Rule No. 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 33-63687
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated November 7, 1995)
$40,000,000
[LOGO OF FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST APPEARS HERE]
6 5/8% NOTES DUE 2005
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The Notes will mature on December 1, 2005. Interest on the Notes is payable
on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing June 1, 1996. The Notes are
not redeemable prior to maturity. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the
Trust and will rank equally with all unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness
of the Trust. The Notes will contain certain restrictions on the Trust's
ability to incur additional indebtedness. See "Description of Notes--
Covenants."
The Notes will be represented by a single Global Security (as defined herein)
registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its nominee.
Interests in the Global Security will be shown on, and transfers thereof will
be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.
Except as described in "Description of Notes--Book-Entry System," Notes in
definitive form will not be issued. The Notes will trade in DTC's Same-Day
Funds Settlement System until maturity, and secondary market trading activity
in the Notes will therefore settle in immediately available funds. All payments
of principal and interest will be made by the Trust in immediately available
funds. See "Description of Notes--Same-Day Settlement and Payment."
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS TO WHICH
IT RELATES. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR ENDORSED THE
MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
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PRICE UNDERWRITING
TO DISCOUNTS AND PROCEEDS TO
PUBLIC(1) COMMISSIONS(2) TRUST(1)(3)
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Per Note................................. 100% .70% 99.30%
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Total.................................... $40,000,000 $280,000 $39,720,000
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(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from December 8, 1995.
(2) The Trust has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
(3) Before deducting estimated expenses of $60,000 payable by the Trust.
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The Notes are offered by the Underwriter, subject to prior sale, when, as and
if delivered to and accepted by the Underwriter, and subject to its right to
reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of the Notes
will be made on or about December 8, 1995 through the book-entry facilities of
DTC against payment therefor in immediately available funds.
Alex. Brown & Sons
INCORPORATED
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS DECEMBER 4, 1995.
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO
GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
TRUST OR THE UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE
NOTES OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY PERSON OR BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT
IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN
IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITER MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE NOTES AT A
LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
PAGE
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The Trust.................................................................. S-3
Recent Developments........................................................ S-3
Use of Proceeds............................................................ S-3
Description of Notes....................................................... S-4
Underwriting............................................................... S-9
PROSPECTUS
Available Information....................................................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................. 2
The Trust................................................................... 3
Use of Proceeds............................................................. 4
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges......................................... 4
Description of Debt Securities.............................................. 4
Description of Preferred Shares............................................. 16
Description of Common Shares................................................ 22
Plan of Distribution........................................................ 24
Legal Opinions.............................................................. 25
Experts..................................................................... 25
S-2
THE TRUST
Federal Realty Investment Trust (the "Trust") is an owner, operator and
redeveloper of community and neighborhood shopping centers and retail
buildings. Founded in 1962, the Trust is a self-administered real estate
investment trust that manages, leases and supervises renovation of its
properties. At September 30, 1995, the Trust owned 67 retail properties,
primarily community and neighborhood shopping centers. At September 30, 1995,
the occupancy rate of the core shopping center portfolio (which excludes
centers acquired in the previous twelve months and centers under redevelopment)
was 95%. Including all shopping centers owned at September 30, 1995, the
occupancy rate was 95%.
The Trust, a District of Columbia business trust of unlimited duration,
maintains its offices at 4800 Hampden Lane, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 (telephone
301/652-3360).
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On November 30, 1995, the Trust acquired the 47,000 square foot Park & Shop
retail center located in Washington, D.C. for $11.0 million in cash. On
December 1, 1995, the Trust purchased a retail building in Evanston, Illinois
for $2.6 million in cash. The Trust intends to continue its acquisition of
retail properties, both shopping center and main street retail buildings, and
redevelopment activities in 1995 and 1996. Acquisitions are targeted for the
Trust's core major metropolitan markets of New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia,
Baltimore/Washington, D.C. as well as the Chicago, Illinois and Boston,
Massachusetts markets. In addition, the Trust is also pursuing site
acquisitions in its core markets to permit the Trust to develop new shopping
centers.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to the Trust from the sale of the Notes offered hereby, are
estimated to be $39,660,000. The Trust intends to use the majority of the
proceeds to repay debt, principally the Trust's revolving credit facilities.
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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
The following description of the particular terms of the Notes offered
hereby (referred to in the accompanying Prospectus as the "Debt Securities")
supplements, and to the extent inconsistent therewith replaces, the
description of the general terms and provisions of Debt Securities set forth
in the Prospectus, to which description reference is hereby made. The
following statements relating to the Notes and the Senior Indenture are
summaries of provisions contained therein and do not purport to be complete.
Such statements are qualified by reference to the provisions of the Notes and
the Senior Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms. The
Senior Indenture is an exhibit to the registration statement of which the
Prospectus accompanying this Prospectus Supplement is a part. Capitalized
terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in
the Prospectus.
GENERAL
The 6 5/8% Notes Due 2005 (the "Notes") will be limited to $40,000,000
aggregate principal amount and will mature on December 1, 2005. The Notes will
not be redeemable prior to maturity. The Notes will be unsecured and
unsubordinated obligations of the Trust and will rank equally with other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Trust.
The Notes will only be issued in fully registered book-entry form without
coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof, except
under the limited circumstances described below under "--Book-Entry System."
INTEREST
The Notes will bear interest at the rate set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus Supplement from December 8, 1995, or the most recent Interest
Payment Date (as defined below) to which interest has been paid or provided
for, payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning
June 1, 1996 (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), to the person in whose name a
Note (or any predecessor Note) is registered at the close of business on the
May 15 or November 15, as the case may be, next preceding such Interest
Payment Date.
COVENANTS
Limitations on Incurrence of Debt. The Notes will provide that the Trust
will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Debt (as defined
below) if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and
the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all
outstanding Debt of the Trust and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is
greater than 65% of the sum of (without duplication) (i) the Trust's Total
Assets as of the end of the calendar quarter covered in the Trust's Annual
Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, most
recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or, if such filing
is not permitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with the Trustee)
prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt and (ii) the purchase price of
any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any
securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not
used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce
Debt), by the Trust or any Subsidiary since the end of such calendar quarter,
including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such
additional Debt.
In addition to the foregoing limitation on the incurrence of Debt, the Notes
will provide that the Trust will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to,
incur any Debt secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, encumbrance or
security interest of any kind upon any of the property of the Trust or any
Subsidiary if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt
and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of
all outstanding Debt of the Trust and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
which is secured by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge,
S-4
encumbrance or security interest on property of the Trust or any Subsidiary is
greater than 40% of the Trust's Total Assets; provided that for purposes of
this limitation, the amount of obligations under capital leases shown as a
liability on the Trust's consolidated balance sheet shall be deducted from
Debt and from Total Assets.
In addition to the foregoing limitations on the incurrence of Debt, the
Notes will provide that the Trust will not and will not permit any Subsidiary
to, incur any Senior Debt if the ratio of Consolidated Income Available for
Senior Debt Service (as defined below) to the Annual Senior Debt Service
Charge (as defined below) for the four consecutive fiscal quarters most
recently ended prior to the date on which such Senior Debt is to be incurred
shall have been less than 1.5, on an unaudited pro forma basis after giving
effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, and
calculated on the assumption that (i) such Senior Debt and any other Senior
Debt incurred by the Trust and its Subsidiaries since the first day of such
four-quarter period and the application of the proceeds therefrom, including
to refinance other Senior Debt, had occurred at the beginning of such period;
(ii) the repayment or retirement of any other Senior Debt by the Trust and its
Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period had been
incurred, repaid or retired at the beginning of such period (except that, in
making such computation, the amount of Senior Debt under any revolving credit
facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Senior
Debt during such period); (iii) in the case of Acquired Debt (as defined
below) or Senior Debt incurred in connection with any acquisition since the
first day of such four-quarter period, the related acquisition had occurred as
of the first day of such period with the appropriate adjustments with respect
to such acquisition being included in such unaudited pro forma calculation;
and (iv) in the case of any acquisition or disposition by the Trust or its
Subsidiaries of any asset or group of assets since the first day of such four-
quarter period, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset purchase
or sale, such acquisition or disposition or any related repayment of Senior
Debt had occurred as of the first day of such period with the appropriate
adjustments with respect to such acquisition or disposition being included in
such unaudited pro forma calculation.
Furthermore, the Notes also will provide that the Trust will not, and will
not permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Debt if the ratio of Consolidated
Income Available for Debt Service (as defined below) to the Annual Debt
Service Charge (as defined below) for the four consecutive fiscal quarters
most recently ended prior to the date on which such additional Debt is to be
incurred shall have been less than 1.3, on an unaudited pro forma basis after
giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, and
calculated on the assumption that (i) such Debt and any other Debt incurred by
the Trust and its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period
and the application of the proceeds therefrom, including to refinance other
Debt, had occurred at the beginning of such period; (ii) the repayment or
retirement of any other Debt by the Trust and its Subsidiaries since the first
day of such four-quarter period had been incurred, repaid or retired at the
beginning of such period (except that, in making such computation, the amount
of Debt under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the
average daily balance of such Debt during such period); (iii) in the case of
Acquired Debt or Debt incurred in connection with any acquisition since the
first day of such four-quarter period, the related acquisition had occurred as
of the first day of such period with the appropriate adjustments with respect
to such acquisition being included in such unaudited pro forma calculation;
and (iv) in the case of any acquisition or disposition by the Trust or its
Subsidiaries of any asset or group of assets since the first day of such four-
quarter period, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset purchase
or sale, such acquisition or disposition or any related repayment of Debt had
occurred as of the first day of such period with the appropriate adjustments
with respect to such acquisition or disposition being included in such
unaudited pro forma calculation.
