Prospectus Supplement
Table of Contents

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 
Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered
  Proposed Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price
  Amount of
Registration Fee

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

  $400,000,000   $28,520.00(1)
         

 

(1) Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(o), based on the proposed maximum aggregate offering price, and Rule 457(r)
  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-166380

Prospectus Supplement

(To Prospectus dated April 29, 2010)

$400,000,000

LOGO

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

Common Stock

 

 

This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relate to the offer and sale from time to time of shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, having an aggregate offering price of up to $400,000,000 through BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, or BNYMCM, as our sales agent. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HST.” On August 18, 2010, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $14.27 per share.

To assist us in complying with federal income tax requirements applicable to real estate investment trusts, among other purposes, our charter contains certain restrictions on the transfer and ownership of our common stock. See “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership” in the accompanying prospectus.

The shares of our common stock to which this prospectus supplement relates will be offered and sold through BNYMCM over a period of time and from time to time in transactions at then-current market prices, pursuant to a sales agency financing agreement. Accordingly, an indeterminate number of shares of our common stock will be sold up to the number of shares of our common stock that will result in the receipt of gross proceeds of $400,000,000. We will pay BNYMCM a commission equal to 1.0% of the gross proceeds of the sale of shares of our common stock sold pursuant to this prospectus supplement. The net proceeds we receive will be the gross proceeds received from such sales less the commissions and any other costs we may incur in issuing the shares of our common stock. See “Plan of Distribution” for further information.

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-2 of this prospectus supplement and beginning on page 17 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the risk factors discussed in the periodic reports and other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which we incorporate into this prospectus supplement by reference.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC

 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is August 19, 2010.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

     Page

About this Prospectus Supplement

   S-ii

Forward-Looking Statements

   S-iii

The Company

   S-1

Risk Factors

   S-2

Use of Proceeds

   S-3

Price Range of Common Stock and Dividends

   S-4

Description of Capital Stock

   S-5

Plan of Distribution

   S-7

Legal Matters

   S-9

Experts

   S-9

Incorporation by Reference

   S-9

 

Prospectus

 

     Page

About this Prospectus

   i

Summary

   1

Where You Can Find More Information

   1

Forward-Looking Statements

   2

Risk Factors

   3

Use of Proceeds

   3

Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

   4

Description of Capital Stock

   4

Description of Depository Shares

   11

Description of Warrants

   14

Description of Subscription Rights

   15

Plan of Distribution

   16

Legal Matters

   18

Experts

   18

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Neither we nor BNYMCM have authorized any other person to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with additional or different information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor BNYMCM are making an offer to sell the common stock in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

You should read this prospectus supplement along with the accompanying prospectus, as well as the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, carefully before you invest in our common stock. These documents contain important information you should consider before making your investment decision. This prospectus supplement describes the terms of the offer and sale from time to time of shares of our common stock pursuant to a sales agency financing agreement. The accompanying prospectus contains information about our securities generally, some of which does not apply to the common stock covered by this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. If the information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with any information contained in or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede the inconsistent information contained in or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.

Unless this prospectus supplement otherwise indicates or the context otherwise requires, the terms “our,” “us” and “we” as used in this prospectus supplement refer to Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. together. We also use the term “Host” to specifically refer to Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and “Host LP” to refer to Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries in cases where it is important to distinguish between Host and Host LP.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contains forward-looking statements that relate to our future performance and plans, results of operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions, divestitures and operating costs, which are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Because these forward-looking statements involve numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, and you should not rely on the forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management that may be incorrect or imprecise and we may not be able to realize them. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” “continue” and other similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions and forecasts of future results.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:

 

   

national and local economic and business conditions, including the changing economic environment, as well as the potential for terrorist attacks, that will affect occupancy rates at our hotels and the demand for hotel products and services;

 

   

operating risks associated with the hotel business;

 

   

risks associated with the level of our indebtedness;

 

   

risks associated with our ability to meet covenants in our debt agreements and with derivative contracts entered into in order to hedge risks associated with changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates;

 

   

relationships with property managers and joint venture partners;

 

   

our ability to maintain our properties in a first-class manner, including meeting capital expenditure requirements;

 

   

our ability to compete effectively in areas such as access, location, quality of accommodations and room rate structures;

 

   

changes in travel patterns, taxes and government regulations which influence or determine wages, prices, construction procedures and costs;

 

   

costs associated with litigation judgments or settlements;

 

   

the ability of Host and each of the REIT entities acquired, established or to be established by Host, to continue to satisfy complex rules to qualify as REITs for federal income tax purposes, our ability to satisfy the rules to maintain Host LP’s status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to maintain their status as taxable REIT subsidiaries for federal income tax purposes and Host’s ability and the ability of its subsidiaries, and similar entities to be acquired or established by Host, to operate effectively within the limitations imposed by these rules;

 

   

our ability to acquire or develop additional properties and the risk that potential acquisitions or developments may not perform in accordance with expectations;

 

   

our degree of leverage, which may affect our ability to obtain financing in the future;

 

   

the reduction in our operating flexibility and our ability to make distributions resulting from restrictive covenants contained in our debt agreements, including the risk of default that could occur;

 

   

government approvals, actions and initiatives, including the need for compliance with environmental and safety requirements, and changes in laws and regulations or the interpretation thereof;

 

   

the effects of tax legislative action;

 

   

the effect of any rating agency downgrades on the cost and availability of new debt financings;

 

   

the relatively fixed nature of our property-level operating costs and expenses; and

 

   

our ability to recover fully under our existing insurance for terrorist acts, to maintain adequate or full replacement cost “all-risk” property insurance on our properties on commercially reasonable terms and to satisfy the insurance requirements of our lenders.

 

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Our success also depends upon economic trends generally, various market conditions and fluctuations and those other risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” herein and in the accompanying prospectus and under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our analysis only and speak as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, as applicable, or as of the dates indicated in the statements. All of our forward-looking statements, including those included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, are qualified in their entirety by this statement. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in our expectations.

 

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THE COMPANY

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is a Maryland corporation that operates as a self-managed and self-administered REIT. Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. owns properties and conducts operations through Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, of which Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is the sole general partner and in which it holds approximately 98% of the partnership interests.

