As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2017

 

Registration Statement No. 333-

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland		22-1897375
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)		identification number)

 

Juniper Business Plaza, 3499 Route 9 North, Suite 3-D

Freehold, NJ 07728

(732) 577-9996

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Michael P. Landy

President and Chief Executive Officer

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation

Juniper Business Plaza

3499 Route 9 North, Suite 3-D

Freehold, NJ 07728

Tel: (732) 577-9996

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, of agent for service of process)

 

Copies to:

Michael A. Leber, Esquire

Carmen M. Fonda, Esquire

Venable LLP

750 E. Pratt Street, Suite 900

Baltimore, MD 21202

Tel: (410) 244-7400

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

 

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [X]

 

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, please 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. [  ]

 

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. [  ]

 

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 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. [  ]

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer	[X]		Accelerated filer	[  ]
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	[  ]		Smaller reporting company	[  ]

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE CHART

 

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered		Amount to be Registered		Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit (1)				Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price				Amount of Registration Fee
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share		7,000,000 shares		$	14.74			$	103,180,000			$	11,958.56

 

(1)	Pursuant to Rule 457(c), the offering price is computed on the basis of the average high and low prices of the common stock, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on April 17, 2017.

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

 

Juniper Business Plaza, Suite 3-D,

3499 Route 9 North

Freehold, New Jersey 07728

732-577-9996

 

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

 

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company” or “MREIC”) is offering a maximum of 7,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), pursuant to its Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides holders of our Common Stock with a simple and convenient method of investing cash dividends and optional cash payments in additional shares of Common Stock without payment of any brokerage commission or service charge. Our Common Stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “MNR.” On April 17, 2017, the last sale price of our Common Stock as reported on the NYSE was $14.84 per share.

 

The proceeds of dividends reinvested in the Plan and optional cash payments will be used to purchase newly issued shares of our Common Stock. The price of shares of Common Stock purchased with reinvested dividends and optional cash payments will be the higher of (i) 95% of the average of the daily high and low sale prices of our Common Stock trading on the NYSE on the four trading days including and preceding the purchase date, or (ii) 95% of the average of the high and low sale prices of our Common Stock trading on the NYSE on the purchase date. (See Question 16 in this Prospectus.)

 

Participants in the Plan may:

 

	●	Automatically reinvest cash dividends on all or less than all the shares registered in their names; and
	●	Invest by making optional cash payments at any time of not less than $500 per payment nor more than $1,000 per month, unless a Request for Waiver (as defined herein) has been accepted by MREIC pursuant to Question 12 herein, whether or not any dividends on shares registered in the participant’s name are being reinvested. Optional cash payments will be invested monthly, generally on the Investment Date (as defined herein).

 

If you elect partial dividend reinvestment, you must reinvest at least 10% of your dividend distribution. Holders of shares of Common Stock who do not choose to participate in the Plan will continue to receive cash dividends, as declared, in the usual manner.

 

In order to assist us to remain a qualified real estate investment trust (“REIT”), among other purposes, our charter provides that no person may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), more than 9.8%, in value or in number of shares (whichever is more restrictive), of our outstanding stock (other than shares of our excess stock), subject to certain exceptions. In addition, no person may own, or be deemed to own, shares of our stock (other than shares of our excess stock) that would result in shares of our stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons, our being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code or our otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

MREIC reserves the right to terminate the Plan at any time.

 

The Plan does not represent a change in MREIC’s dividend policy or a guarantee of future dividends. Dividends will continue to depend on earnings, financial requirements and other factors.

 

YOU SHOULD READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY AND RETAIN IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

 

 

INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS. BEFORE INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE INFORMATION SET FORTH IN OUR DISCUSSION OF “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE 3 AS WELL AS THE RISK FACTORS DESCRIBED IN OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND OTHER FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

 

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY MREIC. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF MREIC SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER BY MREIC OR ANY AGENT OF MREIC OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO SELL SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THIS PROSPECTUS RELATES ONLY TO THE SHARES OF MREIC OFFERED HEREBY AND IS NOT TO BE RELIED UPON IN CONNECTION WITH THE PURCHASE OR SALE OF ANY OTHER SECURITIES OF MREIC.

 

The date of this Prospectus is April 18, 2017

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
AVAILABLE INFORMATION	3
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE	3
THE COMPANY	5
RISK FACTORS	5
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	7
DESCRIPTION OF THE DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN	9
PURPOSE	9
ADVANTAGES	9
ADMINISTRATION	10
ELIGIBILITY	10
PARTICIPATION	11
OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS	13
WAIVER OF MAXIMUM LIMITS	14
PURCHASES	14
COSTS	16
DIVIDENDS	16
REPORTS TO PARTICIPANTS	16
CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES	17
TRANSFER AND PLEDGE OF SHARES	18
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PLAN	18
OTHER INFORMATION	19
SPECIAL RULES TO PROTECT MREIC’S STATUS AS A QUALIFIED REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (“REIT”) UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE	21
USE OF PROCEEDS	22
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	22
INDEMNIFICATION	23
EXPERTS	24
LEGAL MATTERS	24

 

 

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 

MREIC is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and in accordance therewith files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) relating to its business, financial position, results of operations and other matters. Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected at the Public Reference Room of the Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. MREIC’s filings with the Commission, including the Registration Statement with respect to the shares of Common Stock offered hereby, are also available to you on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. MREIC also has a website at http://www.mreic.reit through which you may access its recent filings with the Commission. Information contained on MREIC’s website is not part of this Prospectus. In addition, you may look at MREIC’s filings with the Commission at the offices of the NYSE, which are located at 20 Broad Street, New York, NY 10005. MREIC’s filings with the Commission are available at the NYSE because its Common Stock is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “MNR.”

