# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001590717
**File Stem:** 0001140361-26-022138
**Filing Date:** 2026-5
**Character Count:** 310429
**Document Hash:** 1152db910b37ee63a27f8adc610a9dc8
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001140361-26-022138.hdr.sgml**: 20260520

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001140361-26-022138

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 424B5

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 13

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260520

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260520

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** CareTrust REIT, Inc.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001590717
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 05 Real Estate & Construction
- **EIN:** 463999490
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** MD
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 424B5
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-293536
- **FILM NUMBER:** 261001311

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 24901 DANA POINT HARBOR DR, SUITE A200
- **CITY:** DANA POINT
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 92629
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** (949) 542-3140

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 24901 DANA POINT HARBOR DR, SUITE A200
- **CITY:** DANA POINT
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 92629

#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) <br>

#### Registration No. 333-293536

#### PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT<br>

#### (To prospectus dated February 17, 2026)

#### 12,500,000 Shares
![](logo_caretrust3.jpg)<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>

#### CareTrust REIT, Inc. <br>

#### Common Stock
We are offering 12,500,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (our "common stock"). We expect to enter into separate forward sale agreements with each of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (or their respective affiliates), whom we refer to in such capacity as the forward purchasers. In connection with the forward sale agreements, the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) are expected to borrow from third parties and to sell to the underwriters an aggregate of 12,500,000 shares of our common stock that will be sold in this offering (or an aggregate of 14,375,000 shares of common stock if the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares of common stock is exercised in full). We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates). We expect to physically settle the forward sale agreements and receive proceeds, subject to certain adjustments, from the sale of those shares of our common stock upon one or more forward settlement dates, which we anticipate will be within approximately one year from the date of this prospectus supplement. We may also elect to cash settle or net share settle all or a portion of our obligations under a forward sale agreement if we conclude it is in our best interest to do so. If we elect to cash settle a forward sale agreement, then we may not receive any proceeds and may owe cash to the relevant forward purchaser in certain circumstances. If we elect to net share settle a forward sale agreement, then we will not receive any proceeds and may owe shares of our common stock to the relevant forward purchasers in certain circumstances. See "*Underwriting—Forward Sale Agreements*" in this prospectus supplement.

If the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) do not deliver and sell all of the shares of our common stock to be delivered and sold by them to the underwriters, we will issue and sell to the underwriters a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares of our common stock that the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) do not deliver and sell, and the number of shares underlying the relevant forward sale agreement will be decreased by the number of shares that we issue and sell.

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "CTRE." The last sale price for our common stock on May 18, 2026, as reported on the NYSE, was $41.52 per share.

To assist us in maintaining our status as a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), among other purposes, our Articles of Amendment and Restatement, as amended (our "charter"), contain certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock, including provisions generally restricting a stockholder from owning more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, and generally restricting a stockholder from owning more than 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our capital stock. See "*Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of CareTrust REIT Stock*" in the accompanying prospectus.

**Investing in our common stock involves risks. See "*Risk Factors*" beginning on page S-[7](#sRF) of this prospectus supplement and page [2](#tRF) of the accompanying prospectus and the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.** 

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

The underwriters have agreed to purchase shares of our common stock at a price of $40.225 per share, which will result in approximately $502.8 million of proceeds to us before expenses, subject to certain adjustments, assuming full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements. The underwriters may offer the shares of our common stock from time to time for sale in one or more transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. For the purposes of calculating the aggregate proceeds to us before expenses, we have assumed that the forward sale agreements will be fully physically settled based on a forward sale price equal to the initial forward sale price of $40.225 per share, which is the price to be paid to the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) by the underwriters. The forward sale price is subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the forward sale agreements, and the actual proceeds, if any, to us will be calculated as described in this prospectus supplement.

The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional 1,875,000 shares of common stock from us, at the price per share set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, less any dividends or distributions payable on the shares initially purchased by the underwriters but not payable on such option shares, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to cover sales by the underwriters in the initial offering of the shares or in the open market of a greater number of shares than the total number being offered in the initial offering. Upon any exercise of such option, we expect to enter into additional forward sale agreements with each forward purchaser in respect of the number of shares sold by the applicable forward purchaser (or its affiliate) in connection with the exercise of such option. Unless the context requires otherwise, the term "forward sale agreements," as used in this prospectus supplement, includes any additional forward sale agreements that we enter into in connection with the exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares. In such event, if any forward purchaser (or its affiliate) does not deliver and sell all of the shares of our common stock to be sold by it to the underwriters in connection with the exercise of such option, then we will issue and sell to the underwriters a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares of our common stock that such forward purchaser (or its affiliate) does not deliver and sell, and the number of shares underlying the relevant additional forward sale agreement will be decreased by the number of shares that we issue and sell.

Delivery of the shares of common stock is expected to be made in New York, New York on or about May 20, 2026.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Wells Fargo Securities** | **J.P. Morgan** |

---

#### The date of this prospectus supplement is May 18, 2026.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and, if applicable, any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell the securities described in this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus constitutes an offer, or an invitation on our behalf or on behalf of the underwriters or any agents, to subscribe for and purchase any of the securities and may not be used for or in connection with any offer or solicitation by anyone, in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation.

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#### Prospectus Supplement

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  | **Page**  |
| [ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT](#sAT) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[S-i](#sAT) |
| [MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA](#sMA) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[S-i](#sMA) |
| [CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS](#sCS) | [S-ii](#sCS) |
| [INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE](#sIO) | [S-iv](#sIO) |
| [PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY](#sPS) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[S-1](#sPS) |
| [RISK FACTORS](#sRF) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[S-7](#sRF) |
| [USE OF PROCEEDS](#sUOP) | [S-13](#sUOP) |
| [UNDERWRITING](#sUnder) | [S-14](#sUnder) |
| [LEGAL MATTERS](#sLM) | [S-20](#sLM) |
| [EXPERTS](#sEXP) | [S-20](#sEXP) |
| [WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION](#sWYC) | [S-20](#sWYC) |

---

#### Prospectus

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| [ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS](#tATP) | [ii](#tATP) |
| [WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION](#tWYC) | [iii](#tWYC) |
| [INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE](#tIOC) | [iv](#tIOC) |
| [CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS](#tCSR) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[v](#tCSR) |
| [CARETRUST REIT AND THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP](#tCAT) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[1](#tCAT) |
| [RISK FACTORS](#tRF) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[2](#tRF) |
| [SUBSIDIARY ISSUER AND GUARANTOR DISCLOSURES](#tSIA) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[3](#tSIA) |
| [USE OF PROCEEDS](#tUOP) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[5](#tUOP) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK](#tDOC) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[6](#tDOC) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS](#tDOW) | [17](#tDOW) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS](#tDOR) | [19](#tDOR) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF UNITS](#tDOU) | [20](#tDOU) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES](#tDOD) | [21](#tDOD) |
| [U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS](#tUSF) | [24](#tUSF) |
| [SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS](#tSSH) | [42](#tSSH) |
| [PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION](#tPOD) | [43](#tPOD) |
| [LEGAL MATTERS](#tLM) | [45](#tLM) |
| [EXPERTS](#tEXP) | [45](#tEXP) |

---

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document consists of two parts. The first is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which provides a more general description of the terms and conditions of the various securities we may, from time to time, offer under our registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") utilizing a "shelf" registration process, some of which may not apply to this offering. This prospectus supplement also adds to, updates and changes information contained in the accompanying prospectus. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on this prospectus supplement.

It is important that you read and consider all of the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus described under "*Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference*" on page S-[iv](#sIO) of this prospectus supplement and the additional information described under "*Where You Can Find More Information*" on page S-[20](#sWYC) of this prospectus supplement.

In this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise indicated herein or the context otherwise indicates, the terms "CareTrust REIT," "we," "us," "our" and the "Company" refer to CareTrust REIT, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries. With respect to REIT matters, "we," "our" and "us" refer only to CareTrust REIT, Inc. and not to its consolidated subsidiaries.

#### MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include or incorporate by reference information with respect to market share and industry conditions, which is based upon internal estimates and various third-party sources. While management believes that such data is reliable, we have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources nor have we ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon therein. Similarly, our internal estimates are based upon management's understanding of industry conditions, and such information has not been verified by any independent sources. Accordingly, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under "*Risk Factors*" in this prospectus supplement and under "*Item 1A. Risk Factors*" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future, including any subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

S-i<br>

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical statements of fact and those regarding our intent, belief or expectations, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: future financing plans, business strategies, growth prospects and operating and financial performance; expectations regarding the making of distributions and the payment of dividends; and compliance with and changes in governmental regulations.

