W P Carey Inc

General Development of Business

W. P. Carey Inc. (“W. P. Carey”) is an internally-managed diversified REIT that, together with our consolidated subsidiaries and predecessors, is a leading owner of commercial real estate, net-leased to companies located primarily in the United States and Northern and Western Europe on a long-term basis. The vast majority of our revenues originate from lease revenue provided by our real estate portfolio, which is comprised primarily of single-tenant industrial, warehouse, retail, and self-storage facilities that are critical to our tenants’ operations. Our portfolio is comprised of 1,424 properties, net-leased to 336 tenants in 26 countries. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 58% of our contractual minimum annualized base rent (“ABR”) was generated by properties located in the United States and approximately 37% was generated by properties located in Europe. As of that same date, our portfolio included 96 operating properties, comprised of 89 self-storage properties, five hotels, and two student housing properties.

In September 2023, we announced a plan to exit the office assets within our portfolio by (i) spinning-off 59 office properties into Net Lease Office Properties, a Maryland real estate investment trust (“NLOP”), so that it became a separate publicly-traded REIT (the “Spin-Off”), and (ii) implementing an asset sale program to dispose of 87 office properties retained by us (the “Office Sale Program”), which is targeted to be completed in the first half of 2024. Seventy-nine of the 87 office properties have been sold as of the date of this Report, for gross proceeds of approximately $608.1 million (Note 19).

On November 1, 2023, we completed the Spin-Off, contributing 59 office properties to NLOP (Note 3). Following the closing of the Spin-Off, NLOP operates as a separate publicly-traded REIT, which we externally manage pursuant to certain advisory agreements (the “NLOP Advisory Agreements”).

On August 1, 2022, one of our former investment programs, Corporate Property Associates 18 – Global Incorporated (“CPA:18 – Global”), merged with and into one of our indirect subsidiaries (the “CPA:18 Merger”), which added approximately $2.2 billion of real estate assets to our portfolio (Note 4).

Founded in 1973, we became a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) in 1998 and reorganized as a REIT in 2012. Our shares of common stock are listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “WPC.” Headquartered in New York, we also have offices in Dallas, London, and Amsterdam.

Narrative Description of Business

Business Objectives and Strategy

Our primary business objective is to invest in a diversified portfolio of high-quality, mission-critical assets subject to long-term net leases with built-in rent escalators for the purpose of generating stable cash flows, enabling us to grow our dividend and increase long-term stockholder value.

Our investment strategy primarily focuses on owning and actively managing a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate that is net-leased to credit-worthy companies. We review and evaluate the fundamental value of the underlying real estate. We believe that many companies prefer to lease rather than own their corporate real estate because it allows them to deploy their capital more effectively into their core competencies. We specialize in sale-leaseback transactions, where we acquire a company’s critical real estate and then lease it back to them on a long-term, triple-net basis, which requires them to pay substantially all of the costs associated with operating and maintaining the property (such as real estate taxes, insurance, and facility maintenance). Compared to other types of real estate investments, sale-leaseback transactions typically produce a more predictable income stream and require minimal capital expenditures, which in turn generate revenues that provide our stockholders with a stable, growing source of income.

We believe that diversification across property type, tenant, tenant industry, and geographic location, as well as diversification of our lease expirations and scheduled rent increases, are vital aspects of portfolio risk management and accordingly have constructed a portfolio of real estate that we believe is well-diversified across each of these categories. We capitalize on our large portfolio and existing tenant relationships through accretive expansions, renovations, and follow-on deals. We actively

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manage our real estate portfolio to monitor tenant credit quality and lease renewal risks. We also maintain ample liquidity, a conservative capital structure, and access to multiple forms of capital.

Our business operates in two segments: Real Estate and Investment Management, as described herein and in Note 1. Our Real Estate segment generates the vast majority of our earnings through the lease revenues we earn from our real estate investments. We have historically earned asset management fees and other compensation from the management of non-traded real estate investment programs through our Investment Management segment. Following the close of the CPA:18 Merger, our advisory agreements with CPA:18 – Global were terminated (Note 4). As used herein, “Managed Programs” refers to CPA:18 – Global (through August 1, 2022) and Carey European Student Housing Fund I, L.P. (“CESH”). We act as the advisor to CESH and currently expect to do so through the end of its life cycle. We also act as the advisor to NLOP pursuant to the NLOP Advisory Agreements (Note 5).