 

MREIC has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to the shares of Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in such Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information pertaining to MREIC, the shares of Common Stock and related matters, reference is made to such Registration Statement, including the exhibits incorporated therein by reference or filed as a part thereof.

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

The following documents, which MREIC filed with the Commission, are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:

 

	●	Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016, filed with the Commission on November 28, 2016.
	●	Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Commission on February 8, 2017.
	●	Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on March 31, 2017, in connection with our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 18, 2017.

 

 

	●	Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 9, 2017, January 4, 2017 and October 4, 2016 (other than any information in such reports that was “furnished” but not “filed”).
	●	The description of our Common Stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on May 28, 2010 under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

We also incorporate by reference additional documents that we file with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and before the termination of the Plan; provided, however, that we are not incorporating any information deemed “furnished” but not “filed.” Any statement in this Prospectus or in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that the statement is modified or superseded by any other subsequently filed document which is incorporated or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

 

The foregoing documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus (not including exhibits to the information that are incorporated by reference unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this Prospectus incorporates) will be provided without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, made to Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation, Attention: Stockholder Relations, Juniper Business Plaza, 3499 Route 9 North, Suite 3-D, Freehold, New Jersey 07728 (telephone number 732-577- 9996).

 

No person has been authorized to give any information, or to make any representations other than those contained in this Prospectus or referred to herein, and, if given or made, such other information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by MREIC. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in any state in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized, or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. The delivery of this Prospectus at any time does not imply that information herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof.

 

This Prospectus relates only to the shares of Common Stock of MREIC registered for sale under the Plan. It is suggested that this Prospectus be read carefully and retained for future reference.

 

 

THE COMPANY

 

MREIC is a Maryland corporation that has elected to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), for federal income tax purposes. We completed our initial public offering in December 1968.

 

We seek to invest in well-located, modern industrial buildings leased primarily to investment grade tenants on long-term net leases. We derive our income primarily from real estate rental operations. As of April 5, 2017, our property portfolio consisted of 101 rental properties located in 30 states and totaled approximately 16.9 million square feet. All of these properties are wholly-owned with the exception of two properties in New Jersey, in which we own a majority interest. We have a concentration of FedEx Corporation (FDX) and FDX subsidiary-leased properties consisting of fifty-five separate stand-alone leases covering approximately 8.2 million square feet as of March 31, 2017. The percentage of FDX leased square footage to the total of the Company’s rental space was 49% (6% to FDX and 43% to FDX subsidiaries) as of March 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2017, the only tenants that leased 5% or more of the Company’s total square footage were FDX and its subsidiaries and Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, which leases one property consisting of approximately 862,000 square feet, which was approximately 5% of the Company’s rental space. No other tenant accounted for 5% or more of the Company’s total rental space as of March 31, 2017. In addition, we invest in both debt and equity securities of other REITs, which we generally limit to no more than approximately 10% of our undepreciated assets (which is the Company’s total assets excluding accumulated depreciation). The Company’s securities portfolio, to the extent not pledged to secure our borrowings, provides the Company with additional liquidity and additional income and serves as a proxy for real estate when more favorable risk adjusted returns are not available.

 

MREIC’s principal executive offices are located at Juniper Business Plaza, Suite 3-D, 3499 Route 9 North, Freehold, New Jersey 07728. MREIC’s telephone number is 732-577-9996.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Our business is subject to certain risks. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016, that we file with the Commission and which are deemed incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. If any of these risks and uncertainties actually occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected in a material way. This could cause the trading price of our Common Stock to decline, perhaps significantly, and you may lose part or all of your investment.

 

In addition to the risk factors incorporated by reference into this Prospectus by the preceding paragraph, below is a description of certain risks that you may face by virtue of your participation in the Plan. There may be additional risks that are not listed below or in the referenced documents, and you should consult your financial, tax, legal and other advisors prior to determining whether to participate in the Plan.

 

 

There is no price protection for your shares of Common Stock in the Plan. Your investment in the shares of Common Stock held in the Plan will be exposed to changes in market conditions and changes in the market value of shares of Common Stock. Your ability to liquidate or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock in the Plan is subject to the terms of the Plan and the withdrawal procedures under the Plan. You may not be able to withdraw or sell your shares of Common Stock in the Plan in time to react to market conditions.

 

The purchase price for shares of Common Stock purchased or sold under the Plan will vary. The purchase price for any shares of Common Stock that you purchase or sell under the Plan will vary and cannot be predicted. You may purchase or sell shares of Common Stock at a purchase price that is different from (more or less than) the price that you would face if you acquired or sold shares on the open market on the related dividend payment date, purchase date or sale date, as appropriate.

 

The market price for our Common Stock varies, and you should purchase shares of Common Stock for long-term investment only. Although our Common Stock is listed on the NYSE, our Common Stock may not be actively traded. We cannot assure you that there will, at any time in the future, be an active trading market for our Common Stock. Even if there is an active trading market for our Common Stock, we cannot assure you that you will be able to sell all of your shares of Common Stock at one time or at a favorable price, if at all. As a result, you should participate in the Plan only if you are capable of, and seeking, to make a long-term investment in shares of Common Stock.

 

We may not be able to pay dividends. Pursuant to our charter and Bylaws, our board of directors has the discretion to authorize dividends, subject to certain limitations imposed under Maryland law. If we are unable to maintain profitability or if our board of directors does not authorize dividends, we may not be able to make distributions to our stockholders.

 

You will not earn any interest on your dividends or cash pending investment. No interest will be paid on dividends, cash or other funds pending investment or disbursement.

