0000726728 false 0000726728 2021-06-04 2021-06-04 0000726728 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2021-06-04 2021-06-04 0000726728 o:Notes1.625PercentDue2030Member 2021-06-04 2021-06-04 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares

 

 

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 8-K

 

Current Report

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report: June 4, 2021

(Date of Earliest Event Reported)

 

REALTY INCOME CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland 1-13374 33-0580106
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

11995 El Camino Real, San Diego, California 92130

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(858284-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
     
¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
     
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
     
¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

 

Emerging growth company o

 

 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading symbol   Name of Each Exchange On Which
Registered
         
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value   O   New York Stock Exchange
         
1.625% Notes due 2030   O30   New York Stock Exchange

 

 

  

 

 

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

 

Filing of Shelf Registration Statement and Prospectus Supplements

 

On June 4, 2021, Realty Income Corporation (the “Company”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-256788) (the “Registration Statement”), which became immediately effective upon filing.

 

On June 4, 2021, the Company also filed with the SEC two prospectus supplements, each dated June 4, 2021, to the prospectus included in the Registration Statement in connection with: (i) the Company’s existing Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan, and (ii) the offer and sale of up to 15,678,031 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), pursuant to the terms of the Company’s existing “at-the-market” program (the “ATM Program”). As of the date of this report, the Company has sold a total of 17,724,374 shares of its Common Stock pursuant to the ATM Program, leaving the foregoing 15,678,031 shares of Common Stock available for offer and sale pursuant to such program.

 

In connection with the filing of the prospectus supplements, the Company is filing as Exhibits 5.1 and 5.2 hereto opinions of its counsel, Venable LLP, regarding the validity of the securities being registered under each respective prospectus supplement. Additionally, in connection with the filing of the prospectus supplement related to the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan, the Company is filing as Exhibit 8.1 hereto an opinion of its counsel, Latham & Watkins LLP, with respect to certain tax matters. 

 

Amendment to Sales Agreement

 

On June 4, 2021, the Company entered into that certain Amendment No. 2 to Sales Agreement (the “Second Amendment”), which amended the Sales Agreement, dated December 6, 2019, by and among the Company, the sales agents party thereto, and the forward purchasers party thereto (the “Sales Agreement”), as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Sales Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2020 (the “First Amendment”), relating to the ATM Program. The Second Amendment addresses certain matters related to the pending merger between the Company and VEREIT, Inc.

 

The foregoing description of the Second Amendment is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Sales Agreement, First Amendment and Second Amendment, which are attached as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)           Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No   Description
1.1   Sales Agreement, dated December 6, 2019, by and among the Company, the sales agents party thereto and the forward purchasers party thereto (filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed on December 6, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference)
1.2   Amendment No. 1 to Sales Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2020, by and among the Company, the sales agents party thereto and the forward purchasers party thereto (filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed on August 5, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference)
1.3   Amendment No. 2 to Sales Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2021, by and among the Company, the sales agents party thereto and the forward purchasers party thereto
5.1   Opinion of Venable LLP.
5.2   Opinion of Venable LLP.
8.1   Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.
23.1   Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
23.2   Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2)
23.3   Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1)
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

  REALTY INCOME CORPORATION
   
Date: June 7, 2021 By: /s/ Michelle Bushore
    Michelle Bushore
    Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer,
General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 1.3

 

AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO SALES AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDMENT NO. 2 (this “Amendment”) dated as of June 4, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) to the Amended Agreement (as defined below) is by and among Realty Income Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and the Agents and Forward Purchasers (as such terms are defined in the Amended Agreement) named on the signature pages hereof.

 

WHEREAS, the parties to this Amendment are parties to the Sales Agreement dated December 6, 2019 (the “Original Agreement”), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Sales Agreement dated as of August 5, 2020 (“Amendment No. 1”; the Original Agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 1, is hereinafter called the “Amended Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 29, 2021, as amended and supplemented, if applicable, from time to time (the “Acquisition Agreement,” which term, as used herein, includes all exhibits, schedules and attachments thereto, in each case as amended or supplemented, if applicable, from time to time) with Rams MD Subsidiary I, Inc., a Maryland corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub 1”), Rams Acquisition Sub II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub 2”), VEREIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“VEREIT”), and VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“VEREIT OP”);

 

WHEREAS, it is contemplated that, pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of the Acquisition Agreement, Merger Sub 2 will be merged with and into VEREIT OP, with VEREIT OP continuing as the surviving entity (the “Partnership Merger”), and, immediately following the Partnership Merger, VEREIT will be merged with and into Merger Sub 1, with Merger Sub 1 continuing as the surviving corporation (the “VEREIT Merger” and, together with the Partnership Merger, the “Acquisition”); and

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Amended Agreement in light of the contemplated Acquisition.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of covenants and agreements herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby conclusively acknowledged by each of the parties hereto, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Certain Definitions. As used in this Amendment (as defined above), the term “Agreement” shall mean the Amended Agreement (as defined above), as amended by this Amendment; and all other capitalized terms used in this Amendment but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Amended Agreement.

