ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which could materially affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations. Except to the extent additional factual information disclosed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q relates to such risk factors, there have been no material changes to the risk factors described in the “Risk Factors” section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. The risk factors set forth below update, and should be read together with, the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The risks as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.
We may enter into forward sale transactions that subject us to certain risks.
We may enter into forward sale agreements, including under our ATM Program, that subject us to certain risks. The future issuance of any shares of common stock upon settlement of any forward sale agreement will result in dilution to our earnings per share, return on equity, and dividends per share. The purchase of common stock in connection with the unwinding of the forward purchaser’s hedge position could cause our stock price to increase (or prevent a decrease) over such time, thereby increasing the amount of cash we would owe (or decreasing the amount of cash owed to us) upon a cash settlement. In addition, pursuant to each forward sale agreement, the relevant forward purchaser will have the right to accelerate the settlement of the forward sale agreement in connection with certain specified events. In such cases, we could be required to settle that particular forward sale agreement and issue common stock irrespective of our capital needs.
Under Section 1032 of the Code, generally, no gains and losses are recognized by a corporation in dealing in its own shares, including pursuant to a “securities futures contract” as defined in the Code. However, because it is not clear whether a forward sale agreement qualifies as a “securities futures contract,” the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any cash settlement payment is uncertain. In the event that we recognize a significant gain from a forward sale agreement, we may not be able to satisfy the gross income requirements applicable to REITs under the Code, may not be able to rely upon certain relief provisions and could lose our REIT status under the Code. Even if relief provisions apply, we would be subject to a tax based on the amount of non-qualifying income.