Words such as "anticipate(s)," "expect(s)," "intend(s)," "plan(s)," "believe(s)," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "seek(s)" and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could lead to actual results differing materially from those projected, forecasted or expected. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the ability of our tenants, managers, and borrowers to successfully operate our properties and to meet and/or perform their obligations under the agreements we have entered into with them, including without limitation, their respective obligations to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the impact of unstable market and economic conditions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the impact of healthcare reform legislation, including reimbursement rates and potential minimum staffing level requirements, on the operating results and financial conditions of our tenants, managers, and borrowers;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the consequences of bankruptcy, insolvency or financial deterioration of our tenants, managers and borrowers;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the ability and willingness of our tenants, managers and borrowers to renew their agreements with us, and our ability to reposition our properties on the same or better terms in the event of nonrenewal or in the event we replace an existing tenant or manager;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the risk that we may have to incur additional impairment charges related to our assets held for sale if we are unable to sell such assets at the prices we expect;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the impact of public health crises;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the availability of and the ability to identify (a) tenants and managers who meet our credit and operating standards, and (b) suitable acquisition opportunities and the ability to acquire and lease the respective properties to such tenants and managers on favorable terms;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the intended benefits of our acquisition of Care REIT plc ("Care REIT") may not be realized, and the additional risks we will be subject to from our investment in Care REIT and any other international investments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the additional operational and legal risks associated with our properties managed in a RIDEA (as defined below) structure;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the impact of the unfavorable resolution of litigation or disputes and rising liability and insurance costs as a result thereof or other market factors;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the ability to retain our key management personnel;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the ability to maintain our status as a REIT;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• changes in the United States ("U.S.") and United Kingdom ("U.K.") tax law and other state, federal or local laws, whether or not specific to REITs;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the ability to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness;

S-ii<br>

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• access to debt and equity capital markets; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• fluctuating interest and currency rates.

We urge you to carefully consider these risks and review the additional disclosures we make concerning risks and other factors that may materially affect the outcome of our forward-looking statements and our future business and operating results, including those made under "*Risk Factors*" in this prospectus supplement and under "*Item 1A. Risk Factors*" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future, including subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We caution you that any forward-looking statements made in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference are not guarantees of future performance, events or results, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their respective dates. Except as required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

S-iii<br>

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#### INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information about us by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference herein and therein is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents and reports listed below (other than, in each case, the portions that are deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (filed with the SEC on [February 12, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1590717/000162828026007664/ctre-20251231.htm));

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 (filed with the SEC on [May 7](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1590717/000162828026032118/ctre-20260331.htm) , 2026);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on [March 13, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1590717/000162828026017386/ctre-20260312.htm) that are incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on [February 18, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1590717/000114036126005889/ny20065014x3_8k.htm) and [April 30, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1590717/000162828026028864/ctre-20260429.htm) ; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the description of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, contained in Exhibit 4.4 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (filed with the SEC on [February 12, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1590717/000162828026007664/exhibit44descriptionofcare.htm)), and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference the information contained in all other documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (other than the portions that are deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, unless otherwise indicated therein) on or after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of the offering under this prospectus supplement. The information contained in any such document will be considered part of this prospectus supplement from the date the document is filed with the SEC. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus (or a notice of registration in lieu thereof) is delivered a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus (including any exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference in those documents) at no cost. Any such request can be made by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:

CareTrust REIT, Inc. <br>

24901 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Suite A200<br>

Dana Point, California 92629<br>

(949) 542-3130

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
*The information below is a summary of the more detailed information included in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You should read carefully the following summary together with the more detailed information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus we may provide you in connection with this offering, and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, including the risk factors described on page S-[7](#sRF) of this prospectus supplement and on page [2](#tRF) of the accompanying prospectus and the "Risk Factors" section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information you should consider when making your investment decision. This prospectus supplement relates only to the offering of common stock.* 

#### Our Company
CareTrust REIT is a self-administered, publicly-traded REIT engaged in the ownership, acquisition, financing, development and leasing of skilled nursing, senior housing and other healthcare-related properties.

We generate revenues primarily by leasing healthcare-related properties to healthcare operators in triple-net lease arrangements, under which the tenant is solely responsible for the costs related to the property (including property taxes, insurance, maintenance and repair costs and capital expenditures, subject to certain exceptions in the case of properties leased to The Ensign Group, Inc. and The Pennant Group, Inc.). From time to time, we also extend secured mortgage loans to healthcare operators, secured by healthcare-related properties, extend secured mezzanine loans to healthcare operators, secured by membership interests in healthcare-related properties and operations, and invest in preferred equity investments. From time to time, we also partner with third-party institutional investors to invest in healthcare real estate in consolidated joint ventures. Pursuant to our joint ventures, we typically contribute at least 90% of the joint venture's total investment amount and we receive 100% of the preferred equity interest in the joint venture and a 50% common equity interest in the joint venture. Our joint venture partner contributes the remaining total investment amount in exchange for a 50% common equity interest in the joint venture.

During the fourth quarter of 2025, we began utilizing the structure authorized by the REIT Investment Diversification and Empowerment Act of 2007 (commonly referred to as "RIDEA") as permitted by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 in connection with the establishment of a senior housing operating portfolio ("SHOP") platform, and completed our first SHOP acquisition in December 2025. We generate revenues by owning, indirectly in consolidated joint ventures, properties operated by third-party property managers to whom we pay a management fee and with whom we have a management agreement for the management and operation of these properties. For our joint ventures within the SHOP platform, we typically contribute at least 90% of the joint venture's total investment amount and receive at least 90% of the equity interest in the joint venture, with our joint venture partner contributing the remaining amount of the total investment in exchange for the remaining equity interest.

We expect to grow our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional properties that will be leased to, or managed by, a diverse group of local, regional, national and international healthcare providers, which may include new or existing skilled nursing operators, as well as senior housing operators or managers, behavioral health facilities and related businesses. We may diversify our portfolio over time, including by acquiring properties in different geographic markets, including internationally, and in different asset classes.

We elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2014. We believe that we have been organized and have operated, and we intend to continue to operate, in a manner to qualify for taxation as a REIT. We operate through an umbrella partnership, commonly referred to as an UPREIT structure, in which substantially all of our properties and assets are held through CTR Partnership, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"). The Operating Partnership is managed by CareTrust REIT's wholly-owned subsidiary, CareTrust GP, LLC, which is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. To maintain REIT status, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains.

S-1<br>

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### Our Corporate Information
We were formed as a Maryland corporation in October 2013. Our principal executive offices are located at 24901 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Suite A200, Dana Point, California 92629 and our telephone number is (949) 542-3130. We maintain a website at *http://www.caretrustreit.com*. The information contained on or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not part of, this prospectus supplement, other than documents that we file with the SEC that are specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### The Offering

#### Common stock offered by the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates)
12,500,000 shares (or an aggregate of 14,375,000 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of common stock in full).<sup>(1)</sup>

#### Common stock to be outstanding after this offering (excluding the settlement of the forward sales agreements)
236,240,235 shares (236,240,235 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of common stock in full), based on 236,240,235 shares of our common stock outstanding as of May 15, 2026.<sup>(2)(3)</sup>

#### Common stock to be outstanding after settlement of the forward sale agreements (assuming full physical settlement)
248,740,235 shares (250,615,235 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of common stock in full), based on 236,240,235 shares of our common stock outstanding as of May 15, 2026.<sup>(2)(3)</sup>

#### Option to purchase additional shares from us
We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 1,875,000 additional shares of our common stock at the price per share set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, less any dividends or distributions payable on the shares initially purchased by the underwriters but not payable on such option shares, to cover sales by the underwriters in the initial offering of the shares or in the open market of a greater number of shares than the total number being offered in the initial offering.

