its
entirety by the applicable Code provisions, rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and
judicial interpretations thereof. The Code, rules, regulations,
and administrative and judicial interpretations are all subject
to change at any time (possibly on a retroactive basis).
The Company is organized and is operating in conformity with the
requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT and
intends to continue operating so as to enable it to continue to
meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT
under the Code. The Companys qualification and taxation as
a REIT depend upon its ability to meet, through actual annual
operating results, the various income, asset, distribution,
stock ownership and other tests discussed below. Accordingly,
the Company cannot guarantee that the actual results of
operations for any one taxable year will satisfy such
requirements.
If the Company were to cease to qualify as a REIT, and the
statutory relief provisions were found not to apply, the
Companys income that it distributed to stockholders would
be subject to the double taxation on earnings (once
at the corporate level and again at the stockholder level) that
generally results from an investment in the equity securities of
a corporation. The distributions would then qualify for the
reduced dividend rates created by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief
Reconciliation Act of 2003. However, the reduced dividend rates
are scheduled to expire for taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2010. Failure to maintain qualification as a
REIT would force the Company to significantly reduce its
distributions and possibly incur substantial indebtedness or
liquidate substantial investments in order to pay the resulting
corporate taxes. In addition, the Company, once having obtained
REIT status and having thereafter lost such status, would not be
eligible to reelect REIT status for the four subsequent taxable
years, unless its failure to maintain its qualification was due
to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and certain other
requirements were satisfied. In order to elect again to be taxed
as a REIT, just as with its original election, the Company would
be required to distribute all of its earnings and profits
accumulated in any non-REIT taxable year.
Taxation
of the Company
As long as the Company remains qualified to be taxed as a REIT,
it generally will not be subject to federal income taxes on that
portion of its ordinary income or capital gain that is currently
distributed to stockholders.
However, the Company will be subject to federal income tax as
follows:
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Requirements
for Qualification as a REIT
To qualify as a REIT for a taxable year, the Company must have
no earnings and profits accumulated in any non-REIT year. The
Company also must elect or have in effect an election to be
taxed as a REIT and must meet other requirements, some of which
are summarized below, including percentage tests relating to the
sources of its gross income, the nature of the Companys
assets and the distribution of its income to stockholders. Such
election, if properly made and assuming continuing compliance
with the qualification tests described herein, will continue in
effect for subsequent years.
Organizational
Requirements and Share Ownership Tests
Section 856(a) of the Code defines a REIT as a corporation,
trust or association:
(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by
transferable shares or by transferable certificates of
beneficial interest;
(3) that would be taxable, but for Sections 856
through 860 of the Code, as a domestic corporation;
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(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an
insurance company subject to certain provisions of the Code;
(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or
more persons, determined without reference to any rules of
attribution (the share ownership test);
(6) that during the last half of each taxable year not more
than 50% in value of the outstanding stock of which is owned,
directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined
in the Code to include certain entities) (the five or
fewer test); and
(7) that meets certain other tests, described below,
regarding the nature of its income and assets.
Section 856(b) of the Code provides that conditions
(1) through (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire
taxable year and that condition (5) must be met during at
least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or
during a proportionate part of a taxable year of fewer than
12 months. The five or fewer test and the share ownership
test do not apply to the first taxable year for which an
election is made to be treated as a REIT.
The Company is also required to request annually (within
30 days after the close of its taxable year) from record
holders of specified percentages of its shares written
information regarding the ownership of such shares. A list of
stockholders failing to fully comply with the demand for the
written statements is required to be maintained as part of the
Companys records required under the Code. Rather than
responding to the Company, the Code allows the stockholder to
submit such statement to the IRS with the stockholders tax
return.
The Company has issued shares to a sufficient number of people
to allow it to satisfy the share ownership test and the five or
fewer test. In addition, to assist in complying with the five or
fewer test, the Companys Articles of Incorporation contain
provisions restricting share transfers where the transferee
(other than specified individuals involved in the formation of
the Company, members of their families and certain affiliates,
and certain other exceptions) would, after such transfer, own
(a) more than 9.9% either in number or value of the
outstanding Common Stock of the Company or (b) more than
9.9% either in number or value of any outstanding preferred
stock of the Company. Pension plans and certain other tax-exempt
entities have different restrictions on ownership. If, despite
this prohibition, stock is acquired increasing a
transferees ownership to over 9.9% in value of either the
outstanding Common Stock or any preferred stock of the Company,
the stock in excess of this 9.9% in value is deemed to be held
in trust for transfer at a price that does not exceed what the
purported transferee paid for the stock, and, while held in
trust, the stock is not entitled to receive dividends or to
vote. In addition, under these circumstances, the Company also
has the right to redeem such stock.
For purposes of determining whether the five or fewer test (but
not the share ownership test) is met, any stock held by a
qualified trust (generally, pension plans, profit-sharing plans
and other employee retirement trusts) is, generally, treated as
held directly by the trusts beneficiaries in proportion to
their actuarial interests in the trust and not as held by the
trust.
Income
Tests
In order to maintain qualification as a REIT, two gross income
requirements must be satisfied annually.
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The Company may temporarily invest its working capital in
short-term investments. Although the Company will use its best
efforts to ensure that income generated by these investments
will be of a type that satisfies the 75% and 95% gross income
tests, there can be no assurance in this regard (see the
discussion above of the new capital rule under the
75% gross income test).
For an amount received or accrued to qualify for purposes of an
applicable gross income test as rents from real
property or interest on obligations secured by
mortgages on real property or on interests in real
property, the determination of such amount must not depend
in whole or in part on the income or profits derived by any
person from such property (except that such amount may be based
on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales). In
addition, for an amount received or accrued to qualify as
rents from real property, such amount may not be
received or accrued directly or indirectly from a person in
which the Company owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of, in
the case of a corporation, the total voting power of all voting
stock or the total value of all stock, and, in the case of an
unincorporated entity, the assets or net profits of such entity
(except for certain amounts received or accrued from a TRS in
connection with property substantially rented to persons other
than a TRS of the Company and other 10%-or-more owned persons or
with respect to certain healthcare facilities, if certain
conditions are met). The Company leases and intends to lease
property only under circumstances such that substantially all,
if not all, rents from such property qualify as rents from
real property. Although it is possible that a tenant could
sublease space to a sublessee in which the Company is deemed to
own directly or indirectly 10% or more of the tenant, the
Company believes that as a result of the provisions of the
Companys Articles of Incorporation that limit ownership to
9.9%, such occurrence would be unlikely. Application of the 10%
ownership rule is, however, dependent upon complex attribution
rules provided in the Code and circumstances beyond the control
of the Company. Ownership, directly or by attribution, by an
unaffiliated third party of more than 10% of the Companys
stock and more than 10% of the stock of any tenant or subtenant
would result in a violation of the rule.
In addition, the Company must not manage its properties or
furnish or render services to the tenants of its properties,
except through an independent contractor from whom the Company
derives no income or through a TRS unless (i) the Company
is performing services that are usually or customarily furnished
or rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy
only and the services are of the sort that a tax-exempt
organization could perform without being considered in receipt
of unrelated business taxable income or (ii) the income
earned by the Company for other services furnished or rendered
by the Company to tenants of a property or for the management or
operation of the property does not exceed a de minimis threshold
generally equal to 1% of the income from such property. The
Company self-manages some of its properties, but does not
believe it provides services to tenants that are outside the
exception.
If rent attributable to personal property leased in connection
with a lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total
rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent
attributable to such personal property will not qualify as
rents from real property. Generally, this 15% test
is applied separately to each lease. The portion of rental
income treated as attributable to personal property is
determined according to the ratio of the fair market value of
the personal property to the total fair market value of the
property that is rented. The determination of what fixtures and
other property constitute personal property for federal tax
purposes is difficult and imprecise. The Company does not have
15% by value of any of its properties classified as personal
property. If, however, rent payments do not qualify, for reasons
discussed above, as rents from real property for purposes of
Section 856 of the Code, it will be more difficult for the
Company to meet the 95% and 75% gross income tests and continue
to qualify as a REIT.
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The Company is and expects to continue performing third-party
management and development services. If the gross income to the
Company from this or any other activity producing disqualified
income for purposes of the 95% or 75% gross income tests
approaches a level that could potentially cause the Company to
fail to satisfy these tests, the Company intends to take such
corrective action as may be necessary to avoid failing to
satisfy the 95% or 75% gross income tests.
The Company may enter into hedging transactions with respect to
one or more of its assets or liabilities. The Companys
hedging activities may include entering into interest rate
swaps, caps and floors, options to purchase such items, and
futures and forward contracts. Income and gain from
hedging transactions will be excluded from gross
income for purposes of the 95% and 75% gross income tests. A
hedging transaction includes any transaction entered
into in the normal course of the Companys trade or
business primarily to manage the risk of interest rate, price
changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made
or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be
incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets. The Company
will be required to clearly identify any such hedging
transaction before the close of the day on which it was
acquired, originated or entered into. The Company intends to
structure any hedging or similar transactions so as not to
jeopardize its status as a REIT.