 

 

 

 

Section 2. Amendments to Amended Agreement. The Amended Agreement shall be amended as follows, such amendments to be effective as of the Effective Date:

 

(i)          The following paragraph shall be added to the Amended Agreement as a new paragraph immediately prior to Section 1 of the Amended Agreement:

 

“The Company has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 29, 2021, as amended and supplemented, if applicable, from time to time (the “Acquisition Agreement,” which term, as used herein, includes all exhibits, schedules and attachments thereto, in each case as amended or supplemented, if applicable, from time to time) with Rams MD Subsidiary I, Inc., a Maryland corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub 1”), Rams Acquisition Sub II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub 2”), VEREIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“VEREIT” or the “Acquired Company”), and VEREIT Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“VEREIT OP” and, together with VEREIT, collectively, the “Subject Companies” and, individually, a “Subject Company”). It is contemplated that, pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, Merger Sub 2 will be merged with and into VEREIT OP, with VEREIT OP continuing as the surviving entity (the “Partnership Merger”), and, immediately following the Partnership Merger, VEREIT will be merged with and into Merger Sub 1, with Merger Sub 1 continuing as the surviving corporation (the “VEREIT Merger” and, together with the Partnership Merger, the “Acquisition”). The date upon which the Acquisition becomes effective is hereinafter called the “Acquisition Date” and, if the Acquisition Agreement is terminated without the Acquisition having become effective, the date of such termination is hereinafter called the “Termination Date”.”

 

(ii)          Section 1(a) of the Amended Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following paragraphs immediately following Section 1(a)(xli):

 

“(xlii)      Financial Statements of Acquired Company. To the knowledge of the Company, the consolidated financial statements of each Subject Company included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly the consolidated financial position of such Subject Company and its subsidiaries at the dates indicated and the consolidated income, stockholders’ or partners’ equity, as the case may be, and cash flows of such Subject Company and its subsidiaries for the periods specified; except as may otherwise be stated in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, said consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except where any such failure to conform or be consistent would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and the Subject Companies, considered as one enterprise.”

 

“(xliii)      No Material Adverse Change in Business of Acquired Company. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, to the knowledge of the Company, there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs, financial prospects or business prospects of the Acquired Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business.”

 

“(xliv)      Statistical and Other Data. All (A) statistical and market-related data and (B) data (including financial information), in each case, with respect to the Acquired Company or any of its subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably believes to be accurate in all material respects or represent the Company’s good faith estimates that are made on the basis of data derived from sources the Company reasonably believes to be reliable and accurate in all material respects.”

 

2

 

 

“(xlv)      Absence of Defaults and Conflicts as Result of Acquisition. The Acquisition Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles; and the Acquisition and compliance by the Company with its obligations under the Acquisition Agreement do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary pursuant to, any Agreement or Instrument, except for such conflicts, breaches or defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or bylaws of the Company or any applicable law, rule, regulation, or governmental or court judgment, order, writ or decree.”

 

“(xlvi)      Acquired Company Representations and Warranties. To the knowledge of the Company, all of the representations and warranties made by the Acquired Company in the Acquisition Agreement are true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “VEREIT Material Adverse Effect” or similar limitation as set forth therein), except that any representations and warranties that expressly speak as of a particular date were true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “VEREIT Material Adverse Effect” or similar limitation as set forth therein) as of such particular date, except in each case where the failure to be so true and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect assuming the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement.”