#### Use of proceeds by us
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) in this offering, unless an event occurs that requires us to sell shares of our common stock to the underwriters in lieu of the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) selling shares of our common stock to the underwriters. We expect to receive proceeds of approximately $502.8 million, or $578.2 million if the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full (in each case, before deducting estimated expenses related to the forward sale agreements and this offering), subject to certain adjustments pursuant to the forward sale agreements, assuming full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements, which we expect will occur within approximately one year from the date of this prospectus supplement.<sup>(4)</sup>

We intend to contribute the net proceeds received upon the settlement of the forward sale agreements (and from the sale of any shares of our common stock that we may sell to the underwriters in lieu of the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) selling shares to the underwriters) to the Operating Partnership, which will in turn use the proceeds for general corporate purposes,

S-3<br>

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
which may include, among other things, future acquisitions or investments, or debt repayment. We may temporarily invest the net proceeds before use in interest bearing short-term investments that are consistent with our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT. See "*Use of Proceeds*."

#### Conflicts of Interest
As described in "*Use of Proceeds*," we intend to contribute the net proceeds from this offering to the Operating Partnership, which will in turn use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, future acquisitions or investments, or debt repayment. Affiliates of each of the underwriters are lenders under our unsecured term loan facility and our revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit Facility") under our third amended and restated credit and guaranty agreement, dated as of December 18, 2024, as amended from time to time (as amended, the "Third Amended Credit Agreement"), and, in such capacity, may receive a portion of the net proceeds from this offering. Such repayment to affiliates of each of the underwriters may constitute more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering. However, because REITs are not subject to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") Rule 5121 regarding conflicts of interest, the appointment of a "qualified independent underwriter" is not required in connection with this offering. See "*Underwriting."*

#### Accounting treatment of the forward sale agreements
Before settlement of the forward sale agreements, we expect that the shares issuable upon settlement of the forward sale agreements will be reflected in our diluted earnings per share, return on equity and dividends per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of shares of our common stock used in calculating diluted earnings per share, return on equity and dividends per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of shares of our common stock that would be issued upon full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements over the number of shares of our common stock that could be purchased by us in the market (based on the average market price during the period) using the proceeds receivable upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of the reporting period).

Consequently, we anticipate there will be no dilutive effect on our earnings per share prior to physical settlement or net share settlement of the forward sale agreements and subject to the occurrence of certain events, except during periods when the average market price of our common stock is above the forward sale price, which is subject to increase or decrease based on a specified daily rate, less a spread to be mutually agreed by us and the applicable forward purchaser, and subject to decrease by amounts related to expected dividends on shares of our common stock during the term of the

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forward sale agreements. However, if we decide to physically settle or net share settle the forward sale agreements, delivery of shares of our common stock to the applicable forward purchaser on the physical settlement or net share settlement date would result in dilution to our earnings per share and other reported per share measures. See "*Risk Factors—Risks Related to any Forward Sale Agreements—Provisions contained in a forward sale agreement could result in substantial dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity or result in substantial cash payment obligations.*"

#### NYSE symbol
"CTRE"

#### Ownership and transfer restrictions
To assist us in qualifying as a REIT, among other purposes, our charter contains certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock, including provisions generally restricting a stockholder from owning more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, and generally restricting a stockholder from owning more than 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our capital stock. See "*Description of Capital Stock—Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of CareTrust REIT Stock*" in the accompanying prospectus.

#### Risk Factors
Investing in our common stock involves risks. See "*Risk Factors*" beginning on page S-[7](#sRF) of this prospectus supplement and page [2](#tRF) of the accompanying prospectus and the "*Risk Factors*" sections in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and the other information included in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in connection with this offering, to read about factors you should consider before buying our common stock.

(1) The forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) intend to acquire shares of our common stock to be sold under this prospectus supplement through borrowings from third-party share lenders. Subject to the occurrence of certain events, we will not be obligated to deliver shares of our common stock, if any, under the forward sale agreements until final settlement of the forward sale agreements, which we expect will occur within approximately one year from the date of this prospectus supplement. Except in certain circumstances, we have the right to elect cash settlement or net share settlement under the forward sale agreements. See "*Underwriting—Forward Sale Agreements*" in this prospectus supplement for a description of the terms of the forward sale agreements. 

(2)<br> The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering excludes:

• 1,409,742 shares of our common stock issuable pursuant to restricted stock unit awards and awards of "LTIP Units" of the Operating Partnership that are subject to time-based or performance-based vesting requirements (assuming the maximum number of shares potentially issuable in connection with performance-based awards), which are outstanding under The CareTrust REIT, Inc. and CTR Partnership, L.P. Incentive Award Plan as of May 15, 2026 and, in the case of LTIP Units, following the conversion to common units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership upon achieving specified capital account thresholds and subsequent redemption, at our election, for shares of our common stock in accordance with the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership. 

• 3,170,629 shares of our common stock available for future grants and reserved for issuance under The CareTrust REIT, Inc. and CTR Partnership, L.P. Incentive Award Plan as of May 15, 2026.

(3) The number of shares outstanding assume that we have elected to enter into additional forward sale agreements with respect to any exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares. In addition, these numbers assume that no event will occur that would require us to sell shares of our common stock to the underwriters in this offering in lieu of the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) selling shares of our common stock to the underwriters. If such an event occurs or we elect not to enter into additional forward sale agreements, (i) the number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding upon completion of this offering would be increased by such number of shares and (ii) the number of shares of our common stock issuable pursuant to physical settlement of the forward sale agreements would be reduced by such number of shares. 

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(4) Calculated as of May 18, 2026, assuming that the forward sale agreements are fully physically settled based on a forward sale price equal to the initial forward sale price of $40.225 per share by the delivery of 12,500,000 shares of our common stock (or an aggregate of 14,375,000 shares of our common stock if the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full). The forward sale price is subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the forward sale agreements, and any net proceeds to us are subject to settlement of the forward sale agreements. If we elect to cash settle a forward sale agreement, then we may not receive any proceeds and may owe cash to the relevant forward purchaser in certain circumstances. If we elect to net share settle a forward sale agreement, then we will not receive any proceeds and may owe shares of our common stock to the relevant forward purchaser in certain circumstances. 

Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase an additional 1,875,000 shares of common stock from us.

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#### RISK FACTORS
Before purchasing shares of our common stock, you should consider carefully the following risk factors, as well as the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and the other information in this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, each of which could materially adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. See "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference." Each of such risks could result in a decrease in the value of our common stock and your investment therein. Although we have tried to discuss what we believe are key risk factors, please be aware that other risks may prove to be important in the future. New risks may emerge at any time, and we cannot predict those risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our financial performance or the value of our common stock.

#### Risks Related to This Offering and Our Common Stock
***Our charter restricts the ownership and transfer of our outstanding stock, which may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or change of control of our company.***

In order for us to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares of stock may be owned, beneficially or constructively, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of each taxable year after our first taxable year as a REIT. Additionally, at least 100 persons must beneficially own our stock during at least 335 days of a taxable year (other than our first taxable year as a REIT). Our charter, with certain exceptions, authorizes our board of directors to take such actions as are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT. Our charter also provides that, unless exempted by the board of directors, no person may own more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or more than 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock. The constructive ownership rules are complex and may cause shares of stock owned directly or constructively by a group of related individuals or entities to be constructively owned by one individual or entity. These ownership limits could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control of us that might involve a premium price for shares of our stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. The acquisition of less than 9.8% of our outstanding stock by an individual or entity could cause that individual or entity to own constructively in excess of 9.8% in value of our outstanding stock, and thus violate our charter's ownership limit. Our charter also prohibits any person from owning shares of our stock that would result in our being "closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT. In addition, our charter provides that (i) no person shall beneficially or constructively own shares of stock to the extent such beneficial or constructive ownership of stock would result in us failing to qualify as a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity" within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code, and (ii) no person shall beneficially or constructively own shares of stock to the extent such beneficial or constructive ownership would cause us to own, beneficially or constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in a tenant of our real property. Any attempt to own or transfer shares of our stock in violation of these restrictions may result in the transfer being automatically void.

