Filed pursuant to Rule 497
Registration No. 333-228963
PROSPECTUS
CLARION PARTNERS REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND INC.
CLASS S COMMON SHARES
CLASS T COMMON SHARES
CLASS D COMMON SHARES
CLASS I COMMON SHARES
The Fund. Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc. (the Fund) is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its shares. The Fund is a Maryland corporation and intends to elect to be taxed as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Securities Offered. The Fund intends to offer four classes of its shares of common stock on a continuous basis: Class S Common Stock (Class S Shares), Class T Common Stock (Class T Shares), Class D Common Stock (Class D Shares) and Class I Common Stock (Class I Shares and, together with the Class S Shares, Class T Shares and Class D Shares, the Common Stock). Class D Shares and Class I Shares will initially be offered at $10.00 per share, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at net asset value (NAV) per share. Class S Shares will initially be offered at $10.36 per share, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at NAV per share, plus a maximum sales load of up to 3.5% of the offering price. Class T Shares will initially be offered at $10.36 per share, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at NAV per share, plus a maximum sales load of up to 3.0% of the offering price and a dealer manager fee of 0.5% of the offering price.
Investment Objective. The Funds investment objective is to provide current income and long-term capital appreciation. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Investment Strategies. The Fund intends under normal market conditions to invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes) in a portfolio of private commercial real estate and publicly traded real estate securities. Investments may consist of (i) privately owned commercial real estate, in the form of equity and debt (Private CRE) and (ii) publicly traded real estate debt and equity securities (Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities). It is expected that a majority of the Funds underlying investments in real estate will be located in the United States, although the Fund may also make investments internationally. Clarion Partners, LLC (Clarion Partners) will seek to select investments across property types, geographic regions and metropolitan areas in order to generate attractive current income with the potential for long term appreciation and favorable risk-adjusted returns.
On a long-term basis, under normal market conditions, Clarion Partners expects to allocate the Funds portfolio generally in accordance with the following targeted percentages of net assets (plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes): (i) 60-90% to Private CRE and (ii) 10-40% to Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities and cash/cash equivalents and other short-term investments to facilitate liquidity for periodic repurchases of Common Stock (cash/cash equivalents and other short-term investments will not count toward the Funds 80% test). The Funds investments in Private CRE may include whole or partial interests in real properties, mortgage debt and mezzanine debt (which is generally a subordinated loan secured by a pledge of the ownership interests of the entity owning the real property). The Funds investments in Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities may include commercial mortgage backed securities, residential mortgage backed securities and other equity or debt securities issued by real estate investment trusts or real estate-related investment companies. Real estate-related investment companies are investment companies that primarily invest in real estate or activities relating to the ownership, construction, financing, management, servicing or sale of such real estate.
Investing in the Common Stock involves certain risks. See Risks beginning on page 43 of this prospectus.
Offering Price(1) | Maximum Sales Load |
Dealer Manager Fees |
Proceeds to Fund(2) |
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Class S Common Stock, per share |
$ | 10.36 | 3.5 | % | None | $ | 10.00 | |||||||||
Class T Common Stock, per share |
$ | 10.36 | 3.0 | % | 0.5 | % | $ | 10.00 | ||||||||
Class D Common Stock, per share |
$ | 10.00 | None | None | $ | 10.00 | ||||||||||
Class I Common Stock, per share |
$ | 10.00 | None | None | $ | 10.00 | ||||||||||
Maximum Offering(3) |
$ | 1,000,000,000 | $ | 32,500,000 | $ | 2,500,000 | $ | 965,000,000 |
(1) | Class D Shares and Class I Shares will initially be offered at $10.00 per share and Class S Shares and Class T Shares will initially be offered at $10.36 per share. Thereafter, each class of Common Stock will be continuously offered at NAV, plus, in the case of Class S Shares, a maximum sales load of up to 3.5% of the offering price and in the case of Class T Shares, a maximum sales load of up to 3.0% of the offering price and a dealer manager fee of 0.5%. Information in the table reflects the initial offering price. |
(2) | Offering and organizational expenses prior to the Fund commencing its offering of the Common Stock are estimated to be approximately $1.5 million. LMPFA (as defined below) and Clarion Partners have agreed to fund the Funds organizational and offering expenses until the initial sale of Common Stock in this offering. The Fund will reimburse these expenses, subject to a specified expense cap and reimbursement limitations (as detailed below). Subject to the terms and conditions described in this prospectus, LMPFA has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse the expenses (including organizational and offering expenses, but excluding property management, acquisition, disposition expenses, any other expenses related to investments in real property, debt and real-estate related securities, interest, brokerage, tax and extraordinary expenses) to the extent necessary to ensure that the total annual Fund operating expenses attributable to Class S Shares, Class T Shares, Class D Shares and Class I Shares will not exceed 2.60%, 2.60%, 2.00% and 1.75%, respectively, of NAV of that class per year. These arrangements cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2020 without the consent of the board of directors of the Fund (the Board). LMPFA is permitted to recapture amounts forgone or reimbursed within three years after the fiscal year in which LMPFA earned the fee or incurred the expense if the total annual Fund operating expenses have fallen to a level below the limits described above. In no case will LMPFA recapture any amount that would result in the total annual Fund operating expenses exceeding such limits. |
(3) | Assumes an offering of 50% Class S shares and 50% Class T shares at the maximum sales load and dealer manager fee, as applicable. |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Prospectus dated June 13, 2019.
Repurchases. The Fund intends, but is not obligated, to conduct quarterly tender offers for up to 5.0% of the aggregate NAV of its Common Stock then outstanding as of the applicable valuation date. Repurchases will be made at such times and on such terms as may be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion. However, no assurance can be given that repurchases will occur or that any Common Stock properly tendered will be repurchased by the Fund. The Fund expects to make its first tender offer for its Common Stock no later than the end of its first full calendar quarter of operations.
Leverage. The Fund may use leverage to provide additional funds to support its investment activities. The Fund expects to utilize debt financing consisting of property level debt (mortgages on the Funds properties that are generally not recourse to the Fund) and entity level debt (non-mortgage debt that is recourse to the Fund). Property level debt will be incurred by special purpose vehicles held by the Fund (including as part of a joint venture with a third party) and secured by real estate owned by such special purpose vehicles. If a special purpose vehicle were to default on a loan, the lenders recourse would be to the mortgaged property and the lender would typically not have a claim to other assets of the Fund or its subsidiaries. As a result, the Fund will not treat such borrowings as senior securities (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act)) for purposes of complying with the 1940 Acts limitations on leverage unless the financial statements of the special purpose vehicle making such borrowing will be consolidated in the Funds financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X and other accounting rules. The Fund may also incur entity level debt, including unsecured and secured credit facilities from certain financial institutions and other forms of borrowing (collectively, Borrowings) and is limited to 33 1/3% of the Funds total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by 1940 Act leverage) immediately after such Borrowings. In addition, the Fund may enter into investment management techniques (including reverse repurchase agreements and derivative transactions) that have similar effects as leverage, but which are not subject to the foregoing 33 1/3% limitation so long as the Fund has covered its commitment with respect to such techniques by segregating liquid assets, entering into offsetting transactions or owning positions covering its obligations. Furthermore, the Fund may add leverage to its portfolio through the issuance of preferred stock (Preferred Stock) in an aggregate amount of up to 50% of the Funds total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by 1940 Act leverage) immediately after such issuance. Currently, the Fund has no intention to issue Preferred Stock. See Leverage and RisksLeverage Risk.
Investment Manager. Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA) will supervise the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio by Clarion Partners and provide administrative and management services to the Fund. As of March 31, 2019, LMPFAs total assets under management were approximately $188.2 billion.
Investment Sub-Adviser. Clarion Partners will serve as the investment sub-adviser and be responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board and LMPFA. Clarion Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser with FCA-authorized and FINRA member affiliates, has been a leading U.S. real estate investment manager for more than 36 years. Clarion Partners is currently one of the largest real estate investment managers in the United States, managing approximately $50.3 billion in assets for over 350 institutional clients worldwide as of March 31, 2019. Clarion Partners is focused exclusively on real estate investments and is distinguished by a performance-driven approach, organizational stability, and a mandate of accountability to its clients. We believe Clarion Partners strength lies in a well-established network of experienced professionals who bring a deep knowledge of local markets to every investment decision.
Clarion Partners was founded in 1982 as an investment advisor to institutional investors, specializing in sourcing, underwriting and managing real estate investments. Headquartered in New York, Clarion Partners and its real-estate related affiliates have approximately 290 employees in six regional offices strategically located throughout the U.S. and a presence in the U.K. Clarion Partners executes across a range of risk strategies, from core/core-plus to value-add/opportunistic, in both funds and separate accounts.
Securities Sub-Adviser. Western Asset Management Company, LLC (Western Asset) will be the securities sub-adviser and have day-to-day responsibility for managing the portion of the Funds Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities investments that Clarion Partners allocates to Western Asset, subject to the supervision of the Board, LMPFA and Clarion Partners. Western Asset acts as investment adviser to institutional accounts, such as corporate pension plans, mutual funds and endowment funds, is an affiliate of LMPFA and an affiliate of Clarion Partners. As of March 31, 2019, Western Assets total assets under management were approximately $431.2 billion.
Risks. Investing in the Fund involves a high degree of risk. In particular:
| An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with private market investments with potential limited liquidity. The Common Stock should be viewed as a long-term investment within a multi-asset personal portfolio and should not be viewed individually as a complete investment program. |
| The Fund expects to ordinarily pay distributions from its net investment income, if any, on a quarterly basis; however, the Fund cannot guarantee that it will make distributions and the amount of distributions that the Fund may pay, if any, is uncertain. |
| The Fund may pay distributions from sources other than cash flow from operations, including, without limitation, the sale of assets, borrowings, return of capital, or offering proceeds. |
| Investors will pay offering and organizational expenses and, with regard to Class S Shares and Class T Shares, a front-end sales load of up to 3.5% and 3.0% of the offering price, respectively, and with regard to Class T Shares only, a dealer manager fee of 0.5% of the offering price. If you pay the maximum aggregate sales load for Class S Shares or the maximum sales load and dealer manager fee for Class T Shares, in each case of 3.5%, you must experience a total return of 3.6% in order to receive an actual return on your investment. |
| The Common Stock has no history of public trading, nor is it intended that the Common Stock will be listed on a public exchange or any other trading market. No organized secondary market is expected to develop for the Funds shares, liquidity for the Funds Common Stock is expected to be provided only through quarterly repurchase offers of Common Stock at NAV per share of Common Stock, subject to a repurchase fee of up to 2.00% described in this prospectus. |
| There is no guarantee that repurchases will occur or that an investor will be able to sell all the Common Stock that the investor desires to sell in a repurchase offer. Due to these restrictions, an investor should consider an investment in the Fund to be illiquid. Investing in the Common Stock may be speculative and involves a high degree of risk, including the risks associated with leverage. See Risks below in this prospectus. |
You should read this prospectus, which contains important information about the Fund that you should know, before deciding whether to invest, and retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated June 13, 2019, as it may be amended (the SAI), containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this prospectus. You may request a free copy of the SAI (the table of contents of which is on page 119 of this prospectus), annual and semi-annual reports to stockholders (when available), and additional information about the Fund by calling (888) 777-0102, by writing to the Fund at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018 or visiting the Funds website (http://www.lmcef.com). The information contained in, or accessed through, the Funds website is not part of this prospectus. You may also obtain a copy of the SAI (and other information regarding the Fund) from the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information relating to the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. Such materials, as well as the Funds annual and semi-annual reports (when available) and other information regarding the Fund, are also available on the SECs website (http://www.sec.gov). You may also e-mail requests for these documents to publicinfo@sec.gov or make a request in writing to the SECs Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
The Funds Common Stock does not represent a deposit or obligation of and is not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and is not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
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Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional Information |
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You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
This is only a summary. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the Fund. You should review the more detailed information contained in this prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information (the SAI), especially the information under the heading Risks.
The Fund |
Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc. (the Fund) is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), that continuously offers its shares. The Fund is a Maryland corporation and intends to elect to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (a REIT) for U.S. federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). Throughout the prospectus, we refer to Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc. simply as the Fund, we, us or our. See The Fund. |
Investment Opportunity |
Real estate offers an attractive alternative for those investors seeking diversification from traditional asset classes. Investment in commercial real estate can have the following benefits for any multi-asset portfolio: |
1. | Enhanced risk-adjusted total returns: Commercial real estate can provide attractive absolute returns with lower volatility than equities and fixed income. |
2. | Strong cash flow potential: The long-term nature of commercial real estate leases can provide a good source of stable, predictable income. |
3. | Enhanced portfolio diversification: Historically, private real estate investments have demonstrated low correlations to traditional asset classes. |
4. | Hedge against inflation: Commercial real estate has the potential to act as a hedge against inflation as leasing and rental income can often reset with the economic cycle due to inflation-linked terms of contract. |
Who May Want to Invest |
Investors should consider their financial situations and needs, other investments, investment goals, investment experience, time horizons, liquidity needs and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not appropriate for all investors, and the Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. See Risks. |
Barriers to investing in real estate can be high, which has in the past curbed broad-based participation in the asset class. These include high capital requirements and complex, relatively illiquid transactions. The Fund may be an appropriate investment for long-term investors who are seeking: |
| a portfolio of high quality, privately held commercial real estate and Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities with the transparency of a 1940 Act fund; |
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| the income, capital appreciation and portfolio diversification benefits that real estate can offer; and |
| the opportunity for attractive current distributions through a tax-efficient structure and the potential for long-term capital appreciation. |
Investment Objective |
The Funds investment objective is to provide current income and long-term capital appreciation. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. |
Investment Strategies |
The Fund intends under normal market conditions to invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes) in a portfolio of private commercial real estate and publicly traded real estate securities. |
Investments may consist of (i) investments in privately owned commercial real estate, in the form of equity and debt (Private CRE) and (ii) publicly traded real estate debt and equity securities (Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities). It is expected that a majority of the Funds underlying investments in real estate will be located in the United States. |
Private CRE: The Fund intends to invest primarily in stabilized income-oriented Private CRE located in the United States. Stabilized income-oriented real estate generally means that a property is well leased to tenants and does not require material capital improvements. However, the Fund may make investments in Private CRE with other characteristics (such as properties that are not well leased and generally require significant capital improvements, restructuring and/or repositioning) or other geographies (specifically, developed countries other than the United States), if Clarion Partners believes that such investments have the potential to enhance investment returns. |
The Fund expects to invest in a wide variety of Private CRE, including industrial, multifamily, office, retail, and other real property types through both equity and debt investments. Other real property types may include, but are not limited to student housing, data centers, self-storage, hospitality, wireless towers, manufactured housing, and medical and healthcare facilities, and other property types. The Funds investments in Private CRE may include whole or partial interests in real properties, mortgage debt, mezzanine debt (which is generally a subordinated loan secured by a pledge of the ownership interests of the entity owning the real property) and other direct real estate investments. Clarion Partners (as defined below) will select investments across property types, geographic regions and metropolitan areas in order to generate attractive current income with the potential for long term appreciation and favorable risk-adjusted returns. The Fund considers equity investments in Private CRE to be owning the equity of special purpose vehicles that own commercial |
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real estate. When the Fund determines to purchase a property, a special purpose vehicle will generally be created to hold the title to the property. By owning the equity of a special purpose vehicle, the Fund will own the title to the underlying property. |
Many of the Funds equity investments in Private CRE are intended to be wholly-owned by the Fund; however, the Fund also expects to enter into a significant number of joint ventures or other co-ownership arrangements with third parties. In these joint ventures, the Fund would generally share control with the third party partner, but may in some cases have minority control of an investment, and in many cases the third party partner may provide operating services for the property. In some cases the Fund may pay to have a period of exclusivity, or an option, to purchase a Private CRE property.
Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities: The Funds investments in Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities may include commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS), residential mortgage backed securities (RMBS), and other equity or debt securities issued by REITs or real estate-related investment companies. Publicly traded securities may be exchange-traded or traded over-the-counter (OTC). Real estate-related investment companies are investment companies that primarily invest in real estate or activities relating to the ownership, construction, financing, management, servicing or sale of such real estate. |
The Fund may invest in securities of any credit quality, maturity and duration to enhance its income and capital appreciation potential and to provide liquidity to the overall portfolio. This may include below investment grade (or junk) securities. See RisksBelow Investment Grade (High Yield or Junk) Securities Risk. The Fund expects that its investments in Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities will primarily be in U.S. securities, but it may also invest in non-U.S. securities (however, the Fund does not expect to invest in emerging markets). |
Clarion Partners will utilize the fixed income expertise of Western Asset (as defined below) to select specific types of Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities within investment guidelines set by Clarion Partners. |
The Funds investment strategy provides investors the ability to gain direct exposure to a portfolio of stabilized income-oriented commercial real estate and real estate related securities. See The Funds InvestmentsBenefits of Investing in Real Estate. |
Clarion Partners will utilize the breadth and scale of its national real estate platform, research-based process and acquisition and management expertise to evaluate market conditions and potential investment opportunities for the Fund. Clarion Partners will take into account real estate cycles across property types and markets in an effort to reduce portfolio volatility and enhance returns. As an additional risk management measure, Clarion Partners will primarily |
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consider markets that it believes have attractive growth prospects and healthy supply/demand dynamics. |
On a long-term basis, under normal market conditions, Clarion Partners will seek to allocate the Funds portfolio generally in accordance with the following targeted percentages of net assets (plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes): |
| 60-90% to Private CRE; and |
| 10-40% to Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities and cash/cash equivalents and other short-term investments to facilitate liquidity for periodic repurchases of Common Stock. |
Clarion Partners will have the ability to allocate the Funds portfolio between Private CRE and Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities as well as to determine the portion of the Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities or cash equivalents that will be managed by Western Asset, in each case subject to the supervision and direction of the board of directors of the Fund (the Board) and LMPFA (as defined below). |
For a more complete discussion of the Funds portfolio composition, see The Funds Investments. |
The Offering |
The Fund intends to offer four classes of its shares of common stock: Class S Common Stock (Class S Shares), Class T Common Stock (Class T Shares), Class D Common Stock (Class D Shares) and Class I Common Stock (Class I Shares and together with the Class S Shares, Class T Shares and Class D Shares the Common Stock). LMPFA has obtained exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) permitting registered closed-end management investment companies for which LMPFA or its affiliates act as investment adviser to issue multiple classes of shares with varying sales loads and asset based service and/or distribution fees. |
Class D Shares and Class I Shares will initially be offered at $10.00 per share, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at net asset value (NAV) per share. Class S Shares will initially be offered at $10.36 per share, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at NAV per share, plus a maximum sales load of up to 3.5% of the offering price. Class T Shares will initially be offered at $10.36 per share, and thereafter will be offered on a continuous basis at NAV per share, plus a maximum sales load of up to 3.0% of the offering price and a dealer manager fee of 0.5% of the offering price. Holders of Class S Shares, Class T Shares, Class D Shares and Class I Shares have equal rights and privileges with each other, except that purchasers of Class I Shares do not pay a sales load or dealer manager fees and the Fund does not pay any servicing or distribution fees with respect to Class I Shares. See Ongoing Distribution and Servicing Fees and Summary of Fund Expenses for information on servicing and distribution fees. |
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Proceeds from the offering will be held by the Funds custodian and available to fund investments. No arrangements have been made to place such proceeds in an escrow, trust or similar account. The Fund generally expects to invest the proceeds from the offering within 30 days from receipt thereof. |
The Fund reserves the right to reject a purchase order for any reason. |
Investment Process |
Clarion Partners Private CRE Investment Process for Equity and Debt |
Clarion Partners will utilize a disciplined investment process to identify investment opportunities for the Fund. Clarion Partners will leverage its proprietary investment research combined with its long standing real estate experience to identify, acquire, oversee and dispose of real estate assets. |
Investment management of the Fund will be a highly collaborative process between the Funds portfolio managers and the dedicated Investment Research, Acquisitions and Asset Management groups at Clarion Partners. Each potential investment will be assigned a due diligence team with expertise in each of the disciplines of Investment Research, Acquisitions and Asset Management. The Clarion Partners asset manager for the applicable investment will be both geographically and property type focused. The asset manager will follow the investment from sourcing to underwriting to closing to management. This approach brings to bear the collective expertise of each of Clarion Partners investment disciplines and helps ensure efficient execution. |
Clarion Partners has Investment Committees (Equity, Debt and Portfolio Allocation) for Private CRE investments as well as allocations to sub-advisors. Each Committee is comprised of seasoned real estate professionals with an average of 27 years of real estate investment experience. The relevant Investment Committee will oversee the investment process, review and approve each potential Private CRE investment and disposition as well as determine allocations to Western Asset. |
Clarion Partners investment process broadly consists of four key stages: |
1. | Investment Sourcing. Clarion Partners acquisition group targets and sources investments consistent with the Funds strategy. Target investments are identified based on analysis from the Investment Research Group, which considers factors such as: which geographic markets and sectors are expected to outperform based on rental growth projections or other metrics, tenant preferences, where pricing is relative to alternatives and replacement cost, which investments are expected to perform best over time, how risk is being priced in the market, and local demographics and trends. |
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2. | Preliminary Underwriting. The team performs initial underwriting, pricing and structuring analysis, which includes developing cash flow and return models, performing initial assessment of returns and impact on portfolio return and characteristics. |
3. | Investment Underwriting and Due Diligence. This step includes a detailed lease analysis, as well as physical inspections and reviews of the property and market reports. Cash flow and return models are further refined, and impact on portfolio return and characteristics are assessed. |
4. | Final Decision: The due diligence findings and any adjustments to returns and pricing are presented to the Investment Committee for approval. |
Clarion Partners will closely monitor the performance of the Funds investments. Each year, Clarion Partners will develop a strategic investment plan for the Fund. In addition, Clarion Partners asset managers are responsible for developing an annual business plan for every asset in their respective markets. This plan is subject to approval by the portfolio manager. This plan sets specific goals for value enhancement projects, tenant retention, leasing, operations, capital improvements, and a comprehensive hold/sell analysis. For debt investments, a lenders control over value enhancement projects, tenant retention, leasing, operations and capital improvements is often limited as the equity holder would maintain control over these decisions within the bounds of the covenants of the senior and subordinate loan agreements. |
Further, the Funds annual strategic investment plan is submitted to a Peer Review Group (PRG) for review and approval. Each PRG, which generally meets at the beginning of the year and periodically as needed, comprises senior investment professionals from across Clarion Partners. |
With respect to Private CRE investments, in the cases where Clarion Partners identifies a potential investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple clients, Clarion Partners adheres to an allocation policy (the Allocation Policy) by which it rotates the priority of its clients with respect to new opportunities. The Allocation Policy is designed to allocate investment opportunities among Clarion Partners active clients in a manner that is transparent, fair and unbiased and to optimize the investment objectives of each, recognizing that, on occasion, certain investments may be equally suitable for more than one client. |
To enforce the Allocation Policy, Clarion Partners has established a formal procedure as follows: |
| Each potential investment is submitted for review to all Clarion Partners portfolio managers, each representing his/her respective |
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client(s) to determine if the investment meets both Clarion Partners and the clients investment criteria. |
| To the extent that an investment is deemed suitable for and/or desired by only one client, it is allocated to that client. |
| To the extent that an investment opportunity, on balance, is deemed equally suitable for and desired by more than one Clarion Partners client (such opportunity, a Contested Opportunity), it is allocated to the client that has waited the longest to be assigned a prior Contested Opportunity, regardless of whether such client consummated such prior Contested Opportunity. Clarion Partners Head of Acquisitions or his delegate maintains a list and allocation order for Contested Opportunities. |
| In making any determination with regard to the suitability of any particular investment opportunity for any particular client, the portfolio managers will consider such factors that they may deem appropriate to take into account, including, without limitation, projected cash flow, the anticipated effect of the investment opportunity on a given clients portfolio diversification, the anticipated income or unrelated business income tax effects, policies related to leverage, regulatory restrictions and the capital that a given client has available. |
| For the avoidance of doubt, each new client will begin with the lowest priority for allocation upon its commencement. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no new opportunity will become subject to the above Allocation Policy where such new opportunity is: sourced by a client with its own independent investment resources for acquisition by such client; or sourced for a specific client pursuant to certain programmatic joint ventures. |
Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities
Broad investment strategies are formulated by Western Assets US Broad Strategy Committee, which is comprised of senior investment professionals who represent major U.S. market sectors. These senior professionals each have expertise in a specific area of the fixed-income market, interact on a daily basis to evaluate developments in the market and the economy, and meet formally every week to review Western Assets economic outlook and investment strategy. The head of Western Assets Mortgage and Consumer Credit Team then formulates the macroeconomic-based investment strategies (i.e., duration, curve and sector positioning). |
Portfolios are constructed based on analysis of individual securities using Western Assets fundamental value process. The Mortgage and Consumer Credit Team constructs the portfolios by making larger allocations to sub-sectors that Western Asset believes offer the most attractive risk and liquidity adjusted returns. Active sector rotation is the primary source to manage overall portfolio risk. Sector rotation is |
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an investment management technique whereby assets are shifted from one sector or sub-sector of the real estate market to another seeking to capitalize on the most attractive risk and liquidity adjusted returns. The team uses opportunistic hedging techniques (including derivatives) to manage interest rate, credit and portfolio risk. The Fund may invest in derivative instruments, such as options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, indexed securities, credit linked notes, credit default swaps and other swap agreements for investment, hedging and risk management purposes. |
See The Funds InvestmentsInvestment Process. |
Repurchases |
The Funds Common Stock will not be listed for trading on a securities exchange. The Fund intends, but is not obligated, to conduct quarterly tender offers for up to 5.0% of the aggregate NAV of its Common Stock then outstanding as of the applicable valuation date in the sole discretion of its Board. The Fund expects to make its first tender offer for its Common Stock no later than the end of its first full calendar quarter of operations. |
A stockholder who tenders its Common Stock with a tender valuation date within 12 months of the original issue date of such Shares will be subject to a fee of 2.00% of the NAV of the Common Stock repurchased by the Fund; this reduction is referred to herein as an Early Withdrawal Fee. If applicable, payment of the Early Withdrawal Fee will be made by reducing the repurchase proceeds. The Early Withdrawal Fee will be retained by the Fund for the benefit of remaining stockholders. Shares repurchased will be treated as having been repurchased on a first-in/first-out basis. Therefore, the portion of Shares repurchased will be deemed to have been taken from the earliest Common Stock purchased by such stockholder. LMPFA may waive the Early Withdrawal Fee in its sole discretion under certain circumstances. |
In any given quarter, LMPFA or Clarion Partners may or may not recommend to the Board that the Fund conduct a tender offer. For example, if adverse market conditions cause the Funds investments to become more illiquid or trade at depressed prices or if LMPFA or Clarion Partners believe that conducting a tender offer for 5.0% or less of the aggregate NAV of the Funds Common Stock then outstanding would impose an undue burden on stockholders who do not tender compared to the benefits of giving stockholders the opportunity to sell all or a portion of their Common Stock at NAV, the Fund may choose not to conduct a tender offer or may choose to conduct a tender offer for less than 5.0% of the aggregate NAV its Common Stock then outstanding. Regardless of the recommendation of LMPFA and Clarion Partners, the Board may or may not determine to cause the Fund to conduct a tender offer for any given quarter. |
Accordingly, there may be quarters in which no tender offer is made, and it is possible that no tender offers will be conducted by the Fund at all. If a tender offer is not made, stockholders may not be able to sell |
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their Common Stock as it is unlikely that a secondary market for the Common Stock will develop or, if a secondary market does develop, stockholders may be able to sell their Common Stock only at substantial discounts from NAV. If the Fund does conduct tender offers, it may be required to sell its more liquid, higher quality portfolio securities to fund the purchase of shares of Common Stock that are tendered, which may increase risks for remaining stockholders and increase fund expenses as a percent of assets. The Fund is designed primarily for long-term investors and an investment in the Funds Common Stock should be considered illiquid. For more information concerning repurchases, see RisksLiquidity Risk and Repurchases. |
Leverage |
The Fund may use leverage to provide additional funds to support its investment activities. The Fund expects to utilize debt financing consisting of property level debt (mortgages on the Funds properties that are generally not recourse to the Fund) and entity level debt (non-mortgage debt at the Fund level). Property level debt will be incurred by special purpose vehicles held by the Fund (including as part of a joint venture with a third party) and secured by real estate owned by such special purpose vehicles. Such special purpose vehicles would own real estate assets and would borrow from a lender using the owned property as mortgage collateral. If a special purpose vehicle were to default on a loan, the lenders recourse would be to the mortgaged property and the lender would typically not have a claim to other assets of the Fund or its subsidiaries. When such property level debt is not recourse to the Fund, the Fund will not treat such non-recourse borrowings as senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) for purposes of complying with the 1940 Acts limitations on leverage unless the financial statements of the special purpose vehicle holding such debt will be consolidated in the Funds financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X and other accounting rules. The Fund may also incur entity level debt, including unsecured and secured credit facilities from certain financial institutions and other forms of borrowing (collectively, Borrowings) and is limited to 33 1/3% of the Funds total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by 1940 Act leverage) immediately after such Borrowings. In addition, the Fund may enter into investment management techniques (including reverse repurchase agreements and derivative transactions) that have similar effects as leverage, but which are not subject to the foregoing 33 1/3% limitation so long as the Fund has covered its commitment with respect to such techniques by segregating liquid assets, entering into offsetting transactions or owning positions covering its obligations. Furthermore, the Fund may add leverage to its portfolio through the issuance of preferred stock (Preferred Stock) in an aggregate amount of up to 50% of the Funds total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by 1940 Act leverage) immediately after such issuance. Currently, the Fund has no intention to issue Preferred Stock. See Leverage and RisksLeverage Risk. |
Borrowings (and any Preferred Stock) have seniority over Common Stock. Any Borrowings and Preferred Stock (if issued) leverage |
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investments in Common Stock. Holders of Common Stock bear the costs associated with any Borrowings, and if the Fund issues Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock bear the offering costs of the Preferred Stock issuance. The Board may authorize the use of leverage through Borrowings and Preferred Stock without the approval of the holders of Common Stock. |
The Fund may not use leverage at all times and the amount of leverage may vary depending upon a number of factors, including LMPFAs and Clarion Partners outlook for the market and the costs that the Fund would incur as a result of such leverage. There is no assurance that the Funds leveraging strategy will be successful. |
Distributions |
The Fund intends to make distributions necessary to maintain its qualification as a REIT. Beginning with the end of the Funds first full calendar quarter of operations, the Fund intends to declare and distribute income dividends quarterly to stockholders of record. In addition, the Fund intends to distribute any net capital gains it earns from the sale of portfolio securities to stockholders no less frequently than annually. Net short-term capital gain distributions may be paid more frequently. See Distributions. |
Cash distributions to holders of our Common Stock will automatically be reinvested under our Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the DRIP) in additional whole and fractional shares unless you elect to receive your distributions in cash. Investors may terminate their participation in the DRIP with prior written notice to us. Under the DRIP, stockholders distributions are reinvested in Common Stock of the same class of Common Stock owned by the stockholder for a purchase price equal to the NAV per share (for the class of Common Stock being purchased) on the date that the distribution is paid. See Dividend Reinvestment Plan. |
Investment Manager |
Legg Mason Partners Fund Adviser, LLC (LMPFA) is the Funds investment manager. LMPFA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason Inc. (Legg Mason), is a registered investment adviser and supervises the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio by Clarion Partners. In addition, LMPFA will provide administrative and management services necessary for the operation of the Fund, such as (1) supervising the overall administration of the Fund, including negotiation of contracts and fees with and the monitoring of performance and billings of the Funds transfer agent, stockholder servicing agents, custodian and other independent contractors or agents; (2) providing certain compliance, accounting, regulatory reporting and tax reporting services; (3) preparing or participating in the preparation of Board materials, registration statements, proxy statements and reports and other communications to stockholders; (4) maintaining the Funds existence; and (5) maintaining the registration and qualification of the Funds shares under federal and (if required) state laws. |
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As of March 31, 2019, LMPFAs total assets under management were approximately $188.2 billion. As of March 31, 2019, Legg Masons asset management operation had aggregate assets under management of approximately $758 billion. |
LMPFA will receive a monthly management fee at the annual rate of 1.25% of the average daily value of the Funds net assets. See Management of the FundInvestment Advisory Agreements and Fees. |
Investment Sub-Adviser |
Clarion Partners, LLC (Clarion Partners) is the Funds investment sub-adviser. Clarion Partners, an affiliate of LMPFA, is a registered investment adviser and will be responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board and LMPFA. As of March 31, 2019, Clarion Partners total assets under management were approximately $50.3 billion. |
Founded in 1982, Clarion Partners has historically specialized in managing private equity real estate portfolios in the United States for institutional investors in both separate accounts and commingled funds. Clarion Partners is one of the leading real estate investment advisers in the United States, managing private equity real estate investments for a broad range of clients including government retirement plans, institutions, corporations and private individuals. Headquartered in New York, Clarion Partners has approximately 290 employees in six regional offices across the United States, including 42 senior executives with an average of 26 years of real estate investment experience. |
Clarion Partners will receive an annual sub-advisory fee, payable monthly, from LMPFA in an amount equal to 70% of the management fee paid to LMPFA, net of expense waivers and reimbursements. No advisory fee will be paid by the Fund directly to Clarion Partners. |
Securities Sub-Adviser |
Western Asset Management Company, LLC (Western Asset and together with Clarion Partners and LMPFA, the Advisers) is the Funds securities sub-adviser. Western Asset, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason and an affiliate of LMPFA and Clarion Partners, is a registered investment adviser and will have day-to-day responsibility for managing the portion of the Funds securities investments allocated to it by Clarion Partners, including Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities and investments in cash, cash equivalents and other short-term investments to facilitate liquidity for the quarterly repurchases of Common Stock. Western Asset may also invest in private commercial mortgage loans. As of March 31, 2019, Western Assets total assets under management were approximately $431.2 billion. |
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Western Asset is a one of the worlds leading global fixed income managers. Founded in 1971, the firm is known for team management, proprietary research, supported by robust risk management, and a long-term fundamental value approach. |
LMPFA, and not the Fund, will pay Western Asset a fee based on the assets of the Fund allocated to Western Asset by Clarion Partners. |
Competitive Advantages |
In pursuing the Funds investment objective and strategy, the Fund is expected to benefit from the investment capabilities and organizational stability of Clarion Partners, one of the nations leading institutional real estate investment managers. Clarion Partners has an extensive national platform for sourcing, investing and managing real estate assets. |
Clarion Partners believes that it offers the following competitive advantages: |
Scale: Clarion Partners national footprint, local knowledge, and ability to conduct in-depth market research is the foundation of its ability to source real estate investments and execute deals. Clarion Partners has extensive industry relationships with real estate owners and operators, brokers, investment banks, commercial banks and loan originators and other intermediaries, providing access to a broad array of buyers, sellers and debt financing sources in all major metropolitan markets throughout the United States.
Experience, Integrity and Credibility: Clarion Partners has focused exclusively on real estate investing for nearly four decades. Its management team has in-depth knowledge and an understanding of real estate gained over numerous market cycles.
Disciplined Investment Approach: Clarion Partners due diligence, asset management and portfolio management process is anchored in rigorous research. Disciplined collaboration between Clarion Partners experts enables insights across the firm to be integrated and converted into actionable investments ideas.
Expenses and Reimbursement |
Subject to the terms and conditions outlined in this prospectus, the Fund will reimburse the Advisers for any actual third-party expenses incurred on behalf of the Fund. Such expenses will include, but are not limited to, costs related to valuation, audit, reporting, regulatory, administration, compliance and financing as well as legal services. The Fund will also reimburse the Advisers for actual operating and property expenses incurred on behalf of the Fund for CRE property management, acquisitions, dispositions and financings. Clarion Partners intends to hire third-party property managers (who could also be joint venture partners for an investment) at prevailing market rates |
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to perform management and specialized services for the Funds Private CRE investments, but may in certain circumstances utilize Clarion Partners staff when deemed the best course of action for the Fund. |
LMPFA and Clarion Partners have agreed to fund the Funds organizational and offering expenses until the initial sale of Common Stock in this offering. The Fund will reimburse these expenses, subject to a specified expense cap and reimbursement limitations (as detailed below). |
LMPFA has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse the Funds expenses (including organizational and offering expenses, but excluding property management, acquisition, disposition expenses, any other expenses related to investments in real property, debt and real-estate related securities, interest, brokerage, tax and extraordinary expenses) to the extent necessary to ensure that the total annual Fund operating expenses attributable to the Class S Shares, Class T Shares, Class D Shares and Class I Shares will not exceed 2.60%, 2.60%, 2.00% and 1.75%, respectively, of NAV of that class per year, subject to recapture as described below. These arrangements cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2020 without the Boards consent. |
LMPFA is permitted to recapture amounts forgone or reimbursed within three years after the fiscal year in which LMPFA earned the fee or incurred the expense if the total annual Fund operating expenses have fallen to a level below the limit described herein. In no case will LMPFA recapture any amount that would result in the total annual Fund operating expenses exceeding such limit. |
For a more complete discussion of the Funds expenses and reimbursement arrangements, see Summary of Fund Expenses. |
Custodian and Transfer Agent |
The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY) will serve as the Funds custodian. DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. (DST) will serve as Funds transfer agent. See Custodian and Transfer Agent. |
Distributor |
Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (the Distributor) is the principal underwriter and distributor of the Class S Shares, Class T Shares, Class D Shares and Class I Shares and serves in that capacity on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions. Other broker-dealers (Selling Agents) may be appointed by the Distributor to assist in the sale of the Funds Common Stock on a best efforts basis. See Plan of Distribution. |
Sales Load and Dealer Manager Fees |
Purchases of Class S Shares are subject to a sales load of up to 3.5% of the total purchase price per Class S (including sales load). Class T Shares are subject to a sales load of up to 3.0% and a dealer manager fee of 0.5%, in each case, of the total purchase price per Class T |
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(including sales load and dealer manager fees). Sales loads may be reduced for certain categories of purchasers and for volume discounts, as disclosed in this prospectus. The Selling Agents may, in their sole discretion, reduce or waive the sales load on a non-scheduled basis in individual cases. The Distributor may reallow sales loads and dealer manager fees to participating broker-dealers. No sales load or dealer manager fee will be paid with respect to purchases of Class D or Class I Shares or any Common Stock sold pursuant to the DRIP. Selling Agents typically receive the sales load with respect to the Class S Shares or Class T Shares purchased by their stockholders. Investors should consult with their Selling Agent about the sales load and any additional fees or charges their Selling Agent might impose on each class of shares. |
Ongoing Distribution and Servicing Fees |
Subject to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) limits, participating broker dealers will receive ongoing distribution and servicing fees (a) of 0.85% of NAV per annum for Class S and Class T Shares only (consisting of a 0.60% distribution fee (the Distribution Fee) and a 0.25% stockholder servicing fee (the Servicing Fee)), accrued daily and payable monthly and (b) of 0.25% for Class D Shares only (all of which constitutes payment for stockholder services, with no payment for distribution services) in each case as accrued daily, and payable monthly. Class I Shares do not incur Distribution or Servicing Fees. |
The Fund will cease paying the Distribution Fee with respect to any Class S or Class T Share, and the Servicing Fee with respect to any Class S, Class T or Class D Share held in a stockholders account at the end of the month in which the Distributor, in conjunction with the transfer agent, determines that total upfront sales loads, dealer manager fees, Distribution Fees and Servicing Fees paid with respect to such shares would exceed 8.75% of the gross proceeds from the sale of such shares (excluding the gross proceeds of any shares issued under our DRIP with respect thereto). Shares sold through certain participating broker-dealers may be subject to a lower limit as set forth in the applicable dealer agreement between the Distributor and a participating broker-dealer at the time such shares were issued. |
At the end of such month, such Class S Shares, Class T Shares or Class D Shares (and any shares issued under our DRIP with respect thereto) held in such stockholders account will convert into a number of Class I shares (including any fractional shares) with an equivalent aggregate NAV.
Unlisted Closed-End Fund Structure; Limited Liquidity |
The Fund will not list its Common Stock for trading on any securities exchange or any other trading market. There is currently no secondary market for its Common Stock and the Fund does not expect any secondary market to develop for its Common Stock. Stockholders of the Fund are not able to have their Common Stock redeemed or |
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otherwise sell their Common Stock on a daily basis because the Fund is an unlisted closed-end fund. An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with private market investments with potential limited liquidity of the Common Stock as described in Repurchases above. |
Minimum Investment |
Generally, the minimum initial investment is $2,500 for Class S Shares, Class T Shares and Class D Shares and $1,000,000 for Class I Shares. The minimum subsequent investment is $500 for each class of Common Stock, except for additional purchases pursuant to the DRIP, which are not subject to a minimum purchase amount. See Plan of DistributionHow to Purchase Common Stock. |
Investor Suitability |
An investment in the Common Stock is most suitable for investors who seek to diversify their personal portfolios with a real estate-based investment and seek to receive current income and obtain the benefits of potential long-term capital appreciation from real estate as an asset class. An investment in the Common Stock is least suitable for persons who require liquidity or guaranteed income. |
Before making your investment decision, you should (i) consider the suitability of this investment with respect to your investment objective and personal financial situation and (ii) consider factors such as your personal net worth, income, age, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. An investment in the Fund should not be viewed as a complete investment program. |
An investment in the Fund involves a considerable amount of risk. It is possible that you may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is suitable only for investors who can bear the risks associated with private market investments with potential limited liquidity of the Common Stock. Common Stock should be viewed as a long-term investment within a multi-asset personal portfolio and should not be viewed individually as a complete investment program. |
Class S and Class T Shares are available to the general public through Selling Agents and other financial intermediaries. Class D Shares are generally available for purchase only (1) through fee-based programs, also known as wrap accounts, that provide access to Class D shares, (2) through participating broker-dealers that have alternative fee arrangements with their clients to provide access to Class D shares, (3) through investment advisers that are registered under the Advisers Act or applicable state law and direct clients to trade with a broker-dealer that offers Class D shares, (4) through bank trust departments or any other organization or person authorized to act in a fiduciary capacity for its clients or customers or (5) other categories of investors that we name in an amendment or supplement to this prospectus. Class I Shares are available only (1) through fee-based programs, known as wrap accounts, of investment dealers that provide access to |
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Class I Shares, (2) through participating broker-dealers that have alternative fee arrangements with their clients, (3) through certain registered investment advisers, (4) through bank trust departments or any other organization or person authorized to act in a fiduciary capacity for its clients or customers, (5) to endowments, foundations, pension funds and other institutional investors for purchase in this offering, (6) to other categories of investors that we name in an amendment or supplement to this prospectus or (7) to the Funds officers and directors and their immediate family members, as well as officers and employees of LMPFA, Clarion Partners, Western Asset, Legg Mason or other affiliates and their immediate family members, and, if approved by the Board, joint venture partners, consultants and other service providers. |
Summary of Risks |
Investing in the Fund involves risks, including the risk that a stockholder may receive little or no return on his or her investment or that a stockholder may lose part or all of his or her investment. The Fund should be considered a speculative investment that entails substantial risks, and a prospective investor should invest in the Fund only if they can sustain a complete loss of their investment. Below is a summary of some of the principal risks of investing in the Fund. For a more complete discussion of the risks of investing in the Fund, see Risks. |
Stockholders should consider carefully the following principal risks before investing in the Fund: |
No History of Operations. The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors have no track record or history on which to base their investment decision. |
Investment and Market Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire amount that you invest. The value of the Funds investments may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. At any point in time, your Common Stock may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions. |
Distributions Risk. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve investment results that will allow the Fund to make a specified level of cash distributions or maintain certain levels of cash distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of the Board and may depend on the Funds earnings, the Funds net investment income, the Funds financial condition, compliance with applicable regulations and such other factors as the Board may deem relevant from time to time. |
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Liquidity Risk. The Fund is designed primarily for long-term investors and an investment in the Funds Common Stock should be considered illiquid. The Common Stock is not listed for trading on any securities exchange. There is no public market for the Common Stock and none is expected to develop. Although the Fund may offer to repurchase Common Stock from stockholders, no assurance can be given that these repurchases will occur as contemplated or at all. |
Management Risk and Reliance on Key Personnel. The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. Clarion Partners, Western Asset and each individual investment professional may not be successful in selecting the best investments or investment techniques, and the Funds performance may lag behind that of similar funds. |
Delay in Use of Proceeds Risk. Although the Fund currently intends to invest the proceeds from any sale of the Common Stock offered hereby as soon as practicable, such investments may be delayed if suitable investments are unavailable at the time. Delays the Fund encounters in the selection, due diligence and origination or acquisition of investments would likely limit its ability to pay distributions and lower overall returns. |
Competition Risk. Identifying, completing and realizing attractive portfolio investments is competitive and involves a high degree of uncertainty. In acquiring its target assets, the Fund will compete with a variety of institutional investors, including specialty finance companies, public and private funds (including other funds managed by LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset), REITs, commercial and investment banks, commercial finance and insurance companies and other financial institutions. |
Non-Diversification Risk. As a non-diversified investment company, the Fund may invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers. The Fund may therefore be more susceptible than a diversified fund to being adversely affected by events impacting a single investment, geographic location, security or investment type. |
Illiquid Investment Risk. Many of the Funds investments will be illiquid, including the Funds Private CRE investments. A variety of factors could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of any of its illiquid assets on acceptable terms even if a disposition is in the best interests of the Funds stockholders. The Fund cannot predict whether it will be able to sell any asset for the price or on the terms set by it or whether any price or other terms offered by a prospective purchaser would be acceptable to the Fund. |
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Real Estate Investment Risk. The Funds investments will be subject to the risks typically associated with real estate, including but not limited to: |
| local, state, national or international economic conditions, including market disruptions caused by regional concerns, political upheaval, sovereign debt crises and other factors; |
| lack of liquidity inherent in the nature of the asset; |
| reliance on tenants/operators/managers to operate their businesses in a sufficient manner and in compliance with their contractual arrangements with the Fund; |
| ability and cost to replace a tenant/operator/manager upon default; |
| property management decisions; |
| property location and conditions; |
| property operating costs, including insurance premiums, real estate taxes and maintenance costs; |
| competition from comparable properties; |
| the occupancy rate of, and the rental rates charged at, the properties; |
| the ability to collect on a timely basis all rent; |
| the effects of any bankruptcies or insolvencies; |
| changes in interest rates and in the availability, cost and terms of mortgage financing; |
| changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies; |
| cost of compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations; |
| acts of nature, including earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters; |
| the potential for uninsured or underinsured property losses; and |
| other factors which are beyond the Funds control. |
Commercial Real Estate Industry Risk. The Funds business and operations are dependent on the CRE industry generally, which in turn is dependent upon broad economic conditions. Challenging economic and financial market conditions may cause the Fund to experience an increase in the number of Private CRE investments that result in losses, including delinquencies, non-performing assets and a decrease in the value of the property or, in the case of Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities, collateral which secures its investments, all of which could adversely affect the Funds results of operations. |
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Litigation Risk. From time to time, the Fund and its Advisers may be subject to pending or threatened litigation or regulatory action. Some of these claims may result in significant defense costs and potentially significant judgments against the Fund and/or the Advisers. We cannot be certain of the ultimate outcome of any potential litigation or regulatory action or any claims that may arise in the future and the reputation of the Fund and/or the Advisers could be damaged as a result. Certain litigation or regulatory scrutiny could materially adversely affect our business in a number of ways, including a reluctance of counterparties to do business with us and the Advisers. |
Joint Venture Risk. The Fund may in the future enter into joint ventures with third parties to make investments. The Fund may also make investments in partnerships or other co-ownership arrangements or participations. Such investments may involve risks not otherwise present with other methods of investment. In addition, disputes between the Fund and its joint venture partners may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase the Funds expenses and prevent the Funds officers and directors from focusing their time and efforts on the Funds business. |
Private CRE Options Risk. The Fund may obtain options that grant it a period of exclusivity during which it may acquire certain Private CRE. The amount paid for an option, if any, is normally surrendered if the property is not purchased and may or may not be credited against the purchase price if the property is purchased. Option payments will reduce the amount of cash available for further investments or distributions to the Funds stockholders. |
Valuation Risk. Within the parameters of the Funds valuation guidelines, the valuation methodologies used to value the Funds assets will involve subjective judgments and projections and may not be accurate. Ultimate realization of the value of an asset depends to a great extent on economic, market and other conditions beyond the Funds control and the control of the Advisers and the Funds independent valuation advisors. |
Risks Related to Specific Private CRE Property Types. The Fund intends to invest in a variety of Private CRE property types, which may expose the Fund to risks. |
CMBS Risk. CMBS are, generally, securities backed by obligations (including certificates of participation in obligations) that are principally secured by mortgages on real property or interests therein having a multifamily or commercial use, such as regional malls, other retail space, office buildings, industrial or warehouse properties, hotels, nursing homes and senior living centers. CMBS are subject to particular risks, including lack of standardized terms, shorter maturities than residential mortgage loans and payment of all or substantially all of the principal only at maturity rather than regular amortization of principal. |
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Non-Agency RMBS Risk. Non-agency RMBS are securities issued by non-governmental issuers, the payments on which depend (except for rights or other assets designed to assure the servicing or timely distribution of proceeds to holders of such securities) primarily on the cash flow from residential mortgage loans made to borrowers that are secured (on a first priority basis or second priority basis, subject to permitted liens, easements and other encumbrances) by residential real estate (one- to four- family properties) the proceeds of which are used to purchase real estate and purchase or construct dwellings thereon (or to refinance indebtedness previously so used). Non-agency RMBS have no direct or indirect government guarantees of payment and are subject to various risks including credit-related risk, prepayment risk and legal risks. |
Mortgage Loan Risk. The Fund may invest in commercial mortgage loans, including mezzanine loans and B-notes, which are secured by multifamily, commercial or other properties and are subject to risks of delinquency and foreclosure and risks of loss. Commercial mortgage loans are usually non-recourse in nature. Therefore, if a commercial borrower defaults on the commercial mortgage loan, then the options for financial recovery are limited in nature. In the event of any default under a mortgage or real estate loan held directly by the Fund, the Fund will bear a risk of loss of principal to the extent of any deficiency between the value of the collateral and the principal and accrued interest of the mortgage or real estate loan, which could have a material adverse effect on the Funds profitability. |
Mezzanine Loan Risk. The Fund may invest in mezzanine loans that take the form of subordinated loans secured by a pledge of the ownership interests of either the entity owning the real property or the entity that owns the interest in the entity owning the real property. These types of investments involve a higher degree of risk than first-lien mortgage loans secured by income producing real property because the investment may become unsecured as a result of foreclosure by the senior lender. As a result, the Fund may not recover some or all of its investment |
Below Investment Grade (High Yield or Junk) Securities Risk. A material portion of the Funds Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities (including both direct and indirect investments) may consist of below investment grade securities. Lower grade securities may be particularly susceptible to economic downturns and are inherently speculative. Because of the substantial risks associated with investments in lower grade securities, you could lose money on your investment in Common Stock, both in the short-term and the long-term. |
Capital Markets Risk. The Fund expects to fund a portion of its Private CRE investments with property-level financing. There can be no assurance that any financing will be available to the Fund in the future on |
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acceptable terms, if at all, or that it will be able to satisfy the conditions precedent required to use its credit facilities, if entered into, which could reduce the number, or alter the type, of investments that the Fund would make otherwise. Any failure to obtain financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the Funds business and harm the Funds ability to operate and make distributions. |
Interest Rate Risk. Changes in interest rates, including changes in expected interest rates or yield curves, may affect the Funds business in a number of ways. Changes in the general level of interest rates can affect the Funds net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on the Funds interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with its interest-bearing borrowings and hedges. Changes in the level of interest rates also can affect, among other things, the Funds ability to acquire certain of the Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities at attractive prices and enter into hedging transactions. |
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this prospectus, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, management risk. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. Derivative instruments can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and may have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. |
Leverage Risk. The Fund may use leverage in connection with its investments. Leverage may result in greater volatility of the NAV of, and distributions on, the Common Stock because changes in the value of the Funds portfolio investments, including investments purchased with the proceeds from Borrowings or the issuance of Preferred Stock, if any, are borne entirely by holders of Common Stock. |
Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk. Clarion Partners and Western Asset serve as advisers or sub-advisers to other vehicles that have the same or similar investment objective and investment strategies to those of the Fund. As a result, the Advisers and the Funds portfolio managers may devote unequal time and attention to the management of the Fund and those other funds and accounts. Conflicts of interest exist or could arise in the future as a result of the relationships between Clarion Partners and its affiliates, on the one hand, and our real estate joint ventures or any partner thereof, on the other. For further information on potential conflicts of interest, see Portfolio ManagersPotential Conflicts of Interest in the SAI. |
Anti-Takeover Provisions. The Funds articles of incorporation and bylaws, as well as certain statutory and regulatory requirements, contain certain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire the Fund. These provisions |
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may inhibit a change of control in circumstances that could give the stockholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the value of the Common Stock. |
Risks Related to the Funds REIT Status. The Fund expects to operate so as to qualify as a REIT under the Code. However, qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which only a limited number of judicial or administrative interpretations exist. Notwithstanding the availability of cure provisions in the Code, various compliance requirements could be failed and could jeopardize the Funds REIT status. |
Tax Risks of Investing in the Fund. Even if the Fund qualifies and maintains its status as a REIT, it may become subject to U.S. federal income taxes and related state and local taxes. |
Key Features of a REIT |
We intend to elect to be taxed as a REIT beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2019. In general, a REIT is a company that: |
| acquires or provides financing for real estate assets; |
| offers the benefits of a professionally managed real estate portfolio; |
| satisfies the various requirements of the Code, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income each year to its stockholders; and |
| is generally not subject to U.S. federal corporate income taxes on its net taxable income that it currently distributes to its stockholders, which substantially eliminates the double taxation (i.e., taxation at both the corporate and stockholder levels) that generally results from investments in a C corporation. |
Limitation on Ownership Level |
Our charter contains restrictions on the number of shares any one person or group may own. Specifically, our charter will not permit any person or group to own more than 9.9% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock or 9.9% in value of our outstanding capital stock of all classes or series, and attempts to acquire our common stock or our capital stock of all other classes or series in excess of these 9.9% limits would not be effective without an exemption from these limits (prospectively or retroactively) by the Board. These limits may be further reduced if the Board waives these limits for certain holders. See Certain Provisions of the Charter and BylawsTransfer Restrictions. These restrictions are designed, among other purposes, to enable us to comply with ownership restrictions imposed on REITs by the Code. Attempted acquisitions in excess of the restrictions described above will, pursuant to the charter, be void from the outset. |
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations |
We intend to elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT. |
Our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, certain qualification tests set forth in the U.S. federal tax laws. Those qualification tests involve the percentage of income that we earn from specified sources, the percentage of our assets that falls within specified categories, the diversity of the ownership of our shares, and the percentage of our taxable income that we distribute. See Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations. No assurance can be given that the Fund will in fact satisfy such requirements for any taxable year. |
If we qualify as a REIT, we generally will be allowed to deduct dividends paid to stockholders and, as a result, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that portion of our ordinary income and net capital gain that we annually distribute to stockholders, as long as we meet the minimum distribution requirements under the Code. We intend to make distributions to stockholders on a regular basis as necessary to avoid material U.S. federal income tax and to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations. |
In the case of certain U.S. stockholders, we expect your IRS Form 1099-DIV tax information, if required, to be sent to stockholders following the end of each year. |
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This table describes the combined fees and expenses of the Fund that you will incur if you buy and hold Common Stock in the Fund. Because the Fund has no operating history, many of these expenses are estimates. Sales loads may be reduced for certain categories of purchasers and for volume discounts, as disclosed in Plan of DistributionSales Loads.