If the Company were to fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or
95% gross income tests for any taxable year, it may nevertheless
qualify as a REIT for such year if it is entitled to relief
under certain provisions of the Code. These relief provisions
would generally be available if (i) the Companys
failure to meet such test or tests was due to reasonable cause
and not to willful neglect and (ii) following its
identification of its failure to meet these tests, the Company
files a description of each item of income that fails to meet
these tests in a schedule in accordance with Treasury
Regulations. It is not possible, however, to know whether the
Company would be entitled to the benefit of these relief
provisions since the application of the relief provisions is
dependent on future facts and circumstances. If these provisions
were to apply, the Company would be subjected to tax equal to a
percentage tax calculated by the ratio of REIT taxable income to
gross income with certain adjustments multiplied by the gross
income attributable to the greater of the amount by which the
Company failed either of the 75% or the 95% gross income tests.
Asset
Tests
At the close of each quarter of its taxable year, the Company
must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature of its
assets.
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If the Company meets the asset tests described above at the
close of any quarter, it will not lose its status as a REIT
because of a change in value of its assets unless the
discrepancy exists immediately after the acquisition of any
security or other property that is wholly or partly the result
of an acquisition during such quarter. Where a failure to
satisfy the asset tests results from an acquisition of
securities or other property during a quarter, the failure can
be cured by disposition of sufficient nonqualifying assets
within 30 days after the close of such quarter. The Company
maintains adequate records of the value of its assets to
maintain compliance with the asset tests and to take such action
as may be required to cure any failure to satisfy the test
within 30 days after the close of any quarter.
Nevertheless, if the Company were unable to cure within the
30-day cure
period, the Company may cure a violation of the 5% asset test or
the 10% asset test so long as the value of the asset causing
such violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the
Companys assets at the end of the relevant quarter or
$10 million and the Company disposes of the asset causing
the failure or otherwise complies with the asset tests within
six months after the last day of the quarter in which the
failure to satisfy the asset test is discovered. For violations
due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect that are
larger than this amount, the Company is permitted to avoid
disqualification as a REIT after the
30-day cure
period by (i) disposing of an amount of assets sufficient
to meet the asset tests, (ii) paying a tax equal to the
greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate tax rate times the
taxable income generated by the non-qualifying asset and
(iii) disclosing certain information to the IRS.
Distribution
Requirement
In order to qualify as a REIT, the Company is required to
distribute dividends (other than capital gain dividends) to its
stockholders in an amount equal to or greater than the excess of
(a) the sum of (i) 90% of the Companys
real estate investment trust taxable income
(computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and the
Companys net capital gain) and (ii) 90% of the net
income (after tax on such income), if any, from foreclosure
property, over (b) the sum of certain non-cash income (from
certain imputed rental income and income from transactions
inadvertently failing to qualify as like-kind exchanges). These
requirements may be waived by the IRS if the Company establishes
that it failed to meet them by reason of distributions
previously made to meet the requirements of the 4% excise tax
described below. To the extent that the Company does not
distribute all of its net long-term capital gain and all of its
real estate investment trust taxable income, it will
be subject to tax thereon. In addition, the Company will be
subject to a 4% excise tax to the extent it fails within a
calendar year to make required distributions to its
stockholders of 85% of its ordinary income and 95% of its
capital gain net income plus the excess, if any, of the
grossed up required distribution for the preceding
calendar year over the amount treated as distributed for such
preceding calendar year. For this purpose, the term
grossed up required distribution for any calendar
year is the sum of the taxable income of the Company for the
taxable year (without regard to the deduction for dividends
paid) and all amounts from earlier years that are not treated as
having been distributed under the provision. Dividends declared
in the last quarter of the year and paid during the following
January will be treated as having been paid and received on
December 31 of such earlier year. The Companys
distributions for 2008 were adequate to satisfy its distribution
requirement.
It is possible that the Company, from time to time, may have
insufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet the 90%
distribution requirement due to timing differences between the
actual receipt of income and the actual payment of deductible
expenses or dividends on the one hand and the inclusion of such
income and deduction of such expenses or dividends in arriving
at real estate investment trust taxable income on
the other hand. The problem of not having adequate cash to make
required distributions could also occur as a result of the
repayment in cash of principal amounts due on the Companys
outstanding debt, particularly in the case of
balloon repayments or as a result of capital losses
on short-term investments of working capital. Therefore, the
Company might find it necessary to arrange for short-term, or
possibly long-term, borrowing or new equity financing. If the
Company were unable to arrange such borrowing or financing as
might be necessary to provide funds for required distributions,
its REIT status could be jeopardized.
Under certain circumstances, the Company may be able to rectify
a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by
paying deficiency dividends to stockholders in a
later year, which may be included in the Companys
deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. The Company
may be able to avoid being
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taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends; however,
the Company might in certain circumstances remain liable for the
4% excise tax described above.
Federal
Income Tax Treatment of Leases
The availability to the Company of, among other things,
depreciation deductions with respect to the facilities owned and
leased by the Company depends upon the treatment of the Company
as the owner of the facilities and the classification of the
leases of the facilities as true leases, rather than as sales or
financing arrangements, for federal income tax purposes. The
Company has not requested nor has it received an opinion that it
will be treated as the owner of the portion of the facilities
constituting real property and that the leases will be treated
as true leases of such real property for federal income tax
purposes.
Other
Issues
With respect to property acquired from and leased back to the
same or an affiliated party, the IRS could assert that the
Company realized prepaid rental income in the year of purchase
to the extent that the value of the leased property exceeds the
purchase price paid by the Company for that property. In
litigated cases involving sale-leasebacks which have considered
this issue, courts have concluded that buyers have realized
prepaid rent where both parties acknowledged that the purported
purchase price for the property was substantially less than fair
market value and the purported rents were substantially less
than the fair market rentals. Because of the lack of clear
precedent and the inherently factual nature of the inquiry, the
Company cannot give complete assurance that the IRS could not
successfully assert the existence of prepaid rental income in
such circumstances. The value of property and the fair market
rent for properties involved in sale-leasebacks are inherently
factual matters and always subject to challenge.
Additionally, it should be noted that Section 467 of the
Code (concerning leases with increasing rents) may apply to
those leases of the Company that provide for rents that increase
from one period to the next. Section 467 provides that in
the case of a so-called disqualified leaseback
agreement, rental income must be accrued at a constant
rate. If such constant rent accrual is required, the Company
would recognize rental income in excess of cash rents and, as a
result, may fail to have adequate funds available to meet the
90% dividend distribution requirement. Disqualified
leaseback agreements include leaseback transactions where
a principal purpose of providing increasing rent under the
agreement is the avoidance of federal income tax. Since the
Section 467 regulations provide that rents will not be
treated as increasing for tax avoidance purposes where the
increases are based upon a fixed percentage of lessee receipts,
additional rent provisions of leases containing such clauses
should not result in these leases being disqualified leaseback
agreements. In addition, the Section 467 regulations
provide that leases providing for fluctuations in rents by no
more than a reasonable percentage, which is 15% for long-term
real property leases, from the average rent payable over the
term of the lease will be deemed to not be motivated by tax
avoidance. The Company does not believe it has rent subject to
the disqualified leaseback provisions of Section 467.
Subject to a safe harbor exception for annual sales of up to
seven properties (or properties with a basis of up to 10% of the
REITs assets) that have been held for at least four years,
gain from sales of property held for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of business is subject to a 100% tax. The
simultaneous exercise of options to acquire leased property that
may be granted to certain tenants or other events could result
in sales of properties by the Company that exceed this safe
harbor. However, the Company believes that in such event, it
will not have held such properties for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of business.
Depreciation
of Properties
For federal income tax purposes, the Companys real
property is being depreciated over 31.5, 39 or 40 years
using the straight-line method of depreciation and its personal
property over various periods utilizing accelerated and
straight-line methods of depreciation.
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Failure
to Qualify as a REIT
If the Company were to fail to qualify for federal income tax
purposes as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief
provisions were found not to apply, the Company would be subject
to tax on its taxable income at regular corporate rates (plus
any applicable alternative minimum tax). Distributions to
stockholders in any year in which the Company failed to qualify
would not be deductible by the Company nor would they be
required to be made. In such event, to the extent of current
and/or
accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to
stockholders would be taxable as qualified dividend income,
including, presumably, subject to the 15% maximum rate on
dividends created by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief
Reconciliation Act of 2003, and, subject to certain limitations
in the Code, eligible for the 70% dividends received deduction
for corporations that are REIT stockholders. However, this
reduced rate for dividend income is set to expire for taxable
years beginning after December 31, 2010. Unless entitled to
relief under specific statutory provisions, the Company would
also be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the following
four taxable years. It is not possible to state whether in all
circumstances the Company would be entitled to statutory relief
from such disqualification. Failure to qualify for even one year
could result in the Companys incurring substantial
indebtedness (to the extent borrowings were feasible) or
liquidating substantial investments in order to pay the
resulting taxes.
Taxation
of Tax-Exempt Stockholders
The IRS has issued a revenue ruling in which it held that
amounts distributed by a REIT to a tax-exempt employees
pension trust do not constitute unrelated business taxable
income, even though the REIT may have financed certain of
its activities with acquisition indebtedness. Although revenue
rulings are interpretive in nature and are subject to revocation
or modification by the IRS, based upon the revenue ruling and
the analysis therein, distributions made by the Company to a
U.S. stockholder that is a tax-exempt entity (such as an
individual retirement account (IRA) or a 401(k)
plan) should not constitute unrelated business taxable income
unless such tax-exempt U.S. stockholder has financed the
acquisition of its shares with acquisition
indebtedness within the meaning of the Code, or the shares
are otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business conducted
by such U.S. stockholder.
