The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-162451
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED JUNE 19, 2012
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated October 13, 2009)
$250,000,000
DDR Corp.
% Notes due
We are offering $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our % notes due , which we refer to in this prospectus supplement as the notes. We will pay interest on the notes on and of each year, commencing , 2012. The notes will mature on .
We may redeem the notes prior to maturity, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the greater of the principal amount of such notes and the make-whole price described under Description of the Notes Optional Redemption in this prospectus supplement, plus any accrued but unpaid interest on the amount being redeemed to, but not including, the date of redemption. If we redeem the notes 90 days or fewer prior to their maturity date, the redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus any accrued but unpaid interest on the amount being redeemed to, but not including, the date of redemption. There is no sinking fund for the notes.
The notes will be unsecured obligations of DDR Corp. and will rank equally with our other unsecured senior indebtedness. The notes will be issued only in registered form in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof.
Investing in the notes involves risks. See Risk Factors beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Per Note | Total | |||||||
Public offering price (1) |
% | $ | ||||||
Underwriting discount |
% | $ | ||||||
Proceeds to us (before expenses) (1) |
% | $ |
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from June , 2012, if settlement occurs after that date.
We expect to deliver the notes to investors in registered book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, on or about June , 2012.
Joint Book-Running Managers
Deutsche Bank Securities | RBS | UBS Investment Bank |
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is June , 2012.
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Prospectus
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Description of Depositary Shares Representing Preferred Shares |
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We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus that we may provide to you. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus that we may provide to you. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any such free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate. Nor do this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any such free writing prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference and any such free writing prospectus is correct on any date after their respective dates, even though this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any such free writing prospectus are delivered or securities are sold on a later date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may have changed since those dates.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and the notes offered hereby. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, dated October 13, 2009, which we refer to as the accompanying prospectus. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus combined. The accompanying prospectus contains a description of our debt securities and gives more general information, some of which may not apply to the notes offered hereby. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document that has previously been filed and is incorporated into this prospectus by reference, on the other hand, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control.
Before you invest in the notes, you should carefully read the registration statement (including the exhibits thereto) of which this prospectus forms a part, this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The incorporated documents are described in this prospectus supplement under Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference of Certain Information.
Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to we, us, our, the Company or DDR mean DDR Corp. and all wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and consolidated joint ventures of DDR Corp.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information about the operation of the SECs Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC (http://www.sec.gov). Information on or accessible through the SECs website is not part of, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus, other than documents filed with the SEC that we incorporate by reference.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information contained in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Any statement contained in this prospectus or a document that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus is automatically updated and superseded if information contained in this prospectus, or information that we later file with the SEC, modifies or replaces that information. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following documents we filed, excluding any information contained therein or attached as an exhibit thereto which has been furnished, but not filed, with the SEC:
| our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A filed on March 26, 2012; |
| our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012; and |
| our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 18, 2012, May 21, 2012, June 15, 2012 and June 19, 2012. |
We also incorporate by reference each of the documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, after the date of this prospectus until this offering of the notes terminates. We will not, however, incorporate by reference in this prospectus any
S-ii
documents or portions of any documents that are not deemed filed with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our Current Reports on Form 8-K unless, and except to the extent, specified in such Current Reports on Form 8-K.
To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus (other than exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference in any such documents), call or write to DDR Corp., 3300 Enterprise Parkway, Beachwood, Ohio 44122, Attention: Investor Relations, at telephone number (216) 755-5500. We also maintain a website that contains additional information about us (http://www.ddr.com). Information on or accessible through our website is not part of, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus, other than documents filed with the SEC that we incorporate by reference.
You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated into this prospectus by reference is correct on any date after their respective dates, even though this prospectus is delivered, or securities are sold, on a later date.
This prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference contain forward-looking information, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that is based on current expectations, estimates and projections. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements related to acquisitions (including any related pro forma financial information) and other business development activities, future capital expenditures, financing sources and availability and the effects of environmental and other regulations. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be achieved. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact should be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words will, believes, anticipates, plans, expects, seeks, estimates, projects, intends, potential, forecasts and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond our control and that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements and could materially affect our actual results, performance or achievements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. We expressly state that we have no current intention to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law.
Factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:
| We are subject to general risks affecting the real estate industry, including the need to enter into new leases or renew leases on favorable terms to generate rental revenues, and the economic downturn may adversely affect the ability of our tenants, or new tenants, to enter into new leases or the ability of our existing tenants to renew their leases at rates at least as favorable as their current rates; |
| We could be adversely affected by changes in the local markets where our properties are located, as well as by adverse changes in national economic and market conditions; |
| We may fail to anticipate the effects on our properties of changes in consumer buying practices, including catalog sales and sales over the internet and the resulting retailing practices and space needs of our tenants, or a general downturn in our tenants businesses, which may cause tenants to close stores or default in payment of rent; |
| We are subject to competition for tenants from other owners of retail properties, and our tenants are subject to competition from other retailers and methods of distribution. We are dependent upon the successful operations and financial condition of our tenants, in particular of our major tenants, and could be adversely affected by the bankruptcy of those tenants; |
S-iii
| We rely on major tenants, which makes us vulnerable to changes in the business and financial condition of, or demand for our space by, such tenants; |
| We may not realize the intended benefits of acquisition or merger transactions. The acquired assets may not perform as well as we anticipated, or we may not successfully integrate the assets and realize improvements in occupancy and operating results. The acquisition of certain assets may subject us to liabilities, including environmental liabilities; |
| We may fail to identify, acquire, construct or develop additional properties that produce a desired yield on invested capital, or may fail to effectively integrate acquisitions of properties or portfolios of properties. In addition, we may be limited in our acquisition opportunities due to competition, the inability to obtain financing on reasonable terms or any financing at all, and other factors; |
| We may fail to dispose of properties on favorable terms. In addition, real estate investments can be illiquid, particularly as prospective buyers may experience increased costs of financing or difficulties obtaining financing, and could limit our ability to promptly make changes to our portfolio to respond to economic and other conditions; |
| We may abandon a development opportunity after expending resources if we determine that the development opportunity is not feasible due to a variety of factors, including a lack of availability of construction financing on reasonable terms, the impact of the economic environment on prospective tenants ability to enter into new leases or pay contractual rent, or our inability to obtain all necessary zoning and other required governmental permits and authorizations; |
| We may not complete development projects on schedule as a result of various factors, many of which are beyond our control, such as weather, labor conditions, governmental approvals, material shortages or general economic downturn resulting in limited availability of capital, increased debt service expense and construction costs, and decreases in revenue; |
| Our financial condition may be affected by required debt service payments, the risk of default and restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt or to enter into certain transactions under our credit facilities and other documents governing our debt obligations. In addition, we may encounter difficulties in obtaining permanent financing or refinancing existing debt. Borrowings under our revolving credit facilities are subject to certain representations and warranties and customary events of default, including any event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition; |
| Changes in interest rates could adversely affect the market price of our common shares, as well as our performance and cash flow; |
| Debt and/or equity financing necessary for us to continue to grow and operate our business may not be available or may not be available on favorable terms; |
| Disruptions in the financial markets could affect our ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms and have other adverse effects on us and the market price of our common shares; |
| We are subject to complex regulations related to our status as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, and would be adversely affected if we failed to qualify as a REIT; |
| We must make distributions to shareholders to continue to qualify as a REIT, and if we must borrow funds to make distributions, those borrowings may not be available on favorable terms or at all; |
| Joint venture investments may involve risks not otherwise present for investments made solely by us, including the possibility that a partner or co-venturer may become bankrupt, may at any time have interests or goals different from ours and may take action contrary to our instructions, requests, policies or objectives, including our policy with respect to maintaining our qualification as a REIT. In addition, a partner or co-venturer may not have access to sufficient capital to satisfy its funding obligations to the |
S-iv
joint venture. The partner could cause a default under the joint venture loan for reasons outside of our control. Furthermore, we could be required to reduce the carrying value of our equity method investments if a loss in the carrying value of the investment is other than temporary; |
| Our decision to dispose of real estate assets, including land held for development and construction in progress, would change the holding period assumption in the undiscounted cash flow impairment analyses, which could result in material impairment losses and adversely affect our financial results; |
| The outcome of pending or future litigation, including litigation with tenants or joint venture partners, may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition; |
| We may not realize anticipated returns from our real estate assets outside the United States. We may continue to pursue international opportunities that may subject us to different or greater risks than those associated with our domestic operations. We own assets in Puerto Rico, an interest in an unconsolidated joint venture that owns properties in Brazil and an interest in consolidated joint ventures that were formed to develop and own properties in Canada and Russia; |
| International development and ownership activities carry risks in addition to those we face with our domestic properties and operations. These risks include the following: |
| Adverse effects of changes in exchange rates for foreign currencies; |
| Changes in foreign political or economic environments; |
| Challenges of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws, including tax laws, and addressing different practices and customs relating to corporate governance, operations and litigation; |
| Different lending practices; |
| Cultural and consumer differences; |
| Changes in applicable laws and regulations in the United States that affect foreign operations; |
| Difficulties in managing international operations; and |
| Obstacles to the repatriation of earnings and cash; |
| Although our international activities are currently a relatively small portion of our business, to the extent we expand our international activities, these risks could significantly increase and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition; |
| We are subject to potential environmental liabilities; |
| We may incur losses that are uninsured or exceed policy coverage due to our liability for certain injuries to persons, property or the environment occurring on our properties; |
| We could incur additional expenses to comply with or respond to claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act or otherwise be adversely affected by changes in government regulations, including changes in environmental, zoning, tax and other regulations; and |
| The joint venture between us and an affiliate of The Blackstone Group, L.P. may be unable to successfully complete the planned acquisition of a portfolio of 46 shopping centers from EPN Group. |
We also disclose important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements under Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein.
S-v
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making an investment decision. We encourage you to carefully read this entire prospectus and the documents that are incorporated herein, especially the Risk Factors and the financial statements included elsewhere herein or incorporated herein by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as amended, filed with the SEC, before making an investment decision.
The Company
We are an Ohio corporation and are a self-administered and self-managed REIT engaged in the business of owning, managing and developing a portfolio of shopping centers. Our executive offices are located at 3300 Enterprise Parkway, Beachwood, Ohio 44122, and our telephone number is (216) 755-5500. Our website is located at http://www.ddr.com. Information on or accessible through our website is not part of, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus, other than documents filed with the SEC that we incorporate by reference.
Recent Developments
In May 2012, our DDRTC Core Retail Fund, LLC joint venture, which we refer to as DDRTC, made a payment of approximately $76 million on the term loan secured by 17 of its assets and refinanced the remaining balance of the term loan, which was scheduled to mature in June 2012, under a new term loan. The aggregate principal amount outstanding under this new term loan as of June 15, 2012 was $464 million, of which our pro rata share was $69.6 million. The new term loan matures in 2015 with two one-year extension options and has an annual interest rate of 4.625%.
In May 2012, DDRTC also entered into a term loan secured by 11 of its assets to refinance the existing loans secured by such properties that were due to mature in May 2012. The aggregate principal amount outstanding under this new term loan as of June 15, 2012 was $190 million, of which our pro rata share was $28.5 million. The new term loan matures in 2015 with two one-year extension options and has an annual interest rate of LIBOR plus 275 basis points. The new term loan also includes an accordion feature for expansion of availability to $280 million upon DDRTCs request on or prior to October 8, 2012, provided that new or existing lenders agree to the existing terms of the loan and increase their commitment level.
S-1
The Offering
Issuer |
DDR Corp. |
Notes Offered |
$250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of % notes due . |
Maturity Date |
Unless redeemed prior to maturity as described below, the notes will mature on . |
Interest Rate |
The notes will bear interest from June , 2012 at the rate of % per annum. |
Interest Payment Dates |
Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on and of each year, commencing , 2012. |
Record Dates |
Fifteen calendar days prior to an interest payment date. |
Ranking |
The notes will be unsecured debt obligations of DDR. The notes rank equally with all of our existing and future unsecured senior debt and senior to all of our existing and future subordinated debt. The notes will be effectively subordinated to any claims of creditors, whether secured or unsecured, of our subsidiaries to the extent of the assets of such subsidiaries. The notes will rank junior to mortgage and other secured indebtedness to the extent of related collateral. As of March 31, 2012, our total consolidated mortgage indebtedness and other secured indebtedness aggregated $1,872.7 million, and we had $2,264.2 million of unsecured indebtedness outstanding. |
Optional Redemption |
We may redeem the notes prior to maturity, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the greater of the principal amount of such notes and the make-whole price described under Description of the Notes Optional Redemption in this prospectus supplement, plus, in each case, any accrued but unpaid interest on the amount being redeemed to, but not including, the date of redemption; provided, however, that if we redeem the notes 90 days or fewer prior to their maturity date, the redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus any accrued but unpaid interest on the amount being redeemed to, but not including, the date of redemption. |
Limitations on Incurrence of Debt |
The notes contain various covenants, including the following: |
| We will not incur any additional debt if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional debt, the aggregate principal amount of all our outstanding debt on a consolidated basis is greater than 65% of the sum of (1) our undepreciated real estate assets as of the end of our fiscal quarter covered by our most recently filed Form 10-K or Form 10-Q prior to the incurrence of such additional debt and (2) the increase, if any, in our undepreciated real estate assets from the end of such quarter, including, without limitation, any increase in our undepreciated real estate assets caused by the application of the proceeds of additional debt. |
| We will not, and will not permit any subsidiary to, incur any debt if consolidated income available for debt service for our four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended before the date on which such additional debt is to be incurred shall have been less |
S-2
than 1.5 times the maximum annual service charge on our consolidated debt to be outstanding immediately after the incurrence of such additional debt. |
| We will not incur any secured debt if, after giving effect to the incurrence of such secured debt, the aggregate principal amount of all of our secured debt on a consolidated basis is greater than 40% of the sum of (1) our total assets as of the end of our fiscal quarter covered by our most recently filed Form 10-K or Form 10-Q prior to the incurrence of such additional secured debt and (2) the increase, if any, in total assets from the end of such quarter including, without limitation, any increase in total assets caused by the application of the proceeds of additional debt. |
Maintenance of Unencumbered Real Estate Asset Value |
We must maintain an unencumbered real estate asset value of not less than 135% of the aggregate principal amount of all our and our subsidiaries outstanding unsecured debt. |
Form of Notes |
One or more global securities held in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. |
Use of Proceeds |
We expect to receive net proceeds from this offering of notes of approximately $ million after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to redeem our outstanding 5.375% Notes due 2012 and for general corporate purposes. See Use of Proceeds in this prospectus supplement. |
Trustee |
U.S. Bank National Association. |
Governing Law |
Ohio law. |
S-3
An investment in the notes involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks regarding the notes and this offering, as well as the risk factors described in Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as amended, that was filed with the SEC and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, including, without limitation, those risk factors relating to our liquidity, debt financing, financial covenants and current economic conditions, as well as other information in this prospectus and in any other documents incorporated into this prospectus by reference, before purchasing the notes. Each of the risks described in these sections and documents could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and could result in a complete loss of your investment. This prospectus and the incorporated documents also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks mentioned above.
The notes are subject to prior claims of any secured creditors and the creditors of our subsidiaries and if a default occurs we may not have sufficient funds to fulfill our obligations under the notes.
The notes are our unsecured general obligations, ranking equally with our other senior unsecured indebtedness but below any secured indebtedness and effectively below the debt and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. The indenture under which the notes will be issued permits us and our subsidiaries to incur secured debt under specified circumstances. If we incur any secured debt, our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries will be subject to prior claims by our secured creditors. As of March 31, 2012, our total consolidated mortgage indebtedness and other secured indebtedness aggregated $1,872.7 million. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, assets that secure debt will be available to pay obligations on the notes only after all debt secured by those assets has been repaid in full. Holders of the notes will participate in our remaining assets ratably with all of our unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, including our trade creditors.
If we incur any additional obligations that rank equally with the notes, including trade payables, the holders of those obligations will be entitled to share ratably with the holders of the notes in any proceeds distributed upon our insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up. This may have the effect of reducing the amount of proceeds paid to you. If there are not sufficient assets remaining to pay all these creditors, all or a portion of the notes then outstanding would remain unpaid.
Our existing and future indebtedness may limit cash flow available to invest in the ongoing needs of our business, which could prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the notes.
As of March 31, 2012, our total indebtedness outstanding was $4,136.9 million. The indenture under which the notes will be issued does not limit the amount of unsecured indebtedness that we may incur, subject to certain limitations set forth in the indenture and as described under Description of the Notes Certain Covenants. We also have the ability under our existing revolving credit facilities to incur substantial additional indebtedness, and any such additional indebtedness would rank equally with the notes. Our level of indebtedness could restrict our operations and make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations under the notes. For example, it could, among other things:
| require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of debt service, reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes; |
| increase our vulnerability to adverse economic or industry conditions; |
| limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions, or make such financing more costly; |
| make it more difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations, including those related to the notes; |
| limit our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in the markets in which we compete; and |
| place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to businesses in our industry that have less indebtedness. |
S-4
Additionally, any failure to meet required payments on our indebtedness, or failure to comply with any covenants in the instruments governing our indebtedness, could result in an event of default under the terms of those instruments. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the amounts outstanding under such instruments to be due and payable. Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness could render us unable to pay principal and interest on the notes and substantially decrease their value.