Class S | Class T | Class D | Class I | |||||||||||||
Stockholder Transaction Expenses: |
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Maximum Sales Load (as a percentage of the offering price)(1) |
3.5 | % | 3.0 | % | None | None | ||||||||||
Dealer Manager Fee (as a percentage of the offering price)(1) |
None | 0.5 | % | None | None | |||||||||||
Maximum Early Withdrawal Fee(2) |
2.0 | % | 2.0 | % | 2.0 | % | 2.0 | % |
Class S | Class T | Class D | Class I | |||||||||||||
Annual Expenses (Percentage of Net Assets Attributable to Common Stock) |
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Advisory Fee(3) |
1.25 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.25 | % | ||||||||
Servicing Fee(4) |
0.25 | % | 0.25 | % | 0.25 | % | None | |||||||||
Distribution Fee(5) |
0.60 | % | 0.60 | % | None | None | ||||||||||
Other Expenses(6) |
0.67 | % | 0.67 | % | 0.67 | % | 0.67 | % | ||||||||
Property Level Expenses(7) |
2.12 | % | 2.12 | % | 2.12 | % | 2.12 | % | ||||||||
Interest Payments on Properties held in consolidated subsidiaries(8) |
1.25 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.25 | % | ||||||||
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Total annual operating expenses |
6.14 | % | 6.14 | % | 5.54 | % | 5.29 | % | ||||||||
Fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed(9) |
(0.17 | )% | (0.17 | )% | (0.17 | )% | (0.17 | )% | ||||||||
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Total annual operating expenses after waiving fees and/or reimbursing expenses |
5.97 | % | 5.97 | % | 5.37 | % | 5.12 | % |
(1) | The Distributor acts as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Common Stock and serves in that capacity on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions. The Fund may be offered through the Distributor and Selling Agents that have entered into selling agreements with the Distributor. Selling Agents typically receive the sales load with respect to the Class S and Class T Shares purchased by their clients. Class S Shares are subject to a sales load of up to 3.5% of the total purchase price per Class S Share (including sales load). Class T Shares are subject to a sales load of up to 3.0% and a dealer manager fee of 0.5%, in each case, of the total purchase price per Class T (including sales load and dealer manager fees). The Selling Agents may, in their sole discretion, reduce or waive the sales load on a non-scheduled basis in individual cases. Investors should consult with their Selling Agent about the sales load and any additional fees or charges their Selling Agent might impose on each class of shares. |
(2) | A stockholder who tenders its Common Stock with a tender valuation date within 12 months of the original issue date of such Shares will be subject to a fee of 2.00% of the NAV of the Common Stock repurchased by the Fund. If applicable, payment of the Early Withdrawal Fee will be made by reducing the repurchase proceeds. The Early Withdrawal Fee will be retained by the Fund for the benefit of remaining stockholders. Shares repurchased will be treated as having been repurchased on a first-in/first-out basis. Therefore, the portion of Shares repurchased will be deemed to have been taken from the earliest Common Stock purchased by such stockholder. LMPFA may waive the Early Withdrawal Fee in its sole discretion under certain circumstances. See Repurchases below for additional information about Common Stock repurchases. |
(3) | LMPFA will receive a monthly management fee at the annual rate of 1.25% of the Funds average daily NAV. |
(4) | The Fund pays the Distributor a Servicing Fee at an annualized rate of 0.25% of the Funds average daily NAV attributable to Class S, Class T and Class D Shares for services to stockholders. The Servicing Fee is |
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for personal services provided to stockholders and/or the maintenance of stockholder accounts and to reimburse the Distributor for related expenses incurred. The Distributor may pay all or a portion of the Servicing Fees to the Selling Agents that sell Class S, Class T and Class D Shares. Payments of the Servicing Fee are governed by the Funds Distribution and Service Plan. |
(5) | The Fund pays the Distributor a Distribution Fee at an annualized rate of 0.60% of the net assets of the Fund attributable to Class S and Class T Shares. The Distribution Fee is for the sale and marketing of the Class S and Class T Shares and to reimburse the Distributor for related expenses incurred. The Distributor may pay all or a portion of the Distribution Fee to the Selling Agents that sell Class S and Class T Shares. Payment of the Distribution Fee is governed by the Funds Distribution and Service Plan. |
(6) | Other Expenses are estimated based on Fund net assets of $200 million and anticipated expenses for the first year of the Funds operations. |
(7) | As estimated for the first year of the Funds operations, estimated fees and expenses related to property management, disposition expenses, any other expenses related to investments in real property of the Funds consolidated subsidiaries. |
(8) | The table assumes the Funds use of leverage in an amount equal to 23% of the Funds total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by 1940 Act leverage), and assumes the annual interest rate on Borrowings is 4.15%. |
(9) | LMPFA has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse the expenses (including organizational and offering expenses, but excluding property management, acquisition, disposition expenses, any other expenses related to investments in real property, debt and real-estate related securities, interest, brokerage, tax and extraordinary expenses) to the extent necessary to ensure that the total annual Fund operating expenses attributable to Class S Shares, Class T Shares, Class D Shares and Class I Shares will not exceed 2.60%, 2.60%, 2.00% and 1.75%, respectively, of NAV, subject to recapture as described below. These arrangements cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2020 without the Boards consent. |
LMPFA is permitted to recapture amounts forgone or reimbursed within three years after the fiscal year in which LMPFA earned the fee or incurred the expense if the total annual Fund operating expenses have fallen to a level below the limit described herein. In no case will LMPFA recapture any amount that would result, on any particular business day of the Fund, in a relevant classs total annual operating expenses exceeding the applicable limits described above or any other lower limit then in effect.
Expense Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example assumes:
| You invest $1,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated; |
| Your investment has a 5% return each year and the Funds operating expenses remain the same (as reflected above); and |
| You reinvest all distribution and dividends without a sales charge at NAV. |
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the above assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |||||||||||||
Class S, Total Expenses Incurred |
$ | 112 | $ | 208 | $ | 321 | $ | 593 | ||||||||
Class T, Total Expenses Incurred |
$ | 112 | $ | 208 | $ | 321 | $ | 593 | ||||||||
Class D, Total Expenses Incurred |
$ | 73 | $ | 164 | $ | 272 | $ | 539 | ||||||||
Class I, Total Expenses Incurred |
$ | 71 | $ | 157 | $ | 261 | $ | 521 |
The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown.
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The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its Common Stock. The Fund is organized as a Maryland corporation and intends to elect to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes under the Code. The Fund has no operating history. The Funds principal office is located at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, and its telephone number is (888) 777-0102.
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The Fund will invest the net proceeds of the sale of its Common Stock in accordance with the Funds investment objective and policies as stated below. The Fund generally expects to invest the proceeds from the offering within 30 days from receipt thereof. Pending the investment of the proceeds pursuant to the Funds investment objective and policies, the Fund may invest a portion of the proceeds of the offering, which may be a substantial portion, in fixed income securities, mutual funds, Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities, money market securities, cash or cash equivalents. In addition, the Fund may maintain a portion of the proceeds in cash to meet operational needs. The Fund may be prevented from achieving its investment objective during any time in which the Funds assets are not substantially invested in accordance with its policies.
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Benefits of Investing in Real Estate
The Fund expects to make direct investments in a wide variety of Private CRE, including office, industrial, retail, multifamily, and other real property types. Other real property types may include, but are not limited to, student housing, data centers, self-storage, hospitality, wireless towers, manufactured housing, and medical and healthcare facilities, and other property types.
Historically, real estate has displayed a low correlation to stocks and bonds, while generating strong income, which makes it an attractive asset class to consider as a component of a diversified, long-term investment portfolio. Investors looking to enhance their multi-asset portfolios include an allocation to real estate for a multitude of reasons. Real estate has been shown to provide risk-adjusted returns, strong income generation and inflation protection. Real estate has historically provided good returns with relatively low volatility, resulting in relatively attractive risk-adjusted performance. Further, due to low correlations with other asset classes, real estate provides diversification which can further increase the risk-adjusted performance of the overall portfolio.
An investment in the Fund generally differs from listed REITs in that the value of our Common Stock will be based on the fair value of our investments. In contrast, shares of listed REITs are priced by the public trading market, which generally causes a companys stock price to fluctuate based on factors such as supply (number of sellers) and demand (number of buyers) of shares as well as other market forces. Publicly-traded REITs will also generally fluctuate in value with the stock market as a whole.
An investment in the Fund differs from direct investments in real estate because, among other reasons, Clarion Partners intends to allocate a portion of the portfolio to Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities and the Fund will pay fees for the management of the company, the distribution of our shares and additional costs related to being a public reporting company.
Market Opportunity
Industry benchmarks that track the value of direct, unlisted investments in real estate properties as an asset class have demonstrated a low correlation with the benchmarks for traditional asset classes, such as stocks and bonds. Real estate offers an attractive alternative for those investors seeking diversification from traditional asset classes. Investment in commercial real estate can have the following benefits for any multi-asset portfolio:
1. | Enhanced risk-adjusted total returns: Commercial real estate can provide attractive absolute returns with lower volatility than equities and fixed income. |
2. | Strong cash flow potential: The long-term nature of commercial real estate leases can provide a good source of stable, predictable income. |
3. | Enhanced portfolio diversification: Historically, private real estate investments have demonstrated low correlations to traditional asset classes. |
4. | Hedge against inflation: Commercial real estate has the potential to act as a hedge against inflation as leasing and rental income can often reset with the economic cycle due to inflation-linked terms of contract. |
Investment Objective
The Funds investment objective is to provide current income and long-term capital appreciation. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
The Funds investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed by the Board without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock or Preferred Stock, if any. The Fund is not required to provide prior notice to stockholders of any change to its investment objective.
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Investment Strategies
The Fund intends to achieve its investment objectives primarily through the strategic management of a portfolio of Private CRE and Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities. The Advisers believe this approach will provide the Fund the flexibility to identify the optimal set of investment opportunities to provide investors real estate exposure, regardless of whether an investment is equity or debt, private or public.
The Fund intends under normal market conditions to invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes) in a portfolio of private commercial real estate and publicly traded real estate securities. Investments may consist of (i) Private CRE investments and (ii) Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities. Clarion Partners will select investments across property types, geographic regions and metropolitan areas in order to generate attractive current income with the potential for long term appreciation and favorable risk-adjusted returns. The Fund may invest in securities of any credit quality, maturity and duration. The Funds 80% real estate investment policy may only be changed with 60 days prior notice to stockholders of the Fund.
The Funds investment strategy provides investors the ability to gain direct exposure to a diversified portfolio of income producing commercial real estate and Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities. See The Funds InvestmentsBenefits of Investing in Real Estate.
Although the Fund is a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, the Fund will seek to invest across real estate asset classes, property types, positions in the capital stack, and geographic locations. The majority of the underlying real estate of the Funds investments are expected to be located in the United States, but the Fund may also make investments internationally, though not a primary strategy. The Fund does not expect to invest in real estate in emerging markets.
By capitalizing on Clarion Partners broad national platform with scale and experience across the major property sectors and an established, research-based investment process, the Fund expects to invest in a wide variety of Private CRE, including industrial, multifamily, office, retail, and other real property types, as well as Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities. The Funds investments in Private CRE may include whole or partial interests in real properties, mortgage debt and mezzanine debt. The Private CRE investments will be either wholly-owned by the Fund or in joint ventures or other co-ownership arrangements, or some other combination.
The Funds investments in Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities may include CMBS, RMBS and other equity or debt securities issued by real estate companies, REITs or real estate investment companies. Clarion Partners will utilize the fixed income expertise of Western Asset to select specific types of Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities within investment guidelines set by Clarion Partners
Clarion Partners robust investment and asset management process is anchored by the dedicated Investment Research Groups analysis, which is incorporated into all investment decisions, before, during and after investments are made, with primary focus on, among other things: general economic conditions, which markets will outperform, which sectors will outperform, types of buildings and locations users of real estate demand, where pricing is relative to alternatives and replacement cost, which investments perform best over time, how risk is being priced in the market, and how demographics and societal trends affect real estate. As the Funds sub-adviser, Clarion Partners intends to optimize the portfolio construction by targeting investments in large and medium-sized metropolitan areas, primarily in the United States, that it believes have attractive growth prospects and healthy supply/demand dynamics.
On a long-term basis, under normal market conditions, Clarion Partners will seek to allocate the Funds portfolio generally in accordance with the following targeted percentages of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes):
| 60-90% to Private CRE; and |
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| 10-40% to Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities and cash/cash equivalents and other short-term investments to facilitate liquidity for periodic repurchases of Common Stock. |
Clarion Partners will have the ability to allocate the Funds portfolio between Private CRE and Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities as well as to determine the portion of the Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities and/or cash equivalents that will be managed by Western Asset, in each case subject to the supervision and direction of the Board and LMPFA.
Clarion Partners does not expect to be able to achieve the above allocations until the Fund has raised substantial proceeds in this offering and acquired a substantial portfolio of investments. See Ramp-Up Period and Temporary Strategies below.
Portfolio Composition
The Funds portfolio will be comprised principally of the following investments. A more detailed description of the Funds investment policies and restrictions and more detailed information about the Funds portfolio investments are contained in the Statement of Additional Information (the SAI).
Investments in Private CRE
The Fund intends to invest primarily in stabilized income-oriented Private CRE located in the United States. Stabilized income-oriented real estate generally means that a property is well leased to tenants and does not require material capital improvements. However, the Fund may make investments in Private CRE with other characteristics (such as properties that are not well leased or require significant capital improvements, restructuring and/or repositioning) or other geographies (specifically, developed countries other than the United States) if Clarion Partners believes that the investments have the potential to enhance investment returns.
The Fund intends to manage risk through constructing and managing a diversified portfolio of properties. The Fund believes that a large diversified investment portfolio may offer investors significant benefits for a given level of risk relative to a more concentrated investment portfolio. In addition, the Fund believes that assembling a diversified tenant base by investing in multiple real property sectors and property assets may mitigate the economic impacts associated with a single tenant or type of tenant potentially defaulting under its lease, since leases generally represent the primary source of revenue for real estate.
Property Characteristics
Clarion Partners will also focus on acquiring and managing a portfolio of properties that provides tenants and residents with modern functionality and location desirability in order to avoid near-term obsolescence. Clarion Partners will generally focus on well-designed buildings that it believes present an attractive appearance, have been and are properly maintained and require minimal capital improvements in the near term. Clarion Partners may recommend that the Fund invest in assets in need of significant renovation, redevelopment or repositioning; if it believes attractive risk-adjusted investment returns can be enhanced by proactive management techniques or value-added programs.
Location
Clarion Partners will take into account real estate cycles across property types and markets in an effort to reduce portfolio volatility and enhance returns. The Fund intends to invest primarily in properties in large and medium-sized metropolitan areas with attractive growth prospects and healthy supply/demand dynamics that are well-leased with a stable tenant base and that generate attractive income.
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Property Types
Clarion Partners, on behalf of the Fund, intends to invest primarily in the following Private CRE property types:
Industrial Properties. Industrial properties are generally categorized as warehouse/distribution centers, research and development facilities, flex space or manufacturing. The performance of industrial properties is typically dependent on the proximity to economic centers and the movement of trade and goods. In addition, industrial properties typically utilize a triple-net lease structure pursuant to which the tenant is generally responsible for property operating expenses in addition to base rent which can help mitigate the risks associated with rising expenses. Clarion Partners intends to invest in industrial properties that are located in major U.S. distribution hubs and near transportation modes such as port facilities, airports, rail lines and major highway systems.
Multifamily Properties. Multifamily properties are generally defined as having five or more dwelling units that are part of a single complex and offered for rental use as opposed to detached single-family residential properties. There are three main types of multifamily propertiesgarden-style (mostly one- and two-story apartments), low-rise and high-rise. Apartments generally have the lowest vacancy rates of any property type, with the better performing properties typically located in urban markets or locations with strong employment and demographic dynamics. Clarion Partners plans to invest in multifamily properties that are located in or near employment centers with favorable potential for employment growth and conveniently situated with access to transportation and retail and service amenities.
Office Properties. Office properties are generally categorized based upon location and quality. Buildings may be located in Central Business Districts (CBDs) or suburbs. Buildings are also classified by general quality and size, ranging from Class A properties which are generally large-scale buildings of the highest-quality to Class C buildings which are below investment grade. Clarion Partners intends to invest in Class A or B office properties that are near executive housing, have sufficient transportation access or are located within well-established suburban office/business parks or CBDs. Clarion Partners expects the duration of our office leases to be between five to ten years which can help mitigate the volatility of the Funds portfolio income.
Retail Properties. The retail sector is comprised of five main formats: neighborhood retail, community centers, regional centers, super-regional centers and single-tenant stores. It includes single buildings and multi-tenant buildings used as commercial stores or malls, where restaurants may be considered a specialty subset of the retail category. Location, convenience, accessibility and tenant mix are generally considered to be among the key criteria for successful retail investments. Retail leases tend to range from three to five years for small tenants and ten to fifteen years for large anchor tenants. Leases, particularly for anchor tenants, may include a base payment plus a percentage of retail sales. Income and population density are generally considered to be key drivers of local retail demand. Clarion Partners will seek investments in retail properties that are located within densely populated residential areas with favorable demographic characteristics and near other retail and service amenities.
In addition to equity investments in the asset classes listed above, the Fund may also invest in those asset classes in the form of debt instruments.
First Mortgage Loans. First mortgage loans are loans that have the highest priority to claims on the collateral securing the loans in foreclosure. First mortgage loans generally provide for a higher recovery rate and lower defaults than other debt positions due to the lenders favorable control features which at times may mean control of the entire capital structure.
Subordinate Mortgage Loans. Subordinate mortgage loans are loans that have a lower priority to collateral claims. Investors in subordinate mortgages are generally compensated for the increased risk from a pricing perspective as compared to first mortgage loans but still benefit from a direct lien on the related property or a
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security interest in the entity that owns the real estate. Investors typically receive principal and interest payments at the same time as senior debt unless a default occurs, in which case these payments are made only after any senior debt is repaid in full. Rights of holders of subordinate mortgages are usually governed by participation and other agreements.
Mezzanine Loans. Mezzanine loans are a type of subordinate loan in which the loan is secured by one or more direct or indirect ownership interests in an entity that directly or indirectly owns real estate. Mezzanine loans are subordinate to a first mortgage or other senior debt. Investors in mezzanine loans are generally compensated for the increased credit risk from a pricing perspective and still benefit from the right to foreclose on its security, in many instances more efficiently than the rights of foreclosure for first mortgage loans. Upon a default by the borrower under a mezzanine loan, the mezzanine lender generally can take control of the property owning entity on an expedited basis, subject to the rights of the holders of debt senior in priority on the property. Rights of holders of mezzanine loans are usually governed by intercreditor or interlender agreements, which may limit the Funds ability to pursue remedies.
Preferred Equity. Preferred equity is a type of interest in an entity that owns real estate or real estate related investments. Preferred equity interests are generally senior with respect to the payments of dividends and other distributions, redemption rights and rights upon liquidation to such entitys common equity. Investors in preferred equity are typically compensated for their increased credit risk from a pricing perspective with fixed payments but may also participate in capital appreciation. Upon a default by a general partner of a preferred equity issuer, there typically is a change of control event and the limited partner assumes control of the entity. Rights of holders of preferred equity are usually governed by partnership agreements.
In addition, the Fund may also invest in other alternative Private CRE asset classes including but not limited to student housing, data centers, self-storage, hospitality, wireless towers, manufactured housing, and medical and healthcare facilities, medical office buildings, senior housing and assisted living facilities. The Fund is not restricted or limited in its ability to invest in property types and may also concentrate its investments in a limited number of property types.
Ownership Interest
The Fund will generally use special purpose vehicle subsidiaries controlled by the Fund (or controlled by joint ventures or holding companies that the Fund has invested in) to acquire Private CRE on the Funds behalf. The Fund is permitted to seek its investment objective by investing all or a portion of its assets in one or more holding companies (including investment companies) to the extent not prohibited by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and exemptive orders granted under such Act. Generally, Clarion Partners intends to acquire the entire equity ownership interest in properties. However, the Fund also expects to enter into joint ventures, general partnerships, co-tenancies and other participation arrangements with other investors to acquire properties. In most cases in which less than the entire equity ownership interest is acquired, Clarion Partners will seek to hold or share critical elements of control. The Fund will generally acquire fee simple interests for the properties (in which we own both the land and the building improvements), but may consider leased fee and leasehold interests if Clarion Partners believes the investment is consistent with the Funds investment strategy and objectives.
Tenancy and Leasing
In general, Clarion Partners will seek a favorable mix of tenants in properties in the Funds portfolio (for property types that have long-term tenants) to achieve greater economic diversification than is afforded by geographic and property type considerations alone. Clarion Partners will strive to maintain a stable blend of nationally known tenants and creditworthy regional and local tenants. Tenancy criteria are applied at the property level as well as at the portfolio level.
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The length of tenancy generally will reflect local market conditions for each property. However, if possible, Clarion Partners will seek to negotiate longer-term leases to reduce the cash flow volatility associated with lease rollovers, provided that contractual rent increases are included. Clarion Partners will attempt to manage lease rollover risk on a portfolio basis. Where appropriate, Clarion Partners will also seek leases that require operating expenses, or expense increases, to be paid by the tenants.
Investments in Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities
The Fund intends to invest a portion of its portfolio in Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities, which includes CMBS, RMBS, and other equity or debt securities issued by REITs or real estate-related investment companies. Under normal market conditions, Clarion Partners expects that 10-40% of the Funds overall portfolio may be invested in Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities and cash/cash equivalents and other short-term investments to facilitate liquidity for periodic repurchases of Common Stock. Publicly traded securities may be exchange-traded or traded OTC. The Fund believes that its ability to acquire Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities in conjunction with acquiring a diverse portfolio of Private CRE may afford the Fund additional liquidity, which provides greater financial flexibility and discretion to construct an investment portfolio designed to achieve the Funds investment objective. The Fund expects that its investments in Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities will primarily be in U.S. securities, but it may also invest in non-U.S. securities (however, the Fund does not expect to invest in emerging markets). The Fund plans to primarily invest in the following Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities:
CMBS. CMBS are securities backed by obligations (including certificates of participation in obligations) that are principally secured by commercial mortgages on real property or interests therein having a multifamily or commercial use, such as retail, office or industrial properties, hotels, apartments, nursing homes and senior living facilities.
CMBS are typically issued in multiple tranches whereby the more senior classes are entitled to priority distributions from the trusts income to make specified interest and principal payments on such tranches. Losses and other shortfalls from expected amounts to be received on the mortgage pool are borne by the most subordinate classes, which receive principal payments only after the more senior classes have received all principal payments to which they are entitled. The credit quality of CMBS depends on the credit quality of the underlying mortgage loans, which is a function of factors such as the principal amount of loans relative to the value of the related properties; the cash flow produced by the property; the mortgage loan terms, such as principal amortization; market assessment and geographic location; construction quality of the property; and the creditworthiness of the borrowers.
Agency MBS. Agency MBS are residential and commercial mortgage backed securities for which a U.S. government agency such as Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), or a federally chartered corporation such as Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) guarantees payments of principal and interest on the securities. Although the U.S. government guarantees principal and interest payments on securities issued by the U.S. government and some of its agencies, such as securities issued by Ginnie Mae, this guarantee does not apply to losses resulting from declines in the market value of these securities. Some agency MBS that the Fund may hold are not guaranteed or backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Although the U.S. government in the past has provided financial support to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, there can be no assurance that it will support these or other government-sponsored enterprises in the future.
Agency RMBS differ from other forms of traditional debt securities, which normally provide for periodic payments of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or on specified call dates. Instead, agency RMBS provide for monthly payments, which consist of both principal and interest. In effect, these payments are a pass-through of scheduled and prepaid principal payments and the monthly interest made by the individual borrowers on the mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuers, servicers or guarantors of the
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securities. The principal may be prepaid at any time due to prepayments on the underlying mortgage loans or other assets. These differences can result in significantly greater price and yield volatility than is the case with traditional fixed-income securities.
The Funds allocation of agency RMBS collateralized by fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs), adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs), or hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages (hybrid ARMs) will depend on various factors including, but not limited to, relative value, expected future prepayment trends, supply and demand, costs of hedging, costs of financing, expected future interest rate volatility and the overall shape of the Treasury and interest rate swap yield curves. Clarion Partners intends to take these factors into account when making investments on behalf of the Fund. In the future, the Funds residential portfolio may include investments in debentures that are issued and guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae or mortgage backed securities the collateral of which is guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae or another federally chartered corporation.
Non-Agency RMBS. Non-agency RMBS are residential mortgage backed securities that are collateralized by pools of mortgage loans assembled for sale to investors by commercial banks, savings and loan associations and specialty finance companies. Non-agency RMBS are not issued or guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or federally chartered corporation. Like agency RMBS, non-agency RMBS represent interests in pools of mortgage loans secured by residential real property.
The mortgage loan collateral for non-agency RMBS consists of residential mortgage loans that do not generally conform to underwriting guidelines issued by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. government, such as Ginnie Mae, due to certain factors, including mortgage balances in excess of agency underwriting guidelines, borrower characteristics, loan characteristics and level of documentation, and therefore are not issued or guaranteed by an agency. The Fund may also invest in credit risk transfer notes that, while not structured products, face similar risks as structured products because they are debt securities issued by governmental agencies but their value depends in part on a pool of mortgage loans.
The non-agency and agency RMBS acquired by the Fund could be secured by FRMs, ARMs, hybrid ARMs or interest only mortgages. FRMs have interest rates that are fixed for the term of the loan and do not adjust. The interest rates on ARMs generally adjust annually (although some may adjust more frequently) to an increment over a specified interest rate index. Hybrid ARMs have interest rates that are fixed for a specified period of time (typically three, five, seven or ten years) and, thereafter, adjust to an increment over a specified interest rate index. ARMs and hybrid ARMs generally have periodic and lifetime constraints on how much the loan interest rate can change on any predetermined interest rate reset date. Interest only securities are backed by mortgages where the borrower pays interest only. Relative value analysis, including consideration of current market conditions, will determine the Funds allocation to FRMs, ARMs, hybrid ARMs and interest only mortgages.
The Funds allocation of non-agency RMBS collateralized by FRMs, ARMs, hybrid ARMs or interest only mortgages will depend on various factors including, but not limited to, relative value, expected future prepayment trends, home price appreciation trends, supply and demand, availability of financing, expected future interest rate volatility and the overall state of the non-agency RMBS secondary market. Borrowers of the underlying loans that secure the non-agency RMBS assets which the Fund may purchase can be divided into prime, Alternative-A (Alt-A) and subprime borrowers based on their credit rating.
Other Fixed-Income Instruments. The Fund may invest in fixed-income instruments, such as investment grade and high-yield corporate debt securities, or junk bonds, or U.S. government debt securities. The issuer of a fixed-income instrument pays the investor a fixed- or variable-rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity. Certain bonds are perpetual in that they have no maturity date. Holders of fixed-income bonds as creditors have a prior legal claim over common and preferred stockholders as to both income and assets of the issuer for the principal and interest due them and may have a prior claim over other creditors but are generally subordinate to any existing lenders in the issuers capital structure. Fixed-income
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instruments may be secured or unsecured. The investment return of corporate bonds is generated by payments of interest on the security and changes in the market value of the security. The market value of a corporate bond, especially a fixed-rate bond, will generally rise and fall inversely with interest rates. The value of intermediate- and longer-term corporate bonds normally fluctuates more in response to changes in interest rates than does the value of shorter-term corporate bonds. The market value of a corporate bond also may be affected by the credit rating of the corporation, the corporations performance and perceptions of the corporation in the market place. There is a risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument. Corporate fixed-income instruments usually yield more than government or agency bonds due to the presence of credit risk.
The types of mortgage backed securities in which the Fund may invest include interest-only, inverse-interest only, or principal only residential MBS, commercial MBS, collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), securities issued by Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (REMICs), Re-securitized Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (Re-REMICs), pass-through certificates, credit linked notes, mortgage forwards or to be announced transactions, collateralized loan obligations backed by commercial loans and mortgage servicing rights securities. The Fund may invest in a Re-REMIC in order to obtain exposure to mortgages with a specific risk profile that could not otherwise be obtained through the purchase of existing REMICs. Pass-through certificates are fixed income securities whereby certificates are issued representing interests in a pool of mortgages or mortgage backed securities. The Fund may invest in various tranches or classes of MBS.
Publicly Traded REITs. The Fund may invest in publicly traded REITs. REITs are investment vehicles that invest primarily in income-producing real estate or mortgages and other real estate-related loans or interests. Many public REITs are listed on major stock exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. Publicly traded REITs typically employ leverage, which magnifies the potential for gains and the risk of loss. They typically pay out all of their taxable income as dividends to stockholders. In turn, stockholders pay the income taxes on those dividends.
Ratings of Securities. The Fund may invest in debt securities that are rated investment grade, debt securities rated below investment grade, and unrated debt securities. The Fund is not required to hold any minimum percentage of its NAV in debt securities rated investment grade.
Derivatives
Generally, derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends upon, or are derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to individual debt or equity instruments, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates and related indexes.
In the normal course of business, the Fund will be exposed to the effect of interest rate changes, price changes and currency fluctuations and may seek to limit these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures including the use of derivatives. To mitigate exposure to variability in interest rates, derivatives may be used primarily to fix the rate on debt based on floating-rate indices and manage the cost of borrowing obligations.
The Fund may use a variety of commonly used derivative products, including interest rate swaps, caps, collars, floors, options contracts, futures contracts, options (on securities, bonds, currencies, interest rates, indices or swaps), swaps (including interest rate, credit default, equity index and total return swaps) and other swap agreements for investment, hedging and risk management purposes. Subject to the Funds 80% investment requirement, the Fund may invest without limitation in Treasury futures, Eurodollar futures, interest rate swaps, swaptions or similar instruments and combinations thereof. The Fund will use the market value, and not the notional value, of any derivatives used for purposes of the 80% test. See RisksDerivatives Risk. We have a
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policy of entering into contracts with only major financial institutions based upon minimum credit ratings and other factors. We will periodically review the effectiveness of each hedging transaction.
The Fund will engage in derivative transactions only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Code for maintaining its qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. See Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
Ramp-Up Period
Clarion Partners does not expect to be able to achieve its target allocations until the Fund has raised substantial proceeds in this offering and acquired a broad portfolio of investments. Prior to that time (the ramp-up period) Clarion Partners will balance the goal of achieving the Funds portfolio allocation targets with the goal of carefully evaluating and selecting investment opportunities to maximize risk-adjusted returns. Following the end of the ramp-up period, Clarion Partners believes that the size of our portfolio of investments should be sufficient for the Fund to adhere more closely to its allocation targets, although we cannot predict how long the ramp-up period will last and cannot provide assurances that we will be able to raise sufficient proceeds in this offering to accomplish this objective. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the actual percentage of our portfolio that is invested in each investment type may from time to time be outside the target levels provided in this prospectus due to factors such as a large inflow of capital over a short period of time, the Clarion Partners assessment of the relative attractiveness of opportunities, or an increase in anticipated cash requirements or repurchase requests and subject to any limitations or requirements relating to our intention to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Temporary Strategies
At times Clarion Partners may judge that conditions in the markets make pursuing the Funds primary investment strategy inconsistent with the best interests of its stockholders. During temporary periods or in order to keep the Funds cash fully invested, including during the ramp-up period the net proceeds of this offering of Common Stock are being invested, the Fund may deviate from its investment policies and objectives. At such times Clarion Partners may, temporarily, use alternative strategies primarily designed to reduce fluctuations in the value of the Funds assets. If the Fund takes a temporary position, it may be unable to achieve its investment objective. While the Fund would seek to continue to qualify as a REIT during such a period, there can be no guarantee it will be able to do so.
In implementing these temporary strategies, the Fund may invest all or a portion of its assets in fixed income securities; mutual funds; Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities; U.S. government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or guaranteed by the Treasury or by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities; certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association; commercial paper; bankers acceptances; bank time deposits; shares of money market funds; securities issued or guaranteed by the federal government or any of its agencies, or any state or local government; repurchase agreements with respect to any of the foregoing; or any other securities or cash equivalents that Clarion Partners considers consistent with this strategy. It is impossible to predict when, or for how long, the Fund will use these alternative strategies. There can be no assurance that such strategies will be successful.
Investment Process
Clarion Partners Private CRE Investment Process for Equity and Debt
When pursuing investment opportunities for the Fund, Clarion Partners will utilize a disciplined, team-oriented investment process and its proprietary research capabilities and considerable real estate experience to identify, acquire, oversee and dispose of real estate assets.
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Investment management of the Fund will be a highly collaborative process between the Funds portfolio managers and the dedicated Investment Research, Acquisitions and Asset Management groups at Clarion Partners. Each potential investment will be assigned a due diligence team with expertise in each of the disciplines of Investment Research, Acquisitions and Asset Management. The Clarion Partners asset manager for the applicable investment will be both geographically and property type focused. The asset manager will follow the investment from sourcing to underwriting to closing to management. This approach brings to bear the collective expertise of each of Clarion Partners investment disciplines and helps ensure efficient execution.
Clarion Partners has Investment Committees (Equity, Debt and Portfolio Allocation) for Private CRE investments as well as for allocations to sub-advisors. Each committee is comprised of seasoned real estate professionals with an average of 27 years of real estate investment experience. The relevant Investment Committee will oversee the investment process, review and approve each potential Private CRE investment and disposition as well as determine allocations to Western Asset.
Clarion Partners investment process consists of four key stages:
1. | Investment Sourcing. Clarion Partners acquisition group targets and sources investments consistent with the Funds strategy. Target investments are identified based on analysis from the Investment Research Group, which considers factors such as: which geographic markets and sectors are expected to outperform based on rental growth projections or other metrics, tenant preferences, where pricing is relative to alternatives and replacement cost, which investments are expected to perform best over time, how risk is being priced in the market, and local demographics and trends. |
2. | Preliminary Underwriting. The team performs initial underwriting, pricing and structuring analysis, which includes developing cash flow and return models, performing initial assessment of returns and impact on portfolio return and characteristics. |
3. | Investment Underwriting and Due Diligence. This step includes a detailed lease analysis, as well as physical inspections and reviews of the property and market reports. Cash flow and return models are further refined, and impact on portfolio return and characteristics are assessed. |
4. | Final Decision: The due diligence findings and any adjustments to returns and pricing are presented to the Investment Committee for approval. |
Investment Research Group
Clarion Partners robust investment and asset management process is anchored by analysis from the dedicated Investment Research Group. The groups research is incorporated into all investment decisions, before, during and after investments are made.
Acquisition Group
The Acquisition Group seeks to identify properties that meet the criteria established by the Funds portfolio managers. Its team members are based in the local market, providing insights on market dynamics and asset opportunities. Leads are generated through extensive relationships with on and off-market sources: broker networks, owners, local Joint Venture partners, developers and lenders.
Asset Management Group
The Asset Management Group works closely with the Investment Research Group to establish forward-looking projections for each asset. The group manages specific assets, creating annual plans, conducting annual re-evaluations of asset and location to develop hold-sell recommendations, and hiring individual property services, such as leasing agents and property management.
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Disposition Strategies
Clarion Partners anticipates that it will hold most of the Funds properties for an extended period of time. However, Clarion Partners may determine to sell a property before the end of its anticipated holding period for a number of relevant factors, including:
| an opportunity has arisen to enhance overall investment returns by raising capital through sale of the property; |
| there are diversification benefits associated with disposing of the property and rebalancing the Funds investment portfolio; |
| there exists a need to generate liquidity to satisfy redemption requests, to make distributions to the Funds stockholders or for working capital; |
| in the judgment of Clarion Partners, the value of the property might decline; |
| an opportunity has arisen to pursue a more attractive investment; |
| the property was acquired as part of a portfolio acquisition and does not meet the portfolio management teams investment guidelines; or |
| in the judgment of Clarion Partners, the sale of the property is in the Funds best interests. |
Allocation of Private CRE Investment Opportunities
With respect to Private CRE investments, in the cases where Clarion Partners identifies a potential investment that might also be made by one or more other funds or clients advised or managed by Clarion Partners or one of its affiliates, Clarion Partners adheres its Allocation Policy by which it rotates the priority of its clients with respect to new opportunities. The Allocation Policy is designed to allocate investment opportunities among Clarion Partners active clients in a manner that is transparent, fair and unbiased and to optimize the investment objectives of each, recognizing that, on occasion, certain investments may be equally suitable for more than one client.
To enforce the Allocation Policy, Clarion Partners has established a formal procedure as follows:
| Each potential investment is submitted for review to all Clarion Partners portfolio managers, each representing his/her respective client(s) to determine if the investment meets both Clarion Partners and the clients investment criteria. |
| To the extent that an investment is deemed suitable for and/or desired by only one client, it is allocated to that client. |
| To the extent that an investment opportunity, on balance, is deemed equally suitable for and desired by more than one Clarion Partners client (such opportunity, a Contested Opportunity), it is allocated to the client that has waited the longest to be assigned a prior Contested Opportunity, regardless of whether such client consummated such prior Contested Opportunity. Clarion Partners Head of Acquisitions or his or her delegate maintains a list and allocation order for Contested Opportunities. |
| In making any determination with regard to the suitability of any particular investment opportunity for any particular client, the portfolio managers will consider such factors that they may deem appropriate to take into account, including, without limitation, projected cash flow, the anticipated effect of the investment opportunity on a given clients portfolio diversification, the anticipated income or unrelated business income tax effects, policies related to leverage, regulatory restrictions and the capital that a given client has available. |
| For the avoidance of doubt, each new client will begin with the lowest priority for allocation upon its commencement. |
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, no new opportunity will become subject to the above Allocation Policy where such new opportunity is: sourced by a client with its own independent investment resources for acquisition by such client; or sourced for a specific client pursuant to certain programmatic joint ventures.
Western Asset Investment Process
Western Assets Mortgage and Consumer Credit Team takes an active relative value trading approach that seeks to deliver attractive risk adjusted returns from all sectors, including Agency RMBS, Non-Agency RMBS, Agency CMBS, Non-Agency CMBS and ABS. Western Assets Mortgage and Consumer Credit Team takes a disciplined approach to the market by seeking to decrease exposure when spreads look tight and increasing exposure as valuations become more attractive. Similarly, as the market environment and valuations change, Western Assets Mortgage and Consumer Credit Team may rotate the portfolio between income and total return opportunities.
Western Assets strategic goal is to add value to the portfolios it manages while adhering to a disciplined risk control process. As part of this process, Western Assets management team seeks to reach targeted returns while staying within targeted volatility. Western Assets investment management team works very closely with its risk management team to seek to determine how various factors are likely to contribute to tracking error targets and to verify alignment of key return generating themes with risk themes and monitor warning level triggers for certain key risk metrics.
Western Assets investment philosophy combines traditional analysis with innovative technology applied to all sectors of the market. Western Asset believes inefficiencies exist in the fixed-income markets and attempts to add incremental value by exploiting these inefficiencies across all eligible market sectors.
From a macroeconomic perspective the investment process starts with the economic outlook and broad investment strategies formulated by Western Assets US Broad Strategy Committee, which, after the consideration of its members who represent major U.S. market sectors, adopts a consensus view on the outlook for the economy over a six- to nine-month horizon. Western Assets portfolio managers then incorporate this outlook into their strategy within the constraints and guidelines of each individual portfolio. Western Assets sector specialists, who are grouped by market sector (e.g., investment-grade credit, high-yield credit, mortgage- and asset-backed, emerging markets, etc.), concentrate on research, identifying issuers and issues appropriate for Western Assets investment universe by considering relative credit strength, liquidity, issue structure, event risk, covenant protection, and market valuation.
Western Assets Mortgage and Consumer Credit Team has developed, over many years, proprietary relationships with borrowers, originators, loan brokers, and lenders in the consumer, commercial and residential markets to seek to create investment opportunities. Western Assets Mortgage and Consumer Credit Team seeks to leverage these relationships to source assets backed by attractive quality loans in an efficient way without compromising liquidity. The Mortgage and Consumer Credit Teams direct relationships with originators of various collateral types enable Western Asset to create its own investment opportunities. Western Assets size and sophistication allow it to meaningfully participate in transactions and offer key input on transaction terms and structures. The teams vast range of relationships gives Western Asset access to unique opportunities. Western Asset believes having the experience of investing in whole loans and primary market securities gives its investment team additional perspective on the relative value of investment opportunities and enables it to look for the best relative value across all loan types and originators.
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The Fund may use leverage to provide additional funds to support its investment activities. The Fund expects to utilize debt financing consisting of property level debt (mortgages on the Funds properties) and entity level debt (non-mortgage debt that is recourse to the Fund). Property level debt will be incurred by special purpose vehicles held by the Fund (including as part of a joint venture with a third party) and secured by real estate owned by such special purpose vehicles. Such special purpose vehicles would own real estate assets and would borrow from a lender using the owned property as mortgage collateral. If a special purpose vehicle were to default on a loan, the lenders recourse would be to the mortgaged property and the lender would typically not have a claim to other assets of the Fund or its subsidiaries. When such property level debt is not recourse to the Fund, the Fund will not treat such non-recourse borrowings as senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) for purposes of complying with the 1940 Acts limitations on leverage unless the financial statements of the special purpose vehicle holding such debt will be consolidated in the Funds financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X and other accounting rules. The Fund may also incur entity level debt, including unsecured and secured credit facilities from certain financial institutions and other forms of borrowing (collectively, Borrowings) and is limited to 331⁄3% of the Funds total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by 1940 Act leverage) immediately after such Borrowings. In addition, the Fund may enter into investment management techniques (including reverse repurchase agreements and derivative transactions) that have similar effects as leverage, but which are not subject to the foregoing 331⁄3% limitation so long as the Fund has covered its commitment with respect to such techniques by segregating liquid assets, entering into offsetting transactions or owning positions covering its obligations. Furthermore, the Fund may add leverage to its portfolio through the issuance of Preferred Stock in an aggregate amount of up to 50% of the Funds (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by 1940 Act leverage) total assets immediately after such issuance. Currently, the Fund has no intention to issue Preferred Stock. See RisksLeverage Risk.
The Fund may not use leverage at all times and the amount of leverage may vary depending upon a number of factors, including LMPFAs and Clarion Partners outlook for the market and the costs that the Fund would incur as a result of such leverage. Any Borrowings and Preferred Stock would have seniority over the Common Stock. There is no assurance that the Funds leveraging strategy will be successful.
Any Borrowings and Preferred Stock (if issued) leverage your investment in Common Stock. Holders of Common Stock bear the costs associated with any Borrowings, and if the Fund issues Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock bear the offering costs of the Preferred Share issuance. The Board may authorize the use of leverage through Borrowings and Preferred Stock without the approval of the holders of Common Stock.
The Fund is permitted in the future to negotiate with several large commercial banks to arrange one or more credit facilities (each, a Credit Facility) pursuant to which the Fund would be entitled to borrow an amount equal to approximately 331⁄3% of the Funds total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by 1940 Act leverage). See Effects of Leverage.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately thereafter the total asset value of the Funds portfolio is at least 300% of the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness (i.e., the aggregate amount of outstanding debt may not exceed 331⁄3% of the Funds total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by 1940 Act leverage)). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash distribution on its Common Stock unless, at the time of such declaration, the NAV of the Funds portfolio (determined deducting the amount of such distribution) is at least 300% of the aggregate amount of such outstanding indebtedness. If the Fund borrows money, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to retire outstanding debt from time to time to maintain coverage of any outstanding indebtedness of at least 300%. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may only issue one class of senior securities representing indebtedness.
The Fund may be required to prepay outstanding amounts or incur a penalty rate of interest upon the occurrence of certain events of default. The Funds future Credit Facilities may contain customary covenants
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that, among other things, limit the Funds ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change its fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations, and require asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. In connection with any new Credit Facility, the Fund may be required to pledge some or all of its assets and to maintain a portion of its assets in cash or high-grade securities as a reserve against interest or principal payments and expenses. The Funds custodian will retain all assets, including those that are pledged, but the lenders of such Credit Facility may have the ability to foreclose on such assets in the event of a default under the Credit Facility pursuant to a tri-party arrangement among the Fund, its custodian and such lenders. The Funds custodian is not an affiliate of the Fund, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act. The Fund expects that any such Credit Facility would have customary covenant, negative covenant and default provisions. There can be no assurance that the Fund will enter into an agreement for any new Credit Facility on terms and conditions representative of the foregoing, or that additional material terms will not apply. In addition, if entered into, the Credit Facility may in the future be replaced or refinanced by one or more Credit Facilities having substantially different terms or by the issuance of Preferred Stock or debt securities.
Changes in the value of the Funds portfolio investments, including costs attributable to Borrowings or Preferred Stock, are borne entirely by the holders of the Common Stock. If there is a net decrease (or increase) in the value of the Funds investment portfolio, the leverage decreases (or increases) the NAV per share of Common Stock to a greater extent than if the Fund were not leveraged.
Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment technique and involves certain risks to holders of Common Stock. These include the possibility of higher volatility of the NAV of the Common Stock. So long as the Fund is able to realize a higher net return on its investment portfolio than the then-current cost of any leverage together with other related expenses, the effect of the leverage is to cause holders of Common Stock to realize a higher rate of return than if the Fund were not so leveraged. On the other hand, to the extent that the then-current cost of any leverage, together with other related expenses, approaches the net return on the Funds investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to holders of Common Stock is reduced, and if the then-current cost of any leverage together with related expenses were to exceed the net return on the Funds portfolio, the Funds leveraged capital structure would result in a lower rate of return to holders of Common Stock than if the Fund were not so leveraged.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue Preferred Stock unless immediately after such issuance the value of the Funds asset coverage is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding Preferred Stock (i.e., such liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the Funds assets less all liabilities other than Borrowings and outstanding Preferred Stock). Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may only issue one class of Preferred Stock.
In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Stock unless, at the time of such declaration, the value of the Funds assets less liabilities other than Borrowings and outstanding Preferred Stock satisfies the above-referenced 200% coverage requirement. If Preferred Stock is issued, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to purchase or redeem Preferred Stock from time to time to the extent necessary in order to maintain coverage of at least 200%.
If Preferred Stock is outstanding, two of the Funds Directors will be elected by the holders of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class. The remaining directors of the Fund will be elected by holders of Common Stock and Preferred Stock voting together as a single class. In the event that the Fund fails to pay dividends on the Preferred Stock for two years, holders of Preferred Stock would be entitled to elect a majority of the Directors of the Fund.
The Fund may be subject to certain restrictions imposed either by guidelines of a lender, if the Fund borrows from a lender, or by one or more rating agencies which may issue ratings for Preferred Stock. These guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on
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the Fund by the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or guidelines will impede LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset from managing the Funds portfolio in accordance with the Funds investment objective and policies. In addition to other considerations, to the extent that the Fund believes that the covenants and guidelines required by the rating agencies would impede its ability to meet its investment objective, or if the Fund is unable to obtain its desired rating on Preferred Stock, the Fund will not issue Preferred Stock.
Effects of Leverage
The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on Common Stock total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income and changes in the value of securities held in the Funds portfolio) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns experienced or expected to be experienced by the Fund. See RisksLeverage Risk.
The table further reflects the issuance of leverage representing 23% of the Funds total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by 1940 Act leverage), net of expenses and the Funds currently projected annual interest on its leverage of 4.15%.
Assumed Portfolio Total Return (Net of Expenses) |
(10 | )% | (5 | )% | 0 | % | 5 | % | 10 | % | ||||||||||
Common Stock Total Return |
(15.60 | )% | (6.70 | )% | (1.70 | )% | 5.20 | % | 12.10 | % |
Common Stock Total Return is composed of two elements: the Common Stock dividends and distributions paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the net investment income of the Fund after paying interest on its leverage) and gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the table above assumes that the Fund is more likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, to assume a total return of 0% the Fund must assume that the return it receives on its investments is entirely offset by losses in the value of those investments.
The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Your securities at any point in time may be worth less than you invested, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends, distributions or interest payments, as applicable.
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The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Your securities at any point in time may be worth less than you invested, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends, distributions or interest payments, as applicable.
No History of Operations
The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors have no track record or history on which to base their investment decision.
Investment and Market Risk
An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire amount that you invest. Your investment in Common Stock represents an indirect investment in the assets owned by the Fund. The value of the Funds investments may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. At any point in time, your Common Stock may be worth less than your original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
Distributions Risk
There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve investment results that will allow the Fund to make a specified level of cash distributions or maintain certain levels of cash distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of the Board and may depend on the Funds earnings, the Funds net investment income, the Funds financial condition, compliance with applicable regulations and such other factors as the Board may deem relevant from time to time. Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund may make distributions from sources other than cash flow from operations, including, without limitation, the sale of assets, borrowings, return of capital, or offering proceeds. See Distributions for a description of return of capital and its impacts.
Liquidity Risk
The Fund is designed primarily for long-term investors and an investment in the Funds Common Stock should be considered illiquid. The Common Stock is not listed for trading on any securities exchange. There is no public market for the Common Stock and none is expected to develop. The Common Stock therefore is not readily marketable and stockholders must be prepared to hold Common Stock for an indefinite period of time. Stockholders may not be able to sell their Common Stock at all or at a favorable price. Because the Fund is a closed-end management investment company, the Shares may not be redeemed at the option of the stockholder and may not currently be exchanged for shares of any other fund.
Although the Fund may offer to repurchase Common Stock from stockholders, no assurance can be given that these repurchases will occur as contemplated or at all. The Fund will conduct repurchase offers on a schedule and in amounts that will depend on the Board. The Fund may need to suspend or postpone repurchase offers if it is not able to dispose of portfolio securities or loans in a timely manner.
Even if the Fund makes a tender offer, there is no guarantee that stockholders will be able to sell all of the Common Stock that they desire to sell in any particular tender offer. If a tender offer is oversubscribed by stockholders, the Fund will generally repurchase only a pro rata portion of the Common Stock tendered by each stockholder. A large stockholder in the Fund seeking repurchase may cause a greater likelihood of all stockholders seeking repurchase having their requests reduced pro rata. The potential for pro ration may cause
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some stockholders to tender more Common Stock for repurchase than they otherwise would wish to have repurchased, which may adversely affect others wishing to participate in the tender offer. In addition, in extreme cases, a Fund may not be able to complete repurchases due to its inability to liquidate a portion of its portfolio.
In any given quarter, LMPFA or Clarion Partners may or may not recommend to the Board that the Fund conduct a tender offer. For example, if adverse market conditions cause the Funds investments to become illiquid or trade at depressed prices or if LMPFA or Clarion Partners believe that conducting a tender offer for 5.0% or less of the aggregate NAV of Funds Common Stock then outstanding would impose an undue burden on stockholders who do not tender compared to the benefits of giving stockholders the opportunity to sell all or a portion of their Common Stock at NAV, the Fund may choose not to conduct a tender offer or may choose to conduct a tender offer for less than 5.0% of the aggregate NAV of its Common Stock then outstanding. Regardless of the recommendation of LMPFA and Clarion Partners, the Board may or may not determine to cause the Fund to conduct a tender offer for any given quarter.
Accordingly, there may be quarters in which no tender offer is made, and it is possible that no tender offers will be conducted by the Fund at all. If a tender offer is not made, stockholders may not be able to sell their Common Stock as it is unlikely that a secondary market for the Common Stock will develop or, if a secondary market does develop, stockholders may be able to sell their Common Stock only at substantial discounts from NAV. If the Fund does conduct tender offers, it may be required to sell its more liquid, higher quality portfolio securities to purchase shares of Common Stock that are tendered, which may increase risks for remaining stockholders and increase fund expenses as a percent of assets. In addition, while the Fund is permitted to borrow money to finance the repurchase of Common Stock pursuant to tender offers, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to obtain such financing if it attempts to do so. Moreover, if the Funds portfolio does not provide adequate liquidity to fund tender offers, the Fund may extend the last day of any tender offer or choose to pay tendering stockholders with a promissory note, which will cause the stockholder to be paid at a later date than if the tender offer were not extended or if the promissory note were not issued.
Management Risk and Reliance on Key Personnel
The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. Clarion Partners, Western Asset and each individual investment professional may not be successful in selecting the best investments or investment techniques, and the Funds performance may lag behind that of similar funds. While Clarion Partners has experience analyzing investments in the real estate sector generally, Clarion Partners has limited experience sub-advising investment companies. The Fund will depend upon the diligence and skill of Clarion Partners and Western Assets investment professionals, who will evaluate, negotiate, structure and monitor its investments. These individuals do not have long-term employment contracts with Clarion Partners, although they do have equity interests and other financial incentives to remain with Clarion Partners or Western Asset, as applicable. The Fund will also depend on the senior management of LMPFA, and the departure of any of the senior management of LMPFA could have a material adverse effect on the Funds ability to achieve its investment objective.
Delay in Use of Proceeds Risk
Although the Fund currently intends to invest the proceeds from any sale of the Common Stock offered hereby as soon as practicable, such investments may be delayed if suitable investments are unavailable at the time. Pending investment, the net proceeds of the offering may be invested in permitted temporary investments, which include short-term U.S. government securities, bank certificates of deposit and other short-term liquid investments. The rate of return on these investments, which affects the amount of cash available to make distributions, may be less than the return obtainable from the type of investments in the real estate industry the Fund seeks to originate or acquire. Such investments may also make it more difficult for us to qualify as a REIT. Therefore, delays the Fund encounters in the selection, due diligence and origination or acquisition of investments would likely limit its ability to pay distributions and lower overall returns.
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Competition Risk
Identifying, completing and realizing attractive portfolio investments is competitive and involves a high degree of uncertainty. The Funds profitability depends, in large part, on its ability to acquire target assets at attractive prices. In acquiring its target assets, the Fund will compete with a variety of institutional investors, including specialty finance companies, public and private funds (including other funds managed by LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset), REITs, commercial and investment banks, commercial finance and insurance companies and other financial institutions. Also, as a result of this competition, desirable investments in the Funds target assets may be limited in the future and the Fund may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, as the Fund can provide no assurance that it will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with its investment objective. The Fund cannot assure you that the competitive pressures it faces will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations or the Funds ability to locate, consummate and exit investments that satisfy its investment objective.
Non-Diversification Risk
As a non-diversified investment company, the Fund may invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers. The Fund may therefore be more susceptible than a diversified fund to being adversely affected by events impacting a single investment, geographic location, security or investment type.
In addition, the Fund has not established any investment criteria limiting the geographic concentration of its Private CRE investments and does not plan to establish any investment criteria to limit its exposure to these risks for future investments. As a result, Private CRE investments underlying its investments may be overly concentrated in certain geographic areas and the Fund may experience losses as a result. Additionally, the Fund is not limited in the size of any single Private CRE investment it may make and certain of its investments may represent a significant percentage of the Funds assets. Any such investment may carry the risk associated with a significant asset concentration. Such risks could cause the Fund to experience a material adverse effect, which would result in the value of a stockholders investment in the Fund being diminished.
Illiquid Investment Risk
Many of the Funds investments will be illiquid, including the Funds Private CRE investments. A variety of factors could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of any of its illiquid assets on acceptable terms even if a disposition is in the best interests of the Funds stockholders. The Fund cannot predict whether it will be able to sell any asset for the price or on the terms set by it or whether any price or other terms offered by a prospective purchaser would be acceptable to the Fund. The Fund also cannot predict the length of time needed to find a willing purchaser and to close the sale of an asset. The Fund may be required to expend cash to correct defects or to make improvements before an asset can be sold, and there can be no assurance that it will have cash available to correct those defects or to make those improvements. As a result, the Funds ability to sell investments in response to changes in economic and other conditions could be limited. Limitations on the Funds ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of its investments may have a material adverse effect on the Funds business, financial condition and results of operations and the Funds ability to make distributions.
Real Estate Investment Risk
The Funds investments will be subject to the risks typically associated with real estate, including:
| local, state, national or international economic conditions, including market disruptions caused by regional concerns, political upheaval, sovereign debt crises and other factors; |
| real estate conditions, such as an oversupply of or a reduction in demand for real estate space in an area; |
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| lack of liquidity inherent in the nature of the asset; |
| tenant/operator mix and the success of the tenant/operator business; |
| the ability and willingness of tenants/operators/managers to maintain the financial strength and liquidity to satisfy their obligations to the Fund and to third parties; |
| reliance on tenants/operators/managers to operate their businesses in a sufficient manner and in compliance with their contractual arrangements with the Fund; |
| ability and cost to replace a tenant/operator/manager upon default; |
| property management decisions; |
| property location and conditions; |
| property operating costs, including insurance premiums, real estate taxes and maintenance costs; |
| the perceptions of the quality, convenience, attractiveness and safety of the properties; |
| branding, marketing and operational strategies; |
| competition from comparable properties; |
| the occupancy rate of, and the rental rates charged at, the properties; |
| the ability to collect on a timely basis all rent; |
| the effects of any bankruptcies or insolvencies; |
| the expense of leasing, renovation or construction; |
| changes in interest rates and in the availability, cost and terms of mortgage financing; |
| unknown liens being placed on the properties; |
| bad acts of third parties; |
| the ability to refinance mortgage notes payable related to the real estate on favorable terms, if at all; |
| changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies; |
| tax implications; |
| changes in laws, including laws that increase operating expenses or limit rents that may be charged; |
| the impact of present or future environmental legislation and compliance with environmental laws, including costs of remediation and liabilities associated with environmental conditions affecting properties; |
| cost of compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations; |
| social unrest and civil disturbances; |
| acts of nature, including earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters; |
| terrorism; |
| the potential for uninsured or underinsured property losses; |
| adverse changes in state and local laws, including zoning laws; and |
| other factors which are beyond the Funds control. |
The value of each property is affected significantly by its ability to generate cash flow and net income, which in turn depends on the amount of rental or other income that can be generated net of expenses required to
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be incurred with respect to the property. Many expenses associated with properties (such as operating expenses and capital expenses) cannot be reduced when there is a reduction in income from the properties. As a result, these investments may be risky and the Fund may lose all or part of its investments.
Commercial Real Estate Industry Risk
The Funds business and operations are dependent on the commercial real estate industry generally, which in turn is dependent upon broad economic conditions. Challenging economic and financial market conditions may cause the Fund to experience an increase in the number of Private CRE investments that result in losses, including delinquencies, non-performing assets and a decrease in the value of the property or, in the case of Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities, collateral which secures its investments, all of which could adversely affect the Funds results of operations. The Fund may need to establish significant provisions for losses or impairment, and be forced to sell assets at undesirable prices, which may result in the Funds NAV declining and the Fund incurring substantial losses. Additionally, economic conditions can negatively impact the businesses of tenants of the Funds Private CRE investments, which in turn could cause the Fund to experience increased delinquencies or decreasing rents, either of which would negatively impact the Funds income.
These conditions may increase the volatility of the value of Private CRE investments made by the Fund. These developments also may make it more difficult for the Fund to accurately value its investments or to sell its investments on a timely basis. These developments, including rising interest rates, could adversely affect the ability of the Fund to use leverage for investment purposes and increase the cost of such leverage, which would reduce returns. Such developments could, in turn, diminish significantly the Funds revenue from investments and adversely affect the Funds NAV.
Private CRE Risk
Lease defaults, terminations by one or more tenants or landlord-tenant disputes may reduce the Funds revenues and net income. Any of these situations may result in extended periods during which there is a significant decline in revenues or no revenues generated by a property. If this occurred, it could adversely affect the Funds results of operations.