 

You may incur tax obligations without receiving cash with which to pay those obligations. If you reinvest dividends under the Plan, you will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having received a dividend on the dividend payment date, which may give rise to a tax payment obligation without providing you with cash to pay such tax when it becomes due. See Question 30 for a description of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of participating in the Plan.

 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. You can identify forward-looking statements by their use of forward-looking words, such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “should,” “seek” or comparable terms, or the negative use of those words, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

 

The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. Some of these factors are described in this Prospectus under the headings “Risk Factors,” as well as under the headings “Risk Factors,” “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” as included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended December 31, 2016, which are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those included in any forward-looking statements we make. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to, and do not intend to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, among others:

 

●	the ability of our tenants to make payments under their respective leases, our reliance on certain major tenants and our ability to re-lease properties that are currently vacant or that become vacant;
●	our ability to obtain suitable tenants for our properties;
●	changes in real estate market conditions, economic conditions in the industrial sector and the market in which our properties are located and general economic conditions;
●	the inherent risks associated with owning real estate, including local real estate market conditions, governing laws and regulations and illiquidity of real estate investments;
●	our ability to acquire, finance and sell properties at an attractive price;
●	our ability to repay debt financing obligations;
●	our ability to refinance amounts outstanding under our mortgages and credit facilities at maturity on terms favorable to us, or at all;
●	the loss of any member of our management team;
●	our ability to comply with debt covenants;

 

 

●	our ability to integrate acquired properties and operations into existing operations;
●	the continued availability of proceeds from our issuances of debt or equity securities;
●	the availability of other debt and equity financing alternatives;
●	market conditions, including declines in market prices, affecting our investments in marketable securities of other REITs;
●	changes in interest rates under our current credit facilities and under any additional variable rate debt arrangements that we may enter into in the future;
●	our ability to implement successfully our selective acquisition strategy;
●	our ability to maintain internal controls and procedures to ensure all transactions are accounted for properly, all relevant disclosures and filings are timely made in accordance with all rules and regulations, and any potential fraud or embezzlement is thwarted or detected;
●	changes in federal or state tax rules or regulations that could have adverse tax consequences; and our ability to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

 

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as events described or implied in such statements may not occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, events or otherwise.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

 

The provisions of the Plan for holders of Common Stock of MREIC are set forth below in question and answer format.

 

For further information concerning the Plan, please address correspondence to:

 

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation

Attention: Stockholder Relations

Juniper Business Plaza, Suite 3-D

3499 Route 9 North

Freehold, New Jersey 07728

 

PURPOSE

 

1.	What is the purpose of the Plan?

 

The purpose of the Plan is to provide holders of record of shares of Common Stock of MREIC with a convenient and economical way of investing cash dividends and optional cash payments in shares of MREIC Common Stock at a 5% discount from the market price prior to investment (see Question 16) and without payment of any brokerage commission or service charge. Since such shares of Common Stock will be purchased directly from MREIC, MREIC will receive additional funds to make investments in real estate and for other purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” below.

 

ADVANTAGES

 

2.	What are the advantages of the Plan?

 

By participating in the Plan:

 

	●	You may purchase shares of Common Stock at a 5% discount from the market price (see Question 16) by reinvesting cash dividends on all or less than all of the shares of Common Stock registered in your name. If you elect to reinvest cash dividends on less than all of the shares of Common Stock registered in your name, you will continue to receive cash dividends on the remaining shares registered in your name.
	●	You may purchase additional shares of Common Stock at the same 5% discount from the market price by making optional cash payments at any time of not less than $500 per payment nor more than $1,000 per month, unless a Request for Waiver has been accepted by MREIC as described in Question 12 below.
	●	You pay no trading fees or service charge in connection with investments under the Plan.

 

 

●

Recordkeeping is simplified under the Plan by the provision of a statement of account to each participant.

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

3.	Who administers the Plan?

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “Agent”) administers the Plan and provides certain administrative support. On behalf of participants, the Agent keeps records, sends statements of account after each purchase to participants and performs other duties relating to the Plan. The Agent purchases shares of Common Stock from MREIC as agent for participants in the Plan and credits such shares of Common Stock to the accounts of the individual participants.

 

The Agent can be contacted by phone at 1-888-556-0426, via its website at www.AmStock.com, or by mail at P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, NY 10269-0560.

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

4.	Who is eligible to participate?

 

(a)

Stockholders of Record:

 

All holders of record of shares of MREIC Common Stock are eligible to participate in the Plan.

 

(b)

Beneficial Owners of Shares of Common Stock:

 

Beneficial owners, whose shares of MREIC Common Stock are registered in names other than their own (for instance, in the name of a broker or bank nominee), may only participate in the reinvestment of cash dividends on such shares of Common Stock as described below under the heading “Participation” (see Question 6). A stockholder, all of whose shares of Common Stock are in street name or nominee name, may also participate in the optional cash payment provision by completing and sending in an Authorization Card certifying that he/she is a stockholder of MREIC.

 

5.	How is the Plan to be interpreted?

 

Any question of interpretation arising under the Plan will be determined by MREIC and any such determination will be final.

 

 

PARTICIPATION

 

6.	How do holders of shares of Common Stock join the Plan?

 

A holder of record of shares of Common Stock may join the Plan at any time by completing and signing an Authorization Card and returning it to the Agent. An Authorization Card may be obtained at any time by writing to Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation, Attention: Stockholder Relations, Juniper Business Plaza, Suite 3-D, 3499 Route 9 North, Freehold, New Jersey 07728. A holder of record may also join the Plan by enrolling online through the Agent’s website at www.AmStock.com and following the instructions for enrollments. All Plan materials, including enrollment forms, other Plan forms and this Prospectus, are available through the Agent.