As used herein,
"Acquired Debt" means Debt (or Senior Debt, as the case may be) of a Person
(i) existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (ii) assumed in
connection with the acquisition of assets from
S-5
such Person, in each case, other than Debt (or Senior Debt, as the case may
be) incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming
a Subsidiary or such acquisition. Acquired Debt shall be deemed to be incurred
on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date
the acquired Person becomes a Subsidiary.
"Annual Debt Service Charge" as of any date means the maximum amount which
is payable in any period for interest on, and original issue discount of, Debt
of the Trust and its Subsidiaries and the amount of dividends which are
payable in respect of any Disqualified Stock (as defined below).
"Annual Senior Debt Service Charge" as of any date means the maximum amount
which is payable in any period for interest on, and original issue discount
of, Senior Debt of the Trust and its Subsidiaries.
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any capital stock
(including preferred stock), shares, interests, participations or other
ownership interests (however designated) of such Person and any rights (other
than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for corporate stock),
warrants or options to purchase any thereof.
"Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service" and "Consolidated Income
Available for Senior Debt Service" for any period means Funds from Operations
(as defined below) of the Trust and its Subsidiaries plus amounts which have
been deducted for interest on Debt of the Trust and its Subsidiaries.
"Debt" means any indebtedness of the Trust, or any Subsidiary, whether or
not contingent, in respect of (without duplication) (i) borrowed money or
evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (ii)
indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any
security interest existing on property owned by the Trust or any Subsidiary,
(iii) the reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in connection
with any letters of credit actually issued or amounts representing the balance
deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services, except
any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, or all
conditional sale obligations or obligations under any title retention
agreement, (iv) the principal amount of all obligations of the Trust or any
Subsidiary with respect to redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any
Disqualified Stock or (v) any lease of property by the Trust or any Subsidiary
as lessee which is reflected on the Trust's consolidated balance sheet as a
capitalized lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
to the extent, in the case of items of indebtedness under (i) through (iii)
above, that any such items (other than letters of credit) would appear as a
liability on the Trust's consolidated balance sheet in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, and also includes, to the extent not
otherwise included, any obligation of the Trust or any Subsidiary to be liable
for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise (other than for purposes of
collection in the ordinary course of business or for the purposes of
guaranteeing the payment of all amounts due and owing pursuant to leases to
which the Trust is a party and has assigned its interest, provided that such
assignee of the Trust is not in default of any amounts due and owing under
such leases), Debt of another Person (other than the Trust or any Subsidiary)
(it being understood that Debt shall be deemed to be incurred by the Trust or
any Subsidiary whenever the Trust or such Subsidiary shall create, assume,
guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect thereof).
"Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of
such Person which by the terms of such Capital Stock (or by the terms of any
security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable or
exercisable), upon the happening of any event or otherwise (i) matures or is
mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise,
(ii) is convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Debt or
Disqualified Stock or (iii) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof,
in whole or in part, in each case on or prior to the Stated Maturity of the
Notes.
S-6
"Funds from Operations" for any period means income before depreciation and
amortization and extraordinary items less gain on sale of real estate.
"Senior Debt" means Debt other than subordinated Debt and payments under
Disqualified Stock of the Trust.
"Total Assets" as of any date means the sum of (i) the Trust's Undepreciated
Real Estate Assets and (ii) all other assets of the Trust determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding
goodwill).
"Undepreciated Real Estate Assets" as of any date means the cost (original
cost plus capital improvements) of real estate assets of the Trust and its
Subsidiaries on such date, before depreciation and amortization determined on
a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
See "Description of Debt Securities--Certain Covenants" in the Prospectus
for a description of additional covenants applicable to the Trust.
DEFEASANCE
The provisions of Article 14 of the Senior Indenture relating to defeasance
and covenant defeasance, which are described in the accompanying Prospectus,
will apply to the Notes.
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
The Notes will be represented by a single global security (the "Global
Security") and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee. Upon the issuance
of the Global Security, DTC or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry
registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the
Notes represented by the Global Security to the accounts designated by the
Underwriter. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Security will be
limited to institutions that have accounts with DTC or its nominee
("Participants") and to persons that may hold interests through Participants.
Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Security will be shown only
on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only
through, records maintained by such Participants. The laws of some
jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may
impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the Global Security.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Senior Indenture or the Notes, the
Global Security may not be exchanged in whole or in part for Notes registered,
and no transfer of the Global Security in whole or in part may be registered,
in the name of any Person other than DTC or any nominee of DTC unless (i) DTC
has notified the Trust that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
depositary for the Global Security or has ceased to be qualified to act as
such as required by the Senior Indenture or (ii) there shall have occurred and
be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes. All Notes issued
in exchange for the Global Security or any portion thereof will be registered
in such names as DTC may direct.
As long as DTC or its nominee is the registered holder and owner of the
Global Security, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered
the sole owner and holder of the Notes for all purposes of such Notes and for
all purposes under the Senior Indenture. Except in the limited circumstances
referred to above, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Security will
not be entitled to have the Notes registered in their names, will not receive
or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Notes in
definitive form and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of any
Notes under the Senior Indenture or the Notes. Payment of principal of, and
interest and premium, if any, on the Notes will be made to DTC or its nominee,
as the case may be, as the registered owner or holder of the Global Security.
S-7
Payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial
interests in the Global Security may be subject to various policies and
procedures adopted by DTC from time to time. Neither the Trust nor the Trustee
will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records
relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in
the Global Security for any Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing
any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other
aspect of the relationship between DTC and its Participants or the relationship
between such Participants and the owners of beneficial interests in the Global
Security owning through such Participants.
The following is based on information furnished by DTC:
DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York
Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York
Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing
corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code,
and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section
17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. DTC holds
securities that its Participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the
settlement among Participants of securities transactions, such as transfers
and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-
entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for
physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include
securities brokers and dealers (including the Underwriter), banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations ("Direct
Participants"). DTC is owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by
the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC
system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers,
banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly. The
rules applicable to DTC and its Participants are on file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
Settlement for the Notes will be made by the Underwriter in immediately
available funds. All payments of principal and interest will be made by the
Trust in immediately available funds, so long as DTC continues to make its
Same-Day Funds Settlement System available to the Trust.
Secondary trading in long-term notes and debentures of corporate issuers is
generally settled in clearinghouse or next-day funds. In contrast, the Notes
will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and secondary market
trading activity in the Notes will therefore be required by DTC to settle in
immediately available funds. No assurance can be given as to the effect, if
any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading activity in the
Notes.
S-8
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriter, Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated, has agreed to purchase from the
Trust the entire aggregate principal amount of the Notes. The Underwriting
Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriter are subject to
certain conditions precedent, and that the Underwriter will purchase all Notes
offered hereby if any of such Notes are purchased.
The Trust has been advised that the Underwriter proposes to offer the Notes
to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page
of this Prospectus Supplement and to certain dealers at such price less a
concession not in excess of .45% of the principal amount of the Notes. The
Underwriter may allow, and such dealers may re-allow, a concession not in
excess of .25% of the principal amount of the Notes to certain other dealers.
After the initial offering of the Notes, the offering price and other selling
terms may from time to time be varied by the Underwriter.
The Notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market.
The Trust has been advised by the Underwriter that the Underwriter intends to
make a market in the Notes but is not obligated to do so and may discontinue
market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the
liquidity of the trading market for the Notes.
The Trust has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or to contribute to payments the Underwriter may be required to make
in respect thereof.
S-9
[LOGO OF FEDERAL REALTY INVESTMENT TRUST APPEARS HERE]
$480,000,000
DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED SHARES AND COMMON SHARES
Federal Realty Investment Trust (the "Trust") may from time to time offer in
one or more series (i) its unsecured debt securities (the "Debt Securities"),
(ii) its preferred shares (the "Preferred Shares"), and (iii) its common
shares, no par value (the "Common Shares"), with an aggregate public offering
price of up to $480,000,000 (or its equivalent based on the exchange rate at
the time of sale) in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the
time of offering. The Debt Securities, Preferred Shares, and Common Shares
(collectively, the "Securities") may be offered, separately or together, in
separate series in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in a
supplement to this Prospectus (a "Prospectus Supplement").
The Debt Securities will be direct unsecured obligations of the Trust and
may be either senior Debt Securities ("Senior Securities") or subordinated
Debt Securities ("Subordinated Securities"). The Senior Securities will rank
equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Trust.
The Subordinated Securities will be subordinated to all existing and future
Senior Debt of the Trust, as defined. See "Description of Debt Securities."
The specific terms of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
being delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and
will include, where applicable: (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the
specific title, aggregate principal amount, currency, form (which may be
registered or bearer, or certificated or global), authorized denominations,
maturity, rate (or manner of calculation thereof) and time of payment of
interest, terms for redemption at the option of the Trust or repayment at the
option of the Holder, terms for sinking fund payments, terms for conversion
into Preferred Shares or Common Shares, covenants and the initial public
offering price; (ii) in the case of Preferred Shares, the specific title and
stated value, any dividend, liquidation, redemption, conversion, voting and
other rights, and the initial public offering price; and (iii) in the case of
Common Shares, the initial public offering price. In addition, such specific
terms may include limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and
restrictions on transfer of the Securities, in each case as may be appropriate
to preserve the status of the Trust as a real estate investment trust ("REIT")
for federal income tax purposes.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will also contain information, where
applicable, about certain United States federal income tax considerations
relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Securities
covered by such Prospectus Supplement.
The Securities may be offered directly, through agents designated from time
to time by the Trust, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents
or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the Securities, their
names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount
arrangement between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable
from the information set forth, in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. See
"Plan of Distribution." No Securities may be sold without delivery of the
applicable Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the
offering of such series of Securities.
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR ENDORSED THE
MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
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The date of this Prospectus is November 7, 1995.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Trust is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and
other information can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Section
maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549; Midwest Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661; and Northeast Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center,
New York, New York 10048. Such reports, proxy statements and other information
concerning the Trust can also be inspected at the office of the New York Stock
Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
The Trust will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this
Prospectus is delivered, upon their written or oral request, a copy of any or
all of the documents incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to
such documents). Written requests for such copies should be addressed to Kathy
Klein, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Federal Realty Investment
Trust, 4800 Hampden Lane, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 (telephone 301/652-3360).
The Trust has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3
(the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Securities offered hereby. For
further information with respect to the Trust and the Securities offered
hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement and exhibits thereto.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or
other documents are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference
is made to the copy of such contract or documents filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by
such reference.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Trust with the Commission are
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference and are made a part hereof:
1. The Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1994.
2. The Trust's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
March 31, 1995 and June 30, 1995.
3. The Trust's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
March 31, 1995, May 26, 1995, August 16, 1995 and September 22, 1995.
Each document filed subsequent to the date of this Prospectus pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and prior to termination
of the offering of all Securities to which this Prospectus relates shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and shall be part
hereof from the date of filing of such document.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement herein, in any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement relating to a specific offering of
Securities or in any other subsequently filed document that is also
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this Prospectus or any accompanying Prospectus Supplement. Subject to the
foregoing, all information appearing in this Prospectus and each accompanying
Prospectus Supplement is qualified in its entirety by the information
appearing in the documents incorporated by reference.
2
THE TRUST
Federal Realty Investment Trust (the "Trust") is an owner, operator and
redeveloper of community and neighborhood shopping centers and retail
buildings. Founded in 1962, the Trust is a self-administered real estate
investment trust ("REIT") that manages, leases and supervises renovation of
its properties. At October 6, 1995, the Trust owned 53 community and
neighborhood shopping centers, one apartment complex and 14 retail buildings.
The shopping center portfolio has approximately 11.7 million rentable square
feet and 1,600 tenants. At June 30, 1995, the occupancy rate of the shopping
center portfolio was 94%.
The Trust's properties are located in thirteen states with approximately 72%
of the Trust's rental income for the six months ended June 30, 1995 generated
by the properties located in three major metropolitan areas: New York/New
Jersey, Philadelphia and Baltimore/Washington, D.C. The Trust's properties are
located in well established, densely populated communities with attractive
retailing demographics and limited opportunities for new competing
developments. The typical Trust property is located on a major traffic artery,
with good visibility and access.
The Trust's strategy is to acquire older, well-located properties and to
enhance their operating performance through a program of renovation,
expansion, re-configuration, re-leasing and re-merchandising. The Trust's core
focus is on community and neighborhood shopping centers that are anchored by
supermarkets, drug stores or high volume, value oriented retailers that
provide consumer necessities. The Trust's shopping center leases typically are
structured to include minimum rents and percentage rents based on tenants'
sales volumes and reimbursement of operating and real estate tax expenses.
Beginning in late 1994, the Trust expanded its focus to include retail
buildings in densely developed urban and suburban areas ("main street
retail"), in order to capitalize on the demand by retailers for space in these
areas. To date, the Trust has purchased fourteen such main street retail
properties, for a total price of $46.7 million.
In addition to the acquisition of the main street retail properties, since
the beginning of 1993, the Trust has purchased 13 shopping centers and two
properties abutting properties it already owned for a total initial investment
of $210.9 million.
The Trust intends to continue its acquisition and redevelopment activities.
Acquisitions are being considered primarily in the Trust's core major
metropolitan markets of New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia and
Baltimore/Washington, D.C. as well as the Chicago, Illinois and Boston,
Massachusetts markets. In addition, the Trust is seeking to acquire additional
retail buildings in densely developed urban and suburban areas and is also
pursuing site acquisitions in its core markets to permit the Trust to develop
new shopping centers.
The Trust continually evaluates its properties for renovation, re-tenanting
and expansion opportunities. Similarly, the Trust regularly reviews its
portfolio and from time to time considers selling certain of its properties.
The Trust's operating results are affected by general economic and real estate
conditions, including conditions specific to the markets where the Trust's
properties are located.
The Trust has made 132 consecutive quarterly distributions and has increased
its distribution rate for each of the last 28 years. This is the longest
record of annual distribution increases in the REIT industry. The current
annual indicated distribution rate is $1.64 per share.
The Trust, a District of Columbia business trust of unlimited duration,
maintains its offices at 4800 Hampden Lane, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
(telephone 301/652-3360).
3
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement for any
offering of Securities, the Trust intends to use the majority of the net
proceeds from the sale of Securities offered by the Trust to repay debt
(including repayments of amounts drawn on lines of credit for property
acquisitions), make improvements to properties, acquire additional properties
and for working capital.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth the Trust's consolidated ratios of earnings
to fixed charges for the periods shown:
SIX MONTHS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED JUNE 30,
----------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1994 1995
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ------- -------
1.06X 1.09X 1.19X 1.50X 1.61X 1.56X 1.61X
The ratios of earnings to fixed charges were computed by dividing earnings
by fixed charges. For this purpose, earnings consist of income before gain on
sale of real estate and extraordinary items and fixed charges. Fixed charges
consist of interest expense (including interest costs capitalized) and the
portion of rent expense representing an interest factor. To date, the Trust
has not issued any Preferred Shares; therefore, the ratios of earnings to
combined fixed charges and preferred share dividends are unchanged from the
ratios presented in this section.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
GENERAL
The Senior Securities are to be issued under an indenture dated as of
December 1, 1993, as supplemented from time to time (the "Senior Indenture"),
between the Trust and Signet Trust Company, Trustee, and the Subordinated
Securities are to be issued under an indenture dated as of December 1, 1993,
as supplemented from time to time (the "Subordinated Indenture"), between the
Trust and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, Trustee. The term
"Trustee" as used herein shall refer to either Signet Trust Company or First
Union National Bank of North Carolina as appropriate for Senior Securities or
Subordinated Securities. The forms of the Senior Indenture and the
Subordinated Indenture (being sometimes referred to herein collectively as the
"Indentures" and individually as an "Indenture") are filed as exhibits to the
registration statement. The Indentures are subject to and governed by the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"). The statements made under
this heading relating to the Debt Securities and the Indentures are summaries
of the provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are qualified
in their entirety by reference to the Indentures and such Debt Securities.
Parenthetical references below are to the Indentures and capitalized terms
used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in
the Indentures.
TERMS
The Debt Securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of the Trust. The
indebtedness represented by the Senior Securities will rank equally with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Trust. The indebtedness
represented by the Subordinated Securities will be subordinated in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of the Senior Debt of the Trust as
described under "Subordination."
4
Each Indenture provides that the Debt Securities may be issued without limit
as to aggregate principal amount, in one or more series, in each case as
established from time to time in or pursuant to authority granted by a
resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or as established in one or
more indentures supplemental to such Indenture. All Debt Securities of one
series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a
series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders of the Debt
Securities of such series, for issuances of additional Debt Securities of such
series (Section 301 of each Indenture).
