DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
As of March 14, 2024, our only class of outstanding securities registered under the Exchange Act is our common stock, par value $0.10 per share, which we refer to as the Common Stock.
The following is a description of the material terms of our Common Stock and preferred stock we may offer and is qualified by reference to the provisions of our Articles of Amendment and Restatement, as amended, which we refer to as our Charter, our Amended and Restated Bylaws, which we refer to as the Bylaws, and applicable provisions of relevant Maryland law, including the Maryland General Corporation Law, which we refer to as the MGCL. The terms of any series of preferred stock being offered by us will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. That prospectus supplement may not restate the articles supplementary that establishes a particular series of preferred stock in its entirety. We urge you to read at that time the articles supplementary because it, and not the description in the prospectus supplement, will define your rights as a holder of preferred stock. The articles supplementary will be filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland and with the SEC.
Common Stock
We are authorized to issue 350,000,000 shares of Common Stock. All shares of our Common Stock participate equally in dividends payable to stockholders of our Common Stock when and as declared by our board of directors and in net assets available for distribution to stockholders of our Common Stock on liquidation or dissolution; have one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders; and do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. All of our outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable. Holders of our Common Stock do not have preference, conversion, exchange or preemptive rights. We may issue additional shares of authorized Common Stock without stockholder approval, subject to applicable rules of the NYSE.
Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of our preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, which we refer to as the Preferred Stock. Under our Charter, our board of directors has the authority to authorize from time to time, without further stockholder action, the issuance of shares of our Preferred Stock, in one or more series as the board of directors shall deem appropriate, and to fix the rights, powers and restrictions of the Preferred Stock by resolution and the filing of an amendment to our Charter, including but not limited to the designation of the following:
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the number of shares constituting such series and the distinctive designation thereof;
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the voting rights, if any, of such series;
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the rate of dividends payable on such series, the time or times when such dividends will be payable, the preference to, or any relation to, the payment of dividends to any other class or series of stock and whether the dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative;
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whether there shall be a sinking or similar fund for the purchase of shares of such series and, if so, the terms and provisions that shall govern such fund;
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the rights of the holders of shares of such series upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company;
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the rights, if any, of holders of shares of such series to convert such shares into, or to exchange such shares for, shares of any other class or classes or any other series of the same or of any other class or classes of equity shares, the price or prices or rate or rates of conversion or exchange, with such adjustments thereto as shall be provided, at which such shares shall be convertible or exchangeable, whether such rights of conversion or exchange shall be exercisable at the option of the holder of the shares or the Company (or both) or upon the happening of a specified event, and any other terms or conditions of such conversion or exchange; and
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any other preferences, powers and relative participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of shares of such series.