***Maryland law and provisions in our charter and bylaws may delay or prevent takeover attempts by third parties and therefore inhibit our stockholders from realizing a premium on their stock.***

Our charter and Amended and Restated Bylaws ("bylaws") and Maryland law contain provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. Our charter and bylaws, among other things, (1) contain transfer and ownership restrictions on the percentage by number and value of outstanding shares of our stock that may be owned or acquired by any stockholder; (2) provide that stockholders are not allowed to act by non-unanimous written consent; (3) permit the board of directors, without further action of the stockholders, to amend the charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares or the number of shares of any class or series that we have the authority to issue; (4) permit the board of directors to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common or preferred stock and set the preferences, rights and other terms of the classified or reclassified shares; (5) establish certain advance notice procedures and requirements for stockholder proposals, and provide procedures and requirements for the nomination of candidates for our board of directors; (6) provide that special meetings of stockholders may only be called by the Company or upon written request of 25% of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting; (7) provide that a director may only be removed by stockholders for cause and

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upon the vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock; and (8) provide for supermajority approval requirements for amending or repealing certain provisions in our charter. In addition, specific anti-takeover provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law could make it more difficult for a third party to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• "business combination" provisions that, subject to limitations, prohibit certain business combinations between us and an "interested stockholder" (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our shares or an affiliate thereof) for five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, and thereafter impose special appraisal rights and special stockholder voting requirements on these combinations; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• "control share" provisions that provide that "control shares" of our company (defined as shares which, when aggregated with other shares owned by the acquiring person or in respect of which the acquiring person is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiring person to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing directors) acquired in a "control share acquisition" (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership or control of "control shares") have no voting rights except to the extent approved by our stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding all interested shares.

We believe these provisions protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with our board of directors and by providing our board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers. However, these provisions may delay, defer or prevent a change of control or other transaction even if such transaction involves a premium price for our common stock or our stockholders believe that such transaction is otherwise in their best interests. These provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.

#### The market price and trading volume of our common stock may fluctuate.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate, depending upon many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including, but not limited to:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a shift in our investor base;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other comparable companies;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our ability to obtain financing as needed, including through potential future equity or debt issuances;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• increases in market interest rates, which may lead investors in our common stock to demand a higher yield, and would result in increased interest expense on our debt;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• changes in laws and regulations affecting our business;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• announcements by us or our competitors of significant investments, acquisitions or dispositions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the operating performance and stock price of other comparable companies;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• changes in our dividend policy;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• impairment charges affecting the carrying value of one or more of our investments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• issuances of additional equity securities, including pursuant to this offering, or sales of our common stock by directors or our management team;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• overall market fluctuations; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• general economic or political conditions and other external factors.

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Stock markets in general have experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

#### We will have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds we receive from this offering and may not use them effectively.
We will retain broad discretion to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, future acquisitions or investments, or debt repayment. We may temporarily invest the net proceeds before use in interest-bearing short-term investments that are consistent with our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT. Accordingly, you will have to rely upon the judgment of our management with respect to the use of those net proceeds. Our management may spend a portion or all of the net proceeds we receive from this offering in ways that our stockholders may not desire or that may not yield a favorable return. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could harm our business.

#### We cannot assure you of our ability to pay dividends in the future.
We expect to make quarterly dividend payments in cash, with the annual dividend amount no less than 90% of our REIT taxable income on an annual basis, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains. Our ability to pay dividends may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the risk factors described in this prospectus supplement. Dividends are authorized by our board of directors and declared by us based upon a number of factors, including actual results of operations, restrictions under Maryland law or applicable debt covenants, our financial condition, our taxable income, the annual distribution requirements under the REIT provisions of the Code, our operating expenses and other factors our directors deem relevant. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash dividends or year-to-year increases in cash dividends in the future.

Furthermore, while we are required to pay dividends in order to maintain our REIT status, we may elect not to maintain our REIT status, in which case we would no longer be required to pay such dividends. Moreover, even if we do elect to maintain our REIT status, after completing various procedural steps, we may elect to comply with the applicable distribution requirements by distributing, under certain circumstances, a portion of the required amount in the form of shares of our common stock in lieu of cash. If we elect not to maintain our REIT status or to satisfy any required distributions in shares of common stock in lieu of cash, such action could negatively affect our business and financial condition as well as the market price of our common stock. No assurance can be given that we will pay any dividends on shares of our common stock in the future.

***Future offerings of debt securities, which would rank senior to our common stock upon our liquidation, and future offerings of equity securities, which would dilute our existing stockholders and may be senior to our common stock for the purposes of dividend and liquidating distributions, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.***

We may in the future incur or issue debt or issue equity or equity-related securities. Upon our liquidation, lenders and holders of our debt and holders of our preferred stock (if any) would receive a distribution of our available assets before common stockholders. Any future incurrence or issuance of debt would increase our interest cost and could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows. We are not required to offer any additional equity securities to existing common stockholders on a preemptive basis.

Therefore, additional issuances of common stock, directly (including issuances of common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement) or through convertible or exchangeable securities (including limited partnership interests in our operating partnership), warrants or options, will dilute the holdings of our existing common stockholders and such issuances, or the perception of such issuances, may reduce the market price of our common stock. Any preferred stock issued by us would likely have a preference on distribution payments, periodically or upon liquidation, which could eliminate or otherwise limit our ability to make distributions to common stockholders. Because our decision to incur or issue debt or issue equity or equity-related securities in the future will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, nature or success of our future capital raising efforts. Thus, common stockholders bear the risk that our future offerings will adversely affect the market price of our common stock and dilute the value of their stock holdings in us.

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#### Risks Related to the Forward Sale Agreements
***Provisions contained in the forward sale agreements could result in substantial dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity or result in substantial cash payment obligations.***

Each forward purchaser will have the right to accelerate the settlement of the shares of our common stock underlying its forward sale agreement with us, in whole or in part (with respect to all or any portion of the transaction under the forward sale agreements) that such forward purchaser determines is affected by an event described below, other than events specified in the first and fifth bullet points below, where accelerated settlement will not exceed the portion of shares of our common stock whose settlement would address the relevant event or that is affected by the relevant event), and require us to settle on a date specified by such forward purchaser if:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• in such forward purchaser's commercially reasonable judgment, it or its affiliate (x) is unable to hedge its exposure under such forward sale agreement because insufficient shares of our common stock have been made available for borrowing by securities lenders or (y) would incur a stock loan cost in excess of a specified threshold to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure under such forward sale agreement;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• we declare any distribution, issue or dividend on shares of our common stock (a) payable in cash in excess of specified amounts (unless it is an extraordinary dividend), (b) that constitutes an extraordinary dividend under the forward sale agreements, (c) payable in securities of another company as a result of a spin-off or similar transaction, or (d) payable in any other type of securities (other than our common stock), rights, warrants or other assets for payment at less than the prevailing market price;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• an event is announced that, if consummated, would result in a specified extraordinary event (including certain mergers or tender offers, as well as certain events involving our nationalization, our insolvency or a delisting of our common stock) or the occurrence of a change in law or disruption in such forward purchaser's ability to hedge its exposure under the relevant forward sale agreement;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• certain other events of default or termination events occur, including, among others, any material misrepresentation made in connection with such forward sale agreement (each as more fully described in the forward sale agreements); or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• certain ownership thresholds applicable to such forward purchaser and its affiliates are exceeded.

A forward purchaser's decision to exercise its right to accelerate the settlement of its forward sale agreement will be made irrespective of our interests, including our need for capital. In such cases, we could be required to issue and deliver shares of our common stock under the physical settlement provisions of the forward sale agreements, irrespective of our capital needs, which would result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity.

We expect to settle the forward sale agreements within approximately one year from the date of this prospectus supplement. However, the forward sale agreements may be settled earlier in whole or in part at our option. Subject to certain conditions, we generally have the right to elect physical, cash or net share settlement under the forward sale agreements. We expect that the forward sale agreements will be physically settled by delivery of shares of our common stock, unless we elect to cash settle or net share settle the forward sale agreements, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Delivery of shares of our common stock upon physical settlement (or, if we elect net share settlement, upon such settlement to the extent we are obligated to deliver shares of our common stock) will result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity.

If we elect cash settlement or net share settlement with respect to all or a portion of the shares of our common stock underlying the forward sale agreements, we expect the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) to purchase a number of shares of our common stock in secondary market transactions over an unwind period to:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• return shares of our common stock to securities lenders in order to unwind each forward purchaser's hedge (after taking into consideration any shares of our common stock to be delivered by us to such forward purchaser, if applicable, in the case of net share settlement); and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if applicable, in the case of net share settlement, deliver shares of our common stock to us to the extent required in settlement of the forward sale agreements.

If the price of our common stock at which the purchases by the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliate) are made is below the relevant forward price, such forward purchaser will pay us such difference in cash (if we elect

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to cash settle) or deliver to us a number of shares of our common stock having a market value equal to such difference (if we elect to net share settle). If the price of our common stock at which the purchases are made by the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliate) exceeds the applicable forward price, we will pay such forward purchaser an amount in cash equal to such difference (if we elect to cash settle) or we will deliver to such forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having a market value equal to such difference (if we elect to net share settle). Any such difference could be significant and could result in our receipt of a significant amount of cash or number of shares of our common stock from such forward purchaser or require us to pay a significant amount of cash or deliver a significant number of shares of our common stock to such forward purchaser.