The Funds financial position and its ability to make distributions may also be adversely affected by financial difficulties experienced by any major tenants, including bankruptcy, insolvency or a general downturn in the business, or in the event any major tenants do not renew or extend their relationship as their lease terms expire. A tenant in bankruptcy may be able to restrict the ability to collect unpaid rents or interest during the bankruptcy proceeding. Furthermore, dealing with a tenants bankruptcy or other default may divert managements attention and cause the Fund to incur substantial legal and other costs.
The Funds investments in real estate will be pressured in challenging economic and rental market conditions. If the Fund is unable to re-let or renew leases for all or substantially all of the space at these properties, if the rental rates upon such renewal or re-letting are significantly lower than expected, or if the Funds reserves for these purposes prove inadequate, the Fund will experience a reduction in net income and may be required to reduce or eliminate cash distributions.
The Fund may obtain only limited warranties when it purchases a Private CRE equity investment. The purchase of properties with limited warranties increases the risk that the Fund may lose some or all of its invested capital in the property, as well as the loss of rental income from that property if an issue should arise that decreases the value of that property and is not covered by the limited warranties. If any of these results occur, it may have a material adverse effect on the Funds business, financial condition and results of operations and the Funds ability to make distributions.
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Litigation Risk
From time to time, the Fund and its Advisers may be subject to pending or threatened litigation or regulatory action. Some of these claims may result in significant defense costs and potentially significant judgments against the Fund and/or the Advisers. We cannot be certain of the ultimate outcome of any potential litigation or regulatory action or any claims that may arise in the future and the reputation of the Fund and/or the Advisers could be damaged as a result. Certain litigation or regulatory scrutiny could materially adversely affect our business in a number of ways, including a reluctance of counterparties to do business with us and the Advisers. The resolution of certain claims may result in the Fund or the Advisers having to pay significant fines, judgments, or settlements, which, if partially or completely uninsured, could adversely impact our earnings and cash flows or the Advisers ability to perform their duties.
Insurance Risk
Certain types of losses, generally of a catastrophic nature, such as earthquakes, floods and hurricanes may be uninsurable or not economically insurable. The Fund may not obtain, or be able to require tenants to obtain certain types of insurance if it is deemed commercially unreasonable. Under such circumstances, the insurance proceeds, if any, might not be adequate to restore the economic value of the property, which might decrease the value of the property. As a result, the insured company could lose its investments in, and anticipated profits and cash flows from, a number of properties and, as a result, adversely affect the Funds investment performance.
Environmental Risk
Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, a current or previous owner of real property, such as the Fund and tenants, may be considered an owner, operator, or responsible party of such properties and therefore may be liable in certain circumstances for the costs of investigation, removal or remediation of, or related releases of, certain hazardous or toxic substances, including materials containing asbestos, at, under or disposed of in connection with such property, as well as certain other potential costs relating to hazardous or toxic substances, including government fines, liabilities, and damages for injuries to persons and adjacent property. In addition, some environmental laws create a lien on the contaminated site in favor of the government for damages and the costs it incurs in connection with the contamination. These laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner knew of, or was responsible for, the presence or disposal of such substances and liability may be imposed on the owner in connection with the activities of a tenant at the property. The presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination may adversely affect the Funds or its tenants ability to sell or lease real estate, or to borrow using the real estate as collateral, which, in turn, could reduce the Funds revenues. The Fund, or its tenants, as owner of a site, including if the Fund takes ownership through foreclosure, may be liable under common law or otherwise to third parties for damages and injuries resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the site. The cost of any required investigation, remediation, removal, fines or personal or property damages and the Funds or its tenants liability could significantly exceed the value of the property without any limits.
Furthermore, the Fund may invest in real estate, or mortgage loans secured by real estate, with environmental problems that materially impair the value of the real estate. Even as a lender, if the Fund takes title to collateral with environmental problems or if other circumstances arise, the Fund could be subject to environmental liability.
If the Fund is deemed liable for any such environmental liabilities and is unable to seek recovery against its tenant, the Funds business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected, and the amount available to make distributions could be reduced.
Joint Venture Risk
The Fund may in the future enter into joint ventures with third parties to make investments. The Fund may also make investments in partnerships or other co-ownership arrangements or participations. Such investments may involve risks not otherwise present with other methods of investment, including, for instance, the following risks and conflicts of interest:
| the joint venture partner in an investment could become insolvent or bankrupt; |
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| fraud or other misconduct by the joint venture partner; |
| the Fund may share decision-making authority with its joint venture partner regarding certain major decisions affecting the ownership of the joint venture and the joint venture property, such as the sale of the property or the making of additional capital contributions for the benefit of the property, which may prevent the Fund from taking actions that are opposed by its joint venture partner; |
| under certain joint venture arrangements, neither party may have the power to control the venture and, under certain circumstances, an impasse could result regarding cash distributions, reserves, or a proposed sale or refinancing of the investment, and this impasse could have an adverse impact on the joint venture, which could adversely impact the operations and profitability of the joint venture and/or the amount and timing of distributions the Fund receives from such joint venture; |
| the joint venture partner may at any time have economic or business interests or goals that are or that become in conflict with the Funds business interests or goals, including, for instance, the operation of the properties; |
| the joint venture partner may be structured differently than the Fund for tax purposes and this could create conflicts of interest and risk to the Funds ability to qualify as a REIT; |
| the Fund may rely upon its joint venture partner to manage the day-to-day operations of the joint venture and underlying assets, as well as to prepare financial information for the joint venture and any failure to perform these obligations may have a negative impact on the Funds performance and results of operations; |
| the joint venture partner may experience a change of control, which could result in new management of the joint venture partner with less experience or conflicting interests to the Fund and be disruptive to the Funds business; |
| such joint venture partner may be in a position to take action contrary to the Funds instructions or requests or contrary to the Funds policies or objectives, including the Funds policy with respect to maintaining its qualification as a REIT; |
| the terms of the joint ventures could restrict the Funds ability to sell or transfer its interest to a third party when it desires on advantageous terms, which could result in reduced liquidity; |
| the Fund or its joint venture partner may have the right to trigger a buy-sell arrangement, which could cause the Fund to sell its interest, or acquire its partners interest, at a time when the Fund otherwise would not have initiated such a transaction; |
| the joint venture partner may not have sufficient personnel or appropriate levels of expertise to adequately support the Funds initiatives; and |
| to the extent it is permissible under the 1940 Act for the Fund to partner with other vehicles advised by any of the Advisers, the Advisers may have conflicts of interest that may not be resolved in the Funds favor. |
In addition, disputes between the Fund and its joint venture partner may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase the Funds expenses and prevent the Funds officers and directors from focusing their time and efforts on the Funds business. Any of the above might subject the Fund to liabilities and thus reduce its returns on the investment with the joint venture partner.
Private CRE Options Risk
The Fund may obtain options that grant it a period of exclusivity during which it may acquire certain Private CRE. The amount paid for an option, if any, is normally surrendered if the property is not purchased and may or may not be credited against the purchase price if the property is purchased. Option payments will reduce the amount of cash available for further investments or distributions to the Funds stockholders.
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Valuation Risk
The price the Fund pays for Private CRE investments will be based on the Advisers projections of market demand, occupancy levels, rental income, the costs of any development, redevelopment or renovation of a property, borrower expertise and other factors. If any of the Advisers projections are inaccurate or it ascribes a higher value to assets and their value subsequently drops or fails to rise because of market factors, returns on the Funds investment may be lower than expected and could experience losses.
For the purposes of calculating the Funds NAV, Private CRE investments will initially be valued at cost, which the Fund expects to represent fair value at that time. Thereafter, valuations of properties will be derived from independent property appraisals.
Within the parameters of the Funds valuation guidelines, the valuation methodologies used to value the Funds Private CRE investments will involve subjective judgments and projections and may not be accurate. Valuation methodologies will also involve assumptions and opinions about future events, which may or may not turn out to be correct. Valuations and appraisals of the Funds Private CRE investments will be only estimates of fair value. Ultimate realization of the value of an asset depends to a great extent on economic, market and other conditions beyond the Funds control and the control of the Advisers and the Funds independent valuation advisors. Valuations and appraisals of the Funds Private CRE investments are only conducted on a periodic basis. If the relevant assets value changes after such appraisal, it will be difficult for Clarion Partners to quantify the impact of such change and the necessary information to make a full assessment of the value may not be immediately available, which may require the Adviser to make an assessment of fair value with incomplete information. The participation of LMPFA and Clarion Partners in our valuation process could result in a conflict of interest, since the management fee is based on our average daily net assets. A material change in a Private CRE investment or a new appraisal of a Private CRE investment may have a material impact on our overall NAV, resulting in a sudden increase or decrease to our NAV per share. Further, valuations do not necessarily represent the price at which an asset would sell, since market prices of assets can only be determined by negotiation between a willing buyer and seller. As such, the carrying value of an asset may not reflect the price at which the asset could be sold in the market, and the difference between carrying value and the ultimate sales price could be material. In addition, accurate valuations are more difficult to obtain in times of low transaction volume because there are fewer market transactions that can be considered in the context of the appraisal. The Adviser will rely on the independent valuation advisors appraisals in determining the fair value of the Private CRE investments. There will be no retroactive adjustment in the valuation of such assets, the offering price of the Common Stock, the price the Fund paid to repurchase Common Stock or NAV-based fees the Fund paid to LMPFA and the Distributor to the extent such valuations prove to not accurately reflect the realizable value of the Funds assets. Because the price you will pay for Common Stock in this offering, and the price at which your shares may be repurchased in quarterly tender offers by the Fund, are based on NAV per share of Common Stock, you may pay more than realizable value or receive less than realizable value for your investment.
Risks Related to Specific Private CRE Property Types
The Fund intends to invest in a variety of Private CRE property types, which may expose the Fund to risks. For example, the Funds investments in office properties are subject to risks that the tenants of those office properties face, including the overall health of the economy, the possibility of a downturn in the businesses operated by the tenants, lack of demand or obsolescence of the products or services provided by the tenants, and the non-competitiveness of the office tenants relative to their competitors. Fluctuations in manufacturing activity in the United States may adversely affect the tenants of the Funds industrial properties and therefore the demand for and profitability of its industrial properties. Retail properties may be affected by competition and consumer trends, including the use of e-commerce. In addition, tenants of certain of the Funds investments in retail properties may have leases that contain certain co-tenancy provisions, which, if not satisfied, could permit other tenants of these properties to, among other things, pay reduced rents and/or terminate the lease. A multifamily property may affected by declining rents or may incur vacancies either by the expiration and non-renewal of
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tenant leases or the continued default of tenants under their leases, resulting in reduced revenues and less cash available to distribute to stockholders. Any disruption in the revenues of the Funds hospitality properties during certain periods could impact the Funds profitability due to the seasonal nature of the hospitality industry. In addition, the Fund and its tenants will face competition for each of the foregoing Private CRE property types, which could adversely affect the Funds revenues and funds available for distribution.
The Fund also intends to invest in other alternative Private CRE investments including but not limited to student housing, data centers, self-storage, hospitality, wireless towers, manufactured housing, and medical and healthcare facilities, medical office buildings, senior housing and assisted living facilities. Any such alternative Private CRE investments that the Fund makes would be subject to general risks of investing in real estate and risks specific to that property type.
CMBS Risk
CMBS are, generally, securities backed by obligations (including certificates of participation in obligations) that are principally secured by mortgages on real property or interests therein having a multifamily or commercial use, such as regional malls, other retail space, office buildings, industrial or warehouse properties, hotels, nursing homes and senior living centers. CMBS are subject to particular risks, including lack of standardized terms, shorter maturities than residential mortgage loans and payment of all or substantially all of the principal only at maturity rather than regular amortization of principal. Additional risks may be presented by the type and use of a particular commercial property. Special risks are presented by certain property types. Commercial property values and net operating income are subject to volatility, which may result in net operating income becoming insufficient to cover debt service on the related mortgage loan. The repayment of loans secured by income-producing properties is typically dependent upon the successful operation of the related real estate asset rather than upon the liquidation value of the underlying real estate. Furthermore, the net operating income from and value of any commercial property is subject to various risks, including changes in general or local economic conditions and/or specific industry segments; the solvency of the related tenants; declines in real estate values; declines in rental or occupancy rates; increases in interest rates, real estate tax rates and other operating expenses; changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies; acts of God; terrorist threats and attacks and social unrest and civil disturbances. Consequently, adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances are more likely to have an adverse impact on mortgage-related securities secured by loans on commercial properties than on those secured by loans on residential properties. In addition, commercial lending generally is viewed as exposing the lender to a greater risk of loss than one- to four- family residential lending. Commercial lending, for example, typically involves larger loans to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers than residential one- to four- family mortgage loans.
The exercise of remedies and successful realization of liquidation proceeds relating to CMBS is also highly dependent on the performance of the servicer or special servicer. In many cases, overall control over the special servicing of related underlying mortgage loans will be held by a directing certificate holder or a controlling class representative, which is appointed by the holders of the most subordinate class of CMBS in such series. The Fund may not have the right to appoint the directing certificate holder. In connection with the servicing of the specially serviced mortgage loans, the related special servicer may, at the direction of the directing certificate holder, take actions with respect to the specially serviced mortgage loans that could adversely affect the Funds interests. There may be a limited number of special servicers available, particularly those that do not have conflicts of interest.
The Advisers will value the Funds potential CMBS investments based on loss-adjusted yields, taking into account estimated future losses on the mortgage loans included in the securitizations pool of loans, and the estimated impact of these losses on expected future cash flows. The Advisers loss estimates may not prove accurate, as actual results may vary from estimates. In the event that the Advisers overestimate the pool level losses relative to the price the Fund pays for a particular CMBS investment, the Fund may experience losses with respect to such investment.
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Non-Agency RMBS Risk
Non-agency RMBS are securities issued by non-governmental issuers, the payments on which depend (except for rights or other assets designed to assure the servicing or timely distribution of proceeds to holders of such securities) primarily on the cash flow from residential mortgage loans made to borrowers that are secured (on a first priority basis or second priority basis, subject to permitted liens, easements and other encumbrances) by residential real estate (one- to four- family properties) the proceeds of which are used to purchase real estate and purchase or construct dwellings thereon (or to refinance indebtedness previously so used). Non-agency RMBS have no direct or indirect government guarantees of payment and are subject to various risks as described herein.
Credit-Related Risk Associated with Borrowers on Non-Agency RMBS. Credit-related risk on non-agency RMBS arises from losses due to delinquencies and defaults by the borrowers in payments on the underlying mortgage loans and breaches by originators and servicers of their obligations under the underlying documentation pursuant to which the non-agency RMBS are issued. Residential mortgage loans are obligations of the borrowers thereunder only and are not typically insured or guaranteed by any other person or entity. The rate of delinquencies and defaults on residential mortgage loans and the aggregate amount of the resulting losses will be affected by a number of factors, including general economic conditions, particularly those in the area where the related mortgaged property is located, the level of the borrowers equity in the mortgaged property and the individual financial circumstances of the borrower. If a residential mortgage loan is in default, foreclosure on the related residential property may be a lengthy and difficult process involving significant legal and other expenses. The net proceeds obtained by the holder on a residential mortgage loan following the foreclosure on the related property may be less than the total amount that remains due on the loan. The prospect of incurring a loss upon the foreclosure of the related property may lead the holder of the residential mortgage loan to restructure the residential mortgage loan or otherwise delay the foreclosure process.
Impact of Real Estate and Mortgage Loan Markets on Non-Agency RMBS. In addition to the foregoing considerations, the market for defaulted residential mortgage loans and foreclosed real estate properties may be very limited. In particular, the economic conditions that lead to a higher rate of delinquencies and defaults on a portfolio of real estate mortgage loans may also lead to a reduction in the value of the related real estate properties, which in turn will result in greater losses upon a foreclosure of the real estate properties. At any one time, a portfolio of non-agency RMBS may be backed by residential mortgage loans that are highly concentrated in only a few states or regions. As a result, the performance of such residential mortgage loans may be more susceptible to a downturn in the economy, including in particular industries that are highly represented in such states or regions, natural calamities and other adverse conditions affecting such areas. In addition, the residential mortgage loans underlying non-agency RMBS may include so-called jumbo residential mortgage loans, having original principal balances that are significantly higher than is generally the case for residential mortgage loans. If the portfolio of residential mortgage loans underlying a non-agency RMBS includes a high concentration of jumbo residential mortgage loans, the performance of the non-agency RMBS will be more susceptible to the performance of individual borrowers and adverse economic conditions in general than would otherwise be the case.
Another factor that may contribute to, and may in the future result in, higher delinquency and default rates is the increase in monthly payments on adjustable-rate mortgage loans. Any increase in prevailing market interest rates may result in increased payments for borrowers who have adjustable-rate mortgage loans.
Some or all of the underlying residential mortgage loans in an issue of non-agency RMBS may have balloon payments due on their respective maturity dates. If borrowers are unable to make such balloon payments, the related issue of non-agency RMBS may experience losses.
Prepayment Risk Associated with Non-Agency RMBS. Non-agency RMBS are susceptible to prepayment risks. Except in the case of certain types of non-agency RMBS, the mortgage loans underlying non-agency RMBS generally do not contain prepayment penalties and a reduction in market interest rates will increase the likelihood of prepayments on the related non-agency RMBS, resulting in a reduction in yield to maturity for most holders of such securities. In the case of certain home equity loan securities and certain types of non-agency
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RMBS, even though the underlying mortgage loans often contain prepayment premiums, such prepayment premiums may not be sufficient to discourage borrowers from prepaying their mortgage loans in the event of a reduction in market interest rates, resulting in a reduction in the yield to maturity for holders of the related non-agency RMBS. In addition to reductions in the level of market interest rates and the prepayment provisions of the mortgage loans, repayments on the residential mortgage loans underlying an issue of non-agency RMBS may also be affected by a variety of economic, geographic and other factors, including the size difference between the interest rates on the underlying residential mortgage loans (giving consideration to the cost of refinancing) and prevailing mortgage rates and the availability of refinancing. In general, if prevailing interest rates fall significantly below the interest rates on the related residential mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment on the underlying residential mortgage loans would be expected to increase. Conversely, if prevailing interest rates rise to a level significantly above the interest rates on the related mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to decrease. Prepayments could reduce the yield received on the related issue of non-agency RMBS.
Legal Risks Associated with Non-Agency RMBS. Legal risks can arise as a result of the procedures followed in connection with the origination of the mortgage loans or the servicing thereof which may be subject to various federal and state laws (including, without limitation, predatory lending laws), public policies and principles of equity regulating interest rates and other charges, require certain disclosures, require licensing of originators, prohibit discriminatory lending practices, regulate the use of consumer credit information and debt collection practices and may limit the servicers ability to collect all or part of the principal of or interest on a residential mortgage loan, entitle the borrower to a refund of amounts previously paid by it or subject the servicer to damages and sanctions.
Mortgage Loan Risk
The Fund may invest in commercial mortgage loans, including mezzanine loans and B-notes, which are secured by multifamily, commercial or other properties and are subject to risks of delinquency and foreclosure and risks of loss. Commercial real estate loans are generally not fully amortizing, which means that they may have a significant principal balance or balloon payment due on maturity. Full satisfaction of the balloon payment by a commercial borrower is heavily dependent on the availability of subsequent financing or a functioning sales market, as well as other factors such as the value of the property, the level of prevailing mortgage rates, the borrowers equity in the property and the financial condition and operating history of the property and the borrower. In certain situations, and during periods of credit distress, the unavailability of real estate financing may lead to default by a commercial borrower. In addition, in the absence of any such takeout financing, the ability of a borrower to repay a loan secured by an income-producing property will depend upon the successful operation of such property rather than upon the existence of independent income or assets of the borrower. If the net operating income of the property is reduced, the borrowers ability to repay the loan may be impaired. Furthermore, the Fund may not have the same access to information in connection with investments in commercial mortgage loans, either when investigating a potential investment or after making an investment, as compared to publicly traded securities.
Commercial mortgage loans are usually non-recourse in nature. Therefore, if a commercial borrower defaults on the commercial mortgage loan, then the options for financial recovery are limited in nature. To the extent the underlying default rates with respect to the pool or tranche of commercial real estate loans in which the Fund directly or indirectly invests increase, the performance of the Funds investments related thereto may be adversely affected. Default rates and losses on commercial mortgage loans will be affected by a number of factors, including global, regional and local economic conditions in the area where the mortgage properties are located, the borrowers equity in the mortgage property and the financial circumstances of the borrower. A continued decline in specific commercial real estate markets and property valuations may result in higher delinquencies and defaults and potentially foreclosures. In the event of default, the lender will have no right to assets beyond collateral attached to the commercial mortgage loan.
In the event of any default under a mortgage or real estate loan held directly by the Fund, the Fund will bear a risk of loss of principal to the extent of any deficiency between the value of the collateral and the principal and accrued interest of the mortgage or real estate loan, which could have a material adverse effect on the Funds
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profitability. In the event of the bankruptcy of a mortgage or real estate loan borrower, the mortgage or real estate loan to such borrower will be deemed to be secured only to the extent of the value of the underlying collateral at the time of bankruptcy (as determined by the bankruptcy court), and the lien securing the mortgage or real estate loan will be subject to the avoidance powers of the bankruptcy trustee or debtor-in-possession to the extent the lien is unenforceable under state law. Additionally, in the event of a default under any senior debt, the junior or subordinate lender generally forecloses on the equity, purchases the senior debt or negotiates a forbearance or restructuring arrangement with the senior lender in order to preserve its collateral.
Mezzanine Loan Risk
The Fund may invest in mezzanine loans that take the form of subordinated loans secured by a pledge of the ownership interests of either the entity owning the real property or the entity that owns the interest in the entity owning the real property. These types of investments involve a higher degree of risk than first-lien mortgage loans secured by income producing real property because the investment may become unsecured as a result of foreclosure by the senior lender. In the event of a bankruptcy of the entity providing the pledge of its ownership interests as security, the Fund may not have full recourse to the assets of such entity, or the assets of the entity may not be sufficient to satisfy the Funds mezzanine loan. If a borrower defaults on the Funds mezzanine loan or debt senior to the Funds loan, or in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, the Funds mezzanine loan will be satisfied only after the senior debt. As a result, the Fund may not recover some or all of its investment. In addition, mezzanine loans may have higher loan-to-value ratios than conventional mortgage loans, resulting in less equity in the real property and increasing the risk of loss of principal.
Risks Related to Investments in Publicly Traded REITs
The Funds investments in the securities of publicly traded REITs will be subject to a variety of risks affecting those REITs directly. Share prices of publicly traded REITs may decline because of adverse developments affecting the real estate industry and real property values, including supply and demand for properties, the economic health of the country or of different regions, the strength of specific industries that rent properties and interest rates. REITs often invest in highly leveraged properties. Returns from REITs, which typically are small or medium capitalization stocks, may trail returns from the overall stock market. In addition, changes in interest rates may hurt real estate values or make REIT shares less attractive than other income-producing investments. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency and defaults by borrowers and tenants.
Below Investment Grade (High Yield or Junk) Securities Risk
A material portion of the Funds Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities (including both direct and indirect investments) may consist of below investment grade securities. Lower grade securities may be particularly susceptible to economic downturns and are inherently speculative. It is likely that any such economic downturn could adversely affect the ability of the issuers of such securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon and increase the incidence of default for such securities.
Lower grade securities, though high yielding, are characterized by high risk. They may be subject to certain risks with respect to the issuing entity and to greater market fluctuations than certain lower yielding, higher rated securities. The retail secondary market for lower grade securities may be less liquid than that for higher rated securities. Adverse conditions could make it difficult at times to sell certain securities or could result in lower prices than those used in calculating the Funds NAV. Because of the substantial risks associated with investments in lower grade securities, you could lose money on your investment in Common Stock, both in the short-term and the long-term.
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Capital Markets Risk
The Fund expects to fund a portion of its Private CRE investments with property-level financing. The Funds business may be adversely affected by disruptions in the debt and equity capital markets and institutional lending market, including the lack of access to capital or prohibitively high costs of obtaining or replacing capital. There can be no assurance that any financing will be available to the Fund in the future on acceptable terms, if at all, or that it will be able to satisfy the conditions precedent required to use its credit facilities, if entered into, which could reduce the number, or alter the type, of investments that the Fund would make otherwise. This may reduce the Funds income. To the extent that financing proves to be unavailable when needed, the Fund may be compelled to modify its investment strategy to optimize the performance of the portfolio. Any failure to obtain financing could have a material adverse effect on the continued development or growth of the Funds business and harm the Funds ability to operate and make distributions.
Interest Rate Risk
The Funds financial performance will be influenced by changes in interest rates; in particular, such changes may affect certain of the Funds Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities to the extent such debt does not float as a result of floors or otherwise. Changes in interest rates, including changes in expected interest rates or yield curves, may affect the Funds business in a number of ways. Changes in the general level of interest rates can affect the Funds net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on the Funds interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with its interest-bearing borrowings and hedges. Changes in the level of interest rates also can affect, among other things, the Funds ability to acquire certain of the Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities at attractive prices and enter into hedging transactions. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions, and other factors beyond the Funds control. If market interest rates increase further in the future, the interest rate on any variable rate borrowings will increase and will create higher debt service requirements, which would adversely affect the Funds cash flow and could adversely impact the Funds results of operations.
Interest rate changes may also impact the Funds NAV as certain Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities and hedge derivatives, if any, are marked to market. Generally, as interest rates increase, the value of the Funds fixed rate securities decreases, which will decrease the book value of the Funds equity.
Furthermore, shifts in the U.S. Treasury yield curve reflecting an increase in interest rates would also affect the yield required on certain of the Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities and therefore their value. For instance, increasing interest rates would reduce the value of the fixed rate assets the Fund holds at the time because the higher yields required by increased interest rates result in lower market prices on existing fixed rate assets in order to adjust the yield upward to meet the market and vice versa. This would have similar effects on the Funds Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities portfolio and the Funds financial position and operations as a change in interest rates generally.
Derivatives Risk
The Fund may invest in derivative instruments, such as options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, indexed securities, credit linked notes, credit default swaps and other swap agreements for investment, hedging and risk management purposes. The Fund may invest without limitation in Treasury futures, interest rate swaps, swaptions or similar instruments and combinations thereof. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on changes in the value of one or more underlying assets or reference rates. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this prospectus, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and management risk. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. Changes in the credit quality of the companies that serve as the Funds counterparties with respect to its derivative transactions will affect the value
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of those instruments. By using derivatives that expose the Fund to counterparties, the Fund assumes the risk that its counterparties could experience financial hardships that could call into question their continued ability to perform their obligations. In addition, in the event of the insolvency of a counterparty to a derivative transaction, the derivative transaction would typically be terminated at its fair market value. If the Fund is owed this fair market value in the termination of the derivative transaction and its claim is unsecured, the Fund will be treated as a general creditor of such counterparty, and will not have any claim with respect to the underlying security. As a result, concentrations of such derivatives in any one counterparty would subject the Fund to an additional degree of risk with respect to defaults by such counterparty. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with an underlying asset, interest rate or index. Suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to other risks when that would be beneficial. If the Fund invests in a derivative instrument, it could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Derivative instruments can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and may have a potentially large impact on Fund performance.
Leverage Risk
The Fund may use leverage in connection with its investments. This leverage may take the form of entity or property level debt. Property level debt will be incurred by special purpose vehicles held by the Fund (including as part of a joint venture with a third party) and secured by real estate owned by such special purpose vehicles. Such special purpose vehicles would own real estate assets and would borrow from a lender using the owned property as mortgage collateral. If a special purpose vehicle were to default on a loan, the lenders recourse would be to the mortgaged property and the lender would typically not have a claim to other assets of the Fund or its subsidiaries. When such property level debt is not recourse to the Fund, the Fund will not treat such non-recourse borrowings as senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) for purposes of complying with the 1940 Acts limitations on leverage unless the financial statements of the special purpose vehicle holding such debt will be consolidated in the Funds financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X and other accounting rules. Defaults on the property level debt may result in the Fund losing its investment in the applicable property. Defaults on entity level debt may result in limits or restrictions on the Funds operations, including the Funds ability to pay distributions.
The Fund will pay (and stockholders will bear) any costs and expenses relating to the use of leverage by the Fund, to the extent the Fund bears such costs, which will result in a reduction in the NAV of the Common Stock.
Leverage may result in greater volatility of the NAV of, and distributions on, the Common Stock because changes in the value of the Funds portfolio investments, including investments purchased with the proceeds from Borrowings or the issuance of Preferred Stock, if any, are borne entirely by holders of Common Stock. Common Stock income may fall if the interest rate on Borrowings or the dividend rate on Preferred Stock rises, and may fluctuate as the interest rate on Borrowings or the dividend rate on Preferred Stock varies. So long as the Fund is able to realize a higher net return on its investment portfolio than the then-current cost of any leverage together with other related expenses, the effect of the leverage will be to cause holders of Common Stock to realize higher current net investment income than if the Fund were not so leveraged. On the other hand, the Funds use of leverage will result in increased operating costs. Thus, to the extent that the then-current cost of any leverage, together with other related expenses, approaches the net return on the Funds investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to holders of Common Stock will be reduced, and if the then-current cost of any leverage together with related expenses were to exceed the net return on the Funds portfolio, the Funds leveraged capital structure would result in a lower rate of return to holders of Common Stock than if the Fund were not so leveraged.
Any decline in the NAV of the Fund will be borne entirely by holders of Common Stock. Therefore, if the market value of the Funds portfolio declines, the Funds use of leverage will result in a greater decrease in NAV to holders of Common Stock than if the Fund were not leveraged.
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Certain types of Borrowings may result in the Fund being subject to covenants in credit agreements relating to asset coverage or portfolio composition or otherwise. In addition, the terms of the credit agreements may also require that the Fund pledge some or all of its assets as collateral. Such restrictions may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act and limit the Funds ability to effectively manage its portfolio.
In addition, the Fund may enter into investment management techniques (including reverse repurchase agreements and derivative transactions) that have similar effects as leverage, but which are not subject to the foregoing 331⁄3% limitation so long as the Fund has covered its commitment with respect to such techniques by segregating liquid assets, entering into offsetting transactions or owning positions covering its obligations in accordance with the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder, and various SEC and SEC staff interpretive positions. In accordance with these laws, rules and positions, the Fund may set aside liquid assets (often referred to as asset segregation), or engage in other SEC or staff-approved measures, to cover open positions with respect to certain portfolio management techniques, such as engaging in reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls, entering into credit default swaps or futures contracts, or purchasing securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, that may be considered senior securities under the 1940 Act. The Fund intends to cover its derivative positions by maintaining an amount of cash or liquid securities in a segregated account equal to the face value of those positions and by offsetting derivative positions against one another or against other assets to manage the effective market exposure resulting from derivatives in its portfolio. For sell protection credit default swaps, the Fund will be required to cover the full notional amount of the swap or treat any such uncovered amount as a senior security. To the extent that the Fund does not segregate liquid assets or otherwise cover its obligations under such transactions, such transactions will be treated as senior securities representing indebtedness for purposes of the requirement under the 1940 Act that the Fund may not enter into any such transactions if the Funds borrowings would thereby exceed 331⁄3% of its total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness of the Fund not represented by senior securities. However, these transactions, even if covered, may represent a form of economic leverage and will create risks. In addition, these segregation and coverage requirements could result in the Fund maintaining securities positions that it would otherwise liquidate (including positions in lower yielding securities), segregating assets at a time when it might be disadvantageous to do so or otherwise restricting portfolio management. Such segregation and cover requirements will not limit or offset losses on related positions.
There can be no assurance that the Funds leveraging strategy will be successful.
Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk
Clarion Partners and Western Asset serve as advisers or sub-advisers to other vehicles that have an investment objective and investment strategies that are similar to the Fund. Further, the Advisers may at some time in the future manage and/or advise other investment funds or accounts with the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund. As a result, the Advisers and the Funds portfolio managers may devote unequal time and attention to the management of the Fund and those other funds and accounts.
Clarion Partners and its affiliates will be subject to various conflicts of interest in carrying out their responsibilities to the Fund. Affiliates of Clarion Partners and others for whom it provides management and advisory services may also be in competition with the Fund.
Clarion Partners and its affiliates provide real estate investment advice and perform related services for other clients and funds similar to the advice to be provided and services to be performed by Clarion Partners for the Fund. Such clients and funds may have investment objectives and policies comparable to those of the Fund and may be in competition with the Fund. Other such funds may be formed in the future with objectives which are the same as or similar to the Funds objectives. Employees of Clarion Partners and its affiliates also invest in real estate for their own accounts.
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Under the Allocation Policy, portfolio managers of Clarion Partners will have discretion in determining, based on several factors, whether an investment opportunity is more suitable for another client than it is for the Fund, which may result in conflicts of interest. If such portfolio managers determine that the potential investment opportunity is more suitable for another account than it is for the Fund, the Fund would not be allocated the investment opportunity. If Clarion Partners identifies a potential investment opportunity that would be equally suitable for the Fund and one or more other Clarion Partners clients, the investment opportunity may, in some cases, be allocated away from the Fund entirely on a rotational basis pursuant to Clarion Partners Allocation Policy.
Moreover, properties held by other funds and clients managed by or affiliated with Clarion Partners may compete with portfolio properties for tenants. In leasing the portfolio properties that compete with the properties held by such other funds and clients, the Clarion Partners could face certain conflicts of interest between them.
In addition, although Legg Mason does not currently engage in any substantial real estate investment activities competitive with that of the Fund, nor sponsor any investment program targeting direct investments in real estate assets of the type targeted by the Fund, Legg Mason and its affiliates may engage in such activities in the future. Opportunities to acquire real properties, whether or not meeting the investment guidelines of the Fund, may be offered to other funds or clients advised or managed by Legg Mason and opportunities to acquire real properties not meeting the investment guidelines may be pursued by Clarion Partners or its affiliates outside of the Fund
The portfolio managers may also engage in cross trades between funds and accounts, may select brokers or dealers to execute securities transactions based in part on brokerage and research services provided to the Advisers which may not benefit all funds and accounts equally and may receive different amounts of financial or other benefits for managing different funds and accounts. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Fund may also co-invest with clients of Clarion Partners in particular properties, and the relationship with such clients could influence the decisions made by Clarion Partners with respect to such investments. Finally, LMPFA or its affiliates may provide more services to some types of funds and accounts than others.
There is no guarantee that the policies and procedures adopted by the Advisers and the Fund will be able to identify or mitigate the conflicts of interest that arise between the Fund and any other investment funds or accounts that the Advisers may manage or advise from time to time. For further information on potential conflicts of interest, see Portfolio ManagersPotential Conflicts of Interest in the SAI.
Cyber-Security Risk and Identity Theft Risks
Cyber-security incidents and cyber-attacks have been occurring globally at a more frequent and severe level and will likely continue to increase in frequency in the future. The Advisers information and technology systems may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from computer viruses and other malicious code, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and security breaches, usage errors by their respective professionals or service providers, power, communications or other service outages and catastrophic events such as fires, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. If unauthorized parties gain access to such information and technology systems, they may be able to steal, publish, delete or modify private and sensitive information. Although the Advisers have implemented various measures to manage risks relating to these types of events, such systems could be inadequate and, if compromised, could become inoperable for extended periods of time, cease to function properly or fail to adequately secure private information. The Advisers and/or the Fund may have to make a significant investment to fix or replace them. The failure of these systems and/or of disaster recovery plans for any reason could cause significant interruptions in the Advisers and/or the Funds operations and result in a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data, including personal information relating to stockholders and the intellectual property and trade secrets of the Advisers.
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Anti-Takeover Provisions
The Funds articles of incorporation and bylaws, as well as certain statutory and regulatory requirements, contain certain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire the Fund. These provisions may inhibit a change of control in circumstances that could give the stockholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the value of the Common Stock.
Risks Related to the Funds REIT Status
If we do not qualify as a REIT, we will be subject to tax as a regular corporation and could face a substantial tax liability.
We expect to operate so as to qualify as a REIT under the Code. However, qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which only a limited number of judicial or administrative interpretations exist. Notwithstanding the availability of cure provisions in the Code, various compliance requirements could be failed and could jeopardize our REIT status. Furthermore, new tax legislation, administrative guidance or court decisions, in each instance potentially with retroactive effect, could make it more difficult or impossible for us to qualify as a REIT. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any tax year, then:
| we would be taxed as a regular domestic corporation, which under current laws, among other things, means being unable to deduct distributions to stockholders in computing taxable income and being subject to federal income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates; |
| any resulting tax liability could be substantial and could have a material adverse effect on our book value; |
| unless we were entitled to relief under applicable statutory provisions, we would be required to pay taxes, and therefore, our cash available for distribution to stockholders would be reduced for each of the years during which we did not qualify as a REIT and for which we had taxable income; and |
| we generally would not be eligible to requalify as a REIT for the subsequent four full taxable years. |
To maintain our REIT status, we may have to borrow funds on a short-term basis during unfavorable market conditions.
To qualify as a REIT, we generally must distribute annually to our stockholders a minimum of 90% of our net taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends-paid deduction and excluding net capital gains. We will be subject to regular corporate income taxes on any undistributed REIT taxable income each year. Additionally, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on any amount by which distributions paid by us in any calendar year are less than the sum of 85% of our ordinary income, 95% of our capital gain net income and 100% of our undistributed income from previous years. Payments we make to our stockholders under our share repurchase plan will not be taken into account for purposes of these distribution requirements. If we do not have sufficient cash to make distributions necessary to preserve our REIT status for any year or to avoid taxation, we may be forced to borrow funds or sell assets even if the market conditions at that time are not favorable for these borrowings or sales. These options could increase our costs or reduce our equity.
Compliance with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities, which may hinder or delay our ability to meet our investment objectives and reduce your overall return.
To qualify as a REIT, we are required at all times to satisfy tests relating to, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the ownership of our stock and the amounts we distribute to our stockholders. Compliance with the REIT requirements may impair our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits. For example, we may be required to make distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution.
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Compliance with REIT requirements may force us to liquidate or restructure otherwise attractive investments.
To qualify as a REIT, at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets must consist of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified real estate assets. The remainder of our investments in securities (other than qualified real estate assets and government securities) generally cannot include more than 10% of the voting securities (other than securities that qualify for the straight debt safe harbor) of any one issuer or more than 10% of the value of the outstanding securities of more than any one issuer unless we and such issuer jointly elect for such issuer to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary under the Code. Debt will generally meet the straight debt safe harbor if the debt is a written unconditional promise to pay on demand or on a specified date a certain sum of money, the debt is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock, and the interest rate and the interest payment dates of the debt are not contingent on the profits, the borrowers discretion, or similar factors. Additionally, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 20% of the value of our assets may be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must dispose of a portion of our assets within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions in order to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. In order to satisfy these requirements and maintain our qualification as a REIT, we may be forced to liquidate assets from our portfolio or not make otherwise attractive investments. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.
Our charter does not permit any person or group to own more than 9.9% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding Common Stock or 9.9% in value of our outstanding capital stock of all classes or series, and attempts to acquire our Common Stock or our capital stock of all other classes or series in excess of these 9.9% limits would not be effective without an exemption (prospectively or retroactively) from these limits by our board of directors.
For us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% of the value of our outstanding stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (including certain entities treated as individuals for this purpose) during the last half of a taxable year. For the purpose of assisting our qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, among other purposes, our charter prohibits beneficial or constructive ownership by any person or group of more than 9.9%, in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our outstanding Common Stock, or 9.9% in value of our outstanding capital stock of all classes or series, which we refer to as the Ownership Limit. The constructive ownership rules under the Code and our charter are complex and may cause shares of the outstanding Common Stock owned by a group of related persons to be deemed to be constructively owned by one person. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.9% of our outstanding Common Stock or our capital stock by a person could cause another person to constructively own in excess of 9.9% of our outstanding Common Stock or our capital stock, respectively, and thus violate the Ownership Limit. There can be no assurance that our board of directors, as permitted in the charter, will not decrease this Ownership Limit in the future. Any attempt to own or transfer shares of our Common Stock or capital stock in excess of the Ownership Limit without the consent of our board of directors will result either in the shares in excess of the limit being transferred by operation of our charter to a charitable trust, and the person who attempted to acquire such excess shares not having any rights in such excess shares, or in the transfer being void.
The Ownership Limit may have the effect of precluding a change in control of us by a third party, even if such change in control would be in the best interests of our stockholders or would result in receipt of a premium to the price of our Common Stock (and even if such change in control would not reasonably jeopardize our REIT status). Our charter exempts Legg Mason and its affiliates from the Ownership Limit. The exemptions to the Ownership Limit granted to date may limit our board of directors power to increase the Ownership Limit or grant further exemptions in the future.
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Our board of directors is authorized to revoke our REIT election without stockholder approval, which may cause adverse consequences to our stockholders.
Our charter authorizes our board of directors to revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without the approval of our stockholders, if it determines that changes to U.S. federal income tax laws and regulations or other considerations mean it is no longer in our best interests to qualify as a REIT. Our board of directors has duties to us and could only cause such changes in our tax treatment if it determines that such changes are in our best interests. In this event, we would become subject to U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income and we would no longer be required to distribute most of our net income to our stockholders, which may cause a reduction in the total return to our stockholders.
Tax Risks of Investing in the Fund
Non-U.S. holders may be subject to U.S. federal income tax upon their disposition of shares of our Common Stock or upon their receipt of certain distributions from us.
In addition to any potential withholding tax on ordinary dividends, a non-U.S. holder (as such term is defined below under Material U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock), other than a qualified shareholder or a qualified foreign pension fund, that disposes of a U.S. real property interest (USRPI) (which includes shares of stock of a U.S. corporation whose assets consist principally of USRPIs), is generally subject to U.S. federal income tax under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, as amended (FIRPTA), on the amount received from such disposition. Such tax does not apply, however, to the disposition of stock in a REIT that is domestically controlled. Generally, a REIT is domestically controlled if less than 50% of its stock, by value, has been owned directly or indirectly by non-U.S. persons during a continuous five-year period ending on the date of disposition or, if shorter, during the entire period of the REITs existence. We cannot assure you that we will qualify as a domestically controlled REIT. If we were to fail to so qualify, amounts received by a non-U.S. holder on certain dispositions of shares of our Common Stock (including a redemption) would be subject to tax under FIRPTA, unless (i) our shares of Common Stock were regularly traded on an established securities market and (ii) the non-U.S. holder did not, at any time during a specified testing period, hold more than 10% of our Common Stock. See Material U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common StockSales of Our Common Stock.
A non-U.S. holder other than a qualified shareholder or a qualified foreign pension fund, that receives a distribution from a REIT that is attributable to gains from the disposition of a USRPI as described above, including in connection with a repurchase of our Common Stock, is generally subject to U.S. federal income tax under FIRPTA to the extent such distribution is attributable to gains from such disposition, regardless of whether the difference between the fair market value and the tax basis of the USRPI giving rise to such gains is attributable to periods prior to or during such non-U.S. holders ownership of our Common Stock. In addition, a repurchase of our Common Stock, to the extent not treated as a sale or exchange, may be subject to withholding as an ordinary dividend. See Material U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common StockDistributions, andRepurchases of our Common Stock.
We seek to act in the best interests of the Company as a whole and not in consideration of the particular tax consequences to any specific holder of our stock. Potential non-U.S. holders should inform themselves as to the U.S. tax consequences, and the tax consequences within the countries of their citizenship, residence, domicile, and place of business, with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our Common Stock.
Investments outside the United States may subject us to additional taxes and could present additional complications to our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.
Non-U.S. investments may subject us to various non-U.S. tax liabilities, including withholding taxes. In addition, operating in functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar and in environments in which real estate
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transactions are typically structured differently than they are in the United States or are subject to different legal rules may present complications to our ability to structure non-U.S. investments in a manner that enables us to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.
We may incur tax liabilities that would reduce our cash available for distribution to you.
Even if we qualify and maintain our status as a REIT, we may become subject to U.S. federal income taxes and related state and local taxes. For example, net income from the sale of properties that are dealer properties sold by a REIT (a prohibited transaction under the Code) will be subject to a 100% tax. We may not make sufficient distributions to avoid excise taxes applicable to REITs. Similarly, if we were to fail an income test (and did not lose our REIT status because such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect) we would be subject to tax on the income that does not meet the income test requirements. We also may decide to retain net capital gain we earn from the sale or other disposition of our investments and pay income tax directly on such income. In that event, our stockholders would be treated as if they earned that income and paid the tax on it directly. However, stockholders that are tax-exempt, such as charities or qualified pension plans, would have no benefit from their deemed payment of such tax liability unless they file U.S. federal income tax returns and thereon seek a refund of such tax. We also may be subject to state and local taxes on our income or property, including franchise, payroll, mortgage recording and transfer taxes, either directly or at the level of the other companies through which we indirectly own our assets, such as our taxable REIT subsidiaries, which are subject to full U.S. federal, state, local and foreign corporate-level income taxes. Any taxes we pay directly or indirectly will reduce our cash available for distribution to you.
You may have current tax liability on distributions you elect to reinvest in our Common Stock.
If you participate in our distribution reinvestment plan, you will be deemed to have received, and for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be taxed on, the amount reinvested in shares of our Common Stock to the extent the amount reinvested was not a tax-free return of capital. Therefore, unless you are a tax-exempt entity, you may be forced to use funds from other sources to pay your tax liability on the reinvested dividends.
Generally, ordinary dividends payable by REITs do not qualify for reduced U.S. federal income tax rates.
Currently, the maximum tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income payable to certain non-corporate U.S. stockholders is 20%. Dividends payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the reduced rate. Although this does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or dividends payable by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends could cause certain non-corporate investors to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of the shares of REITs, including our Common Stock. However, under the recently enacted tax reform legislation under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Reform Bill), commencing with taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018 and continuing through 2025, individual taxpayers may be entitled to claim a deduction in determining their taxable income of 20% of ordinary REIT dividends (dividends other than capital gain dividends and dividends attributable to certain qualified dividend income received by us), which temporarily reduces the effective tax rate on such dividends. See Material U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock Distributions Generally. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor regarding the effect of this change on your effective tax rate with respect to REIT dividends.
We may be subject to adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes that could increase our tax liability, reduce our operating flexibility and reduce the price of our Common Stock.
In recent years, numerous legislative, judicial and administrative changes have been made in the provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to investments similar to an investment in shares of our Common Stock. The Tax Reform Bill has resulted in fundamental changes to the Code. Among the numerous changes
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included in the Tax Reform Bill is a deduction of 20% of ordinary REIT dividends for individual taxpayers for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018 through 2025. The impact of the Tax Reform Bill on an investment in our Common Stock is uncertain. We cannot assure you that the Tax Reform Bill or any such other changes will not adversely affect the taxation of our stockholders. Any such changes could have an adverse effect on an investment in our shares or on the market value or the resale potential of our assets. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor with respect to the impact of the Tax Reform Bill on your investment in our shares and the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our shares. Although REITs generally receive certain tax advantages compared to entities taxed as regular corporations, it is possible that future legislation would result in a REIT having fewer tax advantages, and it could become more advantageous for a company that invests in real estate to elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a corporation. As a result, our charter authorizes our board of directors to revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without the approval of our stockholders, if it determines that changes to U.S. federal income tax laws and regulations or other considerations mean it is no longer in our best interests to qualify as a REIT.
The failure of a mezzanine loan to qualify as a real estate asset could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.
We may acquire mezzanine loans, for which the IRS has provided a safe harbor but not rules of substantive law. Pursuant to the safe harbor, if a mezzanine loan meets certain requirements, it will be treated by the IRS as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and interest derived from the mezzanine loan will be treated as qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the REIT 75% income test. We may acquire mezzanine loans that do not meet all of the requirements of this safe harbor. In the event we own a mezzanine loan that does not meet the safe harbor, the IRS could challenge such loans treatment as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests and, if such a challenge were sustained, we could fail to qualify as a REIT.
Tax Legislation and Regulatory Risk
At any time, the tax laws or regulations governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. Although REITs generally receive certain tax advantages compared to entities taxed as regular corporations, it is possible that future legislation would result in a REIT having fewer tax advantages, and it could become more advantageous for a company that invests in real estate to elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a corporation. The Funds charter authorizes the Board to revoke or otherwise terminate the Funds REIT election, without the approval of its stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in the Funds best interests to qualify as a REIT. The Fund cannot predict when or if any new law, regulation or administrative interpretation, or any amendment to any existing law, regulation or administrative interpretation, will be adopted, promulgated or become effective and any such law, regulation or interpretation may take effect retroactively. The Fund and its stockholders could be adversely affected by any such change in, or any new, tax law, regulation or administrative interpretation.
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Directors and Officers
The overall management of the business and affairs of the Fund is vested in the Board. The responsibilities of the Board include, among other things, the oversight of the Funds investment activities, oversight of our financing arrangements and corporate governance activities. The Board currently has an audit committee, a corporate governance and nominating committee, a compensation committee and a pricing and valuation committee and may establish additional committees from time to time as necessary. The day-to-day operation of the Fund is delegated to the officers of the Fund, LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset, subject always to the investment objective, restrictions and policies of the Fund and to the general supervision of the Board.
Investment Manager
Legg Mason Partners Fund Adviser, LLC, located at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, serves as the Funds investment manager. LMPFA is a registered investment adviser and supervises the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio by Clarion Partners. As of March 31, 2019, LMPFAs total assets under management were approximately $188.2 billion. LMPFA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. As of March 31, 2019, Legg Masons asset management operation had aggregate assets under management of approximately $758 billion.
Investment Sub-Adviser
Clarion Partners, LLC, located at 230 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10169, serves as the Funds investment sub-adviser. Clarion Partners, an affiliate of LMPFA, is a registered investment adviser and will be responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board and LMPFA. As of March 31, 2019, Clarion Partners total assets under management were approximately $50.3 billion.
Founded in 1982, Clarion Partners has historically specialized in managing private equity real estate portfolios in the United States for institutional investors in both separate accounts and commingled funds. Clarion Partners is a registered investment adviser and one of the leading real estate investment advisers in the United States, managing private equity real estate investments for a broad range of clients including government retirement plans, institutions, corporations and private individuals. Headquartered in New York, Clarion Partners has approximately 290 employees in six regional offices across the United States, including 42 senior executives with an average of 26 years of real estate investment experience.
Securities Sub-Adviser
Western Asset Management Company, LLC, located at 385 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91101, serves as the Funds Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities sub-adviser. Western Asset, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason and an affiliate of Clarion Partners, is a registered investment adviser and will have day-to-day responsibility managing the portion of the Funds Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities investments that Clarion Partners allocates to Western Asset, subject to the supervision of the Board, LMPFA and Clarion Partners. Western Asset may also invest in private commercial mortgage loans. As of March 31, 2019, Western Assets total assets under management were approximately $431.2 billion.
Western Asset is a one of the worlds leading global fixed income managers. Founded in 1971, the firm is known for team management, proprietary research, supported by robust risk management, and a long-term fundamental value approach.
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Competitive Advantages
In pursuing the Funds investment objective and strategy, the Fund is expected to benefit from the investment capabilities and organizational stability of Clarion Partners, one of the nations leading institutional real estate investment managers. Clarion Partners has an extensive national platform for sourcing, investing and managing real estate assets.
Clarion Partners believes that it offers the following competitive advantages:
Scale: Clarion Partners national footprint, local knowledge, and ability to conduct in-depth market research is the foundation of its ability to source real estate investments and execute deals. Clarion Partners has extensive industry relationships with real estate owners and operators, brokers, investment banks, commercial banks and loan originators and other intermediaries, providing access to a broad array of buyers, sellers and debt financing sources in all major metropolitan markets throughout the United States.
Experience, Integrity and Credibility: Clarion Partners has focused exclusively on real estate investing for nearly four decades. Its management team has in-depth knowledge and an understanding of real estate gained over numerous market cycles.
Disciplined Investment Approach: Clarion Partners robust due diligence, asset management and portfolio management process are anchored in rigorous research analysis and a collaborative team culture. Its integrated research and investment capabilities enables it to convert research insights into investment theses.
Investment Team
Set forth below is information regarding the team of professionals at Clarion Partners and Western Asset primarily responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Fund.
Clarion Partners will be responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund (including Private CRE), subject to the supervision and direction of the Board and LMPFA. Clarion Partners utilizes a team approach, with decisions derived from interaction among various investment management sector specialists. Under this team approach, management of the Funds portfolio will reflect a consensus of interdisciplinary views.
Western Asset will have day-to-day responsibility for managing the portion of the Funds Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities investments that Clarion Partners allocates to Western Asset, subject to the supervision of the Board, LMPFA and Clarion Partners.
Portfolio Managers
Name, Address and Title |
Principal Occupation(s) | |
Clarion Partners Portfolio Managers |
||
Richard Schaupp |
Managing Director of Clarion Partners | |
Onay Payne |
Managing Director of Clarion Partners | |
Jason Glasser |
Senior Vice President of Clarion Partners | |
Western Asset Portfolio Managers |
||
S. Kenneth Leech |
Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset | |
Greg E. Handler |
Portfolio Manager of Western Asset | |
Harris A. Trifon |
Portfolio Manager of Western Asset |
Additional information about the portfolio managers compensation, other accounts managed by them and other information is provided in the SAI.
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Clarion Partners Investment Committee
Clarion Partners has Investment Committees (Equity, Debt and Portfolio Allocation) for Private CRE Investments as well as for allocations to sub-advisors. Each committee is comprised of seasoned real estate professionals with an average of 27 years of real estate investment experience. The relevant Investment Committee will oversee the investment process, review and approve each potential Private CRE investment and disposition as well as determine allocations to Western Asset.
Investment Advisory Agreements and Fees
Investment Management Agreement
Under the Funds investment management agreement with LMPFA, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board, LMPFA is delegated the responsibility of managing the Funds portfolio in accordance with the Funds stated investment objective and policies, making investment decisions for the Fund and causing the Fund to purchase and sell assets. LMPFA supervises the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio by Clarion Partners and provides administrative and management services necessary for the operation of the Fund, such as (1) supervising the overall administration of the Fund, including negotiation of contracts and fees with and the monitoring of performance and billings of the Funds transfer agent, stockholder servicing agents, custodian and other independent contractors or agents; (2) providing certain compliance, accounting, regulatory reporting and tax reporting services; (3) preparing or participating in the preparation of Board materials, registration statements, proxy statements and reports and other communications to stockholders; (4) maintaining the Funds existence; and (5) maintaining the registration and qualification of the Common Stock under federal and (if required) state laws.
LMPFA also provides the office space, facilities, equipment and personnel necessary to perform the following services for the Fund: SEC compliance, including record keeping, reporting requirements and registration statements and proxies; supervision of Fund operations, including coordination of functions of the transfer agent, custodian, accountants, counsel and other parties performing services or operational functions for the Fund; and certain administrative and clerical services, including certain accounting services and maintenance of certain books and records.
The Funds investment management agreement will continue in effect, unless otherwise terminated, until June 13, 2021 and then will continue from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and (b) in either event, by a majority of the directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act (the Independent Directors) with such Independent Directors casting votes in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Funds investment management agreement provides that LMPFA may render services to others. The Funds investment management agreement is terminable without penalty on not more than 60 days nor less than 30 days written notice by the Fund when authorized either by a vote of holders of shares representing a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) or by a vote of a majority of the Funds directors, or by LMPFA on not less than 90 days written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The Funds investment management agreement provides that neither LMPFA nor its personnel or affiliates shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of security transactions for the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of its or their obligations and duties.
Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement
Clarion Partners provides services to the Fund pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement between LMPFA and Clarion Partners. Under the investment sub-advisory agreement, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board and LMPFA, Clarion Partners will manage the Funds portfolio in accordance with the
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Funds investment objective and policies, make investment decisions for the Fund, place orders to purchase and sell Fund assets, and employ professional portfolio managers who provide research services to the Fund.
The investment sub-advisory agreement between LMPFA and Clarion Partners will continue in effect, unless otherwise terminated, until June 13, 2021 and then will continue from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), and (b) in either event, by a majority of the Independent Directors with such Independent Directors casting votes in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Board or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) may terminate the Funds investment sub-advisory agreement without penalty, in each case on not more than 60 days nor less than 30 days written notice to Clarion Partners. Clarion Partners may terminate the investment sub-advisory agreement on 90 days written notice to the Fund and LMPFA. LMPFA and Clarion Partners may terminate the investment sub-advisory agreement upon their mutual written consent. The investment sub-advisory agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
Securities Sub-Advisory Agreement
Western Asset provides services to the Fund pursuant to a securities sub-advisory agreement among LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset. Under the securities sub-advisory agreement, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board, LMPFA and Clarion Partners, Western Asset will manage the portion of the Funds securities investments allocated to it by Clarion Partners, including Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities and investments in cash, cash equivalents and other short-term investments to facilitate liquidity for the quarterly repurchases of Common Stock.
The securities sub-advisory agreement between LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset will continue in effect, unless otherwise terminated, until June 13, 2021 and then will continue from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), and (b) in either event, by a majority of the Independent Directors with such Independent Directors casting votes in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Board or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) may terminate the Funds securities sub-advisory agreement without penalty, in each case on not more than 60 days nor less than 30 days written notice to Western Asset. Western Asset may terminate the securities sub-advisory agreement on 90 days written notice to LMPFA and the Fund. LMPFA and Western Asset may terminate the securities sub-advisory agreement upon their mutual written consent. The securities sub-advisory agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
Advisory Fees
For its services, the Fund will pay LMPFA a management fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the Funds average daily net assets. The Funds Advisory Fee and other expenses are borne by the holders of Common Stock. Clarion Partners will receive an annual sub-advisory fee, payable monthly, from LMPFA in an amount equal to 70% of the management fee paid to LMPFA, net of expense waivers and reimbursements. No advisory fee will be paid by the Fund directly to Clarion Partners. LMPFA, and not the Fund, will pay Western Asset a fee based on the assets of the Fund allocated to Western Asset by Clarion Partners.