As of August 18, 2010, our lodging portfolio consisted of 111 luxury and upper-upscale hotels containing approximately 61,000 rooms. Our portfolio is geographically diverse with hotels in most of the major metropolitan areas in 25 states, Washington, D.C., Toronto and Calgary, Canada, Mexico City, Mexico, Santiago, Chile and London, England. We also own a 32.1% interest in a European joint venture that owns eleven luxury and upper-upscale hotels containing approximately 3,500 rooms located in cities in Italy, Spain, Poland, Belgium, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. We are the general partner of the joint venture and act as asset manager for these hotels, as well as an additional 440-room property in Paris, France, in exchange for a fee. We also own a 25% interest in an Asian joint venture that currently owns no hotels, but has reached an agreement to develop seven properties in India in a joint venture with Accor and Inter Globe. We currently also act as the asset manager for two hotels totaling 1,001 rooms located in Tokyo, Japan and Sydney, Australia.

The address of our principal executive office is 6903 Rockledge Drive, Suite 1500, Bethesda, Maryland, 20817. Our phone number is 240-744-1000.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Your investment in our common stock involves certain risks. In consultation with your own financial and legal advisers, you should carefully consider, among other matters, the factors set forth below as well as the risk factors discussed in the accompanying prospectus, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and any subsequently filed periodic reports which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before deciding whether an investment in our common stock is suitable for you.

You may experience significant dilution as a result of this offering and additional issuances of our securities, which could harm our stock price.

Our charter permits our board of directors to authorize without stockholder approval the issuance of additional shares of common or preferred stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into equity securities. The registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and related prospectus are part relates to the issuance of common stock, preferred stock or other equity securities (including the shares of common stock being offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement). We actively monitor the markets for our common and preferred stock. We may, from time to time and at any time, seek to offer and sell common or preferred stock, either through BNYMCM as our agent in the offering described herein, or otherwise, if and when, in our judgment, the terms and conditions for any such offer and sale are favorable to us in light of all of the surrounding facts and circumstances. We may also consider issuing additional securities that are convertible or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock or preferred stock, or any substantially similar security. In addition, we will issue shares of common stock pursuant to existing and future employee benefit plans.

After giving effect to the issuance of common stock in this offering and the receipt of the expected net proceeds, we expect that this offering will have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share and funds from operations per share in 2010. The actual amount of dilution from this offering, or from any future offering of common or preferred stock, will be based on numerous factors, particularly the use of proceeds and the return generated by such investment, and cannot be determined at this time. The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of a large number of shares of our common stock in the market pursuant to this offering, or otherwise, or as a result of the perception or expectation that such sales could occur.

The market price of our common stock may be adversely affected by market conditions affecting the stock markets in general, including price and trading fluctuations on the NYSE.

The market price of our common stock may be adversely affected by market conditions affecting the stock markets in general, including price and trading fluctuations on the NYSE. These conditions may result in volatility in the level of, and fluctuations in, the market prices of stocks generally and, in turn, our common stock and sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the market, in each case being unrelated or disproportionate to changes in our operating performance. The overall weakness in the economy has recently contributed to the extreme volatility of the markets, including the market price of our common stock.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

If we receive all $400 million of gross proceeds from the sale of the shares of our common stock under this prospectus supplement, we anticipate that our net proceeds, after deducting estimated commissions and expenses payable by us, will be approximately $395 million. We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our common stock from time to time to fund future potential acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. Pending application of the net proceeds, we may invest the proceeds in short-term securities.

 

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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “HST.” On August 18, 2010, the last reported sales price per share of our common stock on the NYSE was $14.27. The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock, as reported by the NYSE, and the cash dividends declared per share with respect to such periods. The dividend with respect to each fiscal quarter was paid in the following fiscal quarter.

 

     Price Per Share
of Common Stock
   Distributions
Declared

Per Share
 
     High    Low   

2008

        

First Quarter

   $ 17.62    $ 15.10    $ 0.20   

Second Quarter

     18.81      15.02      0.20   

Third Quarter

     15.69      10.88      0.20   

Fourth Quarter

     17.75      4.77      0.05   

2009

        

First Quarter

     8.22      3.08      —     

Second Quarter

     9.92      3.70      —     

Third Quarter

     11.09      7.07      —     

Fourth Quarter

     12.20      9.64      0.25 * 

2010

        

First Quarter

     14.96      10.46      0.01   

Second Quarter

     17.09      12.83      0.01   

Third Quarter, through August 18, 2010

     15.91      12.64      —     

 

* In reliance on the specific terms of guidance issued by the IRS and subject to certain elections by our stockholders and the effect of a 10% cash limitation, Host paid approximately 90% of the special dividend with Host common stock, or 13.4 million common shares, with the remaining 10% paid in cash of approximately $15.6 million.

The foregoing table shows only historical comparisons. The comparisons may not provide meaningful information to you in determining whether to purchase shares of our common stock. You are urged to obtain current market quotations for our common stock and to review carefully the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

Our charter provides that we may issue up to 1,050,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. As of August 13, 2010, 662,784,044 shares of our common stock are outstanding.

Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or obligations.

Our charter authorizes our Board of Directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock and preferred stock into other classes or series of stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the Board is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set, subject to our charter restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock, the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the Board could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

We believe that the power to issue preferred stock and additional shares of common stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of common or preferred stock and thereafter to issue the classified or reclassified shares provides us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise. These actions can be taken without stockholder approval, unless stockholder approval is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although we have no present intention of doing so, we could issue a class or series of stock that could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

Common Stock

All shares of common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement, when issued, will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when authorized by our Board of Directors out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends. Common stockholders are also entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of or adequate provision for all of our known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock and to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock.

Subject to our charter restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock (see “Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership” in the accompanying prospectus), each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.

Holders of our common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. Subject to our charter restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock, all shares of common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.

Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business, unless the transaction is advised by its board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter does not provide for a lesser percentage in these situations except that our charter may be amended by the affirmative vote of holders of not less than a majority of all votes entitled to be cast (other than those amendments

 

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specifically identified in the charter as requiring the affirmative vote of holders of not less than two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast). Also, because many of the operating assets are held by our subsidiaries, these subsidiaries may be able to merge or sell all or substantially all of their assets without the approval of our stockholders. See also “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership” and “Description of Capital Stock—Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws” in the accompanying prospectus.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We have entered into a sales agency financing agreement, dated as of August 19, 2010, with BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, or BNYMCM, under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock from time to time having an aggregate offering price of up to $400,000,000 through BNYMCM, as our agent for the offer and sale of the shares. The sales, if any, of the common stock under the sales agency financing agreement will be made in “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange, the principal trading market for our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker or through an electronic communications network.

From time to time during the term of the sales agency financing agreement, we may deliver an issuance notice to BNYMCM specifying the length of the selling period (not to exceed 10 trading days), the amount of common stock to be sold (the aggregate sales price of such shares not to exceed $150 million during any selling period without BNYMCM’s prior written consent) and the minimum price below which sales may not be made. Upon receipt of an issuance notice from us, and subject to the terms and conditions of the sales agency financing agreement, BNYMCM has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such shares on such terms. We or BNYMCM may suspend the offering of our common stock at any time upon proper notice to the other, upon which the selling period will immediately terminate. Settlement for sales of our common stock is expected to occur on the third business day following the trading date on which any sales were made in return for payment of the proceeds to us. The obligation of BNYMCM under the sales agency financing agreement to sell shares pursuant to any issuance notice is subject to a number of conditions, which BNYMCM reserves the right to waive in its sole discretion.

We will pay BNYMCM a commission equal to 1.0% of the gross proceeds of all shares sold through it as agent under the sales agency financing agreement. We have also agreed to reimburse BNYMCM for its reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses, including fees and expenses of counsel (including in connection with BNYMCM’s continuing due diligence) in connection with the sales agency financing agreement.

Sales of our common stock as contemplated by this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and BNYMCM may agree upon.

In connection with the sale of our common stock hereunder, BNYMCM may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, and the compensation paid to BNYMCM may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to indemnify BNYMCM against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

The offering of our common stock pursuant to the sales agency financing agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale of shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price up to $400,000,000 pursuant to the sales agency financing agreement, (2) April 28, 2013, and (3) termination of the sales agency financing agreement by either BNYMCM or us. The sales agency financing agreement may be terminated by BNYMCM or us at any time upon 10 days notice, and by BNYMCM upon one trading day’s notice in certain circumstances, including certain bankruptcy events relating to us or any material subsidiary, our failure to maintain a listing of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange or the occurrence of a material adverse effect in our company.

We have agreed not to directly or indirectly sell, offer to sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of, our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire our common stock for a period beginning on the first trading day prior to the delivery of any issuance notice to BNYMCM and ending on the first trading day following the settlement date for our common stock sold pursuant to the applicable issuance notice, without the prior written consent of BNYMCM. This consent may be given at any time without public notice. The restriction described in this paragraph does not apply to issuances or sales of: (i) common stock we offer or sell pursuant to the sales agency financing agreement; (ii) common stock, options to purchase shares of common stock or common stock issuable upon the exercise of options or other equity awards pursuant to any employee or director stock option, incentive or benefit plan, stock purchase or ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan (but not shares subject to a waiver to exceed plan limits in the stock purchase plan) of ours; (iii) common stock issuable upon conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants, options or other rights disclosed in our SEC filings; or (iv) common stock issuable as consideration in connection with acquisitions of businesses, assets or securities of other persons.

 

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An affiliate of BNYMCM is a lender under our Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2007, as amended. BNYMCM and its affiliates have provided and in the future may continue to provide investment banking, commercial banking, corporate trust and other financial services to us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business for which they have received and will receive customary compensation.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters relating to this offering will be passed on for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, Washington, D.C. Certain matters of Maryland law will be passed on for us by Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland and certain tax matters related to our qualification as a REIT will be passed on for us by Hogan Lovells US LLP, Washington, D.C. Certain legal matters relating to this offering will be passed on for BNYMCM by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher  & Flom LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” certain information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to other information we have filed with the SEC. The information that we incorporate by reference is considered a part of this prospectus supplement and information that we file later with the SEC prior to the termination of this offering will automatically update and supersede the information contained in this prospectus supplement. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed below or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any filings made by us with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of this offering (in each case, other than information in such documents that is deemed not to be filed):

 

   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 (including information specifically incorporated by reference therein from our Proxy Statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting);

 

   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 26, 2010 (filed on May 3, 2010) and June 18, 2010 (filed on July 27, 2010 and as amended on July 27, 2010);

 

   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2010, March 5, 2010 (including a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations), April 28, 2010, May 11, 2010, May 19, 2010 and July 21, 2010; and

 

   

The description of our common stock included in Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended, of HMC Merger Corporation, filed November 18, 1998 (as amended on December 28, 1998).

The accompanying prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act. Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus contains all of the information in the registration statement. We have omitted certain parts of the registration statement, as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. You may inspect and copy the registration statement, including exhibits, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room or on our website at http://www.hosthotels.com. Information contained on our website is not and should not be deemed a part of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other report or filing filed with the SEC. Our statements in this prospectus supplement concerning the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete. You should refer to the copy of each contract or other document we have filed as an exhibit to the registration statement for complete information.

 

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Documents incorporated by reference are available from us without charge, excluding all exhibits unless we have specifically incorporated by reference the exhibit in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You may obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from:

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

6903 Rockledge Drive, Suite 1500

Bethesda, Maryland 20817

Attn: Secretary

(240) 744-1000.

 

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PROSPECTUS

LOGO

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares,

Warrants and Subscription Rights

By this prospectus we may offer, from time to time, in one or more series or classes, the following securities:

 

   

shares of our common stock;

 

   

shares of our preferred stock;

 

   

shares of our preferred stock represented by depositary shares;

 

   

our warrants exercisable for common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares; and

 

   

subscription rights evidencing the right to purchase any of the above securities.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. We may offer the offered securities, separately or together, in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of the offering. We will provide you with specific terms of the applicable offered securities in supplements to this prospectus, which terms will include:

 

   

in the case of our preferred stock, the specific title and stated value, any dividend, liquidation, redemption, conversion, exchange, voting and other rights, and any initial public offering price;

 

   

in the case of our depositary shares, the fractional share of preferred shares represented by such depositary share;

 

   

in the case of our common stock, any initial public offering price; and

 

   

in the case of warrants to purchase our common shares, the duration, offering price, exercise price and detachability.

