Guide To Global Real Estate Investment Trusts

Although Article 23(5) of EU Regulation 1/2003 provides that competition law fines ‘shall not be of a criminal law nature’, this has not prevented certain criminal law principles from finding their way into European Union (EU) competition law procedures. Even more significantly, the deterrent effect of competition law fines has led courts in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (UK), as well as the European Court of Human Rights, to conclude that competition law proceedings can lead to a criminal charge. This book offers the first book-length study of whether courts do indeed apply criminal law principles in competition law proceedings and, if so, how these principles are adapted to the needs and characteristics of competition law. Focusing on competition law developments (both legislative and judicial) over a period of twenty years in three jurisdictions – the Netherlands, the UK and the EU – the author compares how each of the following (criminal law) principles has emerged and been interpreted in each jurisdiction’s proceedings: freedom from self-incrimination; non bis in idem; burden and standard of proof; legality and legal certainty; and proportionality of sanctions. The author offers proposals involving both legislative and judicial actions, with examples of judges invoking criminal law principles to develop an appropriate level of safeguards in competition law proceedings. The book shows that criminal law can provide a rich source of inspiration for the judiciary on the appropriate level of legal safeguards in competition law proceedings. As such, it provides an important source of information and guidance for lawyers and judges dealing with competition law matters.

Guide to Global Real Estate Investment Trusts will feature a comprehensive analysis of both the legal and tax underpinnings of REIT-friendly legislation in the world's most significant national jurisdictions. With regard to the legal framework, the structure and functioning of a REIT will be thoroughly investigated. In particular, the issue of whether a REIT is a special vehicle regulated as such by national legislation or, instead, any company vehicle may qualify as a real estate investment fund so long as its activity is limited to effecting and managing real estate investments - whether they are direct or indirect - will be addressed. Issues such as the amount of indebtedness, types of investments permitted, and the like will be carefully examined. In regard to European jurisdictions, the implications of the directives impacting Undertakings for the Collective Investment of Transferable Securities will be accorded particular consideration. In terms of tax issues, the work will focus inter alia on REIT formation, operation and liquidation; mergers, acquisitions and dispositions; as well as planning for public and private REIT offerings and re-securitizations.

Following the US example, many countries have introduced a special set of rules and regulations that apply to vehicles aimed to invest in immovable property (so-called 'Real Estate Investment Trusts' (REIT) regimes). This book is divided into two main parts. The first part is a general report providing a summary of the nineteen selected REIT regimes with a critical outline of the main differences among them and a critical and in-depth analysis of the tax treaties' aspects of REITs including OECD recommendations. The second part comprises country chapters providing a comprehensive analysis of the selected nineteen REIT regimes by focusing on regulatory law and tax law. In terms of tax issues the book focuses on such key issues as REIT formation, operation and liquidation; mergers, acquisitions and dispositions; as well as planning for public and private REIT offerings and re-securitizations.

Learn to invest in REITs with confidence and skill with this powerful resource Educated REIT Investing is the ultimate resource for investors, financial advisors, and students interested in learning how to invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs)—one of the only asset classes to significantly outperform the S&P 500 Index over the last 25 years. Written by Stephanie Krewson-Kelly and Glenn R. Mueller, PhD., both accomplished REIT authors and investors with six decades of accumulated industry experience between them, Educated REIT Investing provides all the basics and history, then blends pragmatic strategies and advice with a thorough exploration of the fundamentals and nuances of the REIT industry. Topics include: Basic information about REITs and the REITs industry Terminology specific to the REIT industry, explained in plain-English Historical REIT industry performance tables and trading perspectives Analysis and equations needed to calculate key metrics used to identify the suitability of companies for investment purposes, illustrated with simple examples This book is perfect for anyone looking for a straightforward, easy-to-understand resource to establish or improve their understanding and analysis of real-estate investment trusts.

Claim Your Share of Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Profits From Around the World Ever since so many private real estate companies converted themselves into Real Estate Investment Trusts and held IPOs in the mid-1990s, and with the publication of the first edition of Investing in REITs: Real Estate Investment Trusts by Ralph L. Block, U.S. investors have been discovering the high dividend yields possible through investing in commercial real estate through publicly owned companies. REITs do not have to pay taxes on the income they distribute to unit holders -- and the government requires them to distribute at least 90%! This means they pay out a lot more money than ordinary corporations (who have to pay corporate taxes). REITs are cash cows. What's not so well known is that countries all over the world have been following the lead of the United States and creating their own versions of Real Estate Investment Trusts. Nearly 40 countries from Australia to Turkey have laws enabling some form of REITs, using the US as a model but ringing their own changes. By investing in foreign REITs you can: 1. Have a stream of income that's not dependent on the US dollar (or euro, or yen, or whatever your currency of residence is). By investing in foreign REITs, you get income in a large variety of other currencies, which may be going up in value as the US dollar falls. The two largest, oldest and most mature REIT countries in the world behind the US are Canada and Australia. Which two countries in the world have recently seen the value of their currencies go up dramatically? Canada and Australia. But Canadians and Australians needs apartments, office buildings and shopping malls just like everyone else. By buying shares of their REITs, you can get yourself some Canadian and Australian dollars. Two other kinds of dollars are going up in value -- both from busy and booming Asian port cities -- Hong Kong and Singapore. And both Hong Kong and Singapore have some great Real Estate Investment Trusts. 2. Have a stream of income from economic activity that may be up while your local area is down. Most people's jobs are dependent upon their local economy. However, when business is slow in your area, it may be great in Paris, Dubai or Kuala Lumpur. We also know that while the entire U.S. real estate market can be slow, real estate in other countries may still be booming. 3. Worldwide inflation protection Well run REITs will do all they can to increase their net incomes, including raise rents to keep up with inflation -- wherever they are located. Ever wanted to benefit from Japanese people paying rent for their apartments? Or from businesses paying for offices in prestigious districts of Paris? Or from tourists buying clothes in the trendy shops of Soho London? Or from jet setters tanning themselves at Mediterranean luxury resorts? Or from Australian wine vinyards? Or even from Bulgarian farmers renting land to grow wheat on? Or from drinkers having a pint in AB InBev's chain of European pubs? From the warehouses and shipping docks of China? Now you can! In the last chapter you learn the investments that you can tell your broker to buy for you to profit from REITs around the world. It's simple, easy and -- in this globalized world of international financial crises, a smart move to protect you and your family's wealth.