The purchase of shares of our common stock in connection with the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) unwinding their hedge positions could cause the price of shares of our common stock to increase over such time (or prevent a decrease over such time), thereby increasing the amount of cash we would owe to the forward purchasers (or decreasing the amount of cash that the forward purchasers would owe us) upon a cash settlement or increasing the number of shares of our common stock we would deliver to the forward purchasers (or decreasing the number of shares of our common stock that the forward purchasers would deliver to us) upon net share settlement.

The forward sale price that we expect to receive upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreements will be subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on an interest rate factor equal to a specified daily floating rate less a spread to be mutually agreed by us and each forward purchaser, and will be decreased based on amounts related to expected dividends on our common stock during the term of the forward sale agreements. If the specified daily rate is less than the spread for the forward sale agreements on any day, the interest factor will result in a daily reduction of the forward sale price. If the prevailing market price for our common stock during the unwind period under the forward sale agreements is above the forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would pay the forward purchasers an amount in cash equal to the difference or, in the case of net share settlement, we would deliver to the forward purchasers a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the difference. Thus, we could be responsible for a potentially substantial cash payment in the case of cash settlement of the forward sale agreements. See "Underwriting—Forward Sale Agreements" for information on the forward sale agreements.

***In the event of our bankruptcy or insolvency, the forward sale agreements will automatically terminate, and we would not receive the expected proceeds from the sale of our shares under the agreements.***

If we file for, or a regulatory authority with jurisdiction over us institutes, or we consent to a proceeding seeking a judgment in bankruptcy or insolvency or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors' rights, or we or a regulatory authority with jurisdiction over us presents a petition for our winding-up or liquidation, and we consent to such a petition, the forward sale agreements will automatically terminate. If the forward sale agreements so terminate under these circumstances, we would not be obligated to deliver to the forward purchasers any shares of our common stock not previously delivered, and the forward purchasers would be discharged from their obligations to pay the forward sale price per share in respect of any shares of our common stock not previously settled under the forward sale agreements. Therefore, to the extent that there are any shares of our common stock with respect to which the forward sale agreements have not been settled at the time of the commencement of any such bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, we would not receive the forward sale price per share in respect of those shares of our common stock.

***The U.S. federal income tax treatment of the cash that we might receive from cash settlement of the forward sale agreements is unclear and could jeopardize our ability to meet the REIT qualification requirements.***

In the event that we elect to settle the forward sale agreements for cash and the settlement price is below the forward sale price, we would be entitled to receive a cash payment from the forward purchaser. Under Section 1032 of the Code, generally, no gains and losses are recognized by a corporation in dealing in its own shares, including pursuant to a "securities futures contract," as defined in the Code by reference to the Exchange Act. Although we believe that any amount received by us in exchange for our stock would qualify for the exemption under Section 1032 of the Code, because it is not entirely clear whether a forward sale agreement qualifies as a "securities futures contract," the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any cash settlement payment we receive is uncertain. In the event that we recognize a significant gain from the cash settlement of the forward sale agreements, we might not be able to satisfy the gross income requirements applicable to REITs under the Code. In that case, we may be able to rely upon the relief provisions under the Code in order to avoid the loss of our REIT status. Even if the relief provisions apply, we will be subject to a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross

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income test, as discussed under the caption "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the accompanying prospectus. In the event that these relief provisions were not available, we could lose our REIT status under the Code.

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#### USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) in this offering, unless an event occurs that requires us to sell shares of our common stock to the underwriters in lieu of the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) selling shares of our common stock to the underwriters. We expect to receive proceeds of approximately $502.8 million, or $578.2 million if the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full (in each case, before deducting estimated expenses related to the forward sale agreements and this offering), subject to certain adjustments pursuant to the forward sale agreements, assuming full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements, which we expect will occur within approximately one year from the date of this prospectus supplement.

The forward sale price that we expect to receive upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreements will be subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to a specified daily rate less a spread and will be decreased based on amounts related to expected dividends on shares of our common stock during the term of the forward sale agreements. If the specified daily rate is less than the spread on any day, the interest rate factor will result in a daily reduction of the forward sale price.

If, however, we elect to cash settle the forward sale agreements, we would expect to receive an amount of proceeds that is significantly lower than the estimate described above, and we may not receive any net proceeds (or may owe cash to the forward purchasers). If we elect to net share settle the forward sale agreements in full, we would not receive any proceeds from the forward purchasers (or we may owe shares of our common stock to the forward purchasers).

We intend to contribute the net proceeds received upon the settlement of the forward sale agreements (and from the sale of any shares of our common stock that we may sell to the underwriters in lieu of the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) selling shares to the underwriters) to the Operating Partnership, which will in turn apply the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, future acquisitions or investments, or debt repayment. We may temporarily invest the net proceeds before use in interest bearing short-term investments that are consistent with our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT.

As of May 15, 2026, we had approximately $350 million of borrowings outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility under the Third Amended Credit Agreement. The interest rates applicable to loans under the Revolving Credit Facility are, at the Operating Partnership's option, equal to either a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.05% to 0.55% per annum or Term SOFR or Daily Simple SOFR (each as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement) plus a margin ranging from 1.05% to 1.55% per annum based on the debt to asset value ratio of us and our consolidated subsidiaries (subject to decrease at the Operating Partnership's election if we obtain certain specified investment grade ratings on our senior long-term unsecured debt). The Revolving Credit Facility has a maturity date of February 9, 2029, and includes, at our sole discretion, two six-month extension options. Affiliates of each of the underwriters are lenders under our Revolving Credit Facility and, in such capacity, may receive a portion of the net proceeds from this offering. See "*Underwriting*."

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#### UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement, dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, and we and the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) have severally agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of shares set forth opposite the underwriter's name.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Underwriter** | **Number of Shares**  |
| Wells Fargo Securities, LLC | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6250000 |
| J.P. Morgan Securities LLC | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6250000 |
| Total | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12500000 |

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Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the shares of our common stock sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriter may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters, the forward purchasers and their respective affiliates against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters are offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer's certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel, or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

The underwriters have agreed to purchase shares of our common stock at a price of $40.225 per share, which will result in approximately $502.8 million of proceeds to us before expenses, subject to certain adjustments, assuming full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements. The underwriters may offer the shares of our common stock from time to time for sale in one or more transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. For the purposes of calculating the aggregate proceeds to us before expenses, we have assumed that the forward sale agreements will be fully physically settled based on a forward sale price equal to the initial forward sale price of $40.225 per share, which is the price to be paid to the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) by the underwriters. The forward sale price is subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the forward sale agreements, and the actual proceeds to us will be calculated as described in this prospectus supplement.

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering payable by us, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $350,000.

#### Option to Purchase Additional Shares
We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 1,875,000 shares of common stock from us at the price per share set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, less any dividends or distributions payable on the same shares initially purchased by the underwriters but not payable on such option shares, to cover sales by the underwriters in the initial offering of the shares or in the open market of a greater number of shares than the total number being offered in the initial offering. The underwriters may exercise the option for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares of common stock proportionate to that underwriter's initial amount reflected in the above table. Upon any exercise of such option, we expect to enter into additional forward sale agreements with the each forward purchaser in respect of the number of shares sold by the applicable forward purchaser (or its affiliate) in connection with the exercise of such option. In such event, if any forward purchaser (or its affiliate) does not deliver and sell all of the shares of our common stock to be sold by it to the underwriters in connection with the exercise of such option, then we will issue and sell to the underwriters a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares of our common stock that such forward purchaser (or its affiliate) does not deliver and sell, and the number of shares underlying the relevant additional forward sale agreement will be decreased by the number of shares that we issue and sell.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
The additional forward sale agreements that we will enter into in the event the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock will be on substantially the same terms as the initial forward sale agreements described below, except that they will cover only the number of shares of our common stock that are subject to such option exercise and the initial forward sale price under the additional forward sale agreements will be the initial forward sale price under the initial forward sale agreements, subject to certain adjustments.

