TABLE OF CONTENTS

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 23, 2018

Registration No. 333-     

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

STORE CAPITAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
45-2280254
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

8377 East Hartford Drive, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
(480) 256-1100
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Michael Bennett
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
STORE Capital Corporation
8377 East Hartford Drive, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
(480) 256-1100
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

With copy to:
David P. Lewis
Kerry E. Johnson
DLA Piper LLP (US)
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Tel: (212) 335-4500
Fax: (212)335-4501

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time on or after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: o

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
 
 
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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered*
Amount to be registered/ Proposed maximum aggregate
offering price/ Amount of registration fee (1)(2)(3)
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
 
 
 
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share
 
 
 
Debt Securities
 
 
 
Depositary Shares (4)
 
 
 
Purchase Contracts
 
 
 
Units (5)
 
 
 
Warrants
 
 
 

(1) Omitted pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II.E. An unspecified number of the securities of each identified class is being registered for possible issuance from time to time at indeterminate prices. Securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities registered hereunder.
(2) This registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of each identified class of securities as may be issued upon conversion of, or in exchange for, or upon exercise of, or pursuant to, convertible or exchangeable securities that provide for exercise or conversion into or purchase of such securities. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units or represented by depositary shares.
(3) In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of all applicable registration fees. Registration fees will be paid subsequently on a pay as you go basis.
(4) Each depositary share will be issued under a deposit agreement, will represent an interest in a fractional share of preferred stock or multiple shares of preferred stock and will be evidenced by a depositary receipt.
(5) Units may consist of two or more securities in any combination, which may or may not be separable from one another. Each unit will be issued under a unit agreement.
* Additional securities (including securities to be issued by additional registrants) may be added by filing an automatically effective post-effective amendment pursuant to Rule 413.

In accordance with Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement includes up to $81,070,992 of shares of common stock that were previously registered, but remain unsold, pursuant to the registrant’s prior Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-208283). Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registration fee of $8,163 previously paid with respect to the unsold securities in connection with the prospectus supplement filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) on September 6, 2016 will continue to be applied to such unsold securities. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the offering of securities on the prior registration statement will be deemed terminated as of the date of effectiveness of this registration statement.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS


Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Depositary Shares
Purchase Contracts
Units
Warrants

STORE Capital Corporation or any selling stockholder may offer, issue and sell, from time to time, together or separately, the securities described in this prospectus.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to the securities. We will provide the specific terms of any securities we or any selling stockholder may offer in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference, carefully before you invest. We also may authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with the offering. The prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus may add, update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

We or any selling stockholder may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The prospectus supplement for each offering will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering. For general information about the distribution of the securities offered, see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. The prospectus supplement also will set forth the price to the public of the securities and the net proceeds that we expect to receive from the sale of such securities. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of securities by any selling stockholder.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “STOR.” On February 22, 2018, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was $23.73 per share. Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.

We have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“REIT”). Our charter contains certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our capital stock to assist us, among other purposes, in maintaining our qualification as a REIT. You should read the information under the section entitled “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” in this prospectus for a description of these restrictions.

Investing in our securities involves risk. You should carefully read and consider the information in the section entitled “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and on page 2 of this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement before investing in our securities.

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 February 23, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any authorized free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with other information or make any representation that is different. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which they relate, and this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is correct as of any date other than the date of the document in which it is contained, even though this prospectus and such prospectus supplement are delivered or securities are sold pursuant to the prospectus and such prospectus supplement at a later date. Since the respective dates of such documents, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed. We can use this prospectus to sell the securities only if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TRADEMARKS

This prospectus, and accompany prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference in herein or therein may contain references to our copyrights, trademarks and service marks and to those belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, copyrights, trademarks, trade names and service marks referred to in such documents may appear without the © or ® or ™ or SM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these copyrights, trademarks, trade names and service marks. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names, copyrights, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.

STATEMENT REGARDING INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

Any market or industry data contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement is based on a variety of sources, including internal data and estimates, independent industry publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources. Industry publications and other published sources generally state that the information they contain has been obtained from third-party sources we believe to be reliable. Our internal data and estimates are based upon our senior leadership team’s analysis of the target market and business sectors in which we operate, as well as information obtained from trade and business organizations and other contacts in our target market and business sectors, and such information has not been verified by any independent sources.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Under the shelf registration process, we or any selling stockholder to be named in a prospectus supplement may, from time to time, sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. The exhibits to our registration statement contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus. Since these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we or any selling stockholder may offer, you should review the full text of these documents. The registration statement and the exhibits can be obtained from the SEC as indicated under the sections entitled “Information Incorporated by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information.”

This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities that we or any selling stockholder may offer. Each time we or any selling stockholder sells securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the securities being offered and the specific manner in which they will be offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus, on the one hand, and the information contained in any prospectus supplement, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. In addition, information incorporated by reference after the date of this prospectus or any related prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or such prospectus supplement. Any information in such subsequent filings that is inconsistent with this prospectus or any such prospectus supplement will supersede the information in this prospectus or such prospectus supplement.

This prospectus does not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with all free writing prospectuses, if any, that we have authorized for use in connection with the offering and all documents incorporated by reference, and you should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in such documents. The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are identified under the caption “Information Incorporated by Reference” in this prospectus.

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary only highlights the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in our securities. You should carefully read the entire prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the information contained or referred to under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus before making an investment decision.

Unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise, in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement hereto references to “S|T|O|R|E,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to STORE Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries.

S|T|O|R|E

S|T|O|R|E is an internally managed net-lease REIT that is the leader in the acquisition, investment and management of S ingle T enant O perational R eal E state (“STORE Property”), which is our target market and the inspiration for our name. A STORE Property is a real property location at which a company operates its business and generates sales and profits, which makes the location a profit center and, therefore, fundamentally important to that business.

S|T|O|R|E continues the investment activities of our senior leadership team, which has been investing in single-tenant operational real estate for over 30 years. We are one of the largest and fastest-growing net-lease REITs, and own a well-diversified portfolio that consisted of investments in 1,921 property locations operated by nearly 400 customers across 48 states as of December 31, 2017. Our customers operate across a wide variety of industries within the service, retail and manufacturing sectors of the U.S. economy, with restaurants, furniture stores, early childhood education centers, movie theaters and health clubs representing the top industries in our portfolio.

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), commencing with our initial taxable year ended December 31, 2011. To continue to qualify as a REIT, we must continue to meet certain tests which, among other things, require that our assets consist primarily of real estate assets, our income be derived primarily from real estate assets, and that we distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (other than our net capital gains) to our stockholders annually.

Our principal executive offices are located at 8377 E. Hartford Drive, Suite 100, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255. Our main telephone number is (480) 256-1100. Our website is www.storecapital.com . The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not, and should not be deemed to be, part of this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus or incorporated into any other filing we submit to the SEC.

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges and combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the periods shown (dollars in thousands):

 
For Year Ended
December 31,
 
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
 
2.3
 
 
2.2
 
 
2.0
 
 
1.7
 
 
1.6
 
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends
 
2.3
 
 
2.2
 
 
2.0
 
 
1.7
 
 
1.6
 

Our ratios of earnings to fixed charges and combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends are computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges and combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, respectively. For these purposes, “earnings” consist of income (loss) from continuing operations plus fixed charges and less interest capitalized. Income (loss) from continuing operations is computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and includes such non-cash items as real estate depreciation and amortization, amortization of above (below) market rents, and amortization of deferred financing costs and loan premium. “Fixed charges” consist of interest expense, capitalized interest and amortization of deferred financing fees and loan premium, whether expensed or capitalized, and interest within rental expense. Interest income is not included in this computation. “Preferred stock dividends” consist of the amount of pretax earnings required to pay dividends on outstanding preferred stock. There were no shares of preferred stock outstanding for the periods presented.

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. Before you invest in the securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, including “Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors,” which is incorporated herein by reference, as well as the risks, uncertainties and additional information (i) set forth in our Annual Reports on Forms 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and in the other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and which are deemed incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and (ii) the information contained in any applicable prospectus supplement. For a description of these reports and documents, and information about where you can find them, see “Information Incorporated by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information.” The occurrence of any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, cash flows, results of operations, prospects, and our ability to implement our investment strategy and to make or sustain distributions to our stockholders, which could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment in our securities. The risks and uncertainties we discuss in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference are those that we currently believe materially and adversely affect us. Additional risks not presently known, or currently deemed immaterial, also could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, cash flows, results of operations and prospects. Some statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including the documents that are incorporated by reference, contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor from civil liability provided for such statements by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In particular, forward-looking statements in this prospectus, including the documents that are incorporated by reference, include, among others, statements concerning our business and growth strategies, investment, financing and leasing activities and trends in our business, including trends in the market for long-term, triple-net leases of freestanding, single-tenant properties, and expected liquidity needs and sources (including the ability to obtain financing or raise capital). When used in this prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference, the words “estimate,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seek,” “approximately” or “plan,” or the negative of these words, and phrases or similar words or phrases that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions of management.

Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise, and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:

the factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including those set forth under the headings “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus;
our ability to raise debt and equity capital on attractive terms;
the competitive environment in which we operate;
the performance and financial condition of our customers;
real estate risks, including fluctuations in real estate values and the general economic climate in local markets and competition for customers in such markets;
decreased rental rates or increased vacancy rates;
potential defaults (including bankruptcy or insolvency) on, or non-renewal of, leases by customers;
real estate acquisition risks, including our ability to identify and complete acquisitions and/or failure of such acquisitions to perform in accordance with projections;
potential natural disasters and other potentially catastrophic events such as acts of war and/or terrorism;
the general level of interest rates;
litigation, including costs associated with defending claims against us as a result of incidents on our properties, and any adverse outcomes;
potential changes in the law or governmental regulations that affect us and interpretations of those laws and regulations, including changes in real estate and zoning or REIT tax laws;
the impact of changes in the tax code as a result of recent federal tax legislation and uncertainty as to how some of those changes may be applied;
financing risks, including the risks that our cash flows from operations may be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest, and we may be unable to refinance our existing debt upon maturity or obtain new financing on attractive terms, if at all;
lack of or insufficient amounts of insurance;

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

our inability to comply with the laws, rules and regulations applicable to companies, and in particular, public companies;
our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT;
our ability to retain key personnel; and
possible environmental liabilities, including costs, fines or penalties that may be incurred due to necessary remediation of contamination of properties presently owned or previously owned by us.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of the document in which they are contained. While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statement that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date as of which that forward-looking statement speaks or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus might not occur as described, or at all.

4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities by us to provide additional funds for general corporate purposes, including funding our investment activity, the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, working capital and other general purposes. Any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities will be determined at the time of such offering and will be described in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

We will not receive any of the proceeds of the sale by any selling stockholder of the securities covered by this prospectus.

5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following summary of the material terms of our capital stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to Maryland law and to our charter and bylaws, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

General

Our charter authorizes us to issue up to 375,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 125,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. Our charter authorizes our Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Directors and without stockholder approval, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that we are authorized to issue. As of December 31, 2017, there were 193,766,854 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.

Under Maryland law, a stockholder generally is not liable for a corporation’s debts or obligations solely as a result of the stockholder’s status as a stockholder.

Common Stock

Subject to the provisions of our charter restricted the transfer and ownership of our stock and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any other class or series of our stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote generally, including the election or removal of directors, and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of our stock, the holders of shares of our common stock possess exclusive voting power. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting in which directors are being elected. The holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. This means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends as and when authorized by our Board of Directors and declared by us out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of outstanding shares of any other class or series of our stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in our remaining assets legally available for distribution. Holders of our common stock do not have preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. Holders of our common stock generally have no appraisal rights. All shares of our common stock have equal dividend and liquidation rights. The rights, powers, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to those of the holders of any shares of our preferred stock or any other class or series of stock we may authorize and issue in the future and to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock described below in the section entitled “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”

Under the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”), a Maryland corporation generally may not amend its charter, consolidate, merge, convert, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or dissolve unless the action is advised by its board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the company’s charter. As permitted by Maryland law, our charter provides that any of these actions may be approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. In addition, because many of our operating assets are held by our subsidiaries, these subsidiaries may be able to merge or sell all or substantially all of their assets without the approval of our stockholders.

6

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preferred Stock

Our Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock in one or more series and may determine, with respect to any such series, the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the preferred stock of that series, including:

dividend rights;
conversion rights;
voting rights;
redemption rights and terms of redemptions; and
liquidation preferences.

The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. In addition, any preferred stock that we issue could rank senior to our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends, in which case we could not pay any dividends on our common stock until full dividends have been paid with respect to such preferred stock. Holders of preferred stock will not have any preemptive rights.

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of preferred stock that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the preferred stock. These terms may include the following:

the title of the series and the number of shares in the series;
the price at which the preferred stock will be offered;
the dividend rate(s) or method of calculating the rates, the dates on which the dividends will be payable, whether or not dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends on the preferred stock being offered will cumulate;
the voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the preferred stock being offered;
the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for the preferred stock;
the provisions for, and any restriction on, redemption, if applicable, of the preferred stock;
the provisions for, and any restriction on, repurchase, if applicable, of the preferred stock
the liquidation preference per share;
the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, including the conversion price, or the manner of calculating the conversion price, and the conversion period;
the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock will be exchangeable for debt securities, including the exchange price, or the manner of calculating the exchange price, and the exchange period;
any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange;
whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares;
if appropriate, a discussion of any additional material federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;
the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;
any limitations on the issuance of any other series of preferred stock, including any series of preferred stock ranking senior or on parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if applicable;

7

TABLE OF CONTENTS

in addition to the restrictions described below in the section entitled “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer,” any other restrictions on the ownership and transfer of the preferred stock; and
any additional rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the preferred stock.

Power to Increase Authorized Shares of Stock, Reclassify Unissued Shares of Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock

Our charter authorizes our Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Directors and without stockholder approval, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of common and preferred stock or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that we are authorized to issue.

In addition, our charter authorizes our Board of Directors to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of our common and preferred stock into any class or series of stock, including one or more classes or series of stock that have priority over our common stock with respect to dividends or upon our liquidation, or have voting rights and other rights that differ from the rights of the common stock, and authorizes us to issue the newly classified shares. Before authorizing the issuance of shares of any new class or series, our Board of Directors is required by Maryland law and our charter to set, subject to our charter restrictions on transfer and ownership, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series of stock.

These actions may be taken without the approval of holders of our stock unless such approval is required by applicable law, the terms of any other class or series of our stock or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which any of our stock is listed or traded. Thus, our Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock with terms and conditions, or preferred stock with priority over our existing common stock with respect to distributions and rights upon liquidation or with other terms and conditions, that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

We believe that the power of our Board of Directors to approve amendments to our charter to increase the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series, to issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock provides us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The registrar and transfer agent for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, Brooklyn, New York.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “STOR.”

8

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of debt securities that we may issue. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the prospectus supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

The debt securities that we may issue may constitute debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of our indebtedness, to be issued in one or more series, which may include senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities and senior subordinated debt securities, and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series.

The debt securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture between us and a trustee, which will be named in the applicable supplement to this prospectus. The indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), and may be supplemented or amended from time to time following its execution. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and we urge you to read the indenture in its entirety.

The following summary describes selected provisions of the form of indenture. This summary does not describe every aspect of the debt securities or the indenture and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the indenture, including the terms defined in the indenture. This summary is also subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the description of the particular debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. Capitalized terms used in the following summary and not defined in this prospectus have the meanings specified in the indenture.

General

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution by our Board of Directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in such resolutions, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series, including any pricing supplement or term sheet.

We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. The prospectus supplement, including any pricing supplement or term sheet, relating to any series of debt securities being offered will set forth the aggregate principal amount and other terms of the debt securities, including, if applicable:

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which the debt securities will be sold;
any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;
the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities is payable;
the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
the place or places where principal of, and any premium and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable, and the method of such payment, where debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered;
the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

9

TABLE OF CONTENTS

any obligation we will have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and in the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations;
the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;
whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;
the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;
the currency of denomination of the debt securities, which may be U.S. dollars or any foreign currency, and, if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;
the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of or premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities will be made;
if payments of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;
the manner in which the amounts of payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;
any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;
any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default (as defined below) described in this prospectus or set forth in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;
any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or set forth in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;
whether the debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and, if applicable, a description of the subordination terms thereof;
any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities;
the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any securities of such series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price and period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange; and
any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series of debt securities, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities.

10

TABLE OF CONTENTS

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. Information on material federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If the purchase price of any of the debt securities is denominated in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of, and any premium and interest on, any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, then information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Transfer and Exchange

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (the “DTC”), or a nominee of the DTC (which is referred to as a “book-entry debt security”) or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (which is referred to as a “certificated debt security”), as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except in limited circumstances, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

Certificated Debt Securities

You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange may be required.

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, or any premium or interest on, certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by the Company or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by the Company or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System

Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the DTC and registered in the name of the DTC or a nominee of the DTC.