Each prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus, and will also contain information, where applicable, about the United States Federal income tax considerations of, and any exchange listing of, the securities covered by the prospectus supplement.

To assist us in complying with certain federal income tax requirements applicable to real estate investment trusts, or REITs, among other purposes, our charter contains certain restrictions relating to the transfer and ownership of our stock, including an ownership limit of 9.8% on our common stock. See “Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus.

Our securities may be offered directly, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of our securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you decide to invest. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of the offered securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those offered securities.

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HST.” On April 28, 2010, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $15.99 per share.

Investing in the offered securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is April 29, 2010.


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You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell, or soliciting an offer to buy, securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement or in the documents incorporated therein is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus or such documents, even though this prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements are delivered or shares are sold pursuant to the prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements at a later date. Since the respective dates of the prospectus contained in this registration statement and any accompanying prospectus supplement, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects might have changed.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

   i

SUMMARY

   1

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   1

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   2

RISK FACTORS

   3

USE OF PROCEEDS

   3

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

   4

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

   4

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

   11

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

   14

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

   15

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   16

LEGAL MATTERS

   18

EXPERTS

   18

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “we,” “us,” and “our” are to Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P. together, including their consolidated subsidiaries. References to “Host” are to Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and references to “Host L.P.” are to Host Hotels & Resorts, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (and its consolidated subsidiaries), in cases where it is important to distinguish between Host and Host L.P.

This prospectus is part of an automatic registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, using a “shelf” registration process for the delayed offering and sale of securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Under the shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell the offered securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the terms of the securities. We may also provide a prospectus supplement to add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the applicable prospectus supplement.

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. We have omitted parts of the registration statement in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement on Form S-3 of which this prospectus is a part, including its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. If the SEC rules and regulations require that an agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see that agreement or document for a complete description of these matters. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated herein or therein by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of each document.

You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus.

 

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SUMMARY

The summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you, and it is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and financial statements, including the notes to those financial statements, that are part of the reports we file with the SEC and that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should carefully consider the information contained in and incorporated by reference in this entire prospectus including the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors”, on page 3 of this prospectus.

The Company

Host is a Maryland corporation that operates as a self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust, or REIT. We own our properties and conduct our operations through Host L.P., of which we are the sole general partner and in which we hold approximately 98% of the partnership interests as of April 28, 2010.

As of April 28, 2010, our lodging portfolio consisted of 110 luxury and upper-upscale hotels containing approximately 61,000 rooms. Our portfolio is geographically diverse with hotels in most of the major metropolitan areas in 26 states, Washington, D.C., Toronto and Calgary, Canada, Mexico City, Mexico and Santiago, Chile. We own a 32.1% interest in a European joint venture that owns 11 luxury and upper-upscale hotels containing approximately 3,500 rooms located in cities in Italy, Spain, Poland, Belgium, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. We are the general partner of the venture and act as the asset manager for these hotels, as well as an additional 440-room property in Paris, France, in exchange for a fee. We also own a 25% interest in an Asian joint venture that currently owns no hotels. However, we currently act as the asset manager for two hotels totaling 1,001 rooms located in Tokyo, Japan and Sydney, Australia.

The address of our principal executive office is 6903 Rockledge Drive, Suite 1500, Bethesda, Maryland, 20817. Our phone number is (240) 744-1000. Our Internet website address is www.hosthotels.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and, in accordance therewith, file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Room of the SEC located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Room of the SEC at prescribed rates. Such material may also be accessed electronically by means of the SEC’s home page on the internet (http://www.sec.gov) and on our website (http://www.hosthotels.com). You can also inspect reports and other information we file with the SEC at the office of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus forms a part, and related exhibits with the SEC under the Securities Act. The registration statement contains additional information about us and our common stock. You can inspect or access electronically the registration statement and exhibits by the means described in the paragraph above.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus and the information that we file later with the SEC may update and supersede the information in this prospectus and the information we incorporated by reference. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any filings made by us with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and before we stop offering the securities under this prospectus (in each case, other than information in such documents that is deemed not to be filed):

 

   

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 (including information specifically incorporated by reference therein from our Proxy Statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting);


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Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2010, March 5, 2010 and April 28, 2010;

 

   

Description of our common stock included in Registration Statement on Form 8-A of HMC Merger Corporation, filed November 18, 1998, as amended on December 28, 1998.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered a copy of any or all of the information that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus, but not delivered with this prospectus. To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference in those documents, call or write to our Secretary, Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., 6903 Rockledge Drive, Suite 1500, Bethesda, Maryland, 20817, telephone: (240) 744-1000.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference herein or therein contain certain “forward-looking” statements that relate to our future performance and plans, results of operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions, divestitures and operating costs, which are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act. Because these forward-looking statements involve numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, and you should not rely on the forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management that may be incorrect or imprecise and we may not be able to realize them. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” “continue” and other similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions and forecasts of future results.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:

 

   

national and local economic and business conditions, including the continued negative impact of the current economic environment on overall lodging demand, as well as the potential for terrorist attacks, that will affect occupancy rates at our hotels and the demand for hotel products and services;

 

   

operating risks associated with the hotel business;

 

   

risks associated with the level of our indebtedness and our ability to meet covenants in our debt agreements, particularly in the current economic environment;

 

   

relationships with property managers and joint venture partners;

 

   

our ability to maintain our properties in a first-class manner, including meeting capital expenditure requirements;

 

   

our ability to compete effectively in areas such as access, location, quality of accommodations and room rate structures;

 

   

changes in travel patterns, taxes and government regulations which influence or determine wages, prices, construction procedures and costs;

 

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our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions and the impact of such transactions;

 

   

our ability to continue to satisfy complex rules in order for us to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for federal income tax purposes and other risks and uncertainties associated with our business described in our filings with the SEC;

 

   

our ability to acquire or develop additional properties and the risk that potential acquisitions or developments may not perform in accordance with expectations;

 

   

our degree of leverage, which may affect our ability to obtain financing in the future;

 

   

the reduction in our operating flexibility and the limitation on our ability to pay dividends resulting from restrictive covenants in our debt agreements, which limit the amount of distributions from Host L.P. to Host, and other risks related to restricting covenants in our debt agreements, including the risk of default that could occur;

 

   

government approvals, actions and initiatives, including the need for compliance with environmental and safety requirements, and changes in laws and regulations or the interpretation thereof;

 

   

the effects of tax legislative action;

 

   

the effect of any rating agency downgrades on the cost and availability of new debt financings;

 

   

the relatively fixed nature of our property-level operating costs and expenses; and

 

   

our ability to recover fully under our existing insurance for terrorist acts and our ability to maintain adequate or full replacement cost “all-risk” property insurance on our properties on commercially reasonable terms.