#### No Sales of Similar Securities
We, our executive officers and our directors have agreed with the underwriters, for a period of 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to certain exceptions (including sales made in connection with the forward sales agreements), not to offer, sell, hedge or otherwise dispose of any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC. However, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC may, in their sole discretion and at any time without notice, release all or any portion of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements. When determining whether to release securities from the lock-up agreements, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC may consider, among other factors, market conditions at the time, the number of securities for which the release is requested and the stockholder's reasons for requesting the release.

#### Other Relationships
The underwriters, forward purchasers and/or their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters, forward purchasers and/or their respective affiliates have from time to time provided, and expect to provide in the future, investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services to us and our affiliates, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and/or their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours. The underwriters, forward purchasers and/or their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

As described in "*Use of Proceeds*," we intend to contribute the net proceeds received upon the settlement of the forward sale agreements to the Operating Partnership, which may in turn apply the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, future acquisitions or investments, or debt repayment. Affiliates of each of the underwriters are lenders under our unsecured term loan facility under our Third Amended Credit Agreement and our Revolving Credit Facility and, in such capacity, may receive a portion of the net proceeds from this offering. Such repayment to affiliates of each of the underwriters may constitute more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering. However, because REITs are not subject to FINRA Rule 5121 regarding conflicts of interest, the appointment of a "qualified independent underwriter" is not required in connection with this offering.

#### Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**
at which they may purchase additional shares pursuant to the option granted to them. "Naked" short sales are any sales in excess of such option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares of our common stock sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the effect of the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. They may also cause the price of our common stock to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist on the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the NYSE or in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them without notice at any time.

#### Electronic Distribution
In connection with the offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail.

#### Forward Sale Agreements
We expect to enter into separate forward sale agreements with the forward purchasers. In connection with the forward sale agreements, the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) are expected to borrow from third parties and sell to the underwriters an aggregate of 12,500,000 shares of our common stock (or an aggregate of 14,375,000 shares of our common stock if the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) that will be delivered in this offering. If any forward purchaser or its affiliate does not deliver and sell all of the shares of our common stock to be delivered and sold by it, then we will issue and sell to the underwriters a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares of our common stock that such forward purchaser or its affiliate did not deliver and sell, and the number of shares underlying the relevant forward sale agreement will be decreased by the number of shares that we issue and sell. Under any such circumstance, the commitment of the underwriters to purchase shares of our common stock from the forward purchasers or their affiliate will be replaced with the commitment to purchase from us, at the price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, less, in the case of option shares, any dividends or distributions payable on the shares initially purchased by the underwriters but not payable on such option shares.

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates), but we expect to receive an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale of the borrowed shares of our common stock sold in this offering, subject to certain adjustments pursuant to the forward sale agreements, at the forward sale price, from the forward purchasers assuming full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements. We will only receive such proceeds if we elect to fully physically settle the forward sale agreements.

We expect to physically settle the forward sale agreements within approximately one year from the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to acceleration by the forward purchasers upon the occurrence of certain events. On a settlement date, if we decide to physically settle the forward sale agreements, we will issue shares of our common stock to the forward purchasers under the forward sale agreements at the then-applicable forward sale price. The forward sale price will also be subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to a specified daily rate less a spread. If the specified daily rate is less than the spread on any day, the interest factor will result in a daily reduction of the forward sale price. If the specified daily rate is greater than the spread on any day, the interest factor will result in a daily increase of the forward sale price. In addition, the forward sale price will be subject to decrease on certain dates specified in the relevant forward sale agreement by the amount per share of dividends we expect to declare on our common stock during the term of such forward sale agreement.

Except under limited circumstances described below, we have the right to elect physical, cash or net share settlement under the forward sale agreements. Although we expect to settle the forward sale agreements entirely by

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delivering shares of our common stock in connection with full physical settlement, we may, subject to certain conditions, elect cash settlement or net share settlement for all or a portion of our obligations under the forward sale agreements if we conclude that it is in our interest to do so. For example, we may conclude that it is in our interest to cash settle or net share settle the forward sale agreements if we have no then-current use for all or a portion of the net proceeds that we would receive upon physical settlement. In addition, subject to certain conditions, we may elect to accelerate the settlement of all or a portion of the number of shares of our common stock underlying the forward sale agreements.

We will generally have the right, in lieu of physical settlement of any forward sale agreement, to elect cash or net share settlement in respect of any or all of the shares of our common stock subject to such forward sale agreement. If we elect to cash or net share settle all or any part of any forward sale agreement, then we would expect the relevant forward purchaser or its affiliate to purchase shares of our common stock in secondary market transactions over an unwind period to:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• return shares of our common stock to securities lenders in order to unwind each forward purchaser's hedge position (after taking into consideration any shares of our common stock to be delivered by us to the forward purchaser, in the case of net share settlement); and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if applicable, in the case of net share settlement, deliver shares of our common stock to us to the extent required in settlement of the forward sale agreements.

If the price of our common stock at which the purchases by the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliate) are made is below the relevant forward price, such forward purchaser will pay us such difference in cash (if we elect to cash settle) or deliver to us a number of shares of our common stock having a market value equal to such difference (if we elect to net share settle). If the price of our common stock at which these purchases are made by the forward purchasers (or their respective affiliate) exceeds the applicable forward sale price, then we will pay such forward purchaser an amount in cash equal to such difference (if we elect to cash settle) or we will deliver to such forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having a market value equal to such difference (if we elect to net share settle). Any such difference could be significant and could result in our receipt of a significant amount of cash or number of shares of our common stock from such forward purchaser or require us to pay a significant amount of cash or deliver a significant number of shares of our common stock to such forward purchaser. Each forward sale agreement provides the applicable forward purchaser with the right to accelerate its forward sale agreement with respect to all or any portion of the transaction under such forward sale agreement (except with respect to events specified in (1) and (3) below, where accelerated settlement is limited to the portion of shares whose settlement would address the relevant event or that is affected by the relevant event) that it enters into with us and to require us to physically settle such shares on a date specified by such forward purchaser if: (1) in such forward purchaser's commercially reasonable judgment, it or its affiliate is unable to hedge (or maintain a hedge of) its exposure in a commercially reasonable manner under such forward sale agreement because (a) insufficient shares of our common stock have been made available for borrowing by securities lenders or (b) such forward purchaser or its affiliate would incur a stock borrow cost in excess of a specified threshold; (2) we declare any dividend, issue or distribution on shares of our common stock that constitutes an extraordinary dividend under such forward sale agreement or is payable in (a) cash in excess of specified amounts (unless it is an extraordinary dividend), (b) securities of another company that we acquire or own (directly or indirectly) as a result of a spin-off or similar transaction, or (c) any other type of securities (other than our common stock), rights, warrants or other assets for payment at less than the prevailing market price; (3) certain ownership thresholds applicable to such forward purchaser and its affiliates are or would be exceeded; (4) an event (a) is announced that if consummated would result in a specified extraordinary event (including certain mergers or tender offers, certain events involving our nationalization, our insolvency or a delisting of our common stock) or (b) occurs that would constitute a hedging disruption or change in law; or (5) certain other events of default or termination events occur, including, among others, any material misrepresentation made by us in connection with such forward sale agreement (each as more fully described in the relevant forward sale agreement).

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#### Selling Restrictions <br>

#### Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada
The shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

#### Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area
In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area (each, a "Member State"), an offer of securities described in this prospectus supplement may not be made to the public in that Member State other than:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• to fewer than 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation), as permitted under the Prospectus Regulation, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant dealer or dealers nominated by the issuer for any such offer; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of securities shall require us or any sales agent to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation.

For purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer of securities to the public" in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities, and the expression "Prospectus Regulation" means Regulation 2017/1129/EU as amended.

We have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of securities through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the sales agents with a view to the final placement of the securities as contemplated in this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, no purchaser of the securities, other than the sales agents, is authorized to make any further offer of the securities on behalf of the sellers or the sales agents.

#### Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom
We may constitute a "collective investment scheme" as defined by section 235 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FSMA") that is not a "recognized collective investment scheme" for the purposes of FSMA ("CIS") and that has not been authorized or otherwise approved. As an unregulated scheme, it cannot be marketed in the United Kingdom to the general public, except in accordance with FSMA. This prospectus supplement is only being distributed in the United Kingdom to, and is only directed at:

(1) if we are a CIS and are marketed by a person who is an authorized person under FSMA, (a) investment professionals falling within Article 14(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Promotion of Collective Investment Schemes) Order 2001, as amended (the "CIS Promotion Order") or (b) high net worth companies and other persons falling within Article 22(2)(a) to (d) of the CIS Promotion Order; or 

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(2) otherwise, if marketed by a person who is not an authorized person under FSMA, (a) persons who fall within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Financial Promotion Order") or (b) Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order; and 

(3)<br> in both cases (i) and (ii) to any other person to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons").