Covenants

Any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

Unless stated otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) that could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person (a “successor person”) unless:

we are the surviving person or the successor person (if anyone other than the Company) is a person that is organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture;
immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default (as defined below) shall have occurred and be continuing; and
certain other conditions are met.

11

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Notwithstanding the above, any of our subsidiaries may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to the Company.

Events of Default

“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

a default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period);
a default in the payment of principal of any debt security of that series at its maturity;
a default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, if, when and as due by the terms of the debt securities of that series, and the continuance of such default for a period of 60 days;
a default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;
certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company; and
any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain other indebtedness of the Company or its subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.

If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs 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, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series), and any premium and accrued and unpaid interest on, all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of, and any premium and accrued and unpaid interest on, all outstanding debt securities of the applicable series will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default (other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, premium and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series) have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in exercising such right of power. Subject to certain rights of the

12

TABLE OF CONTENTS

trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and
the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity or security, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has (x) not received from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and (y) failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

The indenture will require us to, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the securities of any series and is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, then the trustee must mail to each holder of the securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within the later of 90 days after it occurs, or 30 days after the trustee obtains knowledge thereof. The indenture will provide that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

The Company and the trustee may modify and amend the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
to evidence the succession of another person to us and the assumption by such successor person of the covenants of the Company in or pursuant to the indenture and in the debt securities;
to secure or provide additional security for all or any debt securities of any series;
to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the holders of all or any debt securities of any series or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company with regard to all or any debt securities of any series;
to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;
to make any change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any holder;
to provide for the issuance of and establish the form, terms and conditions of debt securities of any series, as permitted by the indenture;
to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by more than one trustee;
to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

13

TABLE OF CONTENTS

to amend the provisions of the indenture relating to the transfer and legending of debt securities; provided, however, that (i) compliance with the indenture as so amended would not result in debt securities being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law; and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of holders to transfer debt securities, except as required by law;
to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the holders of all or any debt securities of any series;
to add to, change or eliminate any provision of the indenture in respect of all or any debt securities of any series, provided that such addition, change or elimination shall either (A) (i) not apply to any debt security of any series that was created prior to the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture; and (ii) not modify the rights of the holder of any such debt security with respect to such provision; or (B) become effective only when there is no debt security outstanding;
to conform the text of the indenture or any debt securities of any series to the description of the indenture, such debt securities contained in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, provided that such supplemental indenture shall apply only to such debt securities; or
in the case of any debt securities that, by their terms, may be converted into securities or other property (other than debt securities of the same series and of like tenor), to (A) make provisions with respect to adjustments to the applicable conversion rate of such debt securities as required or permitted by the indenture and the terms of such debt securities; or (B) permit or facilitate the issuance, payment or conversion of such debt securities.

Except to the extent the terms of a series of debt securities otherwise provide with respect to any of such debt securities, we may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. However, no waiver or amendment may be made without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that waiver or amendment will:

reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;
reduce the principal of or premium, if any, on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;
reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;
waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
make the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any debt security payable in any currency other than that stated in the debt security;
make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, (i) the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, or any premium or interest on, debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment; (ii) waivers of past defaults; and (iii) amendments and waivers that require the consent of each affected holder;
waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security;
make any change in the ranking or priority of any debt security that would adversely affect the holders of such debt security; or

14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

in the case of any debt security that provides that the holder thereof may require us to repurchase or convert such debt security, impair such holder’s right to require such repurchase or effect such conversion of such Security in accordance with the indenture and the terms of such debt security.

Except in certain circumstances, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive compliance by us of debt securities of that series with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series, waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any debt security of that series. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance

The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding debt securities of any series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to below, and the provisions of the indenture, as it relates to such outstanding debt securities of such series, will no longer be in effect, except as to certain specified rights, powers, immunities and provisions. In order to effect such legal defeasance, the following conditions, among others, must be satisfied:

subject to certain rights of the Company, the Company must deposit, or cause to be irrevocably deposited, with the trustee money or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of all the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities;
such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which we are a party or by which we are bound;
no default or Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date; and
we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants

The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

15

TABLE OF CONTENTS

any omission to comply with those covenants, or with certain other Events of Default, will not constitute a default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series (“covenant defeasance”).

The conditions include the following, among others:

subject to certain rights of the Company, the Company must deposit, or cause to be irrevocably deposited, with the trustee money or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of all the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and
we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default

In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities, and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable immediately following an acceleration after the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money or U.S. government obligations or foreign government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of such acceleration. However, we shall remain liable for those payments.

Regarding the Trustee

The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an Event of Default, the trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

The indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become one of our creditors, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with us or any of our affiliates; provided, however, that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the indenture or in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Stockholders

None of our past, present or future directors, officers, employees or stockholders, as such, will have any liability for any of our obligations under the debt securities or the indenture or for any claim based on, or in respect or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a debt security, each holder waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release is part of the consideration for the issue of the debt securities. However, this waiver and release may not be effective to waive liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the debt securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York (without regard to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof other than Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law).

16

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following description of shares represented by depositary shares sets forth certain general terms and provisions of deposit agreements, depositary shares and depositary receipts. This summary does not contain all of the information that you may find useful. The particular terms of the depositary shares and related agreements and receipts will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those depositary shares. For more information, you should review the relevant form of deposit agreement and relevant form of depositary receipts, which are or will be filed with the SEC.

General

We may, at our option, elect to offer depositary shares, each of which would represent an interest in a fractional share, or multiple shares, of our preferred stock instead of whole shares of preferred stock. If so, we will allow a depositary to issue to the public depositary shares, each of which will represent an interest in a fractional share, or multiple shares, of preferred stock as described in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of depositary shares.

Deposit Agreement

The shares of the preferred stock underlying any depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company acting as depositary with respect to those shares of preferred stock. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of depositary shares will specify the name and address of the depositary. Under the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion of its interest in a fractional share or multiple shares, of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of that preferred stock, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion, exchange and liquidation rights.

Depositary shares will be evidenced by one or more depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement. We will distribute depositary receipts to those persons purchasing such depositary shares in accordance with the terms of the offering made by the applicable prospectus supplement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions in respect of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares to each record holder of depositary shares based on the number of the depositary shares owned by that holder on the relevant record date under the terms specified in the deposit agreement and the applicable prospectus supplement. If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property to the entitled record holders of depositary shares, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make that distribution. In that case the depositary may, with our approval, adopt the method it deems equitable and practicable for making that distribution, including any sale of property and the distribution of the net proceeds from this sale to the concerned holders.

Each deposit agreement will also contain provisions relating to the manner in which any subscription or similar rights we offer to holders of the relevant series of preferred stock will be made available to holders of depositary shares.

The amount distributed in all of the foregoing cases will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by us or the depositary on account of taxes and governmental charges.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the office of the depositary and upon payment of the charges provided in the deposit agreement and subject to the terms thereof, a holder of depositary receipts will be entitled to have the depositary deliver to such holder the applicable number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares evidenced by the surrendered depositary receipts. There may be no market, however, for the underlying preferred stock and once the underlying preferred stock is withdrawn from the depositary, it may not be redeposited.

Redemption and Liquidation

The terms on which the depositary shares relating to the preferred stock of any series may be redeemed, and any amounts distributable upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

17

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Voting

Upon receiving notice of any meeting at which preferred stockholders of any series are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in that notice to the record holders of depositary shares relating to that series of preferred stock. Each holder of depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary on how to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will vote the shares of preferred stock underlying those depositary shares according to those instructions, and we will take reasonably necessary actions to enable the depositary to do so. If the depositary does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares relating to that preferred stock, it will abstain from voting those shares of preferred stock, unless otherwise discussed in the prospectus supplement.

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay all charges of each depositary in connection with the initial deposit and any redemption of the preferred stock. Unless otherwise specified in the deposit agreement and the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of depositary shares will be required to pay any other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.

Miscellaneous

Each depositary will forward to the relevant holders of depositary shares all of our reports and communications that we are required to furnish to preferred stockholders of any series. The deposit agreement will contain provisions relating to adjustments in the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by a depositary share in the event of a change in par value, split-up, combination or other reclassification of the preferred stock or upon any recapitalization, merger or sale of substantially all of our assets.

Neither the depositary nor the Company will be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under any deposit agreement. Our obligations and the obligations of each depositary under any deposit agreement will be limited to performing their duties in good faith and without negligence (in the case of any action or inaction in voting preferred stock represented by depositary shares), gross negligence or willful misconduct, and the Company and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless they are provided with satisfactory indemnity. They may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary shares or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

A depositary may resign at any time by issuing us a notice of resignation, and we may remove any depositary at any time by issuing it a notice of removal. Resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of appointment. That successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal.

18

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the purchase contracts that we may offer from time to time. This summary does not contain all of the information that you may find useful. The particular terms of any purchase contract that we may offer and the related agreements will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those purchase contracts. For more information, you should review the relevant form of purchase contract and the relevant form of pledge agreement for purchase contracts, if any, which are or will be filed with the SEC.

If we offer any purchase contracts, certain terms of that series of purchase contracts will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following:

the price of the securities or other property subject to the purchase contracts (which may be determined by reference to a specific formula described in the purchase contracts);
whether the purchase contracts are issued separately, or as a part of units each consisting of a purchase contract and one or more of our other securities or securities of an unaffiliated entity, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder’s obligations under the purchase contract;
any requirement for us to make periodic payments to holders or vice versa, and whether the payments are unsecured or pre-funded;
any provisions relating to any security provided for the purchase contracts;
whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder or us to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or the method of determining those amounts;
whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not;
whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract;
any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts;
a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase contracts;
whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or global form; and
any other terms of the purchase contracts and any securities subject to such purchase contracts.

19

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the units that we may offer from time to time. This summary does contain all of the information that you may find useful. The particular terms of any of the units that we may offer and the related agreements will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those units. For more information, you should review the relevant form of unit agreement and relevant form of unit certificate, if any, which are or will be filed with the SEC.

If we offer any units, certain terms of that series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following, as applicable:

the title of the series of units;
identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;
the price or prices at which the units will be issued;
the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;
information with respect to any book-entry procedures, if any;
if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and
any other terms of the units and their constituent securities.

20

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer from time to time. This summary does not contain all of the information that you may find useful. The particular terms of any of the warrants that we may offer and the related agreements will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those warrants. For more information, you should review the relevant form of warrant agreement and the relevant form of warrant certificate, if any, which are or will be filed with the SEC.

We may issue warrants to purchase our securities or securities of other issuers or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any securities and may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent we select.

You should review the applicable prospectus supplement for the specific terms of any warrants that may be offered, including:

the title of the warrants;
the aggregate number of the warrants;
the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;
the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of the warrants may be payable;
our securities or securities of other issuers or any combination of the foregoing purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;
the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;
the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which that right will expire;
if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security;
if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and
any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

21

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER

In order for us to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code), to include certain entities such as private foundations) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made).

Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock that are intended to, among other purposes, assist us in complying with these requirements and qualifying as a REIT. Subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% (in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding common stock or 9.8% in value of our outstanding stock. We refer to these restrictions, collectively, as the “ownership limit.”

The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of our outstanding common stock or 9.8% of our outstanding stock, or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns our stock, could, nevertheless, cause the acquiror or another individual or entity to own our stock in excess of the ownership limit.

Our Board of Directors may, upon receipt of certain representations and agreements and in its sole discretion, prospectively or retroactively, waive the ownership limit and may establish a different limit on ownership, or an excepted holder limit, for a particular stockholder if the stockholder’s ownership in excess of the ownership limit would not result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT. As a condition of granting a waiver of the ownership limit or creating an excepted holder limit, our Board of Directors may, but is not required to, require an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service satisfactory to our Board of Directors as it may deem necessary or advisable to determine or ensure our status as a REIT and may impose such other conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate.

In connection with granting a waiver of the ownership limit or creating or modifying an excepted holder limit, or at any other time, our Board of Directors may increase or decrease the ownership limit unless, after giving effect to any increased or decreased ownership limit, five or fewer persons could beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 49.9% in value of the shares of our stock then outstanding or we would otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT. A decreased ownership limit will not apply to any person or entity whose percentage of ownership of our stock is in excess of the decreased ownership limit until the person or entity’s ownership of our stock equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, but any further acquisition of our stock will be subject to the decreased ownership limit.

Our charter also prohibits:

any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT;
any person from transferring shares of our stock if the transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons; and
any person from beneficially owning shares of our stock to the extent such ownership would result in our failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code.

Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate the ownership limit or any of the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, and any person who is the intended transferee of shares of our stock that are transferred to a trust for the benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries described below, must give immediate written

22

TABLE OF CONTENTS

notice of such an event or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transfer, give at least 15 days’ prior written notice to us and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of the transfer on our status as a REIT. The provisions of our charter relating to the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock will 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, or that compliance is no longer required in order for us to qualify as a REIT.

Any attempted transfer of our stock that, if effective, would result in our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons will be null and void. Any attempted transfer of our stock that, if effective, would result in a violation of the ownership limit (or other limit established by our charter or our Board of Directors), our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or our otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT or as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code will cause the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be transferred automatically to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day before the date of the attempted transfer or other event that resulted in a transfer to the trust. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent a violation of the applicable restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock, then the attempted transfer that, if effective, would have resulted in a violation of the ownership limit (or other limit established by our charter or our Board of Directors), our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or our otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT or as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity,” will be null and void.

Shares of our stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares. The proposed transferee will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of our stock held in the trust and will have no rights to dividends and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of our stock held in the trust. The trustee of the trust will exercise all voting rights and receive all dividends and other distributions with respect to shares held in the trust for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid before we discover that the shares have been transferred to a trust as described above must be repaid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand. Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will have the authority to rescind as void any vote cast by a proposed transferee before our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust and to recast the vote in the sole discretion of the trustee. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind or recast the vote.

Within 20 days of receiving notice from us of a transfer of shares to the trust, the trustee must sell the shares to a person that would be permitted to own the shares without violating the ownership limit or the other restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock in our charter. After the sale of the shares, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares transferred to the trust will terminate and the trustee must distribute to the proposed transferee an amount equal to the lesser of:

the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares (or, if the proposed transferee did not give value in connection with the transfer or other event that resulted in the transfer to the trust (e.g., a gift, devise or other such transaction), the market price of the shares on the day of the event that resulted in the transfer of such shares to the trust); and
the sales proceeds (net of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trustee for the shares.

The trustee must distribute any remaining funds held by the trust with respect to the shares to the charitable beneficiary. If the shares are sold by the proposed transferee before we discover that they have been transferred to the trust, the shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and the proposed transferee must pay to the trustee, upon demand, the amount, if any, that the proposed transferee received in excess of the amount that the proposed transferee would have received had the shares been sold by the trustee.

23

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Shares of our stock held in the trust will be deemed to be offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of:

the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of such devise or gift); and
the market price on the date we accept, or our designee accepts, such offer.

We may accept the offer until the trustee has otherwise sold the shares of our stock held in the trust. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee and distribute any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with respect to the shares to the charitable beneficiary.

Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, must give us written notice stating the person’s name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the person beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner also must provide us with any additional information that we request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the person’s beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limit. In addition, any person or entity that is a beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of our stock for a beneficial owner or constructive owner must, on request, disclose to us in writing such information as we may request in order to determine our status as a REIT or to comply, or determine our compliance, with the requirements of any governmental or taxing authority.

If our Board of Directors authorizes any of our shares to be represented by certificates, the certificates will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

These restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of us that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

24

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS

The following summary of certain provisions of Maryland law and of our charter and bylaws does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our charter and bylaws, copies of which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and to the MGCL. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Election and Removal of Directors

Our charter and bylaws provide that the number of our directors may be established only by our Board of Directors but may not be fewer than the minimum number required under the MGCL, which is one, nor, unless our bylaws are amended, more than 15. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, and directors are elected by a plurality of all the votes cast in the election of directors.

We have elected by a provision of our charter to be subject to provisions of Maryland law requiring that, except as otherwise provided in the terms of any class or series of our stock, vacancies on our Board of Directors may be filled only by the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and that any individual elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

Our charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of shares of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, a director may be removed only for cause and by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.

Amendment to Charter and Bylaws

Except as described herein and as provided in the MGCL, amendments to our charter must be advised by our Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of our stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter and our Board of Directors has the exclusive power to amend our bylaws. In addition, amendments to the provisions of our bylaws prohibiting our Board of Directors from revoking, altering or amending its resolution exempting any business combination from the “business combination” provisions of the MGCL or exempting any acquisition of our stock from the “control share” provisions of the MGCL without the approval of our stockholders must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by our stockholders.

Business Combinations

Under the MGCL, certain “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, and, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock; or
an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period before the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s then outstanding voting stock.

A person is not an interested stockholder under the MGCL if the corporation’s board of directors approves in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. In approving the transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and the interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the corporation’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and

25

TABLE OF CONTENTS

two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.

These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under the MGCL, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.