Special rules apply to certain tax-exempt pension funds
(including 401(k) plans but excluding IRAs or government pension
plans) that own more than 10% (measured by value) of a
pension-held REIT. Such a pension fund may be
required to treat a certain percentage of all dividends received
from the REIT during the year as unrelated business taxable
income. The percentage is equal to the ratio of the REITs
gross income (less direct expenses related thereto) derived from
the conduct of unrelated trades or businesses determined as if
the REIT were a tax-exempt pension fund (including income from
activities financed with acquisition indebtedness),
to the REITs gross income (less direct expenses related
thereto) from all sources. The special rules will not require a
pension fund to recharacterize a portion of its dividends as
unrelated business taxable income unless the percentage computed
is at least 5%.
A REIT will be treated as a pension-held REIT if the
REIT is predominantly held by tax-exempt pension funds and if
the REIT would otherwise fail to satisfy the five or fewer test
discussed above. A REIT is predominantly held by tax-exempt
pension funds if at least one tax-exempt pension fund holds more
than 25% (measured by value) of the REITs stock or
beneficial interests, or if one or more tax-exempt pension funds
(each of which owns more than 10% (measured by value) of the
REITs stock or beneficial interests) own in the aggregate
more than 50% (measured by value) of the REITs stock or
beneficial interests. The Company believes that it will not be
treated as a pension-held REIT. However, because the shares of
the Company will be publicly traded, no assurance can be given
that the Company is not or will not become a pension-held REIT.
Taxation
of Non-U.S.
Stockholders
The rules governing United States federal income taxation of any
person other than (i) a citizen or resident of the United
States, (ii) a corporation or partnership created in the
United States or under the laws of the United States or of any
state thereof, (iii) an estate whose income is includable
in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless
of its source or (iv) a trust if a court within the United
States is able to exercise primary
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supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more
United States fiduciaries have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust
(Non-U.S. Stockholders)
are highly complex, and the following discussion is intended
only as a summary of such rules. Prospective
Non-U.S. Stockholders
should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the
impact of United States federal, state, and local income tax
laws on an investment in stock of the Company, including any
reporting requirements.
In general,
Non-U.S. Stockholders
are subject to regular United States income tax with respect to
their investment in stock of the Company in the same manner as a
U.S. stockholder if such investment is effectively
connected with the
Non-U.S. Stockholders
conduct of a trade or business in the United States. A corporate
Non-U.S. Stockholder
that receives income with respect to its investment in stock of
the Company that is (or is treated as) effectively connected
with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States
also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax imposed by the
Code, which is payable in addition to regular United States
corporate income tax. The following discussion addresses only
the United States taxation of
Non-U.S. Stockholders
whose investment in stock of the Company is not effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United
States.
Ordinary
Dividends
Distributions made by the Company that are not attributable to
gain from the sale or exchange by the Company of United States
real property interests (USRPI) and that are not
designated by the Company as capital gain dividends will be
treated as ordinary income dividends to the extent made out of
current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Company.
Generally, such ordinary income dividends will be subject to
United States withholding tax at the rate of 30% on the gross
amount of the dividend paid unless reduced or eliminated by an
applicable United States income tax treaty. The Company expects
to withhold United States income tax at the rate of 30% on the
gross amount of any such dividends paid to a
Non-U.S. Stockholder
unless a lower treaty rate applies and the
Non-U.S. Stockholder
has filed an IRS
Form W-8BEN
with the Company, certifying the
Non-U.S. Stockholders
entitlement to treaty benefits.
Non-Dividend
Distributions
Distributions made by the Company in excess of its current and
accumulated earnings and profits to a
Non-U.S. Stockholder
who holds 5% or less of the stock of the Company (after
application of certain ownership rules) will not be subject to
U.S. income or withholding tax. If it cannot be determined
at the time a distribution is made whether or not such
distribution will be in excess of the Companys current and
accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be
subject to withholding at the rate applicable to a dividend
distribution. However, the
Non-U.S. Stockholder
may seek a refund from the IRS of any amount withheld if it is
subsequently determined that such distribution was, in fact, in
excess of the Companys then current and accumulated
earnings and profits.
Capital
Gain Dividends
As long as the Company continues to qualify as a REIT,
distributions made by the Company after December 31, 2005,
that are attributable to gain from the sale or exchange by the
Company of any USRPI will not be treated as effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United
States. Instead, such distributions will be treated as REIT
dividends that are not capital gains and will not be subject to
the branch profits tax as long as the
Non-U.S. Stockholder
does not hold greater than 5% of the stock of the Company at any
time during the one-year period ending on the date of the
distribution.
Non-U.S. Stockholders
who hold more than 5% of the stock of the Company will be
treated as if such gains were effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business in the United States and
generally subject to the same capital gains rates applicable to
U.S. stockholders. In addition, corporate
Non-U.S. Stockholders
may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax and to
withholding at the rate of 35% of the gross distribution.
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Disposition
of Stock of the Company
Generally, gain recognized by a
Non-U.S. Stockholder
upon the sale or exchange of stock of the Company will not be
subject to United States taxation unless such stock constitutes
a USRPI within the meaning of the Foreign Investment in Real
Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA). The stock of the
Company will not constitute a USRPI so long as the Company is a
domestically controlled REIT. A domestically
controlled REIT is a REIT in which at all times during a
specified testing period less than 50% in value of its stock or
beneficial interests are held directly or indirectly by
Non-U.S. Stockholders.
The Company believes that it will be a domestically
controlled REIT, and therefore that the sale of stock of
the Company will generally not be subject to taxation under
FIRPTA. However, because the stock of the Company is publicly
traded, no assurance can be given that the Company is or will
continue to be a domestically controlled REIT.
Under recently enacted wash sale rules applicable to
certain dispositions of interests in domestically
controlled REITs, a
Non-U.S. Stockholder
could be subject to taxation under FIRPTA on the disposition of
stock of the Company if certain conditions are met. If the
Company is a domestically controlled REIT, a
Non-U.S. Stockholder
will be treated as having disposed of USRPI, if such
Non-U.S. Stockholder
disposes of an interest in the Company in an applicable
wash sale transaction. An applicable wash sale
transaction is any transaction in which a
Non-U.S. Stockholder
avoids receiving a distribution from a REIT by
(i) disposing of an interest in a domestically
controlled REIT during the 30 day period preceding a
distribution, any portion of which distribution would have been
treated as gain from the sale of a USRPI if it had been received
by the
Non-U.S. Stockholder
and (ii) acquiring, or entering into a contract or option
to acquire, a substantially identical interest in the REIT
during the 61 day period beginning the first day of the
30 day period preceding the distribution. The wash sale
rule does not apply to a
Non-U.S. Stockholder
who actually receives the distribution from the Company or, so
long as the Company is publicly traded, to any
Non-U.S. Stockholder
holding greater than 5% of the outstanding stock of the Company
at any time during the one year period ending on the date of the
distribution.
If the Company did not constitute a domestically
controlled REIT, gain arising from the sale or exchange by
a
Non-U.S. Stockholder
of stock of the Company would be subject to United States
taxation under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI unless (i) the
stock of the Company is regularly traded (as defined
in the applicable Treasury regulations) and (ii) the
selling
Non-U.S.
Stockholders interest (after application of certain
constructive ownership rules) in the Company is 5% or less at
all times during the five years preceding the sale or exchange.
If gain on the sale or exchange of the stock of the Company were
subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the
Non-U.S. Shareholder
would be subject to regular United States income tax with
respect to such gain in the same manner as a U.S. stockholder
(subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax, a special
alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien
individuals and the possible application of the 30% branch
profits tax in the case of foreign corporations), and the
purchaser of the stock of the Company (including the Company)
would be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 10% of the
purchase price. Additionally, in such case, distributions on the
stock of the Company to the extent they represent a return of
capital or capital gain from the sale of the stock of the
Company, rather than dividends, would be subject to a 10%
withholding tax.
Capital gains not subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable
in the United States to a
Non-U.S. Stockholder
in two cases:
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Information
Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding Tax
The Company will report to its U.S. stockholders and to the
IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year and
the amount of tax withheld, if any, with respect thereto. Under
the backup withholding rules, a U.S. stockholder may be
subject to backup withholding, currently at a rate of 28% on
dividends paid unless such U.S. stockholder
Additional issues may arise pertaining to information reporting
and backup withholding with respect to
Non-U.S. Stockholders,
and
Non-U.S. Stockholders
should consult their tax advisors with respect to any such
information reporting and backup withholding requirements.
State
and Local Taxes
The Company and its stockholders may be subject to state or
local taxation in various state or local jurisdictions,
including those in which it or they transact business or reside.
The state and local tax treatment of the Company and its
stockholders may not conform to the federal income tax
consequences discussed above. Consequently, prospective holders
should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of
state and local tax laws on an investment in the stock of the
Company.