Each Indenture provides that there may be more than one Trustee thereunder,
each with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities. Any Trustee under
either Indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series
of Debt Securities, and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with
respect to such series (Section 608 of each Indenture). In the event that two
or more persons are acting as Trustee with respect to different series of Debt
Securities, each such Trustee shall be a Trustee of a trust under the
applicable Indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any
other Trustee (Section 609 of each Indenture), and, except as otherwise
indicated herein, any action described herein to be taken by each Trustee may
be taken by each such Trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the
one or more series of Debt Securities for which it is Trustee under the
applicable Indenture.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the series of
Debt Securities being offered for the specific terms thereof, including:
(1) the title of such Debt Securities and whether such Debt Securities
are Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities;
(2) the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities and any limit
on such aggregate principal amount;
(3) the percentage of the principal amount at which such Debt Securities
will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion
of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of
the maturity thereof, or (if applicable) the portion of the principal
amount of such Debt Securities that is convertible into Common Shares or
Preferred Shares, or the method by which any such portion shall be
determined;
(4) if convertible, in connection with the preservation of the Trust's
status as a REIT, any applicable limitations on the ownership or
transferability of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares into which such
Debt Securities are convertible;
(5) the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates,
on which the principal of such Debt Securities will be payable;
(6) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method by
which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which such Debt Securities
will bear interest, if any;
(7) the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates,
from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on
which any such interest will be payable, the Regular Record Dates for such
Interest Payment Dates, or the method by which such Dates shall be
determined, the Persons to whom such interest shall be payable, and the
basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-
day year of twelve 30-day months;
(8) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable, where such Debt
Securities may be surrendered for conversion or registration of transfer or
exchange and where notices or demands to or upon the Trust in respect of
such Debt Securities and the applicable Indenture may be served;
(9) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and
the other terms and conditions upon which such Debt Securities may be
redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the option of the Trust, if the Trust
is to have such an option;
5
(10) the obligation, if any, of the Trust to redeem, repay or purchase
such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or
at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which,
the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which
such Debt Securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, as a whole or
in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(11) if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which such
Debt Securities are denominated and payable, which may be a foreign
currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency
or currencies, and the terms and conditions relating thereto;
(12) whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any)
or interest, if any, on such Debt Securities may be determined with
reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or
method may, but need not be, based on a currency, currencies, currency unit
or units or composite currency or currencies) and the manner in which such
amounts shall be determined;
(13) any additions to, modifications of or deletions from the terms of
such Debt Securities with respect to the Events of Default or covenants set
forth in the applicable Indenture;
(14) whether such Debt Securities will be issued in certificated or book-
entry form;
(15) whether such Debt Securities will be in registered or bearer form
and, if in registered form, the denominations thereof if other than $1,000
and any integral multiple thereof and, if in bearer form, the denominations
thereof and terms and conditions relating thereto;
(16) the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance
provisions of Article XIV of the applicable Indenture;
(17) the terms, if any, upon which such Debt Securities may be
convertible into Common Shares or Preferred Shares of the Trust and the
terms and conditions upon which such conversion will be effected,
including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate and the
conversion period;
(18) whether and under what circumstances the Trust will pay Additional
Amounts as contemplated in the applicable Indenture on such Debt Securities
in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so,
whether the Trust will have the option to redeem such Debt Securities in
lieu of making such payment; and
(19) any other terms of such Debt Securities not inconsistent with the
provisions of the applicable Indenture (Section 301 of each Indenture).
The Debt Securities may provide for less than the entire principal amount
thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
("Original Issue Discount Securities") (Section 502 of each Indenture).
Special U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations
applicable to Original Issue Discount Securities will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Except as may be set forth in any Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities
will not contain any provisions that would limit the ability of the Trust to
incur indebtedness or that would afford Holders of Debt Securities protection
in the event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving the Trust
or in the event of a change of control. Restrictions on ownership and
transfers of the Trust's Common Shares and Preferred Shares are designed to
preserve its status as a REIT and, therefore, may act to prevent or hinder a
change of control. See "Description of Common Shares" and "Description of
Preferred Shares." Reference is made to the applicable Prospectus Supplement
for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of, or
additions to, the Events of Default or covenants of the Trust that are
described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision
providing event risk or similar protection.
6
DENOMINATIONS, INTEREST, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt
Securities of any series will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples thereof (Section 302 of each Indenture).
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
principal of (and applicable premium, if any) and interest on any series of
Debt Securities will be payable at the corporate trust office of the Trustee,
initially located at Signet Trust Company, 7 St. Paul Street, 2nd Floor,
Baltimore, Maryland 21202 in the case of the Senior Securities and First Union
National Bank of North Carolina, 230 S. Tryon Street, 8th Floor, Charlotte,
North Carolina 28288 in the case of the Subordinated Securities, provided
that, at the option of the Trust, payment of interest may be made by check
mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the
Security Register or by wire transfer of funds to such Person at an account
maintained within the United States (Sections 301, 305, 306, 307, and 1002 of
each Indenture).
Any interest not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest
Payment Date with respect to a Debt Security ("Defaulted Interest") will
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the applicable Regular Record
Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name such Debt Security is
registered at the close of business on a special record date (the "Special
Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the
applicable Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to each Holder of such Debt
Security not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be
paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more completely described
in the applicable Indenture (Section 307 of each Indenture).
Subject to certain limitations imposed upon Debt Securities issued in book-
entry form, the Debt Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other
Debt Securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount
and tenor of different authorized denominations upon surrender of such Debt
Securities at the corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee referred to
above. In addition, subject to certain limitations imposed upon Debt
Securities issued in book-entry form, the Debt Securities of any series may be
surrendered for conversion or registration of transfer thereof at the
corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee referred to above. Every Debt
Security surrendered for conversion, registration of transfer or exchange
shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer. No
service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of
any Debt Securities, but the Trust may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith
(Section 305 of each Indenture). If the applicable Prospectus Supplement
refers to any transfer agent (in addition to the applicable Trustee) initially
designated by the Trust with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the
Trust may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or
approve a change in the location through which any such transfer agent acts,
except that the Trust will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each
Place of Payment for such series. The Trust may at any time designate
additional transfer agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities
(Section 1002 of each Indenture).
Neither the Trust nor either Trustee shall be required to (i) issue,
register the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any series during a
period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of
Debt Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of
business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; (ii)
register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security, or portion thereof,
called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security
being redeemed in part; or (iii) issue, register the transfer of or exchange
any Debt Security that has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the
Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Debt Security not to be so repaid
(Section 305 of each Indenture).
7
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE
The Trust may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or
substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into, any other
corporation or trust or entity provided that (a) either the Trust shall be the
continuing corporation, or the successor corporation (if other than the Trust)
formed by or resulting from any such consolidation or merger or which shall
have received the transfer of such assets shall expressly assume payment of
the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all of the Debt
Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the
covenants and conditions contained in each Indenture; (b) immediately after
giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness that becomes
an obligation of the Trust or any Subsidiary as a result thereof as having
been incurred by the Trust or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction,
no Event of Default under the Indenture, and no event which, after notice or
the lapse of time, or both, would become such an Event of Default, shall have
occurred and be continuing; and (c) an officers' certificate and legal opinion
covering such conditions shall be delivered to each Trustee (Sections 801 and
803 of each Indenture).
CERTAIN COVENANTS
Existence. Except as permitted under "Merger, Consolidation or Sale," the
Trust will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in
full force and effect its corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory)
and franchises; provided, however, that the Trust shall not be required to
preserve any right or franchise if it determines that the preservation thereof
is no longer desirable in the conduct of its business (Section 1004 of each
Indenture).
Maintenance of Properties. The Trust will cause all of its material
properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of
any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working
order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all
necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements
thereof, all as in the judgment of the Trust may be necessary so that the
business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously
conducted at all times (Section 1005 of each Indenture).
Insurance. The Trust will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep
all of its insurable properties insured against loss or damage at least equal
to their then full insurable value with insurers of recognized responsibility
and having a rating of at least A-:XII in Best's Key Rating Guide (Section
1006 of each Indenture).
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Trust will pay or discharge or cause
to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (i) all
taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any
Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Trust or any
Subsidiary, and (ii) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies
which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Trust or
any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Trust shall not be required to pay
or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment,
charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in
good faith (Section 1007 of each Indenture).
Provision of Financial Information. Whether or not the Trust is subject to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Trust will within 15 days of each
of the respective dates by which the Trust would have been required to file
annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents with the Commission if
the Trust were so subject (i) transmit by mail to all Holders of Debt
Securities, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register,
without cost to such Holders copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports
and other documents that the Trust would have been required to file with the
Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Trust
were subject to such Sections, (ii) file with the applicable Trustee copies of
the annual reports, quarterly reports and other
8
documents that the Trust would have been required to file with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Trust were subject
to such Sections and (iii) promptly upon written request and payment of the
reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, supply copies of such documents
to any prospective Holder (Section 1008 of each Indenture).
Additional Covenants. Any additional covenants of the Trust with respect to
any series of Debt Securities will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
Each Indenture provides that the following events are "Events of Default"
with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder: (a) default
for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest on any Debt Security
of such series; (b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if
any, on) any Debt Security of such series at its Maturity; (c) default in
making any sinking fund payment as required for any Debt Security of such
series; (d) default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or
warranty of the Trust contained in the Indenture (other than a covenant added
to the Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Debt Securities issued
thereunder other than such series), continued for 60 days after written notice
as provided in the applicable Indenture; (e) a default under any bond,
debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by the
Trust (including obligations under leases required to be capitalized on the
balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles but
not including any indebtedness or obligations for which recourse is limited to
property purchased) in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $5,000,000
or under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued
or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money
borrowed by the Trust (including such leases but not including such
indebtedness or obligations for which recourse is limited to property
purchased) in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $5,000,000 by the
Trust, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created
which default shall have resulted in such indebtedness becoming or being
declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have
become due and payable or such obligations being accelerated, without such
acceleration having been rescinded or annulled; (f) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver,
liquidator or trustee of the Trust or any Significant Subsidiary or either of
its properties; and (g) any other Event of Default provided with respect to a
particular series of Debt Securities (Section 501 of each Indenture). The term
"Significant Subsidiary" means each significant subsidiary (as defined in
Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act) of the Trust.
If an Event of Default under either Indenture with respect to Debt
Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing,
then in every such case the applicable Trustee or the Holders of not less than
25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may
declare the principal amount (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are
Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the
principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Debt
Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by written notice
thereof to the Trust (and to the applicable Trustee if given by the Holders).
However, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding
under either Indenture, as the case may be) has been made, but before a
judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the
applicable Trustee, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal
amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt
Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may
be) may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (a) the
Trust shall have deposited with the applicable Trustee all required payments
of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities
of such series (or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the
applicable Indenture, as the case may be), plus certain fees, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the
9
applicable Trustee and (b) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment
of accelerated principal (or specified portion thereof), with respect to Debt
Securities of such series (or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under
the applicable Indenture, as the case may be) have been cured or waived as
provided in each Indenture (Section 502 of each Indenture). Each Indenture
also provides that the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount
of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series (or of all Debt Securities
then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be) may waive
any past default with respect to such series and its consequences, except a
default (x) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on any Debt Security of such series or (y) in respect of a covenant
or provision contained in the applicable Indenture that cannot be modified or
amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security
affected thereby (Section 513 of each Indenture).