The basis for the Boards initial approval of the Funds investment management and sub-advisory agreements will be provided in the Funds initial stockholder report, which is expected to be its semi-annual report for the period ended June 30, 2019. The basis for subsequent continuations of the Funds investment management and sub-advisory agreements will be provided in annual or semi-annual reports to stockholders for the periods during which such continuations occur.
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Expense Limitation
LMPFA has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse the expenses (including organizational and offering expenses, but excluding property management, acquisition, disposition expenses, any other expenses related to investments in real property, debt and real-estate related securities, interest, brokerage, tax and extraordinary expenses) to the extent necessary to ensure that the total annual Fund operating expenses attributable to Class S Shares, Class T Shares, Class D Shares and Class I Shares will not exceed 2.60%, 2.60%, 2.00% and 1.75%, respectively, of NAV, subject to recapture as described below. These arrangements cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2020 without the Boards consent. LMPFA is permitted to recapture amounts forgone or reimbursed within three years after the fiscal year in which LMPFA earned the fee or incurred the expense if the total annual Fund operating expenses have fallen to a level below the limit described herein. In no case will LMPFA recapture any amount that would result in the total annual Fund operating expenses exceeding such limit.
Control Persons
A control person is a person who beneficially owns more than 25% of the voting securities of a company. Legg Mason has provided the initial capitalization of the Fund and therefore is a control person because it is the sole stockholder of the Fund as of the date of this prospectus. However, it is anticipated that once the Fund commences the offering of Common Stock, Legg Masons ownership will be diluted until such time as it is no longer deemed a control person of the Fund.
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Common Stock
The Fund intends to offer four classes of Common Stock: Class S Shares, Class T Shares, Class D Shares and Class I Shares. LMPFA has obtained exemptive relief from the SEC permitting registered closed-end management investment companies for which LMPFA or its affiliates act as investment adviser to issue multiple classes of shares with varying sales loads and asset based service and/or distribution fees.
Distributor
Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC is the principal underwriter and distributor of the Common Stock pursuant to a distribution agreement (the Distribution Agreement) with the Fund. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and is a member of FINRA. The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. The principal business address of Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC is 100 International Drive, Baltimore Maryland, 21202.
Offering Prices and Fees
Class D Shares and Class I Shares will be offered on a continuous basis at NAV per share. Class S Shares are subject to a sales load of up to 3.5% of the total purchase price per Class S (including sales load). Class T Shares are subject to a sales load of up to 3.0% and a dealer manager fee of 0.5%, in each case, of the total purchase price per Class T (including sales load and dealer manager fees). The Distributor acts as the principal underwriter and distributor of Class S, Class T, Class D and Class I Shares for the Fund on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions, pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Agreement. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of shares of Common Stock. The Distribution Agreement also provides that the Fund will indemnify the Distributor and its affiliates and certain other persons against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act).
Shares of Common Stock are generally offered through other Selling Agents that have entered into selling agreements with the Distributor. The Distributor may reallow the full amount of the sales load with respect to Class S and Class T Shares to the brokers or dealers that act as Selling Agents for the Fund. The actual sales load paid by holders of Class S and Class T Shares may vary among and within Selling Agents. Holders of Common Stock should consult with their financial intermediaries about any additional fees or charges they might impose.
The Fund pays the Distributor a Distribution Fee that accrues daily and is payable monthly at an annualized rate of 0.60% of the net assets of the Fund attributable to Class S and Class T Shares. The Distribution Fees is for personal services provided to stockholders and/or the maintenance of stockholder accounts and to reimburse the Distributor for related expenses incurred. The Distributor may pay all or a portion of the Distribution Fee to the Selling Agents that sell Class S and Class T Shares.
The Fund pays the Distributor a Servicing Fee that accrues daily and is payable monthly at an annualized rate of 0.25% of the net assets of the Fund attributable to Class S, Class T and Class D Shares. The Servicing Fee is for the sale and marketing of the Class S, Class T and Class D Shares and to reimburse the Distributor for related expenses incurred. The Distributor may pay all or a portion of the Servicing Fee to the Selling Agents that sell Class S, Class T and Class D Shares.
No Distribution Fee or Servicing Fees are paid with respect to Class I Shares.
The Fund will cease paying the Distribution Fee with respect to any Class S or Class T Share, and the Servicing Fee with respect to any Class S, Class T or Class D Share held in a stockholders account at the end of the month in which the Distributor, in conjunction with the transfer agent, determines that total upfront sales
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loads, dealer manager fees, Distribution Fees and Servicing Fees paid with respect to such shares would exceed 8.75% of the gross proceeds from the sale of such shares (excluding the gross proceeds of any shares issued under our DRIP with respect thereto). Shares sold through certain participating broker-dealers may be subject to a lower limit as set forth in the applicable dealer agreement between the Distributor and a participating broker-dealer at the time such shares were issued. At the end of such month, such Class S Shares, Class T Shares or Class D Shares (and any shares issued under our distribution reinvestment plan with respect thereto) held in such stockholders account will convert into a number of Class I shares (including any fractional shares) with an equivalent aggregate NAV.
Eligible Investors
Shares of the Fund are available for purchase through Selling Agents or, for Authorized Direct Holders (as defined below), directly through the Distributor. Selling Agents will generally set their own investor eligibility standards. The Distributor will use its own investor eligibility standards for sales of shares directly to Authorized Direct Holders (not through Selling Agents), which will require such investors to have either (i) gross annual income of at least $70,000 and net worth of at least $70,000 or (ii) net worth of at least $250,000.
In addition, the Fund generally will not permit non-resident aliens with non-U.S. addresses to establish accounts. U.S. citizens with APO/FPO addresses or addresses in the United States (including its territories) and resident aliens with U.S. addresses are permitted to establish accounts with the Fund. Generally, U.S. citizens residing in foreign countries will not be permitted to establish accounts with the Fund. Neither any of the Advisers nor the Fund are currently approved, registered or otherwise permitted to market to prospective investors which are domiciled in, or with a registered office in, any jurisdiction within the Member States of the European Union and the European Economic Area under any legislation implementing the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (the AIFMD) and the supplementing Level 2 Delegated Regulation to the AIFMD in the relevant country.
How to Purchase Common Stock
The following section provides basic information about how to purchase Common Stock.
The Distributor acts as the distributor of Common Stock for the Fund on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions, pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Agreement. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of Common Stock. Common Stock will be continuously offered through the Distributor. The Fund or the Distributor may authorize one or more Selling Agents to receive orders on its behalf. Class D Shares and Class I Shares will initially be offered at $10.00 per share and Class S Shares and Class T Shares will initially be offered at $10.36 per share. Thereafter, each class of Common Stock will be continuously offered at NAV, plus any applicable sales load and dealer manager fees.
The Fund and the Distributor have the sole right to accept orders to purchase Common Stock and reserve the right to reject any order in whole or in part.
No market currently exists for the Common Stock. The Fund will not list its Common Stock for trading on any securities exchange or any other trading market. There is currently no organized secondary market for the Common Stock and the Fund does not anticipate that an organized secondary market will develop for its Common Stock. Neither the Advisers nor the Distributor intends to make a market in the Common Stock.
Class T Shares and Class S Shares
Class T Shares and Class S shares are available through Selling Agents and other financial intermediaries. The minimum initial investment is $2,500 for Class S Shares and Class T Shares.
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Class D Shares
Class D Shares are generally only available for purchase:
| through fee-based programs, also known as wrap accounts, that provide access to Class D shares |
| through participating broker-dealers that have alternative fee arrangements with their clients to provide access to Class D shares |
| through investment advisers that are registered under the Advisers Act or applicable state law and direct clients to trade with a broker-dealer that offers Class D shares |
| through bank trust departments or any other organization or person authorized to act in a fiduciary capacity for its clients or customers, or |
| other categories of investors that we name in an amendment or supplement to this prospectus. |
The minimum initial investment is $2,500 for Class D Shares.
Class I Shares
Class I Shares are generally offered and sold only:
| through fee-based programs, known as wrap accounts, that provide access to Class I Shares |
| through participating broker-dealers that have alternative fee arrangements with their clients |
| through certain registered investment advisers |
| through bank trust departments or any other organization or person authorized to act in a fiduciary capacity for its clients or customers |
| to endowments, foundations, pension funds and other institutional investors |
| directly from the Fund to the Funds officers and directors and their immediate family members, as well as officers and employees of LMPFA, Clarion Partners, Western Asset, Legg Mason or other affiliates and their immediate family members, and, if approved by the Board, joint venture partners, consultants and other service providers (each, an Authorized Direct Holder), or |
| to other categories of investors that we name in an amendment or supplement to this prospectus. |
The minimum initial investment is $1,000,000 for Class I Shares, except that the Class I Shares minimum initial investment is $2,500 for shares purchased directly from the Fund by Authorized Direct Holders, as described above. The Class I minimum initial investment for individual retirement accounts held by Authorized Direct Holders is $1,000.
Acceptance and Timing of Purchase Orders
A purchase order received by the Fund or its designee prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), on a day the Fund is open for business, together with payment will be effected at that days NAV, plus any applicable sales load. An order received after the close of the NYSE will be effected at the NAV determined on the next business day. However, orders received by certain retirement plans and other financial firms on a business day prior to the close of the NYSE and communicated to the Fund or its designee prior to such time as agreed upon by the Fund and financial firm will be effected at the NAV determined on the business day the order was received by the financial firm. The Fund is open for business on each day the NYSE is open for trading, which excludes the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If the NYSE is closed due to weather or other extenuating circumstances on a day it would typically be open for
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business, the Fund reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and accept purchase orders in accordance with applicable law. The Fund reserves the right to close if the primary trading markets of the Funds portfolio investments are closed and the Funds management believes that there is not an adequate market to meet purchase requests. On any business day when the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the securities markets close trading early, the Fund may close trading early. Purchase orders will be accepted only on days which the Fund is open for business.
Investors may buy and sell shares of the Fund through Selling Agents that have made arrangements with the Fund and are authorized to buy and sell shares of the Fund. Orders will be priced at the appropriate price next computed after it is received by a Selling Agent and accepted by the Fund. A Selling Agent may hold shares in an omnibus account in the Selling Agents name or the Selling Agent may maintain individual ownership records. Selling Agents may charge fees for the services they provide in connection with processing your transaction order or maintaining an investors account with them. Investors should check with their Selling Agent to determine if it is subject to these arrangements. Selling Agents are responsible for placing orders correctly and promptly with the Fund and forwarding payment promptly.
The Fund and the Distributor each reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to accept or reject any order for purchase of Common Stock. The sale of Common Stock may be suspended during any period in which the NYSE is closed (other than weekends or holidays), or if permitted by the rules of the SEC, when trading on the NYSE is restricted or during an emergency which makes it impracticable for the Fund to dispose of its securities or to determine fairly the value of its net assets, or during any other period as permitted by the SEC for the protection of investors.
Selling Agents and other financial intermediaries also may impose terms and conditions on investor accounts and investments in the Fund that are in addition to the terms and conditions set forth in this Prospectus. Such terms and conditions are not imposed by the Fund, the Distributor or any other service provider of the Fund. Any terms and conditions imposed by a Selling Agent or other financial intermediary, or operational limitations applicable to such parties, may affect or limit a stockholders ability to purchase Common Stock, or otherwise transact business with the Fund. Investors should direct any questions regarding terms and conditions applicable to their accounts or relevant operational limitations to their Selling Agent or other financial intermediary. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. Thus, when a prospective investor opens an account with the Distributor or a Selling Agent, the investor will be asked to provide its name, address, SSN/TIN, date of birth and other information that will allow the investor to be identified. If the investors identity cannot be verified, restrictions may be imposed on the investors account or it may be liquidated (less any applicable sales/account charges and/or tax penalties).
Purchasing Directly from the Fund
Only Authorized Direct Holders may purchase shares directly from the Fund. Such shares may be purchased only via wire or ACH transfer. For shares purchased from the Fund, order instructions must be received in good order prior to the close of regular trading on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) in order to receive the current days NAV. Instructions must include the name and signature of an appropriate person designated on the Account Application, account name, account number, name of the Fund and dollar amount. Payments received without order instructions could result in a processing delay or a return of wire. For subsequent investments, failure to send the accompanying payment on the same day may result in the cancellation of the order.
Initial Investment
To make an initial investment in the Fund, the transfer agent must receive a completed subscription agreement before an investor wires funds. Investors may mail or overnight deliver a subscription agreement to the transfer agent. Upon receipt of the completed subscription agreement, the transfer agent will establish an
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account. The account number assigned will be required as part of the instruction that should be provided to an investors bank to send the wire. An investors bank must include both the name of the Fund, the account number, and the investors name so that monies can be correctly applied. Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received, if they are received by the Funds designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds. The bank should transmit funds by wire to:
ABA #: 101000695
Account #: 9872324951
Further Credit: Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc.
(shareholder registration)
(shareholder account number)
Subsequent Investments
Wired funds must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time to be eligible for same day pricing. The Fund and its agents, including the transfer agent and custodian, are not responsible for the consequences of delays resulting from the banking or Federal Reserve wire system, or from incomplete wiring instructions.
Systematic Investment Plan Subsequent Investments
After your initial investment, you may participate in the Funds Systematic Investment Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts. Amounts transferred must meet the applicable minimums and may be transferred monthly, every alternate month, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. If you do not have sufficient funds in your account on a transfer date, your initial investment will be cancelled and you may be liable for any loss to fund or charged a fee.
Account registration changes
Changes in registration or certain account options for accounts held directly with the Fund must be made in writing. Medallion signature guarantees may be required. All correspondence must include the account number and must be sent to one of the following addresses:
Regular Mail:
Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc.
PO Box 219520
Kansas City, MO 64121-9520
Express, Certified or Registered Mail:
Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc.
430 W 7th Street Suite 219520
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407
Additional information about purchases
The minimum subsequent investment for all classes of Common Stock is $500, except for additional purchases pursuant to the DRIP, which are not subject to a minimum purchase amount. Any Selling Agent may modify or waive the minimum initial or subsequent investment required for any Common Stock sold by such Selling Agent.
If you bought shares directly from the Fund, you will receive a confirmation from the Fund after each transaction (except a reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions, an investment made through the Systematic Investment Plan). Shareholders will receive periodic account statements.
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If your wire or ACH transfer does not clear, your purchase may be cancelled and you may be liable for any loss to the fund. Please note that the Fund will not accept cash, money orders, personal checks, third-party checks, starter checks, internet checks, cashier checks, credit card convenience checks and travelers checks for purchase of fund shares. The Fund and its agents have the right to reject or cancel any purchase due to nonpayment. Please contact the Fund at 844-534-4627 between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm EST for more information about the purchasing shares directly from the Fund.
Sales Load
This section includes important information about sales load and sales load reductions available to investors in the Funds Class S and Class T Shares.
The public offering price of Class S Shares and Class T Shares of the Fund is initially $10.36 per share, and thereafter the NAV of the shares at the time of purchase, subject to any initial sales load. The initial sales load varies depending on the size of your purchase, as set forth in the table below. The actual sales load paid may vary among and within Selling Agents. No sales load is imposed when Class S Shares or Class T Shares is issued to you pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of income dividends or capital gains distributions. It is the responsibility of you and/or your financial intermediary to ensure that you obtain the proper breakpoint sales load discount, if any.
Because the offering price is calculated to two decimal places, the dollar amount of the sales charge as a percentage of the offering price and your net amount invested for any particular purchase of Fund shares may be higher or lower depending on whether downward or upward rounding was required during the calculation process.
Class S Shares are sold subject to the following sales load:
Your investment |
Sales Load As a % of the offering price |
|||
Up to $149,999.99 |
3.50 | % | ||
$150,000.00 to $499,999.99 |
3.00 | % | ||
$500,000.00 to $999,999.99 |
2.50 | % | ||
$1,000,000.00 and over |
2.00 | % |
Class T Shares are sold subject to the following sales load and dealer manager fees:
Your investment |
Sales Load As a % of the offering price |
Dealer Manager Fee As a % of the offering price |
||||||
Up to $149,999.99 |
3.00 | % | 0.50 | % | ||||
$150,000.00 to $499,999.99 |
2.50 | % | 0.50 | % | ||||
$500,000.00 to $999,999.99 |
2.00 | % | 0.50 | % | ||||
$1,000,000.00 and over |
1.50 | % | 0.50 | % |
Qualifying for a reduced Class S and Class T Sales Load
There are several ways you can combine multiple accounts to take advantage of available reductions in the Class S and Class T sales load schedule. In order to take advantage of such reductions when you purchase Fund shares, you must inform your Selling Agent if you are eligible for a letter of intent or a right of accumulation and if other accounts may be eligible to be aggregated with your purchases. Certain records, such as account statements, may be necessary in order to verify your eligibility for a reduced sales load.
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Accumulation Privilege allows you to combine the current value of shares of the Fund with other shares of the Fund held in other accounts and owned by:
| you or |
| your spouse and children under the age of 21 |
with the dollar amount of your next purchase of Class S or Class T Shares for purposes of calculating the initial sales load. If you hold Fund shares in accounts at two or more Selling Agents, please contact your Selling Agents to determine which shares may be combined.
Letter of Intent allows you to purchase Class S and Class T Shares over a 13-month period and pay the same sales load, if any, as if all shares had been purchased at once. At the time you enter into the letter of intent, you select your asset goal amount. Generally, purchases of shares of the Fund that are purchased during the 13-month period by:
| you or |
| your spouse and children under the age of 21 |
are eligible for inclusion under the letter of intent, based on the public offering price at the time of the purchase and any capital appreciation on those shares. In addition, you can include the current value of any eligible holdings toward your asset goal amount.
If you hold shares of the Fund in accounts at two or more Selling Agents, please contact your Selling Agents to determine which shares may be credited toward your asset goal amount. If you do not meet your asset goal amount, shares in the amount of any sales charges due, based on the amount of your actual purchases, will be redeemed from your account.
Waivers for certain Class S and Class T investors
Class S and Class T sales loads are waived for certain types of investors, including investors investing through certain retirement plans.
Additional payments
In addition to distribution and service fees and sales charges, the Distributor, LMPFA and/or their affiliates make payments for distribution, stockholder servicing, marketing and promotional activities and related expenses out of their profits and other available sources, including profits from their relationships with the Fund. These payments are not reflected as additional expenses in the fee table contained in this Prospectus. The recipients of these payments may include the Funds Distributor and affiliates of LMPFA, as well as non-affiliated broker/dealers, insurance companies, financial institutions and other financial intermediaries through which investors may purchase shares of the Fund, including your financial intermediary. The total amount of these payments is substantial, may be substantial to any given recipient and may exceed the costs and expenses incurred by the recipient for any fund-related marketing or stockholder servicing activities. The payments described in this paragraph are often referred to as revenue sharing payments. Revenue sharing arrangements are separately negotiated between the Distributor, LMPFA and/or their affiliates, and the recipients of these payments. Revenue sharing payments create an incentive for an intermediary or its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell shares of the Fund to you. Contact your financial intermediary for details about revenue sharing payments it receives or may receive. Revenue sharing payments, as well as payments under the stockholder services and distribution plan (where applicable), also benefit LMPFA, the Distributor and their affiliates to the extent the payments result in more assets being invested in the fund on which fees are being charged.
Recordkeeping
Each class of shares is authorized to pay fees for recordkeeping services to Selling Agents. As a result, operating expenses of classes that incur new or additional recordkeeping fees may increase over time.
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No Right of Redemption
The Fund is a closed-end investment company, and as such its stockholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their Common Stock. Instead, the Fund expects to provide liquidity through tender offers.
Tender Offers
In recognition that a secondary market for the Funds Common Stock likely will not exist, LMPFA and Clarion Partners presently intend to recommend to the Board that the Fund conduct quarterly tender offers for up to 5.0% of the aggregate NAV of its Common Stock then outstanding in the sole discretion of the Board.
However, in any given quarter, LMPFA or Clarion Partners may or may not recommend to the Board that the Fund conduct a tender offer. For example, if adverse market conditions cause the Funds investments to become illiquid or trade at depressed prices or if LMPFA or Clarion Partners believe that conducting a tender offer for 5.0% or less of the aggregate NAV of Funds Common Stock then outstanding would impose an undue burden on stockholders who do not tender compared to the benefits of giving stockholders the opportunity to sell all or a portion of their Common Stock at NAV, the Fund may choose not to conduct a tender offer or may choose to conduct a tender offer for less than 5.0% of the aggregate NAV of its Common Stock then outstanding. Regardless of the recommendation of LMPFA and Clarion Partners, the Board may or may not determine to cause the Fund to conduct a tender offer for any given quarter.
Accordingly, there may be quarters in which no tender offer is made, and it is possible that no tender offers will be conducted by the Fund at all. If a tender offer is not made, stockholders may not be able to sell their Common Stock as it is unlikely that a secondary market for the Common Stock will develop or, if a secondary market does develop, stockholders may be able to sell their Common Stock only at substantial discounts from NAV. If the Fund does conduct tender offers, it may be required to sell its more liquid, higher quality portfolio securities to purchase shares of Common Stock that are tendered, which may increase risks for remaining stockholders and increase fund expenses as a percent of assets. The Fund is designed primarily for long-term investors and an investment in the Funds Common Stock should be considered illiquid.
In a tender offer, the Fund repurchases outstanding shares of Common Stock at the NAV per share of each class of Common Stock or at a percentage of such NAV per share on the last day of the offer. The Fund anticipates selling portfolio investments to fund tender offers. However, subject to the Funds investment restriction with respect to Borrowings, the Fund may borrow money to finance the repurchase of Common Stock pursuant to any tender offers. However, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to obtain such financing for tender offers if it attempts to do so. Moreover, if the Funds portfolio does not provide adequate liquidity to fund tender offers, the Fund may extend the last day of any tender offer or choose to pay tendering stockholders with a promissory note, payment on which may be made in cash up to 30 days after the expiration of the tender offer period (as extended). The promissory note will be non-interest bearing, non-transferable and non-negotiable. With respect to the Common Stock tendered, the owner of a promissory note will no longer be a stockholder of the Fund and will not have the rights of a stockholder, including without limitation voting rights. The promissory note may be prepaid, without premium, penalty or notice, at any time. Although tender offers generally would be beneficial to stockholders by providing them with some ability to sell their Common Stock at NAV, the acquisition of Common stock by the Fund will decrease the total assets of the Fund. Tender offers are, therefore, likely to increase the Funds expense ratio, may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities and/or may limit the Funds ability to participate in new investment opportunities. To the extent the Fund maintains a cash position to satisfy Fund repurchases, the Fund would not be fully invested, which may reduce the Funds investment performance. Furthermore, to the extent the Fund borrows to finance the making of tender offers by the Fund, interest on such borrowings reduces the Funds net investment income. In order to fund repurchase requests, the Fund may be required to sell its more liquid, higher quality portfolio securities to purchase shares of Common Stock that are tendered, which may increase risks for remaining stockholders and increase fund
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expenses. Consummating a tender offer may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio securities, and realize gains or losses, at a time when the Advisers would otherwise consider it disadvantageous to do so.
It is the Boards policy, which may be changed by the Board, not to purchase Common Stock pursuant to a tender offer if (1) such purchases would impair the Funds status as a REIT; (2) the Fund would not be able to liquidate portfolio securities in a manner that is orderly and consistent with the Funds investment objectives and policies in order to purchase shares of Common Stock tendered pursuant to the tender offer; or (3) there is, in the Boards judgment, any (a) legal action or proceeding instituted or threatened challenging the tender offer or otherwise materially adversely affecting the Fund, (b) declaration of a banking moratorium by Federal or state authorities or any suspension of payment by banks in the United States or New York State, which is material to the Fund, (c) limitation imposed by Federal or state authorities on the extension of credit by lending institutions, (d) commencement of war, armed hostilities, acts of terrorism or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States that in the sole determination of the Board is material to the Fund, or (e) other events or conditions that would have a material adverse effect on the Fund or its stockholders if shares of Common Stock tendered pursuant to the tender offer were purchased. Thus, there can be no assurance that the Board will proceed with any tender offer. The Board may modify these conditions in light of circumstances existing at the time. The Fund may not purchase Common Stock to the extent such purchases would result in the asset coverage with respect to any borrowing being reduced below the asset coverage requirement set forth in the 1940 Act. Accordingly, in order to purchase all shares of Common Stock tendered, the Fund may have to repay all or part of any then outstanding borrowing to maintain the required asset coverage. In addition, the amount of shares of Common Stock for which the Fund makes any particular tender offer may be limited for the reasons set forth above or in respect of other concerns related to the Funds portfolio or the impact of the tender offer on those stockholders who do not sell their shares of Common Stock in the tender offer. If a tender offer is oversubscribed by stockholders who tender shares of Common Stock, the Fund will generally repurchase a pro rata portion of the shares of Common Stock tendered by each stockholder. However, the Board, in its discretion, subject to applicable law, may amend a tender offer to include all or part of the oversubscribed amounts. In addition, for any tender offer, third party stockholders may not be given priority over stockholders that are affiliates of Legg Mason or Clarion Partners, whose holdings in the Fund may be significant and may have the effect of diluting third party stockholders with respect to any tender offer.
Each tender offer would be made and stockholders would be notified in accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the 1940 Act, either by publication or mailing or both. The tender offer documents will contain information prescribed by such laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The repurchase of tendered shares of Common Stock by the Fund is a taxable event to stockholders. See Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations. Selected securities dealers or other financial intermediaries may charge a processing fee to confirm a repurchase of shares pursuant to a tender offer.
The Fund will assume all fees and expenses related to a repurchase of Shares. A stockholder tendering for repurchase less than all of its Common Stock must maintain a minimum account balance after the repurchase is effected, the amount of which will be established by the Fund from time to time and is currently $1,000. If a stockholder tenders a number of Common Stock that would cause the aggregate NAV of the stockholders holdings to fall below the required minimum, the Fund reserves the right to reduce the amount to be repurchased from the stockholder so that the required minimum balance is maintained. The Fund may also repurchase all of such a stockholders Common Stock in the Fund. The Fund or LMPFA may waive the minimum account balance from time to time.
The Funds, and a Shares, NAV may change materially from the date a tender offer is mailed to the Tender Valuation Date (or any later valuation date if the tender offer is extended), and to the effective date of repurchase, and it also may change materially shortly after a tender is completed. The method by which the Fund calculates its NAV is discussed under the caption Net Asset Value. Additional risks are discussed under RiskLiquidity Risk.
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Early Withdrawal Fee
A stockholder who tenders its Common Stock with a tender valuation date within 12 months of the original issue date of such Shares will be subject to a fee of 2.00% of the NAV of the Common Stock repurchased by the Fund; this reduction is referred to herein as an Early Withdrawal Fee.
If applicable, payment of the Early Withdrawal Fee will be made by reducing the repurchase proceeds. The Early Withdrawal Fee will be retained by the Fund for the benefit of remaining stockholders. Common Stock repurchased will be treated as having been repurchased on a first-in/first-out basis. Therefore, the portion of Common Stock repurchased will be deemed to have been taken from the earliest Common Stock purchased by such stockholder. LMPFA may waive the Early Withdrawal Fee in its sole discretion under certain circumstances.
Failure to Hold Qualifying Tender Offer
Unless our board of directors determines otherwise, we intend to fund repurchases of our common stock pursuant to periodic tender offers from any available cash sources at our disposal, including available cash, cash flow from operations, the sale of Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities and other assets, borrowings or offering proceeds, without any limitation on the amounts we may pay from such sources. If during any consecutive 24-month period, we do not engage in a tender offer in which we accept 100% of properly tendered shares (a Qualifying Tender), we will not make any new investments (excluding short-term cash management investments under 30 days in duration) and we will reserve all available investable assets to satisfy future tender requests until a Qualifying Tender occurs. For purposes of this policy, investable assets include net proceeds from new subscriptions, unrestricted cash, working capital, proceeds from marketable securities, proceeds from our distribution reinvestment plan, and net operating cash flows. Notwithstanding this policy, investable assets may be used at any time to fund any of our operating cash needs (as well as to establish reserves to meet such needs), including, without limitation, the following: property operating expenses, taxes and insurance, debt service and repayment or refinancing of debt, debt financing expenses, funding commitments, including without limitation, commitments to acquire new real estate investments (provided such commitments were made at least twelve (12) months prior to the end of such 24-consecutive-month period), obligations imposed by law, courts, or arbitration, necessary capital improvements, lease-related expenditures, customary general and administrative expenses, asset management fees and other fees payable to the Advisers as described in this prospectus, or stockholder distributions. The Investment Manager will consider, and consult with the Board regarding, additional ways to improve stockholder liquidity through continued periodic tender offers (including by increasing the amount of any such tender offer) or otherwise. Exceptions to the limitations of this paragraph may be made to complete like-kind exchanges under Section 1031 of the Code necessary to avoid adverse tax consequences, or to take actions necessary to maintain compliance with the 1940 Act and our qualification as a REIT under the Code.
Mandatory Redemptions
The Fund may redeem shares of Common Stock without consent or other action by the stockholder or other person if the Fund determines that:
| the Common Stock has been transferred in violation of the Funds Charter or Bylaws, or has vested in any person other than by operation of law as a result of the death, divorce, dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or adjudicated incompetence of the stockholder; |
| ownership of the Common Stock by a stockholder or other person is likely to cause the Fund to be in violation of, or require registration of the Common Stock under, or subject the Fund to additional registration or regulation under, the securities, commodities, or other laws of the U.S. or any other relevant jurisdiction; |
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| continued ownership of the Common Stock by a stockholder may be harmful or injurious to the business or reputation of the Fund, the Board of Directors, LMPFA, or any of their affiliates, or may subject the Fund or any stockholder to an undue risk of adverse tax or other fiscal or regulatory consequences; |
| any of the representations and warranties made by a stockholder or other person in connection with the acquisition of Common Stock were not true when made or has ceased to be true; or |
| with respect to a stockholder subject to special laws or compliance requirements, such as those imposed by ERISA, the Bank Holding Company Act or certain Federal Communication Commission regulations (collectively, Special Laws or Regulations), the stockholder is likely to be subject to additional regulatory or compliance requirements under these Special Laws or Regulations by virtue of continuing to hold any Common Stock. |
Shares of Common Stock will be redeemed at the NAV per share of the class of Common Stock being redeemed. Shares that are redeemed prior to 12 months from the original issue date of such Shares will be subject to the Early Withdrawal Fee (unless waived by LMPFA in its sole discretion). Stockholders whose shares of Common Stock are redeemed by the Fund will not be entitled to a return of any amount of sales load that was charged in connection with the stockholders purchase of such shares.
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The Fund intends to determine the NAV of its shares daily, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time).
The Fund will calculate the NAV by subtracting liabilities (including accrued expenses or distributions) from the total assets of the Fund (the value of investments, plus cash or other assets, including interest and distributions accrued but not yet received). The Funds assets and liabilities are valued in accordance with the principles set forth below.
The Board will be responsible for the valuation process and has delegated the supervision of the daily valuation process to the Legg Mason North Atlantic Fund Valuation Committee (the LMPFA Valuation Committee). The LMPFA Valuation Committee, pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board, is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Funds pricing policies, and reporting to the Board and the Pricing and Valuation Committee of the Board. Portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are readily available are valued at market value. In circumstances where market quotes are not readily available, including for Private CRE, the Board has adopted policies and procedures for determining the fair value of such assets, and has delegated responsibility for applying the valuation policies to the LMPFA Valuation Committee. LMPFA provides the Board with periodic reports on a quarterly basis, or more frequently if necessary, describing the valuation process applicable to that period.
Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (ASC Topic 820), issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, clarifies the definition of fair value and requires companies to expand their disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities in interim and annual periods subsequent to initial recognition. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 also establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, which includes inputs such as quoted prices for similar securities in active markets and quoted prices for identical securities where there is little or no activity in the market; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
There is no single standard for determining fair value in good faith. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each investment while employing a valuation process that is consistently followed. Determinations of fair value involve subjective judgments and estimates.
The Fund expects that its portfolio of Private CRE will primarily consist of investments that are not actively traded in the market and for which quotations may not be available. For the purposes of calculating NAV, the LMPFA Valuation Committee is expected to use the following valuation methods:
Investments where a market price is readily available:
Generally, the value of any equity interests in public companies for which market quotations are readily available will be based upon the most recent closing public market price. Securities that carry certain restrictions on sale will typically be valued at a discount from the public market value of the security. Loans or investments traded over the counter and not listed on an exchange are valued at a price obtained from third-party pricing services, including, where appropriate, multiple broker dealers, as determined by the LMPFA Valuation Committee.
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Investments where a market price is not readily available:
For investments for which no active secondary market exists and, therefore, no bid and ask prices can be readily obtained, the Fund will value such investments at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board, with assistance from the LMPFA Valuation Committee, in accordance with the Funds valuation policy.
In making its determination of fair value, the LMPFA Valuation Committee may retain and base its valuation upon valuations obtained from independent valuation firms, provided that the LMPFA Valuation Committee shall not be required to determine fair value in accordance with the valuation provided by any single source, and the LMPFA Valuation Committee shall retain the discretion to use any relevant data, including information obtained from any independent third-party valuation or pricing service, that the LMPFA Valuation Committee deems to be reliable in determining fair value under the circumstances.
In determining the valuation of Private CRE equity and debt investments for which a market price is not readily available, the LMPFA Valuation Committee will consider appraisals conducted by an independent valuation advisor. Each independent valuation advisor has been selected by Clarion Partners and approved by the Board, including a majority of the non-interested directors of the Board, to provide valuation services for our Private CRE investments. These independent valuation firms have been engaged to conduct appraisals of Private CRE investments monthly and also at times where Clarion Partners believes there may have been a change in the Private CRE investments value. Unless the NAV and other aspects of such investments exceed certain significance thresholds, an independent valuation firm would not undertake such an evaluation.
LMPFA and Clarion Partners will monitor our Private CRE investments for events that they believe may be expected to have a material impact on the most recent estimated values of such investment, and will notify our independent valuation advisor of such events. If, in the opinion of LMPFA and/or Clarion Partners, an event becomes known to them (including through communication with the independent valuation advisor) that is likely to have any material impact on previously provided estimated values of the affected Private CRE investments, LMPFA and/or Clarion Partners will recommend that the LMPFA Valuation Committee adjust the valuation of such investments, subject to the review and confirmation of reasonableness of such valuation by the independent valuation advisor.
Below is a description of factors that may be considered when valuing the Funds Private CRE and Publicly Traded Real Estate Security investments, where a market price is not readily available:
| the size and scope of the commercial real estate investment and its specific strengths and weaknesses; |
| rental income, related rental income, expense amounts and expense growth rates; |
| discount rates and capitalization rates; |
| an analysis of recent comparable sales transactions; |
| bona fide third party purchase offers and sale negotiations; |
| prevailing interest rates for like securities; |
| expected volatility in future interest rates; |
| leverage; |
| call features, put features and other relevant terms of the debt; |
| the borrowers ability to adequately service its debt |
| the fair value of the CRE investment in relation to the face amount of its outstanding debt; |
| the quality of collateral securing the Funds CRE Debt investments; |
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| industry multiples including but not limited to EBITDA, cash flows, net income, revenues or, in some cases, book value or liquidation value; and |
| other factors deemed applicable. |
All of these factors may be subject to adjustments based upon the particular circumstances of an investment or the Funds actual investment position. The choice of analyses and the weight assigned to such factors may vary across investments and may change within an investment if events occur that warrant such a change.
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The Fund intends to make distributions necessary to maintain its qualification as a REIT. Beginning with the end of the Funds first full calendar quarter of operations, the Fund intends to declare and distribute income dividends quarterly to stockholders of record. In addition, the Fund intends to distribute any net capital gains it earns from the sale of portfolio securities to stockholders no less frequently than annually. Net short-term capital gains may be paid more frequently.
Cash distributions to holders of our Common Stock will automatically be reinvested under DRIP in additional whole and fractional shares unless you elect to receive your distributions in cash. Investors may terminate their participation in the DRIP with prior written notice to us. Under the DRIP, stockholders distributions are reinvested in Common Stock of the same class of Common Stock owned by the stockholder for a purchase price equal to the NAV per share (for the class of Common Stock being purchased) on the date that the distribution is paid. See Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
If, for any quarterly distribution, net investment income and net realized capital gains were less than the amount of the distribution, the difference may be distributed from the Funds assets in the form of a return of capital which is applied against and reduces the stockholders basis in his or her Common Stock. A return of capital merely represents a partial return of your original investment and does not represent a gain on the Funds investments. When you sell your Common Stock in the Fund, the amount, if any, by which your sales price exceeds your basis in the Common Stock is gain subject to tax. Because a return of capital reduces your basis in the Common Stock, it will increase the amount of your gain or decrease the amount of your loss when you sell the Common Stock, all other things being equal. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the stockholders basis in his or her Common Stock, the excess will be treated by the stockholder as gain from a sale or exchange of the Common Stock. In addition, in order to make such distributions, the Fund might have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when independent investment judgment might not dictate such action. The Funds final distribution for each calendar year may include any remaining net investment income and net realized capital gains undistributed during the year. The Funds actual financial performance will likely vary significantly from month-to-month and from year-to-year, and there may be extended periods of up to several years when the distribution rate will exceed the Funds actual total returns. The Funds projected or actual distribution rate is not a prediction of what the Funds actual total returns will be over any specific future period.
Various factors will affect the level of the Funds income, including the asset mix, the leases on the Funds Private CRE investments and the amount of leverage utilized by the Fund. To permit the Fund to maintain a more stable quarterly distribution, the Fund may from time to time distribute less than the entire amount of income earned in a particular period. The undistributed income would be available to supplement future distributions. As a result, the distributions paid by the Fund for any particular quarterly period may be more or less than the amount of income actually earned by the Fund during that period. Undistributed income will add to the Funds net asset and, correspondingly, distributions from undistributed income will reduce the Funds NAV.
In order to qualify as a REIT, the Fund is required to distribute to its stockholders each year an amount equal to at least (a) the sum of (i) 90% of the Funds REIT taxable income (computed without regard to its dividends-paid deduction and excluding net capital gains) and (ii) the Funds net income, if any, (after tax) from foreclosure property, minus (b) the sum of specified items of non-cash income. To the extent that the Fund distributes less than 100% of its REIT taxable income, as adjusted, the Fund will be subject to tax at the regular corporate tax rates on the retained portion. If the Fund fails to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of: (i) 85% of the Funds REIT ordinary income for such year; (ii) 95% of the Funds REIT capital gain net income for such year; and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, the Fund would be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts actually distributed and (b) the amounts of income retained on which it has paid corporate income tax. The Fund intends to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements and, when possible, to avoid material income and excise taxes.
Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder generally limit the Fund to one long-term capital gain distribution per year, subject to certain exceptions.
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Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain dividends, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock at the NAV determined on the reinvestment date. You may elect not to participate in the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan) by contacting DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. (the Plan Agent). An election to receive cash may be revoked or reinstated at the option of the stockholder. If you do not participate, you will receive all distributions in cash. All distributions will be wired to your account. The Fund will not pay distributions via check.
Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the Plan.
You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at PO Box 219520 Kansas City, MO 64105 or by calling the Plan Agent at 844-534-4627 4627 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm CT. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Plan Agent more than three business days prior to any dividend or distribution payment date for that dividend to be paid out in cash. If the notice is received less than three business days prior to any dividend or distribution payment date, then that dividend will be reinvested and all subsequent dividends or distributions will be paid out in cash. The Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund for which the termination or amendment is to be effective.
Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions. Investors will be subject to income tax on amounts reinvested under the Plan.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of the Board, the change is warranted. The Plan Agents service fee for handling distributions will be paid by the Fund. For participants holding shares directly with the Plan Agent, the Plan Agent will charge each participant a fee of $15.00 plus commissions upon any sale of shares accepted for tender by the Fund. Additional information about the Plan and your account may be obtained from the Plan Agent in writing at PO Box 219520 Kansas City, MO 64105 or by calling the Plan Agent at 844-534-4627 4627 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm CT.
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The following description of the terms of the stock of the Fund is only a summary. For a complete description, please refer to the Maryland General Corporation Law, and the Funds charter and bylaws. The Funds charter and bylaws are exhibits to the Registration Statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
The Funds authorized stock consists of 400,000,000 shares of stock, par value $0.001 per share, all of which are initially designated as common stock and 100,000,000 of which are designated as Class S, 100,000,000 of which are designated as Class T, 100,000,000 of which are designated as Class D and 100,000,000 of which are designated as Class I Shares. There is currently no market for the Funds shares, and the Fund does not expect that a market for its shares will develop in the foreseeable future, if ever. A majority of the entire Board may, without any action by the stockholders, amend the charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Fund has authority to issue. Under Maryland law, the Funds stockholders generally will not be personally liable for the Funds debts or obligations.
Shares of Common Stock
General
All shares of Common Stock offered pursuant to this prospectus will be, upon issuance, duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. The Fund currently offers four different classes of shares: Class S, Class T, Class D and Class I Shares. An investment in any share class of the Fund represents an investment in the same assets of the Fund. Each share class has different fees, as set forth in Summary of Fund Expenses. Certain share class details are set forth in Plan of Distribution. Common stockholders are entitled to receive distributions when, as and if authorized by the Board and declared by the Fund out of assets legally available for the payment of distributions. Common stockholders have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights, have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of the Funds securities and have no appraisal rights unless the Board determines that appraisal rights apply, with respect to all or any classes of common stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which common stockholders would otherwise be entitled to exercise appraisal rights. All shares of common stock have equal earnings, assets, distribution, liquidation and other rights except as provided in the charter and any multiple class plan adopted by the Fund. Stockholders are subject to transfer restrictions and there is no guarantee that they will be able to sell their shares. See Certain Provisions in the Charter and BylawsTransfer Restrictions below.
Distributions
Distributions may be paid to common stockholders if, as and when authorized by the Board and declared by the Fund out of assets legally available therefor.
If any shares of preferred stock are outstanding, common stockholders generally will not be entitled to receive any distributions from the Fund unless (1) the Fund has paid all accumulated dividends on the preferred stock, (2) the Fund has redeemed the full number of shares of preferred stock required to be redeemed by any provision for mandatory redemption of such preferred stock, (3) immediately after such a distribution, the Fund has an asset coverage of at least 200%, (4) the assets in the Funds portfolio meet any asset coverage requirements set forth by the Funds lenders or any applicable nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO), in each case, after giving effect to such a distribution and (5) there is no event of default existing under the terms of any of the Funds borrowings, in each case, after giving effect to such distributions.
So long as senior securities representing indebtedness of the Fund are outstanding, stockholders generally will not be entitled to receive any distributions from the Fund unless (1) there is no event of default existing
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under the terms of such indebtedness, (2) immediately after such a distribution, the Fund has an asset coverage of at least 300% and (3) the assets in the Funds portfolio meet any asset coverage requirements set forth by the Funds lenders or any applicable NRSRO, in each case, after giving effect to such a distribution.
Liquidation Rights
The Funds stockholders are entitled to the then-current NAV per share of the assets legally available for distribution to the Funds stockholders in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, after payment of or adequate provision for all of the Funds known debts and liabilities, including any outstanding debt securities or other borrowings and any interest thereon. These rights are subject to the preferential rights of outstanding shares of any other class or series of the Funds stock, including any preferred stock.
Voting Rights
Each outstanding share of common stock generally entitles the holder to cast one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the Funds stockholders, including the election of directors. The presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast (without regard to class) at a meeting of the Funds stockholders constitutes a quorum at the meeting, unless applicable law or regulatory requirements or the Funds charter requires a separate vote of one or more classes of the Funds stock, in which case the presence in person or by proxy of the stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast by stockholders of each such class of common stock on such a matter will constitute a quorum.
There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Consequently, at each annual meeting of the Funds stockholders, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote will be able to elect all of the successors of the directors whose terms expire at that meeting, except that holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock, if any, will have the right, voting as a separate class, to elect two directors at all times.
Conversion to Class I Shares
The Fund will cease paying the Distribution Fee with respect to any Class S or Class T Share, and the Servicing Fee with respect to any Class S, Class T or Class D Share held in a stockholders account at the end of the month in which the Distributor, in conjunction with the transfer agent, determines that total upfront sales loads, dealer manager fees, Distribution Fees and Servicing Fees paid with respect to such shares would exceed 8.75% of the gross proceeds from the sale of such shares (excluding the gross proceeds of any shares issued under our DRIP with respect thereto). Shares sold through certain participating broker-dealers may be subject to a lower limit as set forth in the applicable dealer agreement between the Distributor and a participating broker-dealer at the time such shares were issued. At the end of such month, such Class S Shares, Class T Shares or Class D Shares (and any shares issued under our distribution reinvestment plan with respect thereto) held in such stockholders account will convert into a number of Class I shares (including any fractional shares) with an equivalent aggregate NAV.
Mandatory Redemptions
Shares of Common Stock are redeemable at the option of the Fund without consent or other action by the stockholder or other person if the Fund determines that:
| the Common Stock has been transferred in violation of the Funds Charter or Bylaws, or has vested in any person other than by operation of law as a result of the death, divorce, dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or adjudicated incompetence of the stockholder; |
| ownership of the Common Stock by a stockholder or other person is likely to cause the Fund to be in violation of, or require registration of the Common Stock under, or subject the Fund to additional registration or regulation under, the securities, commodities, or other laws of the U.S. or any other relevant jurisdiction; |
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| continued ownership of the Common Stock by a stockholder may be harmful or injurious to the business or reputation of the Fund, the Board of Directors, LMPFA, or any of their affiliates, or may subject the Fund or any stockholder to an undue risk of adverse tax or other fiscal or regulatory consequences; |
| any of the representations and warranties made by a stockholder or other person in connection with the acquisition of Common Stock were not true when made or has ceased to be true; or |
| with respect to a stockholder subject to special laws or compliance requirements, such as those imposed by ERISA, the Bank Holding Company Act or certain Federal Communication Commission regulations (collectively, Special Laws or Regulations), the stockholder is likely to be subject to additional regulatory or compliance requirements under these Special Laws or Regulations by virtue of continuing to hold any Common Stock. |
Shares of Common Stock will be redeemed at the NAV per share of the class of Common Stock being redeemed. Shares that are redeemed prior to 12 months from the original issue date of such Shares will be subject to a 2% Early Withdrawal Fee (unless waived by LMPFA in its sole discretion).
Preferred Stock
The Funds charter authorizes the Board to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common stock into shares of other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock, without the approval of common stockholders. Common stockholders have no preemptive right to purchase any shares of preferred stock that the Fund may issue. The Fund may elect to issue preferred stock as part of a leveraging strategy.
Prior to issuance of shares of any class or series, the Board is required by Maryland law and by the Funds charter to set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of each such class or series. Thus, the Board could authorize the Fund to issue shares of preferred stock with terms that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for common stockholders or otherwise be in their best interests. Any issuance of preferred stock, however, must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. If the Fund elects to issue preferred stock (and/or notes or other debt securities), its ability to make distributions to its common stockholders may be limited by the terms of such preferred stock or debt securities, the asset coverage requirements and other limitations imposed by the 1940 Act, Maryland law and the Funds lenders.
Under the 1940 Act, holders of the preferred stock would be entitled to elect two directors of the Fund at all times and to elect a majority of the Funds directors if at any time dividends on the preferred stock are unpaid in an amount equal to two full years dividends. Holders of the preferred stock would continue to have the right to elect a majority of the Funds directors until all dividends in arrears on the preferred stock have been paid. In addition, holders of the preferred stock would also be entitled to vote separately as a class on certain matters, which may at times give holders of preferred stock disproportionate influence over the Funds affairs.
The Fund does not issue certificates for shares of its common stock. Shares of the Funds Common Stock are held in uncertificated form, which will eliminate the physical handling and safekeeping responsibilities inherent in owning transferable share certificates and eliminate the need to return a duly executed share certificate to effect a transfer. The Transfer Agent acts as the Funds registrar and as the transfer agent for shares of the Funds common stock. With respect to shares held by a Financial Intermediary on behalf of an investor, the Financial Intermediary will be responsible for the functions of the registrar and transfer agent. Transfers can be effected simply by mailing a transfer and assignment form, which the Fund will provide to you at no charge, to the Transfer Agent. See Custodian and Transfer Agent.
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CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE CHARTER AND BYLAWS
The Maryland General Corporation Law and the Funds charter and bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire the Fund by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are designed to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Fund to negotiate first with the Board. The Fund believes that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms. The summary of the terms of the Funds charter and bylaws below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Funds charter and bylaws filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Election of Directors
As permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Funds bylaws provide that the Fund is not required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders in any year in which the election of directors is not required to be acted on under the 1940 Act. Accordingly, the Fund will not hold an annual meeting of stockholders each year and directors will be elected to serve an indefinite term between annual meetings of stockholders. The Funds bylaws provide that a director is elected by a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present. Pursuant to the Funds charter, the Board may amend the bylaws from time to time to alter the vote required to elect a director.
Number of Directors; Vacancies; Removal
The Funds charter provides that the number of directors will be set only by the Board in accordance with the Funds bylaws. The Funds bylaws provide that a majority of the entire Board may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, unless the Funds bylaws are amended, the number of directors cannot be less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law, which is one, or more than fifteen.
The Funds charter provides that a director may be removed only for cause, as defined in the charter, and then only by the affirmative vote of at least three-quarters of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.
Action by Stockholders
Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or, unless the charter provides for stockholder action by less than unanimous written consent (which the Funds charter does not), by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting. These provisions, combined with the requirements of the Funds bylaws regarding the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholders discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting of stockholders.
Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals
The Funds bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, the nomination of individuals for election as directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the Funds stockholders may be made only (1) pursuant to the Funds notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of the Board or (3) by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record at the record date set by the Board for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, at the time the stockholder provides the notice required by the Funds bylaws and at the time of the annual meeting (and any postponement or adjournment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on such other
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business and who has complied with the advance notice requirements of, and provided the information required by, the Funds bylaws. With respect to special meetings of the Funds stockholders, only the business specified in the notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election as directors at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected may be made only (i) by or at the direction of the Board or (ii) if the special meeting has been called in accordance with the Funds bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder who is a stockholder of record at the record date set by the Board for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting, at the time the stockholder provides the notice required by the Funds bylaws and at the time of the special meeting (and any postponement or adjournment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice requirements of, and provided the information required by, the Funds bylaws.
Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders
The Funds bylaws provide that special meetings of the Funds stockholders may be called by the Board and certain of the Funds officers. The Funds bylaws also provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of stockholders must be called by the secretary of the Fund to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting. The Funds secretary will inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing the notice of meeting (including the Funds proxy materials), and the requesting stockholders must pay the estimated cost before the secretary may prepare and mail notice of the special meeting.
Approval of Extraordinary Corporate Action; Amendment of the Funds Charter and Bylaws
Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, consolidate, convert into another form of business entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange, unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
The Funds charter generally provides, except for provisions related to removal of directors, for approval of charter amendments and other extraordinary transactions by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, the Funds charter provides that the following matters require the approval of stockholders entitled to cast at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors:
| amendments to the provisions of the Funds charter relating to the power of the Board to fix the number of directors, remove directors, fill vacancies on the Board, revoke our REIT election and amend the bylaws or the restrictions on ownership and transfer of shares of stock; |
| charter amendments or any other proposal that would convert the Fund, whether by merger or otherwise, from a closed-end company to an open-end company (under the 1940 Act) or make the Funds common stock a redeemable security (within the meaning of the 1940 Act); |
| the liquidation or dissolution of the Fund or charter amendments to effect the liquidation or dissolution of the Fund; |
| amendments to the provisions of the Funds charter relating to the vote required to approve the dissolution of the Fund, charter amendments and extraordinary transactions; |
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| any merger, consolidation, conversion, statutory share exchange or sale or exchange of all or substantially all of the Funds assets that the Maryland General Corporation Law requires be approved by the Funds stockholders; |
| any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12 month period) to or with any person or entity of assets of the Fund having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more except for portfolio transactions in the ordinary course of business; or |
| any transaction between the Fund, on the one hand, and any person or group of persons acting together that is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise, or acquire the right to exercise or direct the exercise, directly or indirectly (other than solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), of one-tenth or more of the voting power in the election of directors generally, or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with any such person, or member of such group, on the other hand. |
However, if such amendment, proposal or transaction is approved by at least three-quarters of the Funds continuing directors (in addition to approval by the Board), the amendment, proposal or transaction may instead be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on such amendment, proposal or transaction described in this section, except that any amendment, proposal or transaction that would not otherwise require stockholder approval under the Maryland General Corporation Law or the 1940 Act will not require further stockholder approval unless another provision of the Funds charter or bylaws requires such approval. The continuing directors are defined in the Funds charter as its current directors and directors whose nomination for election by the Funds stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill a vacancy on the Board is approved by a majority of the continuing directors serving on the Board.
The Funds charter and bylaws provide that the Board will have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of the Funds bylaws and to make new bylaws.
Transfer Restrictions
For the Fund to qualify as a REIT, no more than 50% in value of the outstanding shares of the Funds stock may be owned, directly or indirectly through the application of certain attribution rules under the Internal Revenue Code, by any five or fewer individuals, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include specified entities, during the last half of any taxable year other than the Funds first taxable year. In addition, the outstanding shares of the Funds stock must be owned by 100 or more persons independent of us and each other during at least 335 days of a 12-month taxable year or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year, excluding the Funds first taxable year for which the Fund elects to be taxed as a REIT. In addition, the Fund must meet requirements regarding the nature of the Funds gross income to qualify as a REIT. One of these requirements is that at least 75% of the Funds gross income for each calendar year must consist of rents from real property and income from other real property investments.
To assist the Fund in preserving the Funds status as a REIT, among other purposes, the Funds charter contains limitations on the transfer and ownership of shares of the Funds stock which prohibit: (i) any person or entity from owning or acquiring, directly or indirectly, more than 9.9% in value of the aggregate of the Funds then outstanding shares of capital stock of all classes and series or more than 9.9% in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the aggregate of the Funds then outstanding shares of common stock; (ii) any person or entity from owning or acquiring, directly or indirectly shares of the Funds stock to the extent such ownership would result in the Funds being closely held within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT; and (iii) any transfer of or other event or transaction with respect to shares of capital stock that would result in the beneficial ownership of the Funds outstanding shares of capital stock by fewer than 100 persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code). The
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Funds charter provides that any transfer of shares of the Funds capital stock that, if effective, would result in a violation of the above restrictions, shall be automatically void and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of capital stock.
Any person who acquires or attempts to acquire shares of the Funds capital stock in violation of the foregoing restrictions, is required to give immediate written notice to us of such event, and any person who purports to transfer or receive shares of the Funds capital stock subject to such limitations is required to give us 15 days written notice prior to such purported transaction. In both cases, such persons must provide to us such other information as we may request to determine the effect, if any, of such event on the Funds status as a REIT.
The foregoing restrictions will continue to apply until the Funds board of directors determines it is no longer in the Funds best interest to attempt to, or to continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions is no longer required for us to qualify as a REIT.
The Ownership Limit does not apply to a person or persons that the Funds board of directors exempts from the Ownership Limit upon appropriate assurances (including certain representations and undertakings from the intended transferee) that the Funds qualification as a REIT is not jeopardized. In addition, our charter exempts Legg Mason and its affiliates from the Ownership Limit.
Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Funds outstanding stock is required, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, to give the Fund written notice stating his, her or its name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of the Funds stock which the stockholder beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner shall provide the Fund with such additional information as the Fund may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the stockholders beneficial ownership on the Funds qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the restrictions noted above. In addition, each stockholder shall upon demand be required to provide the Fund with such information as the Fund may request in order to determine the Funds qualification as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the ownership of our Common Stock as of the date hereof by U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders, each as defined below. Except where noted, this summary deals only with Common Stock held as a capital asset and does not deal with special situations, such as those of dealers in securities or currencies, financial institutions, regulated investment companies, tax-exempt entities (except as described in Taxation of Tax-Exempt Holders of Our Common Stock below), insurance companies, persons holding Common Stock as a part of a hedging, integrated, conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, persons liable for alternative minimum tax, persons who are foreign governments within the meaning of Section 892 of the Code, investors in pass-through entities or U.S. holders of Common Stock whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. Furthermore, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified, possibly with retroactive effect, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. No ruling on the U.S. federal, state, or local tax considerations relevant to our operation or to the purchase, ownership or disposition of our Common Stock has been requested from the IRS or other tax authority. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. The summary is also based upon the assumption that we and our subsidiaries and affiliated entities will operate in accordance with our and their applicable organizational documents.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of holders of our Common Stock depends in some instances on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. In addition, the tax consequences to any particular stockholder of holding our Common Stock will depend on the stockholders particular tax circumstances. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences in light of your particular situation as well as consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
Our Taxation as a REIT
We intend to elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT under the Code commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2019. Furthermore, we intend to operate in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Code so long as our board of directors determines that REIT qualification remains in our best interest. We have not received, and do not intend to seek, any rulings from the IRS regarding our status as a REIT or our satisfaction of the REIT requirements. The IRS may challenge our status as a REIT, and a court could sustain any such challenge. Our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual annual operating results, certain qualification tests set forth in the U.S. federal tax laws. Those qualification tests involve the percentage of income that we earn from specified sources, the percentage of our assets that falls within specified categories, the diversity of the ownership of our shares, and the percentage of our taxable income that we distribute. No assurance can be given that our actual results of operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy such requirements. For a discussion of the tax consequences of our failure to qualify as a REIT, see Failure to Qualify.