We intend to operate our business in a manner that is consistent with the maintenance of our status as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. In addition, we expect to manage our investments in order to maintain our exemption from registration as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Investment Strategies

When considering potential net-lease investments for our real estate portfolio, we review various aspects of a transaction to determine whether the investment and lease structure will satisfy our investment criteria. We generally analyze the following main aspects of each transaction:

Tenant/Borrower Evaluation — We evaluate each potential tenant or borrower for creditworthiness, typically considering factors such as management experience, industry position and fundamentals, operating history, and capital structure. We also rate each asset based on its market, liquidity, and criticality to the tenant’s operations, as well as other factors that may be unique to a particular investment. We seek opportunities where we believe the tenant may have a stable or improving credit profile or credit potential that has not been fully recognized by the market. We define creditworthiness as a risk-reward relationship appropriate to our investment strategies, which may or may not coincide with ratings issued by the credit rating agencies. We have a robust internal credit rating system and may designate subsidiaries of non-guarantor parent companies with investment grade ratings as “implied investment grade.”

Properties Critical to Tenant/Borrower Operations — We generally focus on properties and facilities that we believe are critical to the ongoing operations of the tenant. We believe that these properties generally provide better protection, particularly in the event of a bankruptcy, since a tenant/borrower is less likely to risk the loss of a critically important lease or property in a bankruptcy proceeding or otherwise.

Diversification — We attempt to diversify our portfolio to avoid undue dependence on any one particular tenant, borrower, collateral type, geographic location, or industry. By diversifying our portfolio, we seek to reduce the adverse effect of a single underperforming investment or a downturn in any particular industry or geographic region. While we do not set any fixed diversity metrics in our portfolio, we believe that it is well-diversified.

Lease Terms — Generally, the net-leased properties we invest in are leased on a full-recourse basis to the tenants or their affiliates. In addition, the vast majority of our leases provide for scheduled rent increases over the term of the lease (see Our Portfolio below). These rent increases are either fixed (i.e., mandated on specific dates) or tied to increases in inflation indices (e.g., the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) or similar indices in the jurisdiction where the property is located), but may contain caps or other limitations, either on an annual or overall basis. In the case of retail stores and hotels, the lease may provide for participation in the gross revenues of the tenant above a stated level, which we refer to as percentage rent.

Real Estate Evaluation — We review and evaluate the physical condition of the property and the market in which it is located. We consider a variety of factors, including current market rents, replacement cost, residual valuation, property operating history, demographic characteristics of the location and accessibility, competitive properties, and suitability for re-leasing. We obtain third-party environmental and engineering reports and market studies when required. When considering an investment outside the United States, we will also consider factors particular to a country or region, including geopolitical risk, in addition to the risks normally associated with real property investments. See Item 1A. Risk Factors.

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Transaction Provisions to Enhance and Protect Value — When negotiating leases with potential tenants, we attempt to include provisions that we believe help to protect the investment from material changes in the tenant’s operating and financial characteristics, which may affect the tenant’s ability to satisfy its obligations to us or reduce the value of the investment. Such provisions include covenants requiring our consent for certain activities, requiring indemnification protections and/or security deposits, and requiring the tenant to satisfy specific operating tests. We may also seek to enhance the likelihood that a tenant will satisfy their lease obligations through a letter of credit or guaranty from the tenant’s parent or other entity. Such credit enhancements, if obtained, provide us with additional financial security. However, in markets where competition for net-lease transactions is strong, some or all of these lease provisions may be difficult to obtain.

Competition— We face active competition from many sources, both domestically and internationally, for net-lease investment opportunities in commercial properties. In general, we believe that our management’s experience in real estate, credit underwriting, and transaction structuring will allow us to compete effectively for commercial properties. However, competitors may be willing to accept rates of return, lease terms, other transaction terms, or levels of risk that we find unacceptable.

Asset Management

We believe that proactive asset management is essential to maintaining and enhancing property values. Important aspects of asset management include entering into new or modified transactions to meet the evolving needs of current tenants, re-leasing properties, credit and real estate risk analysis, building expansions and redevelopments, repositioning assets, sustainability and efficiency analysis and retrofits, and strategic dispositions. We regularly engage directly with our tenants and form long-term working relationships with their decision makers in order to provide proactive solutions and to obtain an in-depth, real-time understanding of tenant credit.

We monitor compliance by tenants with their lease obligations and other factors that could affect the financial performance of our real estate investments on an ongoing basis, which typically involves ensuring that each tenant has paid real estate taxes and other expenses relating to the properties it occupies and is maintaining appropriate insurance coverage. To ensure such compliance at our properties, we often engage the expertise of third parties to complete property inspections. We also review tenant financial statements and undertake regular physical inspections of the properties to verify their condition and maintenance. Additionally, we periodically analyze each tenant’s financial condition, the industry in which each tenant operates, and each tenant’s relative strength in its industry. The in-depth understanding of our tenants’ businesses and direct relationships with their management teams provides strong visibility into potential issues as well as additional investment opportunities. Our business intelligence platform provides real-time surveillance and early warning, allowing asset managers to work with tenants to enforce lease provisions, and where appropriate, consider lease modifications.