Each Trustee is required to give notice to the Holders of Debt Securities
within 90 days of a default under the applicable Indenture unless such default
shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that such Trustee may
withhold notice to the Holders of any series of Debt Securities of any default
with respect to such series (except a default in the payment of the principal
of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debt Security of such series or in
the payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of any Debt Security of
such series) if the Responsible Officers of such Trustee consider such
withholding to be in the interest of such Holders (Section 601 of each
Indenture).
Each Indenture provides that no Holders of Debt Securities of any series may
institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to such
Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, except in the case of failure of the
applicable Trustee, for 60 days, to act after it has received a written
request to institute proceedings in respect of an Event of Default from the
Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of such series, as well as an offer of indemnity reasonably
satisfactory to it (Section 507 of each Indenture). This provision will not
prevent, however, any Holder of Debt Securities from instituting suit for the
enforcement of payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on such Debt Securities at the respective due dates thereof (Section 508 of
each Indenture).
Subject to provisions in each Indenture relating to its duties in case of
default, neither Trustee is under an obligation to exercise any of its rights
or powers under such Indenture at the request or direction of any Holders of
any series of Debt Securities then Outstanding under such Indenture, unless
such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee thereunder reasonable security
or indemnity (Section 602 of each Indenture). The Holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series
(or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under each Indenture, as the case
may be) shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable Trustee,
or of exercising any trust or power conferred upon such Trustee. However, each
Trustee may refuse to follow any direction which is in conflict with any law
or the applicable Indenture, which may involve such Trustee in personal
liability or which may be unduly prejudicial to the Holders of Debt Securities
of such series not joining therein (Section 512 of each Indenture).
Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, the Trust must deliver
to each Trustee a certificate, signed by one of several specified officers,
stating whether or not such officer has knowledge of any default under the
applicable Indenture and, if so, specifying each such default and the nature
and status thereof (Section 1009 of each Indenture).
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
Modifications and amendments of either Indenture may be made only with the
consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all
Outstanding Debt Securities issued under such Indenture which are affected by
such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no
10
such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each
such Debt Security affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the
principal of, or any installment of interest (or premium, if any) on, any such
Debt Security; (b) reduce the principal amount of, or the rate or amount of
interest on, or any premium payable on redemption of, any such Debt Security,
or reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that
would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity
thereof or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of
repayment of the Holder of any such Debt Security; (c) change the Place of
Payment, or the coin or currency, for payment of principal of, premium, if
any, or interest on any such Debt Security; (d) impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any such Debt
Security; (e) reduce the above-stated percentage of Outstanding Debt
Securities of any series necessary to modify or amend the applicable
Indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions thereof or certain
defaults and consequences thereunder or to reduce the quorum or voting
requirements set forth in the applicable Indenture; or (f) modify any of the
foregoing provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of
certain past defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required
percentage to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions
may not be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of such Debt
Security (Section 902 of each Indenture).
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of Outstanding
Debt Securities issued under either Indenture have the right to waive
compliance by the Trust with certain covenants in such Indenture (Section 1011
of each Indenture).
Modifications and amendments of either Indenture may be made by the Trust
and the respective Trustee thereunder without the consent of any Holder of
Debt Securities for any of the following purposes: (i) to evidence the
succession of another Person to the Trust as obligor under such Indenture;
(ii) to add to the covenants of the Trust for the benefit of the Holders of
all or any series of Debt Securities or to surrender any right or power
conferred upon the Trust in such Indenture; (iii) to add Events of Default for
the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities; (iv) to
add or change any provisions of either Indenture to facilitate the issuance
of, or to liberalize certain terms of, Debt Securities in bearer form, or to
permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities in uncertificated form,
provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the
Holders of the Debt Securities of any series in any material respect; (v) to
change or eliminate any provisions of either Indenture, provided that any such
change or elimination shall become effective only when there are no Debt
Securities Outstanding of any series created prior thereto which are entitled
to the benefit of such provision; (vi) to secure the Debt Securities; (vii) to
establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series, including the
provisions and procedures, if applicable, for the conversion of such Debt
Securities into Common Shares or Preferred Shares of the Trust; (viii) to
provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee or facilitate
the administration of the trusts under either Indenture by more than one
Trustee; (ix) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in either
Indenture, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests
of Holders of Debt Securities of any series issued under such Indenture; or
(x) to supplement any of the provisions of either Indenture to the extent
necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of
such Debt Securities, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the
interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series (Section 901 of
each Indenture).
Each Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of a series have
given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
thereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of Holders of Debt
Securities, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security
that shall be deemed to be outstanding shall be the amount of the principal
thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination
upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, (ii) the principal
amount of a Debt Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that shall be
deemed outstanding shall be the
11
U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the issue date for such Debt Security,
of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount
Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent on the issue date of such Debt Security
of the amount determined as provided in (i) above), (iii) the principal amount
of an Indexed Security that shall be deemed outstanding shall be the principal
face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise
provided with respect to such Indexed Security pursuant to Section 301 of each
Indenture, and (iv) Debt Securities owned by the Trust or any other obligor
upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Trust or of such other
obligor shall be disregarded (Section 101 of each Indenture).
Each Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the Holders of
Debt Securities of a series (Section 1501 of each Indenture). A meeting may be
called at any time by the applicable Trustee, and also, upon request, by the
Trust or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of such series, in any such case upon notice given as provided
in the Indenture (Section 1502 of each Indenture). Except for any consent that
must be given by the Holder of each Debt Security affected by certain
modifications and amendments of either Indenture, any resolution presented at
a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present
may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series; provided,
however, that, except as referred to above, any resolution with respect to any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action that may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified
percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or
adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the
affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal
amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series. Any resolution
passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any
series duly held in accordance with either Indenture will be binding on all
Holders of Debt Securities of that series. The quorum at any meeting called to
adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened meeting, will be Persons holding or
representing a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities
of a series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such
meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which may be given by the Holders
of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of a series, the Persons holding or representing such
specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
such series will constitute a quorum (Section 1504 of each Indenture).
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, if any action is to be taken at a
meeting of Holders of Debt Securities of any series with respect to any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action that either Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by
the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding
Debt Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or
more additional series: (i) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for
such meeting and (ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities
of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account
in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under such
Indenture (Section 1504 of each Indenture).
SUBORDINATION
Upon any distribution to creditors of the Trust in a liquidation,
dissolution or reorganization, the payment of the principal of and interest on
the Subordinated Securities will be subordinated to the extent provided in the
Subordinated Indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all
Senior Debt (Sections 1601 and 1602 of the Subordinated Indenture), but the
obligation of the Trust to make payment of the principal and interest on the
Subordinated Securities will not otherwise be affected (Section 1608 of the
Subordinated Indenture). No payment of principal or interest may be made on
the Subordinated
12
Securities at any time if a default on Senior Debt exists that permits the
holders of such Senior Debt to accelerate its maturity and the default is the
subject of judicial proceedings or the Trust receives notice of the default
(Section 1603 of the Subordinated Indenture). After all Senior Debt is paid in
full and until the Subordinated Securities are paid in full, holders will be
subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Debt to the extent that
distributions otherwise payable to holders have been applied to the payment of
Senior Debt (Section 1607 of the Subordinated Indenture). By reason of such
subordination, in the event of a distribution of assets upon insolvency,
certain general creditors of the Trust may recover more, ratably, than holders
of the Subordinated Securities.
Senior Debt is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as the principal of and
interest on, or substantially similar payments to be made by the Trust in
respect of, the following, whether outstanding at the date of execution of the
Subordinated Indenture or thereafter incurred, created or assumed:
(a) indebtedness of the Trust for money borrowed or represented by purchase-
money obligations, (b) indebtedness of the Trust evidenced by notes,
debentures, or bonds, or other securities issued under the provisions of an
indenture, fiscal agency agreement or other instrument, (c) obligations of the
Trust as lessee under leases of property either made as part of any sale and
leaseback transaction to which the Trust is a party or otherwise,
(d) indebtedness of partnerships and joint ventures which is included in the
consolidated financial statements of the Trust, (e) indebtedness, obligations
and liabilities of others in respect of which the Trust is liable contingently
or otherwise to pay or advance money or property or as guarantor, endorser or
otherwise or which the Trust has agreed to purchase or otherwise acquire, and
(f) any binding commitment of the Trust to fund any real estate investment or
to fund any investment in any entity making such real estate investment, in
each case other than (1) any such indebtedness, obligation or liability
referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above as to which, in the instrument
creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding,
it is provided that such indebtedness, obligation or liability is not superior
in right of payment to the Subordinated Securities or ranks pari passu with
the Subordinated Securities, (2) any such indebtedness, obligation or
liability which is subordinated to indebtedness of the Trust to substantially
the same extent as or to a greater extent than the Subordinated Securities are
subordinated, and (3) the Subordinated Securities (Section 101 of the
Subordinated Indenture). At June 30, 1995, Senior Debt aggregated
approximately $365 million. There are no restrictions in the Subordinated
Indenture upon the creation of additional Senior Debt.
DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Under each Indenture, the Trust may discharge certain obligations to Holders
of any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder that have not already been
delivered to the applicable Trustee for cancellation and that either have
become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or
scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the
applicable Trustee, in trust, funds in such currency or currencies, currency
unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Debt
Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness
on such Debt Securities in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and
interest to the date of such deposit (if such Debt Securities have become due
and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be
(Section 401 of each Indenture).
Each Indenture provides that, if the provisions of Article Fourteen thereof
are made applicable to the Debt Securities of or within any series pursuant to
Section 301 of such Indenture, the Trust may elect either (a) to defease and
be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such Debt
Securities (except for the obligation to pay Additional Amounts, if any, upon
the occurrence of certain events of tax, assessment or governmental charge
with respect to payments on such Debt Securities and the obligations to
register the transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities, to replace
temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, to maintain
an office or agency in respect of such Debt Securities and to hold moneys for
payment in trust) ("defeasance") (Section 1402 of each
13
Indenture) or (b) to be released from its obligations with respect to such
Debt Securities under Sections 1004 to 1008, inclusive, of each Indenture
(being the restrictions described under "Certain Covenants") or, if provided
pursuant to Section 301 of each Indenture, its obligations with respect to any
other covenant, and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not
constitute a default or an Event of Default with respect to such Debt
Securities ("covenant defeasance") (Section 1403 of each Indenture), in either
case upon the irrevocable deposit by the Trust with the applicable Trustee, in
trust, of an amount, in such currency or currencies, currency unit or units or
composite currency or currencies in which such Debt Securities are payable at
Stated Maturity, or Government Obligations (as defined below), or both,
applicable to such Debt Securities which through the scheduled payment of
principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an
amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on such Debt Securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments
thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor (Section 1404 of each Indenture).
Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, the Trust has
delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (as specified in
each Indenture) to the effect that the Holders of such Debt Securities will
not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a
result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S.
federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same
times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance
had not occurred, and such Opinion of Counsel, in the case of defeasance, must
refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a
change in applicable U. S. federal income tax law occurring after the date of
the Indenture (Section 1404 of each Indenture).
"Government Obligations" means securities which are (i) direct obligations
of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign
Currency in which the Debt Securities of a particular series are payable, for
the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations
of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or
instrumentality of the United States of America or such government which
issued the Foreign Currency in which the Debt Securities of such series are
payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith
and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other
government, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the
option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt
issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such
Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any
such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the
holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such
custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to
the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the
custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of
interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such
depository receipt (Section 101 of each Indenture).
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if after
the Trust has deposited funds and/or Government Obligations to effect
defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to Debt Securities of any
series, (a) the Holder of a Debt Security of such series is entitled to, and
does, elect pursuant to Section 301 of either Indenture or the terms of such
Debt Security to receive payment in a currency, currency unit or composite
currency other than that in which such deposit has been made in respect of
such Debt Security, or (b) a Conversion Event (as defined below) occurs in
respect of the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such
deposit has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Debt Security
shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied
through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on
such Debt Security as they become due out of the proceeds yielded by
converting the amount so deposited in respect of such Debt Security into the
currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such Debt Security
becomes payable as a result of such election or such cessation
14
of usage based on the applicable market exchange rate (Section 1405 of each
Indenture). "Conversion Event" means the cessation of use of (i) a currency,
currency unit or composite currency both by the government of the country
which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central
bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking
community, (ii) the ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the
settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European
Communities or (iii) any currency unit or composite currency other than the
ECU for the purposes for which it was established. Unless otherwise provided
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, all payments of principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on any Debt Security that is payable in a
Foreign Currency that ceases to be used by its government of issuance shall be
made in U.S. dollars (Section 101 of each Indenture).
In the event the Trust effects covenant defeasance with respect to any Debt
Securities and such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of
the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the Event of Default
described in clause (d) under "Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with
respect to Sections 1004 to 1008, inclusive, of each Indenture (which Sections
would no longer be applicable to such Debt Securities) or described in clause
(g) under "Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with respect to any other
covenant as to which there has been covenant defeasance, the amount in such
currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such Debt Securities
are payable, and Government Obligations on deposit with the applicable
Trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the
time of their Stated Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on
such Debt Securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event
of Default. However, the Trust would remain liable to make payment of such
amounts due at the time of acceleration.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if
any, permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any
modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the Debt
Securities of or within a particular series.
CONVERSION RIGHTS
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Debt Securities are
convertible into Common Shares or Preferred Shares will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include
whether such Debt Securities are convertible into Common Shares or Preferred
Shares, the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the
conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option
of the Holders or the Trust, the events requiring an adjustment of the
conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the
redemption of such Debt Securities.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities (the "Global Securities") that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary (the "Depositary") identified in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. Global
Securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either
temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement
with respect to a series of Debt Securities will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such series.
15
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES
GENERAL
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of preferred shares
(the "Preferred Shares") of which no Preferred Shares are outstanding.
The following description of the Preferred Shares sets forth certain general
terms and provisions of the Preferred Shares to which any Prospectus
Supplement may relate. The statements below describing the Preferred Shares
are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to
the applicable provisions of the Trust's Third Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration of Trust") and Bylaws and applicable
statement of designations (the "Statement of Designations").
TERMS
Subject to the limitations prescribed by the Declaration of Trust, the Board
of Trustees is authorized to fix the number of shares constituting each series
of Preferred Shares and the designations and powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof, including such provisions as may be
desired concerning voting, redemption, dividends, dissolution or the
distribution of assets, conversion or exchange, and such other subjects or
matters as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Trustees. The Preferred
Shares will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust (except
as described under "Shareholder Liability" below) and will have no preemptive
rights.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Preferred
Shares offered thereby for specific terms, including:
(1) The title and stated value of such Preferred Shares;
(2) The number of such Preferred Shares offered, the liquidation
preference per share and the offering price of such Preferred Shares;
(3) The dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s)
of calculation thereof applicable to such Preferred Shares;
(4) The date from which dividends on such Preferred Shares shall
accumulate, if applicable;
(5) The procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for such
Preferred Shares;
(6) The provision for a sinking fund, if any, for such Preferred Shares;
(7) The provision for redemption, if applicable, of such Preferred
Shares;
(8) Any listing of such Preferred Shares on any securities exchange;
(9) The terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which such Preferred
Shares will be convertible into Common Shares of the Trust, including the
conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof);
(10) Any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or
restrictions of such Preferred Shares;
(11) A discussion of federal income tax considerations applicable to such
Preferred Shares;
(12) The relative ranking and preferences of such Preferred Shares as to
dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Trust;
(13) Any limitations on issuance of any series of Preferred Shares
ranking senior to or on a parity with such series of Preferred Shares as to
dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Trust; and
16
(14) Any limitations on direct or beneficial ownership and restrictions
on transfer, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve the status of
the Trust as a REIT.
RANK
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred
Shares will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Trust, rank (i) senior to all classes or
series of Common Shares or other capital shares of the Trust, and to all
equity securities ranking junior to such Preferred Shares; (ii) on a parity
with all equity securities issued by the Trust the terms of which specifically
provide that such equity securities rank on a parity with the Preferred
Shares; and (iii) junior to all equity securities issued by the Trust the
terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank senior to
the Preferred Shares. The term "equity securities" does not include
convertible debt securities.
DIVIDENDS
Holders of the Preferred Shares of each series will be entitled to receive,
when, as and if declared by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, out of assets
of the Trust legally available for payment, cash dividends at such rates and
on such dates as will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Each such dividend shall be payable to holders of record as they appear on the
share transfer books of the Trust on such record dates as shall be fixed by
the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
Dividends on any series of the Preferred Shares may be cumulative or non-
cumulative, as provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Dividends, if
cumulative, will be cumulative from and after the date set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. If the Board of Trustees of the Trust fails
to declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of the
Preferred Shares for which dividends are noncumulative, then the holders of
such series of the Preferred Shares will have no right to receive a dividend
in respect of the dividend period ending on such dividend payment date, and
the Trust will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for such period,
whether or not dividends on such series are declared payable on any future
dividend payment date.
If Preferred Shares of any series are outstanding, no dividends will be
declared or paid or set apart for payment on the Preferred Shares of the Trust
of any other series ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to
the Preferred Shares of such series for any period unless (i) if such series
of Preferred Shares has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends have
been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such payment on the Preferred
Shares of such series for all past dividend periods and the then current
dividend period or (ii) if such series of Preferred Shares does not have a
cumulative dividend, full dividends for the then current dividend period have
been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum
sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such payment on the Preferred
Shares of such series. When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum
sufficient for such full payment is not so set apart) upon Preferred Shares of
any series and the shares of any other series of Preferred Shares ranking on a
parity as to dividends with the Preferred Shares of such series, all dividends
declared upon Preferred Shares of such series and any other series of
Preferred Shares ranking on a parity as to dividends with such Preferred
Shares shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per
Preferred Share of such series and such other series of Preferred Shares shall
in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per
share on the Preferred Shares of such series (which shall not include any
accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such
Preferred Shares do not have a cumulative dividend) and such other series of
Preferred Shares bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of
interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on
Preferred Shares of such series which may be in arrears.