We currently have existing debt obligations relating to our revolving credit facilities, term loans, fixed-rate senior notes and mortgages payable. As of March 31, 2012, our consolidated debt maturities for the next five years and thereafter are as follows (in millions):
Year |
Debt | |||
2012 |
$ | 288.5 | ||
2013 |
385.3 | |||
2014 |
850.3 | |||
2015 |
502.5 | |||
2016 |
418.1 | |||
Thereafter |
1,679.8 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 4,124.5 | |||
Fair market value of assumed debt |
12.4 | |||
|
|
|||
Total indebtedness |
$ | 4,136.9 | ||
|
|
Our ability to satisfy our debt and other obligations as they become due will depend on our future operating performance and financial results, which will be subject, in part, to factors beyond our control, including interest rates and general economic, financial and business conditions. We intend to continue to repay our indebtedness and to fund capital expenditures through a combination of retained capital, the issuance of common shares, debt financing and refinancing and asset sales. However, no assurance can be given, especially in light of current economic conditions, that any of these sources of capital will be available to us on favorable terms or at all or that such sources will enable us to be able to continue to satisfy our obligations. As a result, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to refinance or repay our debt obligations as we currently anticipate or at all. Our failure to refinance or repay our debt obligations as they become due would have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
We depend on cash flow of our subsidiaries to make payments on our securities. The notes will not be guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries.
DDR Corp. is, in part, a holding company. Our subsidiaries conduct a significant percentage of our consolidated operations and own a significant percentage of our consolidated assets. Consequently, our cash flow and our ability to meet our debt service obligations depend in large part upon the cash flow of our subsidiaries and the payment of funds by our subsidiaries to us in the form of loans, dividends or otherwise. The notes will be obligations of ours exclusively, and will not be guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are not obligated to make funds available to us for payment of the notes or otherwise. In addition, their ability to make any payments will depend on their earnings, the terms of their indebtedness, business and tax considerations and legal restrictions. Our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness and other liabilities in the future. The terms of the indenture under which the notes will be issued and that governs our existing indebtedness do not prohibit our subsidiaries from doing so. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution of a subsidiary and following payment of its liabilities, the subsidiary may not have sufficient assets remaining to make payments to us as a shareholder or otherwise.
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An active trading market for the notes may not develop.
There is no existing market for the notes and we do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a trading market for the notes will ever develop or will be maintained. If a trading market does not develop or is not maintained, you may find it difficult or impossible to resell notes. Further, there can be no assurance as to the liquidity of any market that may develop for the notes, your ability to sell the notes or the price at which you will be able to sell the notes. Future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, our financial condition and results of operations, the then-current ratings assigned to the notes and the markets for similar securities. Any trading market that develops would be affected by many factors independent of and in addition to the foregoing, including:
| the time remaining to the maturity of the notes; |
| the outstanding amount of the notes; |
| the terms related to optional redemption of the notes; and |
| the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally. |
The underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in the notes, but they are not obligated to do so and may cease market-making activities at any time without notice.
Ratings of our unsecured debt, including the notes, could be lowered or withdrawn in the future.
We expect that the notes will be rated by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. A rating is not a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell debt securities, since a rating does not predict the market price of a particular security or its suitability for a particular investor. Any rating organization that rates the notes may lower our rating or decide not to rate the notes in its sole discretion. The ratings of the notes will be based primarily on the rating organizations assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of interest when due and the payment of principal on the maturity date. Any downgrade or withdrawal of a rating by a rating agency that rates the notes could have an adverse effect on the trading prices or liquidity of the notes.
In light of current economic conditions, we may not be able to obtain additional financing on favorable terms, or at all, which may negatively impact our ratings. The interest spread over LIBOR on our variable rate debt, including amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facilities, is determined based upon our credit ratings. As a result of the reduction in 2009 of our debt ratings by two rating agencies, the interest rate on our variable rate debt increased and may increase in the future.
We may choose to redeem the notes prior to maturity.
We may redeem some or all of the notes at any time. See Description of the Notes Optional Redemption. If prevailing interest rates are lower at the time of redemption, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an interest rate as high as the interest rate of the notes being redeemed.
An increase in market interest rates could result in a decrease in the value of the notes.
In general, as market interest rates rise, notes bearing interest at a fixed rate decline in value because the premium, if any, over market interest rates will decline. Consequently, if you purchase the notes and market interest rates increase, the market values of your notes may decline. We cannot predict the future level of market interest rates.
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. For this purpose, earnings consist of earnings from continuing operations, excluding income taxes, minority interest share in earnings and fixed charges, other than capitalized interest, and fixed charges consist of interest on borrowed funds, including amounts that have been capitalized, and amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs, debt premiums and debt discounts.
Year Ended December 31, | Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008(a) | 2007(a) | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
(b | ) | (c | ) | (d | ) | (e | ) | 1.58x | (f | ) |
(a) | These periods have been adjusted to reflect the retrospective application of ASC 470-02, previously referred to as FSP APB 14-1, for interest expense related to our convertible debt. |
(b) | Due to the pretax loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2011, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. We would have needed to generate additional earnings of $43.2 million to achieve a coverage of 1:1 for the year ended December 31, 2011. |
The pretax loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes consolidated impairment charges of $101.8 million and impairment charges of joint venture investments of $2.9 million, which together aggregate $104.7 million, that are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as amended.
(c) | Due to the pretax loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2010, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. We would have needed to generate additional earnings of $117.4 million to achieve a coverage of 1:1 for the year ended December 31, 2010. |
The pretax loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2010 includes consolidated impairment charges of $84.9 million and losses on equity derivative instruments of $40.2 million, which together aggregate $125.1 million, that are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as amended. |
(d) | Due to the pretax loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2009, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. We would have needed to generate additional earnings of $216.3 million to achieve a coverage of 1:1 for the year ended December 31, 2009. |
The pretax loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 includes consolidated impairment charges of $12.7 million, impairment charges of joint venture investments of $184.6 million and losses on equity derivative instruments of $199.8 million, which together aggregate $397.1 million, that are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as amended. |
(e) | Due to the pretax loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2008, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. We would have needed to generate additional earnings of $89.9 million to achieve a coverage of 1:1 for the year ended December 31, 2008. |
The pretax loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 includes consolidated impairment charges of $17.7 million and impairment charges of joint venture investments of $107.0 million, which together aggregate $124.7 million. |
(f) | Due to the pretax loss from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. We would have needed to generate additional earnings of $18.7 million to achieve a coverage of 1:1 for the three months ended March 31, 2012. |
The pretax loss from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 includes consolidated impairment charges of $13.5 million and impairment charges of joint venture investments of $0.6 million, which together aggregate $14.1 million, that are discussed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2012.
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We expect to receive net proceeds from this offering of notes of approximately $ million after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses. We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to redeem our 5.375% Notes due 2012, of which $223.5 million aggregate principal amount was outstanding as of June 18, 2012. Any remaining net proceeds from this offering will be used for general corporate purposes.
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General
The following information regarding the notes supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the statements under Description of Debt Securities in the accompanying prospectus. Terms not defined herein are used as defined in the indenture referred to below.
The notes will be issued as a new series of unsecured debt securities under an indenture dated as of May 1, 1994, as supplemented from time to time (the indenture), between DDR and U.S. Bank National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank Trust National Association (successor to National City Bank)), as trustee (the trustee). The notes will initially be limited to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount. We may, without the consent of the holders of the notes, create and issue additional notes in the future having the same terms other than the date of original issuance, the issue price, the date on which interest begins to accrue and in some cases, the first interest payment date so as to form a single series with the notes. We also may issue from time to time other series of debt securities under the indenture consisting of notes or other unsecured evidences of indebtedness. Subject to certain limitations set forth in the indenture and as described below under the subheading Certain Covenants, the indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities or any other debt which may be incurred by us. Reference is made to the accompanying prospectus for a description of other general terms of the debt securities. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines the rights of holders of the notes. The indenture and the notes are governed by Ohio law.
The notes will mature on unless we redeem them in accordance with their terms prior to such date. Interest on the notes will accrue from June , 2012, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. Interest will be payable on the notes semi-annually in arrears on and , commencing , 2012, to the persons in whose names the notes are registered at the close of business fifteen calendar days prior to the payment date, regardless of whether such day is a business day (as defined below). Interest on the notes will be payable at the rate of % per annum.
If any interest payment date or the stated maturity date or date of earlier redemption is not a business day, the required payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, without any interest or other payment in respect of the payment subject to delay, with the same force and effect as if made on the interest payment date or stated maturity date or date of earlier redemption. Business day means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
The notes will be issued in the form of one or more global notes (each, a global note), in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof as described under the subheading Book-Entry System in this prospectus supplement.
The notes will not be listed on a securities exchange. The notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
Ranking of Notes
The notes will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of DDR and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The notes will be effectively subordinated to any claims of creditors, whether secured or unsecured, of our subsidiaries to the extent of the assets of such subsidiaries. The notes will rank junior to mortgage and other secured indebtedness to the extent of related collateral. As of March 31, 2012, our total consolidated mortgage indebtedness and other secured indebtedness aggregated $1,872.7 million, and we had $2,264.2 million of unsecured indebtedness outstanding.
Certain Covenants
The indenture contains the covenants described under Description of Debt Securities Material Covenants in the accompanying prospectus, including covenants with respect to limitations on incurrence of
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debt, restrictions on dividends and other distributions and maintenance of unencumbered real estate assets, all as more fully described in the accompanying prospectus. Except as described below under Amendments to Covenant Provisions and Definitions, all such covenants will apply to the notes.
Amendments to Covenant Provisions and Definitions
The following covenants shall apply to the notes, instead of the covenants described in the accompanying prospectus under the Description of Debt Securities Material Covenants Limitation on Incurrence of Debt.
Limitation on the Incurrence of Debt in Excess of 65% of Real Estate Assets. We will not, and will not permit any subsidiary to, incur any Debt (as defined in the accompanying prospectus) if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional Debt, the aggregate principal amount of all our outstanding Debt on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is greater than 65% of the sum of:
(1) our Undepreciated Real Estate Assets (as defined in the accompanying prospectus) as of the end of our fiscal quarter covered in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q most recently filed with the SEC (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, filed with the trustee) prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt, and
(2) the increase, if any, in our Undepreciated Real Estate Assets from the end of such quarter, including, without limitation, any increase in our Undepreciated Real Estate Assets caused by the application of the proceeds of additional Debt.
Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service Coverage Ratio. We will not, and will not permit any subsidiary to, incur any Debt if Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service (as defined below) for our four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended before the date on which such additional Debt is to be incurred shall have been less than 1.5 times the Maximum Annual Service Charge (as defined below) on our consolidated Debt to be outstanding immediately after the incurrence of such additional Debt.
Limitation on the Incurrence of Secured Debt in Excess of 40% of Total Assets. In addition to the foregoing limitations on the incurrence of Debt, we will not, and will not permit any subsidiary to, incur any Secured Debt (as defined in the accompanying prospectus), if immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Secured Debt and the application of the proceeds from such Secured Debt, the aggregate amount of all of our and our subsidiaries outstanding Secured Debt on a consolidated basis is greater than 40% of the sum of our Total Assets (as defined below) as of the end of our fiscal quarter covered in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, most recently filed with the SEC (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the trustee) prior to the incurrence of such additional Secured Debt and the increase, if any, in Total Assets from the end of such quarter, including, without limitation, any increase in Total Assets caused by the application of the proceeds of additional Debt.
The following covenant shall apply to the notes, instead of the covenant described under the Description of Debt Securities Material Covenants Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions in the accompanying prospectus.
Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions. We will not:
| declare or pay any dividends (other than dividends payable in our capital stock) on any shares of our capital stock; |
| apply any of our property or assets to the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of any shares of our capital stock; |
| set apart any sum for the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of any shares of our capital stock; or |
| make any other distribution on any shares of our capital stock, by reduction of capital or otherwise |
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if, immediately after such declaration or other such action, the aggregate of all such declarations and other actions since the date on which the indenture was originally executed exceeds the sum of (a) Funds from Operations (as defined in the accompanying prospectus) from December 31, 1993 until the end of our latest fiscal quarter covered in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q most recently filed with the SEC (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the trustee) prior to such declaration or other action and (b) $20,000,000.
This limitation does not apply to any declaration or other action referred to above which is necessary to maintain our status as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if the aggregate principal amount of all our and our subsidiaries outstanding Debt at such time is less than 65% of our Undepreciated Real Estate Assets as of the end of our latest fiscal quarter covered in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q most recently filed with the SEC (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the trustee) prior to such declaration or other action.
Notwithstanding the provisions described above, we will not be prohibited from making the payment of any dividend within 30 days after the declaration thereof if, at the date of declaration, such payment would have complied with those provisions.
Amended Definitions.
In addition, the following definitions of terms shall apply to the notes instead of the corresponding definitions of such terms described under Description of Debt Securities Definitions in the accompanying prospectus.
Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service for any period means Consolidated Net Income (as defined in the accompanying prospectus) of us and our subsidiaries:
(1) | plus amounts which have been deducted for |
a. interest on our and our subsidiaries Debt,
b. provision for our and our subsidiaries taxes based on income,
c. amortization of debt discount,
d. depreciation and amortization, and
(2) | excluding |
a. any extraordinary, non-recurring and other unusual noncash charge,
b. any gains and losses on sale of real estate, and
c. the equity in net income or loss of joint ventures in which we own an interest to the extent not providing a source of, or requiring a use of, cash, respectively.
Maximum Annual Service Charge as of any date means the maximum amount payable during our four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended before such date for interest on, and required amortization of, Debt (including, in the case of the additional Debt being incurred, the pro forma effect of the Debt and intended application of the proceeds thereof as if such Debt had been outstanding for such four-quarter period). The amount payable for amortization will include the amount of any sinking fund or other analogous fund for the retirement of Debt. It will also include the amount payable on account of principal of any such Debt that matures serially other than at the final maturity date of such Debt.
Total Assets as of any date means the sum of (i) Undepreciated Real Estate Assets and (ii) all other assets of ours and our subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding goodwill and unamortized debt costs) after eliminating intercompany accounts and transactions.
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Unencumbered Real Estate Asset Value as of any date means the sum of:
(1) our Undepreciated Real Estate Assets, which are not encumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest, as of the end of our latest fiscal quarter covered in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, most recently filed with the SEC (or, if that filing is not required under the Exchange Act, with the trustee) prior to such date; provided, however, that all investments in unconsolidated limited partnerships, unconsolidated limited liability companies and other unconsolidated entities shall be excluded from Unencumbered Real Estate Asset Value; and
(2) the purchase price of any real estate assets that are not encumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, or security interest and were acquired by us or any subsidiary after the end of such quarter; provided, however, that all investments in unconsolidated limited partnerships, unconsolidated limited liability companies and other unconsolidated entities shall be excluded from Unencumbered Real Estate Asset Value.
Events of Default
The indenture provides that the following events are Events of Default:
(1) default for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest or additional amounts on any note;
(2) default in the payment of the principal of any note at the time such payment becomes due and payable;
(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or warranty contained in the indenture continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in the indenture;
(4) default under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness of the Company or under any mortgage, indenture or other instrument of the Company under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness of the Company (or by any subsidiary, the repayment of which the Company has guaranteed or for which the Company is directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor), which results in the acceleration of indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $25,000,000, but only if such indebtedness is not discharged or such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled as provided in the indenture; and
(5) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee, of the Company or of any significant subsidiary of the Company as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 or of the respective property of either.
Optional Redemption
We may redeem the notes at our option, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:
| 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed; and |
| the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on such notes being redeemed (not including the portion of any payments of interest accrued to the redemption date) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus basis points, |
plus, in each case, any accrued but unpaid interest on the amount being redeemed to, but not including, the date of redemption; provided, however, that if we redeem the notes 90 days or fewer prior to their maturity date, the redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus any accrued but unpaid interest on the amount being redeemed to, but not including, the date of redemption.
Treasury Rate means, with respect to any redemption date for the notes, (1) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published
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statistical release designated H.15(519) or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which established yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption Treasury Constant Maturities, for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the maturity date for the notes, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated by the Independent Investment Banker on the third business day preceding the redemption date.
Comparable Treasury Issue means the U.S. Treasury security selected by the Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such notes.
Independent Investment Banker means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers that we have appointed.
Comparable Treasury Price means with respect to any redemption date for the notes (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the trustee obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.
Reference Treasury Dealer means Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., RBS Securities Inc. and UBS Securities LLC and their respective successors and two other nationally recognized investment banking firms that are primary U.S. Government securities dealers in the United States (each, a Primary Treasury Dealer) appointed by us, provided that prior written notice of our appointment of such other Primary Treasury Dealers shall be provided to the trustee; provided, further, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, we shall substitute in its place another Primary Treasury Dealer.
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. on the third business day preceding such redemption date.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but no more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed. If we are redeeming less than all the notes, the trustee will select the particular notes to be redeemed pro rata, by lot or by another method the trustee deems fair and appropriate.
Unless we default in our payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions of such notes called for redemption.
Book-Entry System
DTC will act as the initial securities depositary for the notes. The notes will be issued only as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTCs nominee. One or more fully registered global note certificates will be issued for the notes, representing in the aggregate the total principal amount of the notes, respectively, and will be deposited with DTC. See Description of Debt Securities Book-Entry Debt Securities in the accompanying prospectus.
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CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes. It is not a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating to the notes. This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, administrative rulings and pronouncements and judicial decisions, all effective as of the date of this prospectus supplement. These authorities may be changed, perhaps with retroactive effect, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those set forth below.