The sections of the Code and the corresponding regulations that govern the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders are highly technical and complex. The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Code provisions, rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative interpretations thereof.
Taxation of REITs in General
As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The material qualification
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requirements are summarized below under Requirements for Qualification as a REIT. While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See Failure to Qualify.
Provided that we qualify as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the double taxation at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from an investment in a C corporation (i.e., a corporation generally subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax). Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the stockholder level when the income is distributed. In general, the income that we generate, to the extent declared as a dividend and subsequently paid to our stockholders, is taxed only at the stockholder level.
If we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:
| We will pay U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income, including net capital gain, that we do not distribute to stockholders during, or within a specified time after, the calendar year in which the income is earned. |
| If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. |
| If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or from certain leasehold terminations as foreclosure property, we may thereby avoid (a) the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction) and (b) the inclusion of any income from such property not qualifying for purposes of the REIT gross income tests discussed below, but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to U.S. corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate. |
| If due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect we fail to satisfy either the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because other requirements are met, we will be subject to a 100% tax on the greater of the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, multiplied in either case by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability. |
| If (i) we fail to satisfy the asset tests (other than a de minimis failure of the 5% asset test or the 10% vote or value test, as described below under Asset Tests) due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, (ii) we dispose of the assets or otherwise comply with such asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identify such failure and (iii) we file a schedule with the IRS describing the assets that caused such failure, we will pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the net income from the nonqualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy such asset tests multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate. |
| If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification, other than the gross income tests and the asset tests, and the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. |
| We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet recordkeeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REITs stockholders, as described below in Requirements for Qualification as a REIT. |
| If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of: |
| 85% of our ordinary income for such calendar year; |
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| 95% of our capital gain net income for such calendar year; and |
| any undistributed taxable income from prior taxable years, |
we will pay a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the amount we actually distributed, plus any retained amounts on which income tax has been paid at the corporate level.
| We may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term capital gain. In that case, a U.S. holder would include its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain (to the extent we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) in its income, and would receive a credit or a refund for its proportionate share of the tax we paid. |
| We will be subject to a 100% excise tax on amounts received by us from a taxable REIT subsidiary (or on certain expenses deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary) if certain arrangements between us and a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours, as further described below, are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties. |
| If we acquire any assets from a non-REIT C corporation in a carry-over basis transaction, we could be liable for specified tax liabilities inherited from that non-REIT C corporation with respect to that corporations built-in gain in its assets. Built-in gain is the amount by which an assets fair market value exceeds its adjusted tax basis at the time we acquire the asset. Applicable Treasury regulations, however, allow us to avoid the recognition of gain and the imposition of corporate-level tax with respect to a built-in gain asset acquired in a carry-over basis transaction from a non-REIT C corporation unless and until we dispose of that built-in gain asset during the 5-year period following its acquisition, at which time we would recognize, and would be subject to tax at the highest regular corporate rate on, the built-in gain. |
| In addition, notwithstanding our status as a REIT, we may also have to pay certain state and local income taxes, because not all states and localities treat REITs in the same manner that they are treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Moreover, as further described below, any domestic taxable REIT subsidiary in which we own an interest will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its net income. |
Requirements for Qualification as a REIT. The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;
(3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;
(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to certain provisions of the Code;
(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;
(6) of which not more than 50% in value of the outstanding shares are owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) after applying certain attribution rules;
(7) that makes an election to be a REIT for the current taxable year or has made such an election for a previous taxable year, which has not been terminated or revoked; and
(8) that meets other tests described below regarding the nature of its income and assets.
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Conditions (1) through (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year. Condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months other than the first taxable year for which an election to become a REIT is made. Condition (6) must be met during the last half of each taxable year, but neither conditions (5) nor (6) apply to the first taxable year for which an election to become a REIT is made. We believe that we will maintain sufficient diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy conditions (5) and (6) above. In addition, our charter contains restrictions regarding the ownership and transfer of our stock that are intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in (5) and (6) above. The provisions of our charter restricting the ownership and transfer of our stock are described in Description of Capital StockRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will be able to satisfy these share ownership requirements. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, we will fail to qualify as a REIT.
If we comply with regulatory rules pursuant to which we are required to send annual letters to holders of our stock requesting information regarding the actual ownership of our stock (as discussed below), and we do not know, or exercising reasonable diligence would not have known, whether we failed to meet requirement (6) above, we will be treated as having met the requirement.
To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the shares (i.e., the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our shares and other information. In addition, we must satisfy all relevant filing and other administrative requirements established by the IRS to elect and maintain REIT status, use a calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and comply with the record keeping requirements of the Code and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Ownership of Partnership Interests. In the case of a REIT that is a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that the REIT is deemed to own its proportionate share of the partnerships assets and to earn its proportionate share of the partnerships gross income based on its pro rata share of capital interests in the partnership for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, as described below. However, solely for purposes of the 10% value test described below (see Asset Tests), the determination of a REITs interest in a partnerships assets will be based on the REITs proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership, excluding for these purposes, certain excluded securities as described in the Code. In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership generally are deemed to retain the same character in the hands of the REIT. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of partnerships in which we own an equity interest is treated as assets and items of income of our company for purposes of applying the REIT requirements described below. Consequently, to the extent that we directly or indirectly hold a preferred or other equity interest in a partnership, the partnerships assets and operations may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, even though we may have no control or only limited influence over the partnership.
Disregarded Subsidiaries. If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary that is a qualified REIT subsidiary, the separate existence of that subsidiary is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Generally, a qualified REIT subsidiary is a corporation, other than a taxable REIT subsidiary, all of the stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by the REIT. Other entities that are wholly-owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. All assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of qualified REIT subsidiaries and disregarded subsidiaries will be treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and
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credit of the REIT itself. A qualified REIT subsidiary of ours is not subject to U.S. federal corporate income taxation, although it may be subject to state and local taxation in some states.
In the event that a qualified REIT subsidiary or a disregarded subsidiary ceases to be wholly owned by us (for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of us), the subsidiarys separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, it would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the value or voting power of the outstanding securities of another corporation. See Asset Tests and Income Tests.
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries. A taxable REIT subsidiary is an entity that is taxable as a corporation in which we directly or indirectly own stock and that elects with us to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. The separate existence of a taxable REIT subsidiary is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a domestic taxable REIT subsidiary generally is subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. In addition, if a taxable REIT subsidiary owns, directly or indirectly, securities representing 35% or more of the vote or value of a subsidiary corporation, that subsidiary will also be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. However, an entity will not qualify as a taxable REIT subsidiary if it directly or indirectly operates or manages a lodging or health care facility or, generally, provides to another person, under a franchise, license or otherwise, rights to any brand name under which any lodging facility or health care facility is operated. We generally may not own more than 10%, as measured by voting power or value, of the securities of a corporation that is not a qualified REIT subsidiary unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a taxable REIT subsidiary. Overall, no more than 20% of the value of a REITs assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries.
Income earned by a taxable REIT subsidiary is not attributable to the REIT. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable REIT subsidiary to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat dividends paid to us from such taxable REIT subsidiary, if any, as income. This income can affect our income and asset tests calculations, as described below. As a result, income that might not be qualifying income for purposes of the income tests applicable to REITs could be earned by a taxable REIT subsidiary without affecting our status as a REIT. For example, we may use taxable REIT subsidiaries to perform services or conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as management fees, or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.
Several provisions of the Code regarding the arrangements between a REIT and its taxable REIT subsidiaries ensure that a taxable REIT subsidiary will be subject to an appropriate level of U.S. federal income taxation. For example, a taxable REIT subsidiary is limited in its ability to deduct interest payments made to affiliated REITs. In addition, we would be obligated to pay a 100% penalty tax on some payments that we receive from, or on certain expenses deducted by, a taxable REIT subsidiary if the IRS were to assert successfully that the economic arrangements between us and a taxable REIT subsidiary are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties.
Deductions are disallowed for business interest expense (even if paid to third parties) in excess of the sum of a taxpayers business interest income and 30% of the adjusted taxable income of the business, which is its taxable income computed without regard to business interest income or expense, net operating losses or the pass-through income deduction (and for taxable years before 2022, excludes depreciation and amortization). Such limitations may also impact the amount of U.S. federal income tax paid by any of our taxable REIT subsidiaries.
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Income Tests
To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements, each of which is applied on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging and foreign currency transactions, for each taxable year generally must be derived directly or indirectly from:
| rents from real property; |
| interest on debt secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property; |
| dividends or other distributions on, and gain from the sale of, stock in other REITs; |
| gain from the sale of real property or mortgage loans; |
| abatements and refunds of taxes on real property; |
| income and gain derived from foreclosure property (as described below); |
| amounts (other than amounts the determination of which depends in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person) received or accrued as consideration for entering into agreements (i) to make loans secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property or (ii) to purchase or lease real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property); and |
| interest or dividend income from investments in stock or debt instruments attributable to the temporary investment of new capital during the one-year period following our receipt of new capital that we raise through equity offerings or public offerings of debt obligations with at least a five-year term. |
Second, at least 95% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging transactions, for each taxable year must be derived from sources that qualify for purposes of the 75% test, and from (i) dividends, (ii) interest and (iii) gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% and 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for that year if we are entitled to relief under the Code. These relief provisions generally will be available if our failure to meet the tests is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, and we attach a schedule of the sources of our income to our U.S. federal income tax return. It is not possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. For example, if we fail to satisfy the gross income tests because nonqualifying income that we intentionally recognize exceeds the limits on nonqualifying income, the IRS could conclude that the failure to satisfy the tests was not due to reasonable cause. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will fail to qualify as a REIT. Even if these relief provisions apply, a penalty tax would be imposed based on the amount of nonqualifying income. See Taxation of REITs in General.
Gross income from our sale of property that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business is excluded from both the numerator and the denominator in both gross income tests. In addition, certain foreign currency gains will be excluded from gross income for purposes of one or both of the gross income tests. We will monitor the amount of our nonqualifying income, and we will manage our portfolio to comply at all times with the gross income tests. The following paragraphs discuss some of the specific applications of the gross income tests to us.
Dividends. We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from taxable REIT subsidiaries or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Our dividend income from stock in any corporation (other than any REIT), including any taxable REIT subsidiary, will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test. Dividends that we receive
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from any REITs in which we own stock and our gain on the sale of the stock in those REITs will be qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests. However, if a REIT in which we own stock fails to qualify as a REIT in any year, our income from such REIT would be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test.
Interest. The term interest, as defined for purposes of both gross income tests, generally excludes any amount that is based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person; however, it generally includes the following: (i) an amount that is received or accrued based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales, and (ii) an amount that is based on the income or profits of a debtor, as long as the debtor derives substantially all of its income from the real property securing the debt by leasing substantially all of its interest in the property, and only to the extent that the amounts received by the debtor would be qualifying rents from real property if received directly by a REIT.
Interest on debt secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property (including, for this purpose, prepayment penalties, loan assumption fees and late payment charges that are not compensation for services) generally is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. However, if the highest principal amount of a loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property securing the loan as of the date we agreed to originate or acquire the loan, a portion of the interest income from such loan will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test but will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. The portion of the interest income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test will be equal to the portion of the principal amount of the loan that is not secured by real propertythat is, the amount by which the loan exceeds the value of the real estate that is security for the loan.
We expect that the CMBS and residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) in which we invest generally will be treated either as interests in a grantor trust or as interests in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (REMIC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that all interest income from such CMBS and RMBS will be qualifying income for the 95% gross income test. In the case of CMBS and RMBS treated as interests in grantor trusts, we would be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. The interest on such mortgage loans would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation is secured by real property, as discussed above. In the case of CMBS and RMBS treated as interests in a REMIC, income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. If less than 95% of the assets of the REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test. In addition, some REMIC securitizations include imbedded interest swap or cap contracts or other derivative instruments that potentially could produce nonqualifying income for the holder of the related REMIC securities.
Interest, original issue discount and market discount income that we receive or accrue from mortgage-related assets generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests.
Hedging Transactions. We and our subsidiaries may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements, options, futures contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we enter into (i) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate or price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which is clearly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods specified in Treasury regulations, (ii) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests which is clearly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods, or (iii) in connection with the effective termination of certain hedging transactions described above will
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be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% or 95% gross income tests. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of both of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Moreover, to the extent that a position in a hedging transaction has positive value at any particular point in time, it may be treated as an asset that does not qualify for purposes of the asset tests described below. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income or assets that do not qualify for purposes of the REIT tests, or that our hedging will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.
We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities through a taxable REIT subsidiary or other corporate entity, the income of which may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries.
Fee Income. Any fee income that we earn will generally not be qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by a taxable REIT subsidiary will not be included for purposes of the gross income tests.
Rents from Real Property. Rents we receive will qualify as rents from real property in satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if several conditions described below are met. These conditions relate to the identity of the tenant, the computation of the rent payable, and the nature of the property leased and any services provided in connection with the property. First, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales. Second, rents we receive from a related party tenant will not qualify as rents from real property in satisfying the gross income tests unless the tenant is a taxable REIT subsidiary, at least 90% of the property is leased to unrelated tenants, the rent paid by the taxable REIT subsidiary is substantially comparable to the rent paid by the unrelated tenants for comparable space and the rent is not attributable to an increase in rent due to a modification of a lease with a controlled taxable REIT subsidiary (i.e., a taxable REIT subsidiary in which we own directly or indirectly more than 50% of the voting power or value of the stock). A tenant is a related party tenant if the REIT, or an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of the REIT, actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the tenant. Whether rents paid by a taxable REIT subsidiary are substantially comparable to rents paid by other tenants is determined at the time the lease with the taxable REIT subsidiary is entered into, extended, or modified, if such modification increases the rents due under such lease. Third, if rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent attributable to the personal property will not qualify as rents from real property. Finally, for rents to qualify as rents from real property for purposes of the gross income tests, we are only allowed to provide services that are both usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of real property and not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant of the property. Examples of these permitted services include the provision of light, heat, or other utilities, trash removal and general maintenance of common areas. We may, however, render services to our tenants through an independent contractor who is adequately compensated and from whom we do not derive revenue if certain requirements are satisfied. We may also own an interest in a taxable REIT subsidiary which provides non-customary services to tenants without tainting our rental income from the related properties.
Even if a REIT furnishes or renders services that are non-customary with respect to a property, if the greater of (i) the amounts received or accrued, directly or indirectly, or deemed received by the REIT with respect to such services, or (ii) 150% of our direct cost in furnishing or rendering the services during a taxable year is not more than 1% of all amounts received or accrued, directly or indirectly, by the REIT with respect to the property during the same taxable year, then only the amounts with respect to such non-customary services are not treated as rent for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.
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We intend to cause any services that are not usually or customarily rendered, or that are for the benefit of a particular tenant in connection with the rental of real property, to be provided through a taxable REIT subsidiary or through an independent contractor who is adequately compensated and from which we do not derive revenue, and which meets certain other requirements. However, no assurance can be given that the IRS will concur with our determination as to whether a particular service is usual or customary, or otherwise in this regard.
Prohibited Transactions Tax. A REIT will incur a 100% tax on the net income derived from any sale or other disposition of property, other than foreclosure property, that the REIT holds primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. Whether a REIT holds an asset primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business depends, however, on the facts and circumstances in effect from time to time, including those related to a particular asset. Nevertheless, we intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. We cannot assure you that we will comply with certain safe harbor provisions or that we will avoid owning property that may be characterized as property that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a taxable REIT subsidiary or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of such corporation at regular corporate income tax rates. We intend to structure our activities to avoid prohibited transaction characterization.
Foreclosure Property. Foreclosure property is any real property, including interests in real property, and any personal property incident to such real property:
| that is acquired by a REIT as the result of the REIT having bid in such property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced such property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after there was a default or default was imminent on a lease of such property or on indebtedness that such property secured; |
| for which the related loan was acquired by the REIT at a time when the default was not imminent or anticipated; and |
| for which the REIT makes a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. |
However, a REIT will not be considered to have foreclosed on a property where the REIT takes control of the property as a mortgagee-in-possession and cannot receive any profit or sustain any loss except as a creditor of the mortgagor.
Property generally ceases to be foreclosure property at the end of the third taxable year following the taxable year in which the REIT acquired the property, or longer if an extension is granted by the Secretary of the Treasury. This grace period terminates and foreclosure property ceases to be foreclosure property on the first day:
| on which a lease is entered into for the property that, by its terms, will give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test, or any amount is received or accrued, directly or indirectly, pursuant to a lease entered into on or after such day that will give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test; |
| on which any construction takes place on the property, other than completion of a building or any other improvement, if more than 10% of the construction was completed before default became imminent; or |
| which is more than 90 days after the day on which the REIT acquired the property and the property is used in a trade or business that is conducted by the REIT, other than through an independent contractor from whom the REIT itself does not derive or receive any income. |
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We will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate on any income from foreclosure property, including gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that otherwise would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, less expenses directly connected with the production of that income. However, net income from foreclosure property, including gain from the sale of foreclosure property held for sale in the ordinary course of a trade or business, will qualify for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property.
Phantom Income. Due to the nature of the assets in which we will invest, we may be required to recognize taxable income from certain assets in advance of our receipt of cash flow from or proceeds from disposition of such assets, and may be required to report taxable income that exceeds the economic income ultimately realized on such assets.
We may acquire debt instruments in the secondary market for less than their face amount. The amount of such discount generally will be treated as market discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accrued market discount is reported as income when, and to the extent that, any payment of principal of the debt instrument is made, unless we elect to include accrued market discount in income as it accrues. Principal payments on certain debt instruments may be made monthly, and consequently accrued market discount may have to be included in income each month as if the debt instrument were assured of ultimately being collected in full. If we collect less on the debt instrument than our purchase price plus the market discount we had previously reported as income, we may not be able to benefit from any offsetting loss deductions.
The terms of the debt instruments that we hold may be modified under certain circumstances. These modifications may be considered significant modifications for U.S. federal income tax purposes that give rise to a deemed debt-for-debt exchange upon which we may recognize taxable income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash.
Some of the debt securities that we acquire may have been issued with original issue discount. In general, we will be required to accrue non-de minimis original issue discount based on the constant yield to maturity of such debt securities, and to treat it as taxable income in accordance with applicable U.S. federal income tax rules even though such yield may exceed cash payments, if any, received on such debt instrument.
In addition, in the event that any debt instruments or debt securities acquired by us are delinquent as to mandatory principal and interest payments, or in the event payments with respect to a particular debt instrument are not made when due, we may nonetheless be required to continue to recognize the unpaid interest as taxable income. Similarly, we may be required to accrue interest income with respect to subordinated mortgage-backed securities at the stated rate regardless of whether corresponding cash payments are received.
Finally, we may be required under the terms of indebtedness that we incur to use cash received from interest payments to make principal payments on that indebtedness, with the effect of recognizing income but not having a corresponding amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
As a result of each of these potential timing differences between income recognition or expense deduction and cash receipts or disbursements, there is a risk that we may have taxable income in excess of cash available for distribution. In that event, we may need to borrow funds or take other action to satisfy the REIT distribution requirements for the taxable year in which this phantom income is recognized. See Annual Distribution Requirements Applicable to REITs.
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Asset Tests
At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we must satisfy the following tests relating to the nature of our assets:
| At least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by the following: |
| interests in real property, including leaseholds and options to acquire real property and leaseholds; |
| interests in mortgages on real property; |
| stock in other REITs and debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs; |
| cash and cash items (including certain receivables); |
| government securities; |
| investments in stock or debt instruments attributable to the temporary investment of new capital during the one-year period following our receipt of new capital that we raise through equity offerings or public offerings of debt obligations with at least a five-year term; and |
| regular or residual interests in a REMIC. However, if less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC consists of assets that are qualifying real estate-related assets under U.S. federal income tax laws, determined as if we held such assets directly, we will be treated as holding directly our proportionate share of the assets of such REMIC. |
| Not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by securities, other than those in the 75% asset class described above. |
| Except for securities in taxable REIT subsidiaries and the securities in the 75% asset class described in the first bullet point above, the value of any one issuers securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets. |
| Except for securities in taxable REIT subsidiaries and the securities in the 75% asset class described in the first bullet point above, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuers outstanding voting securities. |
| Except for securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries and the securities in the 75% asset class described in the first bullet point above, we may not own more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer, other than securities that qualify for the straight debt exception or other exceptions discussed below. |
| Not more than 20% of the value of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. |
| Not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by nonqualified publicly offered REIT debt instruments. |
Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by another REIT may not so qualify (although such debt will not be treated as securities for purposes of the 10% value test, as explained below).
Securities, for purposes of the asset tests, may include debt we hold from other issuers. However, debt we hold in an issuer that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test will not be taken into account for purposes of the 10% value test if the debt securities meet the straight debt safe harbor. Subject to certain
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exceptions, debt will meet the straight debt safe harbor if the debt is a written unconditional promise to pay on demand or on a specified date a sum certain in money, the debt is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock, and the interest rate and the interest payment dates of the debt are not contingent on the profits of any person, the borrowers discretion or similar factors. In the case of an issuer that is a corporation or a partnership, securities that otherwise would be considered straight debt will not be so considered if we, and any of our controlled taxable REIT subsidiaries as defined in the Code, hold any securities of the corporate or partnership issuer that (a) are not straight debt or other excluded securities (prior to the application of this rule), and (b) have an aggregate value greater than 1% of the issuers outstanding securities (including, in the case of a partnership issuer, our interest as a partner in the partnership).
In addition to straight debt, the Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the 10% asset test. Such securities include (i) any loan made to an individual or an estate, (ii) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (iii) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (iv) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a non-governmental entity, (v) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT and (vi) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnerships income is of such a nature that the partnership would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under Income Tests. In applying the 10% asset test, a debt security issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or any other excluded security) is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REITs proportionate interest as a partner in that partnership.
Any stock that we hold or acquire in other REITs will be a qualifying asset for purposes of the 75% asset test. However, if a REIT in which we own stock fails to qualify as a REIT in any year, the stock in such REIT will not be a qualifying asset for purposes of the 75% asset test. Instead, we would be subject to the second, third, fourth, and fifth asset tests described above with respect to our investment in such a disqualified REIT. We will also be subject to those assets tests with respect to our investments in any non-REIT C corporations for which we do not make a taxable REIT subsidiary election.
We will monitor the status of our assets for purposes of the various asset tests and will seek to manage our portfolio to comply at all times with such tests. There can be no assurances, however, that we will be successful in this effort. Independent appraisals may not have been obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, the values of some assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.
However, certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. For example, if we failed to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if (i) we satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (ii) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of nonqualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the relative market values of our assets. If the condition described in (ii) were not satisfied, we could nevertheless avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of the relief provisions described above.
In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (i) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REITs total assets and $10,000,000 and (ii) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.
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Even if we did not qualify for the foregoing relief provisions, one additional provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements for a particular tax quarter to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (i) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (ii) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (iii) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate and (iv) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.
Annual Distribution Requirements Applicable to REITs
To qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally must distribute dividends (other than capital gain dividends) to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:
| the sum of (i) 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain and (ii) 90% of our net income after tax, if any, from foreclosure property; minus |
| the excess of the sum of specified items of non-cash income (including original issue discount on our mortgage loans) over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain. |
Distributions generally must be made during the taxable year to which they relate. Distributions may be made in the following year in two circumstances. First, if we declare a dividend in October, November or December of any year with a record date in one of these months and pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following year, we will be treated as having paid the dividend on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared. Second, distributions may be made in the following year if the dividends are declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if made before the first regular dividend payment made after such declaration. These distributions are taxable to our stockholders in the year in which paid, even though the distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement. To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net capital gain or we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax on the undistributed amount at regular corporate tax rates.
To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the tax treatment to our stockholders of any distributions that are actually made.
If we fail to distribute during a calendar year (or, in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last three months of the calendar year, by the end of January following such calendar year) at least the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior years, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior years) and (y) the amounts of income retained on which we have paid corporate income tax.
Although several types of non-cash income are excluded in determining the annual distribution requirement, we will incur corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax with respect to those non-cash income items if we do not distribute those items on a current basis. As a result of the foregoing, we may not have sufficient cash to distribute all of our taxable income and thereby avoid corporate income tax and the excise tax imposed on certain undistributed income. In such a situation, we may need to borrow funds or issue additional stock.
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We may elect to retain rather than distribute all or a portion of our net capital gains and pay the tax on the gains. In that case, we may elect to have our stockholders include their proportionate share of the undistributed net capital gains in income as long-term capital gains and receive a credit for their share of the tax paid by us. Our stockholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (i) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, minus (ii) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income. For purposes of the 4% excise tax described above, any retained amounts for which we elect this treatment would be treated as having been distributed.
We intend to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the distribution requirements. However, it is possible that, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of items of income and deduction of expenses by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, we may decide to retain our cash, rather than distribute it, in order to repay debt, acquire assets or for other reasons. In the event that such timing differences occur, and in other circumstances, it may be necessary in order to satisfy the distribution requirements to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings, or to pay the dividends in the form of other property (including, for example, shares of our own stock).
If our taxable income for a particular year is subsequently determined to have been understated, under some circumstances we may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying deficiency dividends to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. However, we will be required to pay interest based upon the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Like-Kind Exchanges
We may dispose of properties in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could require us to pay U.S. federal income tax, possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.
Penalty Tax
Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions, excess interest or redetermined TRS service income we generate will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of any services furnished to any of our tenants by a taxable REIT subsidiary, and redetermined deductions and excess interest represent any amounts that are deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arms length negotiations. Rents that we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Code. Redetermined TRS service income is income earned by a taxable REIT subsidiary that is attributable to services provided to us, or on our behalf to any of our tenants, that is less than the amounts that would have been charged based upon arms length negotiations.
Record Keeping Requirements
We are required to comply with applicable record keeping requirements. Failure to comply could result in monetary fines. For example, we must request on an annual basis information from our stockholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding Common Stock.
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Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements of REIT qualification, other than the income tests or asset requirements, then we may still retain REIT qualification if the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each failure.
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and the relief provisions do not apply, we will be subject to tax on our taxable income as a corporation. This would significantly reduce both our cash available for distribution to our stockholders and our earnings. If we fail to qualify as a REIT, we will not be required to make any distributions to stockholders and any distributions that are made will not be deductible by us. Moreover, all distributions to stockholders would be taxable as dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, whether or not attributable to capital gains of ours. Furthermore, subject to certain limitations in the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction with respect to those distributions, and individual, trust and estate distributees may be eligible for reduced U.S. federal income tax rates on such dividends. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we also will be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost.
Tax Aspects of any Subsidiary Partnerships
General. We may hold certain investments indirectly through subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies which are treated as partnerships or disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, entities that are treated as partnerships or disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes are pass-through entities which are not required to pay U.S. federal income tax. Rather, partners or members of such entities are allocated their shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the partnership or limited liability company, and are potentially required to pay tax on this income, without regard to whether they receive a distribution from the partnership or limited liability company. A partner in such entities that is a REIT will include in its income its share of these partnership and limited liability company items for purposes of the various gross income tests, the computation of its REIT taxable income, and the REIT distribution requirements. Pursuant to these rules, for purposes of the asset tests, we will include our pro rata share of assets held by any subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies, based on its capital interest in each such entity.
Entity Classification. Our interests in any subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies involve special tax considerations, including the possibility that the IRS might challenge the status of these entities as partnerships (or disregarded entities), as opposed to associations taxable as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For example, an entity that would otherwise be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes may nonetheless be taxable as a corporation if it is a publicly traded partnership and certain other requirements are met. A partnership or limited liability company would be treated as a publicly traded partnership if its interests are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or a substantial equivalent thereof, within the meaning of applicable Treasury regulations. If a subsidiary partnership or limited liability company were treated as an association rather than as a partnership, it would be taxable as a corporation and would be required to pay an entity-level tax on its income. In this situation, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change and could prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. See Failure to Qualify for a discussion of the effects of our failure to meet the REIT asset and income tests. In addition, a change in the tax status of a subsidiary partnership or limited liability company might be treated as a taxable event. If so, we might incur a tax liability without any related cash distributions. We do not anticipate that any subsidiary partnership or limited liability company will be treated as a publicly traded partnership which is taxable as a corporation.
Legislation was enacted that significantly changes the rules for U.S. federal income tax audits of partnerships, including any subsidiary partnerships or limited liability companies treated as partnerships for
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U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such audits will continue to be conducted at the entity level unless such entity qualifies for and affirmatively elects an alternative procedure, any adjustments to the amount of tax due (including interest and penalties) will be payable by the entity itself. Under an alternative procedure, if elected, a partnership would issue information returns to persons who were partners in the audited year, who would then be required to take such adjustments into account in calculating their own tax liability, and the partnership would not be liable for the adjustments. If any of the subsidiary partnerships or limited liability companies is able to and in fact elects the alternative procedure for a given adjustment, the amount of taxes for which such persons will be liable will be increased by any applicable penalties and a special interest charge. There can be no assurance that any such entities will make such an election for any given adjustment. Many issues and the overall effect of this new legislation on us are uncertain.
Allocations of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction. A partnership agreement (or, in the case of a limited liability company treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the limited liability company agreement) will generally determine the allocation of partnership income and loss among partners. Generally, Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury regulations thereunder require that partnership allocations respect the economic arrangement of the partners. If an allocation of partnership income or loss does not comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury regulations thereunder, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners interests in the partnership. This reallocation will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partners with respect to such item.
Tax Allocations with Respect to the Properties. Under Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership (including a limited liability company treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) in exchange for an interest in the partnership must be allocated in a manner so that the contributing partner is charged with the unrealized gain, or benefits from the unrealized loss, associated with the property at the time of the contribution, as adjusted from time to time. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss generally is equal to the difference between the fair market value or book value and the adjusted tax basis of the contributed property at the time of contribution (this difference is referred to as a book-tax difference), as adjusted from time to time. These allocations are solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect the book capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners.
Taxation of U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock
U.S. Holder. As used in the remainder of this discussion, the term U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of our Common Stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| a trust if it (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If a partnership (or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding Common Stock, you should consult your advisors. A non-U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of our Common Stock that is neither a U.S. holder nor a partnership (or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes).
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Distributions Generally. As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions made by us to our taxable U.S. holders out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits that are not designated as capital gain dividends or qualified dividend income will be taken into account by them as ordinary income taxable at ordinary income tax rates and will not qualify for the reduced capital gains rates that currently generally apply to distributions by non-REIT C corporations to certain non-corporate U.S. holders. In determining the extent to which a distribution constitutes a dividend for tax purposes, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to distributions with respect to our preferred stock, if any, and then to our Common Stock. Corporate stockholders will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction with respect to these distributions. Under the recently enacted tax reform legislation (the Tax Reform Bill), U.S. holders that are individuals, trusts and estates generally may deduct 20% of qualified REIT dividends (i.e., REIT dividends other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income eligible for capital gain tax rates). The overall deduction is limited to 20% of the sum of the taxpayers taxable income (less net capital gain) and certain cooperative dividends, subject to further limitations based on taxable income. The deduction, if allowed in full, equates to a maximum effective U.S. federal income tax rate on ordinary REIT dividends of 29.6%. As with the other individual income tax changes, the deduction provisions were effective beginning in 2018. Without further legislation, the deduction would sunset after 2025.
Distributions in excess of both current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a U.S. holder to the extent that the distributions do not exceed the adjusted basis of the holders stock. Rather, such distributions will reduce the adjusted basis of the stock. To the extent that distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a U.S. holders stock, the U.S. holder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less.
Distributions will generally be taxable, if at all, in the year of the distribution. However, if we declare a dividend in October, November or December of any year with a record date in one of these months and pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following year, we will be treated as having paid the dividend, and the stockholder will be treated as having received the dividend, on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.
We will be treated as having sufficient earnings and profits to treat as a dividend any distribution we pay up to the amount required to be distributed in order to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax discussed above. Moreover, any deficiency dividend will be treated as an ordinary or capital gain dividend, as the case may be, regardless of our earnings and profits. As a result, U.S. holders may be required to treat certain distributions that would otherwise result in a tax-free return of capital as taxable dividends.
Capital Gain Dividends. We may elect to designate distributions of our net capital gain as capital gain dividends to the extent that such distributions do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year. Capital gain dividends are taxed to U.S. holders of our stock as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset held for more than one year. This tax treatment applies regardless of the period during which the stockholders have held their stock. If we designate any portion of a dividend as a capital gain dividend, the amount that will be taxable to the stockholder as capital gain will be indicated to U.S. holders on IRS Form 1099-DIV. Corporate stockholders, however, may be required to treat up to 20% of capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Capital gain dividends are not eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. You may want to avoid buying shares when the Fund is about to declare a capital gain distribution because it will be taxable to you even though it may economically represent a return of a portion of your initial investment.
Instead of paying capital gain dividends, we may elect to require stockholders to include our undistributed net capital gains in their income. If we make such an election, U.S. holders (i) will include in their income as long-term capital gains their proportionate share of such undistributed capital gains and (ii) will be deemed to have paid their proportionate share of the tax paid by us on such undistributed capital gains and thereby receive a credit or refund to the extent that the tax paid by us exceeds the U.S. holders tax liability on the undistributed capital gain. A U.S. holder of our stock will increase the basis in its stock by the difference between the amount
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of capital gain included in its income and the amount of tax it is deemed to have paid. A U.S. holder that is a corporation will appropriately adjust its earnings and profits for the retained capital gain in accordance with Treasury regulations to be prescribed by the IRS. Our earnings and profits will be adjusted appropriately.
We must classify portions of our designated capital gain dividend into the following categories:
| a 20% gain distribution, which would be taxable to non-corporate U.S. holders of our stock at a federal rate of up to 20%; or |
| an unrecaptured Section 1250 gain distribution, which would be taxable to non-corporate U.S. holders of our stock at a maximum rate of 25%. |
We must determine the maximum amounts that we may designate as 20% and 25% capital gain dividends by performing the computation required by the Code as if the REIT were an individual whose ordinary income were subject to a marginal tax rate of at least 28%. The IRS currently requires that distributions made to different classes of stock be comprised proportionately of dividends of a particular type.
Passive Activity Loss and Investment Interest Limitation. Distributions that we make and gains arising from the disposition of our Common Stock by a U.S. holder will not be treated as passive activity income, and therefore U.S. holders will not be able to apply any passive activity losses against such income. Dividends paid by us, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, will generally be treated as investment income for purposes of the investment income limitation on the deduction of the investment interest.
Qualified Dividend Income. Distributions that are treated as dividends may be taxed at capital gains rates, rather than ordinary income rates, if they are distributed to an individual, trust or estate, are properly designated by us as qualified dividend income and certain other requirements are satisfied. Dividends are eligible to be designated by us as qualified dividend income up to an amount equal to the sum of the qualified dividend income received by us during the year of the distribution from other C corporations such as taxable REIT subsidiaries, our undistributed REIT taxable income from the immediately preceding year, and any income attributable to the sale of a built-in gain asset from the immediately preceding year (reduced by any U.S. federal income taxes that we paid with respect to such REIT taxable income and built-in gain).
Dividends that we receive will be treated as qualified dividend income to us if certain criteria are met. The dividends must be received from a domestic corporation (other than a REIT or a regulated investment company) or a qualifying foreign corporation. A foreign corporation generally will be a qualifying foreign corporation if it is incorporated in a possession of the United States, the corporation is eligible for benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States which the Secretary of Treasury determines is satisfactory, or the stock on which the dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. However, if a foreign corporation is a foreign personal holding company, a foreign investment company or a passive foreign investment company, then it will not be treated as a qualifying foreign corporation, and the dividends we receive from such an entity would not constitute qualified dividend income.
Furthermore, certain exceptions and special rules apply to determine whether dividends may be treated as qualified dividend income to us. These rules include certain holding requirements that we would have to satisfy with respect to the stock on which the dividend is paid, and special rules with regard to dividends received from regulated investment companies and other REITs.
In addition, even if we designate certain dividends as qualified dividend income to our stockholders, the stockholder will have to meet certain other requirements for the dividend to qualify for taxation at capital gains rates. For example, the stockholder will only be eligible to treat the dividend as qualifying dividend income if the stockholder is taxed at individual rates and meets certain holding requirements. In general, in order to treat a particular dividend as qualified dividend income, a stockholder will be required to hold our stock for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend.
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Other Tax Considerations. To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, are not passed through to stockholders and do not offset income of stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses affect the character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.
Sales of Our Common Stock. Upon any taxable sale or other disposition of our Common Stock (except pursuant to a repurchase by us, as described below), a U.S. holder of our Common Stock will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between:
| the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on such disposition; and |
| the U.S. holders adjusted basis in such Common Stock for tax purposes. |
Gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the Common Stock has been held by the U.S. holder as a capital asset. The applicable tax rate will depend on the holders holding period in the asset (generally, if an asset has been held for more than one year, it will produce long-term capital gain) and the holders tax bracket.
In general, any loss upon a sale or exchange of our Common Stock by a U.S. holder who has held such stock for six months or less (after applying certain holding period rules) will be treated as a long-term capital loss, but only to the extent of distributions from us received by such U.S. holder that are required to be treated by such U.S. holder as long-term capital gains.
Repurchases of Our Common Stock. A repurchase of our Common Stock will be treated as a distribution in exchange for the repurchased shares and taxed in the same manner as any other taxable sale or other disposition of our Common Stock discussed above, provided that the repurchase satisfies one of the tests enabling the repurchase to be treated as a sale or exchange. A repurchase will generally be treated as a sale or exchange if it (i) results in a complete termination of the holders interest in our Common Stock, (ii) results in a substantially disproportionate redemption with respect to the holder, or (iii) is not essentially equivalent to a dividend with respect to the holder. In determining whether any of these tests has been met, Common Stock actually owned, as well as Common Stock considered to be owned by the holder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in Section 318 of the Code, generally must be taken into account. The sale of Common Stock pursuant to a repurchase generally will result in a substantially disproportionate redemption with respect to a holder if the percentage of our then outstanding voting stock owned by the holder immediately after the sale is less than 80% of the percentage of our voting stock owned by the holder determined immediately before the sale. The sale of Common Stock pursuant to a repurchase generally will be treated as not essentially equivalent to a dividend with respect to a holder if the reduction in the holders proportionate interest in our stock as a result of our repurchase constitutes a meaningful reduction of such holders interest.
A repurchase that does not qualify as an exchange under such tests will constitute a dividend equivalent repurchase that is treated as a taxable distribution and taxed in the same manner as regular distributions, as described above under Distributions Generally. In addition, although guidance is sparse, the IRS could take the position that a holder who does not participate in any repurchase treated as a dividend should be treated as receiving a constructive distribution of our Common Stock taxable as a dividend in the amount of their increased percentage ownership of our Common Stock as a result of the repurchase, even though the holder did not actually receive cash or other property as a result of the repurchase.
Medicare Tax. Certain U.S. holders, including individuals and estates and trusts, are subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their net investment income, which includes net gain from a sale or exchange of Common Stock and income from dividends paid on Common Stock. U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the Medicare tax.
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Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock
The rules governing the U.S. federal income taxation of non-U.S. holders are complex. This section is only a summary of such rules. We urge non-U.S. holders to consult their own tax advisors to determine the impact of federal, state and local income tax laws on ownership of the Common Stock, including any reporting requirements.
Distributions. Distributions by us to a non-U.S. holder on our Common Stock that are neither attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of U.S. real property interests nor designated by us as capital gains dividends will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. These distributions generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a gross basis at a rate of 30%, or a lower rate as may be specified under an applicable income tax treaty, unless the dividends are treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business within the United States. Under some treaties, however, lower rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from REITs. Further, reduced treaty rates are not available to the extent the income allocated to the non-U.S. holder is excess inclusion income. Dividends that are effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment) will be subject to tax on a net basis, that is, after allowance for deductions, at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. holders are taxed with respect to these dividends, and are generally not subject to withholding. Applicable certification and disclosure requirements must be satisfied to be exempt from withholding under the effectively connected income exception. Any dividends received by a corporate non-U.S. holder that is engaged in a trade or business within the United States may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, or lower applicable treaty rate. You may want to avoid buying shares when the Fund is about to declare a capital gain distribution because it will be taxable to you even though it may economically represent a return of a portion of your initial investment.
A non-U.S. holder of our Common Stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate and avoid backup withholding, as discussed below, for our ordinary dividends will be required (i) to complete the applicable IRS Form W-8 and certify under penalty of perjury that such holder is not a U.S. person as defined under the Code and is eligible for treaty benefits or (ii) if our Common Stock is held through certain foreign intermediaries, to satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable Treasury regulations. Special certification and other requirements apply to certain non-U.S. holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.
A non-U.S. holder of our Common Stock eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Distributions that are neither attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests nor designated as capital gains dividends and that are in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits that do not exceed the adjusted basis of the non-U.S. holder in its Common Stock will reduce the non-U.S. holders adjusted basis in its Common Stock and will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Distributions that are neither attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests nor designated as capital gains dividends and that are in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits that do exceed the adjusted basis of the non-U.S. holder in its Common Stock will be treated as gain from the sale of its stock, the tax treatment of which is described below under Sales of Our Common Stock. Because we generally cannot determine at the time we make a distribution whether or not the distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, we normally will withhold tax on the entire amount of any distribution at the same rate as we would withhold on a dividend.
We would be required to withhold at least 15% of any distribution to a non-U.S. holder in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits if our Common Stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest with
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respect to such non-U.S. holder, as described below under Sales of Our Common Stock. This withholding would apply even if a lower treaty rate otherwise applies or the non-U.S. holder is not liable for tax on the receipt of that distribution. However, a non-U.S. holder may seek a refund of these amounts from the IRS if the non-U.S. holders U.S. tax liability with respect to the distribution is less than the amount withheld.
Distributions to a non-U.S. holder that are designated by us at the time of the distribution as capital gain dividends, other than those arising from the disposition of a U.S. real property interest, generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless:
| The investment in the Common Stock is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder), in which case the non-U.S. holder will generally be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to any gain, except that a holder that is a foreign corporation also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax, as discussed above; or |
| The non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the distribution and has a tax home in the United States, in which case the individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individuals capital gains. |
Under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA), distributions to a non-U.S. holder that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of U.S. real property interests, whether or not designated as capital gain dividends, will cause the non-U.S. holder to be treated as recognizing gain that is income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. Non-U.S. holders will be taxed on this gain at the same rates applicable to U.S. holders, subject to a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. Also, this gain may be subject to a 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. A distribution is not attributable to a U.S. real property interest if we held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor.
We will be required to withhold and remit to the IRS the highest rate of U.S. federal income tax applicable to each non-U.S. holder, based on the status of such holder, of any distributions to non-U.S. holders that are designated as capital gain dividends, or, if greater, the highest rate of U.S. federal income tax applicable to each non-U.S. holder, based on the status of such holder, of a distribution that could have been designated as a capital gain dividend, whether or not attributable to sales of U.S. real property interests. Distributions can be designated as capital gain dividends to the extent of our net capital gain for the taxable year of the distribution. The amount withheld, which for individual non-U.S. holders may exceed the actual tax liability, is creditable against the non-U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability.
However, the above withholding tax will not apply to any capital gain dividend with respect to (i) any class of our stock which is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States if the non-U.S. holder did not own more than 10% of such class of stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of such dividend or (ii) a qualified shareholder or a qualified foreign pension fund. Instead, any capital gain dividend will be treated as a distribution subject to the rules discussed above under Distributions. Also, the branch profits tax would not apply to such a distribution. However, it is not anticipated that our Common Stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market.
Although the law is not clear on the matter, it appears that amounts we designate as undistributed capital gains in respect of the stock held by U.S. holders generally should be treated with respect to non-U.S. holders in the same manner as actual distributions by us of capital gain dividends. Under that approach, the non-U.S. holders would be able to offset as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability resulting therefrom their proportionate share of the tax paid by us on the undistributed capital gains, and to receive from the IRS a refund to the extent that their proportionate share of this tax paid by us were to exceed their actual U.S. federal income
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tax liability. If we were to designate a portion of our net capital gain as undistributed capital gain, a non-U.S. holder is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the taxation of such undistributed capital gain.
Sales of Our Common Stock. Subject to the discussion below under Repurchases of Our Common Stock, gain recognized by a non-U.S. holder upon the sale or exchange of our stock generally would not be subject to U.S. taxation unless:
| the investment in our Common Stock is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder), in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as domestic holders with respect to any gain; |
| the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the United States, in which case the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individuals net capital gains for the taxable year; or |
| the non-U.S. holder is not a qualified shareholder or a qualified foreign pension fund (each as defined below) and our Common Stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest within the meaning of FIRPTA, as described below. |
We anticipate that our Common Stock will constitute a U.S. real property interest within the meaning of FIRPTA unless we are a domestically-controlled REIT. We will be a domestically-controlled REIT if, at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of our stock is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders. No assurance can be given, however, that we are or will be a domestically-controlled REIT.
Even if we were not a domestically-controlled REIT, a sale of Common Stock by a non-U.S. holder would nevertheless not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA as a sale of a U.S. real property interest if:
| our Common Stock were regularly traded on an established securities market within the meaning of applicable Treasury regulations; and |
| the non-U.S. holder did not actually, or constructively under specified attribution rules under the Code, own more than 10% of our Common Stock at any time during the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or the holders holding period. |
However, it is not anticipated that our Common Stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market. If gain on the sale or exchange of our Common Stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder would be subject to regular U.S. income tax with respect to any gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. holder, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. In such a case, under FIRPTA the purchaser of Common Stock may be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price and remit this amount to the IRS.
Qualified Shareholders. Subject to the exception discussed below, a qualified shareholder who holds our Common Stock directly or indirectly (through one or more partnerships) will not be subject to FIRPTA withholding on distributions by us or dispositions of our Common Stock. While a qualified shareholder will not be subject to FIRPTA withholding on distributions by us or dispositions of our Common Stock, certain investors of a qualified shareholder (i.e., non-U.S. persons who hold interests in the qualified shareholder (other than interests solely as a creditor), and hold more than 10% of our Common Stock (whether or not by reason of the investors ownership in the qualified shareholder)) may be subject to FIRPTA withholding.
A qualified shareholder is a non-U.S. person that (i) either is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty which includes an exchange of information program and whose principal class of interests is listed and regularly traded on one or more recognized stock exchanges (as defined in such comprehensive income tax treaty), or is a foreign partnership that is created or organized under foreign law as a limited partnership in a
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jurisdiction that has an agreement for the exchange of information with respect to taxes with the United States and has a class of limited partnership units representing greater than 50% of the value of all the partnership units that is regularly traded on the NYSE or NASDAQ markets, (ii) is a qualified collective investment vehicle (within the meaning of Section 897(k)(3)(B) of the Code), and (iii) maintains records on the identity of each person who, at any time during the foreign persons taxable year, is the direct owner of 5% or more of the class of interests or units (as applicable) described in (i), above.
Qualified Foreign Pension Funds. Any distribution to a qualified foreign pension fund (or an entity all of the interests of which are held by a qualified foreign pension fund) who holds our Common Stock directly or indirectly (through one or more partnerships) will not be subject to FIRPTA withholding on distributions by us or dispositions of our Common Stock.
A qualified foreign pension fund is any trust, corporation, or other organization or arrangement (i) which is created or organized under the law of a country other than the United States, (ii) which is established (a) by such country (or one or more political subdivisions thereof) to provide retirement or pension benefits to participants or beneficiaries that are current or former employees (including self-employed individuals) or persons designated by such employees, as a result of services rendered by such employees to their employers or (b) by one or more employers to provide retirement or pension benefits to participants or beneficiaries that are current or former employees (including self-employed individuals) or persons designated by such employees in consideration for services rendered by such employees to such employers, (iii) which does not have a single participant or beneficiary with a right to more than 5% of its assets or income, (iv) which is subject to government regulation and with respect to which annual information reporting about its beneficiaries is provided, or is otherwise available, to the relevant tax authorities in the country in which it is established or operates, and (v) with respect to which, under the laws of the country in which it is established or operates, (a) contributions to such organization or arrangement that would otherwise be subject to tax under such laws are deductible or excluded from the gross income of such entity or arrangement or taxed at a reduced rate, or (b) taxation of any investment income of such organization or arrangement is deferred or such income is excluded from the gross income of such entity or arrangement or is taxed at a reduced rate.
We urge non-U.S. holders to consult their own tax advisers to determine their eligibility for exemption from FIRPTA withholding and their qualification as a qualified shareholder or a qualified foreign pension fund.
Repurchases of Our Common Stock. A repurchase of our Common Stock that is not treated as a sale or exchange will be taxed in the same manner as regular distributions under the rules described above. See Taxation of U.S. Holders of Our Common StockRepurchases of Our Common Stock for a discussion of when a redemption will be treated as a sale or exchange and related matters.
A repurchase of our Common Stock generally will be subject to tax under FIRPTA to the extent the distribution in the repurchase is attributable to gains from our dispositions of U.S. real property interests. To the extent the distribution is not attributable to gains from our dispositions of U.S. real property interests, the excess of the amount of money received in the repurchase over the non-U.S. holders basis in the repurchased shares will be treated in the manner described above under Sales of Our Common Stock. The IRS has released an official notice stating that repurchase payments may be attributable to gains from dispositions of U.S. real property interests (except when the 10% publicly traded exception would apply), but has not provided any guidance to determine when and what portion of a repurchase payment is a distribution that is attributable to gains from our dispositions of U.S. real property interests. Due to the uncertainty, we may withhold at the highest rate of U.S. federal income tax applicable to each non-U.S. holder, based on the status of such holder, from all or a portion of repurchase payments to non-U.S. holders other than qualified shareholders or qualified foreign pension funds. To the extent the amount of tax we withhold exceeds the amount of a non-U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability, the non-U.S. holder may file a U.S. federal income tax return and claim a refund.
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Returns. If a non-U.S. holder is subject to taxation under FIRPTA on proceeds from the sale of our Common Stock or on distributions we make, the non-U.S. holder will be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return. Prospective non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors to determine the impact of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income tax laws on their ownership of our Common Stock, including any reporting requirements.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Holders of Our Common Stock
Provided that a tax-exempt holder has not held its Common Stock as debt-financed property within the meaning of the Code and our shares of stock are not being used in an unrelated trade or business, dividend income from us generally will not be unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) to a tax-exempt holder. Similarly, income from the sale of our Common Stock will not constitute UBTI unless the tax-exempt holder has held its Common Stock as debt-financed property within the meaning of the Code or has used the Common Stock in a trade or business.
Further, for a tax-exempt holder that is a social club, voluntary employee benefit association, supplemental unemployment benefit trust or qualified group legal services plan exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, or a single parent title-holding corporation exempt under Section 501(c)(2) the income of which is payable to any of the aforementioned tax-exempt organizations, income from an investment in our Common Stock will constitute UBTI unless the organization properly sets aside or reserves such amounts for purposes specified in the Code. These tax-exempt holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning these set aside and reserve requirements.
Notwithstanding the above, however, a portion of the dividends paid by a pension-held REIT are treated as UBTI as to any trust which is described in Section 401(a) of the Code, is tax-exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code, and holds more than 10%, by value, of the interests in the REIT. Tax-exempt pension funds that are described in Section 401(a) of the Code are referred to below as pension trusts.
A REIT is a pension-held REIT if it meets the following two tests:
| it would not have qualified as a REIT but for Section 856(h)(3) of the Code, which provides that stock owned by pension trusts will be treated, for purposes of determining whether the REIT is closely held, as owned by the beneficiaries of the trust rather than by the trust itself; and |
| either (i) at least one pension trust holds more than 25% of the value of the interests in the REIT, or (ii) a group of pension trusts each individually holding more than 10% of the value of the REITs stock, collectively owns more than 50% of the value of the REITs stock. |
The percentage of any REIT dividend from a pension-held REIT that is treated as UBTI is equal to the ratio of the UBTI earned by the REIT, treating the REIT as if it were a pension trust and therefore subject to tax on UBTI, to the total gross income of the REIT. An exception applies where the percentage is less than 5% for any year, in which case none of the dividends would be treated as UBTI. The provisions requiring pension trusts to treat a portion of REIT distributions as UBTI will not apply if the REIT is not a pension-held REIT (for example, if the REIT is able to satisfy the not closely held requirement without relying on the look through exception with respect to pension trusts).
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Holders who participate in the dividend reinvestment plan will recognize taxable income in the amount they would have received had they elected not to participate, even though they receive no cash. These deemed distributions will be treated as actual distributions from us to the participating holders and will retain the character and U.S. federal income tax effects applicable to all distributions. Stock received under the plan will have a holding period beginning with the day after purchase, and a U.S. federal income tax basis equal to its cost,
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which is the gross amount of the deemed distribution. Because of our charters restrictions on the number of shares of our stock that a person may own, we do not anticipate that we will become a pension-held REIT.
Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting
U.S. Holders of Common Stock. In general, information-reporting requirements will apply to payments of dividends and proceeds of the sale of our Common Stock held by U.S. holders, unless such U.S. holder is an exempt recipient. A backup withholding tax may apply to such payments if such U.S. holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number or certification of other exempt status or fails to report in full dividend or interest income. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any U.S. holders who fail to certify their U.S. status to us. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Brokers that are required to report the gross proceeds from a sale of our Common Stock on IRS Form 1099-B will also be required to report the customers adjusted basis in the Common Stock sold and whether any gain or loss with respect to such stock is long-term or short-term. In some cases, there may be alternative methods of determining the basis in the Common Stock sold, in which case your broker will apply a default method of its choosing if you do not indicate which method you choose to have applied. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding these reporting requirements and their election options.
Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock. We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
A non-U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding for dividends paid to such holder unless such holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of our Common Stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the Treasury, which may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and interpretations. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our Common Stock.
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State and Local Taxes
We and our stockholders may be subject to state or local taxation in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which we or they transact business or reside. Our state and local tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Consequently, prospective stockholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in our Common Stock.
Tax Shelter Reporting
If a stockholder recognizes a loss with respect to stock of $2 million or more for an individual stockholder or $10 million or more for a corporate stockholder, the stockholder must file a disclosure statement with the IRS on Form 8886. Direct stockholders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempt from this reporting requirement, but stockholders of a REIT currently are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Stockholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Additional Withholding Requirements
Under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as FATCA), a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax may apply to any ordinary dividends and other distributions that we pay to (i) a foreign financial institution (as specifically defined in the Code) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) its compliance (or deemed compliance) with FATCA (which may alternatively be in the form of compliance with an intergovernmental agreement with the United States) in a manner that avoids withholding, or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity (as specifically defined in the Code) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) adequate information regarding certain substantial U.S. beneficial owners of such entity (if any). If a dividend payment is both subject to withholding under FATCA and subject to withholding tax discussed above, the withholding under FATCA may be credited against, and therefore reduce, such other withholding tax. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of this legislation in light of their individual circumstances.
Please see the discussion in the SAI under the heading Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations for additional information regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the Funds qualification and taxation as a REIT and the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Stock.
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The custodian of the assets of the Fund will be The Bank of New York Mellon, located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.
DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. located at 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, MA 02169, will serve as the Funds transfer agent and dividend paying agent with respect to the Common Stock.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York serves as counsel to the Fund. Proskauer Rose LLP acts as special counsel to the Fund. Venable LLP, 750 East Pratt Street, Suite 900, Baltimore, MD 20202, acts as special Maryland counsel to the Fund.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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CLARION PARTNERS REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND INC.
CLASS S COMMON SHARES
CLASS T COMMON SHARES
CLASS D COMMON SHARES
CLASS I COMMON SHARES
PROSPECTUS
All dealers that buy, sell or trade the Funds Common Stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus in accordance with the terms of the dealers agreements with the Funds Distributor.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
June 13, 2019
CLARION PARTNERS REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND INC.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc. (the Fund) is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that continuously offers its Common Stock. This Statement of Additional Information relating to the Common Stock does not constitute a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the prospectus relating thereto dated June 13, 2019. This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus, does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing Common Stock, and investors should obtain and read the prospectus prior to purchasing such Common Stock. A copy of the prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling (888) 777-0102. You may also obtain a copy of the prospectus on the Securities and Exchange Commissions website (http://www.sec.gov). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Statement of Additional Information have the meanings ascribed to them in the prospectus.
This Statement of Additional Information is dated June 13, 2019.
The Funds investment objective is to provide current income and long-term capital appreciation. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Fundamental Restrictions
The Funds stated fundamental policies, which may only be changed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, are listed below. For the purposes of this SAI, majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund means the vote, at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, duly called, (a) of 67% or more of the shares present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented by proxy; or (b) of more than 50% of the outstanding shares, whichever is less. The Fund may not:
(1) Borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act (which currently limits borrowing to no more than 33 1/3% of the value of the Funds total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities)). The Fund may borrow for investment purposes, for temporary liquidity, or to finance repurchases of its Common Stock.
(2) Issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act (which currently limits the issuance of a class of senior securities that is indebtedness to no more than 33 1/3% of the value of the Funds total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) or, if the class of senior security is stock, to no more than 50% of the value of the Funds total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities)).
(3) Purchase securities on margin, but may sell securities short and write call options.