Our success also depends upon economic trends generally, various market conditions and fluctuations and those other risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” herein and under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our analysis only and speak as of the date of this prospectus, or as of the dates indicated in the statements. All of our forward-looking statements, including those included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, are qualified in their entirety by this statement. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in our expectations.

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference herein from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K and other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplements, including the discussion of material federal income tax considerations applicable to us and holders of our common stock incorporated by reference from our Form 8-K dated March 5, 2010, as the same may be updated from time to time by our future filings under the Exchange Act.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to contribute all of the net proceeds from the sale of securities by Host to Host L.P. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Host L.P. intends to use any net proceeds from the sale of offered securities for the development or acquisition of particular hotel properties as opportunities arise, capital expenditures, the repayment or repurchase of our indebtedness and our capital stock outstanding at such time, working capital and for general corporate purposes.

 

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When a particular class or series of securities is offered, the related prospectus supplement will set forth the intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of such offered securities. Pending the application of the net proceeds, we expect to invest such proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing instruments or other investment-grade debt securities.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends on a historical basis for the periods indicated (in millions, except ratio amounts):

 

     Year ended December 31,
     2009     2008    2007    2006    2005

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends

     —          1.8      2.0      1.6      1.2

Deficiency of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends

   $ (262   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

Our charter provides that we may issue up to 1,050,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. Of the 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, 8,000,000 shares have been classified as 8 7/8% Class E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. As of April 28, 2010, the following shares of our stock are outstanding:

 

   

common stock – 657,484,591 shares; and

 

   

8  7/8% Class E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock – 4,034,300 shares

Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or obligations.

Our charter authorizes our Board of Directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock and preferred stock into other classes or series of stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the Board is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set, subject to our charter restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock, the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the Board could authorize the issuance of shares of common stock or preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

We believe that the power to issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of common or preferred stock and thereafter to issue the classified or reclassified shares provides us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise. These actions can be taken without stockholder approval, unless stockholder approval is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although we have no present intention of doing so, we could issue a class or series of stock that could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

 

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Common Stock

All shares of common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable supplement, when issued, will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when authorized by our Board of Directors out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends. Common stockholders are also entitled to share ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of or adequate provision for all of our known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock and to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock.

Subject to our charter restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock (see “Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership”), each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.

Holders of our common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. Subject to our charter restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock, all shares of common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.

Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business, unless the transaction is advised by its board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter does not provide for a lesser percentage in these situations except that our charter may be amended by the affirmative vote of holders of not less than a majority of all votes entitled to be cast (other than those amendments specifically identified in the charter as requiring the affirmative vote of holders of not less than two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast). Also, because many of the operating assets are held by our subsidiaries, these subsidiaries may be able to merge or sell all or substantially all of their assets without the approval of our stockholders.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Preferred Stock

Our charter originally authorized the Board of Directors to issue 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of April 28, 2010, there is outstanding 4,034,300 shares of 8 7/8% Class E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (which are referred to as the “Class E preferred stock”). Holders of the Class E preferred stock are entitled to receive, when and if authorized by our board of directors, cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 8 7/8% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference, which are payable quarterly in arrears. We have the option to redeem the Class E preferred stock for $25.00 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of redemption. The preferred stock ranks senior to the common stock. The preferred stockholders may vote only in limited circumstances as described in our charter. Under the terms of the Class E preferred stock, we are not permitted to pay dividends on our common stock unless cumulative dividends have been paid (or funds for payment have been set aside for payment) on such class of preferred stock for all past dividend periods. The amount of aggregate dividends that accrue on the Class E preferred stock each quarter is approximately $2.2 million.

 

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The Board of Directors has the power to classify or reclassify any unissued preferred shares into one or more classes or series of capital stock, including common stock.

Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership

For Host to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, no more than 50% in value of its outstanding shares of stock may be owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities:

 

   

during the last half of a taxable year other than the first year for which an election to be treated as a REIT has been made or

 

   

during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year.

In addition, if Host, or one or more owners of 10% or more of Host, actually or constructively owns 10% or more of a tenant of Host or a tenant of any partnership in which Host is a partner, the rent received by Host either directly or through any such partnership from such tenant generally will not be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests of the Internal Revenue Code unless the tenant qualifies as a “taxable REIT subsidiary” and the leased property is a “qualified lodging facility” under the Internal Revenue Code. A REIT’s shares also must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year other than the first year for which an election to be treated as a REIT has been made.

Because the Board of Directors believes it is desirable for Host to qualify as a REIT, among other purposes, the charter provides that, subject to certain exceptions, no person or persons acting as a group may own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, more than:

 

   

9.8% of the lesser of the number or value of shares of common stock outstanding or

 

   

9.8% of the lesser of the number or value of the issued and outstanding preferred or other shares of any class or series of Host’s stock.

The ownership attribution rules under the Internal Revenue Code are complex and may cause capital stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of the common stock or the acquisition or ownership of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, common stock, by an individual or entity could nevertheless cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of 9.8% of the outstanding common stock and thus subject such common stock to the remedy provision under the ownership limit. The Board of Directors may grant an exemption from the ownership limit with respect to one or more persons who would not be treated as “individuals” for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code if it is satisfied, based upon an opinion of counsel or such other evidence as is satisfactory to the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, that:

 

   

such ownership will not cause a person who is an individual to be treated as owning capital stock in excess of the ownership limit, applying the applicable constructive ownership rules, and

 

   

will not otherwise jeopardize Host’s status as a REIT by, for example, causing any tenant of the Operating Partnership to be considered a “related party tenant” for purposes of the REIT qualification rules.