This summary is limited to beneficial owners of notes that purchase the notes in this offering for a price equal to the issue price of the notes (i.e., the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold to investors, excluding sales to bond houses, brokers or similar persons or persons acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers) and that will hold the notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. This summary does not address the tax considerations arising under other U.S. federal tax laws (such as estate and gift tax laws) or the laws of any foreign, state or local jurisdiction. In addition, this discussion does not address all of the tax considerations that may be applicable to holders particular circumstances or to holders that may be subject to special tax rules under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as, for example:
| holders subject to the alternative minimum tax; |
| banks, insurance companies, or other financial institutions; |
| REITs and regulated investment companies; |
| tax-exempt organizations; |
| brokers and dealers in securities or currencies; |
| persons who have ceased to be citizens or residents of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting for their securities holdings; |
| U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar or who hold notes through a foreign entity or foreign account; |
| persons that will hold the notes as a position in a hedging transaction, straddle, conversion transaction or other risk reduction transaction; |
| persons deemed to sell the notes under the constructive sale provisions of the Code; or |
| partnerships (or other entities or arrangements classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and other pass-through entities, and investors in such entities. |
This summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations is for general information only and is not tax advice. This summary is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the IRS. We have not sought, and will not seek, any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made in this summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a position contrary to these statements or that a contrary position taken by the IRS would not be sustained by a court. If you are considering purchasing the notes, you are urged to consult your own tax advisor with respect to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax considerations arising under other federal tax laws, under the laws of any state, local, or foreign taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable income tax treaty.
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Consequences to U.S. Holders
The following is a summary of the general U.S. federal income tax consequences that will apply to you if you are a U.S. Holder of the notes. Certain consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of the notes are described under Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders, below. For purposes of this discussion, you are a U.S. Holder if you are a beneficial owner of a note and you are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| a trust (1) whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and that has one or more U.S. persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) that has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If an entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds notes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (or if you are a partner in such a partnership), you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes to you.
Payments of Interest
Stated interest on the notes will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with your method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes
Upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a note, you generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on such disposition (other than any amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which, if not previously taxed, will be taxable as ordinary interest income) and your adjusted tax basis in the note. Your adjusted tax basis in a note generally will be your cost for the note. Any such gain or loss generally will be treated as capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of such disposition, your holding period for the note is more than one year. Certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) are eligible for reduced rates of taxation in respect of long-term capital gains, which rates are currently scheduled to increase in 2013. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Medicare Tax
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax. The Medicare tax will apply to interest on the notes and gain from the disposition of the notes. If you are a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust, you are urged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in the notes.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to certain payments of principal, premium (if any) and interest on and the proceeds of certain sales of notes unless you are an exempt recipient. Backup withholding of tax (currently at a rate of 28%, but scheduled to increase to 31% in 2013) will apply to such payments if you fail to provide your taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status or have been notified by the IRS that payments to you are subject to backup withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will generally be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund,
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provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding rules to your particular situation, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable.
Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders
You are a Non-U.S. Holder for purposes of this discussion if you are a beneficial owner of a note and you are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an individual, corporation, estate or trust that is not a U.S. Holder.
If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes is a holder of a note, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such a partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in such a partnership are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to them of acquiring, holding or disposing of the notes.
Payments of Interest
Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, if you are a Non-U.S. Holder you will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax on interest paid on the notes so long as that interest is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is not attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States), provided that:
| you do not (directly or indirectly, actually or constructively) own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our shares that are entitled to vote; |
| you are not a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is directly or indirectly related to us through stock ownership; |
| you are not a bank whose receipt of interest on a note is described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code; and |
| you provide the applicable withholding agent with, among other things, your name and address, and certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are not a U.S. person (which certification may be made on an IRS Form W-8BEN (or successor form)). |
If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest generally will be subject to the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless you provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed (1) IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty or (2) IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) stating that interest paid on the notes is not subject to U.S. federal withholding tax because it is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (as discussed below under the heading Interest or Gain Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business).
Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes
Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, you will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on any gain recognized on the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a note, unless:
| that gain is effectively connected with the conduct by you of a trade or business within the United States (and if an income tax treaty applies, such gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States); or |
| if you are an individual Non-U.S. Holder, you are present in the United States for at least 183 days in the taxable year of such sale, exchange, redemption, repurchase or other taxable disposition and certain other conditions are met. |
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If you are described in the first bullet point above, see Interest or Gain Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business below. If you are described in the second bullet point above, you will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the amount by which your capital gains allocable to U.S. sources, including gain from such sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of the notes, exceed capital losses allocable to U.S. sources, except as otherwise required by an applicable income tax treaty.
To the extent that the amount realized on any sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of notes is attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, such amount generally will be treated in the same manner as payments of interest as described under the heading Payments of Interest above.
Interest or Gain Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business
If you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States and interest on a note or gain recognized from the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a note is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business (and, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States), you will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates (but not the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax if you provide an IRS Form W-8ECI with respect to interest, as described above) on that interest or gain on a net income basis in the same manner as if you were a U.S. person as defined under the Code. In addition, if you are a foreign corporation, you may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or lower applicable income tax treaty rate) of your earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to adjustments, that are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States. For this purpose, interest on the notes and gain from the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of the notes that is effectively connected with your trade or business in the United States will be included in your earnings and profits.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Generally, information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments of interest on the notes and proceeds from the sale or other taxable disposition of the notes. Copies of applicable information returns reporting such payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which you reside under the provisions of an applicable treaty or agreement. You may be subject to backup withholding of tax (currently at a rate of 28%, but which rate is scheduled to increase to 31% in 2013) on these payments unless you comply with certain certification procedures to establish that you are not a U.S. person. The certification procedures required to claim an exemption from withholding of tax on interest described above generally will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid backup withholding as well. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will generally be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding rules to your particular situation, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable.
FATCA
On March 18, 2010, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (commonly known as FATCA) was signed into law as part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act. Under certain circumstances, FATCA will impose a withholding tax of 30% on payments of U.S. source interest on, and the gross proceeds from a disposition of, the debt securities made to certain foreign entities unless various information reporting requirements are satisfied. These rules generally would apply to payments made with respect to debt securities after December 31, 2012, other than with respect to debt securities outstanding on March 18, 2012.
Despite the December 31, 2012 date set forth in FATCA, the IRS has issued proposed Treasury Regulations indicating that the withholding requirements with respect to interest will be delayed until January 1, 2014 and that the withholding requirements with respect to gross proceeds will be delayed until January 1, 2015. In addition, under the proposed Treasury Regulations, withholding will generally not apply to debt securities outstanding on January 1, 2013. These proposed regulations would be effective once finalized. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the FATCA and the proposed Treasury Regulations as they apply to the notes.
S-17
The following summary regarding certain aspects of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), and the Code is based on ERISA and the Code, judicial decisions and U.S. Department of Labor and IRS regulations and rulings that are in existence on the date of this prospectus supplement. This summary is general in nature and does not address every issue pertaining to ERISA that may be applicable to us, the notes or a particular investor. Accordingly, each prospective investor should consult with his, her or its own counsel in order to understand the ERISA-related issues that affect or may affect the investor with respect to this investment.
ERISA and the Code impose certain requirements on employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of ERISA and plans subject to Section 4975 of the Code (each such employee benefit plan or plan, a Plan) and on those persons who are fiduciaries with respect to Plans. In considering an investment of the assets of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA in the notes, a fiduciary must, among other things, discharge its duties solely in the interest of the participants of such Plan and their beneficiaries and for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to such participants and beneficiaries and defraying reasonable expenses of administering the Plan. A fiduciary must act prudently and must diversify the investments of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA so as to minimize the risk of large losses, as well as discharge its duties in accordance with the documents and instruments governing such Plan. In addition, ERISA generally requires fiduciaries to hold all assets of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA in trust and to maintain the indicia of ownership of such assets within the jurisdiction of the district courts of the United States. A fiduciary of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA should consider whether an investment in the notes satisfies these requirements.
An investor who is considering acquiring the notes with the assets of a Plan must consider whether the acquisition and holding of the notes will constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction. Section 406(a) of ERISA and Sections 4975(c)(1)(A), (B), (C) and (D) of the Code prohibit certain transactions that involve a Plan and a party in interest as defined in Section 3(14) of ERISA or a disqualified person as defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code with respect to such Plan. Examples of such prohibited transactions include, but are not limited to, sales or exchanges of property (such as the notes) or extensions of credit between a Plan and a party in interest or disqualified person. Section 406(b) of ERISA and Sections 4975(c)(1)(E) and (F) of the Code generally prohibit a fiduciary with respect to a Plan from dealing with the assets of the Plan for its own benefit (for example when a fiduciary of a Plan uses its position to cause the Plan to make investments in connection with which the fiduciary (or a party related to the fiduciary) receives a fee or other consideration).
ERISA and the Code contain certain exemptions from the prohibited transactions described above, and the Department of Labor has issued several exemptions, although certain exemptions do not provide relief from the prohibitions on self-dealing contained in Section 406(b) of ERISA and Sections 4975(c)(1)(E) and (F) of the Code. Exemptions include Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code pertaining to certain transactions with non-fiduciary service providers; Department of Labor Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption (PTCE) 95-60, applicable to transactions involving insurance company general accounts; PTCE 90-1, regarding investments by insurance company pooled separate accounts; PTCE 91-38, regarding investments by bank collective investment funds; PTCE 84-14, regarding investments effected by a qualified professional asset manager; and PTCE 96-23, regarding investments effected by an in-house asset manager. There can be no assurance that any of these exemptions will be available with respect to the acquisition of the notes. Under Section 4975 of the Code, excise taxes are imposed on disqualified persons who participate in non-exempt prohibited transactions (other than a fiduciary acting only as such).
As a general rule, a governmental plan, as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA (a Governmental Plan), a church plan, as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA, that has not made an election under Section 410(d) of the Code (a Church Plan) and non-U.S. plans are not subject to the requirements of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. Accordingly, assets of such plans may be invested without regard to the fiduciary and prohibited transaction considerations described above. Although a Governmental Plan, a Church Plan or a non-U.S. plan is not subject to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, it may be subject to other U.S. federal, state or local laws or non-U.S. laws that regulate its investments (a Similar Law). A fiduciary of a Government Plan, a Church Plan or a non-U.S. plan should make its own determination as to the requirements, if any, under any Similar Law applicable to the acquisition of the notes.
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The notes may be acquired by a Plan or an entity whose underlying assets include the assets of a Plan or by a Governmental Plan, a Church Plan or a non-U.S. plan, but only if the acquisition will not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a violation of Similar Law. Therefore, any investor in the notes will be deemed to represent and warrant to us and the trustee that (1)(a) it is not (i) a Plan, (ii) an entity whose underlying assets include the assets of a Plan, (iii) a Governmental Plan, (iv) a Church Plan or (v) a non-U.S. plan, (b) it is a Plan or an entity whose underlying assets include the assets of a Plan and the acquisition and holding of the notes will not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or (c) it is a Governmental Plan, a Church Plan or a non-U.S. plan that is not subject to (i) ERISA, (ii) Section 4975 of the Code or (iii) any Similar Law that prohibits or taxes (in terms of an excise or penalty tax) the acquisition or holding of the notes; and (2) it will notify us and the trustee immediately if, at any time, it is no longer able to make the representations contained in clause (1) above. Any purported transfer of the notes to a transferee that does not comply with the foregoing requirements shall be null and void ab initio.
This offer is not a representation by us or the underwriters that an acquisition of the notes meets all legal requirements applicable to investments by Plans, entities whose underlying assets include assets of a Plan, Governmental Plans, Church Plans or non-U.S. plans or that such an investment is appropriate for any particular Plan, entities whose underlying assets include assets of a Plan, Governmental Plan, Church Plan or non-U.S. plan.
S-19
Subject to the terms and conditions contained in an underwriting agreement and related terms agreement, each dated June , 2012, among us and the underwriters, each of the underwriters named below, for whom Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., RBS Securities Inc. and UBS Securities LLC are acting as representatives, has severally agreed to purchase from us the principal amount of the notes set forth opposite its name below:
Underwriter |
Principal Amount of Notes |
|||
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. |
$ | |||
RBS Securities Inc. |
||||
UBS Securities LLC |
||||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 250,000,000 | ||
|
|
The underwriting agreement and related terms agreement provide that the obligations of the several underwriters thereunder are subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to various other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase and accept delivery of all of the notes if they purchase any of the notes.
The underwriters propose to offer the notes directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain securities dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of % per note. The underwriters may allow, and such dealers may re-allow, concessions not in excess of % per note on sales to other dealers. After this offering of the notes, the public offering price, concession and other selling terms may be changed by the underwriters. The notes are offered subject to receipt and acceptance by the underwriters and to certain other conditions, including the right to reject orders in whole or in part.
The following table shows the underwriting discount that we have agreed to provide to the underwriters in connection with this offering of the notes (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the notes and in total):
Paid by DDR | ||||
Per Note |
% | |||
Total |
$ |
We estimate that our total expenses for this offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will be approximately $500,000.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 or to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or on any automated dealer quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in the notes, but they are not obligated to do so and may cease market-making activities at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading markets for the notes or that an active public market for the notes will develop. If active public trading markets for the notes do not develop, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.
In connection with this offering of the notes, certain of the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the notes. Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot in connection with this offering, creating a short position. In addition, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the notes in the open market to cover short positions or to stabilize the price of the notes. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the notes above independent market levels, but no representation is
S-20
made hereby of the magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above, if commenced, may have on the market price of the notes. The underwriters will not be required to engage in these activities, and may engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time without notice.
The underwriters and/or their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and/or their respective affiliates have from time to time provided, and expect to provide in the future, investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services to us and our affiliates, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and/or their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours. The underwriters and/or their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Affiliates of the representatives are lenders under our $750 million unsecured revolving credit facility. In addition, affiliates of the representatives are lenders under our secured term loan.
The validity of the notes offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Jones Day. Certain legal matters with respect to the notes will be passed upon for the underwriters by Sidley Austin LLP.
The financial statements and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The consolidated financial statements of Sonae Sierra Brazil BV Sarl for the year ended December 31, 2011, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DDR Corp. for the year ended December 31, 2011, have been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Auditores Independentes, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
S-21
PROSPECTUS
Developers Diversified Realty Corporation
Debt Securities
Preferred Shares
Depositary Shares Representing Preferred Shares
Common Shares
Common Share Warrants
We may offer and sell from time to time our debt securities, preferred shares, depositary shares representing preferred shares, common shares and common share warrants. We may sell any combination of these securities in one or more offerings with an indeterminate aggregate initial offering price.
We will provide the specific terms of the securities to be offered in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our securities. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those offered securities.
We may sell the securities directly or to or through underwriters or dealers, and also to other purchasers or through agents. The names of any underwriters or agents that are included in a sale of securities to you, and any applicable commissions or discounts, will be stated in an accompanying prospectus supplement. In addition, the underwriters, if any, may over-allot a portion of the securities.
Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DDR. Our Class G Cumulative Preferred Shares, Class H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares and Class I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols DDR-PG, DDR-PH and DDR-PI, respectively.
Investing in any of our securities involves risks. Please read carefully the section entitled Risk Factors beginning on page 1 of this prospectus.
Our executive offices are located at 3300 Enterprise Parkway, Beachwood, Ohio 44122, and our telephone number is (216) 755-5500.
We impose certain restrictions on the ownership of our common shares so that we can maintain our qualification as a real estate investment trust. You should read the information under the heading Description of Common Shares Restrictions on Ownership in this prospectus for a description of those restrictions.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is October 13, 2009.
We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any applicable free writing prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any applicable free writing prospectus as if we had authorized it. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate. Nor do this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement is correct on any date after their respective dates, even though this prospectus or an applicable supplement is delivered or securities are sold on a later date. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since those dates.
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27 | ||||
Description of Depositary Shares Representing Preferred Shares |
35 | |||
38 | ||||
40 | ||||
41 | ||||
42 | ||||
44 | ||||
44 | ||||
44 | ||||
44 |
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings of an indeterminate number and amount of securities.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. For a more complete understanding of the offering of the securities, you should refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information under the heading Where You Can Find More Information and Information We Incorporate By Reference.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus that we may provide you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any document incorporated by reference or any free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date, other than the date of the applicable document. We are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.
Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to we, us, our, the Company or DDR mean Developers Diversified Realty Corporation and all wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and consolidated joint ventures of Developers Diversified Realty Corporation.
We are an Ohio corporation and are a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or a REIT, operating as a fully integrated real estate company which acquires, develops and leases shopping centers.
Our executive offices are located at 3300 Enterprise Parkway, Beachwood, Ohio 44122, and our telephone number is (216) 755-5500. Our website is located at http://www.ddr.com. Information on, or accessible through, our website is not part of, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus other than the documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and incorporate by reference into this prospectus.
Investing in our securities involves risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated herein by reference and may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, results of operations and financial condition could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or a part of your investment.
1
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference contain forward-looking information, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that is based on current expectations, estimates and projections. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements related to acquisitions (including any related pro forma financial information) and other business development activities, future capital expenditures, financing sources and availability and the effects of environmental and other regulations. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be achieved. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact should be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words will, believes, anticipates, plans, expects, seeks, estimates, projects, intends, potential, forecasts and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond our control and that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements and could materially affect our actual results, performance or achievements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. We expressly state that we have no current intention to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law.
Factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:
| We are subject to general risks affecting the real estate industry, including the need to enter into new leases or renew leases on favorable terms to generate rental revenues, and the current economic downturn may adversely affect the ability of our tenants, or new tenants, to enter into new leases or the ability of our existing tenants to renew their leases at rates at least as favorable as their current rates; |
| We could be adversely affected by changes in the local markets where our properties are located, as well as by adverse changes in national economic and market conditions; |
| We may fail to anticipate the effects on our properties of changes in consumer buying practices, including catalog sales and sales over the Internet and the resulting retailing practices and space needs of our tenants or a general downturn in our tenants businesses, which may cause tenants to close stores; |
| We are subject to competition for tenants from other owners of retail properties, and our tenants are subject to competition from other retailers and methods of distribution. We are dependent upon the successful operations and financial condition of our tenants, in particular of our major tenants, and could be adversely affected by the bankruptcy of those tenants; |
| We rely on major tenants, which makes us vulnerable to changes in the business and financial condition of, or demand for our space, by such tenants; |
| We may fail to dispose of properties on favorable terms. In addition, real estate investments can be illiquid, particularly as prospective buyers may experience increased costs of financing or difficulties obtaining financing, and could limit our ability to promptly make changes to our portfolio to respond to economic and other conditions; |
| We may not realize the intended benefits of acquisition or merger transactions. The acquired assets may not perform as well as we anticipated, or we may not successfully integrate the assets and realize the improvements in occupancy and operating results that we anticipate. The acquisition of certain assets may subject us to liabilities, including environmental liabilities; |
| We may fail to identify, acquire, construct or develop additional properties that produce a desired yield on invested capital, or may fail to effectively integrate acquisitions of properties or portfolios of properties; |
2
| We may be limited in our acquisition opportunities due to competition, the inability to obtain financing on reasonable terms or any financing at all and other factors; |
| We may abandon a development opportunity after expending resources if we determine that the development opportunity is not feasible due to a variety of factors, including a lack of availability of construction financing on reasonable terms, the impact of the current economic environment on prospective tenants ability to enter into new leases or pay contractual rent, or our inability to obtain all necessary zoning and other required governmental permits and authorizations; |
| We may not complete development projects on schedule as a result of various factors, many of which are beyond our control, such as weather, labor conditions, governmental approvals, material shortages or general economic downturn resulting in limited availability of capital, increased debt service expense and construction costs and decreases in revenue; |
| Our financial condition may be affected by required debt service payments, the risk of default and restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt or enter into certain transactions under our credit facilities and other documents governing our debt obligations. In addition, we may encounter difficulties in obtaining permanent financing or refinancing existing debt. Borrowings under our credit facilities are subject to certain representations and warranties and customary events of default, including any event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition; |
| Changes in interest rates could adversely affect the market price of our securities, as well as our performance and cash flow; |
| Debt and/or equity financing necessary for us to continue to grow and operate our business may not be available or may not be available on favorable terms or at all; |
| Recent disruptions in the financial markets could affect our ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms and have other adverse effects on us and the market price of our securities; |
| We are subject to complex regulations related to our status as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, and would be adversely affected if we failed to qualify as a REIT; |
| We must make distributions to shareholders to continue to qualify as a REIT, and if we must borrow funds to make distributions, those borrowings may not be available on favorable terms or at all; |
| Joint venture investments may involve risks not otherwise present for investments made solely by us, including the possibility that a partner or co-venturer may become bankrupt, may at any time have different interests or goals than our interests or goals and may take action contrary to our instructions, requests, policies or objectives, including our policy with respect to maintaining our qualification as a REIT. In addition, a partner or co-venturer may not have access to sufficient capital to satisfy its funding obligations to the joint venture. The partner could default on the loans outside of our control. Furthermore, if the current constrained credit conditions in the capital markets persist or deteriorate further, we could be required to reduce the carrying value of our equity method investments if a loss in the carrying value of the investment is other than a temporary decline pursuant to Accounting Principles Board No. 18, The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock; |
| We may not realize anticipated returns from our real estate assets outside the United States. We expect to continue to pursue international opportunities that may subject us to different or greater risks than those associated with our domestic operations. We own assets in Puerto Rico, an interest in an unconsolidated joint venture that owns properties in Brazil and an interest in consolidated joint ventures that will develop and own properties in Canada, Russia and Ukraine; |
3
| International development and ownership activities carry risks that are different from those we face with our domestic properties and operations. These risks include: |
| Adverse effects of changes in exchange rates for foreign currencies; |
| Changes in foreign political or economic environments; |
| Challenges of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws including tax laws and addressing different practices and customs relating to corporate governance, operations and litigation; |
| Different lending practices; |
| Cultural and consumer differences; |
| Changes in applicable laws and regulations in the United States that affect foreign operations; |
| Difficulties in managing international operations; and |
| Obstacles to the repatriation of earnings and cash; |
| Although our international activities are currently a relatively small portion of our business, to the extent we expand our international activities, these risks could significantly increase and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition; |
| We are subject to potential environmental liabilities; |
| We may incur losses that are uninsured or exceed policy coverage due to our liability for certain injuries to persons, property or the environment occurring on our properties; and |
| We could incur additional expenses in order to comply with or respond to claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act or otherwise be adversely affected by changes in government regulations, including changes in environmental, zoning, tax and other regulations. |
These factors and the other risk factors described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference, are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm our results. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on us.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities offered under this prospectus for working capital and general corporate purposes including, but not limited to: the repayment of our indebtedness; the redemption of outstanding securities; the acquisition or development of properties (including using the net proceeds for possible portfolio or asset acquisitions or in business combinations or joint ventures) as suitable opportunities arise; and the expansion and improvement of certain properties in our portfolio.
Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness.
4
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED SHARE DIVIDENDS
The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. For this purpose, earnings consist of earnings from continuing operations, excluding income taxes, non-controlling interest share in earnings and fixed charges, other than capitalized interest, and fixed charges consist of interest on borrowed funds, including amounts that have been capitalized, and amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs, debt premiums and debt discounts.
Year Ended December 31, | Six Months Ended June 30, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
2004 | 2005 | 2006(a) | 2007(a) | 2008(a) | 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
2.9x | 2.3x | 2.0x | 1.7x | (b | ) | (b | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Share Dividends |
2.05x | 1.79x | 1.58x | 1.52x | (c | ) | (c | ) |
(a) | These periods have been adjusted to reflect the retroactive adoption of FSP APB 14-1, also known as ASC 470-02, for interest expense related to our convertible debt. |
(b) | Due to our loss from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. We would have needed to generate additional earnings of $121.7 million and $118.1 million to achieve a coverage of 1:1 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008. |
The loss from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009 includes impairment charges, including impairment of joint venture investments, of $159.1 million that are discussed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009. The loss from continuing operations for 2008 includes impairment charges, including impairment of joint venture investments, of $183.2 million that are discussed in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 10, 2009, which updates certain portions of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
(c) | Due to our loss from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. We would have needed to generate additional earnings of $142.8 million and $160.4 million to achieve a coverage of 1:1 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008. |
The loss from continuing operations for 2008 includes impairment charges, including impairment of joint ventures, of $183.2 million that are discussed in our Current Report of Form 8-K filed August 10, 2009, which updates certain portions of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. The loss from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009 includes impairment charges, including impairments of joint ventures, of $159.1 million that are discussed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Our senior securities will be issued under a senior indenture dated as of May 1, 1994, as amended or supplemented from time to time, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee. Our subordinated securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture dated as of May 1, 1994, as amended or supplemented from time to time between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee.
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the indentures including references to the applicable section of the indentures. It does not restate the indentures in their entirety. We urge you to read the indentures because they, and not this description, define the rights of holders of debt securities. Except as
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otherwise defined herein, terms used in this description but not otherwise defined herein are used as defined in the indentures. When we refer to DDR, we, our, us, and the Company in this section, we are referring to Developers Diversified Realty Corporation excluding its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated herein.
The indentures have been incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indentures are available for inspection at the corporate trust offices of the applicable Trustee as follows: (i) U.S. Bank National Association, 100 Wall Street, Suite 1600, New York, NY 10005, and (ii) The Bank of New York Mellon, 101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W, New York, New York 10286. The indentures are subject to, and are governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. All section references appearing in this description are to sections of the applicable indenture.
General
Our debt securities will be direct, unsecured obligations. The debt securities issued under each indenture are not limited as to aggregate principal amount and may be issued in one or more series. The principal amount and series will be established from time to time in or pursuant to authority granted by a resolution of our board of directors. The principal amount and series also may be established in one or more indentures supplemental to the applicable indenture. All debt securities of one series need not be issued at the same time (section 301 of the indentures). Unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional debt securities of such series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series (section 301 of the indentures). Either Trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities issued under the applicable indenture, and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series.
Reference is made to each prospectus supplement for the specific terms of the series of debt securities being offered thereby, including:
(1) the title of such debt securities;
(2) the aggregate principal amount of such debt securities and any limit on such aggregate principal amount;
(3) the percentage of the principal amount at which such debt securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of such debt securities, or (if applicable) the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities which is convertible into our common shares or other equity securities, or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;
(4) if such debt securities are convertible, any limitation on the ownership or transferability of our common shares or other equity securities into which such debt securities are convertible in connection with the preservation of our status as a REIT;
(5) the date(s), or the method for determining the date(s), on which the principal of such debt securities will be payable;
(6) the rate(s) (which may be fixed or variable) at which such debt securities will bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate(s) shall be determined;
(7) the date(s), or the method for determining the date(s), from which interest, if any, will accrue;
(8) the date(s) on which any interest will be payable;
(9) the record date(s) for an interest payment, or the method by which such record date(s) shall be determined (the record date for an interest payment is the date on which a Person must be a holder in order to receive the interest payment);
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(10) the Person to whom any interest shall be payable;
(11) the basis upon which any interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
(12) the place(s) where:
a. the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such debt securities will be payable,
b. such debt securities may be surrendered for conversion or registration of transfer or exchange, and
c. notices or demands in respect of such debt securities and the applicable indenture may be served;
(13) the period(s) within which, the price(s) at which, and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities may be redeemed at our option, as a whole or in part, if we are to have the option to redeem such debt securities;
(14) our obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase such debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder thereof, and the period(s) within which, the price(s) at which, and the terms and conditions upon which we are obligated, if at all, to redeem, repay or purchase such debt securities, as a whole or in part, pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder thereof;
(15) if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which such debt securities are denominated and payable, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies, and the terms and conditions relating thereto;
(16) whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined (the index, formula or method may, but need not be, based on a currency, currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies);
(17) any additions to, modifications of or deletions from the terms of such debt securities with respect to the Events of Default or covenants set forth in the applicable indenture;
(18) whether such debt securities will be issued in certificated or book-entry form;
(19) whether such debt securities will be in registered or bearer form or both and, if and to the extent in registered form, the denominations thereof if other than $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof and, if and to the extent in bearer form, the denominations thereof and terms and conditions relating thereto;
(20) the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the applicable indenture;
(21) the terms, if any, upon which such debt securities may be convertible into our common shares or other equity securities (and the class thereof) and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion will be effected, including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate and the conversion period;
(22) whether and under what circumstances we will pay Additional Amounts on such debt securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem such debt securities in lieu of making such payment; and
(23) any other terms of such debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the applicable indenture.
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The debt securities may provide for the payment of less than the entire principal amount upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities. Such debt securities are known as Original Issue Discount Securities. Any material U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to Original Issue Discount Securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Except as set forth under the captions Material Covenants Limitation on Incurrence of Debt and Maintenance of Unencumbered Real Estate Assets, which relate solely to the senior indenture and the senior securities, or as may be contained in a supplemental indenture relating to a series of debt securities, neither indenture contains any additional provision that would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or that would afford holders of debt securities protection in a highly leveraged or similar action involving DDR or in the event of a change of control of DDR. However, certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of our common shares and other equity securities designed to preserve our status as a REIT may act to prevent or hinder a change of control. See Description of Common Shares, Description of Preferred Shares and Description of Depositary Shares Representing Preferred Shares. Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement for information with respect to any deletion from, modification of or addition to the Events of Default or our covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.
Denominations, Interest, Registration and Transfer
Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of any series will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof (section 302 of the indentures).
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on any series of debt securities will be made at the corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee as follows: (i) U.S. Bank National Association, 100 Wall Street, Suite 1600, New York, NY 10005 and (ii) The Bank of New York Mellon, 101 Barclay Street, Floor 8W, New York, New York 10286. However, we may elect to pay interest by check mailed to the address of the holder as it appears in the register for debt securities of such series or by wire transfer of funds to the holder at an account maintained within the United States (sections 301, 305, 306, 307 and 1002 of the indentures).
Any interest with respect to a debt security that is not punctually paid or duly provided for on the date the interest is due and payable will cease to be payable thereafter to the holder on the applicable record date. The interest may be paid to the holder at the close of business on a special record date fixed by the applicable Trustee for the payment of the interest. Notice of such payment must be given to the holder of such debt security not less than 10 days prior to the special record date. Such interest may also be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more completely described in the applicable indenture (section 307 of the indentures).
Subject to certain limitations applicable to debt securities issued in book-entry form, the debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor of different authorized denominations upon surrender of such debt securities at the corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee. In addition, subject to certain limitations applicable to debt securities issued in book-entry form, the debt securities of any series may be surrendered for conversion or registration of transfer thereof at the corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee. Every debt security surrendered for conversion, registration of transfer or exchange must be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer. No service charge will be incurred for any registration of transfer or exchange of any debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith (section 305 of the indentures). If the applicable prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agent (in addition to the Trustee) that we initially designated with respect to any series of debt securities, we may at any time rescind the designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the location at which any such transfer agent acts; however, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place where principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities of such series are payable. We may designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities at any time (section 1002 of the indentures).
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Neither DDR nor any Trustee will be required:
| to issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of debt securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; |
| to register the transfer of or exchange any debt security, or portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part; or |
| to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt security that has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder, except the portion, if any, of such debt security not to be repaid (section 305 of the indentures). |
Merger, Consolidation or Sale
Each indenture provides that we may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our assets to, or merge with or into, any other corporation, provided that:
(1) we are the continuing corporation, or the successor corporation expressly assumes payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest on, all of the outstanding debt securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions contained in the applicable indenture;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes our or our subsidiaries obligation as a result thereof as having been incurred by us or our subsidiaries at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default under the applicable indenture, and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become such an Event of Default, occurs and is continuing; and
(3) an officers certificate and legal opinion confirming the satisfaction of the conditions are delivered to the applicable Trustee (sections 801 and 803 of the indentures).
Material Covenants
The subordinated indenture does not contain the covenants described in this section. It also does not contain any limitation on the amount of Debt (as defined below) of any kind that we may incur or on the amount of dividends or other distributions that we may pay our shareholders. The senior indenture contains the following covenants:
Limitation on Incurrence of Debt. We will not, and will not permit any subsidiary to, incur any Debt if, immediately after the incurrence of such additional Debt, the aggregate principal amount of all our outstanding Debt on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is greater than 65% of the sum of:
(1) our Undepreciated Real Estate Assets (as defined below) as of the end of the calendar quarter covered in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q most recently filed with the SEC (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, filed with the applicable Trustee) prior to the incurrence of such additional Debt, and
(2) the purchase price of all real estate assets acquired by us or our subsidiaries since the end of such calendar quarter, including those obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Debt (section 1004 of the senior indenture).
We will not, and will not permit any subsidiary to, incur any Debt if Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service (as defined below) for any 12 consecutive calendar months within the 15 calendar months immediately preceding the date on which such additional Debt is to be incurred shall have been less than 1.5 times the Maximum Annual Service Charge (as defined below) on our consolidated Debt to be outstanding immediately after the incurrence of such additional Debt (section 1004 of the senior indenture).
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In addition to the foregoing limitations on the incurrence of Secured Debt, in connection with the issuance of our 4.625% Notes Due 2010, 3.875% Notes Due 2009, 5.25% Notes Due 2011, 5.0% Notes Due 2010, 5.5% Notes Due 2015, 5.375% Notes Due 2012 and 9.625% Notes Due 2016, we have added a covenant providing that as long as any of our 4.625% Notes Due 2010, 3.875% Notes Due 2009, 5.25% Notes Due 2011, 5.0% Notes Due 2010, 5.5% Notes Due 2015, 5.375% Notes Due 2012 and 9.625% Notes Due 2016 remain outstanding, we will not, and will not permit any subsidiary to, incur any Secured Debt, if immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Secured Debt and the application of the proceeds from such Secured Debt, the aggregate amount of all of our and our subsidiaries outstanding Secured Debt on a consolidated basis is greater than 40% of the sum of our Total Assets as of the end of the calendar quarter covered in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, most recently filed with the SEC (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the Trustee) prior to the incurrence of such additional Secured Debt and the increase, if any, in Total Assets from the end of such quarter, including, without limitation, any increase in Total Assets caused by the application of the proceeds of additional Secured Debt.
Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions. We will not:
| declare or pay any dividends (other than dividends payable in our capital stock) on any shares of our capital stock; |
| apply any of our property or assets to the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of any shares of our capital stock; |
| set apart any sum for the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of any shares of our capital stock; or |
| make any other distribution on any shares of our capital stock, by reduction of capital or otherwise |
if, immediately after such declaration or other such action, the aggregate of all such declarations and other actions since the date on which the indenture was originally executed exceeds the sum of (a) Funds from Operations from December 31, 1993 until the end of the latest calendar quarter covered in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q most recently filed with the SEC (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the applicable Trustee) prior to such declaration or other action and (b) $20,000,000.