(4) Underwrite securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act in connection with the disposition of its portfolio securities. The Fund may invest in restricted securities (those that must be registered under the Securities Act before they may be offered or sold to the public) to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
(5) Invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in the securities of companies or entities engaged in any one industry, or group of industries, except the real estate industry. This limitation does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest over 25% of its assets in the securities of companies or entities in the real estate industry.
(6) Purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts, including commodity futures contracts, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments, except that the Fund may invest in securities or other instruments backed by or linked to commodities, and invest in companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities, and may invest in commodity pools and other entities that purchase and sell commodities and commodity contracts.
(7) Make loans except (a) through the purchase of debt securities or the origination of real estate-related loans in accordance with its investment objective and policies or (b) or as otherwise permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.
The Fund may invest in real estate or interests in real estate, securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate (e.g. mortgage loans evidenced by notes or other writings defined to be a type of security),
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mortgage-related securities, investment funds that invest in real estate through entities that may qualify as REITs, or in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including REITs).
With respect to the limitation regarding the Funds ability to borrow set forth in subparagraph (1) above, the 1940 Act requires the Fund to maintain at all times an asset coverage of at least 300% of the amount of its borrowings. For the purpose of borrowing money, asset coverage means the ratio that the value of the Funds total assets, minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all borrowings. Certain trading practices and investments may be considered to be borrowings and thus subject to the 1940 Act restrictions. On the other hand, certain practices and investments may involve leverage but are not considered to be borrowings under the 1940 Act, such as the purchasing of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, entering credit default swaps or futures contracts, engaging in short sales and writing options on portfolio securities, so long as the Fund covers its obligations by segregating liquid assets, entering into offsetting transactions or owning positions covering its obligations.
With respect to the limitation regarding the issuance of senior securities set forth in subparagraph (2) above, senior securities are defined as any bond, debenture, note, or similar obligation or instrument constituting a security and evidencing indebtedness, and any stock of a class having priority over any other class as to distribution of assets or payment of dividends.
The ability of a closed-end fund to issue senior securities is severely circumscribed by complex regulatory constraints under the 1940 Act that restrict, for instance, the amount, timing and form of senior securities that may be issued. Certain portfolio management techniques, such as purchasing securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, writing credit default swaps or futures contracts, engaging in short sales or writing options on portfolio securities, may be considered senior securities under the 1940 Act unless appropriate steps are taken to segregate the Funds assets or otherwise cover its obligations. To the extent the Fund uses such techniques, the Fund expects to cover its obligations under these transactions, including by the segregation of liquid assets, equal in value to the amount of the Funds commitment, such instrument will not be considered a senior security by the Fund and therefore will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by the Fund. The Fund may cover such transactions using other methods currently or in the future permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, or orders issued by SEC thereunder. For these purposes, interpretations and guidance provided by the SEC staff may be taken into account when deemed appropriate by the Fund. These segregation and coverage requirements could result in the Fund maintaining securities positions that it would otherwise liquidate, segregating assets at a time when it might be disadvantageous to do so or otherwise restricting portfolio management. Such segregation and cover requirements will not limit or offset losses on related positions.
Under the 1940 Act, a senior security does not include any promissory note or evidence of indebtedness where such loan is for temporary purposes only and in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the total assets of the issuer at the time the loan is made. A loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed.
With respect to the limitation regarding underwriting the securities of other issuers set forth in subparagraph (4) above, a technical provision of the Securities Act deems certain persons to be underwriters if they purchase a security from an issuer and later sell it to the public. Although it is not believed that the application of this Securities Act provision would cause a fund to be engaged in the business of underwriting, the policy set forth in subparagraph (4) will be interpreted not to prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of portfolio securities, regardless of whether the Fund may be considered to be an underwriter under the Securities Act. Under the Securities Act, an underwriter may be liable for material omissions or misstatements in an issuers registration statement or prospectus.
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With respect to the limitation regarding the purchase or sale of commodities and commodities contracts set forth in subparagraph (6) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from owning commodities, whether physical commodities and contracts related to physical commodities (such as oil or grains and related futures contracts), or financial commodities and contracts related to financial commodities (such as currencies and, possibly, currency futures). The value of commodities and commodity-related instruments may be extremely volatile and may be affected either directly or indirectly by a variety of factors. There also may be storage charges and risks of loss associated with physical commodities.
All limitations applicable to the Funds investments (as stated above and elsewhere in this Statement of Additional Information) apply only at the time a transaction is entered into. Any subsequent change in the percentage of the Funds assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in the Funds total assets, will not require the Fund to dispose of an investment until the Advisers determine that it is practicable to sell or close out the investment without adverse market or tax consequences to the Fund.
Non-Fundamental Restrictions
The Funds (1) investment objective and (2) policy to invest, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes) in a portfolio of private commercial real estate and publicly traded real estate securities, are not fundamental and may be changed by the Board without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock or Preferred Shares, if any. The Fund will provide stockholders with at least 60 days notice prior to changing the non-fundamental policy in (2) above.
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES
The following information supplements the discussion of the Funds investment policies and techniques in the prospectus.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund intends to invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes) in a portfolio of private commercial real estate and publicly traded real estate securities. Investments may consist of (i) Private CRE and (ii) Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities. The Fund expects to invest in a wide variety of Private CRE, including industrial, multifamily, office, retail, and other real property types through equity and debt investments. The Funds investments in Private CRE may include whole or partial interests in real properties, mortgage debt, mezzanine debt and other direct real estate investments. The Funds investments in Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities may include CMBS, RMBS and other equity or debt securities issued by real estate investment trusts or real estate-related investment companies.
Portfolio Contents
Investments in Private CRE
Additional Property Types
In addition to the Private CRE that the Fund will primarily invest in, as described in the prospectus, the Fund may also invest in other alternative Private CRE, including, but not limited to the following:
Student Housing. Student housing properties are generally categorized as either on-campus and off-campus housing. The most significant differences between them are governance, ownership and location. On-campus student housing is provided under the guidance and regulations of an educational institution, is typically owned by the institution and is located near or adjacent to the classroom buildings and other campus facilities.
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Off-campus housing is located in proximity to the school campus, generally within walking or bicycling distance and is typically owned by private owner-operators. Off-campus housing facilities tend to offer more relaxed rules and regulations and therefore are more appealing to upper-classmen.
Data Centers. Data center properties are highly specialized and secure buildings that house networking, storage and communications technology infrastructure, including servers, storage devices, switches, routers and fiber optic transmission equipment. These buildings are designed to provide the power, cooling and network connectivity necessary to efficiently support critical IT equipment. This infrastructure requires an uninterruptible power supply, backup generators, cooling equipment, fire suppression systems and physical security. Data centers located at points where many communications networks converge can also function as interconnection hubs where customers are able to connect to multiple networks and exchange traffic with each other.
Self-Storage. Self-storage refers to properties that offer do-it-yourself, month-to-month storage space rental for personal or business use. Self-storage offers a cost-effective and flexible storage alternative. Tenants rent fully enclosed spaces that can vary in size according to their specific needs and to which they have unlimited, exclusive access. Tenants have responsibility for moving their items into and out of their units. Self-storage unit sizes typically range from five feet by five feet to 20 feet by 20 feet, with an interior height of eight to 12 feet.
Wireless Towers. Wireless towers are vertical structures built on a small parcel of land, designed to accommodate multiple wireless tenants that lease both vertical space on the towers and portions of the land underneath the equipment. Generally, tenants own their antenna, microwave equipment, and shelters containing base-station equipment and HVAC, while the owner owns the structure and land parcel.
Manufactured Housing. A manufactured home community is designed to accommodate detached, single-family manufactured homes. Manufactured homes are produced off-site by manufacturers and installed on sites within the community. These homes are often improved with the addition of features constructed on site, including garages, screened rooms and carports. Each owner of a manufactured home leases the site on which the home is located from the owner.
Medical and Healthcare Facilities. Medical and healthcare facilities are properties designed to house the medical services industry. Facilities may include senior living facilities, medical offices and hospitals. Senior living facilities include independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and continuum of care facilities. Medical and Healthcare facilities are generally leased to operating companies on a triple-net basis that obligates the operating companies to pay all property related expenses, including maintenance, utilities, repairs, taxes, insurance and capital expenditures.
Ground Leases
The Fund may invest from time to time in real estate properties that are subject to ground leases. As a lessee under a ground lease, the Fund may be exposed to the possibility of losing the property upon termination, or an earlier breach by us, of the ground lease, which may adversely impact our investment performance. Furthermore, ground leases generally provide for certain provisions that limit the ability to sell certain properties subject to the lease. In order to assign or transfer rights and obligations under certain ground leases, the Fund will generally need to obtain consent of the landlord of such property, which, in turn, could adversely impact the price realized from any such sale.
Potential Investment Structures
As noted in the prospectus, the Fund will gain exposure to Private CRE investments both directly and indirectly through wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures or co-ownership arrangements (collectively, Real Estate Investment Vehicles). However, the potential investment structure of the Real Estate Investment Vehicles
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themselves will also vary. The Real Estate Investment Vehicles may be wholly owned subsidiaries of the Fund or entities in which the Fund has a majority or minority interest. The Real Estate Investment Vehicles will primarily consist of two types of potential investment structures:
| Wholly owned subsidiaries of the Fund (Wholly Owned Entities) |
| Entities in which the Fund will co-invest solely alongside unaffiliated third party investors (Joint Venture Entities) |
The underlying Private CRE Investments to be held by a Wholly Owned Entity or a Joint Venture Entity will be evaluated using the criteria described in the prospectus. The Fund currently is restricted from co-investing alongside affiliates under the 1940 Act, but may in the future seek exemptive relief to permit such co-investment. Any such exemptive order from the SEC with respect to co-investments will impose extensive conditions on the terms of any co-investment made by an affiliate of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund will obtain such relief.
Wholly Owned Entities. The Fund intends to invest in Private CRE through one or more Wholly Owned Entities. Private CRE investments through these Wholly Owned Entities may include fee simple, leasehold ownership, debt instruments or a partnership/limited liability company interest in the underlying real estate. Unlike investments through Joint Venture Entities, the Fund will maintain complete ownership of the underlying Private CRE held by the Wholly Owned Entity and as a result, the Fund will bear all risks associated with the underlying Private CRE. However, depending upon the investment structure, the Fund will have greater flexibility as to the renovation, redevelopment, repositioning, disposition, restructuring or payoff of an underlying Private CRE investment held by the Wholly Owned Entity because the Fund will be in a position to exercise sole decision-making authority with respect to such underlying Private CRE. Further, investments in real estate made through a Wholly Owned Entity will not be subject to the risk of bankruptcy of a third party or failure of such third party to fund any required capital contributions, or the risk of disputes between the Fund and its joint venture partners that could result in litigation or arbitration that would increase the Funds expenses. With regard to debt instruments, the collateral is subject to risks of delinquency, foreclosure and loss of principal. In certain structures, it is common for the rights of debt holders, to be governed by intercreditor or interlender agreements, which may limit the Funds ability to pursue remedies.
Joint Venture Entities. The Fund may enter into joint ventures with third parties, including partnerships, co-tenancies and other co-ownership arrangements or participations with mortgage or investment banks, financial institutions, real estate developers, owners, or other non-affiliated third parties for the purpose of owning or operating Private CRE through Joint Venture Entities. In such event, the Fund would not be in a position to exercise sole decision-making authority regarding the underlying Private CRE held by the Joint Venture Entity, and as a result the Fund may also be subject to the potential risk of impasses on decisions, such as a sale, foreclosure and restructuring because neither it nor its joint venture partners would have full control over the investments held by the Joint Venture Entity. See RisksJoint Venture Risk in the prospectus. Unlike investments in Wholly Owned Entities, investments in Joint Venture Entities may, under certain circumstances, involve risks related to the involvement of a third party, including the possibility that the Funds joint venture partners might become bankrupt or fail to fund their required capital contributions. The Fund expects that the other unaffiliated third party joint venture partners that will invest alongside the Fund in a Joint Venture Entity will generally be institutional investors such as public pension funds, corporate pension funds, investment funds and companies and qualified trusts forming part of an endowment or charitable foundation.
The Fund has not established safeguards it will apply to, or that will be required in, the Joint Venture Entities. Particular safeguards the Fund will require for investments in Joint Venture Entities will be determined on a case-by-case basis after Clarion Partners considers all facts it believes are relevant, such as the nature and attributes of the Funds other potential Joint Venture Entity partners, the proposed structure of the Joint Venture Entity, the nature of the operations, liabilities and assets the Joint Venture Entity may conduct or own, and the
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proportion of the size of the Funds interest when compared to the interests owned by other Joint Venture Entity parties. The Fund expects to consider specific safeguards to address potential consequences relating to:
| The management of the joint venture, such as obtaining certain approval rights in joint ventures the Fund does not control or providing for procedures to address decisions in the event of an impasse if the Fund shares control of the joint venture. |
| The Funds ability to exit a joint venture, such as requiring buy/sell rights, redemption rights or forced liquidation under certain circumstances. |
| The Funds ability to control transfers of interests held by other parties in the joint venture, such as requiring consent, right of first refusal or forced redemption rights in connection with transfers. |
| The Funds qualification as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
Investments in Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities
MBS
The following describes certain characteristics of mortgage backed securities (MBS), which includes RMBS and CMBS. It should be noted that new types of MBS are developed and marketed from time to time and that, consistent with its investment limitations, the Fund may invest in those new types of MBS that Clarion Partners or Western Asset believe may assist it in achieving the Funds investment objective.
Yield Characteristics. Interest and principal payments on MBS are typically made monthly, and principal may be prepaid at any time because the underlying mortgage loans or other assets generally may be prepaid at any time. As a result, if the Fund purchases such a security at a premium, a prepayment rate that is faster than expected will reduce yield to maturity, while a prepayment rate that is slower than expected will have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity. Conversely, if the Fund purchases these securities at a discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase, while slower than expected prepayments will reduce, yield to maturity.
Prepayments on a pool of mortgage loans are influenced by a variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors, including changes in mortgagors housing needs, job transfers, unemployment, mortgagors net equity in the mortgaged properties and servicing decisions. Generally, however, prepayments on fixed rate mortgage loans will increase during a period of falling interest rates. Accordingly, amounts available for reinvestment by the Fund are likely to be greater during a period of relatively low interest rates and, as a result, are likely to be reinvested at lower interest rates than during a period of relatively high interest rates. MBS may decrease in value as a result of increases in interest rates and may benefit less than other fixed income securities from declining interest rates because of the risk of prepayment.
Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. Mortgage pass-through securities represent participation interests in pools of residential mortgage loans originated by U.S. governmental or private lenders and guaranteed, to the extent provided in such securities, by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. Any guarantee of such securities runs only to principal and interest payments on the securities and not to the market value of such securities or the principal and interest payments on the underlying mortgages. In addition, the guarantee only runs to the portfolio securities held by the Fund and not to the purchase of Common Stock. Such securities, which are ownership interests in the underlying mortgage loans, differ from conventional debt securities, which provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts (usually semi-annually) and principal payments at maturity or on specified call dates. Mortgage pass-through securities provide for monthly payments that are a pass-through of the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the guarantor of such securities and the servicer of the underlying mortgage loans. Guaranteed mortgage pass-through securities are often sold on a to-be-acquired or TBA basis. Such securities are typically sold one to
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three months in advance of issuance, prior to the identification of the underlying pools of mortgage securities but with the interest payment provisions fixed in advance. The underlying pools of mortgage securities are identified shortly before settlement and must meet certain parameters.
The guaranteed mortgage pass-through securities in which the Fund may invest may include those issued or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae Certificates), the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae Certificates) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac Certificates).
Ginnie Mae Certificates. Ginnie Mae is a wholly-owned United States corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The full faith and credit of the U.S. government is pledged to the payment of amounts that may be required to be paid under any guarantee, but not as to the market value of such securities. The Ginnie Mae Certificates will represent a pro rata interest in one or more pools of the following types of mortgage loans: (i) fixed rate level payment mortgage loans; (ii) fixed rate graduated payment mortgage loans; (iii) fixed rate growing equity mortgage loans; (iv) fixed rate mortgage loans secured by manufactured (mobile) homes; (v) mortgage loans on multifamily residential properties under construction; (vi) mortgage loans on completed multifamily projects; (vii) fixed rate mortgage loans as to which escrowed funds are used to reduce the borrowers monthly payments during the early years of the mortgage loans (buydown mortgage loans); (viii) mortgage loans that provide for adjustments in payments based on periodic changes in interest rates or in other payment terms of the mortgage loans; and (ix) mortgage-backed serial notes. All of these mortgage loans will be Federal Housing Administration Loans (FHA Loans) or Veterans Administration Loans (VA Loans) and, except as otherwise specified above, will be fully amortizing loans secured by first liens on one- to four-family housing units.
Fannie Mae Certificates. Fannie Mae is a government sponsored corporation which is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Each Fannie Mae Certificate will entitle the registered holder thereof to receive amounts representing such holders pro rata interest in scheduled principal payments and interest payments (at such Fannie Mae Certificates pass-through rate, which is net of any servicing and guarantee fees on the underlying mortgage loans), and any principal prepayments on the mortgage loans in the pool represented by such Fannie Mae Certificate and such holders proportionate interest in the full principal amount of any foreclosed or otherwise finally liquidated mortgage loan. The full and timely payment of principal of and interest on each Fannie Mae Certificate, but not the market value thereof, will be guaranteed by Fannie Mae, which guarantee is not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Each Fannie Mae Certificate will represent a pro rata interest in one or more pools of FHA Loans, VA Loans or conventional mortgage loans (i.e., mortgage loans that are not insured or guaranteed by any governmental agency) of the following types: (i) fixed rate level payment mortgage loans; (ii) fixed rate growing equity mortgage loans; (iii) fixed rate graduated payment mortgage loans; (iv) variable rate California mortgage loans; (v) other adjustable rate mortgage loans; and (vi) fixed rate mortgage loans secured by multifamily projects.
Freddie Mac Certificates. Freddie Mac is a stockholder owned corporation created pursuant to the Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970, as amended (the FHLMC Act), and subject to general regulation by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Freddie Mac guarantees to each registered holder of a Freddie Mac Certificate ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans, without any offset or deduction, but does not, generally, guarantee the timely payment of scheduled principal or the market value of the securities. Freddie Mac may remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of collection of principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage loan, but not later than 30 days following: (i) foreclosure sale; (ii) payment of a claim by any mortgage insurer; or (iii) the expiration of any right of redemption, whichever occurs later, but in any event no later than one year after demand has been made upon the mortgagor for accelerated payment of principal. The obligations of Freddie Mac under its guarantee are obligations solely of Freddie Mac and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
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Freddie Mac Certificates represent a pro rata interest in a group of mortgage loans (a Freddie Mac Certificate group) purchased by Freddie Mac. The mortgage loans underlying the Freddie Mac Certificates will consist of fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of between ten and thirty years, substantially all of which are secured by first liens on one- to four-family residential properties or multifamily projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the FHLMC Act. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans and undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.
Although the U.S. government guarantees principal and interest payments on securities issued by the U.S. government and some of its agencies, such as securities issued by Ginnie Mae, this guarantee does not apply to losses resulting from declines in the market value of these securities. Some MBS that the Fund may hold are not guaranteed or backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Although the U.S. government has recently provided financial support to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, there can be no assurance that it will support these or other government-sponsored enterprises in the future.
Corporate Bonds
The Fund may invest in corporate bonds, including corporate bonds of real estate-related companies. Corporate bonds include a wide variety of debt obligations of varying maturities issued by U.S. and foreign corporations (including banks) and other business entities. Bonds are fixed or variable rate debt obligations, including bills, notes, debentures and similar instruments and securities. The Fund will invest in U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds and may also invest in bonds denominated in foreign currencies in accordance with the Funds investment objective and policies as described in the prospectus.
The Fund has the flexibility to invest in corporate bonds that are below investment grade quality. Corporate bonds rated below investment grade quality (that is, rated below BBB- by Standard & Poors Corporation (S&P) or Fitch Ratings, Inc. (Fitch), below Baa3 by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) or comparably rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO)) are commonly referred to as high yield securities or junk bonds. Issuers of securities rated BB+/Ba1 are regarded as having current capacity to make principal and interest payments but are subject to business, financial or economic conditions which could adversely affect such payment capacity. Corporate bonds rated BBB- or Baa3 or above are considered investment grade securities. Corporate bonds rated Baa are considered medium grade obligations that lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative characteristics, while corporate bonds rated BBB are regarded as having adequate capacity to pay principal and interest. Corporate bonds rated below investment grade quality are obligations of issuers that are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal according to the terms of the obligation and, therefore, carry greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy and increased market price volatility. Corporate bonds rated below investment grade tend to be less marketable than higher-quality securities because the market for them is less broad. The market for corporate bonds unrated by any NRSRO is even narrower. During periods of thin trading in these markets, the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase significantly and the Fund may have greater difficulty selling its portfolio securities. The Fund will be more dependent on the Advisers research and analysis when investing in these securities.
A general description of Moodys, S&Ps and Fitchs ratings of bonds is set forth in Appendix A hereto. The ratings of Moodys, S&P and Fitch generally represent their opinions as to the quality of the bonds they rate. It should be emphasized, however, that such ratings are relative and subjective, are not absolute standards of quality, are subject to change and do not evaluate the market risk and liquidity of the securities. Consequently, bonds with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while obligations of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.
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Subject to rating agency guidelines, the Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in broad segments of the bond market. If the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in one segment, the Fund will be more susceptible to economic, business, political, regulatory and other developments generally affecting issuers in such segment of the corporate bond market.
Zero Coupon Securities and Payment-In-Kind Securities
The Fund may invest in zero coupon securities and payment-in-kind securities. Zero coupon securities are debt securities that pay no cash income and are sold at substantial discounts from their value at maturity. When a zero coupon security is held to maturity, its entire return, which consists of the amortization discount, comes from the difference between its purchase price and its maturity value. This difference is known at the time of purchase, so that investors holding zero coupon securities until maturity know at the time of their investment what the expected return on their investment will be, assuming full repayment of the bond. The Fund also may purchase payment-in-kind securities. Payment-in-kind securities pay all or a portion of their interest in the form of debt or equity securities rather than cash.
Zero coupon securities and payment-in-kind securities tend to be subject to greater price fluctuations in response to changes in interest rates than are ordinary interest-paying debt securities with similar maturities. The value of zero coupon securities appreciates more during periods of declining interest rates and depreciates more during periods of rising interest rates than ordinary interest-paying debt securities with similar maturities. Zero coupon securities and payment-in-kind securities may be issued by a wide variety of corporate and governmental issuers.
Current federal income tax law requires the holder of a zero coupon security, certain payment-in-kind securities, and certain other securities acquired at a discount to accrue income with respect to these securities prior to the receipt of cash payments. Accordingly, to avoid liability for federal income and excise taxes, the Fund may be required to distribute cash attributable to income accrued with respect to these securities and may have to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements.
Variable Rate Obligations
The Fund may invest in variable rate obligations. Variable rate obligations bear interest at rates that are not fixed, but vary with changes in specified market rates or indexes, such as the prime rate, and at specified intervals. Such obligations include, but are not limited to, variable rate master demand notes, which are unsecured instruments issued pursuant to an agreement between the issuer and the holder that permit the indebtedness thereunder to vary and provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate.
Certain of the variable rate obligations that may be purchased by the Fund may carry a demand feature that would permit the holder to tender them back to the issuer of the instrument or to a third party at par value prior to maturity. Some of the demand instruments that may be purchased by the Fund may not trade in a secondary market and would derive their liquidity solely from the ability of the holder to demand repayment from the issuer or third party providing credit support. If a demand instrument is not traded in a secondary market, the Fund will nonetheless treat the instrument as readily marketable for the purposes of determining whether the instrument is an illiquid security unless the demand feature has a notice period of more than seven days in which case the instrument will be characterized as not readily marketable and therefore illiquid. Clarion Partners or Western Asset will monitor on an ongoing basis the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand.
The Funds right to obtain payment at par on a demand instrument could be affected by events occurring between the date the Fund elects to demand payment and the date payment is due that may affect the ability of the issuer of the instrument or the third party providing credit support to make payment when due, except when
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such demand instruments permit same day settlement. To facilitate settlement, these same day demand instruments may be held in book entry form at a bank other than the Funds custodian subject to a sub-custodian agreement approved by the Fund between that bank and the Funds custodian.
Below Investment Grade (High Yield or Junk) Securities
Under rating agency guidelines, medium- and lower-rated securities and comparable unrated securities will likely have some quality and protective characteristics that are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions. Medium- and lower-rated securities may have poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing, may have a current identifiable vulnerability to default or be in default, may be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due in the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, and/or may be likely to be in default or not current in the payment of interest or principal. Such securities are considered speculative with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations. Accordingly, it is possible that these types of factors could reduce the value of securities held by the Fund with a commensurate effect on the value of the Common Stock.
Changes by recognized rating services in their ratings of any security and in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal may also affect the value of these investments. A description of the ratings used by Moodys, S&P and Fitch is set forth in Appendix A. The ratings of Moodys, S&P and Fitch generally represent the opinions of those organizations as to the quality of the securities that they rate. Such ratings, however, are relative and subjective, are not absolute standards of quality, are subject to change and do not evaluate the market risk or liquidity of the securities.
The secondary markets for high yield securities are generally not as liquid as the secondary markets for higher rated securities. The secondary markets for high yield securities are concentrated in relatively few market makers and participants in the market are mostly institutional investors, including insurance companies, banks, other financial institutions and mutual funds. In addition, the trading volume for high yield securities is generally lower than that for higher-rated securities, and the secondary markets could contract under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. These factors may have an adverse effect on the ability of the Fund to dispose of particular portfolio investments, may adversely affect the Funds net asset value per share and may limit the ability of the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing securities and calculating net asset value. If the Fund is not able to obtain precise or accurate market quotations for a particular security, it will become more difficult to value the Funds portfolio securities, and a greater degree of judgment may be necessary in making such valuations. Less liquid secondary markets may also affect the ability of the Fund to sell securities at their fair value. If the secondary markets for high yield securities contract due to adverse economic conditions or for other reasons, certain liquid securities in the Funds portfolio may become illiquid and the proportion of the Funds assets invested in illiquid securities may significantly increase.
Prices for high yield securities may be affected by legislative and regulatory developments. These laws could adversely affect the Funds net asset value and investment practices, the secondary market for high yield securities, the financial condition of issuers of these securities and the value of outstanding high yield securities. For example, federal legislation requiring the divestiture by federally insured savings and loan associations of their investments in high yield bonds and limiting the deductibility of interest by certain corporate issuers of high yield bonds adversely affected the market in recent years. See RisksBelow Investment Grade (High Yield or Junk) Securities Risk in the prospectus.
U.S. Government Obligations
Securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities include obligations that are supported by: (a) the full faith and credit of the Treasury (e.g., Ginnie Mae Certificates); (b) the limited
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authority of the issuer or guarantor to borrow from the Treasury (e.g., obligations of Federal Home Loan Banks); or (c) only the credit of the issuer or guarantor (e.g., Freddie Mac Certificates). In the case of obligations not backed by the full faith and credit of the Treasury, the agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation is principally responsible for ultimate repayment.
Agencies and instrumentalities that issue or guarantee debt securities and that have been established or sponsored by the U.S. government include, in addition to those identified above, the Bank for Cooperatives, the Export-Import Bank, the Federal Farm Credit System, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Federal Land Banks, Fannie Mae and the Student Loan Marketing Association.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, under which the Fund will effectively pledge its assets as collateral to secure a short-term loan. Generally, the other party to the agreement makes the loan in an amount equal to a percentage of the market value of the pledged collateral. At the maturity of the reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund will be required to repay the loan and correspondingly receive back its collateral. While used as collateral, the assets continue to pay principal and interest which are for the benefit of the Fund.
Repurchase Agreements
A repurchase agreement is a transaction in which the seller of a security commits itself at the time of the sale to repurchase that security from the Fund, as the buyer, at a mutually agreed upon time and price.
The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with dealers, domestic banks or recognized financial institutions which, in the opinion of Clarion Partners or Western Asset, are deemed creditworthy. Clarion Partners or Western Asset will monitor the value of the securities underlying the repurchase agreement at the time the transaction is entered into and at all times during the term of the repurchase agreement to ensure that the value of the securities always equals or exceeds the repurchase price. The Fund requires that additional securities be deposited if the value of the securities purchased decreases below their resale price and does not bear the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security unless the seller defaults under the repurchase obligation. In the event of default by the seller under the repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience losses and experience delays in connection with the disposition of the underlying security. To the extent that, in the meantime, the value of the securities that the Fund has purchased has decreased, the Fund could experience a loss. Repurchase agreements with maturities of more than seven days will be treated as illiquid securities by the Fund.
Loans of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers or dealers or other financial institutions although it has no current intention to do so. The procedure for the lending of securities will include the following features and conditions. The borrower of the securities will deposit cash or liquid securities with the Fund in an amount equal to a minimum of 100% of the market value of the securities lent. The Fund will invest the cash collateral in short-term debt securities or cash equivalents and earn the interest thereon. A negotiated portion of the income so earned may be paid to the borrower and/or the broker who arranged the loan. If the Fund receives securities as collateral, the Fund will receive a fee from the borrower. If the value of the collateral drops below the required minimum at any time, the borrower may be called upon to post additional collateral. If the additional collateral is not paid, the loan will be immediately due and the Fund may use the collateral or its own cash to replace the securities by purchase in the open market charging any loss to the borrower. These will be demand loans and may be terminated by the Fund at any time. The Fund will receive any dividends and interest paid on the securities lent and the loans will be structured to assure that the Fund will be able to exercise its voting rights on the securities.
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Rule 144A Securities
The Fund may purchase Rule 144A securities for which there is a secondary market of qualified institutional buyers, as defined in Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act. Rule 144A provides an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for the resale of certain restricted securities to qualified institutional buyers. The Board has determined that Rule 144A securities may be considered liquid securities if so determined by Western Asset. Western Asset has adopted policies and procedures for the purpose of determining whether securities that are eligible for resales under Rule 144A are liquid or illiquid. Pursuant to those policies and procedures, Western Asset may make the determination as to whether a particular security is liquid or illiquid with consideration to be given to, among other things, the frequency of trades and quotes for the security, the number of dealers willing to sell the security, the number of potential purchasers, dealer undertakings to make a market in the security, the nature of the security and the time needed to dispose of the security.
To the extent that liquid Rule 144A securities that the Fund holds become illiquid, due to the lack of sufficient qualified institutional buyers or market or other conditions, the percentage of the Funds assets invested in illiquid assets would increase. Western Asset will monitor Fund investments in Rule 144A securities and will consider appropriate measures to enable the Fund to meet any investment limitations and to maintain sufficient liquidity for operating purposes and to meet redemption requests.
Restricted Securities and Securities with Limited Trading Markets
The Fund may purchase securities for which there is a limited trading market or which are subject to restrictions on resale to the public. If the Fund were to assume substantial positions in securities with limited trading markets, the activities of the Fund could have an adverse effect upon the liquidity and marketability of such securities and the Fund might not be able to dispose of its holdings in those securities at then current market prices. Circumstances could also exist (to satisfy redemptions, for example) when portfolio securities might have to be sold by the Fund at times which otherwise might be considered to be disadvantageous so that the Fund might receive lower proceeds from such sales than it had expected to realize. Investments in securities which are restricted may involve added expenses to the Fund should the Fund be required to bear registration costs with respect to such securities. The Fund could also be delayed in disposing of such securities which might have an adverse effect upon the price and timing of sales and the liquidity of the Fund. Restricted securities and securities for which there is a limited trading market may be significantly more difficult to value due to the unavailability of reliable market quotations for such securities, and investment in such securities may have an adverse impact on net asset value. As more fully described above, the Fund may purchase Rule 144A securities for which there may be a secondary market of qualified institutional buyers as contemplated by Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
Convertible Securities and Synthetic Convertible Securities
The Fund may invest in convertible securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to nonconvertible income securities in that they ordinarily provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower yields than comparable nonconvertible securities. Similar to traditional fixed income securities, the market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, when the market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security exceeds the conversion price, the convertible security tends to reflect the market price of the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible security tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis and thus may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors also may
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have an effect on the convertible securitys investment value. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a corporations capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable nonconvertible securities. Convertible securities may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible securitys governing instrument.
Convertible securities are investments that provide for a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than common stock. There can be no assurance of current income because the issuers of the convertible securities may default on their obligations. Convertible securities, however, generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar credit quality because of the potential for capital appreciation. A convertible security, in addition to providing current income, offers the potential for capital appreciation through the conversion feature, which enables the holder to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock.
Synthetic convertible securities differ from convertible securities in certain respects. Unlike a true convertible security, which is a single security having a unitary market value, a synthetic convertible comprises two or more separate securities, each with its own market value. Therefore, the market value of a synthetic convertible security is the sum of the values of its debt component and its convertibility component. For this reason, the values of a synthetic convertible and a true convertible security may respond differently to market fluctuations.
Credit Linked Notes
Credit linked notes are structured securities typically issued by banks whose principal and interest payments are contingent on the performance of the reference issuer. Credit linked notes are created by embedding a credit default swap in a funded asset to form an investment whose credit risk and cash flow characteristics resemble those of a bond or loan. These credit linked notes pay an enhanced coupon to the investor for taking on the added credit risk of the reference issuer.
Derivatives
The Fund may use various investment strategies described below to hedge market risks (such as broad or specific market movements, interest rates and currency exchange rates), to manage the effective maturity or duration of debt instruments held by the Fund, or to seek to increase the Funds income or gain.
The Fund may purchase and sell interest rate, currency or stock or bond index futures contracts and enter into currency transactions; purchase and sell (or write) exchange listed and over-the-counter (OTC) put and call options on securities, currencies, futures contracts, indexes and other financial instruments; enter into interest rate transactions, forward transactions, equity or debt swaps and related transactions; and invest in indexed securities and other similar transactions, which may be developed to the extent that Clarion Partners or Western Asset determines that they are consistent with the Funds investment objective and policies and applicable regulatory requirements (collectively, these transactions are referred to as Derivatives). The Funds interest rate transactions may take the form of swaps, caps, floors, collars and other combinations of options, forwards, swaps and/or futures, and the Funds currency transactions may take the form of currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts and options thereon, currency swaps and options on currencies or combinations thereof.
The Fund is not a commodity pool (i.e., a pooled investment vehicle which trades in commodity futures contracts and options thereon and the operator of which is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC)), and Derivatives involving futures contracts and options on futures contracts will be purchased, sold or entered into only for bona fide hedging purposes, provided that the Fund may enter into such transactions for purposes other than bona fide hedging if, immediately thereafter,
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(i) its pro rata share of the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on futures contracts entered into by the Fund and premiums paid for unexpired options with respect to such contracts so that it does not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Funds net assets, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on such contracts and options (in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5% limitation); or
(ii) the aggregate notional value (i.e., the size of the contract, in contract units, times the current market price (futures position) or strike price (options position) of each such unit) of the contract, so that it does not exceed the liquidation value of the Fund, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on such contracts and options.
Derivatives involve special risks, including possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent Clarion Partners or Western Assets view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of Derivatives could result in significantly greater losses than if they had not been used. The degree of the Funds use of Derivatives may be limited by certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). For instance, the Fund will use Derivatives only to the extent such Derivatives are consistent with the requirements of the Code for maintaining its qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.
Futures Contracts. The Fund may trade futures contracts: (1) on domestic and foreign exchanges on currencies, interest rates and bond indexes; and (2) on domestic and, to the extent permitted by the CFTC, foreign exchanges on single stocks and stock indexes. Futures contracts are generally bought and sold on the commodities exchanges on which they are listed with payment of initial and variation margin as described below. The sale of a futures contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to the buyer the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified price (or with respect to certain instruments, the net cash amount). The Fund is not a commodity pool, and the Fund, where permitted, will use futures contracts and options thereon solely: (i) for bona fide hedging purposes; and (ii) for other purposes in amounts permitted by the rules and regulations promulgated by the CFTC. The Funds use of financial futures contracts and options thereon will in all cases be consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and in particular the rules and regulations of the CFTC. Maintaining a futures contract or selling an option on a futures contract will typically require the Fund to deposit with a financial intermediary, as security for its obligations, an amount of cash or other specified assets (initial margin) that initially is from 1% to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some circumstances). Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may be required to be deposited thereafter daily as the mark-to-market value of the futures contract fluctuates. In addition, the value of all futures contracts sold by the Fund (adjusted for the historical volatility relationship between the Fund and the contracts) will not exceed the total market value of the Funds securities. In addition, the value of the Funds long futures and options positions (futures contracts on stock or bond indexes, interest rates or foreign currencies and call options on such futures contracts) will not exceed the sum of: (a) liquid assets segregated for this purpose; (b) cash proceeds on existing investments due within thirty days; and (c) accrued profits on the particular futures or options positions.
Interest Rate Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into interest rate futures contracts in order to protect it from fluctuations in interest rates without necessarily buying or selling debt securities. An interest rate futures contract is an agreement to take or make delivery of either: (i) an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of a particular index of debt securities at the beginning and at the end of the contract period; or (ii) a specified amount of a particular debt security at a future date at a price set at time of the contract. For example, if the Fund owns bonds, and interest rates are expected to increase, the Fund might sell futures contracts on debt securities having characteristics similar to those held in the portfolio. Such a sale would have much the same effect as selling an equivalent value of the bonds owned by the Fund. If interest rates did increase, the value of the debt securities in the portfolio would decline, but the value of the futures contracts to the Fund would increase at approximately the same rate, thereby keeping the net asset value of each class of the Fund from declining as much as it otherwise would have. The Fund could accomplish similar results by selling bonds with
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longer maturities and investing in bonds with shorter maturities when interest rates are expected to increase. However, since the futures market may be more liquid than the cash market, the use of futures contracts as a risk management technique allows the Fund to maintain a defensive position without having to sell its portfolio securities.
Similarly when Clarion Partners or Western Asset expects that interest rates may decline, the Fund may purchase interest rate futures contracts in an attempt to hedge against having to make subsequently anticipated purchases of bonds at the higher prices expected to result from declining interest rates. Since the fluctuations in the value of appropriately selected futures contracts should be similar to that of the bonds that will be purchased, the Fund could take advantage of the anticipated rise in the cost of the bonds without actually buying them until the market had stabilized. At that time, the Fund could make the intended purchase of the bonds in the cash market and the futures contracts could be liquidated.
At the time of delivery of securities pursuant to an interest rate futures contract, adjustments are made to recognize differences in value arising from the delivery of securities with a different interest rate from that specified in the contract. In some instances, securities called for by a futures contract may have a shorter term than the term of the futures contract and, consequently, may not in fact have been issued when the futures contract was entered.
Options. In order to hedge against adverse market shifts or to increase income or gain, the Fund may purchase put and call options or write covered put and call options on securities, fixed income instruments, interest rates or currencies or on futures contracts on securities, stock indexes, interest rates or currencies. A call option is covered if, so long as the Fund is obligated as the writer of the option, it will: (i) own the underlying investment subject to the option; (ii) own securities convertible or exchangeable without the payment of any consideration into the securities subject to the option; (iii) own a call option on the relevant security or currency with an exercise price no higher than the exercise price on the call option written or (iv) deposit with its custodian in a segregated account liquid assets having a value equal to the excess of the value of the security or index that is the subject of the call over the exercise price. A put option is covered if, to support its obligation to purchase the underlying investment if a put option that the Fund writes is exercised, the Fund will either (a) deposit with its custodian in a segregated account liquid assets having a value at least equal to the exercise price of the underlying investment or (b) continue to own an equivalent number of puts of the same series (that is, puts on the same underlying investment having the same exercise prices and expiration dates as those written by the Fund), or an equivalent number of puts of the same class (that is, puts on the same underlying investment) with exercise prices greater than those that it has written (or, if the exercise prices of the puts it holds are less than the exercise prices of those it has written, it will deposit the difference with its custodian in a segregated account). Parties to options transactions must make certain payments and/or set aside certain amounts of assets in connection with each transaction, as described below.
In all cases, except for certain options on interest rate futures contracts, by writing a call, the Fund will limit its opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of the underlying investment above the exercise price of the option for as long as the Funds obligation as writer of the option continues. By writing a put, the Fund will limit its opportunity to profit from a decrease in the market value of the underlying investment below the exercise price of the option for as long as the Funds obligation as writer of the option continues. Upon the exercise of a put option written by the Fund, the Fund may suffer an economic loss equal to the difference between the price at which the Fund is required to purchase the underlying investment and its market value at the time of the option exercise, less the premium received for writing the option. Upon the exercise of a call option written by the Fund, the Fund may suffer an economic loss equal to an amount not less than the excess of the investments market value at the time of the option exercise over the Funds acquisition cost of the investment, less the sum of the premium received for writing the option and the positive difference, if any, between the call price paid to the Fund and the Funds acquisition cost of the investment.
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In all cases except for certain options on interest rate futures contracts, in purchasing a put option, the Fund will seek to benefit from a decline in the market price of the underlying investment, while in purchasing a call option, the Fund will seek to benefit from an increase in the market price of the underlying investment. If an option purchased is not sold or exercised when it has remaining value, or if the market price of the underlying investment remains equal to or greater than the exercise price, in the case of a put, or remains equal to or below the exercise price, in the case of a call, during the life of the option, the Fund will lose its investment in the option. For the purchase of an option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying investment must decline sufficiently below the exercise price, in the case of a put, and must increase sufficiently above the exercise price, in the case of a call, to cover the premium and transaction costs.
In the case of certain options on interest rate futures contracts, the Fund may purchase a put option in anticipation of a rise in interest rates, and purchase a call option in anticipation of a fall in interest rates. By writing a covered call option on interest rate futures contracts, the Fund will limit its opportunity to profit from a fall in interest rates. By writing a covered put option on interest rate futures contracts, the Fund will limit its opportunity to profit from a rise in interest rates.
The Fund may choose to exercise the options it holds, permit them to expire or terminate them prior to their expiration by entering into closing transactions. The Fund may enter into a closing purchase transaction in which the Fund purchases an option having the same terms as the option it had written or a closing sale transaction in which the Fund sells an option having the same terms as the option it had purchased. A covered option writer unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or the underlying security is delivered upon exercise, with the result that the writer will be subject to the risk of market decline in the underlying security during such period. Should the Fund choose to exercise a call option, the Fund will purchase in the open market the securities, commodities or commodity futures contracts underlying the exercised option.
Exchange-listed options on securities and currencies, with certain exceptions, generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security or currency, although in the future, cash settlement may become available. Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument through the process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in ownership of the new option. Index options are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the option is in-the-money (that is, the amount by which the value of the underlying instrument exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put option, the exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised.
Put options and call options typically have similar structural characteristics and operational mechanics regardless of the underlying instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following general discussion relates to each of the particular types of options discussed in greater detail below. In addition, many Derivatives involving options require segregation of Fund assets in special accounts.
A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying security, index, currency or other instrument at the exercise price. The Funds purchase of a put option on a security, for example, might be designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value of such instrument by giving the Fund the right to sell the instrument at the option exercise price. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the seller the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument at the exercise price. The Funds purchase of a call option on a security, financial futures contract, index, currency or other instrument might be intended to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of the underlying instrument that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at which it may purchase the instrument. An American style put or call option may be exercised at any time during the option exercised period. A European style put or call option may be exercised only upon expiration. A Bermudan style put or call option may be exercised at any time on fixed dates occurring during
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the term of the option. Exchange-listed options are issued by a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation (the OCC), which guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties to the options. The discussion below uses the OCC as an example, but is also applicable to other similar financial intermediaries.
Index options are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the option is in-the-money (that is, the amount by which the value of the underlying instrument exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put option, the exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised. Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument through the process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in ownership of the new option.
The Funds ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of an OCC-issued or exchange-listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the liquidity of the particular option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid option market on an exchange are: (1) insufficient trading interest in certain options, (2) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange, (3) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities, including reaching daily price limits, (4) interruption of the normal operations of the OCC or an exchange, (5) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or the OCC to handle current trading volume, or (6) a decision by one or more exchanges to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the relevant market for that option on that exchange would cease to exist, although any such outstanding options on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
The hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours during which the underlying financial instruments are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that would not be reflected in the corresponding option markets.
OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial institutions or other parties (collectively referred to as Counterparties and individually referred to as a Counterparty) through a direct bilateral agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange-listed options, which generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all of the terms of an OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise price, premium, guaranties and security, are determined by negotiation of the parties. It is anticipated that the Fund will generally only enter into OTC options that have cash settlement provisions, although it will not be required to do so.
Unless the parties provide for it, no central clearing or guaranty function is currently expected to be involved in an OTC option. As a result, if a Counterparty fails to make or take delivery of the security, currency or other instrument underlying an OTC option it has entered into with the Fund or fails to make a cash settlement payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund will lose any premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. Thus, Clarion Partners or Western Asset must assess the creditworthiness of each such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the Counterpartys credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC option will be met. See RisksDerivatives Risk in the prospectus. The Fund will enter into OTC option transactions only with U.S. government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as primary dealers, or broker-dealers, domestic or foreign banks, or other financial institutions that Clarion Partners or Western Asset deems to be creditworthy. In the absence of a change in the current position of the SEC, OTC options purchased by the Fund and the amount of the Funds obligation pursuant to an OTC option sold by the Fund (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money amount, if any) or the value of the assets held to cover such options will be deemed illiquid.
If the Fund sells a call option, it is foregoing its participation in the appreciation in the value of the underlying asset; however, the premium that it receives may serve as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option
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premium, against an increase in the value of the underlying securities or instruments held by the Fund and may increase the Funds income. Similarly, the sale of put options can also provide gains for the Fund.
The Fund may purchase and sell call options on securities that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the OTC markets, and on securities indexes, currencies and futures contracts. All calls sold by the Fund must be covered (that is, the Fund must own the securities or futures contract subject to the call), or must otherwise meet the asset segregation requirements described below for so long as the call is outstanding. Even though the Fund will receive the option premium to help protect it against loss, a call sold by the Fund will expose the Fund during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold a security or instrument that it might otherwise have sold.
The Fund reserves the right to purchase or sell options on instruments and indexes which may be developed in the future to the extent consistent with applicable law and the Funds investment objective and the restrictions set forth herein.
The Fund may purchase and sell put options on securities (whether or not it holds the securities in its portfolio) and on securities indexes, currencies and futures contracts. In selling put options, the Fund faces the risk that it may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.
Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may purchase put and call options and write covered put and call options on futures contracts on stock indexes, interest rates and currencies traded on domestic and, to the extent permitted by the CFTC, foreign exchanges, in order to hedge all or a portion of its investments or to increase income or gain and may enter into closing transactions in order to terminate existing positions. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. An option on a stock index futures contract, interest rate futures contract or currency futures contract, as contrasted with the direct investment in such a contract, gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the underlying contract at a specified exercise price at any time on or before the expiration date of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writers futures margin account. The potential loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option (plus transaction costs). While the price of the option is fixed at the point of sale, the value of the option does change daily and the change would be reflected in the net asset value of the Fund.
The purchase of an option on a financial futures contract involves payment of a premium for the option without any further obligation on the part of the Fund. If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract it will be obligated to post initial margin (and potentially variation margin) for the resulting futures position just as it would for any futures position. Futures contracts and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an offsetting transaction, but no assurance can be given that a position can be offset prior to settlement or that delivery will occur.
Interest Rate and Equity Swaps and Related Transactions. The Fund may enter into interest rate and equity swaps and may purchase or sell (i.e., write) interest rate and equity caps, floors, collars and combinations thereof. The Fund expects to enter into these transactions in order to hedge against either a decline in the value of the securities included in the Funds portfolio or against an increase in the price of the securities which it plans to purchase, in order to preserve or maintain a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio or to achieve a particular return on cash balances, or in order to increase income or gain. Interest rate and equity swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to make or receive payments based on a notional principal amount. The purchase of an interest rate or equity cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined level, to receive payments on a contractually-based principal amount from the party selling the interest rate or equity cap. The purchase of an interest rate or equity floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined
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rate, to receive payments on a contractually-based principal amount from the party selling the interest rate or equity floor. A collar is a combination of a cap and a floor which preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of values.
The Fund may enter into interest rate and equity swaps, caps, floors and collars on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending on whether it is hedging its assets or its liabilities, and will usually enter into interest rate and equity swaps on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out), with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Funds obligations over its entitlements with respect to each interest rate or equity swap will be accrued on a daily basis, and an amount of liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated account by the Funds custodian in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors. If the Fund enters into an interest rate or equity swap on other than a net basis, the Fund will maintain a segregated account in the full amount accrued on a daily basis of the Funds obligations with respect to the swap. The Fund will only enter into interest rate and equity swap, cap, floor or collar transactions with counterparties Clarion Partners or Western Asset deems to be creditworthy. Clarion Partners or Western Asset will monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties to its interest rate and equity swap, cap, floor and collar transactions on an ongoing basis. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.
The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. Clarion Partners or Western Asset has determined that, as a result, the swap market is liquid. Caps, floors and collars are more recent innovations for which standardized documentation has not yet been developed and, accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps with standardized documentation. To the extent the Fund sells caps, floors and collars it will maintain in a segregated account cash and/or cash equivalents or other liquid high grade debt securities having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the full amount, accrued on a daily basis, of the Funds obligations with respect to the caps, floors or collars. The use of interest rate and equity swaps is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If Clarion Partners or Western Asset is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, interest rates and other applicable factors, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with what it would have been if these investment techniques were not utilized. Moreover, even if Clarion Partners or Western Asset is correct in its forecasts, there is a risk that the swap position may correlate imperfectly with the price of the asset or liability being hedged.
The liquidity of swap agreements will be determined by Clarion Partners or Western Asset based on various factors, including (1) the frequency of trades and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a market, (4) the nature of the security (including any demand or tender features) and (5) the nature of the marketplace for trades (including the ability to assign or offset the Funds rights and obligations relating to the investment). Such determination will govern whether a swap will be deemed within the percentage restriction on investments in securities that are not readily marketable.
The Fund may invest in derivative instruments, such as options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, indexed securities, credit linked notes, credit default swaps and other swap agreements for investment, hedging and risk management purposes. The Fund may invest without limitation in derivative instruments related to currencies, including options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts and swap agreements and combinations thereof; provided that such currency derivatives are used for hedging purposes only. The Fund may sell certain equities or fixed income securities short including, but not limited to Treasury securities, for investing and/or hedging purposes.
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Percentage limitations described in this Statement of Additional Information are at the time of investment by the Fund and may be exceeded on a going-forward basis as a result of credit rating downgrades or market value fluctuations in the Funds portfolio securities.
The effective use of swaps and related transactions by the Fund may depend, among other things, on the Funds ability to terminate the transactions at times when Clarion Partners or Western Asset deems it desirable to do so. Because swaps and related transactions are bilateral contractual arrangements between the Fund and counterparties to the transactions, the Funds ability to terminate such an arrangement may be considerably more limited than in the case of an exchange traded instrument. To the extent the Fund does not, or cannot, terminate such a transaction in a timely manner, the Fund may suffer a loss in excess of any amounts that it may have received, or expected to receive, as a result of entering into the transaction. If the other party to a swap defaults, the Funds risk of loss is the net amount of payments that the Fund contractually is entitled to receive, if any. The Fund may purchase and sell caps, floors and collars without limitation, subject to the segregated account requirement described above.
Indexed Securities. The Fund may purchase securities whose prices are indexed to the prices of other securities, securities indexes, currencies, or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic. Currency-indexed securities typically are short-term to intermediate-term debt securities whose maturity values or interest rates are determined by reference to the values of one or more specified foreign currencies, and may offer higher yields than U.S. dollar-denominated securities of equivalent issuers. Currency-indexed securities may be positively or negatively indexed; that is, their maturity value may increase when the specified currency value increases, resulting in a security that performs similarly to a foreign currency-denominated instrument, or their maturity value may decline when foreign currencies increase, resulting in a security whose price characteristics are similar to a put on the underlying currency. Currency-indexed securities may also have prices that depend on the values of a number of different foreign currencies relative to each other.
Combined Transactions. The Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options transactions, multiple futures transactions, multiple currency transactions (including forward currency contracts), multiple interest rate transactions and any combination of futures, options, currency and interest rate transactions, instead of a single Derivative, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the judgment of Clarion Partners or Western Asset, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. A combined transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component transactions. Although combined transactions will normally be entered into by the Fund based on Clarion Partners or Western Assets judgment that the combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase the risks or hinder achievement of the Funds objective.
Risk Factors. Derivatives have special risks associated with them, including possible default by the counterparty to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent Clarion Partners or Western Assets view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of the Derivatives could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. Use of put and call options could result in losses to the Fund, force the purchase or sale, as the case may be, of written portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices higher than (in the case of written put options) or lower than (in the case of written call options) current market values, or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell.
The use of futures and options transactions entails certain special risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related securities position of the Fund could create the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument are greater than gains in the value of the Funds position. In addition, futures and options markets could be illiquid in some circumstances and certain OTC options could have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses. Although the Funds use of futures and options transactions
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for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time it will tend to limit any potential gain to the Fund that might result from an increase in value of the position. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in a futures contract or option thereon. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, in which case the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. However, because option premiums paid by the Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying options can result in large amounts of leverage. This leverage offered by trading in options could cause the Funds net asset value to be subject to more frequent and wider fluctuation than would be the case if the Fund did not invest in options. See Leverage in the prospectus.
As is the case with futures and options strategies, the effective use of swaps and related transactions by the Fund may depend, among other things, on the Funds ability to terminate the transactions at times when Clarion Partners or Western Asset deems it desirable to do so. To the extent the Fund does not, or cannot, terminate such a transaction in a timely manner, the Fund may suffer a loss in excess of any amounts that it may have received, or expected to receive, as a result of entering into the transaction.
Because the amount of interest and/or principal payments which the issuer of indexed securities is obligated to make is linked to the prices of other securities, securities indexes, currencies, or other financial indicators, such payments may be significantly greater or less than payment obligations in respect of other types of debt securities. As a result, an investment in indexed securities may be considered speculative. Moreover, the performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the performance of, and may be more volatile than, the security, currency, or other instrument to which they are indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes in the United States and abroad. At the same time, indexed securities are subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuers creditworthiness deteriorates.
Losses resulting from the use of Derivatives will reduce the Funds net asset value, and possibly income, and the losses can be greater than if Derivatives had not been used. See RisksDerivatives Risk in the prospectus.
When conducted outside the United States, Derivatives transactions may not be regulated as rigorously as in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and will be subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. In addition, the price of any foreign futures or foreign options contract and, therefore, the potential profit and loss thereon, may be affected by any variance in the foreign exchange rate between the time an order is placed and the time it is liquidated, offset or exercised. The value of positions taken as part of non-U.S. Derivatives also could be adversely affected by: (1) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (2) lesser availability of data on which to make trading decisions than in the United States, (3) delays in the Funds ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (4) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (5) lower trading volume and liquidity.
Cover. The Funds use of derivatives may create financial obligations to third parties which if not covered could be construed as senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act). To the extent that the Fund determined that such obligations maybe deemed to create senior securities, the Fund intends to segregate or earmark liquid assets or otherwise cover such obligations. The Fund may cover such obligations using methods that are currently or in the future permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or orders issued by the SEC thereunder and to the extent deemed appropriate by the Fund, interpretations and guidance of the SEC staff.
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The Fund segregates with its custodian or otherwise earmarks cash, cash equivalents or liquid assets in an amount the Fund believes to be adequate to ensure that it has sufficient liquid assets to meet its obligations under its derivatives contracts, or the Fund may engage in other measures to cover its obligations with respect to such transactions. The amounts that are segregated or earmarked may be based on the derivatives notional value or on the daily mark-to-market obligation under the derivatives contract and may be reduced by amounts on deposit with the applicable broker or counterparty to the derivatives transaction. The Fund may segregate or earmark amounts in addition to the amounts described above. For example, if the Fund writes a physically settled put option, it will typically segregate or earmark liquid assets equal to the exercise price of the option, less margin on deposit, or hold the underlying instrument directly; if the Fund writes a cash settled put option, it will typically segregate or earmark liquid assets equal to the amount the option is in the money (meaning the difference between the exercise price of the option and the current market price of the underlying instrument, when the exercise price of the option is higher than the market price of the underlying instrument), marked to market on a daily basis, less margin on deposit. Alternatively, the Fund may, in certain circumstances, enter into an offsetting position rather than segregating or designating liquid assets (e.g., the Fund may cover a written put option with a purchased put option with the same or higher exercise price or cover a written call option with a purchased call option with the same or lower exercise price).
The segregation of assets does not reduce the risks to the Fund of entering into transactions in derivatives. Additionally, although the portfolio manager attempts to ensure that the Fund has sufficient liquid assets in respect of its obligations under its derivative contracts, it is possible that the Funds liquid assets may be insufficient to support such obligations under its derivatives positions. The Fund may modify its asset segregation policies from time to time.
Tax Consequences of Hedging
Under applicable tax law, the Funds hedging activities may result in the application of the mark-to-market and straddle provisions of the Code. Those provisions could cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash with which to satisfy distribution requirements, could result in an increase (or decrease) in the amount of taxable dividends paid by the Fund and could affect whether dividends paid by the Fund are classified as capital gains or ordinary income.