 

“In the case of the representations and warranties set forth in this Section 1(a) made by the Company on any Representation Date, Applicable Time, Settlement Date or Trade Date occurring after the Acquisition Date or the Termination Date, as the case may be, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 1(a)(xliii) above shall be deemed to have been made as of the Acquisition Date or the Termination Date, as the case may be, rather than as of such Representation Date, Applicable Time, Settlement Date or Trade Date. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, after the first to occur of the Acquisition Date or the Termination Date, Sections 1(a)(xlv) and 1(a)(xlvi) shall be deemed to have been deleted from this Section 1(a) and the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 1(a)(xlv) and 1(a)(xlvi) shall no longer be made, or be required to be made, by the Company on any Representation Date, Applicable Time, Settlement Date or Trade Date falling on or after the first to occur of the Acquisition Date or the Termination Date, as applicable; provided that the foregoing provisions of this sentence shall not affect any representations or warranties made pursuant to Sections 1(a)(xlv) or 1(a)(xlvi) at any time prior to the first to occur of the Acquisition Date or the Termination Date, as the case may be.”

 

3

 

 

(iii)          Section 3(t) of the Amended Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

“(t)      Renewal Deadline. If, immediately prior to the third anniversary of the initial effective date of the Registration Statement (the “Renewal Deadline”), this Agreement is still in effect or any Shares purchased by an Agent as principal remain unsold, the Company will, prior to the Renewal Deadline, (i) promptly notify the Agents and the Forward Purchasers, (ii) promptly file, if it is eligible to do so, a new automatic shelf registration statement relating to the Shares, in a form and substance satisfactory to the Agents and the Forward Purchasers, (iii) promptly notify the Agents and the Forward Purchasers of such filing and (iv) prepare a prospectus supplement relating to the Shares and, promptly after the effectiveness of such new registration statement, file such prospectus supplement, together with the base prospectus filed as part of such registration statement, with the Commission in accordance of the provisions of Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations. If, at the time the Company intends to file such a new automatic shelf registration statement, it is not eligible to do so, the Company will, prior to the Renewal Deadline, (a) promptly notify the Agents and the Forward Purchasers, (b) promptly file a new shelf registration statement on the proper form relating to the Shares, in a form and substance satisfactory to the Agents and the Forward Purchasers, (c) use its best efforts to cause such new shelf registration statement to be declared effective within 60 days after the Renewal Deadline or, if Shares purchased by an Agent as principal remain unsold, use its best efforts to cause such new shelf registration statement to be declared effective as soon as reasonably possible after the Renewal Deadline, (d) promptly notify the Agents and the Forward Purchasers of such effectiveness and (e) prepare a prospectus supplement relating to the Shares and, promptly after the effectiveness of such new registration statement, file such prospectus supplement, together with the base prospectus filed as part of such new registration statement, with the Commission in accordance with the provisions of Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations. In addition, the Company may, at its option, file a new automatic shelf registration statement relating to the Shares (which, upon effectiveness, shall replace the then-existing shelf registration statement relating to the Shares) for any reason at any time, so long as (1) this Agreement is still in effect and (2) no Shares purchased by any Agent as principal remain unsold, provided that the Company (w) notifies the Agents and the Forward Purchasers prior to filing such new automatic shelf registration statement, (x) files a new automatic shelf registration statement relating to the Shares in a form and substance satisfactory to the Agents and the Forward Purchasers, (y) promptly notifies the Agents and Forward Purchases of such filing and (z) prepares a prospectus supplement relating to the Shares and, promptly after the effectiveness of such new registration statement, files such prospectus supplement, together with the base prospectus filed as part of such registration statement, with the Commission in accordance with the provisions of Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations. For purposes of clarity, the parties hereto agree that the Company’s automatic shelf registration statement (File No. 333-256788), which was filed with the Commission on June 4, 2021 and which automatically became effective on such date pursuant to Rule 462(e) of the 1933 Act Regulations, and the Company’s prospectus supplement dated June 4, 2021 relating to the Shares and the related base prospectus dated June 4, 2021, which were filed with the Commission on June 4, 2021 in accordance with the provisions of Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations, were filed pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions set forth in the immediately preceding sentence and, accordingly, the provisions of this Section 3(t) set forth below shall be applicable with respect to such registration statement, prospectus supplement and base prospectus. In each of the foregoing cases, the Company will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the offering and sale of the Shares to continue as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus in effect immediately prior to the filing of any such new shelf registration statement. From and after the effectiveness of any such new registration statement, references herein to the “Registration Statement” and the references to “such registration statement” appearing in the second and third sentences of the fourth paragraph of this Agreement shall be deemed to mean such new registration statement, mutatis mutandis, and, from and after the filing of any such new prospectus supplement and base prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations, references herein to the “Prospectus Supplement” and the “Base Prospectus,” the reference to the “base prospectus” appearing in the third sentence of the fourth paragraph of this Agreement, the reference to “a prospectus supplement” appearing in the fourth sentence of the fourth paragraph of this Agreement, and the reference to “such prospectus supplement” appearing in the fifth sentence of the fourth paragraph of this Agreement, shall be deemed to mean such new prospectus supplement or such new base prospectus, as applicable, mutatis mutandis.”