 

If you do not hold shares registered in your name but instead hold them through a broker, bank or other nominee, you must either become a registered stockholder by having shares transferred into your name or, if permitted by your broker, bank or other nominee, arrange with the record holder to participate in the Plan on your behalf. If you choose the latter, you will not have an account administered by the Plan administrator; instead, you must deal with and through the record holder.

 

7.	What are my options for participation under the Plan?

 

By marking the appropriate spaces on the Authorization Card or making the appropriate election online, you may choose among the following options:

 

	●	“Full Dividend Reinvestment.” To reinvest cash dividends automatically on all shares of Common Stock now and subsequently registered in your name at 95% of the market price (see Question 16 below for a description of how this is computed).
	●	“Partial Dividend Reinvestment.” To reinvest cash dividends automatically on less than all of the shares of Common Stock registered in your name (a specified number of full shares) at 95% of the market price and continue to receive cash dividends on the remaining shares of Common Stock. If you elect partial dividend reinvestment, you must reinvest at least 10% of your dividend distribution.
	●	“Optional Cash Payments.” To invest by making optional cash payments, at any time, in any amount, not less than $500, nor more than $1,000, per month, unless a Request for Waiver has been accepted by MREIC as described in Question 12 below, whether or not any dividends are being automatically reinvested at 95% of the market price.

 

 

You may choose to both reinvest cash dividends automatically (either on all or less than all of the shares of Common Stock registered in your name) and to make optional cash payments. If you elect to make optional cash payments (but do not elect full or partial dividend reinvestment) you will continue to receive cash dividends on shares of Common Stock in the usual manner other than on those shares of Common Stock credited to your account under the Plan. The Agent will apply any optional cash payment received with the Authorization Card or with a subsequent payment form (see Question 11 below) to the purchase of shares of Common Stock under the Plan.

 

You may make these elections on the Authorization Card or when you enroll online at www.AmStock.com. The Authorization Card also provides a certification to be signed by beneficial owners whose shares of Common Stock are held in street or nominee name who wish to participate in the optional cash payment provisions.

 

The Agent will reinvest automatically any subsequent dividends on the shares of Common Stock credited to your account under the Plan, including any shares of Common Stock you purchase with optional cash payments. The Plan, in other words, operates so as to reinvest dividends on a cumulative basis on the shares of Common Stock designated on your Authorization Card and on all shares of Common Stock accumulated and held in your Plan account, until you specify otherwise by notice in writing delivered to the Agent or withdraw from the Plan altogether, or until the Plan is terminated. See Question 30 below for the consequences of sales of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan.

 

8.	May I change options under the Plan?

 

Yes. You may change options under the Plan at any time by completing and signing a new Authorization Card and returning it to the Agent or changing your election online at www.AmStock.com. The answer to Question 6 tells how to obtain an Authorization Card and return envelope or to enroll online. Any change concerning the reinvestment of dividends must be received by the Agent prior to the record date for a dividend (see Question 10) in order for the change to become effective with that dividend.

 

9.	What transactions can I conduct through the Agent’s online services?

 

The Agent offers you a convenient way for record holders to invest in Common Stock completely online, without having to send in any forms or checks by mail. Through the Agent’s online services, you may:

 

	●	Enroll in the Plan;
	●	Change your dividend reinvestment election;
	●	Review your transaction history and position summary

;

 

 

	●	Request certificates;
	●	Download enrollment and other forms;
	●	Update personal information; and
	●	Receive transaction confirmations via email.

 

You can access these services through the investor relations section of the Agent’s website, www.AmStock.com. Participation in the Plan through the Internet is entirely voluntary.

 

If you are a registered holder, you will need your account number, social security number and password to access your account online. If your shares are registered in “street name,” you must consult your broker or other record or registered holder for more information (Question 6).

 

10.	When will investment of dividends respecting shares of Common Stock start?

 

If your Authorization Card or online election to reinvest dividends is received by the Agent prior to the record date for determining the holders of shares entitled to receive the next dividend, reinvestment of your dividends will commence with that next dividend payment. The record dates for dividend payments on the shares of Common Stock are generally on or about February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15. If your Authorization Card or online election to reinvest dividends is received subsequent to the record date, reinvestment of your dividends (or designated portion thereof) will not start until payment of the next following dividend.

 

OPTIONAL CASH PAYMENTS

 

11.	How does the cash payment option work?

 

Each participant in the Plan may invest in additional shares of Common Stock by making optional cash payments at any time. Participants in the Plan have no obligation to make any optional cash payments. Optional cash payments may be made at irregular intervals and the amount of each optional cash payment may vary, but no optional cash payments may be less than $500 and the total optional cash payments invested by each owner of shares of Common Stock may not exceed $1,000 per month, unless a Request for Waiver has been accepted by MREIC as described in Question 12 below.

 

An optional cash payment may be made by enclosing a check with the Authorization Card when enrolling; and thereafter by forwarding a check to the Agent with a payment form which will be attached to each statement of account. Checks must be in United States dollars and should be made payable to “American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.” No interest will be paid on optional cash payments held by the Agent pending the purchase of shares of Common Stock. (See Questions 14 and 15 below).

 

 

Optional cash payments must be received by the Agent by the tenth (10th) day of each calendar month, unless the 10^th falls on a non-business day, in which case the payment must be received by the preceding business day. Optional cash payments received by the Agent subsequent to that date will be applied to the next month’s optional cash payments.