Real
Estate Investment Trust Tax Proposals
Investors must recognize that the present federal income tax
treatment of the Company may be modified by future legislative,
judicial or administrative actions or decisions at any time,
which may be retroactive in effect, and, as a result, any such
action or decision may affect investments and commitments
previously made. The rules dealing with federal income taxation
are constantly under review by persons involved in the
legislative process and by the IRS and the Treasury Department,
resulting in statutory changes as well as promulgation of new,
or revisions to existing, regulations and revised
interpretations of established concepts. No prediction can be
made as to the likelihood of the passage of any new tax
legislation or other provisions either directly or indirectly
affecting the Company or its stockholders.
Other
Legislation
The Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003
reduced the maximum individual tax rate for long-term capital
gains generally from 20% to 15% (for sales occurring after
May 6, 2003 through December 31, 2008) and for
dividends generally from 38.6% to 15% (for tax years from 2003
through 2008). These provisions have been extended through the
2010 tax year. Without future congressional action, the maximum
tax rate on long-term capital gains will return to 20% in 2011,
and the maximum rate on dividends will move to 39.6% in 2011.
Because a REIT is not generally subject to federal income tax on
the portion of its REIT taxable income or capital gains
distributed to its stockholders, distributions of dividends by a
REIT are generally not eligible for the new 15% tax rate on
dividends. As a result, the Companys ordinary REIT
dividends will continue to be taxed at the higher tax rates
(currently, a maximum of 35%) applicable to ordinary income.
ERISA
Considerations
The following is a summary of material considerations arising
under ERISA and the prohibited transaction provisions of
Section 4975 of the Code that may be relevant to a holder
of stock of the Company.
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This discussion does not propose to deal with all aspects of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or, to the extent not
preempted, state law that may be relevant to particular employee
benefit plan stockholders (including plans subject to
Title I of ERISA, other employee benefit plans and IRAs
subject to the prohibited transaction provisions of
Section 4975 of the Code, and governmental plans and church
plans that are exempt from ERISA and Section 4975 of the
Code but that may be subject to state law requirements) in light
of their particular circumstances.
A fiduciary making the decision to invest in stock of the
Company on behalf of a prospective purchaser which is an ERISA
plan, a tax-qualified retirement plan, an IRA or other employee
benefit plan is advised to consult its own legal advisor
regarding the specific considerations arising under ERISA,
Section 4975 of the Code, and (to the extent not preempted)
state law with respect to the purchase, ownership or sale of
stock by such plan or IRA.
Employee
Benefit Plans, Tax-Qualified Retirement Plans and
IRAs
Each fiduciary of an employee benefit plan subject to
Title I of ERISA (an ERISA Plan) should
carefully consider whether an investment in stock of the Company
is consistent with its fiduciary responsibilities under ERISA.
In particular, the fiduciary requirements of Part 4 of
Title I of ERISA require (i) an ERISA Plans
investments to be prudent and in the best interests of the ERISA
Plan, its participants and beneficiaries, (ii) an ERISA
Plans investments to be diversified in order to reduce the
risk of large losses, unless it is clearly prudent not to do so,
(iii) an ERISA Plans investments to be authorized
under ERISA and the terms of the governing documents of the
ERISA Plan and (iv) that the fiduciary not cause the ERISA
Plan to enter into transactions prohibited under
Section 406 of ERISA. In determining whether an investment
in stock of the Company is prudent for purposes of ERISA, the
appropriate fiduciary of an ERISA Plan should consider all of
the facts and circumstances, including whether the investment is
reasonably designed, as a part of the ERISA Plans
portfolio for which the fiduciary has investment responsibility,
to meet the objectives of the ERISA Plan, taking into
consideration the risk of loss and opportunity for gain (or
other return) from the investment, the diversification, cash
flow and funding requirements of the ERISA Plan and the
liquidity and current return of the ERISA Plans portfolio.
A fiduciary should also take into account the nature of the
Companys business, the length of the Companys
operating history and other matters described below under
Risk Factors.
The fiduciary of an IRA or of an employee benefit plan not
subject to Title I of ERISA because it is a governmental or
church plan or because it does not cover common law employees (a
Non-ERISA Plan) should consider that such an IRA or
Non-ERISA Plan may only make investments that are authorized by
the appropriate governing documents, not prohibited under
Section 4975 of the Code and permitted under applicable
state law.
Status
of the Company under ERISA
A prohibited transaction may occur if the assets of the Company
are deemed to be assets of the investing Plans and parties
in interest or disqualified persons as defined
in ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code, respectively, deal
with such assets. In certain circumstances where a Plan holds an
interest in an entity, the assets of the entity are deemed to be
Plan assets (the look-through rule). Under such
circumstances, any person that exercises authority or control
with respect to the management or disposition of such assets is
a Plan fiduciary. Plan assets are not defined in ERISA or the
Code, but the United States Department of Labor issued
regulations in 1987 (the Regulations) that outline
the circumstances under which a Plans interest in an
entity will be subject to the look-through rule.
The Regulations apply only to the purchase by a Plan of an
equity interest in an entity, such as common stock
or common shares of beneficial interest of a REIT. However, the
Regulations provide an exception to the look-through rule for
equity interests that are publicly-offered
securities.
Under the Regulations, a publicly-offered security
is a security that is (i) freely transferable,
(ii) part of a class of securities that is widely-held and
(iii) either (a) part of a class of securities that is
registered under section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act),
or (b) sold to a Plan as part of an offering of securities
to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement
under
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the Securities Act and the class of securities of which such
security is a part is registered under the Exchange Act within
120 days (or such longer period allowed by the Securities
and Exchange Commission) after the end of the fiscal year of the
issuer during which the offering of such securities to the
public occurred. Whether a security is considered freely
transferable depends on the facts and circumstances of
each case. Generally, if the security is part of an offering in
which the minimum investment is $10,000 or less, any restriction
on or prohibition against any transfer or assignment of such
security for the purposes of preventing a termination or
reclassification of the entity for federal or state tax purposes
will not of itself prevent the security from being considered
freely transferable. A class of securities is considered
widely-held if it is a class of securities that is
owned by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and of
one another.
Management believes that the stock of the Company will meet the
criteria of the publicly-offered securities exception to the
look-through rule in that the stock of the Company is freely
transferable, the minimum investment is less than $10,000 and
the only restrictions upon its transfer are those required under
federal income tax laws to maintain the Companys status as
a REIT. Second, stock of the Company is held by 100 or more
investors and at least 100 or more of these investors are
independent of the Company and of one another. Third, the stock
of the Company has been and will be part of offerings of
securities to the public pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act and will be registered under
the Exchange Act within 120 days after the end of the
fiscal year of the Company during which an offering of such
securities to the public occurs. Accordingly, management
believes that if a Plan purchases stock of the Company, the
Companys assets should not be deemed to be Plan assets
and, therefore, that any person who exercises authority or
control with respect to the Companys assets should not be
treated as a Plan fiduciary for purposes of the prohibited
transaction rules of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code.
Available
Information
The Company makes available to the public free of charge through
its internet website the Companys Proxy Statement, Annual
Report on
Form 10-K,
Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q,
Current Reports on
Form 8-K,
and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after the
Company electronically files such reports with, or furnishes
such reports to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Companys internet website address is
www.healthcarerealty.com.
The public may read and copy any materials that the Company
files with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room
located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The
public may obtain information on the operation of the Public
Reference Room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330.
The SEC also maintains electronic versions of the Companys
reports on its website at www.sec.gov.
Corporate
Governance Principles
The Company has adopted Corporate Governance Principles relating
to the conduct and operations of the Board of Directors. The
Corporate Governance Principles are posted on the Companys
website (www.healthcarerealty.com) and are available in print to
any stockholder who requests a copy.
Committee
Charters
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, Compensation
Committee, Corporate Governance Committee and Executive
Committee. The Board of Directors has adopted written charters
for each committee except for the Executive Committee, which are
posted on the Companys website (www.healthcarerealty.com)
and are available in print to any stockholder who requests a
copy.
Executive
Officers
Information regarding the executive officers of the Company is
set forth in Part III, Item 10 of this report and is
incorporated herein by reference.
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The following are some of the risks and uncertainties that could
cause the Companys actual financial condition, results of
operations, business and prospects to differ materially from
those contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained
in this report or the Companys other filings with the SEC.
These risks, as well as the risks described in Item 1 under
the headings Competition, Government
Regulation, and Federal Income Tax Information
and in Item 7 under the heading Disclosure Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements should be carefully considered
before making an investment decision regarding the Company. The
risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones
facing the Company, and there may be additional risks that the
Company does not presently know of or that the Company currently
considers not likely to have a significant impact. If any of the
events underlying the following risks actually occurred, the
Companys business, financial condition and operating
results could suffer, and the trading price of its Common Stock
could decline.
The
unavailability of equity and debt capital, volatility in the
credit markets, changes in interest rates, or changes in the
Companys debt ratings could harm its financial
position.
A REIT is required by IRS regulations to make dividend
distributions, thereby retaining less of its capital for growth.
As a result, a REIT typically grows through steady investments
of new capital in real estate assets. Presently, the Company has
sufficient capital availability. However, there may be times
when the Company will have limited access to capital from the
equity
and/or debt
markets. Recently, the capital and credit markets have become
increasingly volatile as a result of adverse conditions that
have caused the failure or near failure of large financial
services companies. If the capital and credit markets continue
to experience volatility and the availability of funds remains
limited, it is possible that the Companys ability to
access the capital and credit markets may be limited by these or
other factors, which could have an impact on its ability to
refinance maturing debt, fund dividend payments and operations,
acquire healthcare properties and complete construction projects.