Our common stock is only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such common stock will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement or any of its contents. An invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of common stock which is the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement will only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply to us and each underwriter has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to any of our common stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

#### Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland
Our common stock may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange ("SIX") or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus supplement has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to our common stock or this offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to this offering, us, or our common stock have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus supplement will not be filed with, and the offer of common stock will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, and the offer of common stock has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes ("CISA"). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of our common stock.

#### Notice to Prospective Investors in the Netherlands
Our common stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the Netherlands, other than to qualified investors (gekwalificeerde beleggers) within the meaning of Article 1:1 of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

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#### LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters regarding the validity of the common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by O'Melveny & Myers LLP and by DLA Piper LLP (US), Baltimore, Maryland, with respect to matters of Maryland law. In addition, certain U.S. federal income tax matters will be passed upon for us by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Los Angeles, California. The underwriters have been represented by Jones Day. The forward purchasers have been represented by Latham & Watkins LLP.

#### EXPERTS
The financial statements of CareTrust REIT, Inc. as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2025, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement by reference to CareTrust REIT, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and the effectiveness of CareTrust REIT, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

#### WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including us. The address of that site is *http://www.sec.gov*.

Our website address is located at *http://www.caretrustreit.com*. Through links on the "Investors" portion of our website, we make available free of charge our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, any amendments to those reports and other information filed with, or furnished to, the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Such material is made available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the information with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The information contained on or that can be accessed through our website does not constitute part of this prospectus supplement, other than documents that we file with the SEC that are specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### PROSPECTUS
![](logo_caretrust2.jpg)<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>

## CareTrust REIT, Inc. <br>

### COMMON STOCK, PREFERRED STOCK, WARRANTS, RIGHTS, UNITS, DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

## CTR Partnership, L.P. <br>

### DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES
CareTrust REIT, Inc. may offer from time to time, in one or more series:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• shares of common stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• shares of preferred stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• warrants to purchase common stock and/or preferred stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• rights to purchase common stock and/or preferred stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• units consisting of two or more of these classes or series of securities; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• debt securities.

CareTrust REIT, Inc. may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, the above securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. The debt securities offered by CareTrust REIT, Inc. may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by CTR Partnership, L.P., as described in this prospectus or in a prospectus supplement. These debt securities and any such guarantees may be senior or subordinated obligations.

CTR Partnership, L.P. may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, debt securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. These debt securities may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by CareTrust REIT, Inc., as described in this prospectus or in a prospectus supplement. These debt securities and any such guarantees may be senior or subordinated obligations.

The securities described in this prospectus may also be resold by selling securityholders from time to time on terms to be determined at the time of offering.

The securities described in this prospectus may be offered and sold separately or together in units with other securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. The specific terms of any securities to be offered and the manner in which the securities will be offered will be described in a supplement to this prospectus. If agents, underwriters or dealers are used to sell these securities, a prospectus supplement will name them and describe their compensation. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

**Investing in our securities involves risks. You should read carefully the section entitled "Risk Factors" on page [2](#tRF) herein and the "Risk Factors" section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus before investing in our securities.** 

**Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.** 

#### The date of this prospectus is February 17, 2026.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| [ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS](#tATP) | [ii](#tATP) |
| [WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION](#tWYC) | [iii](#tWYC) |
| [INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE](#tIOC) | [iv](#tIOC) |
| [CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS](#tCSR) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[v](#tCSR) |
| [CARETRUST REIT AND THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP](#tCAT) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[1](#tCAT) |
| [RISK FACTORS](#tRF) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[2](#tRF) |
| [SUBSIDIARY ISSUER AND GUARANTOR DISCLOSURES](#tSIA) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[3](#tSIA) |
| [USE OF PROCEEDS](#tUOP) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[5](#tUOP) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK](#tDOC) | &nbsp;&nbsp;[6](#tDOC) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS](#tDOW) | [17](#tDOW) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS](#tDOR) | [19](#tDOR) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF UNITS](#tDOU) | [20](#tDOU) |
| [DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES](#tDOD) | [21](#tDOD) |
| [U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS](#tUSF) | [24](#tUSF) |
| [SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS](#tSSH) | [42](#tSSH) |
| [PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION](#tPOD) | [43](#tPOD) |
| [LEGAL MATTERS](#tLM) | [45](#tLM) |
| [EXPERTS](#tEXP) | [45](#tEXP) |

---

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#### ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of an "automatic shelf" registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as a "well-known seasoned issuer" as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), using a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, CareTrust REIT, the Operating Partnership or any selling securityholders to be named in a prospectus supplement may, from time to time, sell securities as described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Each time CareTrust REIT, the Operating Partnership, or any selling securityholder sells securities pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, a prospectus supplement will be provided that contains specific information about the terms of that offering. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement may add information to this prospectus or update or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the headings "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference."

You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus, in any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with any offering of securities. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. None of CareTrust REIT, the Operating Partnership or any selling securityholder is offering to sell or soliciting any offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

You should assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

The phrase "this prospectus" refers to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, unless the context otherwise requires. Unless otherwise stated, or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to "CareTrust REIT," "Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to CareTrust REIT, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries and references in this prospectus to "Operating Partnership" refer to CTR Partnership, L.P.

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#### WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
CareTrust REIT files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The Operating Partnership does not currently file reports, proxy statements or other information under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.

Our website address is located at http://www.caretrustreit.com. Through links on the "Investors" portion of our website, we make available free of charge CareTrust REIT's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, any amendments to those reports and other information filed with, or furnished to, the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Such material is made available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the information with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The information contained on or that can be accessed through our website does not constitute part of this prospectus, except for reports filed with the SEC that are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

CareTrust REIT and the Operating Partnership have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits filed with it, parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be filed through an amendment to the registration statement or under cover of a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Any statement made in this prospectus concerning a contract or other document of ours is not necessarily complete and you should read the documents that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC for a more complete understanding of the document or matter. Each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. The full registration statement, including exhibits thereto, may be obtained from the SEC or us as indicated above.

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#### INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information about us by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents and reports listed below (other than the portions that are deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (filed with the SEC on [February 12, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1590717/000162828026007664/ctre-20251231.htm));

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A that are incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (filed with the SEC on [March 7, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1590717/000162828025011281/ctre-20250307.htm)); and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the description of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, contained in Exhibit 4.4 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (filed with the SEC on [February 12, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1590717/000162828026007664/exhibit44descriptionofcare.htm)), and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference the information contained in all other documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the portions that are deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, unless otherwise indicated therein) after the date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and on or after the date of this prospectus but prior to the completion of the offerings of all securities under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. The information contained in any such document will be considered part of this prospectus from the date the document is filed with the SEC. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

No separate financial statements of the Operating Partnership have been included or incorporated by reference herein. The Operating Partnership does not currently file reports, proxy statements or other information under the Exchange Act with the SEC. See "Subsidiary Issuer and Guarantor Disclosures."

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus (or a notice of registration in lieu thereof) is delivered a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus (including any exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference in those documents) at no cost. Any such request can be made by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:

CareTrust REIT, Inc. <br>

24901 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Suite A200 <br>

Dana Point, California 92629 <br>

(949) 542-3130

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#### CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference may constitute forward-looking statements. Those forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical statements of fact and those regarding our intent, belief or expectations, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: future financing plans, business strategies, growth prospects and operating and financial performance; expectations regarding the making of distributions and the payment of dividends; and compliance with and changes in governmental regulations.