 

WAIVER OF MAXIMUM LIMITS

 

12.	May I make an optional cash payment in excess of $1,000 per month?

 

Optional cash investments in excess of $1,000 per month may be made only pursuant to a Request for Waiver (a “Request for Waiver”) accepted by MREIC. Participants who wish to submit an optional cash investment in excess of $1,000 for any Investment Date must obtain the prior written approval of MREIC. A Request for Waiver should be directed to Stockholder Relations at MREIC via telephone at 732-577-9996. MREIC has sole discretion to grant any approval for optional cash investments in excess of the allowable maximum amount. In deciding whether to approve a Request for Waiver, MREIC will consider relevant factors including, but not limited to, MREIC’s need for additional funds, the attractiveness of obtaining such additional funds through the sale of Common Stock as compared to other sources of funds, the purchase price likely to apply to any sale of Common Stock, the participant submitting the request, the extent and nature of such participant’s prior participation in the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock held of record by such participant, and the aggregate amount of optional cash investments in excess of $1,000 for which Requests for Waiver have been submitted by all participants. If Requests for Waiver are submitted for any Investment Date for an aggregate amount in excess of the amount MREIC is then willing to accept, MREIC may honor such requests in order of receipt, pro rata or by any other method that MREIC determines to be appropriate. With regard to optional cash investments made pursuant to a Request for Waiver, the Plan does not provide for a predetermined maximum limit on the amount that a participant may invest or on the number of shares that a participant may purchase.

 

MREIC does not anticipate approving any single participant Requests for Waiver to purchase more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding shares of MREIC’s Common Stock on an annual basis. MREIC will generally grant Requests for Waiver where the participant is requesting to make one optional cash investment in lieu of making a series of investments over the next twelve (12) month period and so specifies in the participant’s written request.

 

In no event will MREIC issue more shares in total than the number of shares registered for sale pursuant to the Plan.

 

PURCHASES

 

13.	What is the source of shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan?

 

Shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan come from authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock of MREIC. Shares will not be purchased in the open market. You will pay no service fees, brokerage trading fees or other charges on purchases of newly issued shares of Common Stock under the Plan.

 

 

14.	When will dividends and optional cash payments be invested in shares of Common Stock?

 

Reinvestment of dividends will be made on the date when the dividend becomes payable. Optional cash payments will be invested on the Investment Date. In order to allow sufficient time for processing, optional cash payments must be received by the Agent by the tenth (10th) day of each month, unless the 10^th falls on a non-business day, in which case the payment must be received by the preceding business day. Optional cash payments received by the Agent subsequent to that date will be applied to the next month’s optional investment. Participants will become owners of shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan as of the date of purchase.

 

15.	What is the Investment Date?

 

The Investment Date for dividends will be the Dividend Payment Date (the “Investment Date”). We currently intend to pay dividends on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 (each, a “Dividend Payment Date”). For optional cash payments, the Investment Date will be the Dividend Payment Date in months having dividends payable or otherwise on the fifteenth (15th) of each month. If an Investment Date falls on a NYSE non-trading day, such as a Saturday, Sunday or NYSE holiday, the Investment Date will be the next following trading day.

 

16.	What will be the price of shares purchased under the Plan?

 

The officers of MREIC will determine the price of shares of Common Stock to be purchased under the Plan in accordance with the provisions of the next paragraph. It is intended that the price of shares to be purchased will be at a 5% discount from the market price (as defined below).

 

The Common Stock of MREIC is traded on the NYSE. The Officers of MREIC will fix the reinvestment price at a discount price equal to 95% of the market price determined as follows: the higher of (i) 95% of the average of the daily high and low sale prices of MREIC’s Common Stock trading on the NYSE on the four trading days including and preceding the purchase date, or (ii) 95% of the average of the high and low sale prices of MREIC’s Common Stock trading on the NYSE on the purchase date. In the event there is no trading in the Common Stock, or if for any reason MREIC and the Agent have difficulty in determining the price of shares to be purchased under the Plan, then MREIC, on consultation with the Agent, will use such other public report or sources as MREIC deems appropriate to determine the market price and the appropriate 5% discount. If the reinvestment price involves a decimal with more than two places, the reinvestment price will be rounded up to the nearest cent.

 

 

17.	How will the number of shares of Common Stock purchased for me be determined?

 

The number of shares of Common Stock that will be purchased for you on any Investment Date will depend on the amount of your dividends to be invested, the amount of any optional cash payments and the applicable purchase price of the shares of Common Stock, and will be the number of shares of Common Stock that results from dividing the aggregate amount of dividends and optional payments to be invested by the applicable discounted purchase price. Partial shares will be credited to your account. At any time when you withdraw from the Plan or request all shares to be transferred to your name, you will receive a cash payment in lieu of any partial share. The amount of such cash payment will be based upon the then current market price of the Common Stock, less any commissions and any other costs of sale.

 

COSTS

 

18.	Are there any costs to me for my purchases under the Plan?

 

There are no trading fees for purchases of shares of Common Stock under the Plan because shares are purchased directly from MREIC. All costs of administration of the Plan will be paid by MREIC. Brokers and nominees may impose charges or fees in connection with their handling of participation in the Plan by nominee and fiduciary accounts.

 

DIVIDENDS

 

19.	Will dividends be paid on shares of Common Stock held in my Plan account?

 

Yes. Any cash dividends declared on shares of Common Stock held in your Plan account are automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock and credited to your Plan account, including any shares you purchase with optional cash payments.