Changes in the Companys debt ratings could have a material
adverse effect on its interest costs and financing sources. The
Companys debt rating can be materially influenced by a
number of factors including, but not limited to, acquisitions,
investment decisions, and capital management activities.
The
Companys revenues depend on the ability of its tenants and
sponsors under its financial support agreements to generate
sufficient income from their operations to make loan, rent and
support payments to the Company.
The Companys revenues are subject to the financial
strength of its tenants and sponsors. The Company has no
operational control over the business of these tenants and
sponsors who face a wide range of economic, competitive and
regulatory pressures and constraints. Such pressures and
constraints could materially impair these tenants and sponsors
and prevent them from making their loan, rent and support
payments to the Company which could have a negative effect on
the Companys cash flows and results of operations and its
ability to make dividend payments.
If a
healthcare tenant loses its licensure or certification, becomes
unable to provide healthcare services, cannot meet its financial
obligations to the Company or otherwise vacates the facility,
the Company would have to obtain another tenant for the affected
facility.
If the Company loses a tenant or sponsor and is unable to
attract another healthcare provider on a timely basis and on
acceptable terms, the Companys cash flows and results of
operations could suffer. In addition, many of the Companys
properties are special purpose healthcare facilities that may
not be easily adaptable to other uses. Transfers of operations
of healthcare facilities are often subject to regulatory
approvals not required for transfers of other types of
commercial operations and real estate.
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If
lenders under the Companys Unsecured Credit Facility fail
to meet their funding commitments, the Companys financial
position would be negatively impacted.
Access to external capital on favorable terms is critical to the
Companys success in growing and maintaining its portfolio.
If financial institutions within the Companys Unsecured
Credit Facility were unwilling or unable to meet their
respective funding commitments to the Company, any such failure
would have a negative impact on the Companys operations,
financial condition and ability to meet its obligations,
including the payment of dividends to stockholders.
The
Company is subject to risks associated with the development of
properties.
The Company is subject to certain risks associated with the
development of properties including the following:
The
Company may be unsuccessful in operating new and existing real
estate properties.
The Companys acquired, developed and existing real estate
properties may not perform in accordance with managements
expectations because of many factors including the following:
Further, the Company can give no assurance that acquisition and
development opportunities that will meet managements
investment criteria will be available when needed or anticipated.
The
Companys long-term master leases and financial support
agreements may expire and not be extended.
Long-term master leases and financial support agreements that
are expiring may not be extended. With respect to master leased
properties, the Company may not be able to re-let those
properties at rental rates that are as high as the former master
lease rate. With respect to properties with financial support
agreements that are not extended at expiration, the property
operating income generated from those properties may decline.
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The
market price of the Companys stock may be affected
adversely by changes in the Companys dividend
policy.
The ability of the Company to pay dividends is dependent upon
its ability to maintain funds from operations and cash flow, to
make accretive new investments and to access capital. A failure
to maintain dividend payments at current levels could result in
a reduction of the market price of the Companys stock.
Adverse
trends in the healthcare service industry may negatively affect
the Companys lease revenues and the values of its
investments.
The healthcare service industry is currently experiencing:
These changes, among others, can adversely affect the economic
performance of some or all of the tenants and sponsors who
provide financial support to the Companys investments and,
in turn, negatively affect the lease revenues and the value of
the Companys property investments.
The
Company is exposed to risks associated with entering new
geographic markets.
The Companys acquisition and development activities may
involve entering geographic markets where the Company has not
previously had a presence. The construction
and/or
acquisition of properties in new geographic areas involves
risks, including the risk that the property will not perform as
anticipated and the risk that any actual costs for site
development and improvements identified in the pre-construction
or pre-acquisition due diligence process will exceed estimates.
There is, and it is expected that there will continue to be,
significant competition for investment opportunities that meet
managements investment criteria, as well as risks
associated with obtaining financing for acquisition activities,
if necessary.
The
Company may experience uninsured or underinsured losses related
to casualty or liability.
The Company generally requires its tenants to maintain
comprehensive liability and property insurance that covers the
Company as well as the tenants. The Company also carries
comprehensive liability insurance and property insurance
covering its owned and managed properties. In addition, tenants
under long-term master leases are required to carry property
insurance covering the Companys interest in the buildings.
Some types of losses, however, either may be uninsurable or too
expensive to insure against. Should an uninsured loss or a loss
in excess of insured limits occur, the Company could lose all or
a portion of the capital it has invested in a property, as well
as the anticipated future revenue from the property. In such an
event, the Company might remain obligated for any mortgage debt
or other financial obligation related to the property. The
Company cannot give assurance that material losses in excess of
insurance proceeds will not occur in the future.
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The
Company owns facilities that are operated by companies that may
experience regulatory and legal problems.
The Companys tenants and sponsors are subject to a complex
system of federal and state regulations relating to the delivery
of healthcare services. If a tenant or sponsor experiences
regulatory or legal problems, the Company could be at risk for
amounts owed to it by the tenant under leases or financial
support agreements.
Failure
to maintain its status as a REIT, even in one taxable year,
could cause the Company to reduce its dividends
dramatically.
The Company intends to qualify at all times as a REIT under the
Code. If in any taxable year the Company does not qualify as a
REIT, it would be taxed as a corporation. As a result, the
Company could not deduct its distributions to the stockholders
in computing its taxable income. Depending upon the
circumstances, a REIT that loses its qualification in one year
may not be eligible to re-qualify during the four succeeding
years. Further, certain transactions or other events could lead
to the Company being taxed at rates ranging from four to
100 percent on certain income or gains. For more
information about the Companys status as a REIT, see
Federal Income Tax Information in Item 1 of
this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
None.
In addition to the properties described under Item 1,
Business and in Schedule III of Item 15
hereto, the Company leases office space for its headquarters.
The Companys headquarters, located in offices at
3310 West End Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee, are leased
from an unrelated third party. The Companys current lease
agreement, which commenced on November 1, 2003, covers
approximately 30,934 square feet of rented space and
expires on October 31, 2010, with two five-year renewal
options. Annual base rent was approximately $636,312 in 2008
with increases of approximately 3.25% annually.
On October 9, 2003, HR Acquisition I Corporation (f/k/a
Capstone Capital Corporation, Capstone), a wholly
owned affiliate of the Company, was served with the Third
Amended Verified Complaint in a stockholder derivative suit
which was originally filed on August 28, 2002 in the
Jefferson County, Alabama Circuit Court by a stockholder of
HealthSouth Corporation. The suit alleges that certain officers
and directors of HealthSouth, who were also officers and
directors of Capstone, sold real estate properties from
HealthSouth to Capstone and then leased the properties back to
HealthSouth at artificially high values, in violation of their
fiduciary obligations to HealthSouth. The Company acquired
Capstone in a merger transaction in October 1998. None of the
Capstone officers and directors remained in their positions
following the Companys acquisition of Capstone. The
complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
Following the settlement of a number of claims unrelated to the
claims against Capstone, the court lifted a lengthy stay on
discovery in April 2007. Discovery is substantially complete and
a trial is scheduled in May 2009. In late 2008, the Company
reached an agreement in principle with HealthSouth Corporation
to develop and lease a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital in
Arizona and to modify the terms of several existing leases. The
transactions between the Company and HealthSouth are expected to
be completed in the first quarter of 2009. The derivative
plaintiff has agreed to settle and dismiss its claims against
Capstone upon the conclusion of the transactions and the payment
by the Company and HealthSouth of approximately
$0.6 million each to the derivative plaintiffs
counsel. The settlement and dismissal of the case are subject to
a fairness hearing and court approval. The Company believes the
new development and business transactions are favorable to it
and to HealthSouth and continues to deny any liability for the
claims presented by the derivative plaintiff.
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In connection with the stockholder derivative suit discussed
above, Capstone filed a claim with its directors and
officers liability insurance carrier, Twin City Fire
Insurance Company (Twin City), an affiliate of the
Hartford family of insurance companies, for indemnity against
legal and other expenses incurred by Capstone related to the
suit and any judgment rendered. Twin City asserted that the
Companys claim was not covered under the D&O policy
and refused to reimburse Capstones defense expenses. In
September 2005, Capstone filed suit against Twin City for
coverage and performance under its insurance policy. In late
2007, the federal district judge in Birmingham, Alabama entered
partial summary judgment on Capstones claim for
advancement of defense costs under the policy under which
Capstone and Twin City agreed to an interim plan for Twin
Citys payment of defense costs, fees and expenses, subject
to Twin Citys appeal of the partial summary judgment
ruling. During 2007 and 2008, Capstone received
$2.2 million from Twin City which was recorded as an offset
to property operating expense on the Companys Consolidated
Statements of Income. On November 3, 2008, Capstone
accepted Twin Citys oral offer to settle the dispute over
coverage which provided that Capstone would retain monies
received to date from Twin City of $2.2 million, and Twin
City would pay Capstone an additional $0.3 million for
additional incurred but unreimbursed expenses. Also on
November 3, 2008, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals
issued a written opinion reversing the lower courts ruling
and ruled that the Twin City policy did not provide coverage to
Capstone. Given the outcome of the appellate courts
ruling, Twin City asserted that no enforceable contract to
settle existed. Capstone filed suit against Twin City on
January 20, 2009 in the federal district court for the
Middle District of Tennessee for breach of contract and to
enforce the terms of the November 2008 oral agreement to settle.