This limitation does not apply to any declaration or other action referred to above which is necessary to maintain our status as a REIT under the Code if the aggregate principal amount of all our and our subsidiaries outstanding Debt at such time is less than 65% of our Undepreciated Real Estate Assets as of the end of the latest calendar quarter covered in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q most recently filed with the SEC (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the applicable Trustee) prior to such declaration or other action (section 1005 of the senior indenture).
Notwithstanding the provisions described above, we will not be prohibited from making the payment of any dividend within 30 days after the declaration thereof if, at the date of declaration, such payment would have complied with those provisions (section 1005 of the senior indenture).
Existence. Except as permitted under the provisions of the senior indenture described under the caption Merger, Consolidation or Sale, we must preserve and keep in full force and effect our corporate existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises. We will not be required to preserve any right or franchise if we determine that the preservation of that right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of our business and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of the senior securities (section 1006 of the senior indenture).
Maintenance of Properties. All of our properties that are used or useful in the conduct of our business or the business of our subsidiaries must be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment. We also are required to make all necessary repairs, renewals,
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replacements, betterments and improvements to our properties. We must do these things as necessary in our judgment to conduct the business carried on in connection therewith in a proper and advantageous manner at all times. However, we and our subsidiaries will not be prevented from selling or otherwise disposing of properties for value in the ordinary course of business (section 1007 of the senior indenture).
Insurance. We will, and will cause each of our subsidiaries to, keep all of our or their respective insurable properties insured against loss or damage at least equal to the properties then full insurable value with insurers of recognized responsibility having a rating of at least A:VIII in Bests Key Rating Guide (section 1008 of the senior indenture).
Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. We must pay or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same become delinquent:
(1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon us or any of our subsidiaries or upon our or any of our subsidiaries income, profits or property; and
(2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies that, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon our property or the property of any of our subsidiaries.
However, we will not be required to pay or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings (section 1009 of the senior indenture).
Provision of Financial Information. Whether or not we are subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, we must, to the extent permitted under the Exchange Act, file with the SEC the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which we would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to such Section 13 or 15(d) if we were so subject, on or prior to the respective dates by which we would have been required to file such documents. We must also in any event:
(1) within 15 days after such document would have been required to be filed:
a. mail to all holders of senior securities, as their names and addresses appear in the register for debt securities of each series, without cost to such holders, copies of such annual reports and quarterly reports which we would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if we were subject to those sections, and
b. file with the applicable Trustee copies of such annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which we would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if we were subject to those Sections, and
(2) if we are not permitted to file such documents with the SEC under the Exchange Act, we must supply copies of such documents to any prospective holder of senior securities promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery of such documents (section 1010 of the senior indenture).
Maintenance of Unencumbered Real Estate Assets. We must maintain an Unencumbered Real Estate Asset Value of not less than 135% of the aggregate principal amount of all our and our subsidiaries outstanding unsecured Debt (section 1011 of the senior indenture).
Events of Default, Notice and Waiver
Each indenture provides that the following events are Events of Default with respect to any series of debt securities issued thereunder:
(1) default for 30 days in the payment of any installment of interest, Additional Amounts or coupons on any debt security of such series;
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(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any debt security of such series at the time such payment becomes due and payable;
(3) default in making any sinking fund payment as required for any debt security of such series;
(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or warranty contained in the applicable indenture continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in such indenture; however, default in the performance, or breach, of a covenant or warranty added to such indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities issued thereunder other than such series is not an Event of Default;
(5) default under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness of the Company or under any mortgage, indenture or other instrument of the Company under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness of the Company (or by any subsidiary, the repayment of which the Company has guaranteed or for which the Company is directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor), which results in the acceleration of indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $10,000,000, but only if such indebtedness is not discharged or such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled as provided in the applicable indenture;
(6) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee, of the Company or of any significant subsidiary of the Company as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act or of the respective property of either; and
(7) any other Event of Default provided with respect to that series of debt securities (section 501 of the indentures).
If an Event of Default occurs under either indenture with respect to Outstanding debt securities of any series issued thereunder and is continuing, then the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by written notice to us. If the holders give notice to us, they must also give notice to the applicable Trustee. If the debt securities are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, the amount declared to be due and payable will be such portion of the principal amount as specified in the terms thereof. However, at any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of such series (or of all debt securities then Outstanding under such indenture, as the case may be) has been made, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series or of each series of debt securities then Outstanding under such indenture, as the case may be, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
(1) we have deposited with the applicable Trustee all required payments of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts payable on the debt securities of such series or of all debt securities then Outstanding under such indenture, as the case may be, plus certain fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of such Trustee, and
(2) all Events of Default have been cured or waived as provided in such indenture (except for the nonpayment of accelerated principal (or specified portion thereof) with respect to debt securities of such series or of all debt securities then Outstanding under such indenture) (section 502 of the indentures).
The indentures also provide that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any series or of each series of debt securities then Outstanding under the applicable indenture, as the case may be, may waive any past default with respect to such series and its consequences.
However, holders may not waive a default:
| in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any debt security of such series; or |
| in respect of a covenant or provision contained in such indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Outstanding debt security affected thereby (section 513 of the indentures). |
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Each indenture provides that the applicable Trustee is required to give notice to the holders of debt securities issued thereunder within 90 days of a default under such indenture. However, the Trustee may withhold notice of any default to the holders of any such series of debt securities if certain officers of such Trustee consider such withholding to be in the interest of the holders. The Trustee may not withhold notice with respect to a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any debt security or in the payment of any sinking installment in respect of any debt security (section 601 of the indentures).
Each indenture provides that no holder of debt securities of any series issued thereunder may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to such indenture or for any remedy thereunder. However, a holder of debt securities may institute a proceeding if the applicable Trustee fails to act for 60 days after it has received a written request to institute proceedings in respect of an Event of Default from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of such series, as well as an offer of reasonable indemnity (section 507 of the indentures). However, this provision will not prevent any holder of debt securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the debt securities held by that holder at the respective due dates thereof (section 508 of the indentures).
Subject to provisions in the applicable indenture relating to its duties in case of default and unless holders of any series of debt securities then Outstanding under such indenture have offered reasonable security or indemnity to the Trustee, the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of the holders (section 602 of the indentures). The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of any series (or of each series of debt securities then Outstanding under such indenture, as the case may be) shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to such Trustee. They also have the right to direct the time, method and place of exercising any trust or power conferred upon such Trustee. However, such Trustee may refuse to follow any direction which is in conflict with such indenture or any law which may involve the Trustee in personal liability or which may be unduly prejudicial to the holders of debt securities of such series not joining therein (section 512 of the indentures).
Within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, we must deliver to each Trustee a certificate signed by one of several specified officers. The certificate must state whether such officer has knowledge of any default under the applicable indenture and, if so, specify each such default and the nature and status thereof (section 1012 of the senior indenture and section 1004 of the subordinated indenture).
Modification of the Indentures
Modifications and amendments to either indenture may be made only with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding debt securities issued thereunder which are affected by such modification or amendment. However, unless the consent of the holder of each affected debt security is obtained, no modification or amendment may:
| change the date specified in any such debt security as the fixed date on which the principal thereof is due and payable; |
| change the date specified in any such debt security as the fixed date on which any installment of interest (or premium, if any) is due and payable; |
| reduce the principal amount of any such debt security; |
| reduce the rate or amount of interest on any such debt security; |
| reduce the premium payable on redemption of any such debt security; |
| reduce any Additional Amount payable in respect of any such debt security; |
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| reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or would be provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the holder of any such debt security; |
| change the place of payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any such debt security; |
| change the currency or currencies for payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on such debt security; |
| change our obligation to pay Additional Amounts; |
| impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any such debt security; |
| reduce the percentage of Outstanding debt securities of any series necessary to modify or amend the applicable indenture, to waive compliance with certain provisions thereof or certain defaults and consequences thereunder, or to reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in such indenture; or |
| modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of the provisions relating to the waiver of certain past defaults or certain covenants, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of such debt security (section 902 of the indentures). |
The senior indenture provides that the holders of a majority in principal amount of Outstanding debt securities issued thereunder have the right to waive our compliance with certain covenants in the senior indenture, including those described in the section of this prospectus captioned Material Covenants (section 1014 of the senior indenture).
DDR and the applicable Trustee may modify and amend either indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities issued thereunder for any of the following purposes:
| to evidence the succession of another Person to our obligations under such indenture; |
| to add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities issued thereunder or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in such indenture; |
| to add Events of Default for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities issued thereunder; |
| to add or change any provisions of such indenture to facilitate the issuance of, or to liberalize certain terms of, debt securities issued thereunder in bearer form, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of such debt securities in uncertificated form, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of such debt securities of any series in any material respect; |
| to change or eliminate any provision of such indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there are no debt securities Outstanding of any series issued thereunder which are entitled to the benefit of such provision; |
| to secure the debt securities issued thereunder; |
| to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series issued thereunder, including the provisions and procedures, if applicable, for the conversion of such debt securities into our common shares or preferred shares; |
| to provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee; |
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| to facilitate the administration of the trusts under such indenture by more than one Trustee; |
| to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in such indenture, provided that such action shall not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of holders of debt securities of any series issued thereunder; or |
| to supplement any of the provisions of such indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities issued thereunder; however, such action shall not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the holders of the debt securities of any series issued thereunder (section 901 of the indentures). |
Each indenture provides that in determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding debt securities of a series issued thereunder have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver thereunder or whether a quorum is present at a meeting of holders of such debt securities:
| the principal amount of an Outstanding Original Issue Discount Security shall be the amount of the principal that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the security; |
| the principal amount of an Outstanding debt security denominated in a foreign currency shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined on the issue date for such debt security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent on the issue date of such debt security in the amount determined as provided above); |
| the principal amount of an Outstanding Indexed Security shall be the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Indexed Security pursuant to section 301 of such indenture; and |
| debt securities owned by us, any other obligor upon the debt securities, any of our Affiliates or of such other obligor shall be disregarded (section 101 of the indentures). |
Each indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of an issued series of debt securities (section 1501 of the indentures). The applicable Trustee may call a meeting at any time. DDR or the holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of such series may also call a meeting upon request. Notice of a meeting must be given as provided in the applicable indenture (section 1502 of the indentures). Except for any consent that must be given by the holder of each debt security affected by certain modifications and amendments of such indenture, any resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of that series. However, except as referred to above, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage which is less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of the holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of that series. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any duly held meeting of holders of debt securities of any series will be binding on all holders of debt securities of that series. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened meeting, will be the persons holding or representing a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of a series.
However, if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which may be given by the holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of a series, the persons holding or representing such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of such series will constitute a quorum (section 1504 of the indentures).
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Notwithstanding the provisions described above, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of holders of debt securities of any series with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that the applicable indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding debt securities affected thereby, or of the holders of such series and one or more additional series:
(1) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting and
(2) the principal amount of the Outstanding debt securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under such indenture (section 1504 of the indentures).
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
We may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have not already been delivered to the applicable Trustee for cancellation and that either have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with such Trustee, in trust, funds in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on such debt securities in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest to the date of such deposit if such debt securities have become due and payable or to the date specified in such debt securities as the fixed date on which the payment of principal and interest on such debt securities is due and payable or the date fixed for redemption of such debt securities, as the case may be (section 401 of the indentures). Funds shall be deposited in such currency or currencies, currency unit(s) or composite currency or currencies in which such debt securities are payable.
Each indenture provides that, if the provisions of Article Fourteen thereof (relating to defeasance and covenant defeasance) are made applicable to the debt securities of or within any series issued thereunder, we may elect either:
(1) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such debt securities. However, we will not be discharged from the obligation to pay Additional Amounts, if any, upon the occurrence of certain events of tax, assessment or governmental charge with respect to payments on such debt securities. In addition, we will not be discharged from the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such debt securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office or agency in respect of such debt securities and to hold moneys for payment in trust (defeasance) (section 1402 of the indentures); or
(2) to be released from our obligations relating to (a) sections 1004 to 1011, inclusive, of the senior indenture (being the restrictions described under the caption Material Covenants) and, if provided under the senior indenture, our obligations with respect to any other covenant contained in the senior indenture, and (b) if provided under the subordinated indenture, our obligations with respect to any covenant contained in the subordinated indenture, and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default with respect to such debt securities (covenant defeasance) (section 1403 of the indentures).
Defeasance or covenant defeasance will occur upon our irrevocable deposit with the applicable Trustee, in trust, of an amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments, on their scheduled due dates. The amount deposited will be in Government Obligations (as defined below) or such currency or currencies, currency unit(s) or composite currency or currencies in which such debt securities are payable at maturity, or both.
Such a trust may be established only if, among other things, we have delivered to the applicable Trustee an opinion of counsel (as specified in the applicable indenture) to the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or
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covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. In the case of defeasance, the opinion of counsel must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable United States federal income tax law occurring after the date of such indenture (section 1404 of the indentures).
Government Obligations means securities that are
(1) direct obligations of the United States of America or the government which issued the foreign currency in which the debt securities of a particular series are payable, and for which the full faith and credit of the applicable government is pledged, or
(2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such government which issued the foreign currency in which the debt securities of such series are payable. The payment of these obligations must be unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government, and the obligations may not be callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof. Such obligations also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt (section 101 of the indentures).
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, if after we have deposited funds and/or Government Obligations to effect defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to debt securities of any series:
(1) the holder of a debt security of such series is entitled to, and does, elect under the applicable indenture or the terms of such debt security to receive payment in a currency, currency unit or composite currency other than that in which such deposit has been made in respect of such debt security, or
(2) a Conversion Event (as defined below) occurs in respect of the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such deposit has been made, the indebtedness represented by such debt security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such debt security as they become due out of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount deposited in respect of such debt security into the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such debt security becomes payable as a result of such election or such cessation of usage based on the applicable market exchange rate (section 1405 of the indentures). Conversion Event means the cessation of use of:
a. a currency, currency unit or composite currency both by the government of the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of actions by a central bank or other public institution of or within the international banking community,
b. the ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities, or
c. any currency unit or composite currency other than the ECU for the purposes for which it was established (section 101 of the indentures).
Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, all payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any debt security that is payable in a foreign currency that ceases to be used by its government of issuance shall be made in U.S. dollars.
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In the event we effect covenant defeasance with respect to any debt securities and such debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, other than:
(1) with respect to senior securities, the Event of Default described in clause (4) under Events of Default, Notice and Waiver or
(2) with respect to all debt securities, the Event of Default described in clause (7) under Events of Default, Notice and Waiver with respect to any other covenant as to which there has been covenant defeasance, the amount in such currency, currency unit or composite currency in which such debt securities are payable, and Government Obligations on deposit with the applicable Trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the fixed date on which they become due and payable but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. In any such event, we would remain liable to make payment of such amounts due at the time of acceleration.
The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the debt securities of or within a particular series.
Senior Securities and Senior Indebtedness
Each series of senior securities will constitute Senior Indebtedness (as described below) and will rank equally with each other series of senior securities and other Senior Indebtedness. All subordinated indebtedness will be subordinated to the senior securities and other Senior Indebtedness. Subordinated indebtedness includes, but is not limited to, all subordinated securities issued under the subordinated indenture.
Senior Indebtedness is defined in the subordinated indenture to mean:
(1) the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on indebtedness for money borrowed,
(2) purchase money and similar obligations,
(3) obligations under capital leases,
(4) guarantees, assumptions or purchase commitments relating to indebtedness of others, or other transactions as a result of which we are responsible for the payment of indebtedness of others,
(5) renewals, extensions and refunding of any such indebtedness,
(6) interest or obligations in respect of any indebtedness accruing after the commencement of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, and
(7) obligations associated with derivative products such as interest rate and currency exchange contracts, foreign exchange contracts, commodity contracts, and similar arrangements.
The indebtedness or obligations described above are not Senior Indebtedness to the extent the instrument by which we incurred, assumed or guaranteed the indebtedness or obligations provides that such indebtedness or obligation is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any of our other indebtedness or obligations.
Subordination of Subordinated Securities
Subordinated Indenture. The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest payments on the subordinated securities will be subordinated as set forth in the subordinated indenture to our Senior Indebtedness whether outstanding on the date of the subordinated indenture or thereafter incurred (section 1701 of the subordinated indenture).
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Ranking. No class of subordinated securities is subordinated to any other class of subordinated debt securities. See Subordination Provisions below.
Subordination Provisions. In the event:
(1) of any distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or receivership proceeding or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of our assets and liabilities or otherwise, except a distribution in connection with a merger or consolidation or a conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all of our properties which complies with the requirements of Article Eight of the subordinated indenture,
(2) that a default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Indebtedness, or
(3) that the principal of the subordinated securities of any series issued under the subordinated indenture (or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the portion of the principal amount thereof referred to in
(4) section 502 of the subordinated indenture) shall have been declared due and payable pursuant to section 502 of the subordinated indenture, and such declaration has not been rescinded and annulled, then:
a. in a circumstance described in clause (1) or (2) above, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness, and in the circumstance described in clause (3) above, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time the principal of such issued subordinated securities (or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount) has been declared due and payable, shall first be entitled to receive payment of the full amount due thereon in respect of principal, premium (if any) and interest, or provision shall be made for such payment in money or moneys worth, before the holders of any of the subordinated securities are entitled to receive any payment on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on the subordinated securities;
b. any payment by us, or distribution of our assets, of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than certain subordinated securities issued in a reorganization or readjustment), to which the holder of any of the subordinated securities would be entitled except for the provisions of Article Seventeen of the subordinated indenture shall be paid or delivered by the Person making such payment or distribution directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness (as provided in clause (a) above), or on their behalf, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (as provided in clause (a) above) before any payment or distribution is made to or in respect of the holders of the subordinated securities. Such payment or distribution will be made ratably according to the aggregate amount remaining unpaid on account of such Senior Indebtedness. The amount of Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid shall be calculated after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution (or provisions therefor) to the holders of Senior Indebtedness; and
c. in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment by us, or distribution of our assets, of any kind or character is received by the holders of any of the subordinated securities issued under the subordinated indenture before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, such payment or distribution shall be paid over to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or on their behalf, ratably as stated above, for application to the payment of all such Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full. The amount of Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid shall be calculated after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution (or provisions therefor) to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
Because of subordination in favor of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in the event of insolvency, certain of our general creditors, including holders of Senior Indebtedness, may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the subordinated securities.