The MGCL permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. As permitted by the MGCL, our Board of Directors has adopted a resolution exempting any business combination between us and any other person from the provisions of this statute. Consequently, the five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will not apply to business combinations involving us. As a result, any person may be able to enter into business combinations with us that may not be in the best interests of our stockholders, without compliance with the supermajority vote requirements and other provisions of the statute. Our bylaws provide that this resolution or any other resolution of our Board of Directors exempting any business combination from the business combination provisions of the MGCL may only be revoked, altered or amended, and our Board of Directors may only adopt any resolution inconsistent with this resolution, with the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by our stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

Control Share Acquisitions

The MGCL provides that a holder of control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition has no voting rights with respect to the control shares except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by employees who are directors of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

one-tenth or more but less than one-third;
one-third or more but less than a majority; or
a majority or more of all voting power.

Control shares do not include shares the acquiror is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiror does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may, subject to certain limitations and conditions, redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or, if a meeting of stockholders is held at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved, as of the date of the meeting. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of a majority of the voting power, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

26

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The control share acquisition statute does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any acquisition by any person of shares of our stock, and this provision of our bylaws may not be amended without the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by our stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

Subtitle 8

Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to be subject to any or all of five provisions, including:

a classified board;
a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director;
a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the board of directors;
a requirement that a vacancy on the board of directors be filled only by a vote of the remaining directors in office and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies; and
a majority requirement for the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholders.

Our charter provides that, except as may be provided by our Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class of series of stock, vacancies on our Board of Directors may be filled only by the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and that a director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualified. We have not elected to be subject to any of the other provisions of Subtitle 8, including the provisions that would permit us to classify our Board of Directors or increase the vote required to remove a director without stockholder approval. Moreover, our charter provides that, without the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter by our stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, we may not elect to be subject to any of these additional provisions of Subtitle 8. Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we (1) vest in our Board of Directors the exclusive power to fix the number of directors and (2) require, unless called by our chairman, our chief executive officer, our president or our Board of Directors, the request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting to call a special meeting of stockholders. We do not currently have a classified board and a director may be removed only for cause and by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.

Special Meetings of Stockholders

Pursuant to our bylaws, our chairman, our chief executive officer, our president or our Board of Directors may call a special meeting of our stockholders. Subject to the provisions of our bylaws, a special meeting of our stockholders to act on any matter that may properly be considered by our stockholders will also be called by our secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting on such matter, accompanied by the information required by our bylaws. Our secretary will inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and delivering the notice of meeting (including our proxy materials), and the requesting stockholder must pay such estimated cost before our secretary may prepare and deliver the notice of the special meeting.

Corporate Opportunities

Our charter provides that, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, each of our controlling stockholder, its affiliates, each of their representatives, and each of our directors or officers that is an affiliate or designee of our controlling stockholder or its affiliates has the right to, and has no duty (contractual or otherwise) not to, (x) directly or indirectly engage in the same or similar business activities or lines of business

27

TABLE OF CONTENTS

as us, including those deemed to be competing with us, or (y) directly or indirectly do business with any of our clients, customers or suppliers. In the event that our controlling stockholder or any of its affiliates, or any of their representatives or designees acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for us, our controlling stockholder, its affiliates and any of their representatives or designees shall have no duty (contractual or otherwise) to communicate or present such corporate opportunity to us or any of our affiliates and shall not be liable to us or any of our affiliates, subsidiaries, stockholders or other equity holders for breach of any duty (contractual or otherwise) by reason of the fact that our controlling stockholder or any of its affiliates, or any of their representatives or designees, directly or indirectly, pursues or acquires such opportunity for themselves, directs such opportunity to another person, or does not present such opportunity to us or any of our affiliates.

Advance Notice of Director Nomination and New Business

Our bylaws provide that nominations of individuals for election as directors and proposals of business to be considered by stockholders at any annual meeting may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of our Board of Directors or (3) by any stockholder who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving the notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of the individuals so nominated or on such other proposed business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of our bylaws. Stockholders generally must provide notice to our secretary not earlier than the 150th day or later than the close of business on the 120th day before the first anniversary of the date our proxy statement was released for the preceding year’s annual meeting.

Only the business specified in the notice of the meeting may be brought before a special meeting of our stockholders. Nominations of individuals for election as directors at a special meeting of stockholders may be made only (1) by or at the direction of our Board of Directors or (2) if the special meeting has been called in accordance with our bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving the notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of our bylaws. Stockholders generally must provide notice to our secretary not earlier than the 120th day before such special meeting and or later than the later of the close of business on the 90th day before the special meeting or the tenth day after the first public announcement of the date of the special meeting and the nominees of our Board of Directors to be elected at the meeting.

A stockholder’s notice must contain certain information specified by our bylaws about the stockholder, its affiliates and any proposed business or nominee for election as a director, including information about the economic interest of the stockholder, its affiliates and any proposed nominee in us.

Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and our Charter and Bylaws

The restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock discussed under the caption “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer” prevent any person from acquiring more than 9.8% (in value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding common stock or 9.8% in value of our outstanding stock without the approval of our Board of Directors. These provisions may delay, defer or prevent a change in control.

Further, our Board of Directors has the power to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series of stock that we are authorized to issue, to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our stock into other classes or series of stock, and to authorize us to issue the newly classified shares, and could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or another class or series of stock, including a class or series of preferred stock, that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us. These actions may be taken without the approval of holders of our common stock unless such approval is required by applicable law, the terms of any other class or series of our stock or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which any of our stock is listed or traded. We believe that the power of our Board of Directors to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise.

28

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Our charter and bylaws also provide that the number of directors may be established only by our Board of Directors, which prevents our stockholders from increasing the number of our directors and filling any vacancies created by such increase with their own nominees. The provisions of our bylaws discussed above under the captions “—Special Meetings of Stockholders” and “—Advance Notice of Director Nomination and New Business” require stockholders seeking to call a special meeting, nominate an individual for election as a director or propose other business at an annual or special meeting to comply with certain notice and information requirements. We believe that these provisions will help to assure the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies as determined by our Board of Directors and promote good corporate governance by providing us with clear procedures for calling special meetings, information about a stockholder proponent’s interest in us and adequate time to consider stockholder nominees and other business proposals. However, these provisions, alone or in combination, could make it more difficult for our stockholders to remove incumbent directors or fill vacancies on our Board of Directors with their own nominees and could delay, defer or prevent a change in control, including a proxy contest or tender offer that might involve a premium price for our common stockholders or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

Exclusive Forum

Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division, will be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or to our stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or our charter or bylaws or (d) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Maryland law permits us to include a provision in our charter limiting the liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and which is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains a provision that eliminates our directors’ and officers’ liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

The MGCL requires us (unless our charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits us to indemnify our present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or certain other capacities unless it is established that:

the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;
the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or
in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

Under the MGCL, we may not indemnify a director or officer in a suit by us or in our right in which the director or officer was adjudged liable to us or in a suit in which the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by us or in our right, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses.

29

TABLE OF CONTENTS

In addition, the MGCL permits us to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon our receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

Our charter authorizes us to obligate ourselves, and our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:

any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or
any individual who, while a director or officer of ours and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, trustee, member, manager or partner of another corporation, REIT, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.

Our charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any individual who served any of our predecessors in any of the capacities described above and any employee or agent of us or any of our predecessors.

Indemnification Agreements

We entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors and executive officers that provide for indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law as described under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” in our most recent Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC, which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors or executive officers, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy and is therefore unenforceable.

30

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to our qualification and taxation as a REIT and to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock. Supplemental U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to the ownership of the other securities offered by this prospectus may be provided in the prospectus supplement that relates to those securities. The sections of the Code and the corresponding Treasury regulations that relate to qualification and taxation as a REIT are highly technical and complex. The following discussion sets forth certain material aspects of the sections of the Code that govern the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. This summary is based upon, and qualified in its entirety by, the Code, the Treasury regulations, rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. We have not sought and will not seek an advance ruling from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in this prospectus. The summary is also based upon the assumption that we will operate the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities in accordance with their applicable organizational documents. For purposes of this discussion, references to “STORE” “we,” “our,” and “us” mean only STORE Capital Corporation, and do not include any of its subsidiaries, except as otherwise indicated. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. It does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to investors subject to special tax rules, such as:

financial institutions;
insurance companies;
broker-dealers;
regulated investment companies and REITs;
partnerships or other entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and trusts (and investors therein);
persons who, as nominees, hold our stock on behalf of other persons;
persons who receive Company stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;
persons holding Company stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment;
“controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;
U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the U.S.;
U.S. persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;
persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to the notes being taken into account in an applicable financial statement;

and, except to the extent discussed below:

tax-exempt organizations; and
foreign investors.

This summary assumes that investors will hold their common stock as a capital asset, which generally means as property held for investment.

The U.S. federal income tax treatment of holders of our common stock depends in some instances on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. In addition, the tax consequences to any particular stockholder

31

TABLE OF CONTENTS

of holding our common stock will depend on the stockholder’s particular tax circumstances. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax consequences to you in light of your particular investment or tax circumstances of acquiring, holding, exchanging, or otherwise disposing of our common stock.

Taxation of the Company

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code commencing with our initial taxable year ended December 31, 2011. We believe that we have been organized and have operated in a manner that has allowed us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code commencing with such taxable year, and we intend to continue to be organized and to operate in this manner.

In connection with the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, we have received an opinion of DLA Piper LLP (US) to the effect that commencing with our taxable year ended on December 31, 2011, we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and that our actual and proposed method of operation will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. It must be emphasized that the opinion of DLA Piper LLP (US) is based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation and is conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our organization, assets, and income, and the future conduct of our business operations. While we intend to operate so that we will qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given by DLA Piper LLP (US) or by us that we will qualify as a REIT for any particular year. The opinion is expressed as of the date issued. DLA Piper LLP (US) has no obligation to advise us or our stockholders of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed, or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions.

Qualification and taxation as a REIT depend on our ability to meet, on a continuing basis through actual operating results, various qualification tests imposed under the Code regarding the composition of our assets and income, distribution levels, and diversity of stock ownership. No assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

Taxation of REITs in General

As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under “—Requirements for Qualification—General.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification, or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “—Failure to Qualify” for any potential tax consequences if we fail to qualify as a REIT.

Provided that we qualify as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our REIT taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from investment in a corporation. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the stockholder level upon a distribution of dividends to our stockholders.

Most domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed on corporate dividends at preferential rates. With limited exceptions, however, dividends from us or from other entities that are taxed as REITs are generally not eligible for the preferential rates and will be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income, subject to certain deductions with respect to ordinary dividends as discussed herein. See “Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders—Distributions.”

Net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes of REITs generally do not pass through to our stockholders. See “Taxation of Stockholders.”

32

TABLE OF CONTENTS

If we qualify as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:

We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed “real estate investment trust taxable income,” including undistributed net capital gains.
We may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on our items of tax preference under some circumstances for taxable years ending prior to January 1, 2018.
If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “—Prohibited Transactions” below.
If we have (1) net income from the sale or other disposition of “foreclosure property” held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or (2) other nonqualifying income from foreclosure property, we will be required to pay tax at the highest corporate rate on this income. To the extent that income from foreclosure property is otherwise qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, this tax is not applicable. Subject to certain other requirements, foreclosure property generally is defined as property we acquired through foreclosure or after a default on a loan secured by the property or a lease of the property. See “—Foreclosure Property” below.
We may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net capital gain. In that case, a stockholder would include its proportionate share of our undistributed net capital gain (to the extent we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) in its income, would be deemed to have paid the tax that we paid on such gain, and would be allowed a credit or refund for its proportionate share of the tax deemed to have been paid and an adjustment would be made to increase the basis of the stockholder in our stock.
If we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be required to pay a tax equal to (1) the greater of (A) the amount by which we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test and (B) the amount by which we fail to satisfy the 95% gross income test, multiplied by (2) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.
If we should fail to satisfy the asset tests (other than certain de minimis failures) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to an excise tax. In that case, the amount of the excise tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate (currently 21%) if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure.
If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts that we actually distributed and (ii) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level.
We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT’s stockholders, as described below in “—Requirements for Qualification—General.”
A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a “taxable REIT subsidiary,” (“TRS”) (as described below) that do not reflect arms-length terms.
If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT (i.e., a corporation taxable under subchapter C of the Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, we may be subject to tax on such built-in gain (determined as of the date

33

TABLE OF CONTENTS

on which we acquired the assets) at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the five-year period following their acquisition from the subchapter C corporation. The results described in this paragraph with respect to the recognition of gain assume that the C corporation will refrain from making an election to recognize gain with respect to the disposition of the assets under the applicable Treasury regulations on its tax return for the year in which we acquire the asset from the C corporation. The IRS recently issued final Treasury regulations that exclude from the application of this built-in gains tax any gain from the sale of property we acquired in an exchange under Section 1031 (a like kind exchange) or 1033 (an involuntary conversion) of the Code.

Our subsidiaries that are C corporations, including our TRS, generally will be required to pay federal corporate income tax on their earnings.
If we fail to comply with the requirement to send annual letters to our stockholders requesting information regarding the actual ownership of our stock, and the failure is not due to reasonable cause or due to willful neglect, we will be subject to a $25,000 penalty, or if the failure is intentional, a $50,000 penalty.

In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, franchise, property and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

Requirements for Qualification—General

The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;
(3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for Sections 856-860 of the Code;
(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code;
(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;
(6) in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer “individuals” (including certain specified tax-exempt entities); and
(7) which meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions.

The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be met during a corporation’s initial tax year as a REIT. For purposes of condition (6), the term “individual” includes a supplemental unemployment compensation benefit plan, a private foundation or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes, but generally does not include a qualified pension plan or profit sharing trust.

We believe that we have been organized, have operated and have issued sufficient shares of capital stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy conditions (1) through (7) inclusive, during the relevant time periods. In addition, our charter provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfers of our shares, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except as provided in the next two sentences, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, we comply with the rules contained in applicable Treasury regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of our shares and we do not know, or would not have known through the

34

TABLE OF CONTENTS

exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirement described in condition (6) above, we will be treated as having met this requirement. Moreover, if our failure to satisfy the share ownership requirements is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, we may retain our REIT qualification but will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. See “—Failure to Qualify.”

To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the shares (i.e., the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with your tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our shares and other information.

In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We have adopted December 31 as our year-end, and thereby have satisfied and will continue to satisfy this requirement.

The Code provides relief from violations of certain of the REIT requirements, in cases where a violation is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, and other requirements are met, including, in certain cases, the payment of a penalty tax that is based upon the magnitude of the violation. See “—Income Tests” and “—Asset Tests” below. If we fail to satisfy any of the various REIT requirements, there can be no assurance that these relief provisions would be available to enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, and, if such relief provisions are available, the amount of any resultant penalty tax could be substantial.

Ownership of Subsidiary Entities

Partnership Subsidiaries. If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets based on our interest in partnership capital (subject to special rules relating to the 10% asset test described below), and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership’s income, for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any of our subsidiary partnerships will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements. If we become a limited partner or non-managing member in any partnership or limited liability company and such entity takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail a gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or limited liability company or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify as a REIT unless we were entitled to relief, as described below.

Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 changes the rules applicable to U.S. federal income tax audits of partnerships. Under the new rules, among other changes and subject to certain exceptions, any audit adjustment to items of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a partnership (and any partner’s distributive share thereof) is determined, and taxes, interest, or penalties attributable thereto are assessed and collected, at the partnership level. It is possible that these new audit rules could result in a partnership in which we own an interest being required to pay additional taxes, interest and penalties as a result of an audit adjustment, and we could be required to bear the economic burden of those taxes, interest, and penalties even though we, as a REIT, may not otherwise have been required to pay additional corporate-level taxes as a result of the related audit adjustment.

Disregarded Subsidiaries. If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is generally disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary’s assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS, that is directly or indirectly wholly owned by

35

TABLE OF CONTENTS

a REIT. A qualified REIT subsidiary is not required to pay federal income tax, and our ownership of the stock of a qualified REIT subsidiary does not violate the restrictions on ownership of securities, as described below under “—Asset Tests.” Other entities that are wholly owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT gross income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which the Company may hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to in this prospectus as “pass-through subsidiaries.”

We currently hold substantially all of our real estate assets through a series of pass-through entities, primarily through limited liability companies that we believe will be treated as disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes. In the future, we may hold investments through entities treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes.

In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly owned—for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours—the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See “—Asset Tests” and “—Income Tests.”

Taxable Subsidiaries. In general, we may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly owned, to treat the subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable corporation generally would be subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the dividends paid to us from such taxable subsidiary, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our gross income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, except for certain activities relating to lodging and healthcare facilities, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as management fees or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated as prohibited transactions.

We currently own an interest in one TRS and may acquire securities in additional TRSs in the future. On September 16, 2011, we formed STORE Investment Corporation, a Delaware Corporation that is wholly owned by us. We have elected to treat STORE Investment Corporation as a TRS for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Income Tests

In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions,” certain hedging transactions and certain foreign currency gains, generally must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (or on interests in real property) (including certain types of mortgage backed securities), “rents from real property,” dividends received from other REITs, and gains from the sale of real estate assets, as well as specified income from temporary investments.

Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, certain hedging transactions and certain foreign currency gains, must be derived from some

36

TABLE OF CONTENTS

combination of such income from investments in real property (i.e., certain income that qualifies under the 75% income test described above), as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property.

For these purposes, the term “interest” generally does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of all or some of the amount depends in any way on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term “interest” solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales. Rents we receive from a tenant will qualify as “rents from real property” for the purpose of satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of the following conditions are met:

The amount of rent must not be based in any way on the net income or profits of any person. However, an amount we receive or accrue generally will not be excluded from the term “rents from real property” solely because it is based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales;
We, or an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of our stock, must not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the interests in the assets or net profits of the tenant, or, if the tenant is a corporation, 10% or more of the voting power or value of all classes of stock of the tenant. Rents received from a tenant that is a TRS, however, will not be excluded from the definition of “rents from real property” as a result of this condition if at least 90% of the space at the property to which the rents relate is leased to third parties, and the rents paid by the TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by our other tenants for comparable space. Whether rents paid by a TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by our other tenants is determined at the time the lease with the TRS is entered into, extended, and modified, if such modification increases the rents due under such lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a lease with a “controlled taxable REIT subsidiary” is modified and such modification results in an increase in the rents payable by such TRS, any such increase will not qualify as “rents from real property.” For purposes of this rule, a “controlled taxable REIT subsidiary” is a TRS in which we own stock possessing more than 50% of the voting power or more than 50% of the total value of the outstanding stock of such TRS;
Rent attributable to personal property, leased in connection with a lease of real property, is not greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. If this condition is not met, then the portion of the rent attributable to personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property”; and
We generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to our tenants, subject to a 1% de minimis exception and except as provided below. We may, however, perform services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered “rendered to the occupant” of the property. An example of these services at our properties includes the provision of general maintenance of common areas. In addition, we may employ an independent contractor from whom we derive no income to provide customary services, or a TRS, which may be wholly or partially owned by us, to provide both customary and non-customary services to our tenants without causing the rent we receive from those tenants to fail to qualify as “rents from real property.” Any amounts we receive from a TRS with respect to the TRS’s provision of non-customary services will, however, be nonqualifying income under the 75% gross income test and, except to the extent received through the payment of dividends, the 95% REIT gross income test.

We generally do not intend to take actions we believe will cause us to fail to satisfy the rental conditions described above.

From time to time, we may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Our hedging activities may include entering into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase these items, and futures and forward contracts. Income from a hedging transaction, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, that is clearly identified as a hedging transaction as specified in the Code will not constitute gross income under, and thus will be exempt from, the 75% and 95% gross income tests. The term “hedging transaction,” as used above, generally means (A) any transaction we enter into in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of (1) interest rate changes or fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made by us to acquire or carry real estate assets, or (2) currency

37

TABLE OF CONTENTS

fluctuations with respect to an item of qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income test or any property which generates such income and (B) new transactions entered into to hedge the income or loss from prior hedging transactions, where the property or indebtedness which was the subject of the prior hedging transaction was extinguished or disposed of. To the extent that we do not properly identify such transactions as hedges or we hedge with other types of financial instruments, the income from those transactions is not likely to be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our status as a REIT.

We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from a REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.

Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation is secured by a mortgage on real property and, if an obligation is secured by a mortgage on both real property and personal property and the fair market value of such personal property does not exceed 15% of the total fair market value of all such property. In some cases in the event that we invest in a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and personal property, we may be required to apportion our interest on the loan between interest on an obligation that is secured by real property (or by an interest in real property) and interest on an obligation that is not so secured. Even if a loan is not secured by real property or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test.

If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (1) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (2) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations yet to be issued. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances as such relief is subject to IRS discretion. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under “—Taxation of REITs in General,” even where these relief provisions apply, the Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular income test.

Asset Tests

At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy five tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property, such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real property, stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs, and certain mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.

Second, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities other than those securities includable in the 75% asset test.

Third, the value of any one issuer’s securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets and we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries and the 10% asset test does not apply to “straight debt” having specified characteristics and to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code.

38

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold may not exceed 20% of the value of our total assets (25% for taxable years ending prior to January 1, 2018).

Fifth, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by non-qualified publicly offered REIT debt instruments.

Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership. If we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by another REIT may not so qualify (such debt, however, will not be treated as “securities” for purposes of the 10% asset test, as explained below).

Certain securities will not cause a violation of the 10% asset test described above. Such securities include instruments that constitute “straight debt,” which includes, among other things, securities having certain contingency features. A security does not qualify as “straight debt” where a REIT (or a controlled TRS of the REIT) owns other securities of the same issuer which do not qualify as straight debt or other types of permitted securities, unless the value of those other securities constitute, in the aggregate, 1% or less of the total value of that issuer’s outstanding securities. In addition to straight debt, the Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the 10% asset test. Such securities include (1) any loan made to an individual or an estate, (2) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (3) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (4) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a non-governmental entity, (5) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT, and (6) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnership’s income is of a nature that it would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under “—Income Tests.” In applying the 10% asset test, a debt security issued by a partnership is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REIT’s proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by that partnership.

No independent appraisals have been obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of particular securities other than real estate assets. Moreover, values of some assets, including instruments issued in securitization transactions, may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.

However, certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. One such provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (1) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (2) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (3) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure, and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate, and (4) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.

In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (1) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT’s total assets at the end of the quarter for which the measurement is calculated, and $10,000,000, and (2) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.

The asset tests described above must be satisfied at the close of each quarter of our taxable year in which we (directly or through our partnerships, limited liability companies or qualified REIT subsidiaries) acquire securities in the issuer, increase our ownership of securities of such issuer (including as a result of increasing

39

TABLE OF CONTENTS

our interest in a partnership or limited liability company which owns such securities), or acquire other assets. If we should fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we (1) satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (2) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the market value of our assets. If the condition described in (2) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of relief provisions described above.

Annual Distribution Requirements

In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:

(a) the sum of
(1) 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid, and
(2) 90% of our net income, if any, (after tax) from foreclosure property (as described below), minus
(b) the sum of specified items of non-cash income over 5% of our “REIT taxable income.”

For these purposes, our “REIT taxable income” is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain. In addition, for purposes of this test, non-cash income means income attributable to leveled stepped rents, original issue discount on purchase money debt, cancellation of indebtedness, or any like-kind exchanges that are later determined to be taxable.

In addition, our “REIT taxable income” will be reduced by any taxes we are required to pay on any gain we recognize from the disposition of any asset we acquired from a corporation which is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which our basis in the asset is less than the fair market value of the asset, in each case determined at the time we acquired the asset, within the five-year period following our acquisition of such asset.

We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if (a) declared during the last three months of the taxable year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date during such period and paid during January of the following year, or (b) declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration, provided such payment is made during the 12-month period following the close of such year.

To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at regular corporate tax rates on the retained portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase their adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (a) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, and (b) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.

To the extent that we have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Under amendments made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to Section 172 of the of the Code, a REIT’s deduction for any NOL carryforwards arising from losses it sustains in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 is limited to 80% of a REIT’s taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), and any unused portion of losses arising in taxable years ending after December 31, 2017 may not be carried back, but may be carried forward indefinitely. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the character, in the hands of our stockholders, of any distributions that are actually made as ordinary dividends or capital gains. See “—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders—Distributions.” If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-deductible 4%

40

TABLE OF CONTENTS

excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed, and (y) the amounts of income we retained and on which we paid corporate income tax. Under amendments made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to Section 163 of the Code, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, our deduction for net business interest expense will generally be limited to 30% of our taxable income, as adjusted for certain items of income, gain, deduction or loss. Any business interest deduction that is disallowed due to this limitation may be carried forward to future taxable years. If we are subject to this interest expense limitation, our REIT taxable income for a taxable year may be increased. Taxpayers that conduct certain real estate businesses may elect not to have this interest expense limitation apply to them, provided that they use an alternative depreciation system to depreciate certain property. We believe that we will be eligible to make this election. If we make this election, although we would not be subject to the interest expense limitation described above, our depreciation deductions may be reduced and, as a result, our REIT taxable income for a taxable year may be increased.

It is possible that, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between our actual receipt of cash, including receipt of distributions from our subsidiaries and our inclusion of items in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Alternatively, we may declare a taxable dividend payable in cash or stock at the election of each stockholder, where the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed in such dividend may be subject to limitation. In such case, for federal income tax purposes, the amount of the dividend paid in stock will be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of stock.

In the event that such timing differences occur, in order to meet the distribution requirements, it might be necessary for us to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings or to pay dividends in the form of taxable in-kind distributions of property.

We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, subject to the 4% excise tax described above. We will be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

Prohibited Transactions

Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction, is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business by us or by a borrower that has issued a shared appreciation mortgage or similar debt instrument to us. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of a corporation at regular corporate rates.

Penalty Tax

Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions, excess interest or redetermined TRS service income we generate will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of any services furnished to any of our tenants by a TRS of ours, redetermined deductions and excess interest represent any amounts that are deducted by a TRS of ours for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm’s length negotiations, and redetermined TRS service income is income of a TRS that is understated as a result of services provided to us or on our behalf. Rents we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Code.

We do not believe we have been, and do not expect to be, subject to this penalty tax, although any rental or service arrangements we enter into from time to time may not satisfy the safe-harbor provisions described

41

TABLE OF CONTENTS

above. These determinations are inherently factual, and the IRS has broad discretion to assert that amounts paid between related parties should be reallocated to clearly reflect their respective incomes. If the IRS successfully made such an assertion, we would be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on any overstated rents paid to us, or any excess deductions or understated income of our TRS.

Foreclosure Property

Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that we acquire as the result of having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and secured by the property, (2) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated, and (3) with respect to which we made a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property.

We generally will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 21%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that constitutes qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property. To the extent that we receive any income from foreclosure property that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test, we intend to make an election to treat the related property as foreclosure property.

Derivatives and Hedging Transactions

As discussed in “—Income Tests” above, we and our subsidiaries may enter into hedging transactions with respect to interest rate exposure on one or more of our assets or liabilities. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we enter into (1) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate or price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which is clearly identified as specified in Treasury regulations before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, (2) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests, and (3) to hedge previously acquired hedges that we entered into to manage risk associated with liabilities or property that have been extinguished or disposed of, each of which is clearly identified as such before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities (including hedging activities relating to currency risk) through a TRS or other corporate entity, the income from which may be subject to federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income that does not qualify for purposes of either or both of the REIT income tests, or that our hedging activities will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.

Failure to Qualify

If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the income or asset tests, we could avoid disqualification if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are available for failures of the income tests and asset tests, as described above in “—Income Tests” and “—Asset Tests.”

If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax for taxable years ending prior to January 1, 2018, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We cannot deduct distributions to stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, nor would we be required to make

42

TABLE OF CONTENTS

distributions in such a year. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, distributions to domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates will generally be taxable as regular corporate dividends. In addition, subject to the limitations of the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to this statutory relief.

Taxation of Stockholders

Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders

As used in this prospectus, a “domestic stockholder” means a beneficial owner of our capital stock that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as:

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.;
a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or
a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more U.S. persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Distributions. So long as we qualify as a REIT, the distributions that we make to our taxable domestic stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits that we do not designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taken into account by stockholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporations. With limited exceptions, our dividends are not eligible for taxation at the preferential income tax rates for qualified dividends received by domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates from taxable C corporations. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, individual stockholders are generally allowed to deduct up to 20% of the aggregate amount of ordinary dividends distributed by us, subject to certain limitations, which would reduce the maximum marginal effective tax rate for individuals on the receipt of such ordinary dividends to 29.6%. Such stockholders, however, are taxed at the preferential rates on dividends designated by and received from REITs to the extent that the dividends are attributable to:

income retained by the REIT in the prior taxable year on which the REIT was subject to corporate level income tax (less the amount of tax);
dividends received by the REIT from TRSs or other taxable C corporations; or
income in the prior taxable year from the sales of “built-in gain” property acquired by the REIT from C corporations in carryover basis transactions (less the amount of corporate tax on such income).

Distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taxed to our domestic stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that such distributions do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the stockholder that receives such distribution has held its stock. We may elect to retain and pay taxes on some or all of our net long-term capital gains, in which case provisions of the Code will treat a stockholder as having received, solely for tax purposes, its pro rata share of our undistributed capital gains, and the stockholders will receive a corresponding credit for taxes that we paid on such undistributed capital gains. See “Taxation of the Company—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Corporate stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Subject to the discussion below on additional Medicare tax on net investment income, long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum federal rates of 20% in the case of stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates, and 21% in the case of stockholders that are corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than 12 months are subject to a 25% maximum federal income tax rate for taxpayers who are taxed as individuals, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.

43

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will generally represent a return of capital and will not be taxable to a stockholder to the extent that the amount of such distributions do not exceed the adjusted basis of the stockholder’s shares in respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of the stockholder’s shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a stockholder’s shares, the stockholder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In addition, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before the end of January of the following calendar year.

To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “Taxation of the Company—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Such losses, however, are not passed through to stockholders and do not offset income of stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses affect the character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.

Under amendments made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to Section 172 of the of the Code, a REIT’s deduction for any NOL carryforwards arising from losses it sustains in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 is limited to 80% of a REIT’s taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), and any unused portion of losses arising in taxable years ending after December 31, 2017 may not be carried back, but may be carried forward indefinitely.

Dispositions of the Company Stock. If a domestic stockholder sells or disposes of shares of our capital stock, it generally will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition and its adjusted basis in the shares of capital stock for tax purposes. This gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder has held the capital stock for more than one year at the time of such sale or disposition. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals, trusts and estates upon the sale or disposition of our stock will be subject to preferential rates if the stock is held for more than one year, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates if the stock is held for one year or less. Gains recognized by stockholders that are corporations are subject to federal income tax at a maximum rate of 21%, whether or not such gains are classified as long-term capital gains. Capital losses recognized by a stockholder upon the disposition of our stock that was held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our stock by a stockholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the stockholder as long-term capital gain.

If an investor recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our stock or other securities in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury regulations involving “reportable transactions” could apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the loss-generating transaction to the IRS. These regulations, though directed towards “tax shelters,” are broadly written and apply to transactions that would not typically be considered tax shelters. The Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply with these requirements. You should consult your tax advisor concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of our stock or securities or transactions that we might undertake directly or indirectly.

Moreover, you should be aware that we and other participants in the transactions in which we are involved (including their advisors) might be subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.

Additional Medicare Tax on Unearned Income. Certain “high income” taxable domestic stockholders, including individuals, estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on their “net

44

TABLE OF CONTENTS

investment” income. The 20% deduction, as added by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, with respect to ordinary REIT dividends received by non-corporate taxpayers is likely not allowed as a deduction allocable to such dividends for purposes of determining the amount of net investment income subject to the 3.8% Medicare tax. For individuals, the additional Medicare tax applies to the lesser of (i) “net investment income” or (ii) the excess of “modified adjusted gross income” over $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filing jointly or $125,000 if married and filing separately). “Net investment income” generally equals the taxpayer’s gross investment income reduced by the deductions that are allocable to such income. Investment income generally includes passive income such as interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, rents, and capital gains. Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in our stock.

Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations. Distributions that we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a domestic stockholder of our stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, stockholders will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against income or gain relating to our stock. To the extent that distributions we make do not constitute a return of capital, they will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.

Taxation of Foreign Stockholders

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to non-U.S. holders. A “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of our capital stock that is neither a “domestic stockholder,” as defined above, nor an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Special rules may apply to certain non-U.S. holders, including controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, certain U.S. expatriates, and non-U.S. persons eligible for benefits under an applicable income tax treaty with the U.S. Such non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them.

Ordinary Dividends. The portion of distributions received by a non-U.S. holder that is (1) payable out of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, (2) not attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of a U.S. real property interest (a “USRPI”), nor designated by us as a capital gain dividend and (3) not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder, will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by a tax treaty. Under certain treaties, however, lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from a REIT. To claim any entitlement to a lower treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) evidencing eligibility for that reduced treaty rate.

In general, non-U.S. holders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. holder’s investment in our stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to withholding but will be subject to federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as domestic stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends. Such income generally must be reported on a U.S. income tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. holder. The income may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax (or such lower rate as provided by an applicable tax treaty) in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. To claim the exemption from withholding under the effectively connected income exemption, a non-U.S. holder must furnish to the applicable withholding agent a valid IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the distribution is income effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s trade or business within the U.S.

Non-Dividend Distributions. Distributions that we make which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits generally will not be subject to U.S. income tax to the extent that such distributions do not exceed the non-U.S. holder’s adjusted basis in our capital stock, but will reduce the non-U.S. holder’s adjusted basis in such stock. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends as described above under “—Taxation of Foreign Stockholders—Ordinary Dividends.” A non-U.S. holder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it subsequently is determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

45

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Distributions that we make in excess of the sum of (a) the stockholder’s proportionate share of our earnings and profits, and (b) the stockholder’s basis in its stock, will be taxed as gain from the sale or exchange of such stock, the tax treatment of which is described below under “—Taxation of Foreign Stockholders—Dispositions of the Company Stock.”.