Common Stock
The Fund may hold common stocks. Common stock represents an equity ownership interest in a corporation, providing voting rights and entitling the holder to a share of the companys success through dividends and/or capital appreciation. In the event of liquidation, common stockholders have rights to a companys remaining assets after bond holders, other debt holders, and preferred stockholders have been paid in full. Typically, common stockholders are entitled to one vote per share to elect the companys board of directors (although the number of votes is not always directly proportional to the number of shares owned). Common stockholders also receive voting rights regarding other company matters such as mergers and certain important company policies, such as issuing securities to management. In addition to voting rights, common stockholders sometimes enjoy what are called preemptive rights. Preemptive rights allow common stockholders to maintain their proportional ownership in the company in the event that the company issues another offering of stock. This means that common stockholders with preemptive rights have the right but not the obligation to purchase as many new shares of the stock as it would take to maintain their proportional ownership in the company. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular common stock held by the Fund. In addition, the prices of common stocks are sensitive to general movements in the stock market, and a drop in the stock market may depress the prices of common stocks to which the Fund has exposure. Common stock prices fluctuate for several reasons including changes in investors perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, or when political or economic events affecting an issuer occur. In addition, common stock prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase. The value of the common stocks in which the Fund may
22
invest will be affected by changes in the stock markets generally, which may be the result of domestic or international political or economic news, changes in interest rates or changing investor sentiment. At times, stock markets can be volatile and stock prices can change substantially. The common stocks of smaller companies are more sensitive to these changes than those of larger companies. Common stock risk will affect the Funds net asset value per share, which will fluctuate as the value of the securities held by the Fund change.
Preferred Stock
Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of common stock, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from liquidation of the company. Some preferred stock also entitles its holders to receive additional liquidation proceeds on the same basis as holders of a companys common stock, and thus also represents an ownership interest in the company. Some preferred stock offers a fixed rate of return with no maturity date. Because it never matures, this type of preferred stock acts like a long-term bond and can be more volatile than other types of preferred stock and may have heightened sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Other preferred stock has variable dividends, generally determined on a quarterly or other periodic basis, either according to a formula based upon a specified premium or discount to the yield on particular Treasury securities or based on an auction process, involving bids submitted by holders and prospective purchasers of such stock. Because preferred stock represents an equity ownership interest in a company, its value usually will react more strongly than bonds and other debt instruments to actual or perceived changes in a companys financial condition or prospects, or to fluctuations in the equity markets. Preferred stocks are typically subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a companys capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuers board of directors. Preferred stocks also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions. Certain of the preferred stocks in which the Fund may invest may be convertible preferred stocks, which have risks similar to convertible securities.
23
Board of Directors
The overall management of the business and affairs of the Fund, including oversight of the Advisers, is vested in the Board of Directors of the Fund (the Board or Board of Directors). Each member of the Board of Directors shall hold office until his or her removal, resignation or successor is duly elected and qualifies.
The Directors, their ages, their principal occupations during the past five years (their titles may have varied during that period), the number of investment companies or portfolios in the Fund Complex (defined below) that each Director oversees, and the other board memberships held by each Director is set forth below.
Name, Address(1) and |
Position(s) with the Fund |
Term of Office |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years |
Number of Investment Companies in Fund Complex(2) Overseen by Director |
Other | |||||||
INTERESTED DIRECTORS*: |
||||||||||||
Jane Trust, CFA Born 1962 |
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Since Inception |
Senior Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2018); formerly, Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (2016 to 2018); Officer and/or Trustee/Director of 148 funds associated with LMPFA or its affiliates (since 2015); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMPFA (since 2015); formerly, Senior Vice President of LMPFA (2015). Formerly, Director of ClearBridge, LLC (formerly, Legg Mason Capital Management, LLC) (2007 to 2014); Managing Director of Legg Mason Investment Counsel & Trust Co. (2000 to 2007) | 134 | None | |||||||
NON-INTERESTED DIRECTORS: |
||||||||||||
Robert D. Agdern |
Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees | Since February 2019 | Member of the Advisory Committee of the Dispute Resolution Research Center at the Kellogg Graduate School of Business, Northwestern University since 2002; Deputy General Counsel responsible for western hemisphere matters for BP PLC from 1999 to 2001; Associate General Counsel at Amoco Corporation responsible for corporate, chemical, and refining and marketing matters and special assignments from 1993 to 1998 (Amoco merged with British Petroleum in 1998 forming BP PLC). | 23 | None |
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Name, Address(1) and |
Position(s) with the Fund |
Term of Office |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years |
Number of Investment Companies in Fund Complex(2) Overseen by Director |
Other | |||||
Carol L. Colman |
Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees | Since February 2019 | President, Colman Consulting Co. | 23 | None | |||||
Daniel P. Cronin |
Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees | Since February 2019 | Retired; formerly, Associate General Counsel, Pfizer, Inc. | 23 | None | |||||
Paolo M. Cucchi |
Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees | Since February 2019 | Emeritus Professor of French and Italian at Drew University (since 2014); formerly, Professor of French and Italian at Drew University (2009 to 2014); Vice President and Dean of College of Liberal Arts at Drew University (1984 to 2009). | 23 | None | |||||
William R. Hutchinson |
Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees | Since February 2019 | President, W.R. Hutchinson & Associates Inc. (consulting) | 23 | Director (Non-Executive Chairman of the Board (since December 1,2009)), Associated Banc-Corp. (since1994) |
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Name, Address(1) and |
Position(s) with the Fund |
Term of Office |
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years |
Number of Investment Companies in Fund Complex(2) Overseen by Director |
Other | |||||
Eileen A. Kamerick |
Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees | Since February 2019 | National Association of Corporate Directors Board Leadership Fellow and financial expert; Adjunct Professor, The University of Chicago Law School (since 2018); Adjunct Professor, Washington University in St. Louis and University of Iowa law schools (since 2007); formerly, Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ConnectWise, Inc. (software and services company) (2015 to 2016); Chief Financial Officer, Press Ganey Associates (health care informatics company) (2012 to 2014); Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, Houlihan Lokey (international investment bank) and President, Houlihan Lokey Foundation (2010 to 2012). | 23 | Trustee of AIG Funds and Anchor Series Trust (since 2018); Hochschild Mining plc (precious metals company) (since 2016); Director of Associated Banc-Corp (financial services company) (since 2007); Westell Technologies, Inc. (technology company) (2003 to 2016) | |||||
Nisha Kumar |
Director and Member of Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation Committees | Since February 2019 | Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Greenbriar Equity Group, LP (since 2011); formerly, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of Rent the Runway, Inc. (2011); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AOL LLC, a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. (2007 to 2009). Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. | 23 | Director of The India Fund, Inc. (since 2016); GB Flow Investment LLC; EDAC Technologies Corp.; Nordco Holdings, LLC; and SEKO Global Logistics Network, LLC; formerly, Director of Aberdeen Income Credit Strategies Fund (2017-2018); Director of The Asia Tigers Fund, Inc. (2016-2018). |
* | Ms. Trust is an interested person as defined in the 1940 Act because she is an officer of LMPFA and certain of its affiliates. |
(1) | Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of the persons listed above is c/o Chairman of the Fund, Legg Mason & Co. LLC, 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, NY 10018. |
(2) | The term Fund Complex means two or more registered investment companies that: |
(a) | hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services; or |
(b) | have a common investment adviser or that have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other registered investment companies. |
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The Directors were selected to join the Board based upon the following: his or her character and integrity; such persons service as a board member of other funds in the Legg Mason fund complex; such persons willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Director; as to each Director other than Ms. Trust, his or her status as not being an interested person as defined in the 1940 Act; and, as to Ms. Trust, her role with Legg Mason. No factor, by itself, was controlling.
In addition to the information provided in the table included above, each Director possesses the following attributes: Mr. Agdern, experience in business and as a legal professional; Ms. Colman, experience as a consultant and investment professional; Mr. Cronin, legal and managerial experience; Mr. Cucchi, experience as a college professor and leadership experience as an academic dean; Mr. Hutchinson, experience in accounting and working with auditors, consulting, business and finance and service as a board member of another financial services company; Ms. Kamerick, experience in business and finance, including financial reporting, and experience as a board member of a highly regulated financial services company; Ms. Kumar, financial and accounting experience as the chief financial officer of other companies and experience as a board member of private equity funds; and Ms. Trust possesses the following attributes: investment management and risk oversight experience as an executive and portfolio manager and leadership roles within Legg Mason and affiliated entities. References to the qualifications, attributes and skills of the Directors are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Director as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.
Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is responsible under applicable state law for overseeing generally the management and operations of the Fund. The Directors oversee the Funds operations by, among other things, meeting at its regularly scheduled meetings and as otherwise needed with the Funds management and evaluating the performance of the Funds service providers including LMPFA, Clarion Partners, Western Asset, the custodian and the transfer agent. As part of this process, the Directors consult with the Funds independent auditors and with their own separate independent counsel.
The Directors review the Funds financial statements, performance, net asset value and market price and the relationship between them, as well as the quality of the services being provided to the Fund. As part of this process, the Directors review the Funds fees and expenses in light of the nature, quality and scope of the services being received while also seeking to ensure that the Fund continues to have access to high quality services in the future.
The Board of Directors has four regularly scheduled meetings each year, and additional meetings may be scheduled as needed. In addition, the Board has a standing Audit Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (the Nominating Committee) that meet periodically and whose responsibilities are described below.
Because the Fund recently commenced operations, the Board of Directors did not hold any meetings during the fiscal period ended December 31, 2018. Each Director expects to attend at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and the committees for which he or she was eligible. The Fund does not have a formal policy regarding attendance by Directors at annual meetings of stockholders.
The standing committees of the Board are the Audit Committee, the Nominating Committee, Compensation Committee and Pricing and Valuation Committee that meet periodically and whose responsibilities are described below.
Each of the Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee is composed of all Directors who have been determined not to be interested persons of the Fund, LMPFA, Clarion Partners or Wester Asset or their affiliates within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and who are independent as defined in the New York Stock Exchange listing standards (Independent Directors), and is chaired by an Independent Director. The Board in its discretion from time to time may establish ad hoc committees.
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The Board of Directors is currently comprised of eight directors, seven of whom are Independent Directors. Jane Trust serves as Chairman of the Board. Ms. Trust is an interested person of the Fund. The appointment of Ms. Trust as Chairman reflects the Boards belief that her experience, familiarity with the Funds day-to-day operations and access to individuals with responsibility for the Funds management and operations provides the Board with insight into the Funds business and activities and, with her access to appropriate administrative support, facilitates the efficient development of meeting agendas that address the Funds business, legal and other needs and the orderly conduct of board meetings. Mr. Hutchinson serves as Lead Independent Director. The Chairman develops agendas for Board meetings in consultation with the Lead Independent Director and presides at all meetings of the Board. The Lead Independent Director, among other things, chairs executive sessions of the Independent Directors, serves as a spokesperson for the Independent Directors and serves as a liaison between the Independent Directors and the Funds management between Board meetings. The Independent Directors regularly meet outside the presence of management and are advised by independent legal counsel. The Board also has determined that its leadership structure, as described above, is appropriate in light of the size and complexity of the Fund, the number of Independent Directors (who constitute a super-majority of the Boards membership) and the Boards general oversight responsibility. The Board also believes that its leadership structure not only facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Directors from management, including Clarion Partners and Western Asset, the Funds sub-advisers, but also enhances the independent and orderly exercise of its responsibilities.
Audit Committee
The Funds Audit Committee is composed entirely of all of the Independent Directors. The members of the Audit Committee are Mses. Colman, Kamerick and Kumar and Messrs. Agdern , Cronin, Cucchi and Hutchinson. Ms. Kamerick serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee and has been determined by the Board to be an audit committee financial expert. The principal functions of the Audit Committee are: to (a) oversee the scope of the Funds audit, the Funds accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and its internal controls and enhance the quality and objectivity of the audit function; (b) approve, and recommend to the Independent Directors (as such term is defined in the Audit Committee Charter) for their ratification, the selection, appointment, retention or termination of the Funds independent registered public accounting firm, as well as approving the compensation thereof; and (c) approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund and certain other persons by the Funds independent registered public accounting firm. Because the Fund recently commenced operations, the Audit Committee did not hold any meetings during the fiscal period ended December 31, 2018. The Funds Board of Directors will review and adopt an Audit Committee Charter at its organizational meeting, a copy of which will be attached to the Funds first proxy statement and on the Funds website at www.lmcef.com by clicking on the name of the Fund.
Nominating Committee
The Funds Nominating Committee, the principal function of which is to select and nominate candidates for election as Directors of the Fund, will be composed of all of the Independent Directors. The members of the Nominating Committee are Mses. Colman, Kamerick and Kumar and Messrs. Agdern , Cronin, Cucchi and Hutchinson. Mr. Cronin serves as the Chair of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee may consider nominees recommended by the stockholder as it deems appropriate. Stockholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send recommendations to the Funds Secretary that include all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Directors. A recommendation must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board of Directors and to serve if elected by the stockholders. Because the Fund recently commenced operations, the Nominating Committee did not hold any meetings during the fiscal period ended December 31, 2018. The Funds Board of Directors will review and adopt a Nominating Committee Charter at its organizational meeting, a copy of which will be attached to the Funds first proxy statement and on the Funds website at www.lmcef.com by clicking on the name of the Fund.
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The Nominating Committee identifies potential nominees through its network of contacts, and in its discretion may also engage a professional search firm. The Nominating Committee meets to discuss and consider such candidates qualifications and then chooses a candidate by majority vote. The Nominating Committee does not have specific, minimum qualifications for nominees and has not established specific qualities or skills that it regards as necessary for one or more of the Funds Directors to possess (other than any qualities or skills that may be required by applicable law, regulation or listing standard). However, as set forth in the Nominating Committee Charter, in evaluating a person as a potential nominee to serve as a Director of the Fund, the Nominee Committee may consider the following factors, among any others it may deem relevant:
| whether or not the person is an interested person as defined in the 1940 Act and whether the person is otherwise qualified under applicable laws and regulations to serve as a Director of the Fund; |
| whether or not the person has any relationships that might impair his or her independence, such as any business, financial or family relationships with Fund management, the investment manager of the Fund, Fund service providers or their affiliates; |
| whether or not the person serves on boards of, or is otherwise affiliated with, competing financial service organizations or their related mutual fund complexes; |
| whether or not the person is willing to serve, and willing and able to commit the time necessary for the performance of the duties of a Director of the Fund; |
| the contribution which the person can make to the Board and the Fund (or, if the person has previously served as a Director of the Fund, the contribution which the person made to the Board during his or her previous term of service), with consideration being given to the persons business and professional experience, education and such other factors as the Committee may consider relevant; |
| the character and integrity of the person; and |
| whether or not the selection and nomination of the person would be consistent with the requirements of the Funds retirement policies. |
The Nominating Committee does not have a formal diversity policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying potential director nominees but may consider diversity of professional experience, education and skills when evaluating potential nominees for Board membership.
Pricing and Valuation Committee
The Funds Pricing and Valuation Committee is composed of all of the Independent Directors. The members of the Pricing and Valuation Committee are Mses. Colman, Kamerick and Kumar and Messrs. Agdern , Cronin, Cucchi and Hutchinson. Ms. Colman serves as Chair of the Funds Pricing and Valuation Committee. The principal function of the Pricing and Valuation Committee is to assist the Board with its oversight of the process for valuing portfolio securities in light of applicable law, regulatory guidance and applicable policies and procedures adopted by the Fund.
Compensation Committee
The Funds Compensation Committee is composed of all of the Independent Directors. The members of the Compensation Committee are Mses. Colman, Kamerick and Kumar and Messrs. Agdern, Cronin, Cucchi and Hutchinson. Mr. Cucchi serves as Chair of the Funds Compensation Committee. The principal function of the Compensation Committee is to recommend the appropriate compensation of the Independent Directors for their service on the Board and the committees of the Board. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Funds website at www.lmcef.com and click on the name of the Fund. The Funds Board of Directors will review and adopt a Compensation Committee Charter at its organizational meeting, a copy of which will be attached to the Funds first proxy statement and on the Funds website at www.lmcef.com by clicking on the name of the Fund.
29
Risk Oversight
The Boards role in risk oversight of the Fund reflects its responsibility under applicable state law to oversee generally, rather than to manage, the operations of the Fund. In line with this oversight responsibility, the Board receives reports and makes inquiry at its regular meetings and as needed regarding the nature and extent of significant Fund risks (including investment, compliance and valuation risks) that potentially could have a materially adverse impact on the business operations, investment performance or reputation of the Fund, but relies upon the Funds management (including the Funds portfolio managers) and Chief Compliance Officer, who reports directly to the Board, and LMPFA to assist it in identifying and understanding the nature and extent of such risks and determining whether, and to what extent, such risks may be eliminated or mitigated. In addition to reports and other information received from Fund management and LMPFA regarding the Funds investment program and activities, the Board as part of its risk oversight efforts meets at its regular meetings and as needed with the Funds Chief Compliance Officer to discuss, among other things, risk issues and issues regarding the policies, procedures and controls of the Fund. The Board may be assisted in performing aspects of its role in risk oversight by the Audit Committee and such other standing or special committees as may be established from time to time by the Board. For example, the Audit Committee of the Board regularly meets with the Funds independent public accounting firm to review, among other things, reports on the Funds internal controls for financial reporting.
The Board believes that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Funds goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Directors as to risk management matters are typically summaries of relevant information and may be inaccurate or incomplete. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Boards risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations.
Security Ownership of Management
The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities owned by the Directors in the Fund and in other investment companies overseen by the Directors within the same family of investment companies as of December 31, 2018. Investment companies are considered to be in the same family if they share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter and hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services.
Name of Director |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by the Director in the Family of Investment Companies(1) |
||||||
Non-Interested Directors: |
||||||||
Robert D. Agdern |
A | D | ||||||
Carol L. Colman |
A | E | ||||||
Daniel P. Cronin |
A | E | ||||||
Paolo M. Cucchi |
A | D | ||||||
William R. Hutchinson |
A | E | ||||||
Eileen A. Kamerick |
A | E | ||||||
Nisha Kumar |
A | A | ||||||
Interested Director: |
||||||||
Jane Trust |
A | E |
Key: | A: none, B: $1-$10,000, C: $10,001-$50,000, D: $50,001-$100,000, E: over $100,000. |
(1) | The term family of investment companies means any two or more registered investment companies that share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter or hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services. |
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None of the disinterested Directors nor their family members owned beneficially or of record securities issued by LMPFA, Clarion Partners or Western Asset or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the LMPFA, Clarion Partners or Western Asset as of December 31, 2018.
Compensation of Directors
The members of the Board who are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, receive an annual fee, a fee for each meeting of the Board and committee meeting attended and are reimbursed for all out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at such meetings. The Directors who are interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, and the Funds officers do not receive compensation from the Fund or any other fund in the Fund Complex of which the Fund is a part that is a U.S. registered investment company, but are reimbursed for all out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at such meetings.
Under the federal securities laws, the Fund is required to provide to stockholders information regarding compensation paid to the Directors by the Fund, as well as by the various other investment companies advised by LMPFA. The following table provides information concerning the compensation paid to each Director by the Fund during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and the total compensation paid to each Director during the calendar year ended December 31, 2018. The Directors listed below are members of the Funds Audit, Nominating, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, as well as committees of the boards of certain other investment companies advised by LMPFA. Accordingly, the amounts provided in the table include compensation for service on all such committees. The Fund does not provide any pension or retirement benefits to Directors. In addition, no remuneration was paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 by the Fund to Ms. Trust who is an interested person as defined in the 1940 Act.
Name of Director |
Aggregate Compensation from the Fund for the Fiscal Period Ended 12/31/18 |
Total Compensation from the Fund and Fund Complex for the Calendar Year Ended 12/31/18 |
||||||
Non-Interested Directors(1) |
||||||||
Robert D. Agdern |
N/A | $ | 260,000 | |||||
Carol L. Colman |
N/A | $ | 295,000 | |||||
Daniel P. Cronin |
N/A | $ | 288,000 | |||||
Paolo M. Cucchi |
N/A | $ | 275,000 | |||||
William R. Hutchinson |
N/A | $ | 330,000 | |||||
Eileen A. Kamerick |
N/A | $ | 315,000 | |||||
Nisha Kumar |
N/A | (2) |
(1) | Each Non-Interested Director currently holds 23 investment company directorships within this Fund Complex. |
(2) | Ms. Kumar joined the Fund Complex as a director in 2019 and therefore did not earn any compensation from the Fund or Fund Complex during the calendar year ended December 31, 2018. |
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Officers of the Fund
The Funds executive officers are chosen each year at a regular meeting of the Board to hold office until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. In addition to Ms. Trust, the executive officers of the Fund currently are:
Name, Address and Age |
Position(s) |
Term of Office |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Richard F. Sennett Legg Mason & Co. 100 International Drive Baltimore, MD 21202 Birth Year: 1970 |
Principal Financial Officer |
Since inception | Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2011 and 2013); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. and Senior Manager of the Treasury Policy group for Legg Mason & Co.s Global Fiduciary Platform (since 2011); formerly, Chief Accountant within the SECs Division of Investment Management (2007 to 2011); formerly, Assistant Chief Accountant within the SECs Division of Investment Management (2002 to 2007) | |||
Todd F. Kuehl Legg Mason & Co. 100 International Drive Baltimore, MD 21202 Birth Year: 1969 |
Chief Compliance Officer | Since inception | Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2011); Chief Compliance Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group (prior to 2010); formerly, Branch Chief, Division of Investment Management, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (2002 to 2006) | |||
Jenna Bailey Legg Mason & Co. 100 First Stamford Place Stamford, CT 06902 Birth Year: 1978 |
Identity Theft Prevention Officer |
Since inception | Identity Theft Prevention Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2015); Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2013); Associate Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (2011-2013); Assistant Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2011) | |||
Jennifer S. Berg Legg Mason & Co. 100 International Drive Baltimore, MD 21202 Birth Year: 1973 |
Treasurer | Since inception | Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2014); Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2018); formerly, Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2014) | |||
Robert I. Frenkel Legg Mason & Co. 100 First Stamford Place Stamford, CT 06902 Birth Year: 1954 |
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer | Since inception | Managing Director and General Counsel of Global Mutual Funds for Legg Mason & Co. and its predecessor (since 1994); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (since 2003); formerly, Secretary of Citi Fund Management (from 2001 to 2004) |
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Name, Address and Age |
Position(s) |
Term of Office |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Thomas C. Mandia Legg Mason & Co. 100 First Stamford Place Stamford, CT 06902 Birth Year: 1962 |
Assistant Secretary | Since inception | Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005); Secretary of LMPFA (since 2006); Assistant Secretary of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006); Secretary of LM Asset Services, LLC (LMAS) (since 2002) and Legg Mason Fund Asset Management, Inc. (LMFAM) (since 2013) (formerly registered investment advisers) | |||
Jeanne M. Kelly Legg Mason & Co. 620 Eighth Ave, 49th Floor New York, NY 10018 Birth Year: 1951 |
Senior Vice President |
Since inception | Senior Vice President of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2007); Senior Vice President of LMPFA (since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMAS and LMFAM (since 2015); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005); formerly, Senior Vice President of LMFAM (2013 to 2015) |
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Investment Manager and Subadviser
The Fund retains Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA) to act as its investment manager. LMPFA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. LMPFA serves as the investment manager to numerous individuals and institutions and other investment companies. The investment management agreement (the Management Agreement) between LMPFA and the Fund provides that LMPFA will manage the operations of the Fund, subject to the supervision, direction and approval of the Funds Board and the objective and the policies stated in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information.
Pursuant to the Management Agreement, LMPFA supervises the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio by Clarion Partners and Western Asset. In addition, LMPFA performs administrative and management services necessary for the operation of the Fund, such as (1) supervising the overall administration of the Fund, including negotiation of contracts and fees with and the monitoring of performance and billings of the Funds transfer agent, stockholder servicing agents, custodian and other independent contractors or agents; (2) providing certain compliance, Fund accounting, regulatory reporting and tax reporting services; (3) preparing or participating in the preparation of Board materials, registration statements, proxy statements and reports and other communications to stockholders; (4) maintaining the Funds existence and (5) during such times as shares are publicly offered, maintaining the registration and qualification of the Funds shares under federal and state laws.
Under the investment management agreement, the Fund pays an annual fee, paid monthly, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the average daily value of the Funds net assets.
Pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement, LMPFA has delegated the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund to Clarion Partners (the Sub-Advisory Agreement). Pursuant to a securities sub-advisory agreement (the Securities Sub-Advisory Agreement), Clarion Partners may allocate a portion of the Funds assets to Western Asset for which Western Asset will exercise day-to-day portfolio management. Each of Clarion Partners and Western Asset is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other funds or accounts managed by Clarion Partners and Western Asset. Such other funds or accounts may also invest in the same securities as the Fund. If those funds or accounts are prepared to invest in, or desire to dispose of, the same security at the same time as the Fund, however, transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the respective funds and accounts in a manner deemed equitable to all. In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position obtained for or disposed of by the Fund or the price paid or received by the Fund. In addition, because of different investment objective, a particular security may be purchased for one or more funds or accounts when one or more funds or accounts are selling the same security.
Each of the Management Agreement, the Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Securities Sub-Advisory Agreement has an initial term of two years and will continue in effect from year to year thereafter if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Funds Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and in either event, by a majority of the disinterested Directors of the Board with such disinterested Directors casting votes in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Board or the holders of a majority of the Funds shares may terminate the Management Agreement on sixty days written notice without penalty and LMPFA may terminate the agreement on ninety days written notice without penalty. The Management Agreement terminates automatically in the event of an assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Sub-Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, in each case on not more than 60 days nor less than 30 days written notice to Clarion Partners, or by Clarion Partners upon not less than 90 days written notice to the Fund and LMPFA, and will be terminated upon the mutual written consent of LMPFA and Clarion Partners. The Sub-Advisory Agreement terminates automatically in the event of an assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
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The Securities Sub-Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, in each case on not more than 60 days nor less than 30 days written notice to Western Asset, or by Western Asset upon not less than 90 days written notice to the Fund, LMPFA and Clarion Partners, and will be terminated upon the mutual written consent of LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset. The Securities Sub-Advisory Agreement terminates automatically in the event of an assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Securities Sub-Advisory Agreement, neither LMPFA, Clarion Partners nor Western Asset, will be liable for losses or damages incurred by the Fund, unless such losses or damages are attributable to the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of LMPFA, Clarion Partners or Western Asset, as the case may be, or from reckless disregard by them of their obligations and duties under the relevant agreement.
Codes of Ethics
Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund, LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset have each adopted codes of ethics that permit their respective personnel to invest in securities for their own accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. All personnel must place the interests of clients first and avoid activities, interests and relationships that might interfere with the duty to make decisions in the best interests of the clients. All personal securities transactions by employees must adhere to the requirements of the codes and must be conducted in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest, the appearance of such a conflict, or the abuse of an employees position of trust and responsibility.
When personnel covered by the Funds Code of Ethics are employed by more than one of the managers affiliated with Legg Mason, those employees may be subject to such affiliates Code of Ethics adopted pursuant to Rule 17j-1, rather than the Funds Code of Ethics.
Copies of the Codes of Ethics of the Fund, LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset are on file with the SEC. These Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information relating to the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. Such materials are also available on EDGAR on the SECs website (http://www.sec.gov). You may also e-mail requests for these documents , which may be obtained after paying a duplicating fee, to publicinfo@sec.gov, or make a request in writing to the SECs Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
Proxy Voting Policies
The Funds Board has delegated proxy voting discretion to LMPFA, Clarion Partners and/or Western Asset, believing that LMPFA, Clarion Partners and/or Western Asset should be responsible for voting because it is a matter relating to the investment decision making process.
LMPFA delegates the responsibility for voting proxies for the Fund to Clarion Partners through the Sub-Advisory Agreement. LMPFA delegates the responsibility for voting proxies for the Fund with respect to assets allocated to Western Asset to Western Asset through the Securities Sub-Advisory Agreement. Each of Clarion Partners and Western Asset uses its own proxy voting policies and procedures to vote proxies. Accordingly, LMPFA does not expect to have proxy voting responsibility for the Fund. Should LMPFA become responsible for voting proxies for any reason, such as the inability of Clarion Partners or Western Asset to provide investment advisory services, LMPFA shall utilize the proxy voting guidelines established by Clarion Partners or Western Asset, as applicable, to vote proxies until a new sub-adviser is retained. In the case of a material conflict between the interests of Clarion Partners or Western Asset (or their respective affiliates if such conflict is known to persons responsible for voting at Clarion Partners or Western Asset) and the Fund, Clarion Partners or Western Asset, as applicable, shall consider how to address the conflict and/or how to vote the proxies. LMPFA shall maintain records of all proxy votes in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations, to the extent
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that Clarion Partners or Western Asset votes proxies. Clarion Partners or Western Asset, as applicable, shall be responsible for gathering relevant documents and records related to proxy voting from Clarion Partners or Western Asset and providing them to the Fund as required for the Fund to comply with applicable rules under the 1940 Act.
LMPFAs proxy voting policy is attached as Appendix B hereto. Clarion Partners proxy voting policy is attached as Appendix C hereto. Western Assets proxy voting policy is attached as Appendix D hereto. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge (1) by calling 888-777-0102, (2) on the Funds website at http://www.lmcef.com and (3) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov on Form N-PX.
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Unless otherwise indicated, the information below is provided as of the date of this SAI.
The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the Fund) for which the Funds portfolio managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts is also indicated as of December 31, 2018.
Clarion Partners Portfolio Managers
Portfolio Manager |
Registered Investment |
Other Pooled |
Other Accounts | |||
Richard Schaupp |
None | 4 other pooled investment vehicles with approximately $304 million in assets under management | 1 other account with approximately $382 million in total assets under management
1 other pooled investment vehicle that charges a performance fee with approximately $1.3 billion in assets under management | |||
Onay Payne |
None | 1 pooled investment vehicle that charges a performance fee with approximately $78.1 million in assets under management | 2 other accounts that charge a performance fee with approximately $7.1 billion in total assets under management
1 other account with approximately $771.1 million in total assets under management | |||
Jason Glasser |
None | 1 other pooled investment vehicle that charges a performance fee with approximately $1.4 million in assets under management | 1 other account with approximately $1.6 billion in total assets under management
2 other accounts that charge performance fees with approximately $2.1 billion in total assets under management |
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Western Asset Portfolio Managers
Portfolio Manager |
Type of Account |
Number of Accounts Managed |
Total Assets Managed |
Number of Accounts Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance- Based |
Assets Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance- Based | |||||
S. Kenneth Leech |
Other Registered Investment Companies | 107 | $163.8 billion | None | None | |||||
Other Pooled Vehicles | 258 | $76.2 billion | 7 | $1.5 billion | ||||||
Other Accounts | 590 | $189.0 billion | 29 | $12.3 billion | ||||||
Harris Trifon |
Other Registered Investment Companies | 3 | $3.5 billion | None | None | |||||
Other Pooled Vehicles | None | None | None | None | ||||||
Other Accounts | 1 | $86 million | 1 | $86 million | ||||||
Greg E. Handler |
Other Registered Investment Companies | 3 | $3.5 billion | None | None | |||||
Other Pooled Vehicles | 7 | $1.9 billion | None | None | ||||||
Other Accounts | 11 | $400 million | 2 | $99 million |
Portfolio Manager Compensation
Clarion Partners
Under the guidance of the Clarion Partners compensation committee, Clarion Partners offers a compensation package to both investment and non-investment professionals. Factors used to determine compensation include individual and team performance as well as overall Clarion Partners profitability. Individual performance is evaluated during Clarion Partners annual performance appraisal process and utilizes a quantitative and qualitative approach to measuring performance. Each employee meets with their supervisor during the annual performance appraisal to discuss the prior years performance, set future short and long-term goals, and ensure ongoing professional development.
Investment professionals are measured on their financial contribution to Clarion Partners through a number of factors, including: individual impact on investment performance; performance relative to specific industry indices; performance relative to select peer groups and other factors. The results are incorporated in developing competitive total remuneration package for all positions. Key elements of the compensation program include: short-term components, including base salary and bonus; long-term components subject to vesting, including retirement benefits, Clarion Partners equity ownership, and participation in Clarion Partners and investment product promotes. Compensation is quantitatively and qualitatively linked to both individual and portfolio performance, aligning the interests of each senior professional with those of its clients.
Western Asset
With respect to the compensation of the investment management professionals, Western Assets compensation system assigns each employee a total compensation target and a respective cap, which are
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derived from annual market surveys that benchmark each role with their job function and peer universe. This method is designed to reward employees with total compensation reflective of the external market value of their skills, experience, and ability to produce desired results.
Standard compensation includes competitive base salaries, generous employee benefits, and a retirement plan. In addition, employees are eligible for bonuses. These are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of the investment manager, and are determined by the professionals job function and performance as measured by a formal review process. All bonuses are completely discretionary. One of the principal factors considered is an investment management professionals investment performance versus appropriate peer groups and benchmarks. Because investment management professionals are generally responsible for multiple accounts (including the Funds) with similar investment strategies, they are compensated on the performance of the aggregate group of similar accounts, rather than a specific account. A smaller portion of a bonus payment is derived from factors that include client service, business development, length of service to Western Asset, management or supervisory responsibilities, contributions to developing business strategy and overall contributions to Western Assets business.
Finally, in order to attract and retain top talent, all professionals are eligible for additional incentives in recognition of outstanding performance. These are determined based upon the factors described above and include Legg Mason stock options and long-term incentives that vest over a set period of time past the award date.
Portfolio Manager Conflicts of Interest
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Potential conflicts of interest may arise when the Funds portfolio managers also have day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other funds or other accounts, as is the case for the Funds portfolio managers.
LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are designed to address various conflicts of interest that may arise for LMPFA, Clarion Partners, Western Asset and the individuals that each employs. For example, LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset each seek to minimize the effects of competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by assigning portfolio managers to manage funds and accounts that share a similar investment style. Each Adviser also adopted trade allocation procedures that are designed to facilitate the fair allocation of limited investment opportunities among multiple funds and accounts. There is no guarantee, however, that the policies and procedures adopted by the Advisers will be able to detect and/or prevent every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may appear. These potential conflicts include:
Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. As a result, the portfolio manager may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those accounts as might be the case if he or she were to devote substantially more attention to the management of a single fund. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts overseen by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.
Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities. If a portfolio manager identifies an investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit a funds ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity or may be allocated away from a fund entirely pursuant to a rotational allocation policy.
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Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds and/or accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and/or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and/or accounts.
Selection of Broker/Dealers. In addition to executing trades, some broker/dealers provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act), which may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees than might have otherwise been available. These services may be more beneficial to certain funds or accounts than to others.
Variation in Compensation. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to the portfolio manager differ among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages. If the structure of the LMPFAs management fee (and the percentage paid to Clarion Partners and Western Asset) and/or the portfolio managers compensation differs among funds and/or accounts (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager might be motivated to help certain funds and/or accounts over others. The portfolio manager might be motivated to favor funds and/or accounts in which he or she has an interest or in which the manager and/or its affiliates have interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance the portfolio managers performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the portfolio manager in affording preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the portfolio manager.
Securities Ownership of Portfolio Managers
The Fund is a newly-organized investment company. Accordingly, as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, none of the portfolio managers beneficially owned any securities issued by the Fund.
Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of Securities Beneficially Owned |
|||
Richard Schaupp |
None | |||
Onay Payne |
None | |||
Jason Glasser |
None | |||
S. Kenneth Leech |
None | |||
Greg E. Handler |
None | |||
Harris A. Trifon |
None |
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PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
The Fund does not have an obligation to deal with any brokers or dealers in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities. Subject to policy established by the Board, LMPFA is responsible for the Funds portfolio decisions and the placing of the Funds portfolio transactions in securities. Many of the Funds investments in Private CRE will not be investments in securities.
Portfolio securities normally will be purchased or sold from or to dealers serving as market makers for the securities at a net price, which may include dealer spreads and underwriting commissions. In placing orders, it is the policy of the Fund to obtain the best results taking into account the general execution and operational facilities of the broker or dealer, the type of transaction involved and other factors such as the risk of the broker or dealer in positioning the securities involved. While LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset generally seek the best price in placing its orders, the Fund may not necessarily be paying the lowest price available. Subject to seeking the best price and execution, securities firms which provide supplemental research to LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset may receive orders for transactions by the Fund. Information so received will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset under the Funds Management Agreement, Sub-Advisory Agreement and Securities Sub-Advisory Agreement, and the expenses of LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental information.
The Fund expects that all portfolio transactions in securities will be effected on a principal basis and, accordingly, does not expect to pay any brokerage commissions. To the extent the Fund does effect brokerage transactions, affiliated persons (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or affiliated persons of such persons, may from time to time be selected to perform brokerage services for the Fund, subject to the considerations discussed above, but are prohibited by the 1940 Act from dealing with the Fund as principal in the purchase or sale of securities. In order for such an affiliated person to be permitted to effect any portfolio transactions for the Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by such affiliated person must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold during a comparable period of time. This standard would allow such an affiliated person to receive no more than the remuneration which would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker in a commensurate arms-length transaction.
Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those for other funds and accounts advised or managed by LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset or their affiliates. Such other funds and accounts may also invest in the same securities as the Fund. When a purchase or sale of the same security is made at substantially the same time on behalf of the Fund and another fund or account, the transaction will be averaged as to price, and available investments allocated as to amount, in a manner which LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset believes to be equitable to the Fund and such other fund or account. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the position obtained or sold by the Fund. To the extent permitted by law, LMPFA, Clarion Partners and Western Asset may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other funds and accounts in order to obtain best execution.
Although the Fund does not have any restrictions on portfolio turnover, it is not the Funds policy to engage in transactions with the objective of seeking profits from short-term trading. It is expected that the annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund will not exceed 100%. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the Funds portfolio securities. For purposes of this calculation, portfolio securities exclude all securities having a maturity when purchased of one year or less. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater transaction costs than a lower rate, which costs are borne by the Fund and their stockholders.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the ownership of our Common Stock as of the date hereof by U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders, each as defined below. Except where noted, this summary deals only with Common Stock held as a capital asset and does not deal with special situations, such as those of dealers in securities or currencies, financial institutions, regulated investment companies, tax-exempt entities (except as described in Taxation of Tax-Exempt Holders of Our Common Stock below), insurance companies, persons holding Common Stock as a part of a hedging, integrated, conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, persons liable for alternative minimum tax, persons who are foreign governments within the meaning of Section 892 of the Code, investors in pass-through entities or U.S. holders of Common Stock whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. Furthermore, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified, possibly with retroactive effect, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. No ruling on the U.S. federal, state, or local tax considerations relevant to our operation or to the purchase, ownership or disposition of our Common Stock has been requested from the IRS or other tax authority. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. The summary is also based upon the assumption that we and our subsidiaries and affiliated entities will operate in accordance with our and their applicable organizational documents.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of holders of our Common Stock depends in some instances on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. In addition, the tax consequences to any particular stockholder of holding our Common Stock will depend on the stockholders particular tax circumstances. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences in light of your particular situation as well as consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
Our Taxation as a REIT
We intend to elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT under the Code commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2019. Furthermore, we intend to operate in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Code so long as our board of directors determines that REIT qualification remains in our best interest. We intend to elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT under the Code commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2019. Furthermore, we intend to operate in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Code so long as our board of directors determines that REIT qualification remains in our best interest. We have not received, and do not intend to seek, any rulings from the IRS regarding our status as a REIT or our satisfaction of the REIT requirements. The IRS may challenge our status as a REIT, and a court could sustain any such challenge. Our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual annual operating results, certain qualification tests set forth in the U.S. federal tax laws. Those qualification tests involve the percentage of income that we earn from specified sources, the percentage of our assets that falls within specified categories, the diversity of the ownership of our shares, and the percentage of our taxable income that we distribute. No assurance can be given that our actual results of operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy such requirements. For a discussion of the tax consequences of our failure to qualify as a REIT, see Failure to Qualify.
The sections of the Code and the corresponding regulations that govern the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders are highly technical and complex. The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Code provisions, rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative interpretations thereof.
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Taxation of REITs in General
As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under Requirements for Qualification as a REIT. While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See Failure to Qualify.
Provided that we qualify as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the double taxation at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from an investment in a C corporation (i.e., a corporation generally subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax). Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the stockholder level when the income is distributed. In general, the income that we generate, to the extent declared as a dividend and subsequently paid to our stockholders, is taxed only at the stockholder level.
If we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:
| We will pay U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income, including net capital gain, that we do not distribute to stockholders during, or within a specified time after, the calendar year in which the income is earned. |
| If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. |
| If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or from certain leasehold terminations as foreclosure property, we may thereby avoid (a) the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction) and (b) the inclusion of any income from such property not qualifying for purposes of the REIT gross income tests discussed below, but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to U.S. corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate. |
| If due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect we fail to satisfy either the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because other requirements are met, we will be subject to a 100% tax on the greater of the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, multiplied in either case by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability. |
| If (i) we fail to satisfy the asset tests (other than a de minimis failure of the 5% asset test or the 10% vote or value test, as described below under Asset Tests) due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, (ii) we dispose of the assets or otherwise comply with such asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identify such failure and (iii) we file a schedule with the IRS describing the assets that caused such failure, we will pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the net income from the nonqualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy such asset tests multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate. |
| If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification, other than the gross income tests and the asset tests, and the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. |
| We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet recordkeeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REITs stockholders, as described below in Requirements for Qualification as a REIT. |
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| If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of: |
| 85% of our ordinary income for such calendar year; |
| 95% of our capital gain net income for such calendar year; and |
| any undistributed taxable income from prior taxable years, |
we will pay a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the amount we actually distributed, plus any retained amounts on which income tax has been paid at the corporate level.
| We may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term capital gain. In that case, a U.S. holder would include its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain (to the extent we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) in its income, and would receive a credit or a refund for its proportionate share of the tax we paid. |
| We will be subject to a 100% excise tax on amounts received by us from a taxable REIT subsidiary (or on certain expenses deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary) if certain arrangements between us and a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours, as further described below, are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties. |
| If we acquire any assets from a non-REIT C corporation in a carry-over basis transaction, we could be liable for specified tax liabilities inherited from that non-REIT C corporation with respect to that corporations built-in gain in its assets. Built-in gain is the amount by which an assets fair market value exceeds its adjusted tax basis at the time we acquire the asset. Applicable Treasury regulations, however, allow us to avoid the recognition of gain and the imposition of corporate-level tax with respect to a built-in gain asset acquired in a carry-over basis transaction from a non-REIT C corporation unless and until we dispose of that built-in gain asset during the 5-year period following its acquisition, at which time we would recognize, and would be subject to tax at the highest regular corporate rate on, the built-in gain. |
| In addition, notwithstanding our status as a REIT, we may also have to pay certain state and local income taxes, because not all states and localities treat REITs in the same manner that they are treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Moreover, as further described below, any domestic taxable REIT subsidiary in which we own an interest will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its net income. |
Requirements for Qualification as a REIT. The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;
(3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;
(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to certain provisions of the Code;
(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;
(6) of which not more than 50% in value of the outstanding shares are owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) after applying certain attribution rules;
(7) that makes an election to be a REIT for the current taxable year or has made such an election for a previous taxable year, which has not been terminated or revoked; and
(8) that meets other tests described below regarding the nature of its income and assets.
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Conditions (1) through (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year. Condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months other than the first taxable year for which an election to become a REIT is made. Condition (6) must be met during the last half of each taxable year, but neither conditions (5) nor (6) apply to the first taxable year for which an election to become a REIT is made. We believe that we will maintain sufficient diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy conditions (5) and (6) above. In addition, our charter contains restrictions regarding the ownership and transfer of our stock that are intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in (5) and (6) above. The provisions of our charter restricting the ownership and transfer of our stock are described in Description of Capital StockRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will be able to satisfy these share ownership requirements. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, we will fail to qualify as a REIT.
If we comply with regulatory rules pursuant to which we are required to send annual letters to holders of our stock requesting information regarding the actual ownership of our stock (as discussed below), and we do not know, or exercising reasonable diligence would not have known, whether we failed to meet requirement (6) above, we will be treated as having met the requirement.
To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the shares (i.e., the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our shares and other information. In addition, we must satisfy all relevant filing and other administrative requirements established by the IRS to elect and maintain REIT status, use a calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and comply with the record keeping requirements of the Code and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Ownership of Partnership Interests. In the case of a REIT that is a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that the REIT is deemed to own its proportionate share of the partnerships assets and to earn its proportionate share of the partnerships gross income based on its pro rata share of capital interests in the partnership for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, as described below. However, solely for purposes of the 10% value test described below (see Asset Tests), the determination of a REITs interest in a partnerships assets will be based on the REITs proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership, excluding for these purposes, certain excluded securities as described in the Code. In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership generally are deemed to retain the same character in the hands of the REIT. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of partnerships in which we own an equity interest is treated as assets and items of income of our company for purposes of applying the REIT requirements described below. Consequently, to the extent that we directly or indirectly hold a preferred or other equity interest in a partnership, the partnerships assets and operations may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, even though we may have no control or only limited influence over the partnership.
Disregarded Subsidiaries. If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary that is a qualified REIT subsidiary, the separate existence of that subsidiary is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Generally, a qualified REIT subsidiary is a corporation, other than a taxable REIT subsidiary, all of the stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by the REIT. Other entities that are wholly-owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. All assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of qualified REIT subsidiaries and disregarded subsidiaries will be treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and
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credit of the REIT itself. A qualified REIT subsidiary of ours is not subject to U.S. federal corporate income taxation, although it may be subject to state and local taxation in some states.
In the event that a qualified REIT subsidiary or a disregarded subsidiary ceases to be wholly owned by us (for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of us), the subsidiarys separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, it would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the value or voting power of the outstanding securities of another corporation. See Asset Tests and Income Tests.
Taxable REIT Subsidiaries. A taxable REIT subsidiary is an entity that is taxable as a corporation in which we directly or indirectly own stock and that elects with us to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. The separate existence of a taxable REIT subsidiary is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a domestic taxable REIT subsidiary generally is subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. In addition, if a taxable REIT subsidiary owns, directly or indirectly, securities representing 35% or more of the vote or value of a subsidiary corporation, that subsidiary will also be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. However, an entity will not qualify as a taxable REIT subsidiary if it directly or indirectly operates or manages a lodging or health care facility or, generally, provides to another person, under a franchise, license or otherwise, rights to any brand name under which any lodging facility or health care facility is operated. We generally may not own more than 10%, as measured by voting power or value, of the securities of a corporation that is not a qualified REIT subsidiary unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a taxable REIT subsidiary. Overall, no more than 20% of the value of a REITs assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries.
Income earned by a taxable REIT subsidiary is not attributable to the REIT. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable REIT subsidiary to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat dividends paid to us from such taxable REIT subsidiary, if any, as income. This income can affect our income and asset tests calculations, as described below. As a result, income that might not be qualifying income for purposes of the income tests applicable to REITs could be earned by a taxable REIT subsidiary without affecting our status as a REIT. For example, we may use taxable REIT subsidiaries to perform services or conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as management fees, or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.
Several provisions of the Code regarding the arrangements between a REIT and its taxable REIT subsidiaries ensure that a taxable REIT subsidiary will be subject to an appropriate level of U.S. federal income taxation. For example, a taxable REIT subsidiary is limited in its ability to deduct interest payments made to affiliated REITs. In addition, we would be obligated to pay a 100% penalty tax on some payments that we receive from, or on certain expenses deducted by, a taxable REIT subsidiary if the IRS were to assert successfully that the economic arrangements between us and a taxable REIT subsidiary are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties.
Deductions are disallowed for business interest expense (even if paid to third parties) in excess of the sum of a taxpayers business interest income and 30% of the adjusted taxable income of the business, which is its taxable income computed without regard to business interest income or expense, net operating losses or the pass-through income deduction (and for taxable years before 2022, excludes depreciation and amortization). Such limitations may also impact the amount of U.S. federal income tax paid by any of our taxable REIT subsidiaries.
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Income Tests
To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements, each of which is applied on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging and foreign currency transactions, for each taxable year generally must be derived directly or indirectly from:
| rents from real property; |
| interest on debt secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property; |
| dividends or other distributions on, and gain from the sale of, stock in other REITs; |
| gain from the sale of real property or mortgage loans; |
| abatements and refunds of taxes on real property; |
| income and gain derived from foreclosure property (as described below); |
| amounts (other than amounts the determination of which depends in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person) received or accrued as consideration for entering into agreements (i) to make loans secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property or (ii) to purchase or lease real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property); and |
| interest or dividend income from investments in stock or debt instruments attributable to the temporary investment of new capital during the one-year period following our receipt of new capital that we raise through equity offerings or public offerings of debt obligations with at least a five-year term. |
Second, at least 95% of our gross income, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging transactions, for each taxable year must be derived from sources that qualify for purposes of the 75% test, and from (i) dividends, (ii) interest and (iii) gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% and 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for that year if we are entitled to relief under the Code. These relief provisions generally will be available if our failure to meet the tests is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, and we attach a schedule of the sources of our income to our U.S. federal income tax return. It is not possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. For example, if we fail to satisfy the gross income tests because nonqualifying income that we intentionally recognize exceeds the limits on nonqualifying income, the IRS could conclude that the failure to satisfy the tests was not due to reasonable cause. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will fail to qualify as a REIT. Even if these relief provisions apply, a penalty tax would be imposed based on the amount of nonqualifying income. See Taxation of REITs in General.
Gross income from our sale of property that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business is excluded from both the numerator and the denominator in both gross income tests. In addition, certain foreign currency gains will be excluded from gross income for purposes of one or both of the gross income tests. We will monitor the amount of our nonqualifying income, and we will manage our portfolio to comply at all times with the gross income tests. The following paragraphs discuss some of the specific applications of the gross income tests to us.
Dividends. We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from taxable REIT subsidiaries or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Our dividend income from stock in any corporation (other than any REIT), including any taxable REIT subsidiary, will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test. Dividends that we receive
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from any REITs in which we own stock and our gain on the sale of the stock in those REITs will be qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests. However, if a REIT in which we own stock fails to qualify as a REIT in any year, our income from such REIT would be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test.
Interest. The term interest, as defined for purposes of both gross income tests, generally excludes any amount that is based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person; however, it generally includes the following: (i) an amount that is received or accrued based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales, and (ii) an amount that is based on the income or profits of a debtor, as long as the debtor derives substantially all of its income from the real property securing the debt by leasing substantially all of its interest in the property, and only to the extent that the amounts received by the debtor would be qualifying rents from real property if received directly by a REIT.
Interest on debt secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property (including, for this purpose, prepayment penalties, loan assumption fees and late payment charges that are not compensation for services) generally is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. However, if the highest principal amount of a loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property securing the loan as of the date we agreed to originate or acquire the loan, a portion of the interest income from such loan will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test but will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. The portion of the interest income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test will be equal to the portion of the principal amount of the loan that is not secured by real propertythat is, the amount by which the loan exceeds the value of the real estate that is security for the loan.
We expect that the CMBS and residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) in which we invest generally will be treated either as interests in a grantor trust or as interests in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (REMIC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that all interest income from such CMBS and RMBS will be qualifying income for the 95% gross income test. In the case of CMBS and RMBS treated as interests in grantor trusts, we would be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. The interest on such mortgage loans would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation is secured by real property, as discussed above. In the case of CMBS and RMBS treated as interests in a REMIC, income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. If less than 95% of the assets of the REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of our interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test. In addition, some REMIC securitizations include imbedded interest swap or cap contracts or other derivative instruments that potentially could produce nonqualifying income for the holder of the related REMIC securities.
Interest, original issue discount and market discount income that we receive or accrue from mortgage-related assets generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests.
Hedging Transactions. We and our subsidiaries may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements, options, futures contracts, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we enter into (i) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate or price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which is clearly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods specified in Treasury regulations, (ii) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests which is clearly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods, or (iii) in connection with the effective termination of certain hedging transactions described above will
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be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% or 95% gross income tests. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of both of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Moreover, to the extent that a position in a hedging transaction has positive value at any particular point in time, it may be treated as an asset that does not qualify for purposes of the asset tests described below. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income or assets that do not qualify for purposes of the REIT tests, or that our hedging will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.
We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities through a taxable REIT subsidiary or other corporate entity, the income of which may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries.
Fee Income. Any fee income that we earn will generally not be qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by a taxable REIT subsidiary will not be included for purposes of the gross income tests.
Rents from Real Property. Rents we receive will qualify as rents from real property in satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if several conditions described below are met. These conditions relate to the identity of the tenant, the computation of the rent payable, and the nature of the property leased and any services provided in connection with the property. First, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales. Second, rents we receive from a related party tenant will not qualify as rents from real property in satisfying the gross income tests unless the tenant is a taxable REIT subsidiary, at least 90% of the property is leased to unrelated tenants, the rent paid by the taxable REIT subsidiary is substantially comparable to the rent paid by the unrelated tenants for comparable space and the rent is not attributable to an increase in rent due to a modification of a lease with a controlled taxable REIT subsidiary (i.e., a taxable REIT subsidiary in which we own directly or indirectly more than 50% of the voting power or value of the stock). A tenant is a related party tenant if the REIT, or an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of the REIT, actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the tenant. Whether rents paid by a taxable REIT subsidiary are substantially comparable to rents paid by other tenants is determined at the time the lease with the taxable REIT subsidiary is entered into, extended, or modified, if such modification increases the rents due under such lease. Third, if rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent attributable to the personal property will not qualify as rents from real property. Finally, for rents to qualify as rents from real property for purposes of the gross income tests, we are only allowed to provide services that are both usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of real property and not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant of the property. Examples of these permitted services include the provision of light, heat, or other utilities, trash removal and general maintenance of common areas. We may, however, render services to our tenants through an independent contractor who is adequately compensated and from whom we do not derive revenue if certain requirements are satisfied. We may also own an interest in a taxable REIT subsidiary which provides non-customary services to tenants without tainting our rental income from the related properties.
Even if a REIT furnishes or renders services that are non-customary with respect to a property, if the greater of (i) the amounts received or accrued, directly or indirectly, or deemed received by the REIT with respect to such services, or (ii) 150% of our direct cost in furnishing or rendering the services during a taxable year is not more than 1% of all amounts received or accrued, directly or indirectly, by the REIT with respect to the property during the same taxable year, then only the amounts with respect to such non-customary services are not treated as rent for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.
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We intend to cause any services that are not usually or customarily rendered, or that are for the benefit of a particular tenant in connection with the rental of real property, to be provided through a taxable REIT subsidiary or through an independent contractor who is adequately compensated and from which we do not derive revenue, and which meets certain other requirements. However, no assurance can be given that the IRS will concur with our determination as to whether a particular service is usual or customary, or otherwise in this regard.
Prohibited Transactions Tax. A REIT will incur a 100% tax on the net income derived from any sale or other disposition of property, other than foreclosure property, that the REIT holds primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. Whether a REIT holds an asset primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business depends, however, on the facts and circumstances in effect from time to time, including those related to a particular asset. Nevertheless, we intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. We cannot assure you that we will comply with certain safe harbor provisions or that we will avoid owning property that may be characterized as property that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a taxable REIT subsidiary or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of such corporation at regular corporate income tax rates. We intend to structure our activities to avoid prohibited transaction characterization.
Foreclosure Property. Foreclosure property is any real property, including interests in real property, and any personal property incident to such real property:
| that is acquired by a REIT as the result of the REIT having bid in such property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced such property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after there was a default or default was imminent on a lease of such property or on indebtedness that such property secured; |
| for which the related loan was acquired by the REIT at a time when the default was not imminent or anticipated; and |
| for which the REIT makes a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. |
However, a REIT will not be considered to have foreclosed on a property where the REIT takes control of the property as a mortgagee-in-possession and cannot receive any profit or sustain any loss except as a creditor of the mortgagor.
Property generally ceases to be foreclosure property at the end of the third taxable year following the taxable year in which the REIT acquired the property, or longer if an extension is granted by the Secretary of the Treasury. This grace period terminates and foreclosure property ceases to be foreclosure property on the first day:
| on which a lease is entered into for the property that, by its terms, will give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test, or any amount is received or accrued, directly or indirectly, pursuant to a lease entered into on or after such day that will give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test; |
| on which any construction takes place on the property, other than completion of a building or any other improvement, if more than 10% of the construction was completed before default became imminent; or |
| which is more than 90 days after the day on which the REIT acquired the property and the property is used in a trade or business that is conducted by the REIT, other than through an independent contractor from whom the REIT itself does not derive or receive any income. |
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We will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate on any income from foreclosure property, including gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that otherwise would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, less expenses directly connected with the production of that income. However, net income from foreclosure property, including gain from the sale of foreclosure property held for sale in the ordinary course of a trade or business, will qualify for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property.
Phantom Income. Due to the nature of the assets in which we will invest, we may be required to recognize taxable income from certain assets in advance of our receipt of cash flow from or proceeds from disposition of such assets, and may be required to report taxable income that exceeds the economic income ultimately realized on such assets.
We may acquire debt instruments in the secondary market for less than their face amount. The amount of such discount generally will be treated as market discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accrued market discount is reported as income when, and to the extent that, any payment of principal of the debt instrument is made, unless we elect to include accrued market discount in income as it accrues. Principal payments on certain debt instruments may be made monthly, and consequently accrued market discount may have to be included in income each month as if the debt instrument were assured of ultimately being collected in full. If we collect less on the debt instrument than our purchase price plus the market discount we had previously reported as income, we may not be able to benefit from any offsetting loss deductions.
The terms of the debt instruments that we hold may be modified under certain circumstances. These modifications may be considered significant modifications for U.S. federal income tax purposes that give rise to a deemed debt-for-debt exchange upon which we may recognize taxable income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash.