 

REPORTS TO PARTICIPANTS

 

20.	What reports will be sent to participants in the Plan?

 

Following each purchase of shares of Common Stock for your account, the Agent will mail to you a statement of account showing amounts invested, the purchase price (see Question 16), the number of shares purchased, and other information for the year to date. Each participant will receive a Form 1099-DIV showing income reportable for Federal income tax purposes following the final purchase in each calendar year (see Question 30). These statements are your record of the cost of your purchases and should be retained for income tax and other purposes. In addition, during the year you will receive copies of the same communications sent to all other holders of shares of Common Stock.

 

 

CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES

 

21.	Will I receive certificates for shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan?

 

Shares of Common Stock purchased by the Agent for your account will be registered in the name in which your plan account is maintained, in book-entry form on the Agent’s records, and certificates for such shares will not be issued to you until requested. The total number of shares credited to your account will be shown on each statement of account. This custodial service helps to protect you against the risk of loss, theft or destruction of stock certificates.

 

Certificates for any number of whole shares credited to your account will be issued to you at any time upon written request to the Agent. Cash dividends with respect to shares you own of record outside your Plan account will continue to be automatically reinvested in accordance with your election. Any remaining shares credited to your account will continue to be registered in the name in which your plan account is maintained in book-entry form on the Agent’s records.

 

If the written request to the Agent is for certificates to be issued for all shares of Common Stock credited to your account, you will receive a cash payment in lieu of any partial share. The amount of such a cash payment will be based upon the then current market price of the Common Stock, less any commissions and any other costs of sale. You can also request full shares to be issued via the Internet or the Interactive Voice Response System.

 

Certificates for fractional shares will not be issued under any circumstances.

 

22.	In whose name will certificates be registered and issued?

 

Upon your request, certificates for shares of Common Stock will be issued and registered in the name in which your Plan account is maintained. For holders of record, this generally will be the name or names in which your shares are registered at the time you enroll in the Plan. Upon written request, shares will be registered in any other name, upon the presentation to the Agent of evidence of compliance with all applicable transfer requirements.

 

 

TRANSFER AND PLEDGE OF SHARES

 

23.	Can I transfer shares that I hold in the Plan to someone else?

 

Yes. You may transfer ownership of some or all of your shares held through the Plan. You may call the Agent at the toll free number 1-888-556-0426 for complete transfer instructions or go to www.AmStock.com to download the appropriate materials. You will be asked to send the Agent written transfer instructions and your signature must be “Medallion Guaranteed” by a financial institution. Most banks and brokers participate in the Medallion Guarantee Program. The Medallion Guarantee Program ensures that the individual signing is in fact the owner of the shares to be transferred. A notary is not sufficient.

 

24.	May shares of Common Stock in my Plan account be pledged?

 

No. You must first remove your shares from the Plan and request that certificates for shares credited to your Plan account be issued to you (see Question 21) before you can pledge such shares.

 

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PLAN

 

25.	When may I withdraw from the Plan?

 

You may withdraw from the Plan at any time. If your request to withdraw is received by the Agent more than three business days prior to a Dividend Payment Date your account will be terminated and all dividends paid after receipt of your request to withdraw will be paid in cash. However, if your request to withdraw from the Plan is received less than three days prior to the Dividend Payment Date then that dividend will be reinvested, but, all subsequent dividends will be paid in cash.

 

After your request for withdrawal has become effective, all dividends will be paid in cash to you unless and until you re-enroll in the Plan, which you may do at any time.

 

26.	How do I withdraw from the Plan?

 

In order to withdraw from the Plan, please complete the tear-off portion of any Plan statement of account and send it to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, NY 10269-0560 or access your account on-line at www.AmStock.com, or call the toll free number at 1-888-556-0426. When you withdraw from the Plan, or upon termination of the Plan by MREIC, certificates for shares credited to your account under the Plan will be issued to you upon your request. You will receive a cash payment in lieu of any partial share. The amount of such a cash payment will be based upon the then current market price of the Common Stock, less any commissions and any other costs of sale.

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

27.	What happens if I sell or transfer shares of Common Stock registered in my name?

 

If you dispose of all shares of Common Stock registered in your name, the dividends on the shares credited to your Plan account will continue to be reinvested in accordance with your election until you notify the Agent that you request to withdraw from the Plan.

 

28.	What happens if MREIC issues a stock dividend, declares a stock split or has a rights offering?

 

Any stock dividends or split shares distributed by MREIC on shares of Common Stock credited to your Plan account will be added to your account. Stock dividends or split shares distributed on shares of Common Stock for which you hold certificates will be mailed directly to you in the same manner as to stockholders who are not participating in the Plan.

 

In a regular rights offering, as a holder of record, you will receive rights based upon the total number of shares of Common Stock owned; that is, the total number of shares for which you hold certificates and the total number of shares held in your Plan account.

 

MREIC reserves the right to either curtail or suspend transaction processing until the completion of any stock dividend, stock split or corporate action.

 

29.	Can I vote shares in my Plan account at meetings of stockholders?

 

Yes. You will receive a proxy for the total number of shares of Common Stock you hold of record, including those credited to your Plan account. The total number of shares of Common Stock held of record may also be voted in person at a meeting.

 

If the proxy is not returned or if it is returned unsigned, none of the shares of Common Stock you hold in record name, including those credited to your Plan account, will be voted unless you vote in person.

 

30.	What are the Federal income tax consequences of participation in the Plan?

 

Under Internal Revenue Service rulings in connection with similar plans, dividends reinvested will be treated as taxable notwithstanding that the dividends are reinvested in stock. The 5% discount in addition, may also be taxable. Stockholders should consult their own tax consultant on the proper tax treatment of the 5% discount.