17
Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless (i) if
such series of Preferred Shares has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative
dividends on the Preferred Shares of such series have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past dividend periods and
the then current dividend period and (ii) if such series of Preferred Shares
does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the Preferred Shares of
such series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared
and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for the
then current dividend period, no dividends (other than in Common Shares or
other capital shares ranking junior to the Preferred Shares of such series as
to dividends and upon liquidation) shall be declared or paid or set aside for
payment or other distribution shall be declared or made upon the Common
Shares, or any other capital shares of the Trust ranking junior to or on a
parity with the Preferred Shares of such series as to dividends or upon
liquidation, nor shall any Common Shares, or any other capital shares of the
Trust ranking junior to or on a parity with the Preferred Shares of such
series as to dividends or upon liquidation be redeemed, purchased or otherwise
acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for
a sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares) by the Trust (except by
conversion into or exchange for other capital shares of the Trust ranking
junior to the Preferred Shares of such series as to dividends and upon
liquidation).
Any dividend payment made on shares of a series of Preferred Shares shall
first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with
respect to shares of such series which remains payable.
REDEMPTION
If so provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred Shares
will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at the option of the
Trust, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at
the redemption prices set forth in such Prospectus Supplement.
The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Shares that is
subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of such Preferred
Shares that shall be redeemed by the Trust in each year commencing after a
date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified,
together with an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon
(which shall not, if such Preferred Shares do not have a cumulative dividend,
include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend
periods) to the date of redemption. The redemption price may be payable in
cash or other property, as specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
If the redemption price for Preferred Shares of any series is payable only
from the net proceeds of the issuance of capital shares of the Trust, the
terms of such Preferred Shares may provide that, if no such capital shares
shall have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are
insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, such
Preferred Shares shall automatically and mandatorily be converted into the
applicable capital shares of the Trust pursuant to conversion provisions
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless (i) if such series of Preferred Shares
has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on all shares of any
series of Preferred Shares shall have been or contemporaneously are declared
and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart
for payment for all past dividend periods and the then current dividend period
and (ii) if such series of Preferred Shares does not have a cumulative
dividend, full dividends on the Preferred Shares of any series have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof set apart for payment for the then current dividend
period, no shares of any series of Preferred Shares shall be redeemed unless
all outstanding Preferred Shares of such series are simultaneously redeemed;
provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or
acquisition of Preferred Shares of such series to preserve the REIT status of
the Trust or pursuant to a
18
purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all
outstanding Preferred Shares of such series, and, unless (i) if such series of
Preferred Shares has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on all
outstanding shares of any series of Preferred Shares have been or
contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past dividend periods and
the then current dividend period and (ii) if such series of Preferred Shares
does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the Preferred Shares of
any series have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or declared
and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for the
then current dividend period, the Trust shall not purchase or otherwise
acquire directly or indirectly any Preferred Shares of such series (except by
conversion
into or exchange for capital shares of the Trust ranking junior to the
Preferred Shares of such series as to dividends and upon liquidation);
provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or
acquisition of Preferred Shares of such series to preserve the REIT status of
the Trust or pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms
to holders of all outstanding Preferred Shares of such series.
If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Preferred Shares of any
series are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed will be
determined by the Trust and such shares may be redeemed pro rata from the
holders of record of such shares in proportion to the number of such shares
held by such holders (with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional
shares) or by lot in a manner determined by the Trust.
Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60
days before the redemption date to each holder of record of Preferred Shares
of any series to be redeemed at the address shown on the share transfer books
of the Trust. Each notice shall state: (i) the redemption date; (ii) the
number of shares and series of the Preferred Shares to be redeemed; (iii) the
redemption price; (iv) the place or places where certificates for such
Preferred Shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price;
(v) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such
redemption date; and (vi) the date upon which the holder's conversion rights,
if any, as to such shares shall terminate. If fewer than all the Preferred
Shares of any series are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to each such holder
thereof shall also specify the number of Preferred Shares to be redeemed from
each such holder. If notice of redemption of any Preferred Shares has been
given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by
the Trust in trust for the benefit of the holders of any Preferred Shares so
called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date dividends will
cease to accrue on such Preferred Shares, and all rights of the holders of
such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price.
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Trust, then, before any distribution or payment shall be
made to the holders of any Common Shares, excess shares or any other class or
series of capital shares of the Trust ranking junior to the Preferred Shares
in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Trust, the holders of each series of Preferred Shares shall be entitled
to receive out of assets of the Trust legally available for distribution to
shareholders liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation
preference per share (set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement), plus
an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid thereon (which shall not
include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend
periods if such Preferred Shares do not have a cumulative dividend). After
payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are
entitled, the holders of Preferred Shares will have no right or claim to any
of the remaining assets of the Trust. In the event that, upon any such
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the available
assets of the Trust are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating
distributions on all outstanding Preferred Shares and the corresponding
amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of capital shares of
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the Trust ranking on a parity with the Preferred Shares in the distribution of
assets, then the holders of the Preferred Shares and all other such classes or
series of capital shares shall share ratably in any such distribution of
assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would
otherwise be respectively entitled.
If liquidating distributions shall have been made in full to all holders of
Preferred Shares, the remaining assets of the Trust shall be distributed among
the holders of any other classes or series of capital shares ranking junior to
the Preferred Shares upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, according to
their respective rights and preferences and in each case according to their
respective number of shares. For such purposes, the consolidation or merger of
the Trust with or into any other corporation, trust or entity, or the sale,
lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the property or business of
the Trust, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Trust.
VOTING RIGHTS
Holders of the Preferred Shares will not have any voting rights, except as
set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by law or as
indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Whenever dividends on any Preferred Shares shall be in arrears for six
consecutive quarterly periods, the holders of such Preferred Shares (voting
separately as a class with all other series of Preferred Shares upon which
like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) will be entitled
to vote for the election of two additional Trustees of the Trust at the next
annual meeting of shareholders and at each subsequent meeting until (i) if
such series of Preferred Shares has a cumulative dividend, all dividends
accumulated on such shares of Preferred Shares for the past dividend periods
and the then current dividend period shall have been fully paid or declared
and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment or (ii) if
such series of Preferred Shares does not have a cumulative dividend, four
consecutive quarterly dividends shall have been fully paid or declared and a
sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment. In such case,
the entire Board of Trustees of the Trust will be increased by two Trustees.
Unless provided otherwise for any series of Preferred Shares, so long as any
Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the Trust will not, without the
affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
shares of each series of Preferred Shares outstanding at the time, given in
person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (such series voting
separately as a class), (i) authorize or create, or increase the authorized or
issued amount of, any class or series of capital shares ranking prior to such
series of Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends or the
distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up or
reclassify any authorized capital shares of the Trust into any such shares, or
create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or
evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or (ii) amend, alter or
repeal the provisions of the Trust's Declaration of Trust or the Statement of
Designations for such series of Preferred Shares, whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise (an "Event"), so as to materially and adversely
affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of such series of
Preferred Shares or the holders thereof; provided, however, with respect to
the occurrence of any of the Events set forth in (ii) above, so long as the
Preferred Shares remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially
unchanged, taking into account that upon the occurrence of an Event, the Trust
may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of any such Event shall not be
deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges
or voting power of holders of Preferred Shares and provided further that
(x) any increase in the amount of the authorized Preferred Shares or the
creation or issuance of any other series of Preferred Shares, or (y) any
increase in the amount of authorized shares of such series or any other series
of Preferred Shares, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the
Preferred Shares of such series with respect to payment of dividends or the
distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not
be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences,
privileges or voting powers.
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The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time
when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall
be effected, all outstanding shares of such series of Preferred Shares shall
have been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have
been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.
CONVERSION RIGHTS
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of Preferred Shares
are convertible into Common Shares will be set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the number of
Common Shares into which the Preferred Shares are convertible, the conversion
price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as
to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of the Preferred
Shares or the Trust, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion
price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of
such series of Preferred Shares.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
As discussed below under "Description of Common Shares--Shareholder
Liability," the Declaration of Trust provides that no shareholder, including
holders of Preferred Shares, shall be personally liable for the acts and
obligations of the Trust and that the funds and property of the Trust shall be
solely liable for such acts or obligations. The Declaration of Trust provides
that, to the extent practicable, each written instrument creating an
obligation of the Trust shall contain a provision to that effect. The
Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust shall indemnify and hold
harmless shareholders against all claims and liabilities and related
reasonable expenses to which they may become subject by reason of their being
or having been shareholders. In some jurisdictions, however, with respect to
tort and contract claims where shareholder liability is not so negated, claims
for taxes and certain statutory liability, shareholders may be personally
liable to the extent that such claims are not satisfied by the Trust. The
Trust carries public liability insurance that the Trustees consider adequate.
Thus, any risk of personal liability to shareholders is limited to situations
in which the Trust's assets plus its insurance coverage would be insufficient
to satisfy the claims against the Trust and its shareholders.
RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP
As discussed below under "Description of Common Shares--REIT Qualification,"
for the Trust to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), not more than 50% in value of its outstanding capital
shares may be owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer individuals
(as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a
taxable year. To assist the Trust in meeting this requirement, the Trust may
take certain other actions to limit the beneficial ownership, directly or
indirectly, by a single person of more than 9.8% of the Trust's outstanding
equity securities, including any Preferred Shares of the Trust. Therefore, the
Statement of Designations for each series of Preferred Shares will contain
certain provisions restricting the ownership and transfer of the Preferred
Shares. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will specify any additional
ownership limitation relating to a series of Preferred Shares.