 

4

 

 

(iv)          Section 3(w) of the Amended Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

“(w)      Delivery of Future Accountants’ Letters for Acquired Assets. Upon commencement of the offering of Shares under this Agreement, (A) each time Shares are delivered to the applicable Agents as principal on a Settlement Date and (B) promptly after each Representation Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 3(o) hereof, the Company will cause the applicable independent accountants to furnish to the Agents and the Forward Purchasers or, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Agents and Forward Purchasers, as the case may be, a letter, dated such Settlement Date or such Representation Date, as the case may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents and the Forward Purchasers or, in the case of clause (A) above, such Agents and Forward Purchasers, as the case may be, of the same tenor as the letter referred to in Section 5(j) hereof but modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the date of such letter. As used in this Section 3(w), to the extent there shall be a sale of Shares on or following any Representation Date, “promptly” shall be deemed to be at or prior to the Applicable Time for such sale. Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(w), the Company agrees to comply with such provisions in connection with the proposed Acquisition and the financial statements and other financial data of each Subject Company and the related pro forma financial statements, in each case that are included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus; provided that, if the Termination Date shall occur, the provisions of this Section 3(w) shall automatically cease to be applicable with respect to the financial statements and other financial data of the Subject Companies and such related pro forma financial statements.”

 

5

 

 

(v)          Section 5(j) of the Amended Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following sentence at the end of such Section 5(j):

 

“Without limitation to the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(j), the Company agrees to comply with such provisions in connection with the proposed Acquisition and the financial statements of each Subject Company and the related pro forma financial statements (including delivery of a comfort letter and appropriate consent from each Subject Company’s independent public accounting firm), in each case that are included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus.”

 

Section 3. Original Agreement and Amendment No. 1. The Original Agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 1, is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects and, except as further amended hereby, shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 4. Parties. This Amendment shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Agents, including any substitute Agents pursuant to Section 9 of the Amended Agreement, the Forward Purchasers, the Company and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Amendment is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Agents, the Forward Purchasers, the Company and their respective successors, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Amendment or any provision herein contained. This Amendment and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Agents, the Forward Purchasers, the Company and their respective successors and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation.

 

Section 5. Trial by Jury. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Amendment or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 6. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME. THIS AMENDMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SAID STATE.

 

Section 7. Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same agreement. The words “executed,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Amendment or in any instruments, agreements, certificates, notices or other documents entered into or delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Amendment shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf”, “tif” or “jpg”) and electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign) and, without limitation to the foregoing, this Amendment and any other amendments or supplements to the Original Agreement or Amendment No. 1 thereto or any certificates or other documents delivered pursuant to the Agreement, as the same may be further amended or supplemented from time to time, may be executed and delivered by the parties by any of the foregoing means. The use of electronic means of transmittal and delivery, electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.

 

Section 8. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

6

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above:

 

  Realty Income Corporation
   
  By: /s/ Michelle Bushore
    Name: Michelle Bushore
    Title: Executive Vice President,
      Chief Legal Officer,
      General Counsel and Secretary

 

[Signature Page to the Amendment No. 2 to Sales Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Mizuho Securities USA LLC,   RBC Capital Markets, LLC,
As Agent   As Agent
     
By: /s/ J.T. Deignan                                By: /s/ Alexis Moshang
  Name: J.T. Deignan     Name: Alexis Moshang
  Title: Managing Director     Title: Director
         
Truist Securities, Inc.,   RBC Capital Markets, LLC,
As Agent   As agent for Royal Bank of Canada,
    As Forward Purchaser
     
By: /s/ Keith Carpenter   By: /s/ Alexis Moshang
  Name: Keith Carpenter     Name: Alexis Moshang
  Title: Director     Title: Director
     
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated,   BofA Securities, Inc.,
As Agent   As Agent
     