 

 

Distributions of REITs are treated as dividends to the extent a REIT has earnings and profits for Federal income tax purposes. In general, dividends payable by REITs are not eligible for the reduced tax rate on qualified dividend income, except to the extent that certain holding requirements have been met and the REIT’s dividends are attributable to dividends received from taxable corporations (such as its taxable REIT subsidiaries) or to income that was subject to tax at the corporate/REIT level (for example, if a REIT distributed taxable income that it retained and paid tax on in the prior taxable year) or to dividends properly designated by the REIT as “capital gain dividends.” To the extent that the amount so distributed by MREIC exceeds the current and accumulated earnings and taxable profits of MREIC, such excess would be treated for Federal income tax purposes as a return of capital to the stockholder to the extent of such stockholder’s basis and then as capital gain. Each participant will receive a Form 1099-DIV showing total dividend income, the amount of any nondividend distributions, and the amount of any capital gain dividend for the year.

 

The holding period of shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, whether purchased with dividends or optional cash payments, will begin on the day following the date on which the shares were purchased for your account.

 

As a participant in the Plan you will not realize any taxable income when you receive certificates for whole shares credited to your account, either upon your request for such certificates or upon withdrawal from or termination of the Plan. However, you will recognize gain or loss (which, for most participants, will be capital gain or loss) when whole shares acquired under the Plan are sold or exchanged after your withdrawal from or the termination of the Plan. If such gain or loss is capital, it will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares sold are held for more than one year and will be short-term capital gain or loss if the shares sold are held for one year or less.

 

31.	What is the responsibility of MREIC and the Agent under the Plan?

 

Neither MREIC nor the Agent nor its nominees, in administering the Plan, will accept liability for any act done in good faith or for any good faith omission to act, including, without limitation, any claim of liability arising out of failure to terminate a participant’s account upon such participant’s death prior to receipt of notice in writing of such death.

 

Neither MREIC nor the Agent can assure you of a profit or protect you against a loss on shares purchased under the Plan.

 

32.	How are income tax withholding provisions applied to participants?

 

In the case of foreign participants who elect to have their dividends reinvested or who elect to make optional cash payments and whose dividends are subject to United States income tax withholding, an amount equal to the dividends payable to such participants who elect to reinvest dividends, or the amount of the optional cash payment made by a participant, less the amount of tax required to be withheld, will be applied by the Agent to the purchase of shares of Common Stock. A Form 1042-S, mailed to each foreign participant after the final purchase of the calendar year, will show the amount of tax withheld in that year. A Form 1099-DIV will be mailed to domestic participants in the event that Federal income tax withholding is imposed in the future on dividends to domestic participants.

 

 

33.	May the Plan be changed or discontinued?

 

MREIC reserves the right to modify, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. All participants will receive notice of any such action. Any such modification, suspension or termination will not, of course, affect previously executed transactions. MREIC also reserves the right to adopt, and from time to time change, such administrative rules and regulations (not inconsistent in substance with the basic provisions of the Plan then in effect) as it deems desirable or appropriate for the administration of the Plan. The Agent reserves the right to resign at any time upon reasonable written notice to MREIC.

 

The purpose of the Plan is to provide stockholders with a systematic and convenient method of investing dividends and optional cash payments for long-term investment. Use of the Plan for any other purpose is prohibited.

 

MREIC reserves the right to return optional cash payments to subscribing stockholders if, in MREIC’s opinion, the investment is not consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Stockholders who establish multiple accounts to circumvent the $1,000 per month limit on optional cash investments are subject to MREIC’s right to return all optional cash payments.

 

MREIC would consider lowering or eliminating the discount without prior notice to participants if for any reason MREIC believed that participants were engaging in positioning and other transactions with the intent to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Plan and then immediately resell such shares of Common Stock in order to monetize the discount. Any participant who engages in such transactions may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act.

 

SPECIAL RULES TO PROTECT MREIC’S STATUS
AS A QUALIFIED REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (“REIT”) UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE

 

MREIC reserves the right not to issue shares under the Plan to any stockholder holding more than 3% of MREIC’s Common Stock. These stockholders may use the Plan both for dividend reinvestment and for optional cash payments but no shares will be issued to any stockholder if the issuance could provide for the disqualification of MREIC as a REIT under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The decision of MREIC in this regard is final and the particular stockholders’ only right shall be the return of any optional cash payment and the return of dividends in cash.

 

 

MREIC also reserves the right to return optional cash payments to subscribing stockholders if, in MREIC’s opinion, the investment is not consistent with the purposes of the Plan. This provision would cover stockholders who sell short shares on the NYSE and use the optional cash payment solely for purposes of attempting to earn the 5% differential. This provision can also be invoked to prevent any stockholder from creating multiple optional cash payment accounts. The purpose of the Plan is to provide stockholders with a systematic and convenient method of investing dividends and optional cash payments for long-term investment. Use of the Plan for any other purpose is prohibited.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

MREIC has no basis for estimating precisely either the number of shares of Common Stock that ultimately may be sold pursuant to the Plan or the prices at which such shares will be sold. However, MREIC proposes to use the net proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan, when and as received, to purchase additional properties in the ordinary course of business and for general corporate purposes, including the possible repayment of indebtedness. MREIC cannot predict with certainty how much of the proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan will be used for any of the above purposes. Until we use the net proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan, they may be deposited in interest bearing cash accounts or invested in marketable securities, including securities that may not be investment grade. MREIC considers the Plan to be a cost-effective means of expanding its equity capital base and furthering its investment objectives while at the same time benefiting holders of shares of Common Stock.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We will sell our Common Stock acquired under the Plan directly to the participants. The shares acquired pursuant to the Plan may be resold in market transactions on any national securities exchange on which our common stock trades or in privately negotiated transactions. Our Common Stock is currently listed on the NYSE.