As a condition of such waiver, the Board of Directors may require undertakings or representations from the applicant with respect to preserving the REIT status of Host.

The Board of Directors has the authority to increase the ownership limit from time to time, but does not have the authority to do so to the extent that after giving effect to such increase, five beneficial owners of capital stock could beneficially own in the aggregate more than 49.5% of the outstanding capital stock.

 

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The charter further prohibits:

 

   

any person from actually or constructively owning shares of beneficial interest of Host that would result in Host being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise cause Host to fail to qualify as a REIT and

 

   

any person from transferring shares of Host’s capital stock if such transfer would result in shares of Host’s capital stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons.

Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire actual or constructive ownership of shares of Host’s capital stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transfer and ownership is required to give notice immediately to Host and provide Host with such other information as Host may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on Host’s status as a REIT.

If any purported transfer of shares of Host’s capital stock or any other event would otherwise result in any person violating the ownership limit or the other restrictions in the charter, then any such purported transfer will be void and of no force or effect with respect to the purported transferee (the “Prohibited Transferee”) as to that number of shares that exceeds the ownership limit (referred to as “excess shares”) and

 

   

the Prohibited Transferee shall acquire no right or interest in such excess shares and

 

   

in the case of any event other than a purported transfer, the person or entity holding record title to any such shares in excess of the ownership limit (the “Prohibited Owner”) shall cease to own any right or interest in such excess shares.

Any excess shares described above will be transferred automatically, by operation of law, to a trust, the beneficiary of which will be a qualified charitable organization selected by Host (the “Beneficiary”). The automatic transfer shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violating transfer. Within 20 days of receiving notice from Host of the transfer of shares to the trust, the trustee of the trust, who shall be designated by Host and be unaffiliated with Host and any Prohibited Transferee or Prohibited Owner, will be required to sell the excess shares to a person or entity who could own the shares without violating the ownership limit, and distribute to the Prohibited Transferee an amount equal to the lesser of the price paid by the Prohibited Transferee for the excess shares or the sales proceeds received by the trust for the excess shares. In the case of any excess shares resulting from any event other than a transfer, or from a transfer for no consideration, such as a gift, the trustee will be required to sell the excess shares to a qualified person or entity and distribute to the Prohibited Owner an amount equal to the lesser of the fair market value of the excess shares as of the date of the event or the sales proceeds received by the trust for the excess shares. In either case, any proceeds in excess of the amount distributable to the Prohibited Transferee or Prohibited Owner, as applicable, will be distributed to the Beneficiary. Prior to a sale of any excess shares by the trust, the trustee will be entitled to receive, in trust for the Beneficiary, all dividends and other distributions paid by Host with respect to those excess shares, and also will be entitled to exercise all voting rights with respect to those excess shares. Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee shall have the authority to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Transferee prior to the discovery by Host that the shares have been transferred to the trust and to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the Beneficiary.

However, if Host has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast its vote. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the Prohibited Transferee or Prohibited Owner, prior to the discovery by Host that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above, will be required to be repaid to the trustee upon demand for distribution to the Beneficiary. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective to prevent violation of the ownership limit, then the charter provides that the transfer of the excess shares will be void.

In addition, shares of Host’s stock held in the trust shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to Host, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of the price per share in the transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market value at the time of the devise or gift and the market value of the shares on the date Host, or its designee, accepts the offer. Host will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares held in the trust. Upon such a sale to Host, the interest of the Beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.

 

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The foregoing restrictions on transfer and ownership will not apply if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of Host to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT, or that compliance with the restrictions on transfer and ownership is no longer required for Host to qualify as a REIT.

All certificates representing shares of Host’s capital stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

All persons who own, directly or by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 5%, or some other percentage between  1/2 of 1% and 5% as provided in the rules and regulations under the Internal Revenue Code, of the lesser of the number or value of the outstanding shares of Host’s capital stock must give a written notice to Host within 30 days after the end of each taxable year. In addition, each stockholder will, upon demand, be required to disclose to Host in writing such information with respect to the direct, indirect and constructive ownership of shares of Host’s capital stock as the Board of Directors deems reasonably necessary to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to a REIT, to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental agency or to determine any such compliance.

The ownership limit could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or other transaction which might involve a premium for our stockholders over the then prevailing market price or otherwise be in their best interest.

Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws

The following description of certain provisions of Maryland law and of our charter and Bylaws is only a summary. For a complete description, we refer you to the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter and our Bylaws. We have filed our charter and Bylaws as exhibits to this registration statement.

Election of the Board of Directors

Our charter provides that the number of our directors may be established by the Board of Directors but may not be fewer than three nor more than thirteen. Our Bylaws provide that each director shall be elected by a majority of the total votes cast for and against each director in an uncontested election. Directors are elected by a plurality vote in any contested elections.

Removal of Directors; Vacancies

Our charter provides that, except for any directors who may be elected by holders of a class or series of shares other than common stock, a director may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors. Vacancies on the Board may be filled, at any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of the remaining directors except that a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Any vacancy resulting from the removal of a director by the stockholders may be filled by the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors. The affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast is required to amend, alter, change, repeal or adopt any provisions in our charter inconsistent with the foregoing director removal provisions. These provisions preclude stockholders from removing incumbent directors except for cause and by a substantial affirmative vote and, thus, may reduce the vulnerability of Host to an unsolicited takeover proposal which may not be in the best interest of the stockholders.

Business Combinations

Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on

 

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which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

 

   

any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares; or

 

   

an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

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

The statute provides various exemptions from its provisions, including for business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.

The Board of Directors has not opted out of the business combinations provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and Host is subject to the five-year prohibition and the super-majority voting requirements with respect to business combinations involving Host; however, as permitted under Maryland law, Host’s Board of Directors may elect to opt out of these provisions in the future.

The business combination statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

Control Share Acquisitions

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

 

   

one-tenth or more but less than one-third,

 

   

one-third or more but less than a majority, or

 

   

a majority or more of all voting power.