Capital Gain Dividends and Distributions Attributable to a Sale or Exchange of U.S. Real Property Interests. Under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”), a distribution that we make to a non-U.S. holder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs that we held directly or through pass-through subsidiaries, or USRPI capital gains, will, except as described below, be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder and will be subject to U.S. income tax at the regular graduated rates applicable to U.S. holders, without regard to whether we designate the distribution as a capital gain dividend. See above under “—Taxation of Foreign Stockholders—Ordinary Dividends,” for a discussion of the consequences of income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 21% (or 20% to the extent provided in applicable Treasury regulations) of any distribution to non-U.S. holders attributable to gain from dispositions by us of USRPIs. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. A distribution is not attributable to gain from a disposition of a USRPI if we held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor.

Distributions to a non-U.S. holder that we properly designate as capital gain dividends, other than those attributable to dispositions of USRPIs, generally are not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless (1) the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the U.S.), in which case the non-U.S. holder would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax of up to 30%, or (2) the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met, in which case the non-U.S. holder will incur a 30% tax on his or her capital gains (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of such non-U.S. holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided that the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

Any distribution that would otherwise have been subject to FIRPTA will not be so treated, and generally will not be treated as income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, if (1) the distribution is received with respect to a class of stock that is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the U.S. such as the NYSE, and (2) the recipient non-U.S. holder does not own more than 10% of that class of stock at any time during the year ending on the date of the distribution. We anticipate that our common stock will be “regularly traded” on an established securities market.

Dispositions of the Company Stock. Unless our stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of our stock by a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation. Our stock will not be treated as a USRPI if less than 50% of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the U.S., excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor.

Even if the foregoing 50% test is not met, our stock nonetheless will not constitute a USRPI if we are a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity.” A domestically controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT if less than 50% of its value is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. holders at all times during a specified testing period. We believe that we are, and expect that we will continue to be, a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, and that a sale of our stock should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. Effective December 18, 2015, in determining whether a REIT is domestically controlled, the REIT may presume that holders of less than 5% of a class of stock regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States are U.S. persons throughout the testing period, except to the extent that the REIT has actual knowledge to the contrary. In addition, any stock in the REIT held by another REIT that is publicly traded will be treated as held by a non-U.S. person unless the other REIT is domestically controlled, in which case the stock will be treated as held by a U.S. person. Finally, any stock in a

46

TABLE OF CONTENTS

REIT held by another REIT that is not publicly traded will be treated as held by a U.S. person to the extent that U.S. persons hold the other REIT’s stock. However, because our stock is (and, we expect, will continue to be) publicly traded, no assurance can be given that we are or will continue to be a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity.

In the event that we are not a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, but our stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market such as the NYSE, a non-U.S. holder’s sale of our common stock nonetheless would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that the selling non-U.S. holder held 10% or less of our outstanding common stock throughout the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other taxable disposition or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period. We expect that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market.

If gain on the sale of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals, and the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 15% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.

Gain from the sale of our stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the U.S. to a non-U.S. holder in two cases: (1) if the non-U.S. holder’s investment in our stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. holder (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States), the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treat), as adjusted for certain items, or (2) if the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s capital gain (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of the non-U.S. holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses. In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of our stock, a non-U.S. holder may be treated as having gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI if the non-U.S. holder (1) disposes of our common stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI and (2) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other shares of our common stock during the 61-day period beginning with the first day of the 30-day period described in clause (1), unless such stock is “regularly traded” and the non-U.S. holder did not own more than 10% of the stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution described in clause (1).

The U.S. federal taxation of non-U.S. holders is a highly complex matter that may be affected by many other considerations. Accordingly, non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the income and withholding tax considerations with respect to owning Company stock.

Qualified Shareholders.

Subject to the exception discussed below, any distribution to a “qualified shareholder” who holds REIT stock directly or indirectly (through one or more partnerships) will not be subject to U.S. tax as income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business and thus will not be subject to special withholding rules under FIRPTA. While a “qualified shareholder” will not be subject to FIRPTA withholding on REIT distributions, certain investors of a “qualified shareholder” (i.e., non-U.S. persons who hold interests in the “qualified shareholder” (other than interests solely as a creditor), and hold more than 10% of the stock of such REIT (whether or not by reason of the investor’s ownership in the “qualified shareholder”)) may be subject to FIRPTA withholding.

In addition, a sale of our stock by a “qualified shareholder” who holds such stock directly or indirectly (through one or more partnerships) will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation under FIRPTA. As with distributions, such sales of our stock may be subject to FIRPTA withholding with respect to certain

47

TABLE OF CONTENTS

investors that are investors of a “qualified shareholder” (i.e., non-U.S. persons who (i) hold interests in the “qualified shareholder” (other than interests solely as a creditor), and (ii) hold more than 10% of the stock of such REIT (whether or not by reason of the investor’s ownership in the “qualified shareholder”)) hold interests in the “qualified shareholder”.

A “qualified shareholder” is a foreign person that (i) either is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty which includes an exchange of information program and whose principal class of interests is listed and regularly traded on one or more recognized stock exchanges (as defined in such comprehensive income tax treaty), or is a foreign partnership that is created or organized under foreign law as a limited partnership in a jurisdiction that has an agreement for the exchange of information with respect to taxes with the United States and has a class of limited partnership units representing greater than 50% of the value of all the partnership units that is regularly traded on the NYSE or NASDAQ markets, (ii) is a qualified collective investment vehicle (defined below), and (iii) maintains records on the identity of each person who, at any time during the foreign person’s taxable year, is the direct owner of 5% or more of the class of interests or units (as applicable) described in (i), above.

A qualified collective investment vehicle is a foreign person that (i) would be eligible for a reduced rate of withholding under the comprehensive income tax treaty described above, even if such entity holds more than 10% of the stock of such REIT, (ii) is publicly traded, is treated as a partnership under the Code, is a withholding foreign partnership, and would be treated as a “United States real property holding corporation” if it were a domestic corporation, or (iii) is designated as such by the Secretary of the Treasury and is either (a) fiscally transparent within the meaning of section 894, or (b) required to include dividends in its gross income, but is entitled to a deduction for distributions to its investors.

Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisor on the application of these rules.

Qualified Foreign Pension Funds . Any distribution to a “qualified foreign pension fund” (or an entity all of the interests of which are held by a “qualified foreign pension fund”) who holds REIT stock directly or indirectly (through one or more partnerships) will not be subject to U.S. tax as income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business and thus will not be subject to special withholding rules under FIRPTA. In addition, a sale of our stock by a “qualified foreign pension fund” that holds such stock directly or indirectly (through one or more partnerships) will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation under FIRPTA.

A qualified foreign pension fund is any trust, corporation, or other organization or arrangement (i) which is created or organized under the law of a country other than the United States, (ii) which is established to provide retirement or pension benefits to participants or beneficiaries that are current or former employees (or persons designated by such employees) of one or more employers in consideration for services rendered, (iii) which does not have a single participant or beneficiary with a right to more than 5% of its assets or income, (iv) which is subject to government regulation and provides annual information reporting about its beneficiaries to the relevant tax authorities in the country in which it is established or operates, and (v) with respect to which, under the laws of the country in which it is established or operates, (a) contributions to such organization or arrangement that would otherwise be subject to tax under such laws are deductible or excluded from the gross income of such entity or taxed at a reduced rate, or (b) taxation of any investment income of such organization or arrangement is deferred or such income is taxed at a reduced rate.

Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisor on the application of these rules.

Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders

Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from federal income taxation. However, they may be subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). While some investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax-exempt stockholder has not held our stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Code (i.e., where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder), and (2) our stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, distributions that we make and income from the sale of our stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt stockholder.

48

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from federal income taxation under sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally require such stockholders to characterize distributions that we make as UBTI.

In certain circumstances, a pension trust that owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends as UBTI if we are a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) we are required to “look through” one or more of our pension trust stockholders in order to satisfy the REIT “closely held” test, and (2) either (i) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock, or (ii) one or more pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively owns more than 50% of the value of our stock. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock generally should prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock and generally should prevent us from becoming a pension-held REIT.

Tax-exempt stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning Company stock.

State, Local and Foreign Taxes

We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. We may own properties located in numerous jurisdictions, and may be required to file tax returns in some or all of those jurisdictions. Our state, local or foreign tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the federal income tax treatment discussed above. We may pay foreign property taxes, and dispositions of foreign property or operations involving, or investments in, foreign property may give rise to foreign income or other tax liability in amounts that could be substantial. Any foreign taxes that we incur do not pass through to stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our stock.

Information Reporting Requirements and Withholding

Generally

We will report to our stockholders and to the IRS the amount of distributions we pay during each calendar year, and the amount of tax we withhold, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, a domestic stockholder may be subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 24%) with respect to distributions unless the holder: (i) is a corporation or qualifies for certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact; or (ii) provides a correct taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A domestic stockholder who does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number also may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.

Backup withholding will generally not apply to payments of dividends made by us or our paying agents, in their capacities as such, to a non-U.S. holder provided that the non-U.S. holder furnishes to us or our paying agent the required certification as to its non-U.S. status, such as providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI (or other Form W-8, if applicable), or if certain other requirements are met. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a U.S. person that is not an exempt recipient. Payments of the net proceeds from a disposition or a redemption effected outside the U.S. by a non-U.S. holder made by or through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, information reporting (but not backup withholding) generally will apply to such a payment if the broker has certain connections with the U.S. unless the broker has documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a non-U.S. holder and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established. Payment of the net proceeds from a disposition by a non-U.S. holder of stock made by or through the U.S. office of a broker is generally subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the non-U.S. holder certifies under penalties of perjury that it is not a U.S. person and satisfies certain other requirements, or otherwise establishes an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding.

49

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against the stockholder’s federal income tax liability if certain required information is furnished to the IRS. Stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding application of backup withholding to them and the availability of, and procedure for obtaining an exemption from, backup withholding.

FATCA Withholding

Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), generally impose a withholding tax of 30% on payments of U.S. source dividend, interest or other fixed or determinable annual or periodic income and gross proceeds from the disposition of property of a type that can produce U.S.-source dividends or interest to certain foreign persons, whether as the beneficial owner or as an intermediary for the ultimate beneficial owner, including both (i) a “foreign financial institution” (as defined in the Code), unless such institution is “deemed compliant,” complies with the rules implementing an applicable intergovernmental agreement and/or enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which would include certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners) and (ii) a foreign entity that is not a financial institution in certain cases, unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification identifying the substantial U.S. owners of the entity, which generally include any U.S. person who directly or indirectly owns more than 10% of the entity.

Under applicable Treasury regulations and administrative guidance, FATCA withholding generally applies to payments of dividends on our capital stock, and, beginning January 1, 2019, to payments of gross proceeds from the disposition of such stock. Certain countries have entered into, and other countries are expected to enter into, agreements with the U.S. to facilitate the type of information reporting required under FATCA. While the existence of such agreements will not eliminate the risk that payments to foreign financial institutions or non-financial foreign entities in those countries will be subject to FATCA withholding, these agreements are expected to reduce the risk of the withholding for investors in those countries. If you hold our stock through a foreign account or intermediary, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the implications of FATCA to you.

Proposed Legislation or Other Actions Affecting REITs

The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process, the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. No assurance can be given as to whether, when, or in what form, the U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to us and our holders may be enacted. Changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations of U.S. federal tax laws could adversely affect an investment in our stock.

Additionally, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act may affect our stockholders and may indirectly affect us. These rules were enacted with varying effective dates, some of which are retroactive. Furthermore, it is not clear when the IRS will issue administrative guidance on the changes made in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Investors should consult with their tax advisors regarding the effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in their particular circumstances.

50

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

Information about selling stockholders, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act which are incorporated by reference.

51

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or any of the selling stockholders may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation:

directly to one or more purchasers;
through agents;
to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers;
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;
in block trades;
through a combination of any of these methods; or
through any other method permitted by applicable law and described in a prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement with respect to any offering of securities will include the following information:

the terms of the offering;
the name or names of any underwriters or agents;
the public offering price or purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds from the sale of the securities;
any delayed delivery arrangements;
any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and
any securities exchange or markets on which the securities may be listed.

The distribution of the offered securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including privately negotiated transactions, either:

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or
at negotiated prices.

Sale through Underwriters or Dealers

If underwriters are used in the sale, 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 applicable 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 of the offered securities if they purchase any of them. Any initial public offering price, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealer underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be changed from time to time.

We will describe the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the purchase price of the securities in a prospectus supplement relating to the securities.

In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or

52

TABLE OF CONTENTS

commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and these dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents, which is not expected to exceed that customary in the types of transactions involved. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us, and any profit on the resale of the securities they realize may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act. The prospectus supplement will identify any underwriter or agent and will describe any compensation they receive from us.

Underwriters could make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering, sales made directly on the NYSE, the existing trading market for our shares of common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. The name of any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of our securities, the amounts underwritten, and the nature of its obligations to take our securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each series of the securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our shares of common stock, which are each currently listed on the NYSE. We currently intend to list any shares of common stock sold pursuant to this prospectus on the NYSE. We may elect to list any series of preferred stock on an exchange, but are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of the securities, but underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Therefore, we can give no assurance about the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

Under agreements we may enter into, we may indemnify underwriters, dealers, and agents who participate in the distribution of the securities against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute with respect to payments that the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make.

To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

From time to time, we may engage in transactions with these underwriters, dealers, and agents in the ordinary course of business. Underwriters have from time to time in the past provided, and may from time to time in the future provide, investment banking services to us for which they have in the past received, and may in the future receive, customary fees.

Direct Sales and Sales through Agents

We may choose to sell the offered securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We also may sell the securities through agents designated by us from time to time. In the applicable 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 applicable 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 applicable prospectus supplement.

53

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If we so indicate in the applicable 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 applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

Remarketing Arrangements

Securities also may 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.

General Information

We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers, agents 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 underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

54

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered by means of this prospectus has been passed upon for us by DLA Piper LLP (US). In addition, certain U.S. federal income tax matters have been passed upon for us DLA Piper LLP (US).

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of STORE Capital Corporation appearing in STORE Capital Corporation’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2017 (including schedules appearing therein), and the effectiveness of STORE Capital Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information we file with the SEC into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information filed separately with the SEC subsequent to this prospectus and prior to the termination of the particular offering referred to in such prospectus supplement will automatically be deemed to update and supersede this information. We are incorporating by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement the documents listed below (excluding any portions of such documents that have been “furnished” but not “filed” for purposes of the Exchange Act):

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2018;
our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 12, 2018 and February 16, 2018;
the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 21, 2017; and
the description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on November 12, 2014, including any amendments or reports filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description.

All documents that we file (but not those that we furnish) with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of any securities covered by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement and any previously filed documents.

This means that important information about us appears or will appear in these documents and will be regarded as appearing in this prospectus. Any statement made in a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus will 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 other subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

55

TABLE OF CONTENTS

You can obtain any of the filings incorporated by reference into this prospectus through us or from the SEC through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . We will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the reports and documents referred to above which have been incorporated by reference into this prospectus (not including exhibits to such information, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference). You should direct requests for those documents to:

STORE Capital Corporation
Attention: Investor Relations
8377 E. Hartford Dr., Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
(480) 256-1100

Our reports and documents incorporated by reference herein may also be found in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at www.storecapital.com . However, the information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not, and should not be deemed to be, part of this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus or incorporated into any other filing we submit to the SEC.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement and any prospectus supplement, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us, the selling stockholder and the securities offered by this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and to the exhibits to the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus about the contents of any contract or any other document may not necessarily be complete, and, in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement.

We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, as amended, and we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy such reports, proxy statements and other information, as well as the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, which is located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of the registration statement and such reports, proxy statements and information by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room. In addition, our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov .

Our shares of common stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “STOR.” Our SEC filings are also available at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, or by accessing our website at www.storecapital.com. However, the information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not, and should not be deemed to be, part of this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus or incorporated into any other filing we submit to the SEC.

56

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED BY THE PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses of the sale and distribution of the securities being registered, all of which will be paid by the registrant.

SEC Registration Fee
$      *
NYSE Fees
**
Legal Fees and Expenses
**
Accounting Fees and Expenses
**
Trustees’ Fees and Expenses (including Counsel’s Fees)
**
Printing and Delivery Expenses
**
Miscellaneous Expenses
**
Total:
$     **
* The payment of filing fees is deferred pursuant to Rules 456(b) and Rule 457(c).
** Estimated expenses are not presently known. Estimated fees and expenses associated with future offerings will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Maryland law permits us to include a provision in our charter limiting the liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and which is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains a provision that eliminates our directors’ and officers’ liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

The MGCL requires us (unless our charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits us to indemnify our present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or certain other capacities unless it is established that:

the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;
the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or
in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

Under the MGCL, we may not indemnify a director or officer in a suit by us or in our right in which the director or officer was adjudged liable to us or in a suit in which the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by us or in our right, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses.