 

We may sell our Common Stock through the Plan to persons who, in connection with the resale of the shares, may be considered underwriters. In connection with these types of transactions, compliance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act would be required. We will not give any person any rights or privileges other than those that the person would be entitled to as a participant under the Plan. We will not enter into any agreement with any person regarding the person’s purchase, resale or distribution of shares.

 

Subject to the availability of our Common Stock registered for issuance under the Plan, there is no total maximum number of shares that can be issued pursuant to the Plan. A participant is not required to pay any transaction fees, service fees, trading fees or other charges in connection with the purchase of Common Stock for his or her plan account under the Plan. The participant will only have to pay fees in connection with his or her voluntary sale of shares from his or her plan account.

 

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

The Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, other than for liability resulting from (i) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (ii) active and deliberate dishonesty that was established by a final judgment and was material to the cause of action. The Company’s charter contains a provision that eliminates the liability of our directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

 

The MGCL requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which MREIC’s 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 a Maryland corporation to indemnify its 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 a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (i) 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, (ii) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (iii) 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, a Maryland corporation also may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or for a judgment of liability 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 or on behalf of the corporation, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon 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 by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

 

MREIC’s charter requires it, to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law as in effect from time to time, to indemnify and advance expenses to its directors and officers, whether serving MREIC or, at MREIC’s request, any other entity, who were or are parties or are threatened to be made parties to any threatened or actual suit, investigation or other proceeding, including administrative actions, as a result of their status or actions as directors or officers of us. MREIC’s charter authorizes it to provide the same indemnification and advancement of expenses to its employees and agents.

 

 

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 Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers which generally provide that the Company is required to indemnify any director or officer who was, is or becomes a party to or witness or other participant in: (i) any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which such director or officer may be or may have been involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that the director or officer was acting in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company; and (ii) any inquiry, hearing or investigation that such director or officer in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding against any and all expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements and schedules of Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation as of September 30, 2016 and 2015 and for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2016, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Venable LLP will pass upon certain legal matters in connection with the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan.

 

 

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The following are estimates of the expenses to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities to be registered:

 

 

Commission Registration Fee		$	11,958.56
Accounting Fees and Expenses			2,150.00
Legal Fees and Expenses			14,000.00
Printing Expenses			2,000.00
Miscellaneous			891.44
Total		$	31,000.00

 

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation (the “Company”) is incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland. The Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, other than liability resulting from (i) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (ii) active and deliberate dishonesty that was established by a final judgment and was material to the cause of action. The Company’s charter contains a provision that eliminates the liability of its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

 

The MGCL requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the Company’s 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 a Maryland corporation to indemnify its 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 a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (i) 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, (ii) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

 

However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or for a judgment of liability 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 or on behalf of the corporation, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses.

 

 

In addition, Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon 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 by the Company and (b) a written undertaking by him or her on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Company if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

 

The Company’s charter requires it, to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law as in effect from time to time, to indemnify and advance expenses to its directors and officers, whether serving the Company or at its request any other entity, who were or are parties or are threatened to be made parties to any threatened or actual suit, investigation or other proceeding, including administrative actions, as a result of their status or actions as directors or officers of the Company. The Company’s charter authorizes it to provide the same indemnification and advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Company.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers which generally provide that the Company is required to indemnify any director or officer who was, is or becomes a party to or witness or other participant in: (i) any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which such director or officer may be or may have been involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that the director or officer was acting in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company; and (ii) any inquiry, hearing or investigation that such director or officer in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding against any and all expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

 

Item 16.

Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibit
4.1		Specimen Authorization Card – American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.
4.2		Specimen certificate of common stock of Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 10-Q filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2015, Registration No. 001-33177)
5.1		Opinion of Venable LLP.
23.1		Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2		Consent of PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP.
24.1		Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page).

 

 

Item 17.

Undertakings.

 

The Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(a) (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 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
	(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) above, do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and 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 each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. 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 first use, 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 date of first use.

 

(5) 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.

 

(6) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.

 

 

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 Borough of Freehold, State of New Jersey, on April 18, 2017.

 

	MONMOUTH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION
	By:	/s/ Michael P. Landy
	Name:	Michael P. Landy
	Title:	President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael P. Landy and Kevin S. Miller, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys in fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) of and supplements to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto such attorneys in fact and agents and each of them 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, to all intents and purposes and as fully as they might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys in fact and agents, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Michael P. Landy		President, Chief Executive Officer,		April 18, 2017
Michael P. Landy		and Director
/s/ Kevin S. Miller		Chief Financial Officer and Chief		April 18, 2017
Kevin S. Miller		Accounting Officer
/s/ Eugene W. Landy		Chairman of the Board and Director		April 18, 2017
Eugene W. Landy
/s/ Anna T. Chew		Director		April 18, 2017
Anna T. Chew
/s/ Daniel D. Cronheim		Director		April 18, 2017
Daniel D. Cronheim

 

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Brian H. Haimm		Director		April 18, 2017
Brian H. Haimm
/s/ Neal Herstik		Director		April 18, 2017
Neal Herstik
/s/ Matthew I. Hirsch		Director		April 18, 2017
Matthew I. Hirsch
/s/ Samuel A. Landy		Director		April 18, 2017
Samuel A. Landy
/s/ Scott L. Robinson		Director		April 18, 2017
Scott L. Robinson
/s/ Stephen B. Wolgin		Director		April 18, 2017
Stephen B. Wolgin