By: /s/ Chad M. Gorsuch   By: /s/ Hicham Hamdouch
  Name: Chad M. Gorsuch     Name: Hicham Hamdouch
  Title: Managing Director     Title: Managing Director
     
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC,   Bank of America, N.A.,
As Agent   As Forward Purchaser
     
By: /s/ Elizabeth Alvarez   By: /s/ Jake Mendelsohn
  Name: Elizabeth Alvarez     Name: Jake Mendelsohn
  Title: Managing Director     Title: Managing Director
     
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,   Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated,
As Forward Purchaser   As Agent
   
By: /s/ Cathleen Burke   By: /s/ Christopher Walter
  Name: Cathleen Burke     Name: Christopher Walter
  Title: Managing Director     Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to the Amendment No. 2 to Sales Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Barclays Capital Inc.,   The Bank of New York Mellon,
As Agent   As Forward Purchaser
     
By: /s/ Nicholas Cunningham   By: /s/ Robert Lynch
  Name: Nicholas Cunningham     Name: Robert Lynch
  Title: Managing Director     Title: Managing Director
     
Barclays Bank PLC,   By: /s/ Sabrina Washington
As Forward Purchaser     Name: Sabrina Washington
      Title: Director
By: /s/ Nicholas Cunningham    
  Name: Nicholas Cunningham   Jefferies LLC,
  Title: Managing Director   As Agent and as Forward Purchaser
     
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC,   By: /s/ Gregory Rinsky
As Agent     Name: Gregory Rinsky
      Title: Managing Director
By: /s/ Stephanie Little    
  Name: Stephanie Little   Citigroup Global Markets Inc.,
  Title: Executive Director   As Agent
     
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association,   By: /s/ Jose Ricaud
As Forward Purchaser     Name: Jose Ricaud
      Title: Vice President
By: /s/ Stephanie Little    
  Name: Stephanie Little   Citibank, N.A.,
  Title: Executive Director   As Forward Purchaser
     
BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC,   By: /s/ Eric Natelson
As Agent     Name: Eric Natelson
      Title: Authorized Signatory
By: /s/ Dan Klinger    
  Name: Dan Klinger   Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC,
  Title: Managing Director   As Agent and as Forward Purchaser
     
By: /s/ JC Mas   By: /s/ Ryan Cunn
  Name: JC Mas     Name: Ryan Cunn
  Title: Director     Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to the Amendment No. 2 to Sales Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC,   Credit Suisse International,
As Agent and as Forward Purchaser   As Forward Purchaser
       
By: /s/ Olivier Jacque   By: /s/ Carole Villoresi
  Name: Olivier Jacque     Name: Carole Villoresi
  Title: Executive Director     Title: Authorized Signatory
       
UBS Securities LLC,   By: /s/ Eileen Caluri
As Agent     Name: Eileen Caluri
        Title: Authorized Signatory
By: /s/ Whitney Mikell    
  Name: Whitney Mikell   BMO Capital Markets Corp.,
  Title: Executive Director   As Agent
       
By: /s/ Lucas Fulton   By: /s/ Matthew Coley
  Name: Lucas Fulton     Name: Matthew Coley
  Title: Associate Director     Title: Manager, Derivatives Operations
       
UBS AG London Branch,   By: /s/ Brian Riley
As Forward Purchaser     Name: Brian Riley
        Title: Managing Director, Global Markets
By: /s/ Alexander Li    
  Name: Alexander Li   Bank of Montreal,
  Title: Director   As Forward Purchaser
       
By: /s/ Steve Studnicky   By: /s/ Sue Henderson
  Name: Steve Studnicky     Name: Sue Henderson
  Title: Managing Director     Title: Director, Derivatives Operations
       
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC,   BTIG, LLC,
As Agent   As Agent
       
By: /s/ Jim Cronin   By: /s/ Stephen Ortiz
  Name: Jim Cronin     Name: Stephen Ortiz
  Title: Managing Director     Title: Managing Director

  

 

[Signature Page to the Amendment No. 2 to Sales Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Regions Securities LLC,  
As Agent  
   
By: /s/ Edward L. Armstrong  
  Name: Edward L. Armstrong  
  Title: Managing Director - ECM  
   
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.,  
As Agent  
   
By: /s/ Michael J. Curran  
  Name: Michael J. Curran  
  Title: Managing Director  
   
The Bank of Nova Scotia,  
As Forward Purchaser  
   
By: /s/ Michael J. Curran  
  Name: Michael J. Curran  
  Title: Managing Director  
   
TD Securities (USA) LLC,  
As Agent  
   
By: /s/ Brad Limpert  
  Name: Brad Limpert  
  Title: Managing Director  

 

[Signature Page to the Amendment No. 2 to Sales Agreement]

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

 

 

June 4, 2021 

 

Realty Income Corporation

11995 El Camino Real

San Diego, California 92130

 

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have served as Maryland counsel to Realty Income Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law arising out of the registration of 11,430,859 shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), to be issued from time to time pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan of the Company (the “Plan”). The Shares are covered by the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, and all amendments thereto (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Documents”):

 

1.             The Registration Statement and the related form of prospectus included therein, substantially in the form in which it was transmitted to the Commission under the Securities Act;

 

2.             The Prospectus Supplement, dated June 4, 2021, in the form filed with the Commission under the Securities Act;

 

3.             The charter of the Company (the “Charter”), certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”);

 

4.             The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

 

5.             A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;

 

6.             Resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company relating to, among other matters, the registration and issuance of the Shares and the approval of the Plan (the “Resolutions”), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realty Income Corporation
June 4, 2021
Page 2

 

7.             The Plan;

 

8.            A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and

 

9.             Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

 

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

 

1.             Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.

 

2.             Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.

 

3.            Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.

 

4.           All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.

 

5.            The Shares will not be issued or transferred in violation of the restrictions on ownership and transfer set forth in Article VII of the Charter.

 

6.            Upon the issuance of any Shares, the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realty Income Corporation
June 4, 2021
Page 3

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

 

1.            The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT.

 

2.            The issuance of the Shares has been duly authorized and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Resolutions, the Plan and the Registration Statement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to the applicability or effect of any federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. To the extent that any matter as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland, we do not express any opinion on such matter. The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect of any judicial decision which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.

 

The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

 

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the Shares (the “Current Report”), which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Current Report and the said incorporation by reference and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Venable LLP

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.2

 

 

June 4, 2021

 

Realty Income Corporation

11995 El Camino Real

San Diego, California 92130

 

Re:          Registration Statement on Form S-3

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have served as Maryland counsel to Realty Income Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law relating to the sale and issuance by the Company of up to 15,678,031 shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company, which may be sold from time to time pursuant to the Sales Agreement, dated as of December 6, 2019, as amended and supplemented by Amendment No. 1 to Sales Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2020, and Amendment No. 2 to Sales Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2021 (collectively, the “Sales Agreement”), by and among the Company and Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Truist Securities, Inc., Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Barclays Capital Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Jefferies LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, UBS Securities LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., BTIG, LLC, Regions Securities LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. and TD Securities (USA) LLC, and certain of their affiliates. This firm did not participate in the drafting or negotiation of the Sales Agreement or the Forward Confirmation (as defined below).

 

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Documents”):

 

1.                  The Registration Statement on Form S-3, and all amendments thereto (the “Registration Statement”), in the form in which it was transmitted to the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) for filing on June 4, 2021 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);

 

2.                  The prospectus, dated June 4, 2021, that forms a part of the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement, dated June 4, 2021, in the form in which it was transmitted to the Commission for filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act;

 

 

 

 

 

Realty Income Corporation

June 4, 2021

Page 2

 

3.                  The charter of the Company (the “Charter”), certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”);

 

4.                  The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

 

5.                  A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;

 

6.                  The Sales Agreement;

 

7.                  The form of Forward Sale Agreement which may be entered into by and between the Company and the applicable Forward Purchaser in relation to any forward purchase transaction (each, as defined in the Sales Agreement) (the “Forward Confirmation”);

 

8.                  Resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company, or a duly authorized committee thereof, relating to, among other matters, (a) the authorization of the execution and delivery by the Company of the Sales Agreement and any Forward Confirmation and (b) the sale and issuance of the Shares (the “Resolutions”), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

 

9.                  A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and

 

10.              Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

 

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

 

1.                  Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.

 

2.                  Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.

 

3.                  Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.

 

 

 

 

 

Realty Income Corporation

June 4, 2021

Page 3

4.                  All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.

 

5.                  The Shares will not be issued in violation of any restriction or limitation contained in Article VII of the Charter.

 

6.                  Upon the issuance of any Shares, the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter.

 

7.                  Prior to the issuance of any of the Shares, the ATM Offering Committee (as defined in the Resolutions) or certain officers of the Company will determine the price and certain other terms of issuance of such Shares in accordance with the Resolutions (the “Corporate Proceedings”).