Some of the debt securities that we acquire may have been issued with original issue discount. In general, we will be required to accrue non-de minimis original issue discount based on the constant yield to maturity of such debt securities, and to treat it as taxable income in accordance with applicable U.S. federal income tax rules even though such yield may exceed cash payments, if any, received on such debt instrument.
In addition, in the event that any debt instruments or debt securities acquired by us are delinquent as to mandatory principal and interest payments, or in the event payments with respect to a particular debt instrument are not made when due, we may nonetheless be required to continue to recognize the unpaid interest as taxable income. Similarly, we may be required to accrue interest income with respect to subordinated mortgage-backed securities at the stated rate regardless of whether corresponding cash payments are received.
Finally, we may be required under the terms of indebtedness that we incur to use cash received from interest payments to make principal payments on that indebtedness, with the effect of recognizing income but not having a corresponding amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
As a result of each of these potential timing differences between income recognition or expense deduction and cash receipts or disbursements, there is a risk that we may have taxable income in excess of cash available for distribution. In that event, we may need to borrow funds or take other action to satisfy the REIT distribution requirements for the taxable year in which this phantom income is recognized. See Annual Distribution Requirements Applicable to REITs.
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Asset Tests
At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we must satisfy the following tests relating to the nature of our assets:
| At least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by the following: |
| interests in real property, including leaseholds and options to acquire real property and leaseholds; |
| interests in mortgages on real property; |
| stock in other REITs and debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs; |
| cash and cash items (including certain receivables); |
| government securities; |
| investments in stock or debt instruments attributable to the temporary investment of new capital during the one-year period following our receipt of new capital that we raise through equity offerings or public offerings of debt obligations with at least a five-year term; and |
| regular or residual interests in a REMIC. However, if less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC consists of assets that are qualifying real estate-related assets under U.S. federal income tax laws, determined as if we held such assets directly, we will be treated as holding directly our proportionate share of the assets of such REMIC. |
| Not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by securities, other than those in the 75% asset class described above. |
| Except for securities in taxable REIT subsidiaries and the securities in the 75% asset class described in the first bullet point above, the value of any one issuers securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets. |
| Except for securities in taxable REIT subsidiaries and the securities in the 75% asset class described in the first bullet point above, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuers outstanding voting securities. |
| Except for securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries and the securities in the 75% asset class described in the first bullet point above, we may not own more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer, other than securities that qualify for the straight debt exception or other exceptions discussed below. |
| Not more than 20% of the value of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. |
| Not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by nonqualified publicly offered REIT debt instruments. |
Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by another REIT may not so qualify (although such debt will not be treated as securities for purposes of the 10% value test, as explained below).
Securities, for purposes of the asset tests, may include debt we hold from other issuers. However, debt we hold in an issuer that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test will not be taken into account for purposes of the 10% value test if the debt securities meet the straight debt safe harbor. Subject to certain exceptions, debt will
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meet the straight debt safe harbor if the debt is a written unconditional promise to pay on demand or on a specified date a sum certain in money, the debt is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock, and the interest rate and the interest payment dates of the debt are not contingent on the profits of any person, the borrowers discretion or similar factors. In the case of an issuer that is a corporation or a partnership, securities that otherwise would be considered straight debt will not be so considered if we, and any of our controlled taxable REIT subsidiaries as defined in the Code, hold any securities of the corporate or partnership issuer that (a) are not straight debt or other excluded securities (prior to the application of this rule), and (b) have an aggregate value greater than 1% of the issuers outstanding securities (including, in the case of a partnership issuer, our interest as a partner in the partnership).
In addition to straight debt, the Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the 10% asset test. Such securities include (i) any loan made to an individual or an estate, (ii) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (iii) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (iv) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a non-governmental entity, (v) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT and (vi) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnerships income is of such a nature that the partnership would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under Income Tests. In applying the 10% asset test, a debt security issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or any other excluded security) is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REITs proportionate interest as a partner in that partnership.
Any stock that we hold or acquire in other REITs will be a qualifying asset for purposes of the 75% asset test. However, if a REIT in which we own stock fails to qualify as a REIT in any year, the stock in such REIT will not be a qualifying asset for purposes of the 75% asset test. Instead, we would be subject to the second, third, fourth, and fifth asset tests described above with respect to our investment in such a disqualified REIT. We will also be subject to those assets tests with respect to our investments in any non-REIT C corporations for which we do not make a taxable REIT subsidiary election.
We will monitor the status of our assets for purposes of the various asset tests and will seek to manage our portfolio to comply at all times with such tests. There can be no assurances, however, that we will be successful in this effort. Independent appraisals may not have been obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, the values of some assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.
However, certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. For example, if we failed to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if (i) we satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (ii) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of nonqualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the relative market values of our assets. If the condition described in (ii) were not satisfied, we could nevertheless avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of the relief provisions described above.
In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (i) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REITs total assets and $10,000,000 and (ii) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.
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Even if we did not qualify for the foregoing relief provisions, one additional provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements for a particular tax quarter to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (i) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (ii) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (iii) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate and (iv) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.
Annual Distribution Requirements Applicable to REITs
To qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally must distribute dividends (other than capital gain dividends) to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:
| the sum of (i) 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain and (ii) 90% of our net income after tax, if any, from foreclosure property; minus |
| the excess of the sum of specified items of non-cash income (including original issue discount on our mortgage loans) over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain. |
Distributions generally must be made during the taxable year to which they relate. Distributions may be made in the following year in two circumstances. First, if we declare a dividend in October, November or December of any year with a record date in one of these months and pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following year, we will be treated as having paid the dividend on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared. Second, distributions may be made in the following year if the dividends are declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if made before the first regular dividend payment made after such declaration. These distributions are taxable to our stockholders in the year in which paid, even though the distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement. To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net capital gain or we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax on the undistributed amount at regular corporate tax rates.
To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the tax treatment to our stockholders of any distributions that are actually made.
If we fail to distribute during a calendar year (or, in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last three months of the calendar year, by the end of January following such calendar year) at least the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior years, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior years) and (y) the amounts of income retained on which we have paid corporate income tax.
Although several types of non-cash income are excluded in determining the annual distribution requirement, we will incur corporate income tax and the 4% nondeductible excise tax with respect to those non-cash income items if we do not distribute those items on a current basis. As a result of the foregoing, we may not have sufficient cash to distribute all of our taxable income and thereby avoid corporate income tax and the excise tax imposed on certain undistributed income. In such a situation, we may need to borrow funds or issue additional stock.
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We may elect to retain rather than distribute all or a portion of our net capital gains and pay the tax on the gains. In that case, we may elect to have our stockholders include their proportionate share of the undistributed net capital gains in income as long-term capital gains and receive a credit for their share of the tax paid by us. Our stockholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (i) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, minus (ii) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income. For purposes of the 4% excise tax described above, any retained amounts for which we elect this treatment would be treated as having been distributed.
We intend to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the distribution requirements. However, it is possible that, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of items of income and deduction of expenses by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, we may decide to retain our cash, rather than distribute it, in order to repay debt, acquire assets or for other reasons. In the event that such timing differences occur, and in other circumstances, it may be necessary in order to satisfy the distribution requirements to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings, or to pay the dividends in the form of other property (including, for example, shares of our own stock).
If our taxable income for a particular year is subsequently determined to have been understated, under some circumstances we may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying deficiency dividends to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. However, we will be required to pay interest based upon the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Like-Kind Exchanges
We may dispose of properties in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could require us to pay U.S. federal income tax, possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.
Penalty Tax
Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions, excess interest or redetermined TRS service income we generate will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of any services furnished to any of our tenants by a taxable REIT subsidiary, and redetermined deductions and excess interest represent any amounts that are deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arms length negotiations. Rents that we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Code. Redetermined TRS service income is income earned by a taxable REIT subsidiary that is attributable to services provided to us, or on our behalf to any of our tenants, that is less than the amounts that would have been charged based upon arms length negotiations.
Record Keeping Requirements
We are required to comply with applicable record keeping requirements. Failure to comply could result in monetary fines. For example, we must request on an annual basis information from our stockholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding Common Stock.
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Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements of REIT qualification, other than the income tests or asset requirements, then we may still retain REIT qualification if the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each failure.
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and the relief provisions do not apply, we will be subject to tax on our taxable income as a corporation. This would significantly reduce both our cash available for distribution to our stockholders and our earnings. If we fail to qualify as a REIT, we will not be required to make any distributions to stockholders and any distributions that are made will not be deductible by us. Moreover, all distributions to stockholders would be taxable as dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, whether or not attributable to capital gains of ours. Furthermore, subject to certain limitations in the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction with respect to those distributions, and individual, trust and estate distributees may be eligible for reduced U.S. federal income tax rates on such dividends. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we also will be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost.
Taxation of U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock
U.S. Holder. As used in the remainder of this discussion, the term U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of our Common Stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| a trust if it (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If a partnership (or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding Common Stock, you should consult your advisors. A non-U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of our Common Stock that is neither a U.S. holder nor a partnership (or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes).
Distributions Generally. As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions made by us to our taxable U.S. holders out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits that are not designated as capital gain dividends or qualified dividend income will be taken into account by them as ordinary income taxable at ordinary income tax rates and will not qualify for the reduced capital gains rates that currently generally apply to distributions by non-REIT C corporations to certain non-corporate U.S. holders. In determining the extent to which a distribution constitutes a dividend for tax purposes, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to distributions with respect to our preferred stock, if any, and then to our Common Stock. Corporate stockholders will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction with respect to these distributions. Under the recently enacted tax reform legislation (the Tax Reform Bill), U.S. holders that are individuals, trusts and estates generally may deduct 20% of qualified REIT dividends (i.e., REIT dividends other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income eligible for capital gain tax rates). The overall deduction is limited to 20% of the sum of the taxpayers taxable income (less net capital gain) and certain cooperative dividends, subject to further limitations based on taxable income. The deduction, if allowed in full, equates to a maximum effective U.S. federal income tax rate on ordinary REIT dividends of 29.6%. As with the other
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individual income tax changes, the deduction provisions are effective beginning in 2018. Without further legislation, the deduction would sunset after 2025.
Investors considering buying shares just prior to a dividend or capital gain distribution should be aware that, although the price of shares purchased at that time may reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution, such dividend or distribution may nevertheless be taxable to them.
Distributions in excess of both current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a U.S. holder to the extent that the distributions do not exceed the adjusted basis of the holders stock. Rather, such distributions will reduce the adjusted basis of the stock. To the extent that distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a U.S. holders stock, the U.S. holder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less.
Distributions will generally be taxable, if at all, in the year of the distribution. However, if we declare a dividend in October, November or December of any year with a record date in one of these months and pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following year, we will be treated as having paid the dividend, and the stockholder will be treated as having received the dividend, on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.
We will be treated as having sufficient earnings and profits to treat as a dividend any distribution we pay up to the amount required to be distributed in order to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax discussed above. Moreover, any deficiency dividend will be treated as an ordinary or capital gain dividend, as the case may be, regardless of our earnings and profits. As a result, U.S. holders may be required to treat certain distributions that would otherwise result in a tax-free return of capital as taxable dividends.
Capital Gain Dividends. We may elect to designate distributions of our net capital gain as capital gain dividends to the extent that such distributions do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year. Capital gain dividends are taxed to U.S. holders of our stock as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset held for more than one year. This tax treatment applies regardless of the period during which the stockholders have held their stock. If we designate any portion of a dividend as a capital gain dividend, the amount that will be taxable to the stockholder as capital gain will be indicated to U.S. holders on IRS Form 1099-DIV. Corporate stockholders, however, may be required to treat up to 20% of capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Capital gain dividends are not eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations.
Instead of paying capital gain dividends, we may elect to require stockholders to include our undistributed net capital gains in their income. If we make such an election, U.S. holders (i) will include in their income as long- term capital gains their proportionate share of such undistributed capital gains and (ii) will be deemed to have paid their proportionate share of the tax paid by us on such undistributed capital gains and thereby receive a credit or refund to the extent that the tax paid by us exceeds the U.S. holders tax liability on the undistributed capital gain. A U.S. holder of our stock will increase the basis in its stock by the difference between the amount of capital gain included in its income and the amount of tax it is deemed to have paid. A U.S. holder that is a corporation will appropriately adjust its earnings and profits for the retained capital gain in accordance with Treasury regulations to be prescribed by the IRS. Our earnings and profits will be adjusted appropriately.
We must classify portions of our designated capital gain dividend into the following categories:
| a 20% gain distribution, which would be taxable to non-corporate U.S. holders of our stock at a federal rate of up to 20%; or |
| an unrecaptured Section 1250 gain distribution, which would be taxable to non-corporate U.S. holders of our stock at a maximum rate of 25%. |
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We must determine the maximum amounts that we may designate as 20% and 25% capital gain dividends by performing the computation required by the Code as if the REIT were an individual whose ordinary income were subject to a marginal tax rate of at least 28%. The IRS currently requires that distributions made to different classes of stock be comprised proportionately of dividends of a particular type.
Passive Activity Loss and Investment Interest Limitation. Distributions that we make and gains arising from the disposition of our Common Stock by a U.S. holder will not be treated as passive activity income, and therefore U.S. holders will not be able to apply any passive activity losses against such income. Dividends paid by us, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, will generally be treated as investment income for purposes of the investment income limitation on the deduction of the investment interest.
Qualified Dividend Income. Distributions that are treated as dividends may be taxed at capital gains rates, rather than ordinary income rates, if they are distributed to an individual, trust or estate, are properly designated by us as qualified dividend income and certain other requirements are satisfied. Dividends are eligible to be designated by us as qualified dividend income up to an amount equal to the sum of the qualified dividend income received by us during the year of the distribution from other C corporations such as taxable REIT subsidiaries, our undistributed REIT taxable income from the immediately preceding year, and any income attributable to the sale of a built-in gain asset from the immediately preceding year (reduced by any U.S. federal income taxes that we paid with respect to such REIT taxable income and built-in gain).
Dividends that we receive will be treated as qualified dividend income to us if certain criteria are met. The dividends must be received from a domestic corporation (other than a REIT or a regulated investment company) or a qualifying foreign corporation. A foreign corporation generally will be a qualifying foreign corporation if it is incorporated in a possession of the United States, the corporation is eligible for benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States which the Secretary of Treasury determines is satisfactory, or the stock on which the dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. However, if a foreign corporation is a foreign personal holding company, a foreign investment company or a passive foreign investment company, then it will not be treated as a qualifying foreign corporation, and the dividends we receive from such an entity would not constitute qualified dividend income.
Furthermore, certain exceptions and special rules apply to determine whether dividends may be treated as qualified dividend income to us. These rules include certain holding requirements that we would have to satisfy with respect to the stock on which the dividend is paid, and special rules with regard to dividends received from regulated investment companies and other REITs.
In addition, even if we designate certain dividends as qualified dividend income to our stockholders, the stockholder will have to meet certain other requirements for the dividend to qualify for taxation at capital gains rates. For example, the stockholder will only be eligible to treat the dividend as qualifying dividend income if the stockholder is taxed at individual rates and meets certain holding requirements. In general, in order to treat a particular dividend as qualified dividend income, a stockholder will be required to hold our stock for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend.
Other Tax Considerations. To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, are not passed through to stockholders and do not offset income of stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses affect the character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.
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Sales of Our Common Stock. Upon any taxable sale or other disposition of our Common Stock (except pursuant to a repurchase by us, as described below), a U.S. holder of our Common Stock will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between:
| the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on such disposition; and |
| the U.S. holders adjusted basis in such Common Stock for tax purposes. |
Gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the Common Stock has been held by the U.S. holder as a capital asset. The applicable tax rate will depend on the holders holding period in the asset (generally, if an asset has been held for more than one year, it will produce long-term capital gain) and the holders tax bracket.
In general, any loss upon a sale or exchange of our Common Stock by a U.S. holder who has held such stock for six months or less (after applying certain holding period rules) will be treated as a long-term capital loss, but only to the extent of distributions from us received by such U.S. holder that are required to be treated by such U.S. holder as long-term capital gains.
Repurchases of Our Common Stock. A repurchase of our Common Stock will be treated as a distribution in exchange for the repurchased shares and taxed in the same manner as any other taxable sale or other disposition of our Common Stock discussed above, provided that the repurchase satisfies one of the tests enabling the repurchase to be treated as a sale or exchange. A repurchase will generally be treated as a sale or exchange if it (i) results in a complete termination of the holders interest in our Common Stock, (ii) results in a substantially disproportionate redemption with respect to the holder, or (iii) is not essentially equivalent to a dividend with respect to the holder. In determining whether any of these tests has been met, Common Stock actually owned, as well as Common Stock considered to be owned by the holder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in Section 318 of the Code, generally must be taken into account. The sale of Common Stock pursuant to a repurchase generally will result in a substantially disproportionate redemption with respect to a holder if the percentage of our then outstanding voting stock owned by the holder immediately after the sale is less than 80% of the percentage of our voting stock owned by the holder determined immediately before the sale. The sale of Common Stock pursuant to a repurchase generally will be treated as not essentially equivalent to a dividend with respect to a holder if the reduction in the holders proportionate interest in our stock as a result of our repurchase constitutes a meaningful reduction of such holders interest.
A repurchase that does not qualify as an exchange under such tests will constitute a dividend equivalent repurchase that is treated as a taxable distribution and taxed in the same manner as regular distributions, as described above under Distributions Generally. In addition, although guidance is sparse, the IRS could take the position that a holder who does not participate in any repurchase treated as a dividend should be treated as receiving a constructive distribution of our Common Stock taxable as a dividend in the amount of their increased percentage ownership of our Common Stock as a result of the repurchase, even though the holder did not actually receive cash or other property as a result of the repurchase.
Medicare Tax. Certain U.S. holders, including individuals and estates and trusts, are subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their net investment income, which includes net gain from a sale or exchange of Common Stock and income from dividends paid on Common Stock. U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the Medicare tax.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock
The rules governing the U.S. federal income taxation of non-U.S. holders are complex. This section is only a summary of such rules. We urge non-U.S. holders to consult their own tax advisors to determine the impact of federal, state and local income tax laws on ownership of the Common Stock, including any reporting requirements.
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Distributions. Distributions by us to a non-U.S. holder on our Common Stock that are neither attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of U.S. real property interests nor designated by us as capital gains dividends will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. These distributions generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a gross basis at a rate of 30%, or a lower rate as may be specified under an applicable income tax treaty, unless the dividends are treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business within the United States. Under some treaties, however, lower rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from REITs. Further, reduced treaty rates are not available to the extent the income allocated to the non-U.S. holder is excess inclusion income. Dividends that are effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment) will be subject to tax on a net basis, that is, after allowance for deductions, at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. holders are taxed with respect to these dividends, and are generally not subject to withholding. Applicable certification and disclosure requirements must be satisfied to be exempt from withholding under the effectively connected income exception. Any dividends received by a corporate non-U.S. holder that is engaged in a trade or business within the United States may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, or lower applicable treaty rate.
A non-U.S. holder of our Common Stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate and avoid backup withholding, as discussed below, for our ordinary dividends will be required (i) to complete the applicable IRS Form W-8 and certify under penalty of perjury that such holder is not a U.S. person as defined under the Code and is eligible for treaty benefits or (ii) if our Common Stock is held through certain foreign intermediaries, to satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable Treasury regulations. Special certification and other requirements apply to certain non-U.S. holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.
A non-U.S. holder of our Common Stock eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Distributions that are neither attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests nor designated as capital gains dividends and that are in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits that do not exceed the adjusted basis of the non-U.S. holder in its Common Stock will reduce the non-U.S. holders adjusted basis in its Common Stock and will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Distributions that are neither attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests nor designated as capital gains dividends and that are in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits that do exceed the adjusted basis of the non-U.S. holder in its Common Stock will be treated as gain from the sale of its stock, the tax treatment of which is described below under Sales of Our Common Stock. Because we generally cannot determine at the time we make a distribution whether or not the distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, we normally will withhold tax on the entire amount of any distribution at the same rate as we would withhold on a dividend.
We would be required to withhold at least 15% of any distribution to a non-U.S. holder in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits if our Common Stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest with respect to such non-U.S. holder, as described below under Sales of Our Common Stock. This withholding would apply even if a lower treaty rate otherwise applies or the non-U.S. holder is not liable for tax on the receipt of that distribution. However, a non-U.S. holder may seek a refund of these amounts from the IRS if the non-U.S. holders U.S. tax liability with respect to the distribution is less than the amount withheld.
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Distributions to a non-U.S. holder that are designated by us at the time of the distribution as capital gain dividends, other than those arising from the disposition of a U.S. real property interest, generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless:
| The investment in the Common Stock is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder), in which case the non-U.S. holder will generally be subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to any gain, except that a holder that is a foreign corporation also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax, as discussed above; or |
| The non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the distribution and has a tax home in the United States, in which case the individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individuals capital gains. |
Under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA), distributions to a non-U.S. holder that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of U.S. real property interests, whether or not designated as capital gain dividends, will cause the non-U.S. holder to be treated as recognizing gain that is income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. Non-U.S. holders will be taxed on this gain at the same rates applicable to U.S. holders, subject to a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. Also, this gain may be subject to a 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. A distribution is not attributable to a U.S. real property interest if we held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor.
We will be required to withhold and remit to the IRS the highest rate of U.S. federal income tax applicable to each non-U.S. holder, based on the status of such holder, of any distributions to non-U.S. holders that are designated as capital gain dividends, or, if greater, the highest rate of U.S. federal income tax applicable to each non-U.S. holder, based on the status of such holder, of a distribution that could have been designated as a capital gain dividend, whether or not attributable to sales of U.S. real property interests. Distributions can be designated as capital gain dividends to the extent of our net capital gain for the taxable year of the distribution. The amount withheld, which for individual non-U.S. holders may exceed the actual tax liability, is creditable against the non-U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability.
However, the above withholding tax will not apply to any capital gain dividend with respect to (i) any class of our stock which is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States if the non-U.S. holder did not own more than 10% of such class of stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of such dividend or (ii) a qualified shareholder or a qualified foreign pension fund. Instead, any capital gain dividend will be treated as a distribution subject to the rules discussed above under Distributions. Also, the branch profits tax would not apply to such a distribution. However, it is not anticipated that our Common Stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market.
Although the law is not clear on the matter, it appears that amounts we designate as undistributed capital gains in respect of the stock held by U.S. holders generally should be treated with respect to non-U.S. holders in the same manner as actual distributions by us of capital gain dividends. Under that approach, the non-U.S. holders would be able to offset as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability resulting therefrom their proportionate share of the tax paid by us on the undistributed capital gains, and to receive from the IRS a refund to the extent that their proportionate share of this tax paid by us were to exceed their actual U.S. federal income tax liability. If we were to designate a portion of our net capital gain as undistributed capital gain, a non-U.S. holder is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the taxation of such undistributed capital gain.
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Sales of Our Common Stock. Subject to the discussion below under Repurchases of Our Common Stock, gain recognized by a non-U.S. holder upon the sale or exchange of our stock generally would not be subject to U.S. taxation unless:
| the investment in our Common Stock is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holders conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder), in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as domestic holders with respect to any gain; |
| the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the United States, in which case the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individuals net capital gains for the taxable year; or |
| the non-U.S. holder is not a qualified shareholder or a qualified foreign pension fund (each as defined below) and our Common Stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest within the meaning of FIRPTA, as described below. |
We anticipate that our Common Stock will constitute a U.S. real property interest within the meaning of FIRPTA unless we are a domestically-controlled REIT. We will be a domestically-controlled REIT if, at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of our stock is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders. No assurance can be given, however, that we are or will be a domestically-controlled REIT.
Even if we were not a domestically-controlled REIT, a sale of Common Stock by a non-U.S. holder would nevertheless not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA as a sale of a U.S. real property interest if:
| our Common Stock were regularly traded on an established securities market within the meaning of applicable Treasury regulations; and |
| the non-U.S. holder did not actually, or constructively under specified attribution rules under the Code, own more than 10% of our Common Stock at any time during the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or the holders holding period. |
However, it is not anticipated that our Common Stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market. If gain on the sale or exchange of our Common Stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder would be subject to regular U.S. income tax with respect to any gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. holder, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. In such a case, under FIRPTA the purchaser of Common Stock may be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price and remit this amount to the IRS.
Qualified Shareholders. Subject to the exception discussed below, a qualified shareholder who holds our Common Stock directly or indirectly (through one or more partnerships) will not be subject to FIRPTA withholding on distributions by us or dispositions of our Common Stock. While a qualified shareholder will not be subject to FIRPTA withholding on distributions by us or dispositions of our Common Stock, certain investors of a qualified shareholder (i.e., non-U.S. persons who hold interests in the qualified shareholder (other than interests solely as a creditor), and hold more than 10% of our Common Stock (whether or not by reason of the investors ownership in the qualified shareholder)) may be subject to FIRPTA withholding.
A qualified shareholder is a non-U.S. person that (i) either is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty which includes an exchange of information program and whose principal class of interests is listed and regularly traded on one or more recognized stock exchanges (as defined in such comprehensive income tax treaty), or is a foreign partnership that is created or organized under foreign law as a limited partnership in a jurisdiction that has an agreement for the exchange of information with respect to taxes with the United States and has a class of limited partnership units representing greater than 50% of the value of all the partnership units that is regularly traded on the NYSE or NASDAQ markets, (ii) is a qualified collective investment vehicle
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(within the meaning of Section 897(k)(3)(B) of the Code), and (iii) maintains records on the identity of each person who, at any time during the foreign persons taxable year, is the direct owner of 5% or more of the class of interests or units (as applicable) described in (i), above.
Qualified Foreign Pension Funds. Any distribution to a qualified foreign pension fund (or an entity all of the interests of which are held by a qualified foreign pension fund) who holds our Common Stock directly or indirectly (through one or more partnerships) will not be subject to FIRPTA withholding on distributions by us or dispositions of our Common Stock.
A qualified foreign pension fund is any trust, corporation, or other organization or arrangement (i) which is created or organized under the law of a country other than the United States, (ii) which is established (a) by such country (or one or more political subdivisions thereof) to provide retirement or pension benefits to participants or beneficiaries that are current or former employees (including self-employed individuals) or persons designated by such employees, as a result of services rendered by such employees to their employers or (b) by one or more employers to provide retirement or pension benefits to participants or beneficiaries that are current or former employees (including self-employed individuals) or persons designated by such employees in consideration for services rendered by such employees to such employers, (iii) which does not have a single participant or beneficiary with a right to more than 5% of its assets or income, (iv) which is subject to government regulation and with respect to which annual information reporting about its beneficiaries is provided, or is otherwise available, to the relevant tax authorities in the country in which it is established or operates, and (v) with respect to which, under the laws of the country in which it is established or operates, (a) contributions to such organization or arrangement that would otherwise be subject to tax under such laws are deductible or excluded from the gross income of such entity or arrangement or taxed at a reduced rate, or (b) taxation of any investment income of such organization or arrangement is deferred or such income is excluded from the gross income of such entity or arrangement or is taxed at a reduced rate.
We urge non-U.S. holders to consult their own tax advisers to determine their eligibility for exemption from FIRPTA withholding and their qualification as a qualified shareholder or a qualified foreign pension fund.
Repurchases of Our Common Stock. A repurchase of our Common Stock that is not treated as a sale or exchange will be taxed in the same manner as regular distributions under the rules described above. See Taxation of U.S. Holders of Our Common StockRepurchases of Our Common Stock for a discussion of when a redemption will be treated as a sale or exchange and related matters.
A repurchase of our Common Stock generally will be subject to tax under FIRPTA to the extent the distribution in the repurchase is attributable to gains from our dispositions of U.S. real property interests. To the extent the distribution is not attributable to gains from our dispositions of U.S. real property interests, the excess of the amount of money received in the repurchase over the non-U.S. holders basis in the repurchased shares will be treated in the manner described above under Sales of Our Common Stock. The IRS has released an official notice stating that repurchase payments may be attributable to gains from dispositions of U.S. real property interests (except when the 10% publicly traded exception would apply), but has not provided any guidance to determine when and what portion of a repurchase payment is a distribution that is attributable to gains from our dispositions of U.S. real property interests. Due to the uncertainty, we may withhold at the highest rate of U.S. federal income tax applicable to each non-U.S. holder, based on the status of such holder, from all or a portion of repurchase payments to non-U.S. holders other than qualified shareholders or qualified foreign pension funds. To the extent the amount of tax we withhold exceeds the amount of a non-U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability, the non-U.S. holder may file a U.S. federal income tax return and claim a refund.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Returns. If a non-U.S. holder is subject to taxation under FIRPTA on proceeds from the sale of our Common Stock or on distributions we make, the non-U.S. holder will be required to file a U.S. federal
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income tax return. Prospective non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors to determine the impact of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income tax laws on their ownership of our Common Stock, including any reporting requirements.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt Holders of Our Common Stock
Provided that a tax-exempt holder has not held its Common Stock as debt-financed property within the meaning of the Code and our shares of stock are not being used in an unrelated trade or business, dividend income from us generally will not be unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) to a tax-exempt holder. Similarly, income from the sale of our Common Stock will not constitute UBTI unless the tax-exempt holder has held its Common Stock as debt-financed property within the meaning of the Code or has used the Common Stock in a trade or business.
Further, for a tax-exempt holder that is a social club, voluntary employee benefit association, supplemental unemployment benefit trust or qualified group legal services plan exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, or a single parent title-holding corporation exempt under Section 501(c)(2) the income of which is payable to any of the aforementioned tax-exempt organizations, income from an investment in our Common Stock will constitute UBTI unless the organization properly sets aside or reserves such amounts for purposes specified in the Code. These tax-exempt holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning these set aside and reserve requirements.
Notwithstanding the above, however, a portion of the dividends paid by a pension-held REIT are treated as UBTI as to any trust which is described in Section 401(a) of the Code, is tax-exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code, and holds more than 10%, by value, of the interests in the REIT. Tax-exempt pension funds that are described in Section 401(a) of the Code are referred to below as pension trusts.
A REIT is a pension-held REIT if it meets the following two tests:
| it would not have qualified as a REIT but for Section 856(h)(3) of the Code, which provides that stock owned by pension trusts will be treated, for purposes of determining whether the REIT is closely held, as owned by the beneficiaries of the trust rather than by the trust itself; and |
| either (i) at least one pension trust holds more than 25% of the value of the interests in the REIT, or (ii) a group of pension trusts each individually holding more than 10% of the value of the REITs stock, collectively owns more than 50% of the value of the REITs stock. |
The percentage of any REIT dividend from a pension-held REIT that is treated as UBTI is equal to the ratio of the UBTI earned by the REIT, treating the REIT as if it were a pension trust and therefore subject to tax on UBTI, to the total gross income of the REIT. An exception applies where the percentage is less than 5% for any year, in which case none of the dividends would be treated as UBTI. The provisions requiring pension trusts to treat a portion of REIT distributions as UBTI will not apply if the REIT is not a pension-held REIT (for example, if the REIT is able to satisfy the not closely held requirement without relying on the look through exception with respect to pension trusts).
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Holders who participate in the dividend reinvestment plan will recognize taxable income in the amount they would have received had they elected not to participate, even though they receive no cash. These deemed distributions will be treated as actual distributions from us to the participating holders and will retain the character and U.S. federal income tax effects applicable to all distributions. Stock received under the plan will have a holding period beginning with the day after purchase, and a U.S. federal income tax basis equal to its cost, which is the gross amount of the deemed distribution. Because of our charters restrictions on the number of shares of our stock that a person may own, we do not anticipate that we will become a pension-held REIT.
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Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting
U.S. Holders of Common Stock. In general, information-reporting requirements will apply to payments of dividends and proceeds of the sale of our Common Stock held by U.S. holders, unless such U.S. holder is an exempt recipient. A backup withholding tax may apply to such payments if such U.S. holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number or certification of other exempt status or fails to report in full dividend or interest income. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any U.S. holders who fail to certify their U.S. status to us. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Brokers that are required to report the gross proceeds from a sale of our Common Stock on IRS Form 1099-B will also be required to report the customers adjusted basis in the Common Stock sold and whether any gain or loss with respect to such stock is long-term or short-term. In some cases, there may be alternative methods of determining the basis in the Common Stock sold, in which case your broker will apply a default method of its choosing if you do not indicate which method you choose to have applied. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding these reporting requirements and their election options.
Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock. We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
A non-U.S. holder will be subject to backup withholding for dividends paid to such holder unless such holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of our Common Stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the Treasury, which may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and interpretations. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our Common Stock.
State and Local Taxes
We and our stockholders may be subject to state or local taxation in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which we or they transact business or reside. Our state and local tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Consequently, prospective stockholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in our Common Stock.
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Tax Shelter Reporting
If a stockholder recognizes a loss with respect to stock of $2 million or more for an individual stockholder or $10 million or more for a corporate stockholder, the stockholder must file a disclosure statement with the IRS on Form 8886. Direct stockholders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempt from this reporting requirement, but stockholders of a REIT currently are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Stockholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Additional Withholding Requirements
Under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as FATCA), a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax may apply to any ordinary dividends and other distributions that we pay to (i) a foreign financial institution (as specifically defined in the Code) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) its compliance (or deemed compliance) with FATCA (which may alternatively be in the form of compliance with an intergovernmental agreement with the United States) in a manner that avoids withholding, or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity (as specifically defined in the Code) which does not provide sufficient documentation, typically on IRS Form W-8BEN-E, evidencing either (x) an exemption from FATCA, or (y) adequate information regarding certain substantial U.S. beneficial owners of such entity (if any). If a dividend payment is both subject to withholding under FATCA and subject to withholding tax discussed above, the withholding under FATCA may be credited against, and therefore reduce, such other withholding tax. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of this legislation in light of their individual circumstances.
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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
A control person is a person who beneficially owns more than 25% of the voting securities of a company. Legg Mason has provided the initial capitalization of the Fund and therefore is a control person because it is the sole stockholder of the Fund as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information. However, it is anticipated that once the Fund commences the offering of Common Stock, Legg Masons control will be diluted until such time as it is no longer deemed a control person of the Fund.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, provides auditing and limited tax services to the Fund and is located at 100 East Pratt Street, Suite 2600, Baltimore, MD 21202.
The custodian of the assets of the Fund will be The Bank of New York Mellon, located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286. The custodian performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services.
A Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the Common Stock offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC in Washington, D.C. The Funds prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the Common Stock offered hereby, reference is made to the Funds Registration Statement. Statements contained in the Funds prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. Copies of the Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at the SECs principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from the SEC upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the SEC or on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc. (the Fund) as of March 28, 2019 and the related statement of operations for the one day period ended March 28, 2019, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of March 28, 2019 and the results of its operations for the one day period ended March 28, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
April 12, 2019
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Legg Mason investment company group since at least 1973. We have not been able to determine the specific year we began serving as auditor.
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Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
March 28, 2019 | ||||
Assets |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 100,000 | ||
Deferred offering costs |
1,346,746 | |||
Receivable from Advisor |
104,000 | |||
|
|
|||
Total Assets |
$ | 1,550,746 | ||
|
|
|||
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
||||
Accrued offering costs |
$ | 1,346,746 | ||
Payable for organizational expenses |
104,000 | |||
|
|
|||
Total Liabilities |
$ | 1,450,746 | ||
Total Net Assets |
$ | 100,000 | ||
|
|
|||
Net Assets |
||||
Par value ($0.001 par value per share, 400 million shares authorized, 10,000 Class I shares issued and outstanding) |
1 | |||
|
|
|||
Paid-in capital in excess of par value |
99,9999 | |||
|
|
|||
Total Net Assets |
$ | 100,000 | ||
|
|
|||
Class I Net Asset Value |
$ | 10.00 | ||
|
|
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Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc.
Statement of Operations
For the one day period ended March 28, 2019
Investment Income |
||||
Investment income |
$ | | ||
|
|
|||
Expenses |
||||
Organizational expenses |
$ | 104,000 | ||
|
|
|||
Total expenses |
104,000 | |||
|
|
|||
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements |
(104,000 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Net expenses |
$ | | ||
|
|
|||
Net investment income |
$ | | ||
|
|
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Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
March 28, 2019
Note 1 Organization
Clarion Partners Real Estate Income Fund Inc. (the Fund) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), that intends to continuously offer its shares. The Fund is a Maryland corporation and intends to elect to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (a REIT) for U.S. federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The Fund has not yet commenced investment operations, but has issued 10,000 shares of Class I common stock to Legg Mason Inc. (Legg Mason).
Note 2 Significant Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements.
Organization Costs
Organizational costs are expensed by the Fund as incurred.
Federal Income Taxes
The Fund intends to elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT. The Funds qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon the Funds ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, certain qualification tests set forth in the U.S. federal tax laws. Those qualification tests involve the percentage of income that the Fund earns from specified sources, the percentage of the Funds assets that falls within specified categories, the diversity of the ownership of the Funds shares, and the percentage of the Funds taxable income that the Fund distributes. No assurance can be given that the Fund will in fact satisfy such requirements for any taxable year. If the Fund qualifies as a REIT, the Fund generally will be allowed to deduct dividends paid to stockholders and, as a result, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that portion of the Funds ordinary income and net capital gain that the Fund annually distributes to stockholders, as long as the Fund meets the minimum distribution requirements under the Code. The Fund intends to make distributions to stockholders on a regular basis as necessary to avoid material U.S. federal income tax and to comply with the REIT distribution requirements.
Note 3 Management Agreement and Transactions with Affiliates
Legg Mason Partners Fund Adviser, LLC (LMPFA) will be the Funds investment manager and will supervise the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio by the Funds subadviser. LMPFA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, is a registered investment adviser and will provide administrative and management services to the Fund. LMPFA will receive an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.25% of the Funds average daily net assets.
Clarion Partners, LLC (Clarion Partners) will be the Funds subadviser. Clarion Partners, an affiliate of Legg Mason, is a registered investment adviser and will be responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the
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Fund subject to the supervision of the Funds Board of Directors and LMPFA. Clarion Partners will receive an annual subadvisory fee, payable monthly, from LMPFA in an amount equal to 70% of the management fee paid to LMPFA, net of expense waivers and reimbursements. No subadvisory fee will be paid by the Fund directly to Clarion Partners.
Western Asset Management Company, LLC (Western Asset) is the Funds securities subadviser. Western Asset, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason and an affiliate of LMPFA and Clarion Partners, is a registered investment adviser and will have day-to-day responsibility for managing the portion of the Funds securities investments allocated to it by Clarion Partners, including Publicly Traded Real Estate Securities and investments in cash, cash equivalents and other short-term investments to facilitate liquidity for the quarterly repurchases of Common Stock. LMPFA, and not the Fund, will pay Western Asset a fee based on the assets of the Fund allocated to Western Asset by Clarion Partners.
All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.
LMPFA has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse the expenses (including organizational and offering expenses, but excluding property management, acquisition, disposition expenses, any other expenses related to investments in real property, debt and real-estate related securities, interest, brokerage, tax and extraordinary expenses) to the extent necessary to ensure that the total annual Fund operating expenses attributable to Class S Shares, Class T Shares, Class D Shares and Class I Shares will not exceed 2.60%, 2.60%, 2.00% and 1.75%, respectively, of average net assets of that class per year. These arrangements cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2020 without the consent of the Board of Directors of the Fund. LMPFA is permitted to recapture amounts forgone or reimbursed within three years after the fiscal year in which LMPFA earned the fee or incurred the expense if the total annual Fund operating expenses have fallen to a level below the limits described above. In no case will LMPFA recapture any amount that would result in the total annual Fund operating expenses exceeding such limits.
Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (LMIS), a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Legg Mason, is the principal underwriter and distributor of the Common Stock pursuant to a distribution agreement with the Fund. The Fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan and under that plan the Fund pays service and/or distribution fees with respect to its Class D, Class S and Class T shares calculated at the annual rate of 0.25%, 0.85% and 0.85% of the average daily net assets of each class, respectively. Service and/or distribution fees are accrued daily and paid monthly.
As of March 28, 2019, Legg Mason and its affiliates owned 100% of the Fund.
Note 4 Organization and Offering Costs
Organization costs of $104,000, which have been incurred through March 28, 2019, were expensed by the Fund and will be reimbursed by LMPFA and will be subject to recapture as described in Note 3. Offering costs of $1,346,746 have been deferred and will be amortized to expense over twelve months on a straight-line basis after operations begin.
Note 5 Subsequent Events
The Fund has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date which the financial statements were issued and determined that there were none.
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DESCRIPTION OF S&P, MOODYS AND FITCH
The definitions of the applicable rating symbols are set forth below:
Standard & Poors CorporationA brief description of the applicable Standard & Poors Corporation (S&P) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by S&P) follows:
AAA |
An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poors. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong. | |
AA |
An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong. | |
A |
An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong. | |
BBB |
An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
BB, B, CCC, CC, and C |
Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. | |
BB |
An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
B |
An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligors capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
CCC |
An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. | |
CC |
An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. |
A-1
C |
A C rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among others, the C rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instruments terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par. | |
D |
An obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation, including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poors believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. An obligations rating is lowered to D upon completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par. | |
PLUS (+) OR MINUS () |
The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus () sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories. | |
N.R. |
This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poors does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy. |
Moodys Investors Service, Inc.A brief description of the applicable Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moodys) follows:
Long-Term Rating Definitions:
Aaa |
Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk. | |
Aa |
Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk. | |
A |
Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk. | |
Baa |
Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics. | |
Ba |
Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk. | |
B |
Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. | |
Caa |
Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk. |
A-2
Ca |
Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. | |
C |
Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest. |
Note: Moodys appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
Absence of Rating: Where no rating has been assigned or where a rating has been suspended or withdrawn, it may be for reasons unrelated to the quality of the issue.
Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:
1. An application for rating was not received or accepted.
2. The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities or companies that are not rated as a matter of policy.
3. There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer.
4. The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not published in Moodys publications.
Suspension or withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise, the effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer available reasonable up-to-date data to permit a judgment to be formed; if a bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.
Short Term Rating Definitions:
Moodys short term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short term programs or to individual short term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.
Moodys employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
P-1 |
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime 1 have a superior ability to repay short term debt obligations. | |
P-2 |
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime 2 have a strong ability to repay short term debt obligations. | |
P-3 |
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime 3 have an acceptable ability to repay short term obligations. | |
NP |
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories. |
A-3
Fitch Ratings, Inc.A brief description of the applicable Fitch Ratings, Inc. (Fitch) ratings symbols and meanings (as published by Fitch) follows:
Long-Term Ratings ScalesIssuer Credit Ratings Scales
AAA |
Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events. | |
AA |
Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events. | |
A |
High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings. | |
BBB |
Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. | |
BB |
Speculative. BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments. | |
B |
Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment. | |
CCC |
Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility. | |
CC |
Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable. | |
C |
Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a C category rating for an issuer include: | |
a the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation; | ||
b. the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; or | ||
c. Fitch otherwise believes a condition of RD or D to be imminent or inevitable, including through the formal announcement of a coercive debt exchange. |
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RD |
Restricted default. RD ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitchs opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased business. This would include: | |
a. the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt; | ||
b. the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation; | ||
c. the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or | ||
d. execution of a coercive debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations. | ||
D |
Default. D ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitchs opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business. |
Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a coercive debt exchange.
Imminent default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a coercive debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.
In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agencys opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuers financial obligations or local commercial practice.
Note: The modifiers + or may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.
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Short-Term RatingsShort-Term Ratings Assigned to Obligations in Corporate, Public and Structured Finance
A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as short term based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.
F1 |
Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added + to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature. | |
F2 |
Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. | |
F3 |
Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate. | |
B |
Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions. | |
C |
High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility. | |
RD |
Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Applicable to entity ratings only. | |
D |
Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a specific short-term obligation. |
Notes to Long-term and Short-term ratings for Fitch:
NR indicates that Fitch does not rate the issuer or issue in question.
Withdrawn: A rating is withdrawn when Fitch deems the amount of information available to be inadequate for rating purposes, or when an obligation matures, is called, or refinanced.
Rating Watch: Ratings are placed on Rating Watch to notify investors that there is a reasonable probability of a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as Positive, indicating a potential upgrade, Negative, for a potential downgrade, or Evolving, if ratings may be raised, lowered or maintained. Rating Watch is typically resolved over a relatively short period.
A Rating Outlook indicates the direction a rating is likely to move over a one to two year period. Outlooks may be positive, stable, or negative. A positive or negative Rating Outlook does not imply a rating change is inevitable. Similarly, ratings for which outlooks are stable could be downgraded before an outlook moves to positive or negative if circumstances warrant such an action. Occasionally, Fitch may be unable to identify the fundamental trend. In these cases, the Rating Outlook may be described as evolving.
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LEGG MASON PARTNERS FUND ADVISOR, LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICY
LMPFA delegates to each sub-adviser the responsibility for voting proxies for its funds, as applicable, through its contracts with each sub-adviser. Each sub-adviser may use its own proxy voting policies and procedures to vote proxies of the funds if the funds Board reviews and approves the use of those policies and procedures. Accordingly, LMPFA does not expect to have proxy-voting responsibility for any of the funds.
Should LMPFA become responsible for voting proxies for any reason, such as the inability of a sub-adviser to provide investment advisory services, LMPFA shall utilize the proxy voting guidelines established by the most recent sub-adviser to vote proxies until a new sub-adviser is retained and the use of its proxy voting policies and procedures is authorized by the Board. In the case of a material conflict between the interests of LMPFA (or its affiliates if such conflict is known to persons responsible for voting at LMPFA) and any fund, the Board of Directors of LMPFA shall consider how to address the conflict and/or how to vote the proxies. LMPFA shall maintain records of all proxy votes in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations.
LMPFA shall be responsible for gathering relevant documents and records related to proxy voting from each sub-adviser and providing them to the funds as required for the funds to comply with applicable rules under the Investment Company Act of 1940. LMPFA shall also be responsible for coordinating the provision of information to the Board with regard to the proxy voting policies and procedures of each sub-adviser, including the actual proxy voting policies and procedures of each sub-adviser, changes to such policies and procedures, and reports on the administration of such policies and procedures.
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CLARION PARTNERS, LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
With the exception of certain investment strategies and products, Clarion does not typically acquire securities that require it to vote proxies on behalf of its clients. In the event that such securities are acquired or managed, the following procedure is designed to ensure that proxy matters are handled in the best interest of clients and as required by applicable law and pursuant to investment management agreements. Specific business divisions of Clarion may maintain tailored proxy voting subprocedures separate from, though complementary to, the below. Clarion will be responsible for proxy voting strictly for those clients whose investment management agreements explicitly so indicate.
Once proxy voting forms are received by a Clarion portfolio manager, they will be handled in the following manner:
1. | Proxies will be reviewed by the portfolio manager to determine the accounts impacted. |
2. | The portfolio manager shall vote all proxies in accordance with product-specific proxy voting guidelines and keep a log of all such votes. The portfolio manager is not responsible for voting proxies not received; clients are advised to facilitate receipt of upcoming relevant proxy votes with their custodians. |
3. | If the proxy presents a potential conflict of interest (or the appearance of such a conflict), the portfolio manager will advise the Legal and Compliance Department and the appropriate Investment Committee(s) of the upcoming vote, the reason for the potential conflict of interest, and his or her related recommendation. The Legal and Compliance Department will advise the appropriate Investment Committee(s), who will make the final determination regarding the vote. The portfolio manager will then vote the affected proxy in accordance with that determination. |
4. | The Legal and Compliance Department shall review proxy voting records on a periodic basis to ensure compliance and adjust these procedures as necessary. |
A copy of this proxy voting policy shall be made available to clients upon request. Clients may also request a copy of the proxy voting record for their records.
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WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
BACKGROUND
An investment adviser is required to adopt and implement policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with fiduciary duties and SEC Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (Advisers Act). The authority to vote the proxies of our clients is established through investment management agreements or comparable documents. In addition to SEC requirements governing advisers, long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities have been established for ERISA accounts. Unless a manager of ERISA assets has been expressly precluded from voting proxies, the Department of Labor has determined that the responsibility for these votes lies with the investment manager.
POLICY
As a fixed income only manager, the occasion to vote proxies is very rare. However, Western Asset has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with our fiduciary duties and SEC Rule 206(4)-6 under Advisers Act. In addition to SEC requirements governing advisers, our proxy voting policies reflect the long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA accounts. Unless a manager of ERISA assets has been expressly precluded from voting proxies, the Department of Labor has determined that the responsibility for these votes lies with the investment manager.
While the guidelines included in the procedures are intended to provide a benchmark for voting standards, each vote is ultimately cast on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration Western Assets contractual obligations to our clients and all other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote (such that these guidelines may be overridden to the extent Western Asset deems appropriate).
In exercising its voting authority, Western Asset will not consult or enter into agreements with officers, directors or employees of Legg Mason Inc. or any of its affiliates regarding the voting of any securities owned by its clients.
PROCEDURE
Responsibility and Oversight
The Western Asset Legal and Compliance Department (Compliance Department) is responsible for administering and overseeing the proxy voting process. The gathering of proxies is coordinated through the Corporate Actions area of Investment Support (Corporate Actions). Research analysts and portfolio managers are responsible for determining appropriate voting positions on each proxy utilizing any applicable guidelines contained in these procedures.
Client Authority
The investment management agreement for each client is reviewed at account start-up for proxy voting instructions. If an agreement is silent on proxy voting, but contains an overall delegation of discretionary authority or if the account represents assets of an ERISA plan, Western Asset will assume responsibility for proxy voting. The Compliance Department maintains a matrix of proxy voting authority.
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Proxy Gathering
Registered owners of record, client custodians, client banks and trustees (Proxy Recipients) that receive proxy materials on behalf of clients should forward them to Corporate Actions. Proxy Recipients for new clients (or, if Western Asset becomes aware that the applicable Proxy Recipient for an existing client has changed, the Proxy Recipient for the existing client) are notified at start-up of appropriate routing to Corporate Actions of proxy materials received and reminded of their responsibility to forward all proxy materials on a timely basis. If Western Asset personnel other than Corporate Actions receive proxy materials, they should promptly forward the materials to Corporate Actions.
Proxy Voting
Once proxy materials are received by Corporate Actions, they are forwarded to the Compliance Department for coordination and the following actions:
a. | Proxies are reviewed to determine accounts impacted. |
b. | Impacted accounts are checked to confirm Western Asset voting authority. |
c. | Compliance Department staff reviews proxy issues to determine any material conflicts of interest. (See conflicts of interest section of these procedures for further information on determining material conflicts of interest.) |
d. | If a material conflict of interest exists, (i) to the extent reasonably practicable and permitted by applicable law, the client is promptly notified, the conflict is disclosed and Western Asset obtains the clients proxy voting instructions, and (ii) to the extent that it is not reasonably practicable or permitted by applicable law to notify the client and obtain such instructions (e.g., the client is a mutual fund or other commingled vehicle or is an ERISA plan client), Western Asset seeks voting instructions from an independent third party. |
e. | Compliance Department staff provides proxy material to the appropriate research analyst or portfolio manager to obtain their recommended vote. Research analysts and portfolio managers determine votes on a case-by-case basis taking into account the voting guidelines contained in these procedures. For avoidance of doubt, depending on the best interest of each individual client, Western Asset may vote the same proxy differently for different clients. The analysts or portfolio managers basis for their decision is documented and maintained by the Compliance Department. |
f. | Compliance Department staff votes the proxy pursuant to the instructions received in (d) or (e) and returns the voted proxy as indicated in the proxy materials. |
Timing
Western Asset personnel act in such a manner to ensure that, absent special circumstances, the proxy gathering and proxy voting steps noted above can be completed before the applicable deadline for returning proxy votes.
Recordkeeping
Western Asset maintains records of proxies voted pursuant to Section 204-2 of the Advisers Act and ERISA DOL Bulletin 94-2. These records include:
a. | A copy of Western Assets policies and procedures. |
b. | Copies of proxy statements received regarding client securities. |
c. | A copy of any document created by Western Asset that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies. |
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d. | Each written client request for proxy voting records and Western Assets written response to both verbal and written client requests. |
e. | A proxy log including: |
1. | Issuer name; |
2. | Exchange ticker symbol of the issuers shares to be voted; |
3. | Council on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (CUSIP) number for the shares to be voted; |
4. | A brief identification of the matter voted on; |
5. | Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a shareholder of the issuer; |
6. | Whether a vote was cast on the matter; |
7. | A record of how the vote was cast; and |
8. | Whether the vote was cast for or against the recommendation of the issuers management team. |
Records are maintained in an easily accessible place for five years, the first two in Western Assets offices.
Disclosure
Western Assets proxy policies are described in the firms Part II of Form ADV. Clients will be provided a copy of these policies and procedures upon request. In addition, upon request, clients may receive reports on how their proxies have been voted.
Conflicts of Interest
All proxies are reviewed by the Compliance Department for material conflicts of interest. Issues to be reviewed include, but are not limited to:
1. | Whether Western Asset (or, to the extent required to be considered by applicable law, its affiliates) manages assets for the company or an employee group of the company or otherwise has an interest in the company; |
2. | Whether Western Asset or an officer or director of Western Asset or the applicable portfolio manager or analyst responsible for recommending the proxy vote (together, Voting Persons) is a close relative of or has a personal or business relationship with an executive, director or person who is a candidate for director of the company or is a participant in a proxy contest; and |
3. | Whether there is any other business or personal relationship where a Voting Person has a personal interest in the outcome of the matter before shareholders. |
Voting Guidelines
Western Assets substantive voting decisions turn on the particular facts and circumstances of each proxy vote and are evaluated by the designated research analyst or portfolio manager. The examples outlined below are meant as guidelines to aid in the decision making process.
Guidelines are grouped according to the types of proposals generally presented to shareholders. Part I deals with proposals which have been approved and are recommended by a companys board of directors; Part II deals with proposals submitted by shareholders for inclusion in proxy statements; and Part III addresses issues relating to voting shares of investment companies.
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I. | Board Approved Proposals |
The vast majority of matters presented to shareholders for a vote involve proposals made by a company itself that have been approved and recommended by its board of directors. In view of the enhanced corporate governance practices currently being implemented in public companies, Western Asset generally votes in support of decisions reached by independent boards of directors. More specific guidelines related to certain board-approved proposals are as follows:
1. | Matters relating to the Board of Directors |
Western Asset votes proxies for the election of the companys nominees for directors and for board-approved proposals on other matters relating to the board of directors with the following exceptions:
a. | Votes are withheld for the entire board of directors if the board does not have a majority of independent directors or the board does not have nominating, audit and compensation committees composed solely of independent directors. |
b. | Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who is considered an independent director by the company and who has received compensation from the company other than for service as a director. |
c. | Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who attends less than 75% of board and committee meetings without valid reasons for absences. |
d. | Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis in contested elections of directors. |
2. | Matters relating to Executive Compensation |
Western Asset generally favors compensation programs that relate executive compensation to a companys long-term performance. Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals relating to executive compensation, except as follows:
a. | Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for stock option plans that will result in a minimal annual dilution. |
b. | Western Asset votes against stock option plans or proposals that permit replacing or repricing of underwater options. |
c. | Western Asset votes against stock option plans that permit issuance of options with an exercise price below the stocks current market price. |
d. | Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for employee stock purchase plans that limit the discount for shares purchased under the plan to no more than 15% of their market value, have an offering period of 27 months or less and result in dilution of 10% or less. |
3. | Matters relating to Capitalization |
The management of a companys capital structure involves a number of important issues, including cash flows, financing needs and market conditions that are unique to the circumstances of each company. As a result, Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals involving changes to a companys capitalization except where Western Asset is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.
a. | Western Asset votes for proposals relating to the authorization of additional common stock. |
b. | Western Asset votes for proposals to effect stock splits (excluding reverse stock splits). |
c. | Western Asset votes for proposals authorizing share repurchase programs. |
4. | Matters relating to Acquisitions, Mergers, Reorganizations and Other Transactions |
Western Asset votes these issues on a case-by-case basis on board-approved transactions.
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5. | Matters relating to Anti-Takeover Measures |
Western Asset votes against board-approved proposals to adopt anti-takeover measures except as follows:
a. | Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to ratify or approve shareholder rights plans. |
b. | Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to adopt fair price provisions. |
6. | Other Business Matters |
Western Asset votes for board-approved proposals approving such routine business matters such as changing the companys name, ratifying the appointment of auditors and procedural matters relating to the shareholder meeting.
a. | Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to amend a companys charter or bylaws. |
b. | Western Asset votes against authorization to transact other unidentified, substantive business at the meeting. |
II. | Shareholder Proposals |
SEC regulations permit shareholders to submit proposals for inclusion in a companys proxy statement. These proposals generally seek to change some aspect of a companys corporate governance structure or to change some aspect of its business operations. Western Asset votes in accordance with the recommendation of the companys board of directors on all shareholder proposals, except as follows:
1. | Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals to require shareholder approval of shareholder rights plans. |
2. | Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals that are consistent with Western Assets proxy voting guidelines for board-approved proposals. |
3. | Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on other shareholder proposals where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors. |
III. | Voting Shares of Investment Companies |
Western Asset may utilize shares of open or closed-end investment companies to implement its investment strategies. Shareholder votes for investment companies that fall within the categories listed in Parts I and II above are voted in accordance with those guidelines.
1. | Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to changes in the investment objectives of an investment company taking into account the original intent of the fund and the role the fund plays in the clients portfolios. |
2. | Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis all proposals that would result in increases in expenses (e.g., proposals to adopt 12b-1 plans, alter investment advisory arrangements or approve fund mergers) taking into account comparable expenses for similar funds and the services to be provided. |
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