Financing Strategies

We believe in maintaining ample liquidity, a conservative capital structure, and access to multiple forms of capital. We preserve balance sheet flexibility and liquidity by maintaining significant capacity on our $2.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility”), as well as any amounts available to us under our term loans (“Unsecured Term Loans”), which, together with our Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility, we refer to collectively as our “Senior Unsecured Credit Facility.” We generally use the Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility to fund our immediate capital needs, including new acquisitions and the repayment of secured mortgage debt as we continue to unencumber assets. We seek to replace short-term financing with more permanent forms of capital, including, but not limited to, common stock, unsecured debt securities, bank debt, and proceeds from asset sales. When evaluating which form of capital to pursue, we take into consideration multiple factors, including our corporate leverage levels and targets, and the most attractive source of capital available to us. We may choose to issue unsecured debt securities and bank debt denominated in foreign currencies in part to fund international acquisitions, unencumber assets, and mitigate our exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates. We strive to maintain an investment grade rating, which places limitations on the amount of leverage acceptable in our capital structure. Although we expect to continue to have access to a wide variety of capital sources and maintain our investment grade rating, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so in the future.

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Our Portfolio

At December 31, 2023, our portfolio had the following characteristics:

•Number of properties — full or partial ownership interests in 1,424 net-leased properties, 89 self-storage properties, five hotels, and two student housing properties;

•Total net-leased square footage — approximately 173 million; and

•Occupancy rate — approximately 98.1%.

For more information about our portfolio, see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Portfolio Overview.

Tenant/Lease Information

At December 31, 2023, our tenants/leases had the following characteristics:

•Number of tenants — 336;

•Investment grade tenants as a percentage of total ABR — 18%;

•Implied investment grade tenants as a percentage of total ABR — 6%;

•Weighted-average lease term — 11.7 years;

•99.6% of our leases as a percentage of total ABR provide rent adjustments as follows:

◦CPI and similar — 56.2%

◦Fixed — 40.7%

◦Other — 2.7%

Human Capital

Investing in Our Employees

At December 31, 2023, we had 197 employees, 144 of which were located in the United States and 53 of which were located in Europe. We strive to make W. P. Carey a great place to work by attracting a diverse pool of the best and brightest applicants and making them feel supported as they grow with the company. We offer various levels of training, including “Respect in the Workplace,” skills training, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and executive coaching, as well as additional training including safety and cybersecurity. By engaging with our employees and investing in their careers through training and development, we have built a talented workforce capable of executing our business strategies.

Diversity

We believe that our success is dependent upon the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of our employees and directors. W. P. Carey is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other statuses protected by applicable federal, state, and local law. Our diversity, equity and inclusion initiative is designed to facilitate conversations around race, sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, creeds, and other important topics. These conversations, led by our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Committee, provide a forum for us to translate our positions as a company into action in both our internal and external communities. We are also signatory to the CEO Action Pledge for Diversity & Inclusion, which reflects our commitment to fostering a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Employee Wellness and Benefits

The health and wellness of our employees and their families are paramount and our comprehensive benefits package is designed to address the evolving needs of our diverse workforce and their dependents. Our benefits package is evaluated on an annual basis. In addition to robust health and wellness benefits, we also provide our employees with competitive compensation programs, with a focus on both current compensation and retirement planning for their future.

Additional information regarding our human capital programs and initiatives is available in our annual Proxy Statement and Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) Report, which can be found on our company website. Information on our website, including our ESG Report, is not incorporated by reference into this Report.

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Available Information

We will supply to any stockholder, upon written request and without charge, a copy of this Report as filed with the SEC. Our filings can also be obtained for free on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. All filings we make with the SEC, including this Report, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and our current reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments to those reports, are available for free on the Investor Relations portion of our website (http://www.wpcarey.com), as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC.

Our quarterly earnings conference call and investor presentations are accessible by the public. We generally announce via press release the dates and conference call details for upcoming scheduled quarterly earnings announcements and webcast investor presentations, which are also available in the Investor Relations section of our website approximately ten days prior to the event.

Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which applies to all employees, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, is also available on our website. We intend to make available on our website any future amendments or waivers to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics within four business days after any such amendments or waivers. We are providing our website address solely for the information of investors and do not intend for it to be an active link. We do not intend to incorporate the information contained on our website into this Report or other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC.