Issuances of Common Stock

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Equity [Abstract]

Issuances of Common Stock

Issuances of Common Stock

A.    At-the-Market ("ATM") Program

In August 2023, we replaced our prior ATM program with a new ATM program, pursuant to which we may offer and sell up to 120.0 million shares of common stock (1) by us to, or through, a consortium of banks acting as our sales agents or (2) by a consortium of banks acting as forward sellers on behalf of any forward purchasers contemplated thereunder, in each case by means of ordinary brokers' transactions on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "O" at prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Upon settlement, subject to certain exceptions, we may elect, in our sole discretion, to cash settle or net share settle all or any portion of our obligations under any forward sale agreement, in which cases we may not receive any proceeds (in the case of cash settlement) or will not receive any proceeds (in the case of net share settlement), and we may owe cash (in the case of cash settlement) or shares of our common stock (in the case of net share settlement) to the relevant forward purchaser. Of the 120.0 million shares of our common stock available for sale under the prior ATM program at its inception, a total of 101.8 million of those shares were sold, the remainder of which were terminated. As of December 31, 2023, we had 81.3 million shares remaining for future issuance under our new ATM program. We anticipate maintaining the availability of our ATM program in the future, including the replenishment of authorized shares issuable thereunder.

The following table outlines common stock issuances pursuant to our ATM programs (dollars in millions, shares in thousands):

	Years ended December 31,
	2023		2022		2021
Shares of common stock issued under the ATM program(1)	91,699		68,608		46,291
Gross proceeds	$	5,483.2	$	4,599.4	$	3,207.9
Sales agents' commissions and other offering expenses	(43.7)		(43.4)		(28.4)
Net proceeds	$	5,439.5	$	4,556.0	$	3,179.5

(1) During the year ended December 31, 2023, 91.1 million shares were sold and 91.7 million shares were settled pursuant to forward sale confirmations. In addition, as of December 31, 2023, 6.2 million shares of common stock subject to forward sale confirmations have been executed, but not settled, at a weighted average initial gross price of $55.03 per share. We currently expect to fully settle forward sale agreements outstanding by June 30, 2024, representing $337.8 million in net proceeds, for which the weighted average forward price at December 31, 2023 was $54.70 per share.

B.    Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan ("DRSPP")

Our DRSPP, provides our common stockholders, as well as new investors, with a convenient and economical method of purchasing our common stock and reinvesting their distributions. Our DRSPP also allows our current stockholders to buy additional shares of common stock by reinvesting all or a portion of their distributions. Our DRSPP authorizes up to 26.0 million common shares to be issued. At December 31, 2023, we had 11.0 million shares remaining for future issuance under our DRSPP program.

The following table outlines common stock issuances pursuant to our DRSPP program (dollars in millions, shares in thousands):

	Years ended December 31,
	2023		2022		2021
Shares of common stock issued under the DRSPP program	198		176		168
Gross proceeds	$	11.5	$	11.7	$	11.2

C.    Issuance of Common Stock in Connection with VEREIT Acquisition

On November 1, 2021, we completed our acquisition of VEREIT. As a result of the merger, former VEREIT common stockholders, VEREIT OP common unitholders and awardees of vested share awards separated from Realty Income and received approximately 162 million shares of Realty Income common stock, based on the shares of VEREIT common stock and common units of VEREIT OP outstanding as of October 29, 2021.

D.    Issuances of Common Stock in Underwritten Public Offerings

During 2021, we issued an aggregate of 21.3 million shares of common stock, including 2.8 million shares purchased by the underwriters upon the exercise of their option to purchase additional shares. After deducting underwriting discounts, the aggregate net proceeds of $1.3 billion were used to fund investment opportunities, for general corporate purposes and working capital.

There were no comparative offerings during the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022.