Capstone and Twin City reached an agreement to settle and
dismiss the breach of contract action on February 13, 2009.
The terms of the settlement require Capstone to refund $950,000
of the $2.2 million in legal fees and expenses Twin City
previously reimbursed. As a result, the Company accrued the
$950,000 refund to property operating expense in its 2008
operating results.
In October 2008, the Company and Methodist Health System
Foundation, Inc. (the Foundation) agreed to settle a
lawsuit filed against the Company by the Foundation. In May
2006, the Foundation filed suit against a wholly owned affiliate
of the Company in the Civil District Court for Orleans Parish,
Louisiana. The Foundation is the sponsor under property
operating agreements which support two of the Companys
medical office buildings adjoining the Methodist Hospital in
east New Orleans, which has remained closed since Hurricane
Katrina struck in August 2005. Since Hurricane Katrina, the
Foundation had ceased making payments to the Company under its
property operating agreements. In connection with the
settlement, the Foundation agreed to pay to the Company
approximately $8.6 million, of which $3.0 million was
paid on December 31, 2008, and granted the Company an
option to purchase the Foundations interest in the
associated land and related ground leases for $50,000. The
Foundation will pay the remaining $5.6 million in quarterly
installments of approximately $0.5 million, beginning on
March 31, 2009 and continuing through and including
September 30, 2011. The Foundation will have no further
guaranty payment obligations under the modified property
operating agreements beyond the amounts payable under the
settlement agreement.
The Company is not aware of any other pending or threatened
litigation that, if resolved against the Company, would have a
material adverse effect on the Companys financial
condition or results of operations.
No matter was submitted to a vote of stockholders during the
fourth quarter of 2008.
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PART II
Shares of the Companys Common Stock are traded on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol HR. As of
December 31, 2008, there were approximately 1,394
stockholders of record. The following table sets forth the high
and low sales prices per share of Common Stock and the
distributions declared and paid per share of Common Stock
related to the periods indicated.
Future distributions will be declared and paid at the discretion
of the Board of Directors. The Companys ability to pay
dividends is dependent upon its ability to generate funds from
operations, cash flows, and to make accretive new investments.
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31,
2008 about the Companys Common Stock that may be issued
upon grants of restricted stock and the exercise of options,
warrants and rights under all of the Companys existing
compensation plans, including the 2007 Employees Stock Incentive
Plan, the 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the 1994 Dividend
Reinvestment Plan, and the 1995 Restricted Stock Plan for
Non-Employee Directors.
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The following table sets forth financial information for the
Company, which is derived from the Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company:
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Disclosure
Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report and other materials Healthcare Realty has filed
or may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well
as information included in oral statements or other written
statements made, or to be made, by senior management of the
Company, contain, or will contain, disclosures that are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements include all statements that do not relate solely to
historical or current facts and can be identified by the use of
words such as may, will,
expect, believe, anticipate,
target, intend, plan,
estimate, project, continue,
should, could and other comparable
terms. These forward-looking statements are based on the current
plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number
of risks and uncertainties, including those set forth below,
that could significantly affect the Companys current plans
and expectations and future financial condition and results.
Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the
following:
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Other risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected are detailed
in Item 1A Risk Factors of this report and in other
reports filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time.
The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise. Stockholders and
investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on such
forward-looking statements when evaluating the information
presented in the Companys filings and reports.
Overview
Business
Overview
The Company, a self-managed and self-administered REIT,
integrates owning, managing and developing income-producing real
estate properties associated primarily with the delivery of
outpatient healthcare services throughout the United States.
Management believes that by providing a complete spectrum of
real estate services, the Company can differentiate its
competitive market position, expand its asset base and increase
revenues over time.
The Companys revenues are generally derived from rentals
on its healthcare real estate properties. The Company incurs
operating and administrative expenses, including compensation,
office rent and other related occupancy costs, as well as
various expenses incurred in connection with managing its
existing portfolio and acquiring additional properties. The
Company also incurs interest expense on its various debt
instruments and depreciation and amortization expense on its
real estate portfolio.
Executive
Overview
Over the last few years, the market for quality medical office
and other outpatient-related facilities attracted many
non-traditional
and/or
highly-leveraged buyers, which resulted in a significant
increase in the competition for these assets. The recent and
ongoing turmoil in the credit markets, however, has resulted in
the Company seeing fewer buyers competing for such properties,
which has provided more opportunities to acquire real estate
properties with attractive risk-adjusted returns. While
management has observed only a slight decrease in asset prices,
the Companys relatively conservative capital structure
positions it well to take advantage of the current credit market
dislocation and any resulting future decline in asset prices. In
2008, the Company acquired approximately $335.6 million in
real estate assets and funded $8.0 million in a new
mortgage note receivable. In January 2009, the Company acquired
the remaining membership interest in a joint venture in which it
previously held a minority interest for approximately
$4.4 million and assumed related debt of approximately
$12.8 million. The entity acquired by the Company owns a
62,246 square foot on-campus medical office building. See
Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more
details on these acquisitions.
The Company believes that its construction projects will provide
solid, long-term investment returns and high quality buildings.
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had four construction
projects underway with budgets totaling approximately
$174.0 million. The Company expects completion of the core
and shell of three of the projects with budgets totaling
approximately $88.0 million during 2009 and expects
completion of the fourth project with a budget totaling
approximately $86.0 million in the first quarter of 2010.
In addition to the projects currently under construction, the
Company is financing an on-campus medical office development of
an outpatient campus comprised of six facilities, with a total
budget of approximately $72 million, of which the Company
has already advanced $42.2 million. The Company expects to
finance the remaining $29.8 million during 2009 and 2010.
With respect to five of the six facilities, the Company will
have an option to purchase each such facility at a market cap
rate upon its completion and full occupancy. The sixth facility
is being acquired by the tenant.
The Companys real estate portfolio, diversified by
facility type, geography, tenant and payor mix, helps mitigate
its exposure to fluctuating economic conditions, tenant and
sponsor credit risks, and changes in clinical practice patterns.
At December 31, 2008, the Companys leverage ratio
[debt divided by (debt plus
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stockholders equity less intangible assets plus
accumulated depreciation)] was approximately 45.0% with 64.6% of
its debt portfolio maturing after 2010. The Company had
borrowings outstanding under its Unsecured Credit Facility
totaling $329.0 million at December 31, 2008, with a
capacity remaining of $71.0 million.
Capital and Credit Market Conditions
The capital and credit markets have become increasingly volatile
as a result of adverse conditions that have caused the failure
or near failure of a number of large financial institutions. The
Company believes its conservative capital structure will foster
stable operations throughout this time with no debt maturities
in 2009, its $400 million Unsecured Credit Facility
maturing in January 2010 and its two $300 million Senior
Notes maturing in 2011 and 2014. However, continued volatility
in the markets could limit the Companys ability to access
debt or equity markets when needed which, in turn, could impact
the Companys ability to invest in real estate assets,
refinance maturing debt and react to changing economic and
business conditions. The Companys debt ratings could also
be affected, adversely impacting its interest costs and
financing sources. The Company also had unencumbered real estate
assets of approximately $1.9 billion at December 31,
2008, which could serve as collateral for secured mortgage
financing. Furthermore, the Company anticipates renewing its
Unsecured Credit Facility during 2009 and believes that
sufficient commitments will be available to the Company, but
believes that the interest rate upon renewal will likely be
higher than its current rate (LIBOR + 0.90%).
Trends
and Matters Impacting Operating Results
Management monitors factors and trends important to the Company
and REIT industry in order to gauge the potential impact on the
operations of the Company. Discussed below are some of the
factors and trends that management believes may impact future
operations of the Company.
As of December 31, 2008, approximately 35.7% of the
Companys real estate investments consisted of properties
leased to unaffiliated lessees pursuant to long-term net lease
agreements or subject to financial support agreements;
approximately 59.8% were multi-tenanted properties with
shorter-term occupancy leases; and the remaining 4.5% of
investments were related to land held for development, corporate
property, mortgage notes receivable and investments in
unconsolidated joint ventures which are invested in real estate
properties. The Companys long-term net leases and
financial support agreements are generally designed to ensure
the continuity of revenues and coverage of costs and expenses
relating to the properties by the tenants and the sponsoring
healthcare operators. There is no assurance that the
Companys leases and financial support agreements will be
extended past their expiration dates which could impact the
Companys operating results as described in more detail
below in Expiring Leases and Financial Support
Agreements.
Acquisition
Activity
During 2008, the Company acquired 27 real estate properties and
funded a mortgage note receivable for approximately
$294.5 million and assumed related debt of approximately
$43.4 million, net of fair value adjustments, including an
80% interest in a joint venture that concurrently acquired four
buildings for an investment of $28.8 million. These
acquisitions were funded with net proceeds from an equity
offering in September 2008 totaling $196.0 million, the
assumption of existing mortgage debt, borrowings on the
Unsecured Credit Facility, and proceeds from real estate
dispositions. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements for more information on these acquisitions.