In addition, the MGCL permits us to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon our receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

II-1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Our charter authorizes us to obligate ourselves, and our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:

any present or former director or officer who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity; or
any individual who, while a director or officer of ours and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, trustee, member, manager, or partner of another corporation, REIT, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity.

Our charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any individual who served any of our predecessors in any of the capacities described above and any employee or agent of us or any of our predecessors.

We have entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors and executive officers that provide for indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Item 16. Exhibits.
Exhibit
 
1.1*
Form of underwriting agreement
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of STORE Capital Corporation filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on November 18, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 18, 2014 and filed with the SEC on November 21, 2014)
Amended and Restated Bylaws of STORE Capital Corporation dated November 21, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 18, 2014 filed with the SEC on November 21, 2014).
Form of common stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 18, 2014 and filed with the SEC on November 21, 2014)
4.2*
Form of articles supplementary for preferred stock
4.3*
Form of preferred stock certificate
Form of base indenture for debt securities
4.5*
Form of deposit agreement for depositary shares
4.6*
Form of depositary receipt
4.7*
Form of purchase contract
4.8*
Form of pledge agreement for purchase contracts
4.9*
Form of unit agreement
4.10*
Form of unit certificate
4.11*
Form of warrant agreement
4.12*
Form of warrant certificate
Third Amended and Restated Master Indenture dated as of May 6, 2014, among STORE Master Funding I, LLC, STORE Master Funding II, LLC, STORE Master Funding III, LLC, STORE Master Funding IV, LLC, and STORE Master Funding V, LLC, collectively as Issuers, and Citibank, N.A., as Indenture Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 dated and filed with the SEC as of September 23, 2014).

II-2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Exhibit
 
Series 2012-1 Indenture Supplement dated as of August 23, 2012, between STORE Master Funding I, LLC, as Issuer, and Citibank, N.A., as Indenture Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 dated and filed with the SEC as of September 23, 2014).
Series 2013-1 Indenture Supplement dated as of March 27, 2013, between STORE Master Funding I, LLC and STORE Master Funding II, LLC, collectively as Issuers, and Citibank, N.A., as Indenture Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 dated and filed with the SEC as of September 23, 2014).
Series 2013-2 Indenture Supplement dated as of July 25, 2013, between STORE Master Funding I, LLC, STORE Master Funding II, LLC, and STORE Master Funding III, LLC, collectively as Issuers, and Citibank, N.A., as Indenture Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 dated and filed with the SEC as of September 23).
Series 2013-3 Indenture Supplement dated as of December 3, 2013, among STORE Master Funding I, LLC, STORE Master Funding II, LLC STORE Master Funding III, LLC, and STORE Master Funding IV, LLC, collectively as Issuers, and Citibank, N.A., as Indenture Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 dated and filed with the SEC as of September 23, 2014).
Series 2014-1 Indenture Supplement dated as of May 6, 2014, among STORE Master Funding I, LLC, STORE Master Funding II, LLC, STORE Master Funding III, LLC, STORE Master Funding IV, LLC, and STORE Master Funding V, LLC, collectively as Issuers, and Citibank, N.A., as Indenture Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 dated and filed with the SEC as of September 23, 2014).
Fourth Amended and Restated Master Indenture dated as of April 16, 2015, among STORE Master Funding I, LLC, STORE Master Funding II, LLC, STORE Master Funding III, LLC, STORE Master Funding IV, LLC, STORE Master Funding V, LLC and STORE Master Funding VI, LLC, collectively as Issuers, and Citibank, N.A., as Indenture Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 16, 2015 and filed with the SEC on April 20, 2015).
Series 2015-1 Indenture Supplement dated as of April 16, 2015, among STORE Master Funding I, LLC, STORE Master Funding II, LLC, STORE Master Funding III, LLC, STORE Master Funding IV, LLC, STORE Master Funding V, LLC and STORE Master Funding VI, LLC, collectively as Issuers, and Citibank, N.A., as Indenture Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 16, 2015 and filed with the SEC on April 20, 2015).
Fifth Amended and Restated Master Indenture dated as of October 18, 2016, among STORE Master Funding I, LLC, STORE Master Funding II, LLC, STORE Master Funding III, LLC, STORE Master Funding IV, LLC, STORE Master Funding V, LLC, STORE Master Funding VI, LLC, and STORE Master Funding VII, LLC, collectively as Issuers, and Citibank, N.A., as Indenture Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 18, 2016 and filed with the SEC on October 21, 2016).
Series 2016-1 Indenture Supplement dated as of October 18, 2016, among STORE Master Funding I, LLC, STORE Master Funding II, LLC, STORE Master Funding III, LLC, STORE Master Funding IV, LLC, STORE Master Funding V, LLC STORE Master Funding VI, LLC, and STORE Master Funding VII, LLC, collectively as Issuers, and Citibank, N.A., as Indenture Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 18, 2016 and filed with the SEC on October 21, 2016).
Opinion of DLA Piper LLP (US) regarding the legality of the securities being registered
Opinion of DLA Piper LLP (US) regarding certain tax matters
Statements of Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and filed with the SEC on February 23, 2018)
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
Consent of DLA Piper LLP (US) (included in Exhibit 5.1)

II-3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Exhibit
 
Consent of DLA Piper LLP (US) (included in Exhibit 8.1)
Power of Attorney (included on page II- 6 )
25.1**
Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1
* To be filed, if necessary, either by amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a report filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference.
** To be filed separately pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
Item 17. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer

II-4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than for the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

II-5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Scottsdale, State of Arizona, on this 23rd day of February, 2018.

 
STORE CAPITAL CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ CHRISTOPHER H. VOLK
 
 
Christopher H. Volk
President and Chief Executive Officer

SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Christopher H. Volk and Michael T. Bennett, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting alone with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) and exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, and any registration statement filed under SEC Rule 462, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
Title
Date
   
 
/s/ CHRISTOPHER H. VOLK
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(principal executive officer)
February 23, 2018
Christopher H. Volk
 
 
 
/s/ CATHERINE LONG
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer
(principal financial officer)
February 23, 2018
Catherine Long
 
 
 
/s/ STACY M. LAFRANCE
Senior Vice President – Chief Accounting Officer
(principal accounting officer)
February 23, 2018
Stacy M. LaFrance
 
 
 
/s/ MORTON H. FLEISCHER
Chairman of the Board of Directors
February 23, 2018
Morton H. Fleischer
   
 
/s/ MARY FEDEWA
Chief Operating Officer and Director
February 23, 2018
Mary Fedewa
 
 
 
/s/ JOSEPH M. DONOVAN
Director
February 23, 2018
Joseph M. Donovan
 
 
   
 
/s/ WILLIAM F. HIPP
Director
February 23, 2018
William F. Hipp
 
 

II-6

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Signature
Title
Date
 
 
 
/s/ CATHERINE D. RICE
Director
February 23, 2018
Catherine D. Rice
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ EINAR A. SEADLER
Director
February 23, 2018
Einar A. Seadler
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ MARK N. SKLAR
Director
February 23, 2018
Mark N. Sklar
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ QUENTIN P. SMITH, JR.
Director
February 23, 2018
Quentin P. Smith, Jr.
 
 

II-7


Exhibit 4.4

 

 

 

[STORE Capital Corporation]

INDENTURE

Dated as of [__]

[__]

Trustee

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     1

Section 1.1.

  Definitions      1

Section 1.2.

  Other Definitions      4

Section 1.3.

  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act      5

Section 1.4.

  Rules of Construction      5

ARTICLE II. THE SECURITIES

     5

Section 2.1.

  Issuable in Series      5

Section 2.2.

  Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities      6

Section 2.3.

  Execution and Authentication      8

Section 2.4.

  Registrar and Paying Agent      9

Section 2.5.

  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      10

Section 2.6.

  Holder Lists      10

Section 2.7.

  Transfer and Exchange      10

Section 2.8.

  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities      11

Section 2.9.

  Outstanding Securities      11

Section 2.10.

  Treasury Securities      12

Section 2.11.

  Temporary Securities      12

Section 2.12.

  Cancellation      12

Section 2.13.

  Defaulted Interest      13

Section 2.14.

  Global Securities      13

Section 2.15.

  CUSIP Numbers      14

ARTICLE III. REDEMPTION

     14

Section 3.1.

  Notice to Trustee      14

Section 3.2.

  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed      14

Section 3.3.

  Notice of Redemption      15

Section 3.4.

  Effect of Notice of Redemption      16

Section 3.5.

  Deposit of Redemption Price      16

Section 3.6.

  Securities Redeemed in Part      16

ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS

     16

Section 4.1.

  Payment of Principal and Interest      16

Section 4.2.

  SEC Reports      16

Section 4.3.

  Compliance Certificate      17

Section 4.4.

  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      17

Section 4.5.

  Corporate Existence      17

ARTICLE V. SUCCESSORS

     18

Section 5.1.

  When Company May Merge, Etc.      18

Section 5.2.

  Successor Corporation Substituted      18

 

i


ARTICLE VI. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     18

Section 6.1.

  Events of Default      18

Section 6.2.

  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment      20

Section 6.3.

  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee      20

Section 6.4.

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      21

Section 6.5.

  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities      22

Section 6.6.

  Application of Money Collected      22

Section 6.7.

  Limitation on Suits      22

Section 6.8.

  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest      23

Section 6.9.

  Restoration of Rights and Remedies      23

Section 6.10.

  Rights and Remedies Cumulative      23

Section 6.11.

  Delay or Omission Not Waiver      24

Section 6.12.

  Control by Holders      24

Section 6.13.

  Waiver of Past Defaults      24

Section 6.14.

  Undertaking for Costs      25

ARTICLE VII. TRUSTEE

     25

Section 7.1.

  Duties of Trustee      25

Section 7.2.

  Rights of Trustee      26

Section 7.3.

  Individual Rights of Trustee      27

Section 7.4.

  Trustee’s Disclaimer      28

Section 7.5.

  Notice of Defaults      28

Section 7.6.

  Reports by Trustee to Holders      28

Section 7.7.

  Compensation and Indemnity      28

Section 7.8.

  Replacement of Trustee      29

Section 7.9.

  Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.      30

Section 7.10.

  Eligibility; Disqualification      30

Section 7.11.

  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company      30

ARTICLE VIII. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

     30

Section 8.1.

  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture      30

Section 8.2.

  Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification      31

Section 8.3.

  Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series      32

Section 8.4.

  Covenant Defeasance      34

Section 8.5.

  Repayment      35

Section 8.6.

  Reinstatement      35

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

     35

Section 9.1.

  Without Consent of Holders      35

Section 9.2.

  With Consent of Holders      37

Section 9.3.

  Limitations      37

Section 9.4.

  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act      38

Section 9.5.

  Revocation and Effect of Consents      38

Section 9.6.

  Notation on or Exchange of Securities      38

Section 9.7.

  Trustee Protected      38

 

ii


ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS

     39

Section 10.1.

  Trust Indenture Act Controls      39

Section 10.2.

  Notices      39

Section 10.3.

  Communication by Holders with Other Holders      40

Section 10.4.

  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      40

Section 10.5.

  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      40

Section 10.6.

  Rules by Trustee and Agents      41

Section 10.7.

  Legal Holidays      41

Section 10.8.

  No Recourse Against Others      41

Section 10.9.

  Counterparts      41

Section 10.10.

  Governing Law      41

Section 10.11.

  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements      42

Section 10.12.

  Successors      42

Section 10.13.

  Severability      42

Section 10.14.

  Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.      42

Section 10.15.

  Securities in a Foreign Currency      42

Section 10.16.

  Judgment Currency      43

Section 10.17.

  Force Majeure      43

ARTICLE XI. SINKING FUNDS

     44

Section 11.1.

  Applicability of Article      44

Section 11.2.

  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities      44

Section 11.3.

  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund      45

 

iii


[STORE CAPITAL CORPORATION]

Reconciliation to Trust Indenture Act of 1939

 

§ 310(a)(1)

      7.10

(a)(2)

      7.10

(a)(3)

      Not Applicable

(a)(4)

      Not Applicable

(a)(5)

      7.10

(b)

      7.10

§ 311(a)

      7.11

(b)

      7.11

§ 312(a)

      2.6

(b)

      10.3

(c)

      10.3

§ 313(a)

      7.6

(b)(1)

      7.6

(b)(2)

      7.6

(c)(1)

      7.6

(d)

      7.6

§ 314(a)

      4.2, 10.5

(b)

      Not Applicable

(c)(1)

      10.4

(c)(2)

      10.4

(c)(3)

      Not Applicable

(d)

      Not Applicable

(e)

      10.5

(f)

      Not Applicable

§ 315(a)

      7.1

(b)

      7.5

(c)

      7.1

(d)

      7.1

(e)

      6.14

§ 316(a)

      2.10

(a)(1)(A)

      6.12

(a)(1)(B)

      6.13

(b)

      6.8

§ 317(a)(1)

      6.3

(a)(2)

      6.4

(b)

      2.5

§ 318(a)

      10.1

 

Note: This reconciliation shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

 

iv


Indenture dated as of [__] between [STORE Capital Corporation], a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and [__] (the “ Trustee ”).

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture.

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.1.     Definitions .

Additional Amounts ” means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified herein or therein and which are owing to such Holders.

Affiliate ” of any specified person means any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.

Agent ” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Notice Agent.

Board of Directors ” means the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors or duly organized committee thereof, including the Company’s Executive Committee, and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day ” means, unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York (or in connection with any payment, the place of payment) on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Capital Stock ” means (a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock, (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated and whether or not voting) of corporate stock, including each class of common stock and preferred stock of such person, (c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited), and (d) any other interest or participation that confers on a person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing person.

 

1


Company ” means the party named in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor replaces it and thereafter means the successor.

Company Order ” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by an Officer.

Corporate Trust Office ” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business related to this Indenture shall be principally administered.

Default ” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

Depositary ” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depositary for such Series by the Company, which Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if, at any time, there is more than one such person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of such Series.

Discount Security ” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

Dollars ” and “ $ ” means the currency of the United States of America.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Foreign Currency ” means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of the United States of America.

Foreign Government Obligations ” means, with respect to Securities of any Series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect as of the date of determination.

Global Security ” or “ Global Securities ” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depositary for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depositary or nominee.

 

2


Holder ” means a person in whose name a Security is registered.

Indenture ” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

The term “ interest ” means, with respect to any Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.

Maturity ,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

Officer ” means the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, and any Vice President of the Company.

Officer s Certificate means a certificate signed by any Officer.

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. Such counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

The term “ person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

The term “ principal ” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.

Prospectus ” means the base prospectus, dated [__], of the Company together with any supplement(s) thereto filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the offer and sale of Securities to be issued pursuant hereto.

Responsible Officer ” means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office having responsibility for administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities ” means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture.

Series ” or “ Series of Securities ” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof.

Stated Maturity ” means, with respect to any payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Security, the date on which such payment is due and payable.

 

3


Subsidiary ” of any specified person means any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that person or a combination thereof.

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided , however , that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.

Trustee ” means the person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.

U.S. Government Obligations ” means securities which are direct obligations of, or guaranteed by, The United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depositary 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 depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

Section 1.2.     Other Definitions .

 

TERM

   DEFINED IN
    

SECTION

Bankruptcy Law

   6.1

Custodian

   6.1

Event of Default

   6.1

Judgment Currency

   10.16

Legal Holiday

   10.7

mandatory sinking fund payment

   11.1

Market Exchange Rate

   10.15

New York Banking Day

   10.16

Notice Agent

   2.4

optional sinking fund payment

   11.1

Paying Agent

   2.4

Registrar

   2.4

Required Currency

   10.16

“successor person”

   5.1

 

4


Section 1.3.     Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“Commission ” means the SEC.

indenture securities ” means the Securities.

indenture security holder ” means a Holder.

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture.

indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee.

obligor ” on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.

Section 1.4.     Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)        a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b)        an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c)        “ or ” is not exclusive;

(d)        words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; and

(e)        provisions apply to successive events and transactions.

ARTICLE II.

THE SECURITIES

Section 2.1.     Issuable in Series .

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth or determined in the

 

5


manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

Section 2.2.     Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities .

At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection 2.2.1 and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.2.2 through 2.2.21) by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate:

2.2.1.        the title (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series) and ranking (including the terms of any subordination provisions) of the Series;

2.2.2.        the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;

2.2.3.        any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6);

2.2.4.        the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;

2.2.5.        the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

2.2.6.        the place or places where the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series shall be payable, where the Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be delivered, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;

2.2.7.        if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

 

6


2.2.8.        the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

2.2.9.        the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;

2.2.10.        if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;

2.2.11.        the forms of the Securities of the Series and whether the Securities will be issuable as Global Securities;

2.2.12.        if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;

2.2.13.        the currency of denomination of the Securities of the Series, which may be Dollars or any Foreign Currency, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

2.2.14.        the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of or premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of the Series will be made;

2.2.15.        if payments of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of the Series are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined;

2.2.16.        the manner in which the amounts of payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of the Series will be determined, if such amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

2.2.17.        the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the Securities of the Series;

2.2.18.        any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;

2.2.19.        any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants set forth in Articles IV or V which applies to Securities of the Series;

 

7


2.2.20.        any Depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein;

2.2.21.        the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any Securities of such Series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price, the conversion or exchange period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, at the option of the Holders thereof or at the option of the Company, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange if such Series of Securities are redeemed; and

2.2.22.        any other terms of the Series (which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series), including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of Securities of that Series.