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Convertible Debt Securities
The following provisions will apply to debt securities that will be convertible into our common shares or other equity securities (Convertible debt securities) unless otherwise described in the prospectus supplement for such Convertible debt securities.
Our board of directors will determine the terms and conditions of any Convertible debt securities, if any, issued pursuant to the senior indenture (Senior Convertible debt securities). Such terms and conditions may include whether the Senior Convertible debt securities are convertible into our common or preferred shares (including, without limitation, the initial conversion price or rate, the conversion period, any adjustment of the applicable conversion price and any requirements relative to the reservation of such shares for purposes of conversion) (section 301 of the senior indenture).
The holder of any Convertible debt securities issued pursuant to the subordinated indenture (Subordinated Convertible debt securities) will have the right to convert those Subordinated Convertible debt securities into our common shares or other equity securities at the conversion price or rate for each $1,000 principal amount of Subordinated Convertible debt securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. This conversion right is exercisable at any time during the time period specified in the applicable prospectus supplement unless the Subordinated Convertible debt security has been previously redeemed. The holder of any Subordinated Convertible debt security may convert a portion thereof, which is $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 (section 1602 of the subordinated indenture). In the case of Subordinated Convertible debt securities called for redemption, conversion rights will expire at the close of business on the date fixed for the redemption specified in the prospectus supplement. However, in the case of repayment at the option of the applicable holder, conversion rights will terminate upon our receipt of written notice of the exercise of such option (section 1602 of the subordinated indenture).
In certain events, the conversion price or rate will be subject to adjustment as contemplated in the subordinated indenture. For debt securities convertible into common shares, such events include:
| the issuance of our common shares as a dividend; |
| subdivisions and combinations of common shares; |
| the issuance to all holders of rights or warrants entitling such holders of common shares to subscribe for a purchase of common shares at a price per share less than the current market price per common share; and |
| the distribution to all holders of common shares of shares of our capital stock (other than common shares), evidences of our indebtedness or assets (excluding cash dividends or distributions paid from our retained earnings or subscription rights or warrants other than those referred to above). |
The conversion price or rate is not required to be adjusted if the adjustment would require a cumulative increase or decrease in price or rate of less than 1% (section 1605 of the subordinated indenture). Fractional common shares will not be issued upon conversion; instead, we will pay cash adjustments (section 1606 of the subordinated indenture). Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, Subordinated Convertible debt securities convertible into common shares surrendered for conversion between any record date for an interest payment and the related interest payment date (except such Subordinated Convertible debt securities called for redemption on a redemption date during such period) must be accompanied by the interest payment that the holder thereof is entitled to receive (section 1604 of the subordinated indenture).
To protect our status as a REIT, a Person may not own or convert any Subordinated Convertible debt security if as a result of such ownership or upon such conversion such Person would then be deemed to Beneficially Own more than 5.0% of our outstanding capital stock (section 1601 of the subordinated indenture). For purposes of determining the percentage ownership of our common shares or other equity securities held by an investor, common shares or other equity securities that may be acquired upon the conversion of Convertible
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debt securities directly or constructively held by such investor, but not common shares or other equity securities issuable with respect to the conversion of Convertible debt securities held by others, are deemed to be outstanding (a) at the time of purchase of the Convertible debt securities, and (b) prior to the conversion of the Convertible debt securities. See Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations.
The adjustment provisions for debt securities convertible into our equity securities other than common shares will be determined at the time of issuance of such debt securities and will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Except as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, any Convertible debt securities called for redemption, unless surrendered for conversion on or before the close of business on the redemption date, are subject to being purchased from the holder of such Convertible debt securities by one or more investment bankers or other purchasers who may agree with us to purchase such Convertible debt securities and convert them into our common shares or other equity securities, as the case may be (section 1108 of the indentures).
Reference is made to the sections captioned Description of Common Shares, Description of Preferred Shares and Description of Depositary Shares Representing Preferred Shares for a general description of securities to be acquired upon the conversion of Convertible debt securities, including a description of certain restrictions on the ownership of the common shares and the preferred shares.
The Trustees
U.S. Bank National Association serves as Trustee for our senior securities pursuant to the senior indenture. The Bank of New York Mellon serves as Trustee for our subordinated securities pursuant to the subordinated indenture.
Definitions
Set forth below are defined terms used in the indentures. Reference is made to the indentures for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
Additional Amounts means any additional amounts which are required by a debt security or by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors, under circumstances specified therein, to be paid by us in respect of certain taxes imposed on certain holders and which are owing to such holders.
Affiliate of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. Control means the power to direct the management and policies of a Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Beneficially Own means the ownership of our common shares by a Person who would be treated as an owner of such common shares either directly or through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(b)(1)(B) of the Code.
Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service for any period means Consolidated Net Income (as defined below) of DDR and its subsidiaries:
(1) plus amounts which have been deducted for
a. interest on our and our subsidiaries Debt,
b. provision for our and our subsidiaries taxes based on income,
c. amortization of debt discount,
d. depreciation and amortization, and
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(2) adjusted, as appropriate, for
a. the effect of any noncash charge resulting from a change in accounting principles in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, and
b. the effect of equity in net income or loss of joint ventures in which we own an interest to the extent not providing a source of, or requiring a use of, cash, respectively.
Consolidated Net Income for any period means the amount of our and our subsidiaries net income (or loss) for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Debt means any of our or our subsidiaries indebtedness, whether or not contingent, in respect of:
(1) borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments;
(2) indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any security interest existing on property owned by us or our subsidiaries;
(3) letters of credit or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or
(4) any lease of property by us or our subsidiaries as lessee which is reflected on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as a capitalized lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, in the case of items of indebtedness under (1) through (3) above to the extent that any such items (other than letters of credit) would appear as a liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Debt also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of ours or our subsidiaries to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business), indebtedness of another Person (other than us or our subsidiaries). Debt shall be deemed to be incurred by us or our subsidiaries whenever we or any such subsidiary shall create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect thereof.
Funds from Operations for any period means the Consolidated Net Income of us and our subsidiaries for such period without giving effect to depreciation and amortization, gains or losses from extraordinary items, gains or losses on sales of real estate (except for real estate sold through our or our subsidiaries merchant building program), gains or losses on investments in marketable securities and any provision/benefit for income taxes for such period, plus funds from operations of unconsolidated joint ventures, all determined on a consistent basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Holder means the Person in whose name a debt security is registered in the register for each series of debt securities.
Indexed Security means a debt security for which the principal amount payable on the date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which the principal of such security is due and payable may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.
Maximum Annual Service Charge as of any date means the maximum amount which may become payable in a period of 12 consecutive calendar months from such date for interest on, and required amortization of, Debt. The amount payable for amortization will include the amount of any sinking fund or other analogous fund for the retirement of Debt. It will also include the amount payable on account of principal of any such Debt which matures serially other than at the final maturity date of such Debt.
Outstanding, when used with respect to debt securities, means, as of the date of determination, all debt securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under the indenture, except:
(1) debt securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
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(2) debt securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the holder money in the necessary amount has been deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent (other than by us) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by us (if we shall act as our own paying agent) for the holders of such debt securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, provided that, if such debt securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to the indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(3) debt securities, except to the extent provided in sections 1402 and 1403 of the indenture, with respect to which we have effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance;
(4) debt securities which have been paid pursuant to section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other debt securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the indenture, other than any such debt securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such debt securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such debt securities are our valid obligations; and
(5) debt securities converted into common shares or preferred shares in accordance with or as contemplated by the indenture, if the terms of such debt securities provide for convertibility pursuant to section 301;
provided, however, that in determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent of waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended:
(1) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;
(2) the principal amount of any debt security denominated in a foreign currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined pursuant to section 301 as of the date such debt security is originally issued by us, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (1) above) of such debt security;
(3) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Indexed Security pursuant to section 301; and
(4) debt securities owned by us or any other obligor upon the debt securities or any Affiliate of ours or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only debt securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgees right so to act with respect to any such debt securities and that the pledgee is not us or any other obligor upon the debt securities or any Affiliate of ours or of such other obligor.
Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Secured Debt means, without duplication, Debt that is secured by a mortgage, trust deed, deed of trust, deed to secure Debt, security agreement, pledge, conditional sale or other title retention agreement, capitalized
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lease, or other like agreement granting or conveying security title to or a security interest in real property or other tangible asset(s). Secured Debt shall be deemed to be incurred (i) on the date the obligor thereon creates, assumes, guarantees or otherwise becomes liable in respect thereof if it is secured in the manner described in the preceding sentence on such date or (ii) on the date the obligor thereon first secures such Debt in the manner described in the preceding sentence if such Debt was not so secured on the date it was incurred.
Subsidiary means an entity a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by us or by one or more of our other subsidiaries. For purposes of this definition, voting stock means stock having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
Total Assets as of any date means the sum of (i) Undepreciated Real Estate Assets and (ii) all other assets of the Company and its subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding intangibles and trade receivables related to rent and other charges derived from leases with tenants) after eliminating intercompany accounts and transactions.
Undepreciated Real Estate Assets as of any date means the amount of our and our subsidiaries real estate assets on such date, before depreciation and amortization and determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Unencumbered Real Estate Asset Value as of any date means the sum of:
(1) our Undepreciated Real Estate Assets, which are not encumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest, as of the end of the latest calendar quarter covered in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, most recently filed with the SEC (or, if that filing is not required under the Exchange Act, with the Trustee) prior to such date; and
(2) the purchase price of any real estate assets that are not encumbered by any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge, or security interest and were acquired by us or any subsidiary after the end of such calendar quarter.
Book-Entry Debt Securities
We may issue debt securities of a series in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities. We will deposit such global securities with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may issue global securities in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities that are represented by a global security will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof and will be issued in registered form only, without coupons. We will make payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on debt securities represented by a global security to the applicable trustee under the applicable indenture, which will then forward such payments to the depository.
We anticipate that any global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (DTC), and that such global securities will be registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTCs nominee. We further anticipate that the following provisions will apply to the depository arrangements with respect to any such global securities. We will describe any additional or differing terms of the depository arrangements in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities issued in the form of global securities.
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global security, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole holder of the debt securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:
(1) will not be entitled to have debt securities represented by such global security registered in their names;
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(2) will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in certificated form; and
(3) will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable indenture.
The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in certificated form; accordingly, such laws may limit the transferability of beneficial interests in a global security.
Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each global security representing book-entry notes will be exchangeable for certificated notes only if:
(1) DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository or DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act (if so required by applicable law or regulation) and, in either case, a successor depository is not appointed by us within 90 days after we receive such notice or become aware of such unwillingness, inability or ineligibility;
(2) we, in our sole discretion, determine that the global securities shall be exchangeable for certificated notes; or
(3) there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default under an indenture with respect to the notes and beneficial owners representing a majority in aggregate principal amount of the book-entry notes represented by global securities advise DTC to cease acting as depository. Upon any such exchange, owners of a beneficial interest in the global security or securities representing book-entry notes will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities in certificated form of like tenor and rank, equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest, and to have such debt securities in certificated form registered in the names of the beneficial owners, which names shall be provided by DTCs relevant participants (as identified by DTC) to the applicable trustee.
Unless we describe otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities so issued in certificated form will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof, and will be issued in registered form only, without coupons.
DTC will act as securities depository for the debt securities. The debt securities will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTCs partnership nominee) or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. Except as otherwise provided, one fully registered debt security certificate will be issued with respect to each series of the debt securities, each in the aggregate principal amount of such series, and will be deposited with DTC. If, however, the aggregate principal amount of any series exceeds $500 million, one certificate will be issued with respect to each $500 million of principal amount and an additional certificate will be issued with respect to any remaining principal amount of such series.
The following is based on information furnished to us by DTC:
DTC, the worlds largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a banking organization within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a clearing agency registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 2.2 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments from over 100 countries that DTCs participants (Direct Participants) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation
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(DTCC). DTCC, in turn, is owned by a number of Direct Participants of DTC and members of the National Securities Clearing Corporation, Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, and Emerging Markets Clearing Corporation (NSCC, FICC, and EMCC are also subsidiaries of DTCC), as well as by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange LLC, and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (Indirect Participants). DTC has Standard & Poors highest rating: AAA. The DTC rules applicable to its Participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com and www.dtc.org.
Purchases of debt securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTCs records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each debt security (Beneficial Owner) is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive a written confirmation providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in debt securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in debt securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the debt securities is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all debt securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTCs partnership nominee, Cede & Co, or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of the debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the debt securities; DTCs records reflect only the identities of the Direct Participants to whose accounts debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the debt securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTCs procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails a proxy (an Omnibus Proxy) to the issuer as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date (identified on a list attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
Principal, premium, if any, interest payments and redemption proceeds on the debt securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee, as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTCs practice is to credit Direct Participants accounts upon DTCs receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us or the trustee, on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTCs records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in street name and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC, nor its nominee, the applicable Trustee or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal, premium, if any, interest and redemption proceeds to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is our responsibility or the applicable Trustees, disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.
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If applicable, redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the book-entry notes within an issue are being redeemed, DTCs practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.
A Beneficial Owner shall give notice of any option to elect to have its book-entry notes repaid by us, through its Participant, to the applicable Trustee, and shall effect delivery of such book-entry notes by causing the Direct Participant to transfer the Participants interest in the global security or securities representing such book-entry notes, on DTCs records, to such Trustee. The requirement for physical delivery of book-entry notes in connection with a demand for repayment will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the global security or securities representing such book-entry notes are transferred by Direct Participants on DTCs records and followed by a book-entry credit of tendered securities to the Trustees DTC account.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the applicable Trustee or us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depository is not appointed, debt security certificates are required to be printed and delivered.
We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, debt security certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTCs book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
Unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the underwriters or agents with respect to a series of debt securities issued as global securities will be Direct Participants in DTC.
Neither we, the applicable Trustee nor any applicable paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial interests in a global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interest.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES
Capitalization
Our articles of incorporation authorize us to issue up to:
| 750,000 Class A Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value, or the Class A Shares, of which 460,000 shares have been designated as 9 1/2% Class A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
| 750,000 Class B Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value, or the Class B Shares, of which 177,500 shares have been designated as 9.44% Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
| 750,000 Class C Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value, or the Class C Shares, of which 460,000 shares have been designated as 8 3/8% Class C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
| 750,000 Class D Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value, or the Class D Shares, of which 230,000 shares have been designated as 8.68% Class D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
| 750,000 Class E Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value, or the Class E Shares, of which 750,000 shares have been designated as Class E Series I Cumulative Preferred Shares; |
| 750,000 Class F Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value, or the Class F Shares, of which 690,000 shares have been designated as 8.60% Class F Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
| 750,000 Class G Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value, or the Class G Shares, of which 736,000 shares have been designated as 8% Class G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
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| 750,000 Class H Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value, or the Class H Shares, of which 410,000 shares have been designated as 7 3/8% Class H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
| 750,000 Class I Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value, or the Class I Shares, of which 345,000 shares have been designated as 7.50% Class I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
| 750,000 Class J Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value, or the Class J Shares, of which 450,000 shares have been designated as 9% Class J Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
| 750,000 Class K Cumulative Preferred Shares, without par value, or the Class K Shares, of which 350,000 shares have been designated as 8 7/8% Class K Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
| 750,000 Noncumulative Preferred Shares, without par value, or the noncumulative shares; and |
| 2,000,000 Cumulative Voting Preferred Shares, without par value, or the cumulative voting preferred shares. |
General
We refer to the Class A Shares, the Class B Shares, the Class C Shares, the Class D Shares, the Class E Shares, the Class F Shares, the Class G Shares, the Class H Shares, the Class I Shares, the Class J Shares, the Class K Shares and the noncumulative shares collectively as the nonvoting preferred shares.
The outstanding nonvoting preferred shares are represented by depositary shares. Each depositary share represents a fractional interest in the respective preferred share. The preferred shares have been deposited with a depositary, under a deposit agreement between us, the depositary and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement. The depositary receipts evidence the depositary shares. Each holder of a depositary receipt evidencing a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of a fractional interest in a corresponding preferred share, including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights and preferences.
The following description summarizes certain general terms and provisions of each class of nonvoting preferred shares and the cumulative voting preferred shares. This summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. For more detail, you should refer to the applicable provisions of our articles of incorporation and code of regulations that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Except as discussed below, the nonvoting preferred shares rank on a parity with each other and are identical to each other. The cumulative voting preferred shares rank equally, except with respect to voting rights, with all of the nonvoting preferred shares. Dividends on the Class A Shares, the Class B Shares, the Class C Shares, the Class D Shares, the Class E Shares, the Class F Shares, the Class G Shares, the Class H Shares, the Class I Shares, the Class J Shares, the Class K Shares and the cumulative voting preferred shares will be cumulative, while dividends on the noncumulative shares will not be cumulative.