 

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

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

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

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

Our Bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. There can be no assurance that this provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

Amendment to the Charter and Bylaws

Our charter may be amended by the affirmative vote of holders of not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter; provided, however, that any amendment to certain charter provisions specifically identified in the charter, including provisions on removal of directors and filling vacancies, restrictions on transfer and ownership of stock, the vote required for certain extraordinary transactions and indemnification, must be approved by the affirmative vote of holders of not less than two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

As permitted under the Maryland General Corporation Law, the charter and Bylaws of Host provide that the directors have the exclusive right to amend the Bylaws. Amendment of this provision in the charter also would require Board action and the affirmative vote of holders of not less than two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Dissolution of the Company

The dissolution of Host must be approved by the affirmative vote of holders of not less than two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business

Our Bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (i) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (ii) by the Board of Directors or (iii) by a stockholder who is entitled to

 

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vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the Bylaws. With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors at a special meeting may be made only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) by a stockholder that has requested that a special meeting be called for the purpose of electing directors in connection with a proposal to remove directors, each in compliance with the Bylaws, and that has supplied the information required by the Bylaws about each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election, or (iii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with the Bylaws, by any stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving notice and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the Bylaws.

Subtitle 8

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

 

   

a classified board,

 

   

a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director,

 

   

a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors,

 

   

a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, and

 

   

a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.

Through provisions in our charter and Bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we already (a) require a two-thirds vote for the removal of any director from the Board, (b) vest in the Board the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships and (c) require to call a special meeting of stockholders, unless called by our president or the Board, the request of holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the special meeting. As of the date of this prospectus, our Board has not made any election to be subject to any provisions of Subtitle 8.

Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of the Charter and Bylaws

The business combination provisions of Maryland law, the provisions of our charter on removal of directors, the share transfer and ownership restrictions in the charter and the advance notice provisions of our Bylaws could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of Host that might involve a premium price for holders of common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may issue depositary receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest of a share of a particular class or series of preferred stock, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Shares of preferred stock of each class or series represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement among Host and the depositary named therein. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest of a share of a particular class or series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares, including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights.

 

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The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement. Immediately following the issuance and delivery of the preferred stock by Host to the depositary, we will cause the depositary to issue, on behalf of Host, the depositary receipts. Copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt may be obtained from Host upon request, and the statements made hereunder relating to the deposit agreement and the depositary receipts to be issued thereunder are summaries of certain provisions thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable deposit agreement and related depositary receipts.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the preferred stock to the record holders of depositary receipts evidencing the related depositary shares in proportion to the number of such depositary shares owned by those holders, subject to the obligations of the holders to file various proofs, certificates and other information and to pay various charges and expenses to the depositary.

In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, subject to the obligations of holders to file various proofs, certificates and other information and to pay various charges and expenses to the depositary, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the depositary may, with the approval of Host, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.

No distribution will be made in respect of any depositary share to the extent that it represents any preferred stock converted into other securities.

Withdrawal of Stock

Upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary (unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption or converted into other securities), the holders thereof will be entitled to delivery at such office, to or upon the holder’s order, of the number of whole or fractional shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares evidenced by the surrendered depositary receipts. Holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of the related preferred stock on the basis of the proportion of preferred stock represented by such depositary shares as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, but holders of the shares of preferred stock will not thereafter be entitled to receive depositary shares therefor. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

Whenever Host redeems shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed, provided Host shall have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the corresponding proportion of the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected pro rata (as nearly as may be practicable without creating fractional depositary shares) or by any other equitable method determined by Host.

From and after the date fixed for redemption, all dividends on the shares of preferred stock so called for redemption will cease to accrue, the depositary shares so called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares so called for redemption will cease, except the right to receive any moneys payable upon such redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of such depositary receipts were entitled upon such redemption and surrender thereof to the depositary.

 

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Voting of the Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares which represent the preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will vote the amount of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with the instructions, and Host will agree to take all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting the amount of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares. The depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instruction to vote, or for the manner or effect of any such vote made, as long as such action or non-action is in good faith and does not result from gross negligence or willful misconduct of the depositary.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Host, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary receipt will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion of Preferred Stock

The depositary shares, as such, are not convertible into common stock or any other securities or property of Host. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to an offering of depositary shares, the depositary receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the depositary with written instructions to the depositary to instruct Host to cause conversion of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipts into whole shares of common stock, other shares of preferred stock of Host or other shares of stock, and Host has agreed that upon receipt of the instructions and any amounts payable in respect thereof, it will cause the conversion thereof utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of preferred stock to effect the conversion. If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be converted in part only, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon conversion, and if the conversion would result in a fractional share being issued, an amount will be paid in cash by Host equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing price of the common stock on the last business day prior to the conversion.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares which represent the preferred stock and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between Host and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary receipts or that would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the related preferred stock will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the existing holders of at least 66% of the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipts then outstanding. No amendment shall impair the right, subject to certain exceptions in the deposit agreement, of any holder of depositary receipts to surrender any depositary receipt with instructions to deliver to the holder the related preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with law. Every holder of an outstanding depositary receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold the receipt, to consent and agree to the amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended thereby.

The deposit agreement may be terminated by Host upon not less than 30 days prior written notice to the depositary if (1) the holders of a majority of the depository shares representing each class or series of preferred stock affected by such termination consents to the termination, whereupon the depositary shall deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by that holder, the number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts together with any other property held by the depositary with respect to such depositary receipt; or (2) the termination is necessary to preserve our status as a REIT. In addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

 

   

all outstanding depositary shares shall have been redeemed,

 

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there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Host and such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares representing such preferred stock or

 

   

each share of the related preferred stock shall have been converted into securities of Host not so represented by depositary shares.

Charges of Preferred Stock Depositary

Host will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the deposit agreement. In addition, Host will pay the fees and expenses of the depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement. However, holders of depositary receipts will pay the fees and expenses of the depositary for any duties requested by the holders to be performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the deposit agreement.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to Host notice of its election to do so, and Host may at any time remove the depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary. A successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Miscellaneous

The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts any reports and communications from Host which are received by the depositary with respect to the related preferred stock.