All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate referred to above.

Section 2.3.     Execution and Authentication .

An Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual or facsimile signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.8.

Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.2) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officer’s Certificate complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4.

 

8


The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not be taken lawfully; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or vice-presidents or a committee of Responsible Officers shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

Section 2.4.     Registrar and Paying Agent .

The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.2, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment (“ Paying Agent ”), where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (“ Registrar ”) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture may be delivered (“ Notice Agent ”). The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar, Paying Agent or Notice Agent. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar, Paying Agent or Notice Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars, additional paying agents or additional notice agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and Notice Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar, additional paying agent or additional notice agent. The term “ Registrar ” includes any co-registrar; the term “ Paying Agent ” includes any additional paying agent; and the term “ Notice Agent ” includes any additional notice agent. The Company or any of its Affiliates may serve as Registrar or Paying Agent.

 

9


The Company hereby appoints the Trustee the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Notice Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Notice Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.

Section 2.5.     Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Holders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Holders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding with respect to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Securities.

Section 2.6.     Holder Lists .

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least 10 days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders of each Series of Securities.

Section 2.7.     Transfer and Exchange .

Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.11, 3.6 or 9.6).

Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business 15 days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.

 

10


Section 2.8.     Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities .

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or indemnity bond as may be required by each of them to hold itself and any of its agents harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any Series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

Section 2.9.     Outstanding Securities .

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

11


If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

The Company may purchase or otherwise acquire the Securities, whether by open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security, subject to Section 2.10.

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2.

Section 2.10.     Treasury Securities .

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, Securities of a Series owned by the Company, any Affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver only Securities of a Series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

Section 2.11.     Temporary Securities .

Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities upon a Company Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee upon receipt of a Company Order shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.

Section 2.12.     Cancellation .

The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy such canceled Securities (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act and the Trustee) and deliver a certificate of such cancellation to the Company upon written request of the Company. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

12


Section 2.13.     Defaulted Interest .

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay the defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the persons who are Holders of the Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix the record date and payment date. At least 10 days before the special record date, the Company shall mail to the Trustee and to each Holder of the Series a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.

Section 2.14.     Global Securities .

2.14.1.         Terms of Securities . A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

2.14.2.         Transfer and Exchange . Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depositary for such Security or its nominee only if (a) such Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event or (b) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

Except as provided in this Section 2.14.2, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary, by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.

2.14.3.         Legend . Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.”

 

13


2.14.4.         Acts of Holders . The Depositary, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.

2.14.5.         Payments . Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof.

2.14.6.         Consents, Declaration and Directions . The Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depositary or by the applicable procedures of such Depositary with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.

Section 2.15.     CUSIP Numbers .

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

ARTICLE III.

REDEMPTION

Section 3.1.     Notice to Trustee .

The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company elects to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give the notice at least 15 days before the redemption date.

Section 3.2.     Selection of Securities to be Redeemed .

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of the Series to be redeemed in any

 

14


manner that the Trustee deems fair and appropriate, including by lot or other method, unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange requirements, subject, in the case of Global Securities, to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities of the Series that have denominations larger than $1,000. Securities of the Series and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.2.10, the minimum principal denomination for each Series and the authorized integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of that Series called for redemption.

Section 3.3.     Notice of Redemption .

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed.

The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:

(a)        the redemption date;

(b)        the redemption price;

(c)        the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(d)        if any Securities are being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Securities to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date and upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Security shall be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Security;

(e)        that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(f)        that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date unless the Company defaults in the deposit of the redemption price;

(g)        the CUSIP, if any, number of the Securities to be redeemed; and

(h)        any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.

 

15


At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense, provided , however , that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least 10 days (unless a shorter time shall be acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the notice date, an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice.

Section 3.4.     Effect of Notice of Redemption .

Once notice of redemption is mailed as provided in Section 3.3, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price. Except as otherwise provided in the supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate for a Series, a notice of redemption may not be conditional. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

Section 3.5.     Deposit of Redemption Price .

On or before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.

Section 3.6.     Securities Redeemed in Part .

Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

ARTICLE IV.

COVENANTS

Section 4.1.     Payment of Principal and Interest .

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture. On or before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the applicable payment date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of each Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.

Section 4.2.     SEC Reports .

To the extent any Securities of a Series are outstanding, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it actually files them with the SEC (regardless of when the same is or was required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act or otherwise) copies of the reports which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to deliver to the Trustee any material for which the Company has sought and received, or is currently seeking, confidential treatment by the SEC; provided further , that each such report will be deemed to be so delivered to the Trustee if the Company files such report with the SEC through the SEC’s EDGAR database (or any successor thereto). The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA §314(a).

 

 

16


Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under this Section 4.2 are for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive or actual notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

Section 4.3.     Compliance Certificate .

To the extent any Securities of a Series are outstanding, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of such Officer’s knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which such Officer may have knowledge).

The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, promptly upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.4.     Stay, Extension and Usury Laws .

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.5.     Corporate Existence .

Subject to Article V, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and rights (charter and statutory); provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

17


ARTICLE V.

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.1.     When Company May Merge, Etc .

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”) unless:

(a)        the Company is the surviving person or the successor person (if other than the Company) is a person organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes the Company’s obligations on the Securities and under this Indenture; and

(b)        immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officer’s Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and any supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.

Notwithstanding the above, any Subsidiary of the Company may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to the Company. Neither an Officer’s Certificate nor an Opinion of Counsel shall be required to be delivered in connection therewith.

Section 5.2.     Successor Corporation Substituted .

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor person has been named as the Company herein; provided , however , that the predecessor Company in the case of a sale, conveyance or other disposition (other than a lease) shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

ARTICLE VI.

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.1.     Events of Default .

Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officer’s Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:

 

18


(a)        default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the 30 th day of such period); or

(b)        default in the payment of principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity; or

(c)        default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, if, when and as due by the terms of the Securities of that Series, and the continuance of such default for a period of 60 days; or

(d)        default in the performance or breach of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than defaults pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above or pursuant to a covenant or warranty that has been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of Series of Securities other than that Series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(e)        the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

    (i)         commences a voluntary case,

    (ii)         consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

    (iii)        consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

    (iv)        makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

    (v)         generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or

(f)        a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

    (i)         is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case,

    (ii)         appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or

    (iii)        orders the liquidation of the Company,

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or

 

19


(g)        any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2.18.

The term “ Bankruptcy Law ” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “ Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 6.2.     Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment .

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default referred to in Section 6.1(d)) then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may declare the principal amount (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) of, and any premium and accrued and unpaid interest on, all of the Securities of that Series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(d) shall occur, the principal amount (or specified amount) of, and any premium and accrued and unpaid interest on, all outstanding Securities of the applicable Series shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to any Series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that Series, other than the non-payment of the principal, premium and interest, if any, of Securities of that Series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.3.     Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee .

The Company covenants that if a:

(a)        default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(b)        default is made in the payment of principal of any Security at the Maturity thereof, or

(c)        default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, if any, when and as due by the terms of a Security,

 

20


then, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or deemed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 6.4.     Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

(a)        to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(b)        to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same,

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly

 

21


to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.5.     Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities .

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 6.6.     Application of Money Collected.

Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money or property on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

First:                  To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7; and

Second:             To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and

Third:                 To the Company.

Section 6.7.     Limitation on Suits .

No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(a)        such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;

 

22


(b)        the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(c)        such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by the Trustee in compliance with such request;

(d)        the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(e)        no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series,

it being understood, intended and expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Security with every other Holder and the Trustee that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders of the applicable Series.

Section 6.8.     Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest .

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, such Security on the Maturity of such Security, including the Stated Maturity expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.9.     Restoration of Rights and Remedies .

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 6.10.     Rights and Remedies Cumulative .

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.8, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in

 

23


addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 6.11.     Delay or Omission Not Waiver .

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 6.12.     Control by Holders .

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that

(a)        such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

(b)        the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction,

(c)        subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability, and

(d)        prior to taking any action as directed under this Section 6.12, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

Section 6.13.     Waiver of Past Defaults .

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Security of such Series. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

24


Section 6.14.     Undertaking for Costs .

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Maturity of such Security, including the Stated Maturity expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).

ARTICLE VII.

TRUSTEE

Section 7.1.     Duties of Trustee .

(a)         If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b)        Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

    (i)        The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others.

    (ii)        In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officer’s Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however , in the case of any such Officer’s Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform to the form requirements of this Indenture.

(c)        The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

    (i)        This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.

 

25


    (ii)        The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

    (iii)        The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series in accordance with Section 6.12.

(d)        Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

(e)        The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in performing such duty or exercising such right or power.

(f)        The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g)        No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if adequate indemnity against such risk is not assured to the Trustee in its satisfaction.

(h)        The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections and immunities as are set forth in paragraphs (e), (f) and (g) of this Section and in Section 7.2, each with respect to the Trustee.

Section 7.2.     Rights of Trustee .

(a)        The Trustee may rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b)        Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

(c)        The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care. No Depositary shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depositary.

 

26


(d)        The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.

(e)        The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder without willful misconduct or negligence, and in reliance thereon.

(f)        The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(g)        The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

(h)        The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities generally or the Securities of a particular Series and this Indenture.

(i)        In no event shall the Trustee be liable to any person for special, punitive, indirect, consequential or incidental loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage.

(j)        The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.

Section 7.3.     Individual Rights of Trustee .

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

27


Section 7.4.     Trustee’s Disclaimer .

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication.

Section 7.5.     Notice of Defaults .

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder of the Securities of that Series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as its corporate trust committee or a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of that Series.

Section 7.6.     Reports by Trustee to Holders .

Within 60 days after each [              ] of each year, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar, a brief report dated as of such [              ], in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA § 313.

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each national securities exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when Securities of any Series are listed on any national securities exchange.

Section 7.7.     Compensation and Indemnity .

The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree upon in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (including the cost of defending itself) against any cost, expense or liability, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it except as set forth in the next paragraph in the performance of its duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder, unless and to the extent that the Company is materially prejudiced thereby. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall

 

28


cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.

The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through willful misconduct or negligence.

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities of that Series.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(d) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

Section 7.8.     Replacement of Trustee .

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:

(a)        the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(b)        the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c)        a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d)        the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

29


If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Holder of each such Series. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it for actions taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with its rights, powers and duties under this Indenture prior to such replacement.

Section 7.9.     Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc .

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee, subject to Section 7.10.

Section 7.10.     Eligibility; Disqualification .

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b).

Section 7.11.     Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company .

The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated.

ARTICLE VIII.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

Section 8.1.     Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture .

This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.1), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when:

 

30


(a)        either:

    (i)        all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

    (ii)        all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

        (1)        have become due and payable, or

        (2)        will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

   (3)        have been called for redemption or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, or

        (4)        are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 8.3, as applicable;

and the Company, in the case of (1), (2) or (3) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

(b)        the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(c)        the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.7, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2 and 8.5 shall survive.

Section 8.2.     Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification .

(a)        Subject to the provisions of Section 8.5, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.1, all money and U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.3 or 8.4, shall

 

31


be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Sections 8.3 or 8.4.

(b)        The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Sections 8.3 or 8.4 or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.

(c)        The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company, from time to time upon Company Order, any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money held by it as provided in Sections 8.3 or 8.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money were deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held under this Indenture.

Section 8.3.     Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series .

Unless this Section 8.3 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.2, to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of any Series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, upon receipt of a Company Order, execute instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:

(a)        the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series;

(b)        the provisions of Sections 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.5; and

(c)        the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith;

provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

32


(d)        the Company shall have deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

(e)        such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

(f)        no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 91st day after such date;

(g)        the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

(h)        the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and

(i)        the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

 

33


Section 8.4.     Covenant Defeasance .

Unless this Section 8.4 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.2 to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company may omit to comply with respect to the Securities of any Series with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, and 5.1 as well as any additional covenants specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series under Section 6.1) and the occurrence of any event specified in a supplemental indenture for such Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2.18 and designated as an Event of Default shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(a)        with reference to this Section 8.4, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.2(c)) with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal and such sinking fund payments are due;

(b)        such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

(c)        no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(d)        the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred;

 

34


(e)        the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and

(f)        the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the covenant defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.

Section 8.5.     Repayment .

Subject to applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by it for the payment of principal and interest that remains unclaimed for two years. After that, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as a general creditor unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person.

Section 8.6.     Reinstatement .

If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money deposited with respect to Securities of any Series in accordance with Section 8.1 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series and under the Securities of such Series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.1 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.1; provided , however , that if the Company has made any payment of principal of or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE IX.

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

Section 9.1.     Without Consent of Holders .

The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Holder:

(a)        to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(b)        to evidence the succession of another person to the Company and the assumption by such successor person of the covenants of the Company herein or pursuant hereto and in the Securities;

(c)        to secure or provide additional security for all or any Securities of any Series;

 

35


(d)        to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any Securities of any Series or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company with regard to all or any Securities of any Series;

(e)        to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;

(f)        to make any change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Holder;

(g)        to provide for the issuance of and establish the form, terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted hereby;

(h)        to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee;

(i)        to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(j)        to amend the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Securities; provided , however , that (i) compliance herewith as so amended would not result in Securities being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law; and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Securities, except as required by law;

(k)        to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any Securities of any Series;

(l)        to add to, change or eliminate any provision hereof in respect of all or any Securities of any Series thereof, provided that such addition, change or elimination shall either (A) (i) not apply to any Security of any Series that was created prior to the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture; and (ii) not modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision; or (B) become effective only when there is no Security outstanding;

(m)        in the case of any Securities that, by their terms, may be converted into securities or other property (other than Securities of the same Series and of like tenor), to (A) make provisions with respect to adjustments to the applicable conversion rate of such Securities as required or permitted by this Indenture and the terms of such Securities; or (B) permit or facilitate the issuance, payment or conversion of such Securities; or

(n)        to conform the text of this Indenture or any Securities of any Series to the description of this Indenture and such Securities contained in the Prospectus relating to such Securities, provided that such supplement shall apply on to such Securities.

 

36


Section 9.2.     With Consent of Holders .

The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of each such Series. Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series by notice to the Trustee (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company of Securities of such Series with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby, a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure by the Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.

Section 9.3.     Limitations .

Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:

(a)        reduce the principal amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(b)        reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any Security;

(c)        reduce the principal of, or premium, if any, on, or change the Stated Maturity of, any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;

(d)        reduce the principal amount of Discount Securities payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

(e)        waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(f)        make the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Security payable in any currency other than that stated in the Security;

 

37


(g)        make any change in Sections 6.8, 6.13 or 9.3 (this sentence);

(h)        waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security, provided that such redemption is made at the Company’s option;

(i)        make any change in the ranking or priority of any Security that would adversely affect the Holders of such Security; or

(j)        in the case of any Security that provides that the Holder may require the Company to repurchase or convert such Security, impair such Holder’s right to require such repurchase or effect such conversion of such Security in accordance with this Indenture and the terms of such Security.

Section 9.4.     Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .

Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.5.     Revocation and Effect of Consents .

Until an amendment is set forth in a supplemental indenture or a waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date of the supplemental indenture or the date the waiver becomes effective.

Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Holder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (h) of Section 9.3. In that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

Section 9.6.     Notation on or Exchange of Securities .

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or waiver on any Security of any Series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for Securities of that Series may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the amendment or waiver.

Section 9.7.     Trustee Protected .

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both complying with Section 10.4. The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures upon delivery of such an Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel or both, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights.

 

38


ARTICLE X.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.1.     Trust Indenture Act Controls .

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.

Section 10.2.     Notices .

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other, or by a Holder to the Company or the Trustee, is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail:

 

if to the Company:   
   STORE Capital Corporation
   8501 East Princess Drive, Suite 190
   Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
   Attention: [__]
   Telephone: (480) 256-1100
with a copy to:   
   Kutak Rock LLP
   1801 California Street, Suite 3000
   Denver, Colorado 80202
   Attn: Paul E. Belitz
   (303) 297-2400
if to the Trustee:   
   [_____]
   Attention: [____]
   Telephone: [____]
with a copy to:   
   [_____]
   Attention: [____]
   Telephone: [____]

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

39


Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders of that or any other Series.

If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Holder receives it.

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given to the Depositary for such Security (or its designee) pursuant to the customary procedures of such Depositary.

Section 10.3.     Communication by Holders with Other Holders .

Holders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

Section 10.4.     Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(a)         an Officer’s Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(b)         an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Section 10.5.     Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:

(a)         a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b)         a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

40


(c)        a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d)        a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 10.6.   Rules by Trustee and Agents .

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders of one or more Series. Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 10.7.   Legal Holidays .

Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series, a “ Legal Holiday ” is any day that is not a Business Day. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

Section 10.8.   No Recourse Against Others .

A director, officer, employee or stockholder (past or present), as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

Section 10.9.   Counterparts .