Prior to the issuance of shares of each series of each class of nonvoting preferred shares, our board of directors may, under our articles of incorporation and Ohio law, fix:
| the designation of the series; |
| the authorized number of shares of the series. Our board of directors may, except when otherwise provided in the creation of the series, increase or decrease the authorized number of shares before or after issuance of the series (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding); |
| the dividend rate or rates of the series, including the means by which such rates may be established; |
| the date(s) from which dividends shall accrue and be cumulative and, with respect to all nonvoting preferred shares, the date on which and the period(s) for which dividends, if declared, shall be payable, including the means by which such date(s) and period(s) may be established; |
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| redemption rights and prices, if any; |
| the terms and amounts of the sinking fund, if any; |
| the amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs; |
| whether the shares of the series shall be convertible into common shares or shares of any other class; |
| if the shares are convertible, the conversion rate(s) or price(s), any adjustments to the rate or price and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion may be made; and |
| restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same or any other class or series. |
Rank
All preferred shares will be equal to all other preferred shares with respect to dividend rights (subject to dividends on noncumulative shares being noncumulative) and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up.
The preferred shares will:
| rank prior to all classes of common shares and to all other equity securities ranking junior to such preferred shares with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up; |
| be equal to all of our equity securities the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities are equal to the preferred shares with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up; and |
| be junior to all of our equity securities the terms of which specifically provide that such equity securities rank prior to the preferred shares with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. |
Dividends
The holders of each series of each class of preferred shares are entitled to receive, if, when and as declared, out of funds legally available for payment, dividends in cash at the rate determined for such series in preference to the holders of common shares and of any other class of shares ranking junior to the preferred shares. Dividends shall be payable on the date fixed for such series. Dividends with respect to each series of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Class D Shares, Class E Shares, Class F Shares, Class G Shares, Class H Shares, Class I Shares, Class J Shares, Class K Shares and the cumulative voting preferred shares will be cumulative from the dates fixed for the series. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear on our stock transfer books on the record dates fixed by our board of directors. Any dividend payment made on the preferred shares that have been designated under the Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Class D Shares, Class E Shares, Class F Shares, Class G Shares, Class H Shares, Class I Shares, Class J Shares and Class K Shares, which we refer to collectively as the designated preferred shares, will first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividend due with respect to such shares which remains payable.
Dividends on our preferred shares will accumulate whether or not we have earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not such dividends are declared.
Accumulated but unpaid dividends on the designated preferred shares will not bear interest.
If preferred shares are outstanding, dividends may not be paid or declared or set apart for any series of preferred shares for any dividend period unless at the same time:
| a proportionate dividend for the dividend periods terminating on the same or any earlier date for all issued and outstanding shares of all series of such class entitled to receive such dividend (but, if such series are |
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series of noncumulative shares, then only with respect to the current dividend period), ratably in proportion to the respective annual dividend rates fixed therefor, have been paid or declared or set apart; and |
| the dividends payable for the dividend periods terminating on the same or any earlier date for all other classes of issued and outstanding preferred shares entitled to receive such dividends (but, with respect to noncumulative shares, only with respect to the then-current dividend period), ratably in proportion to the respective dividend rates fixed therefor, have been paid or declared and set apart. |
If any series of preferred shares is outstanding, a dividend shall not be paid or declared or any distribution made in respect of the common shares or any other shares ranking junior to such series of preferred shares, and common shares or any other shares ranking junior to such series of preferred shares shall not be purchased, retired or otherwise acquired by us unless:
| all accrued and unpaid dividends on all classes of outstanding preferred shares, including the full dividends for all current dividend periods for the nonvoting preferred shares (except, with respect to noncumulative shares, for the then-current dividend period only), have been declared and paid or a sum sufficient for payment thereof set apart; and |
| with respect to the nonvoting preferred shares, there are no arrearages with respect to the redemption of any series of any class of preferred shares from any sinking fund provided for such class in accordance with our articles of incorporation. However, common shares and any other shares ranking junior to such series of preferred shares may be purchased, retired or otherwise acquired using the proceeds of a sale of common shares or other shares junior to such preferred shares received subsequent to the first date of issuance of such preferred shares. In addition, we may pay or declare or distribute dividends payable in common shares or other shares ranking junior to such preferred shares. |
The preceding restrictions on the payment of dividends or other distributions on, or on the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of, common shares or any other shares ranking equal to or junior to any class of preferred shares generally will be inapplicable to:
| any payments in lieu of issuance of fractional shares, upon any merger, conversion, stock dividend or otherwise in the case of the nonvoting preferred shares; |
| the conversion of preferred shares into common shares; or |
| the exercise of our rights to repurchase shares of capital stock in order to preserve our status as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. |
When dividends are not paid in full (or a sum sufficient for full payment is not set apart) upon the preferred shares of any series and the shares of any other series of preferred shares ranking on a parity as to dividends with such series, all dividends declared upon preferred shares of such series and any other series of preferred shares ranking on a parity as to dividends with such preferred shares shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on the shares of such series of preferred shares shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the preferred shares of such series (which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods for noncumulative shares) and such other series bear to each other.
Redemption
If our board of directors so provides, a series of preferred shares will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices determined by our board of directors. The redemption price per share will include an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends on such preferred shares as of the date of redemption; however, the redemption price of noncumulative shares will include only unpaid dividends for the current dividend period. The redemption price may be payable in cash or other property.
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We may not purchase or redeem, for sinking fund purposes or otherwise, less than all of a class of outstanding preferred shares except in accordance with a stock purchase offer made to all holders of record of such class, unless all dividends on that class of outstanding preferred shares for previous and current dividend periods (except, in the case of noncumulative shares, dividends for the current dividend period only) have been declared and paid or funds set apart and all accrued sinking fund obligations applicable thereto have been complied with. However, we may repurchase shares of capital stock in order to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code.
If fewer than all of our outstanding shares of any class of preferred shares are to be redeemed, we will determine the number of shares to be redeemed. Our board of directors will determine the manner for selecting by lot the shares to be redeemed.
We will mail notice of redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of record of a preferred share to be redeemed at the address shown on our stock transfer books. If fewer than all the preferred shares of any series are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption will also specify the number of preferred shares to be redeemed from each holder. If notice of redemption of any preferred shares has been given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by us in trust for the benefit of the holders of the preferred shares to be redeemed, dividends will cease to accrue on such preferred shares. In addition, the holders of preferred shares to be redeemed will cease to be shareholders with respect to such shares and will have no right or claim against us with respect to such shares as of the redemption date. However, such holders will have the right to receive the redemption price without interest or to exercise before the redemption date any unexercised privileges of conversion.
The terms of redemption, if any, for the existing classes of preferred shares are included in our articles of incorporation that are filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of our voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of any series of any class of preferred shares shall be entitled to receive in full out of our assets, including our capital, before any amount shall be paid or distributed among the holders of the common shares or any other shares ranking junior to such series, the amounts fixed by our board of directors with respect to such series. In addition, each holder will receive an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid on that series of preferred shares to the date of payment of the amount due pursuant to our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. However, holders of noncumulative shares will only receive dividends for the current dividend period. After holders of the preferred shares are paid the full preferential amounts to which they are entitled, they will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.
If liquidating distributions are made in full to all holders of preferred shares, our remaining assets will be distributed among the holders of any other classes or series of capital stock ranking junior to the preferred shares upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. The distributions will be made according to the holders respective rights and preferences and, in each case, according to their respective number of shares. Our merger or consolidation into or with any other corporation, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of our assets, shall not constitute a dissolution, liquidation or winding-up.
Voting Rights
Nonvoting Preferred Shares
Holders of nonvoting preferred shares have only the voting rights described below that apply to all preferred shares, whether nonvoting or voting, and as from time to time required by law.
If and when we are in default in the payment of (or, with respect to noncumulative shares, have not paid or declared and set aside a sum sufficient for the payment of) dividends on any series of any class of outstanding
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nonvoting preferred shares, for dividend payment periods, whether consecutive or not, which in the aggregate contain at least 540 days, all holders of shares of such class, voting separately as a class, together and combined with all other preferred shares upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will be entitled to elect a total of two members to our board of directors. This voting right shall be vested and any additional directors shall serve until all accrued and unpaid dividends (except, with respect to noncumulative shares, only dividends for the then-current dividend period) on such outstanding preferred shares have been paid or declared and a sufficient sum set aside for payment thereof.
The affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of a class of outstanding nonvoting preferred shares, voting separately as a class, shall be necessary to effect either of the following:
| The authorization, creation or increase in the authorized number of any shares, or any security convertible into shares, ranking prior to such class of nonvoting preferred shares; or |
| Any amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of our articles of incorporation or our code of regulations which adversely and materially affects the preferences or voting or other rights of the holders of such class of nonvoting preferred shares which are set forth in our articles of incorporation. However, the amendment of our articles of incorporation to authorize, create or change the authorized or outstanding number of a class of such preferred shares or of any shares ranking on a parity with or junior to such class of preferred shares does not adversely and materially affect preferences or voting or other rights of the holders of such class of preferred shares. In addition, amending the code of regulations to change the number or classification of our directors does not adversely or materially affect preferences or voting rights or other rights. Voting shall be done in person at a meeting called for one of the above purposes or in writing by proxy. |
The preceding voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time of the action with respect to which such vote would be required, all outstanding shares of such series of preferred shares have been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.
Cumulative Voting Preferred Shares.
If and when we are in default in the payment of dividends on the cumulative voting preferred shares, for at least six dividend payment periods, whether or not consecutive, all holders of shares of such class, voting separately as a class, together and combined with all other preferred shares upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will be entitled to elect a total of two members to our board of directors. This voting right shall be vested and any additional directors shall serve until all accrued and unpaid dividends (except, with respect to noncumulative shares, only dividends for the then-current dividend period) on such outstanding preferred shares have been paid or declared and a sufficient sum set aside for payment thereof.
The affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding cumulative voting preferred shares, voting separately as a class, shall be necessary to effect either of the following:
| Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the provisions of, or the addition of any provisions to, our articles of incorporation or code of regulations, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, which we refer to as an event, that materially adversely affects the voting powers, rights or preferences of the holders of the cumulative voting preferred shares; provided, however, that the amendment of the provisions of the articles of incorporation (a) so as to authorize or create, or to increase the authorized amount of, or issue, any shares ranking junior to the cumulative voting preferred shares or any shares of any class or series of shares ranking on a parity with the cumulative voting preferred shares or (b) with respect to the occurrence of any event, so long as the cumulative voting preferred shares remain outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that upon the occurrence of the event, we may not be the surviving entity, shall not in either case be deemed to materially adversely affect the voting power, rights or preferences of the holders of cumulative voting preferred shares; or |
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| the authorization, creation of, increase in the authorized amount of, or issuance of any shares of any class or series of shares ranking prior to the cumulative voting preferred shares or any security convertible into shares of any class or series of shares ranking prior to the cumulative voting preferred shares (whether or not such class or series of shares ranking prior to the cumulative voting preferred shares is currently authorized). |
The preceding voting provisions will not apply, if at or prior to the time of the action with respect to which such vote would be required, all outstanding shares of such series of cumulative voting preferred shares have been redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.
In addition to the foregoing, the holders of cumulative voting preferred shares shall be entitled to vote on all matters on which holders of our common shares may vote and shall be entitled to one vote for each cumulative voting preferred share entitled to vote at such meeting.
General
Without limiting the provisions described above, under Ohio law, holders of each class of preferred shares will be entitled to vote as a class on any amendment to our articles of incorporation, whether or not they are entitled to vote thereon by our articles of incorporation, if the amendment would:
| increase or decrease the par value of the shares of such class; |
| change the issued shares of such class into a lesser number of shares of such class or into the same or different number of shares of another class; |
| change or add to the express terms of the shares of the class in any manner substantially prejudicial to the holders of such class; |
| change the express terms of any class of issued shares ranking prior to the particular class in any manner substantially prejudicial to the holders of shares of the particular class; |
| authorize shares of another class that are convertible into, or authorize the conversion of shares of another class into, shares of the particular class, or authorize the directors to fix or alter conversion rights of shares of another class that are convertible into shares of the particular class; |
| reduce or eliminate our stated capital; |
| substantially change our purposes; or |
| change the Company into a nonprofit corporation. |
If, and only to the extent that,
| a class of preferred shares is issued in more than one series and |
| Ohio law permits the holders of a series of a class of capital stock to vote separately as a class, |
the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of each series of such class of outstanding preferred shares, voting separately as a class, shall be required for any amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of any of the provisions of our articles of incorporation or our code of regulations which adversely and materially affects the preferences or voting or other rights of the holders of such series as set forth in our articles of incorporation. However, the amendment of our articles of incorporation so as to authorize, create or change the authorized or outstanding number of a class of preferred shares or of any shares ranking equal to or junior to such class of preferred shares does not adversely and materially affect the preference or voting or other rights of the holders of such series. In addition, the amendment of our code of regulations to change the number or classification of our directors does not adversely and materially affect the preference or voting or other rights of the holders of such series.
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Restrictions on Ownership
In order to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals during the last half of a taxable year. Individual is defined in the Code to include certain entities. In addition, our capital stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. We also must satisfy certain other requirements. For more information on restrictions on ownership, see Description of Common Shares Restrictions on Ownership.
To ensure that five or fewer individuals do not own more than 50% in value of our outstanding preferred shares, our articles of incorporation provide that, subject to certain exceptions, no one may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 9.8%, which we refer to as the preferred shares ownership limit, of any series of any class of our outstanding preferred shares. In addition, because rent from a related party tenant (any tenant 10% of which is owned, directly or constructively, by a REIT, including an owner of 10% or more of a REIT) is not qualifying rent for purposes of the gross income tests under the Code, our articles of incorporation provide that no individual or entity may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code (which differ from the attribution provisions applied to the preferred shares ownership limit), in excess of 9.8%, which we refer to as the preferred shares related party limit, of our outstanding preferred shares. Our board of directors may exempt a person from the preferred shares ownership limit if the person would not be deemed an individual and may exempt a person from the preferred shares related party limit. As a condition of any exemption, our board of directors will require appropriate representations and undertakings from the applicant with respect to preserving our REIT status.
The preceding restrictions on transferability and ownership of preferred shares may not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.
Even if the REIT provisions of the Code are changed so as to no longer contain any ownership concentration limitation or if the ownership concentration limitation is increased, the preferred shares ownership limit and the preferred shares related party limit will not be automatically removed. Any change in the preferred shares ownership limit or the preferred shares related party limit would require an amendment to our articles of incorporation, even if our board of directors determines that maintenance of REIT status is no longer in our best interests. Amendments to our articles of incorporation require the affirmative vote of holders owning not less than a majority of our outstanding common shares. If it is determined that an amendment would materially and adversely affect the holders of any class of preferred shares, such amendment would also require the affirmative vote of holders of not less than two-thirds of such class of preferred shares.
If preferred shares in excess of the preferred shares ownership limit or the preferred shares related party limit are issued or transferred to any person absent a waiver of such limit, such issuance or transfer will be null and void to the intended transferee, and the intended transferee will acquire no rights to the shares. In addition, if an issuance or transfer would cause our shares to be beneficially or constructively owned by fewer than 100 persons or would result in our being closely held within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, such issuance or transfer will be null and void to the intended transferee, and the intended transferee will acquire no rights to the shares. Preferred shares transferred or proposed to be transferred in excess of the preferred shares ownership limit or the preferred shares related party limit or which would otherwise jeopardize our REIT status will be subject to repurchase by us. The purchase price of such preferred shares will be equal to the lesser of:
| the price in such proposed transaction; and |
| the fair market value of such shares reflected in the last reported sales price for the shares on the trading day immediately preceding the date on which we or our designee determine to exercise our repurchase right if the shares are listed on a national securities exchange, or such price for the shares on the principal exchange if the shares are then listed on more than one national securities exchange. |
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If the shares are not listed on a national securities exchange, the purchase price will be equal to the lesser of:
| the price in such proposed transaction; and |
| the latest bid quotation for the shares if the shares are then traded over the counter, or, if such quotation is not available, the fair market value as determined by our board of directors in good faith, on the last trading day immediately preceding the day on which notice of such proposed purchase is sent by us. |
From and after the date fixed for our purchase of such preferred shares, the holder will cease to be entitled to distributions, voting rights and other benefits with respect to such shares except the right to payment of the purchase price for the shares. Any dividend or distribution paid to a proposed transferee on such preferred shares must be repaid to us upon demand. If the foregoing transfer restrictions are determined to be void or invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute, rule or regulation, then the intended transferee of any such preferred shares may be deemed, at our option, to have acted as our agent in acquiring such preferred shares and to hold such preferred shares on our behalf.
All certificates for preferred shares will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.
Our articles of incorporation provide that all persons who own, directly or by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 5% of the preferred shares must give written notice to us stating the name and address of such person, the number of shares owned, and a description of how such shares are held each year by January 31. In addition, each of those shareholders must provide supplemental information that we may request, in good faith, in order to determine our status as a REIT.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES REPRESENTING PREFERRED SHARES
General
We may issue receipts for depositary shares representing preferred shares, or depositary receipts. Each depositary receipt will represent a fractional interest or a share of a particular series of a class of nonvoting preferred shares, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Preferred shares of each series of each class represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate Deposit Agreement among us, the depositary named therein and the holders from time to time of the Depositary Receipts. Subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depositary Receipt will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred shares represented by such depositary shares including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights. Such rights and preferences will be proportionate to the fractional interest of a share of the particular series of preferred shares represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such Depositary Receipt. As of the date of this prospectus, there are issued and outstanding:
| 7,200,000 Depositary Shares each representing 1/10 of a share of 8% Class G Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; |
| 8,200,000 Depositary Shares each representing 1/20 of a share of the 73/8% Class H Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares; and |
| 6,800,000 Depositary Shares each representing 1/20 of a share of 7.50% Class I Redeemable Preferred Shares. |
See Description of Preferred Shares. These depositary shares representing preferred shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols DDR-PG, DDR-PH and DDR-PI, respectively.