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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES
GENERAL
The Common Shares are issued pursuant to the Declaration of Trust. The
Common Shares (no par or stated value) are equal with respect to distribution
and liquidation rights, are not convertible, have no preemptive rights to
subscribe for additional Common Shares, are nonassessable (except as described
under "Shareholder Liability" below) and are transferable in the same manner
as shares of a corporation. Each shareholder is entitled to one vote in person
or by proxy for each Common Share registered in his name and has the right to
vote on the election or removal of Trustees, amendments to the Declaration of
Trust, proposals to terminate, reorganize, merge or consolidate the Trust or
to sell or dispose of substantially all of the Trust's property and with
respect to certain business combinations. The Trust will have perpetual
existence unless and until dissolved and terminated. Except with respect to
the foregoing matters, no action taken by the shareholders at any meeting
shall in any way bind the Trustees. The Common Shares offered by the Trust
will be, when issued, fully paid and nonassessable (except as described under
"Shareholder Liability" below).
Without shareholder approval, the Trust may issue an unlimited number of
securities, warrants, rights, or other options to purchase Common Shares and
other securities convertible into Common Shares.
Several provisions in the Declaration of Trust may have the effect of
deterring a takeover of the Trust. These provisions (i) establish the
percentage of outstanding Common Shares required to approve certain matters,
including removal of a Trustee, amendment of any section of the Declaration of
Trust that provides for a shareholder vote, the reorganization, merger,
consolidation, sale or termination of the Trust and a sale of substantially
all of the assets of the Trust, at 80% unless the matter to be acted upon is
approved or recommended by the Board of Trustees in which event the percentage
is 66 2/3%; (ii) restrict ownership of the Trust's outstanding capital shares
by a single person to 9.8% of such capital shares unless otherwise approved by
the Board of Trustees to assist in protecting and preserving the qualification
of the Trust as a real estate investment trust under the Code; and (iii)
include a "fair price" provision that would deter a "two-stage" takeover
transaction by requiring an 80% vote of outstanding Common Shares for certain
defined "business combinations" with shareholders owning more than 9.8% of
Common Shares or their affiliates if the transaction is neither approved by
the Board of Trustees nor meets certain price and procedural conditions.
In addition, the Declaration of Trust includes provisions for (i) the
classification of Trustees into three classes serving three year staggered
terms and (ii) the authorization of Trustees to issue an unlimited number of
Common Shares and to issue additional classes of equity securities in
unlimited numbers with such rights, qualifications, limitations or
restrictions as are stated in the Board of Trustees' resolution establishing
such class of securities.
In 1989, the Trustees adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan (the "Plan"). Under
the Plan, one right was issued for each outstanding Common Share and a right
will be attached to each Share issued in the future. The rights authorize the
holders to purchase Common Shares at a price below market upon the occurrence
of certain events, including, unless approved by the Board of Trustees,
acquisition by a person or group of certain levels of beneficial ownership of
the Trust or a tender offer. The rights are redeemable by the Trust for $.01
and expire in 1999.
REIT QUALIFICATION
The Trust operates in a manner intended to qualify for treatment as a real
estate investment trust under Sections 856 to 860 of the Code. In general, a
REIT that distributes to its shareholders at least 95% of its taxable income
(other than net capital gain) for a taxable year and that meets certain other
conditions will not be taxed on income (including net capital gain)
distributed for that year. If the
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Trust fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be taxed as a
corporation for that year on all its income, regardless of whether that income
is distributed to shareholders, and its shareholders will be separately taxed
on the amount of any such distributions. Under such circumstances, the Trust
also will be disqualified from being treated as a REIT for the ensuing four
taxable years. Failure to qualify as a REIT could result in the Trust
incurring indebtedness and perhaps liquidating investments in order to pay its
taxes.
Among the requirements which must be met in order for the Trust to qualify
as a REIT is that not more than 50% in value of the outstanding capital
shares, including in some circumstances capital shares into which outstanding
securities (including the Securities) might be converted, may be owned
actually or constructively by five or fewer individuals or certain other
entities at any time during the last half of the Trust's taxable year. To
assist the Trust in meeting this requirement, the Trust (a) by lot or other
equitable means, may prevent the transfer of and/or may call for redemption a
number of capital shares sufficient for the continued qualification of the
Trust as a REIT and (b) may refuse to register the transfer of capital shares
and may take certain other actions to limit the beneficial ownership, directly
or indirectly, by a single person of more than 9.8% of the Trust's outstanding
equity securities. Capital shares reserved for issuance upon conversion of any
class of then outstanding convertible securities of the Trust may be
considered outstanding capital shares for purposes of this provision if the
effect thereof would be to cause a single person to own or to be deemed to own
more than 9.8% of the Trust's outstanding capital shares. Without shareholder
approval, the Trust may issue an unlimited number of securities, warrants,
rights or other options to purchase Common Shares and other securities
convertible into Common Shares.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
In any year which the Trust qualifies to be taxed as a REIT, distributions
made to its shareholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits
will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income except that distributions of
net capital gains designated by the Trust as capital gain dividends will be
taxed as long-term capital gain income to the shareholders. To the extent that
distributions exceed current or accumulated earnings and profits, they will
constitute a return of capital, rather than dividend or capital gain income,
and will reduce the basis for the shareholder's Common Shares with respect to
which the distribution is paid or, to the extent that they exceed such basis,
will be taxed in the same manner as gain from the sale of those Common Shares.
Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the
appropriateness of an investment in the Common Shares and with respect to the
tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, municipality or other
taxing jurisdiction, as well as the Federal tax consequences resulting from
such investor's own tax characteristics. Foreign investors should consult
their own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences to them of an
investment in the Trust, including the possibility of United States income tax
withholding on Trust distributions.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
The Declaration of Trust provides that no shareholder shall be personally
liable in connection with the Trust's property or the affairs of the Trust.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trust shall indemnify and
hold harmless shareholders against all claims and liabilities and related
reasonable expenses to which they may become subject by reason of their being
or having been shareholders. In addition, the Trust is required to, and as a
matter of practice does, insert a clause in its contracts that provides that
shareholders shall not be personally liable thereunder. However, in respect to
tort claims and contract claims where shareholder liability is not so negated,
claims for taxes and certain statutory liability, the shareholders may, in
some jurisdictions, be personally liable to the extent that such claims are
not satisfied by the Trust. The Trust carries public liability insurance that
the Trustees consider adequate. Thus, any risk of personal liability to
shareholders is limited to situations in which the Trust's
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assets plus its insurance coverage would be insufficient to satisfy the claims
against the Trust and its shareholders.
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT
The Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Common Shares is American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, New York, New York.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Trust may sell Securities to or through underwriters, and also may sell
Securities directly to other purchasers or through agents.
The distribution of the Securities may be effected from time to time in one
or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at
market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
In connection with the sale of Securities, underwriters may receive
compensation from the Trust or from purchasers of Securities, for whom they
may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions.
Underwriters may sell Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may
receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions
from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may
act as agents. Underwriters, dealers, and agents that participate in the
distribution of Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts
or commissions they receive from the Trust, and any profit on the resale of
Securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be
identified, and any such compensation received from the Trust will be
described, in the Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, each series
of Securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other
than the Common Shares which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Any
Common Shares sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will be listed on such
exchange, subject to official notice of issuance. The Trust may elect to list
any series of Debt Securities or Preferred Shares on an exchange, but is not
obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a
market in a series of Securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may
discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Therefore, no
assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the
Securities.
Under agreements the Trust may enter into, underwriters, dealers, and agents
who participate in the distribution of Securities may be entitled to
indemnification by the Trust against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, or be customers of, the Trust in the ordinary course of
business.
If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Trust will authorize
underwriters or other persons acting as the Trust's agents to solicit offers
by certain institutions to purchase Securities from the Trust pursuant to
contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions
with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks,
insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and
charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be
approved by the Trust. The obligations of any purchaser under any such
contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the Securities
shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the
jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such
other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or
performance of such contracts.
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LEGAL OPINIONS
The legality of the Securities offered hereby is being passed upon for the
Trust by Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP, 1800 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20036. Certain REIT tax matters relating to the Trust are being passed upon by
Goodwin, Procter & Hoar, Exchange Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. Brown &
Wood, One World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0557 will act as
counsel to any underwriters, dealers or agents.
EXPERTS
The Consolidated FInancial Statements and Schedules of the Trust as of
December 31, 1994 and 1993 and for each of the years in the three year period
ended December 31, 1994 incorporated herein by reference have been
incorporated herein in reliance on the reports dated February 10, 1995 of
Grant Thornton LLP, independent certified public accountants, also
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
With respect to the unaudited interim financial information included in the
Trust's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1995
and June 30, 1995 which are incorporated herein by reference, Grant Thornton
LLP has applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards
for a review of such information. However, as stated in their reports dated
May 5, 1995 and August 8, 1995 included in the Trust's Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1995 and June 30, 1995 and
incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they do not express
an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of
reliance on their reports on such information should be restricted in light of
the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Grant Thornton LLP is not
subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of
1933 for their reports on the unaudited interim financial information because
those reports are not "reports" or a "part" of the registration statement
prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11
of the Securities Act.
The Statement of Revenue and Certain Expenses of Sidcor Finley Associates
for the year ended December 31, 1994, included in the Trust's Current Report
on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 22, 1995, incorporated by
reference herein, has been incorporated herein in reliance on the report dated
June 13, 1995 of Warady & Davis LLP, independent certified public accountants,
also incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
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