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

Section 10.10.   Governing Law .

THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES, INCLUDING ANY CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE OR THE SECURITIES, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW).

 

41


Section 10.11.   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company, or any Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 10.12.   Successors .

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

Section 10.13.   Severability .

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 10.14.   Table of Contents, Headings, Etc .

The Table of Contents, Cross Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 10.15.   Securities in a Foreign Currency .

Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated more than one currency, then the principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be determined by converting any such other currency into a currency that is designated upon issuance of any particular Series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, such conversion shall be at the spot rate for the purchase of the designated currency as published in the The Financial Times in the “Currency Rates” section (of, if The Financial Times is no longer published, or if such information is no longer available in The Financial Times, such source as may be selected in good faith by the Company) on any date of determination. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

42


All decisions and determinations provided for in the preceding paragraph shall, in the absence of manifest error, to the extent permitted by law, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Trustee and all Holders.

Section 10.16.   Judgment Currency .

The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest or other amount on the Securities of any Series (the “ Required Currency ”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “ Judgment Currency ”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day, then the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable, and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “ New York Banking Day ” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Section 10.17.   Force Majeure .

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable best efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

43


ARTICLE XI.

SINKING FUNDS

Section 11.1.   Applicability of Article .

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series if so provided by the terms of such Securities pursuant to Section 2.2 and except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a “ mandatory sinking fund payment ” and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an “ optional sinking fund payment .” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the Securities of such Series.

Section 11.2.   Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities .

The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (2) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been repurchased by the Company or redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received by the Trustee, together with an Officer’s Certificate with respect thereto, not later than 15 days prior to the date on which the Trustee begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.2, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.

 

44


Section 11.3.   Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund .

Not less than 45 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officer’s Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.2, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.3. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.

 

45


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

[STORE C APITAL C ORPORATION ]

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Its:

[            ], as Trustee

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Its:


Exhibit 5.1

DLA Piper LLP (US)
1251 Avenue of the Americas, 27th Floor
New York, New York 10020-1104
www.dlapiper.com



T 212.335.4500
F 212.335.4501

February 23, 2018

Board of Directors
STORE Capital Corporation
8377 East Hartford Drive, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

Re:
Universal Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have served as special counsel to STORE Capital Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the Company ), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the Registration Statement ), to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission ) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale from time to time by the Company of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the Common Stock ), preferred stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the Preferred Stock ), debt securities of the Company (the Debt Securities ), depositary shares evidenced by receipts representing fractional interests in Preferred Stock (the Depositary Shares ), purchase contracts of the Company (the “ Purchase Contracts ”),  units consisting of two or more other constituent securities (the “ Units ”) and warrants to purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock (the Warrants and, together with the Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities, the Depositary Shares, the Purchase Contracts and the Units, the Offered Securities ), having an indeterminate aggregate maximum offering price. The Offered Securities may be issued and sold from time to time in multiple transactions pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act and as set forth in the Registration Statement, any amendments thereto, the prospectus contained therein and any amendments or supplements thereto.

The Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to one or more indentures between the Company and trustees yet to be named. The Depositary Shares will be issued under one or more Deposit Agreements (each, a Deposit Agreement ) between the Company and the depositary party thereto (the Depositary ), substantially in the form to be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act ), and incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference. The Purchase Contracts, and any related pledge agreement, will be issued under one or more purchase contract agreements (each, a “ Purchase Contract Agreement ”) between the Company and the Purchase Contract agent party thereto substantially in the form to be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference.  Any Units will be issued pursuant to one or more unit agreements (each, a “ Unit Agreement ”) between the Company and the unit agent party thereto substantially in the form to be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference.  Any Warrants will be evidenced by a warrant certificate and issued pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (each, a Warrant Agreement ) between the Company and the warrant agent party thereto substantially in the form to be filed as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated into the Registration Statement by reference.


Board of Directors
STORE Capital Corporation
February 23, 2018
Page 2


In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents:

(a)
the Registration Statement, including the form of indenture filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement (the “ Indenture ”), and the related base prospectus included therein in the form in which it was filed with the Commission under the Securities Act;

(b)
the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, together with all amendments and articles supplementary filed to date with respect thereto (collectively, the “ Charter ”), as certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland (the “ SDAT ”) as of November 18, 2014 and by the Secretary of the Company as of the date hereof;

(c)
the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “ Bylaws ”), as certified by the Secretary of the Company as of the date hereof;

(d)
the form of certificate representing a share of Common Stock, as certified by the Secretary of the Company as of the date hereof;

(e)
the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) on February 15, 2018 relating to, among other things, the registration, issuance and sale of the Offered Securities, as certified by the Secretary of the Company as of the date hereof;

(f)
an executed copy of the certificate of the Secretary of the Company, dated the date hereof, as to certain factual matters; and

(g)
the certificate of the SDAT as to the due incorporation, existence and good standing of the Company in the State of Maryland dated February 6, 2018 (the “ Good Standing Certificate ”).

For purposes of the opinion expressed below, we have assumed (i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (ii) the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals thereof, (iii) the legal capacity of natural persons, (iv) the genuineness of all signatures and (v) the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by all parties and the validity and binding effect and, with the exception of the Indenture, enforceability thereof upon the Company. We have also assumed that at the time of execution, authentication, issuance and delivery of the Debt Securities, the Indentures will be valid and legally binding obligations of the applicable trustees thereunder.

As to factual matters, we have relied upon representations included in certificates of officers of the Company and in certificates of public officials.

Based upon the foregoing, and having regard for such legal considerations as we have considered necessary for purposes hereof, we are of the 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, and has the requisite corporate power to issue the Offered Securities.


Board of Directors
STORE Capital Corporation
February 23, 2018
Page 3


2.
With respect to the Common Stock, (a) when the terms of the issuance and the sale of the Common Stock have been duly established in conformity with the Charter and the Bylaws and (b) when the Common Stock has been duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the prospectus contained therein and any applicable prospectus supplement, and if all the foregoing actions are taken pursuant to the authority granted by the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, and so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, and the Company has received full payment therefor in accordance with the authorization of the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, then the Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

3.
With respect to the Preferred Stock, (a) when the terms of the particular class or series of Preferred Stock and of the issuance and sale of such Preferred Stock have been duly established in conformity with the Charter and the Bylaws, (b) with respect to a particular class or series of Preferred Stock, when articles supplementary have been duly filed with and accepted for record by the SDAT establishing the relative powers, designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such Preferred Stock, and (c) when such class or series of Preferred Stock has been duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the prospectus contained therein and any applicable prospectus supplement, and if all the foregoing actions are taken pursuant to the authority granted by the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, and so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, and the Company has received full payment therefor in accordance with the authorization of the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, the Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

4.
With respect to the Debt Securities, (a) when the terms of any class or series of Debt Securities and of the issuance and sale of such Debt Securities have been duly established in conformity with the Charter and Bylaws, (b) when the Debt Securities have been duly executed, issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the prospectus contained therein and any applicable prospectus supplement, and (c) such Debt Securities have been duly authenticated and delivered in accordance with the applicable Indenture, and if all the foregoing actions are taken pursuant to the authority granted by the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, and so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, and the Company has received full payment therefor in accordance with the authorization of the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, then, so long as the Debt Securities are issued pursuant to an indenture in the form of the Indenture with the appropriate terms of the Debt Securities included therein, such Debt Securities will be validly issued and will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company under New York law in accordance with the terms of such Debt Securities and the terms of the applicable Indenture, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and other laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or equity.


Board of Directors
STORE Capital Corporation
February 23, 2018
Page 4


5.
With respect to the Depositary Shares, (a) when the terms of the particular class or series of Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares and of the issuance and sale of such Depositary Shares have been duly established in conformity with the Charter and the Bylaws, (b) with respect to a particular class or series of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares, when articles supplementary have been duly filed with and accepted for record by the SDAT establishing the relative powers, designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such Preferred Stock, (c) when a Deposit Agreement substantially as described in the Registration Statement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Depositary, and (d) when the depositary receipts representing the Depositary Shares in the form contemplated and authorized by such Deposit Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by the Depositary and delivered to and paid for by the purchasers thereof in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement, the prospectus contained therein and any applicable prospectus supplement, and if all the foregoing actions are taken pursuant to the authority granted by the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, and so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, and the Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares has been duly delivered to the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement and the Company has received full payment therefor in accordance with the authorization of the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, the Depositary Shares will entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in the Deposit Agreement relating to such Depositary Shares.

6.
With respect to the Purchase Contracts, (a) when the terms of the particular Purchase Contract Agreement and any related pledge agreement have been duly established in conformity with the Charter and the Bylaws, (b) when such Purchase Contract Agreement and any related pledge agreement have been duly authorized as contemplated by the Registration Statement, (c) when the applicable Purchase Contract and any related pledge agreement has been duly executed and delivered and (d) when the Purchase Contract and any related pledge agreement have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the applicable agent in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement, and if all the foregoing actions are taken pursuant to the authority granted by the Board, and so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding on the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, and the Company has received full payment therefor in accordance with the authorization of the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, then such Purchase Contracts will be validly issued and will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company under New York law in accordance with the terms of such Purchase Contract and the terms of the applicable Purchase Contract Agreement, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and other laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or equity.

7.
With respect to the Units or the Warrants, (a) when the terms of the particular class or series of Units or Warrants and of the issuance and sale of such Units or Warrants have been duly established in conformity with the Charter and the Bylaws, (b) when such Units or Warrants have been duly issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the prospectus contained therein and any applicable prospectus supplement, (c) when the applicable Unit Agreement or Warrant Agreement (including a form of certificate representing the Units or Warrants) has been duly executed and delivered and (d) when the certificates representing such Units or Warrants, as applicable, have been duly executed and delivered in accordance with the applicable Unit Agreement or Warrant Agreement, and if all the foregoing actions are taken pursuant to the authority granted by the Board, and so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding on the Company and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, and the Company has received full payment therefor in accordance with the authorization of the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, then such Units or Warrants, as applicable, will be validly issued and will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company under New York law in accordance with the terms of such Units or Warrants and the terms of the applicable Unit Agreement or Warrant Agreement, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and other laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or equity.



Board of Directors
STORE Capital Corporation
February 23, 2018
Page 5


The opinion in paragraph 1 with respect to incorporation, existence and good standing of the Company is based solely on the Good Standing Certificate. In expressing the opinions above, we have assumed that (i) any Common Stock or Preferred Stock will not be issued in violation of Article VII of the Charter, as amended or supplemented as of the date hereof, (ii) after the issuance of any Offered Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement, the total number of issued shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, together with the total number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise, exchange, conversion or settlement, as the case may be, of any exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security then outstanding, will not exceed the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, under the Charter, (iii) with respect to the Debt Securities, the applicable trustee will have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and a Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on Form T-1 will have been properly filed with the Commission, and (iv) each of the applicable Debt Securities, Indentures, Deposit Agreements, Purchase Contract Agreements, Unit Agreements and Warrant Agreements will have been duly executed and delivered and governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

The foregoing opinions are limited to the Maryland General Corporation Law and the laws of the State of New York, 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, or “blue sky”, laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland or any federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers or fraudulent conveyances. To the extent that any matter as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by any provisions other than those set forth in the Maryland General Corporation Law or the laws of the State of New York, we do not express any opinion on such matter.

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Item 16 of Form S-3 and Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement with the Commission on the date hereof and to the use of the name of our firm in the section entitled Legal Matters in the Registration Statement. 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 or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Commission.

This opinion is limited to the matters stated in this letter, and no opinion may be implied or inferred beyond the matters expressly stated in this letter. This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that come to our attention or changes in the law, including judicial or administrative interpretations thereof, that occur which could affect the opinions contained herein.

Very truly yours,

/s/ DLA Piper LLP (US)
 



Exhibit 8.1
 
DLA Piper LLP (US)
444 West Lake Street, Suite 900
Chicago, Illinois 60606-0089
T  312.368.4000
F  312.236.7516
W www.dlapiper.com





February 23, 2018


Board of Directors
STORE Capital Corporation
8377 East Hartford Drive, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

Re:            Tax Opinion for REIT Status of STORE Capital Corporation

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special tax counsel to STORE Capital Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with certain aspects related to the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) of an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), registering an indeterminate amount of: (a) the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 (the “ Common Stock ”); (b) the Company’s preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”); (c) depositary shares representing interests in the Company’s Preferred Stock (the “ Depositary Shares ”); (d) purchase contracts of the Company (the “ Purchase Contracts ”), (e) the Company’s units (“ Units ”); (f) debt securities of the Company (the “ Debt Securities ”); and (e) warrants to purchase Common Stock and Preferred Stock (the “ Warrants ”). The Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares, the Purchase Contracts, the Units, the Debt Securities and the Warrants are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” This opinion letter is rendered pursuant to Item 16 of Form S-3 and Item 601(b)(8) of Regulation S-K.

In connection with rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined originals (or copies identified to our satisfaction as true copies of the originals) of the following documents (collectively, the “ Reviewed Documents ”):
 
(1)
the Registration Statement;

(2)
the base prospectus that is part of the Registration Statement (the “ Prospectus ”);

(3)
the Company’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement in effect as of the date hereof (the “ Articles ”);

(5)
the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company in effect as of the date hereof (the “ Bylaws ”); and



Board of Directors
STORE Capital Corporation
February 23, 2018
Page 2

(6)
such other documents as may have been presented to us by the Company from time to time.

In addition, we have relied upon the factual representations contained in the certificate issued by the Company, dated as of the date hereof, executed by a duly appointed officer of the Company, setting forth certain representations relating to the organization and operation of the Company and its subsidiaries.

For purposes of our opinions, we have not made an independent investigation of the facts set forth in the documents we reviewed. We consequently have assumed that the information presented in such documents or otherwise furnished to us accurately and completely describes all material facts relevant to our opinions. No facts have come to our attention, however, that would cause us to question the accuracy and completeness of such facts or documents in a material way.  Any representation or statement in any document upon which we rely that is made “to the best of our knowledge” or otherwise similarly qualified is assumed to be correct. Any alteration of such facts may adversely affect our opinions. In particular, we note that the Company may engage in transactions in connection with which we have not provided legal advice, have not reviewed and of which we may be unaware.

In our review, we have assumed, with your consent, that all of the representations and statements of a factual nature set forth in the documents we reviewed are true and correct, and all of the obligations imposed by any such documents on the parties thereto have been and will be performed or satisfied in accordance with their terms. We have also assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the proper execution of all documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of documents submitted to us as copies, and the authenticity of the originals from which any copies were made.

The opinions set forth in this letter are based on relevant provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), the regulations promulgated thereunder by the United States Department of the Treasury (“ Regulations ”) (including proposed and temporary Regulations), and interpretations of the foregoing as expressed in court decisions, the legislative history, and existing administrative rulings and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (including its practices and policies in issuing private letter rulings, which are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (“ IRS ”) except with respect to a taxpayer that receives such a ruling), all as of the date hereof.

In rendering these opinions, we have assumed that the transactions contemplated by the Reviewed Documents have been or will be consummated in accordance with the terms and provisions of such documents, and that such documents accurately reflect the material facts of such transactions.  In addition, the opinions are based on the assumption that the Company and its subsidiaries (if any) will each be operated in the manner described in the Articles, the Bylaws and the other organizational documents of each such entity and their subsidiaries, as the case may be, and all terms and provisions of such agreements and documents will be complied with by all parties thereto.

It should be noted that statutes, regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative interpretations are subject to change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect.  A material change that is made after the date hereof in any of the foregoing bases for our opinions could affect our conclusions.  Furthermore, if the facts vary from those relied upon (including any representations, warranties, covenants or assumptions upon which we have relied are inaccurate, incomplete, breached or ineffective), our opinions contained herein could be inapplicable.  Moreover, the qualification and taxation of the Company as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) depends upon its ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, distribution levels and diversity of share ownership and the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which will not be reviewed by the undersigned.  Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the operations of the Company for any one taxable year will satisfy such requirements.



Board of Directors
STORE Capital Corporation
February 23, 2018
Page 3

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that (i) commencing with the Company’s taxable year ended December 31, 2011, the Company has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as REIT under the Code, and its proposed method of operation as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will enable the Company to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and (ii) the statements contained in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of U.S. federal income tax law and regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute accurate summaries of the matters described therein in all material respects.

The foregoing opinions are limited to the matters specifically discussed herein, which are the only matters to which you have requested our opinions. Other than as expressly stated above, we express no opinion on any issue relating to the Company, or to any investment therein.

As noted in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon its ability to meet, through actual operating results, certain requirements relating to the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, and various other qualification tests imposed under the Code, the results of which are not reviewed by us. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operation for any one taxable year will satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Code.

This opinion is rendered to you and may not be quoted in whole or in part or otherwise referred to, nor be filed with, or furnished to, any other person or entity. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement, filed with the Commission on the date hereof, and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 
Very truly yours,
   
 
/s/ DLA PIPER LLP (US)



Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of STORE Capital Corporation for the registration of shares of its common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares, purchase contracts, units and warrants and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 23, 2018, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of STORE Capital Corporation included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Phoenix, Arizona
February 23, 2018