The depositary shares representing preferred shares will be evidenced by Depositary Receipts issued pursuant to the applicable Deposit Agreement. Immediately after we issue and deliver the preferred shares to the depositary, we will cause the depositary to issue the Depositary Receipts on our behalf. Copies of the applicable form of Deposit Agreement and Depositary Receipt may be obtained from us upon request.
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Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received on behalf of the preferred shares proportionately to the record holders of the related Depositary Receipts owned by such holder. Such distributions are subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the depositary.
In the event of a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property it receives to the record holders of Depositary Receipts entitled to the property unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds of such sale to holders. Such distributions by the depositary are subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the depositary.
Withdrawal of Shares
Unless the related depositary shares representing preferred shares have previously been called for redemption, upon surrender of the Depositary Receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary, the holders thereof will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon such holders order, of the number of whole or fractional preferred shares and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such Depositary Receipts. Holders of Depositary Receipts will be entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of the related preferred shares on the basis of the proportion of preferred shares represented by each depositary share as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, but holders of such preferred shares will not thereafter be entitled to receive depositary shares representing preferred shares therefor. If the Depositary Receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the preferred shares to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new Depositary Receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares.
Redemption of Depositary Shares Representing Preferred Shares
Whenever we redeem preferred shares held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing the preferred shares so redeemed, provided we have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred shares to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption. With respect to Noncumulative Shares, dividends will be paid for the current dividend period only. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the preferred shares. If less than all the depositary shares representing preferred shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares representing preferred shares to be redeemed will be selected by the depositary by lot.
After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares representing preferred shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the Depositary Receipts evidencing the depositary shares representing preferred shares called for redemption will cease. However, the holders will have the right to receive any moneys payable upon redemption and any money or other property that the holders of such Depositary Receipts were entitled to at the time of redemption when they surrender their Depositary Receipts to the depositary.
Voting of the Underlying Preferred Shares
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred shares are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in such notice to the record holders of the Depositary Receipts related to such preferred shares. Each record holder of Depositary Receipts on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights of the preferred shares related to such holders Depositary Receipts. The record date for Depositary Receipts will be the same date as the record date for
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preferred shares. The depositary will vote the preferred shares related to such Depositary Receipts in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable action that the depositary deems necessary to enable it to vote the preferred shares. The depositary will abstain from voting preferred shares represented by such depositary shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of Depositary Receipts.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, whether voluntary or involuntary, each holder of a Depositary Receipt will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each preferred share represented by the depositary share evidenced by such Depositary Receipt, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Conversion of Preferred Shares
The depositary shares representing preferred shares, as such, are not convertible into common shares or any of our other securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to an offering of depositary shares representing preferred shares, the Depositary Receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the depositary with written instructions to the depositary to instruct us to cause conversion of the preferred shares represented by the depositary shares into whole common shares, other preferred shares or other shares of capital stock. We have agreed that upon receipt of such instructions and any amounts payable in respect thereof, we will cause the conversion thereof utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of preferred shares to effect such conversion. If the depositary shares representing preferred shares evidenced by a Depositary Receipt are to be converted in part only, one or more new Depositary Receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted. No fractional common shares will be issued upon conversion. If conversion will result in a fractional share being issued, we will pay in cash an amount equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing price of the common shares on the last business day prior to the conversion.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
The form of Depositary Receipt evidencing the depositary shares which represent the preferred shares and any provision of the Deposit Agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between the depositary and us. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of Depositary Receipts will not be effective unless it has been approved by the existing holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares evidenced by outstanding Depositary Receipts.
We may terminate the Deposit Agreement upon not less than 30 days prior written notice to the depositary if (1) such termination is to preserve our status as a REIT or (2) a majority of each class of preferred shares affected by such termination consents to such termination. Upon termination of the Deposit Agreement, the depositary shall deliver or make available to each holder of Depositary Receipts, upon surrender of the Depositary Receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional preferred shares as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such Depositary Receipts. In addition, the Deposit Agreement will automatically terminate if:
(1) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed,
(2) there has been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred shares in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of Depositary Receipts evidencing the depositary shares representing such preferred shares, or
(3) each related preferred share shall have been converted into capital stock that is not represented by depositary shares.
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Charges of Preferred Shares Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the Deposit Agreement. In addition, we will pay the fees and expenses of the depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the Deposit Agreement. However, holders of Depositary Receipts will pay the depositarys fees and expenses for any duties that holders request to be performed which are outside those expressly provided for in the Deposit Agreement.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its resignation, and we may remove the depositary at any time. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary. A successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal. A successor depositary must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000.
Miscellaneous
The depositary will forward to holders of Depositary Receipts any reports and communications from us which it receives with respect to the related preferred shares.
Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if it is prevented from or delayed, by law or any circumstances beyond its control, in performing its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations of the Company and the depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be limited to performing our respective duties thereunder in good faith and without negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct. DDR and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any Depositary Receipts, depositary shares or preferred shares represented thereby unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. DDR and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting preferred shares represented thereby for deposit, holders of Depositary Receipts or other persons believed to be competent to give such information, and on documents believed to be genuine and signed by a proper party.
If the depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of Depositary Receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, the depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from us.
Capitalization
Our articles of incorporation authorize us to issue up to 500,000,000 common shares, $0.10 par value per share.
General
The following description summarizes certain general terms and provisions of our common shares. This summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. For more detail, you should refer to the applicable provisions of our articles of incorporation and our code of regulations that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
Holders of our common shares are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors, out of funds legally available therefor. Any payment and declaration of dividends by us on our common shares and purchases thereof will be subject to certain restrictions if we fail to pay dividends on any outstanding preferred shares. See Description of Preferred Shares Dividends. If we are liquidated, dissolved or involved in any winding-up, the holders of our common shares are entitled to receive ratably any assets
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remaining after we have fully paid all of our liabilities, including the preferential amounts we owe with respect to any preferred shares. Holders of our common shares possess ordinary voting rights, with each share entitling the holder to one vote. Holders of our common shares have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Holders of our common shares do not have preemptive rights, which means that they have no right to acquire any additional common shares that we may subsequently issue.
Restrictions on Ownership
In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding capital stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals during the last half of a taxable year. Individual is defined in the Code to include certain entities. In addition, our capital stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Additionally, certain other requirements must be satisfied.
To ensure that five or fewer individuals do not own more than 50% in value of our outstanding common shares, our articles of incorporation provide that, subject to certain exceptions (including those set forth below), no holder may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 5%, which we refer to as the ownership limit, of our outstanding common shares. The existing holder, which includes, collectively, (a) Iris Wolstein and/or all descendants of Iris Wolstein (which includes Scott A. Wolstein), (b) trusts or family foundations established for the benefit of the individuals named in (a) above and (c) other entities controlled by the individuals named in (a) above (or trusts or family foundations established for the benefit of those individuals) may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, no more than 5.1% of our outstanding common shares. The exempt holder, which includes, collectively, (x) Professor Werner Otto, his wife Maren Otto and/or all descendants of Professor Werner Otto, including, without limitation, Alexander Otto, (y) trusts or family foundations established for the benefit of the individuals named in (x) above and (z) other entities controlled by the individuals named in (x) above (or trusts or family foundations established for the benefit of those individuals) may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, no more than 29.8% of our outstanding common shares.
In addition, because rent from a related party tenant (any tenant 10% of which is owned, directly or constructively, by a REIT, including an owner of 10% or more of a REIT) is not qualifying rent for purposes of the gross income tests under the Code, our articles of incorporation provide that no individual or entity may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code (which differ from the attribution provisions applied to the ownership limit), in excess of 9.8% of our outstanding common shares, which we refer to as the related party limit. Our board of directors may exempt a person from the ownership limit if the person would not be deemed an individual and may exempt a person from the related party limit if an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, is provided to our board of directors to the effect that the ownership will not then or in the future jeopardize our status as a REIT. Our board of directors may also exempt the exempt holder and any person who would constructively own common shares constructively owned by the exempt holder from the ownership limit in its sole discretion. As a condition of any exemption, our board of directors will require appropriate representations and undertakings from the applicant with respect to preserving our REIT status.
Additionally, our articles of incorporation prohibit any transfer of common shares that would cause us to cease to be a domestically controlled qualified investment entity as defined in Section 897(h)(4)(B) of the Code.
The preceding restrictions on transferability and ownership of common shares may not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT. The ownership limit and the related party limit will not be automatically removed even if the REIT provisions of the Code are changed to no longer contain any ownership concentration limitation or if the ownership concentration limitation is increased. In addition to preserving our status as a REIT, the effects of the ownership limit and the related party limit are to prevent any person or small group of persons from acquiring unilateral control of us. Any change in the ownership limit, other than modifications that may be made by our board of directors as permitted
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by our articles of incorporation, requires an amendment to the articles of incorporation, even if our board of directors determines that maintenance of REIT status is no longer in our best interests. Amendments to the articles of incorporation require the affirmative vote of holders owning a majority of our outstanding common shares. If it is determined that an amendment would materially and adversely affect the holders of any class of preferred shares, that amendment also would require the affirmative vote of holders of two-thirds of the affected class of preferred shares.
Our articles of incorporation provide that upon a transfer or non-transfer event that results in a person beneficially or constructively owning common shares in excess of the applicable ownership limits or that results in us being closely held within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code, the person, which we refer to as a prohibited owner, will not acquire or retain any rights or beneficial economic interest in the shares that would exceed such applicable ownership limits or result in us being closely held, which we refer to as excess shares. Instead, the excess shares will be automatically transferred to a person or entity unaffiliated with and designated by us to serve as trustee of a trust for the exclusive benefit of a charitable beneficiary to be designated by us within five days after the discovery of the transaction that created the excess shares. The trustee will have the exclusive right to designate a person who may acquire the excess shares without violating the applicable restrictions, which we refer to as a permitted transferee, to acquire all of the shares held by the trust. The permitted transferee must pay the trustee an amount equal to the fair market value (determined at the time of transfer to the permitted transferee) for the excess shares. The trustee will pay to the prohibited owner the lesser of (a) the value of the shares at the time they became excess shares and (b) the price received by the trustee from the sale of the excess shares to a permitted transferee. The beneficiary will receive the excess of (x) the sale proceeds from the transfer to a permitted transferee over (y) the amount paid to the prohibited owner, if any, in addition to any dividends paid with respect to the excess shares.
All certificates representing our common shares bear a legend referring to the preceding restrictions.
Our articles of incorporation provide that all persons who own, directly or by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more than 5% of our outstanding common shares must give written notice to us stating the name and address of such person, the number of shares owned, and a description of how such shares are held each year by January 31. In addition, each of those shareholders must provide supplemental information that we may request, in good faith, in order to determine our status as a REIT.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARE WARRANTS
We may issue common share warrants for the purchase of common shares. We may issue common share warrants independently or together with any other securities offered by any prospectus supplement. The common share warrants we issue may be attached to or separate from such offered securities. Each series of common share warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the common share warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of common share warrants. The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the common share warrants that may be offered under this Registration Statement. Further terms of the common share warrants and the applicable warrant agreements will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the common share warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, where applicable, the following:
(1) the title of such common share warrants;
(2) the aggregate number of such common share warrants;
(3) the price or prices at which such common share warrants will be issued;
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(4) the number of common shares purchasable upon exercise of such common share warrants;
(5) the designation and terms of the other Offered Securities with which such common share warrants are issued and the number of such common share warrants issued with each such Offered Security;
(6) the date, if any, on and after which such common share warrants and the related common shares will be separately transferable;
(7) the price at which each common share purchasable upon exercise of such common share warrants may be purchased;
(8) the date on which the right to exercise such common share warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;
(9) the minimum or maximum amount of such common share warrants which may be exercised at any one time;
(10) information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
(11) a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations; and
(12) any other terms of such common share warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such common share warrants.
You should also read the section captioned Description of Common Shares for a general description of the common shares to be acquired upon the exercise of the common share warrants, including a description of certain restrictions on the ownership of common shares. We will treat as outstanding any common shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of common share warrants, directly or constructively held by an investor, at the following times:
(1) at the time of acquisition of the common share warrants, and
(2) prior to the exercise of the common share warrants, for purposes of determining the percentage ownership of common shares held by such investor.
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF OHIO LAW
Certain provisions of Ohio law may have the effect of discouraging or rendering more difficult an unsolicited acquisition of a corporation or its capital stock to the extent the corporation is subject to those provisions. We have opted out of one such provision. We remain subject to the foregoing provisions, which are described below.
Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code prohibits certain transactions, including mergers, sales of assets, issuances or purchases of securities, liquidation or dissolution, or reclassifications of the then-outstanding shares of an Ohio corporation with 50 or more shareholders involving, or for the benefit of, certain holders of shares representing 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation (any such shareholder, a 10% Shareholder), unless:
(1) the transaction is approved by the directors before the 10% Shareholder becomes a 10% Shareholder;
(2) the acquisition of 10% of the voting power is approved by the directors before the 10% Shareholder becomes a 10% Shareholder; or
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(3) the transaction involves a 10% Shareholder who has been a 10% Shareholder for at least three years and is approved by the directors before the 10% Shareholder becomes a 10% Shareholder, is approved by holders of two-thirds of our voting power and the holders of a majority of the voting power not owned by the 10% Shareholder, or certain price and form of consideration requirements are met.
Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code may have the effect of deterring certain potential acquisitions of us which might be beneficial to shareholders.
Section 1707.041 of the Ohio Revised Code regulates certain control bids for corporations in Ohio with fifty or more shareholders that have significant Ohio contacts and permits the Ohio Division of Securities to suspend a control bid if certain information is not provided to offerees.
We may sell the offered securities in and outside the United States:
| through underwriters or dealers; |
| directly to purchasers; |
| in a rights offering; |
| in at the market offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise; |
| through agents; or |
| through a combination of any of these methods. |
The prospectus supplement will include the following information:
| the terms of the offering; |
| the names of any underwriters or agents; |
| the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters; |
| the purchase price or initial public offering price of the securities; |
| the net proceeds from the sale of the securities; |
| any delayed delivery arrangements; |
| any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters compensation; |
| any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
| any commissions paid to agents. |
Sale through Underwriters or Dealers
If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
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If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting agreement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.
During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.
Some or all of the securities that we offer though this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell our securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.
If dealers are used in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at fixed prices or at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.
Direct Sales and Sales through Agents
We may sell the securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents designated from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any sales of these securities in the prospectus supplement.
Remarketing Arrangements
Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Delayed Delivery Contracts
If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.
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General Information
We may have agreements with the agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers, underwriters or remarketing firms may be required to make. Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
Jones Day will pass upon the validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus.
The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Developers Diversified Realty Corporations Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 10, 2009 and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Developers Diversified Realty Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2008 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information about the operation of the SECs Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC (http://www.sec.gov).
INFORMATION WE INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with them, which means:
| incorporated documents are considered part of the prospectus; |
| we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents; and |
| information that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and supersede the information contained in this prospectus and incorporated filings. |
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below that we filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act:
| our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as amended by Form 10-K/A filed on April 29, 2009; |
| our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009; |
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| our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2009; February 27, 2009; March 11, 2009; April 7, 2009; May 11, 2009; June 12, 2009; July 1, 2009; July 31, 2009; August 3, 2009; August 10, 2009; August 14, 2009; September 10, 2009; September 18, 2009, September 21, 2009; September 25, 2009 and September 29, 2009; and |
| the description of our common shares contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated January 26, 1993 and all amendments or reports filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description. |
Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with SEC on August 10, 2009 for purposes of, among other things, reflecting the impact of the classification of discontinued operations of properties sold after January 1, 2009, pursuant to the requirements of Statement No. 144 Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, updates Items 6, 7, 7A, 15(a)(i) and 15(a)(2) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
We also incorporate by reference each of the documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus until the offering of the securities terminates. We will not, however, incorporate by reference in this prospectus any documents or portions of any documents that are not deemed filed with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our current reports on Form 8-K unless, and except to the extent, specified in such current reports.
We will provide you with a copy of any of these filings (other than an exhibit to these filings, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into the filing requested) at no cost if you submit a request to us by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:
Developers Diversified Realty Corporation
3300 Enterprise Parkway
Beachwood, Ohio 44122
Telephone Number: (216) 755-5500
Attn: Investor Relations
We also maintain a web site that contains additional information about us (http://www.ddr.com). The information on, or accessible through, our web site is not part of, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus other than the documents that we file with the SEC and incorporate by reference into this prospectus.
Any statement contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, or in any subsequently filed document which also is incorporated herein by reference, modifies or supersedes such earlier statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. Any statement made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document is only a summary of the actual contract, agreement or other document. If we have filed or incorporated by reference any contract, agreement or other document as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should read the exhibit for a more complete understanding of the document or matter involved. Each statement regarding a contract, agreement or other document is qualified by reference to the actual document.
45
$250,000,000
DDR Corp.
% Notes Due
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Joint Book-Running Managers
Deutsche Bank Securities
RBS
UBS Investment Bank
June , 2012
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