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

 

1.                  The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT.

 

2.                  The issuance of the Shares has been duly authorized and, when and if issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the Resolutions, the Corporate Proceedings, the Registration Statement, the Sales Agreement and any Forward Confirmation, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

 

 

 

 

Realty Income Corporation

June 4, 2021

Page 4

 

The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to the applicability or effect of any federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. To the extent that any matter as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland, we do not express any opinion on such matter. The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect of judicial decisions which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.

 

The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

 

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the Shares (the “Current Report”), which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Current Report and the said incorporation by reference and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Venable LLP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 8.1

 

  355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 100
Los Angeles, California 90071-1560
Tel: +1.213.485.1234
Fax: +1.213.891.8763
www.lw.com

 

 

 

FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES

  Beijing Moscow
  Boston Munich
  Brussels New York
  Century City Orange County
  Chicago Paris
  Dubai Riyadh
June 4, 2021 Düsseldorf San Diego
  Frankfurt San Francisco
  Hamburg Seoul
  Hong Kong Shanghai
  Houston Silicon Valley
  London Singapore
  Los Angeles Tokyo
  Madrid Washington, D.C.
  Milan  

 

Realty Income Corporation

11995 El Camino Real

San Diego, California 92130

 

Re: Realty Income Corporation

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as special tax counsel to Realty Income Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the inclusion by the Company of 11,430,859 shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, in the Company’s Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan, pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on June 4, 2021 (Registration No. 333-256788) (as so filed and, if applicable, as amended, the “Registration Statement”), a base prospectus dated June 4, 2021 (the “Base Prospectus”), and a related prospectus supplement dated June 4, 2021 (the “Prospectus Supplement,” and together with the Base Prospectus, the “Prospectus”).

 

You have requested our opinion concerning certain of the federal income tax considerations relating to the Company, including with respect to its election to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). This opinion is based on certain assumptions and factual representations, including the facts set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus concerning the business, assets and governing documents of the Company and its subsidiaries. We have also been furnished with, and with your consent have relied upon, certain representations made by the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to certain factual matters through a certificate of an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof (the “Officer’s Certificate”).

 

 

 

 

June 4, 2021

Page 2

 

 

 

In our capacity as special tax counsel to the Company, we have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries, including an examination of originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such documents, corporate records and other instruments, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. For purposes of our opinion, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the above referenced documents or in the Officer’s Certificate. In addition, in rendering this opinion we have assumed the truth and accuracy of all representations and statements made to us which are qualified as to knowledge or belief, without regard to such qualification. In our examination, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures thereon, the legal capacity of natural persons executing such documents and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.

 

We are opining herein only with respect to the federal income tax laws of the United States, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of other federal laws, the laws of any state or other jurisdiction or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any other local agencies within any state.

 

Based on such facts, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions, representations and limitations set forth herein, it is our opinion that:

 

1. Commencing with the Company’s taxable year ended December 31, 1994, the Company has been organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and its proposed method of operation will enable the Company to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code; and

 

2. The statements in the Base Prospectus under the caption “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations,” as supplemented by the statements in the Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Supplemental United States Federal Income Tax Considerations,” insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain provisions of the statutes or regulations referred to therein, are accurate summaries in all material respects.

 

No opinion is expressed as to any matter not discussed herein.

 

This opinion is based on various statutory provisions, regulations promulgated thereunder and interpretations thereof by the Internal Revenue Service and the courts having jurisdiction over such matters, all of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Any such change may affect the conclusions stated herein. Also, any variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Officer’s Certificate may affect the conclusions stated herein. As described in the Prospectus, the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon the Company’s ability to meet the various requirements imposed under the Code, including through actual annual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, the results of which have not been and will not be reviewed by Latham & Watkins LLP. No assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operation for any particular taxable year will satisfy such requirements. In addition, the opinion set forth above does not foreclose the possibility that the Company may have to pay a deficiency dividend, or an excise or penalty tax, which could be significant in amount, in order to maintain its REIT qualification. This opinion is rendered as of the date of this letter, and we undertake no obligation to update this opinion subsequent to the date hereof.

 

 

 

 

June 4, 2021

Page 3

 

 

 

This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Prospectus and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Act. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Prospectus and to the reference to our firm contained in the Prospectus under the headings “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Legal Matters.” In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
   
  /s/ Latham & Watkins LLP