Neither the depositary nor Host will be liable if it is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its control, performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of Host and the depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performing their duties thereunder in good faith and without negligence (in the case of any action or inaction in the voting of preferred shares represented by the depositary shares), gross negligence or willful misconduct. Host and the depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary receipts, depositary shares or shares of preferred stock represented thereby unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. Host and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting shares of preferred stock represented thereby for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information, and on documents believed in good faith to be genuine and signed by a proper party.

In the event the depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and Host, on the other hand, the depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from Host.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

General

Host may issue warrants to purchase preferred stock, depositary shares or common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any offered securities and may be attached to or separate from such offered securities. The warrants are to be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between Host and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, as specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants being offered pursuant thereto. The warrant agent will act solely as an agent of Host in connection with the warrants of such class or series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

 

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The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

   

the title of such warrants;

 

   

the securities for which such warrants are exercisable;

 

   

the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

 

   

the number of such warrants issued with each share of preferred stock or common stock;

 

   

any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of shares of preferred stock or common stock receivable upon exercise of such warrants or the exercise price of such warrants;

 

   

if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related preferred stock or common stock will be separately transferable;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of the material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of such warrants;

 

   

any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence, and the date on which such right shall expire; and

 

   

the maximum or minimum number of such warrants which may be exercised at any time.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder of warrants to purchase for cash such amount of shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock or depositary shares at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, Host will, as soon as practicable, forward the shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock or depositary shares purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by such warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

General

Host may issue subscription rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or warrants to purchase preferred stock, common stock or depositary shares. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the purchaser receiving the subscription rights. In connection with any subscription rights offering to our stockholders, Host may enter into a standby underwriting arrangement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which such underwriter will purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such subscription rights offering. In connection with a subscription rights offering to our stockholders, certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement will be distributed to our stockholders on the record date for receiving subscription rights in such subscription rights offering set by Host.

 

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The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

   

the title of such subscription rights;

 

   

the securities for which such subscription rights are exercisable;

 

   

the exercise price for such subscription rights;

 

   

the number of such subscription rights issued to each stockholder;

 

   

the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of the material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;

 

   

any other terms of such subscription rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such subscription rights;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which such right shall expire;

 

   

the extent to which such subscription rights includes an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and

 

   

if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting arrangement entered into by Host in connection with the subscription rights offering.

Exercise of Subscription Rights

Each subscription right will entitle the holder of subscription rights to purchase for cash such principal amount of shares of preferred stock, depository shares, common stock, warrants or any combination thereof, at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights will become void.

Subscription rights may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, Host will, as soon as practicable, forward the shares of preferred stock or common stock, depository shares or warrants purchasable upon such exercise. In the event that not all of the subscription rights issued in any offering are exercised, Host may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities being offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement:

 

   

directly to purchasers;

 

   

through agents;

 

   

through dealers;

 

   

through underwriters;

 

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directly to our stockholders; or

 

   

through a combination of any such methods of sale.

In addition, the offered securities may be issued by us as a dividend or distribution.

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

 

   

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

   

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

   

at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

 

   

at negotiated prices.

Offers to purchase offered securities may be solicited directly by us. Offers to purchase offered securities may also be solicited by agents designated by us from time to time. Any such agent, who may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act, involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the offered securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will sell such offered securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer, who may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act, may then resell such offered securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.

If an underwriter is, or underwriters are, utilized in the sale, we will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriters at the time of sale to them and the names of the underwriters will be set forth in the prospectus supplement, which will be used by the underwriter to make resales of the offered securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered to the public. In connection with the sale of offered securities, such underwriter may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of offered securities for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters may also sell offered securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters in connection with the offering of offered securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Pursuant to any standby underwriting agreement entered into in connection with a subscription rights offering to our stockholders, persons acting as standby underwriters may receive a commitment fee for all securities underlying the subscription rights that the underwriter commits to purchase on a standby basis. Additionally, prior to the expiration date with respect to any subscription rights, any standby underwriters in a subscription rights offering to our stockholders may offer such securities on a when-issued basis, including securities to be acquired through the purchase and exercise of subscription rights, at prices set from time to time by the standby underwriters. After the expiration date with respect to such subscription rights, the underwriters may offer securities of the type underlying the subscription rights, whether acquired pursuant to a standby underwriting agreement, the exercise of the subscription rights or the purchase of such securities in the market, to the public at a price or prices to be determined by the underwriters. The standby underwriters may thus realize profits or losses independent of the underwriting discounts or commissions paid by us. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement in connection with a subscription rights offering to our stockholders, we may elect to retain a dealer-manager to manage such a subscription rights offering for us. Any such dealer-manager may offer securities of the type underlying the subscription rights acquired or to be acquired pursuant to the purchase and exercise of subscription rights and may thus realize profits or losses independent of any dealer-manager fee paid by us.

 

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Underwriters, dealers, agents and other persons may be entitled, under agreements that may be entered into with us, to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which they may be required to make in respect thereof. Underwriters and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers or other persons to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase offered securities pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date or dates. Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others. The obligations of any purchasers under any such contract will not be subject to any conditions except that the purchase of the offered securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject and, if the offered securities are also being sold to underwriters, we shall have sold to such underwriters the offered securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters, dealers and such other persons will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. The prospectus supplement relating to such contracts will set forth the price to be paid for offered securities pursuant to such contracts, the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts and the date or dates in the future for delivery of offered securities pursuant to such contracts.

Any underwriter may engage in stabilizing and syndicate covering transactions in accordance with Rule 104 under the Exchange Act. Rule 104 permits stabilizing bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. The underwriters may over-allot shares of the offered securities in connection with an offering of offered securities, thereby creating a short position in the underwriters’ account. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the offered securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the offered securities to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of such transactions. These transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

The anticipated date of delivery of offered securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each offer.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the offered securities will be passed upon for us by Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland. Hogan & Hartson LLP, Washington, D.C., will pass upon certain tax matters relating to Host’s qualification as a REIT for us. If the offered securities are distributed in an underwritten offering or through agents, certain legal matters may be passed upon for any agents or underwriters by counsel for such agents or underwriters identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

$400,000,000

LOGO

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

Common Stock

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC

August 19, 2010