Development
Activity
During 2008, five buildings that were previously under
construction commenced operations and one construction project
was reclassified to land held for development, resulting in four
construction projects remaining that were underway at
December 31, 2008 with budgets totaling approximately
$174.0 million. The Company expects completion of the core
and shell of three of the four projects with budgets totaling
approximately $88.0 million during 2009 and expects the
core and shell of the fourth project with a budget totaling
approximately $86.0 million to be completed during the
first quarter of 2010. In addition to the
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projects currently under construction, the Company is financing
an on-campus medical office development of an outpatient campus
comprised of six facilities, with a total budget of
approximately $72 million, of which the Company has already
advanced $42.2 million. The Company expects to finance the
remaining $29.8 million during 2009 and 2010. With respect
to five of the six facilities, the Company will have an option
to purchase each such facility at a market cap rate upon its
completion and full occupancy. The sixth facility is being
acquired by the tenant. The Companys ability to complete,
lease-up and
operate these facilities in a given period of time will impact
the Companys results of operations and cash flows. More
favorable completion dates,
lease-up
periods and rental rates will result in improved results of
operations and cash flows, while lagging completion dates,
lease-up
periods and rental rates will likely result in less favorable
results of operations and cash flows. The Companys
disclosures regarding projections or estimates of completion
dates and leasing may not reflect actual results. See
Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more
information on the Companys development activities.
Dispositions
During 2008, the Company disposed of seven real estate
properties for approximately $27.1 million and disposed of
two parcels of land for approximately $9.8 million. Also, a
portion of the Companys preferred equity investment in a
joint venture was redeemed for $5.5 million and one
mortgage note receivable totaling approximately $2.5 million was
repaid. Proceeds from these dispositions were used to repay
amounts under the Unsecured Credit Facility and to fund
additional real estate investments. See Note 4 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on these
dispositions.
2009
Potential Acquisitions and Dispositions
As discussed in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements, the Company had several acquisitions and
dispositions pending at December 31, 2008 that will impact
the Companys operating results for 2009 when or if those
transactions are completed.
Purchase
Option Provisions
As discussed in Liquidity and Capital Resources,
certain of the Companys leases include purchase option
provisions, which if exercised, could require the Company to
sell a property to a lessee or operator, which could have a
negative impact on the Companys future results of
operations and cash flows.
Expiring
Leases and Financial Support Agreements
Master leases on 14 of the Companys properties will expire
in 2009. The Company has decided not to extend the master leases
relating to about one-half of these properties. The master
leases the Company has decided not to extend are multi-tenanted
properties on or near hospital campuses and in locations where
the Company already has existing management capabilities. With
respect to the remaining properties, the Company believes that
either the current tenants will extend their leases or the
Company will lease the property to another single tenant.
Approximately 440 of the Companys leases in its
multi-tenanted buildings will expire in 2009, with each tenant
lessee occupying an average of approximately 3,188 square
feet. Approximately 60% of the multi-tenant leases expiring in
2009 relate to buildings acquired in 2004, in which each lessee
occupies approximately 3,200 square feet. About 43% of the
2004 leases expiring were signed with hospital-related entities
upon closing of the real estate property acquisitions, and the
remainder of the leases are related to non-hospital tenants.
Historically, hospital-related tenants who occupy space in
on-campus buildings have a high probability of renewal. Also,
management expects that the majority of the non-hospital tenants
will renew at favorable rates.
One of the Companys financial support agreements also
expires in 2009. The Company does not expect the sponsor to
extend its agreement with the Company.
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With the expirations discussed above, the Company expects there
could be a short-term negative impact to its results of
operations, but anticipates that over time it will be able to
re-lease the properties or increase tenant rents to offset any
short-term decline in revenue.
Discontinued
Operations
In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
(SFAS No. 144), discussed in more detail
in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, a
company must present the results of operations of real estate
assets disposed of or held for sale as discontinued operations.
Therefore, the results of operations from such assets are
classified as discontinued operations for the current period,
and all prior periods presented are restated to conform to the
current period presentation. Readers of the Companys
Consolidated Financial Statements should be aware that each
future disposal will result in a change to the presentation of
the Companys operations in the historical Consolidated
Statements of Income as previously filed. Such reclassifications
to the Consolidated Statements of Income will have no impact on
previously reported net income.
Amortization
of In-Place Leases
As discussed in Application of Critical Accounting
Policies to Accounting Estimates and in Note 1 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements, when a building is acquired
with in-place leases, SFAS No. 141, Business
Combinations (SFAS No. 141),
requires that the cost of the acquisition be allocated between
the tangible real estate and the intangible assets related to
in-place leases based on their fair values. Where appropriate,
the intangible assets recorded could include goodwill, ground
leases or customer relationship assets. The value of above- or
below-market in-place leases is amortized against rental income
or property operating expense over the average remaining term of
the leases in-place upon acquisition. The amortization periods
of the intangibles may be relatively short, such as with a
short-term tenant lease, or may be longer, such as with a
long-term ground lease. The value of at-market in-place leases
and other intangible assets is amortized and reflected in
amortization expense in the Companys Consolidated
Statements of Income. Amortization expense related to these
in-place leases may increase or decrease because of new in-place
leases recorded related to new real estate acquisitions or
because of in-place leases becoming fully amortized.
Funds
from Operations
Funds from operations (FFO) and FFO per share are
operating performance measures adopted by the National
Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc.
(NAREIT). NAREIT defines FFO as the most commonly
accepted and reported measure of a REITs operating
performance equal to net income (computed in accordance
with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property,
plus depreciation and amortization, and after adjustments for
unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. Impairment
charges may not be added back to net income in calculating FFO,
which have the effect of decreasing FFO in the period recorded.
In 2008, the Company recognized additional income for certain
items which increased FFO, including net gains on repurchases of
the Companys Senior Notes due 2011 and 2014 of
approximately $4.1 million, termination fees of
approximately $8.0 million and the recognition of
straight-line rent income for prior years related to a joint
venture of approximately $0.8 million, which were partially
offset by a reserve recorded on an outstanding receivable of
approximately $1.4 million and a $1.0 million accrual
recorded related to a litigation settlement. These items had the
net effect of increasing FFO by approximately $0.20 per share
for the year ended December 31, 2008. Also, for the years
ended 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded impairment
charges totaling $2.5 million, $7.1 million and
$5.7 million, respectively, which reduced FFO per diluted
share by approximately $0.05, $0.15 and $0.12, respectively. The
comparability of FFO for the three years ending
December 31, 2008 is also impacted by the senior living
asset dispositions during 2007, because of the elimination of
the operations of the divested assets. FFO and FFO per share
generated by the senior living assets disposed of during 2007
totaled approximately $10.2 million, or $0.22 per basic
common share ($0.21 per diluted common share), for the year
ended December 31, 2007 and approximately
$29.1 million, or $0.63 per basic common share ($0.61 per
diluted common share), for the year ended December 31, 2006.
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Management believes FFO and FFO per share to be supplemental
measures of a REITs performance because they provide an
understanding of the operating performance of the Companys
properties without giving effect to certain significant non-cash
items, primarily depreciation and amortization expense.
Historical cost accounting for real estate assets in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles,
(GAAP), assumes that the value of real estate assets
diminishes predictably over time. However, real estate values
instead have historically risen or fallen with market
conditions. The Company believes that by excluding the effect of
depreciation, amortization and gains from sales of real estate,
all of which are based on historical costs and which may be of
limited relevance in evaluating current performance, FFO and FFO
per share can facilitate comparisons of operating performance
between periods. Management uses FFO and FFO per share to
compare and evaluate its own operating results from period to
period, and to monitor the operating results of the
Companys peers in the REIT industry. The Company reports
FFO and FFO per share because these measures are observed by
management to also be the predominant measures used by the REIT
industry and by industry analysts to evaluate REITs and because
FFO per share is consistently reported, discussed, and compared
by research analysts in their notes and publications about
REITs. For these reasons, management has deemed it appropriate
to disclose and discuss FFO and FFO per share. However, FFO does
not represent cash generated from operating activities
determined in accordance with GAAP and is not necessarily
indicative of cash available to fund cash needs. FFO should not
be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of
the Companys operating performance or as an alternative to
cash flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity.
The table below reconciles net income to FFO for the three years
ended December 31, 2008.
Results
of Operations
2008
Compared to 2007
The Companys net income for 2008 compared to 2007 was
impacted by senior living asset dispositions in 2007 and the
resulting gain on sale. However, the comparability of revenues
and income from continuing operations for 2007 and 2006 was not
impacted by the disposition because the results of operations of
the assets disposed of are included in discontinued operations
for both periods. Included in the sale were 56 real estate
properties in which the Company had investments totaling
approximately $328.4 million ($259.9 million, net), 16
mortgage notes and notes receivable in which the Company had
investments totaling approximately $63.2 million, and
certain other assets and liabilities related to the assets. The
Company received cash proceeds from the sale of approximately
$369.4 million, recorded a deferred gain of approximately
$5.7 million and recognized a net gain of approximately
$40.2 million. The proceeds were used to pay a special
dividend to the Companys stockholders of approximately
$227.2 million, or $4.75 per share, to repay amounts
outstanding on the Companys Unsecured Credit Facility, to
pay transaction costs and were used for general corporate
purposes. The transaction also included the sale of all 21 of
the properties associated with the
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Companys variable interest entities (VIEs),
including the six VIEs the Company had previously consolidated.
Revenues, including the revenues from the VIEs, were
approximately $27.4 million and net income was
approximately $8.4 million for the senior living assets for
the year ended December 31, 2007, which are included in
discontinued operations on the Consolidated Statement of Income.
For the year ended December 31, 2008, net income was
$41.7 million, or $0.81 per basic common share ($0.79 per
diluted common share), compared to net income of
$60.1 million, or $1.26 per basic common share ($1.24 per
diluted common share), for the year ended December 31,
2007. Revenues from continuing operations were
$214.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008
compared to revenues from continuing operations of
$197.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
FFO was $85.4 million, or $1.66 per basic common share
($1.63 per diluted common share), for the year ended
December 31, 2008 compared to $73.2 million, or $1.54
per basic common share ($1.51 per diluted common share), in 2007.
Total revenues from continuing operations for the year ended
December 31, 2008 increased $16.9 million, or 8.5%,
compared to 2007 for primarily the following reasons:
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Total expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008
compared to the year ended December 31, 2007 increased
$21.2 million, or 15.2%, for primarily the following
reasons:
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Other income (expense) for the year ended December 31, 2008
compared to the year ended December 31, 2007 decreased
$11.3 million, or 24.0%, for primarily the following
reasons:
Income from discontinued operations totaled $23.5 million
and $48.8 million for the years ended December 31,
2008 and 2007, respectively, which includes the results of
operations, net gains and impairments related to property
disposals during 2008 and 2007 and properties held for sale as
of December 31, 2008. The Company disposed of seven
properties and two parcels of land in 2008, 59 properties in
2007, and had 12 properties classified as held for sale at
December 31, 2008. Income from discontinued operations for
2008 also included a $7.2 million fee received from an
operator to terminate its financial support agreement with the
Company in connection with the disposition of the property.
2007
Compared to 2006
The comparability of net income and net income per share for
2007 and 2006 was impacted by senior living asset dispositions
in 2007 and the resulting gain on sale. However, the
comparability of revenues and income from continuing operations
for 2007 and 2006 was not impacted by the disposition because
the results of operations of the assets disposed of are included
in discontinued operations for both periods. See Note 4 to
the Companys Consolidated Financial Statements for more
information on the sale of the senior living assets.
For the year ended December 31, 2007, net income was
$60.1 million, or $1.26 per basic common share ($1.24 per
diluted common share), compared to net income of
$39.7 million, or $0.85 per basic common share ($0.84 per
diluted common share), for the year ended December 31,
2006. Revenues from continuing operations were
$197.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007
compared to revenues from continuing operations of
$198.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.
FFO was $73.2 million, or $1.54 per
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basic common share ($1.51 per diluted common share), for the
year ended December 31, 2007 compared to
$101.1 million, or $2.17 per basic common share ($2.13 per
diluted common share), in 2006.
Total revenues from continuing operations for the year ended
December 31, 2007 decreased $0.8 million, or 0.4%,
compared to 2006 for primarily the following reasons:
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Total expenses for the year ended December 31, 2007
compared to the year ended December 31, 2006 increased
$1.4 million, or 1.0%, for primarily the following reasons:
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Other income (expense) for the year ended December 31, 2007
compared to the year ended December 31, 2006 decreased
$2.9 million, or 5.8%, for primarily the following reasons:
Income from discontinued operations totaled $48.8 million
and $29.1 million for the years ended December 31,
2007 and 2006, respectively, which includes the results of
operations, net gains and impairments related to property
disposals during the three-year period ended December 31,
2008 and properties classified as held for sale at
December 31, 2008. The Company disposed of seven properties
and two parcels of land in 2008, 59 properties in 2007, and
eight properties in 2006, and had 12 properties classified as
held for sale at December 31, 2008.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
The Company derives most of its revenues from its real estate
property portfolio based on contractual arrangements with its
tenants and sponsors. The Company may, from time to time, also
generate funds from capital market financings, sales of real
estate properties or mortgages, borrowings under its Unsecured
Credit Facility, secured debt borrowings, or from other private
debt or equity offerings. For the year ended December 31,
2008, the Company generated approximately $106.6 million in
cash from operations and used $111.0 million in total cash
from investing and financing activities as detailed in the
Companys Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Capital
and Credit Market Conditions
The Company may from time to time raise additional capital by
issuing equity and debt securities under its currently effective
shelf registration statement or by private offerings. Access to
capital markets impacts the Companys ability to refinance
existing indebtedness as it matures and fund future acquisitions
and development through the issuance of additional securities.
The Companys ability to access capital on favorable terms
is dependent on various factors, including general market
conditions, interest rates, credit ratings on its debt,
perception of its potential future earnings and cash
distributions, and the market price of its capital stock.
Recently, the capital and credit markets have become
increasingly volatile as a result of adverse conditions that
have caused the failure or near failure of a number of large
financial institutions. Continued volatility in the markets
could limit the Companys ability to access debt or equity
markets when it needs or wants access to those markets which, in
turn, could impact the Companys cost of capital, ability
to invest in real estate assets, pay its dividend at current
levels, refinance maturing debt and react to changing economic
and business conditions. Further, the Companys debt
ratings could be affected which could have an adverse effect on
its interest costs and financing sources. The Company had
unencumbered real estate assets of approximately
$1.9 billion at December 31, 2008, which could serve
as collateral for secured mortgage financing. Furthermore, the
Company anticipates renewing its Unsecured Credit Facility
during 2009 and believes that sufficient commitments will be
available to the Company, but anticipates that the interest rate
will likely be higher than its current rate (LIBOR + 0.90%).
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Key
Indicators
The Company monitors its liquidity and capital resources and
relies on several key indicators in its assessment of capital
markets for financing acquisitions and other operating
activities as needed, including the following:
The Company uses these indicators and others to compare its
operations to its peers and to help identify areas in which the
Company may need to focus its attention.
Contractual
Obligations
The Company monitors its contractual obligations to ensure funds
are available to meet obligations when due. The following table
represents the Companys long-term contractual obligations
for which the Company was making payments as of
December 31, 2008, including interest payments due where
applicable. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had no
long-term capital lease or purchase obligations. The following
table includes the Companys contractual obligations as of
December 31, 2008.
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The Company has a $400 million credit facility with a
syndicate of 10 banks. On October 20, 2008, the
Company exercised its option to extend the termination date of
the Unsecured Credit Facility from January 23, 2009 until
January 25, 2010 and paid a 20 basis point fee, or
$0.8 million, for the extension, as provided in the credit
agreement. Loans outstanding under the Unsecured Credit Facility
(other than swing line loans and competitive bid advances) bear
interest at a rate equal to (x) LIBOR or the base rate
(defined as the higher of the Bank of America prime rate and the
Federal Funds rate plus 0.50%), plus (y) a margin ranging
from 0.60% to 1.20% (0.90% at December 31, 2008), based
upon the Companys unsecured debt ratings. The
weighted-average rate on borrowings outstanding as of
December 31, 2008 was approximately 1.6%. Additionally, the
Company pays a facility fee per annum on the aggregate amount of
commitments. The facility fee may range from 0.15% to 0.30% per
annum (0.20% at December 31, 2008), based on the
Companys unsecured debt ratings. The Unsecured Credit
Facility contains certain representations, warranties, and
financial and other covenants customary in such loan agreements.
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had borrowing capacity
remaining of approximately $71.0 million under the
Unsecured Credit Facility. Also, as of December 31, 2008,
64.6% of the Companys debt balances were due after 2010
and the Unsecured Credit Facility, the Companys only
variable rate debt, was approximately 34% of total debt.
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Moodys Investors Service, Standard and Poors, and
Fitch Ratings rate the Companys senior debt Baa3, BBB-,
and BBB, respectively. For the year ended December 31,
2008, the Companys earnings from continuing operations
covered fixed charges at a ratio of 1.23 to 1.00; the
Companys stockholders equity totaled approximately
$794.8 million; and the Companys leverage ratio [debt
divided by (debt plus stockholders equity less intangible
assets plus accumulated depreciation)] was approximately 45.0%.
As of December 31, 2008, the Company was in compliance with
its financial covenant provisions under its various debt
instruments.
Senior
Note Repurchases
The Company repurchased $13.7 million of its Senior Notes
due 2011 and $35.3 million of its Senior Notes due 2014,
amortized a pro-rata portion of the premium or discount related
to the notes and recognized a net gain on extinguishment of debt
totaling $4.1 million for the year ended December 31,
2008. The Company may elect, from time to time, to repurchase
and retire its notes when market conditions are appropriate.
Equity
Offering
On September 29, 2008, the Company sold
8,050,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per
share, at $25.50 per share in an underwritten public offering,
including 1,050,000 shares sold pursuant to the
underwriters overallotment option. The shares of common
stock were sold pursuant to the Companys existing
effective shelf registration statement. The net proceeds of the
offering, after underwriting discounts and commissions and
estimated offering expenses, were approximately
$196.0 million. The net proceeds from the offering were
applied to acquisitions of real estate properties and for other
general corporate purposes. Pending such uses, the Company
applied the net proceeds to outstanding indebtedness under its
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