Words such as "anticipate(s)," "expect(s)," "intend(s)," "plan(s)," "believe(s)," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "seek(s)" and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could lead to actual results differing materially from those projected, forecasted or expected. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the ability of our tenants, managers, and borrowers to successfully operate our properties and to meet and/or perform their obligations under the agreements we have entered into with them, including without limitation, their respective obligations to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless from and against various claims, litigation and liabilities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the impact of unstable market and economic conditions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the impact of healthcare reform legislation, including reimbursement rates and potential minimum staffing level requirements, on the operating results and financial conditions of our tenants, managers, and borrowers;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the consequences of bankruptcy, insolvency or financial deterioration of our tenants, managers and borrowers;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the ability and willingness of our tenants, managers and borrowers to renew their agreements with us, and our ability to reposition our properties on the same or better terms in the event of nonrenewal or in the event we replace an existing tenant or manager;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the risk that we may have to incur additional impairment charges related to our assets held for sale if we are unable to sell such assets at the prices we expect;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the impact of public health crises;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the availability of and the ability to identify (a) tenants and managers who meet our credit and operating standards, and (b) suitable acquisition opportunities and the ability to acquire and lease the respective properties to such tenants on favorable terms;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the intended benefits of our acquisition of Care REIT plc ("Care REIT") may not be realized, and the additional risks we will be subject to from our investment in Care REIT and any other international investments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the additional operational and legal risks associated with our properties managed in a RIDEA (as defined below) structure;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the impact of the unfavorable resolution of litigation or disputes and rising liability and insurance costs as a result thereof or other market factors;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the ability to retain our key management personnel;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the ability to maintain our status as a real estate investment trust ("REIT");

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• changes in the U.S. and U.K. tax law and other state, federal or local laws, whether or not specific to REITs;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the ability to generate sufficient cash flows to service our outstanding indebtedness;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• access to debt and equity capital markets; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• fluctuating interest and currency rates.

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We urge you to carefully consider these risks and review the additional disclosures we make concerning risks and other factors that may materially affect the outcome of our forward-looking statements and our future business and operating results, including those made in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future, including subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in any prospectus supplement. We caution you that any forward-looking statements made in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference are not guarantees of future performance, events or results, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their respective dates. Except as required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

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#### CARETRUST REIT AND THE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP
CareTrust REIT is a self-administered, publicly-traded REIT engaged in the ownership, acquisition, financing, development and leasing of skilled nursing, senior housing and other healthcare-related properties.

We generate revenues primarily by leasing healthcare-related properties to healthcare operators in triple-net lease arrangements, under which the tenant is solely responsible for the costs related to the property (including property taxes, insurance, maintenance and repair costs and capital expenditures, subject to certain exceptions in the case of properties leased to Ensign and Pennant, as defined below). From time to time, we also extend secured mortgage loans to healthcare operators, secured by healthcare-related properties, extend secured mezzanine loans to healthcare operators, secured by membership interests in healthcare-related properties and operations, and invest in preferred equity investments. From time to time, we also partner with third-party institutional investors to invest in healthcare real estate in consolidated joint ventures. Pursuant to our joint ventures, we typically contribute at least 90% of the joint venture's total investment amount and we receive 100% of the preferred equity interest in the joint venture and a 50% common equity interest in the joint venture. Our joint venture partner contributes the remaining total investment amount in exchange for a 50% common equity interest in the joint venture.

During the fourth quarter of 2025, we began utilizing the structure authorized by the REIT Investment Diversification and Empowerment Act of 2007 (commonly referred to as "RIDEA") as permitted by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 in connection with the establishment of a senior housing operating portfolio ("SHOP") platform, and completed our first SHOP acquisition in December 2025. We also generate revenues by owning, indirectly in consolidated joint ventures, properties operated by third-party property managers to whom we pay a management fee and with whom we have a management agreement for the management and operation of these properties. For our joint ventures within the SHOP platform, we typically contribute at least 90% of the joint venture's total investment amount and receive at least 90% of the equity interest in the joint venture, with our joint venture partner contributing the remaining amount of the total investment in exchange for the remaining equity interest.

We expect to grow our portfolio by pursuing opportunities to acquire additional properties that will be leased to, or managed by, a diverse group of local, regional, national and international healthcare providers, which may include new or existing skilled nursing operators, as well as senior housing operators or managers, behavioral health properties and related businesses. We may diversify our portfolio over time, including by acquiring properties in different geographic markets, including internationally, and in different asset classes.

We elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2014. We believe that we have been organized and have operated, and we intend to continue to operate, in a manner to qualify for taxation as a REIT. We operate through an umbrella partnership, commonly referred to as an UPREIT structure, in which substantially all of our properties and assets are held through the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership is managed by CareTrust REIT's wholly-owned subsidiary, CareTrust GP, LLC, which is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. To maintain REIT status, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding any net capital gains.

Our principal executive offices are located at 24901 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Suite A200, Dana Point, California 92629 and our telephone number is (949) 542-3130.

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#### RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves significant risks. You should consider the specific risks described in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and the risk factors described under the caption "Risk Factors" in any applicable prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision. Each of the risks described in these documents could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. See "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference."

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

#### SUBSIDIARY ISSUER AND GUARANTOR DISCLOSURES
CareTrust REIT and the Operating Partnership have filed the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part to register the offer and sale of, among other securities, debt securities of CareTrust REIT and/or the Operating Partnership. Debt securities offered by the Operating Partnership will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by CareTrust REIT. Debt securities offered by CareTrust REIT will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Operating Partnership. See "Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees of Debt Securities."

In accordance with applicable rules promulgated by the SEC, subsidiary issuers and guarantors of obligations guaranteed by the parent are not required to provide separate financial statements, provided that the subsidiary obligor is consolidated into the parent company's consolidated financial statements, the parent guarantee is "full and unconditional" and, subject to certain exceptions, certain disclosures are provided regarding the debt securities and related guarantees and the obligors of those securities and summarized financial information, presented on a combined basis, is provided with respect to the obligors. In accordance with these requirements, separate consolidated financial statements of the Operating Partnership have not been included or incorporated by reference herein.

CareTrust REIT owns substantially all of its assets and properties and conducts its operations through the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership invests both directly and indirectly through its subsidiaries in real estate and real estate related assets. CareTrust REIT's other subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, subsidiaries wholly or partially owned by the Operating Partnership that directly own our other real estate and real estate-related assets (collectively, the "non-guarantor subsidiaries") will not provide a guarantee of any registered debt securities that may be issued by CareTrust REIT or the Operating Partnership. Although the Operating Partnership's cash flow and ability to service any guaranteed registered debt securities does not rely solely on the cash flow generated by non-guarantor subsidiaries and their ability to make cash available to CareTrust REIT or the Operating Partnership, by dividend or otherwise, in the event that the earnings or available assets of CareTrust REIT or the Operating Partnership are insufficient, their ability to satisfy their obligations with respect to any registered debt securities could be dependent on the cash flow generated by the non-subsidiary guarantors and their ability to make cash available to the Operating Partnership. However, holders of the guaranteed registered debt securities will have a direct claim only against CareTrust REIT or the Operating Partnership, as applicable.

In accordance with Regulation S-X, the following tables include summarized financial information for CareTrust REIT and the Operating Partnership, presented on a combined basis, excluding (i) intercompany balances and transactions between CareTrust REIT and the Operating Partnership and (ii) investments in and equity in the earnings of non-guarantor subsidiaries.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **(in thousands)** | **As of**<br>**December 31, 2025** |
| Assets:<br>|  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cash and cash equivalents | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$159343 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other assets | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2414686 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Intercompany receivables from non-guarantor subsidiaries | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;649032 |
| Total assets | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$3223061 |
| Liabilities:<br>|  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Senior unsecured notes payable, net<sup>(1)</sup> | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$397816 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Senior unsecured term loan, net<sup>(1)</sup> | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;496404 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Other liabilities | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;148136 |
| Total liabilities | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$1042356 |

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(1)<br> The senior unsecured notes and senior unsecured term loan are obligations of the Operating Partnership and are guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured basis, by CareTrust REIT and substantially all of its other subsidiaries.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **(in thousands)** | **Year Ended**<br>**December 31, 2025** |
| Total revenues | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$217742 |
| Total expenses | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;128892 |
| Total gain | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;51739 |
| Net income | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$140589 |
| Net intercompany interest income | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$26009 |

---

The particular terms of any registered debt securities that may be offered under this prospectus and the existence and terms of any guarantee of such debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities. See "Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees of Debt Securities." Additional disclosures regarding the obligors of those registered debt securities, including summarized financial information, as then required by applicable SEC rules, will be included or incorporated by reference in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to those registered debt securities.

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#### USE OF PROCEEDS
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities covered by this prospectus as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of any securities by selling securityholders.

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#### DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
*References to "we," "us" and "our" in this section refer to CareTrust REIT, Inc.* 

The following description summarizes the material provisions of the common stock and preferred stock we may offer, as well as certain provisions of Maryland law and of our charter and bylaws. These descriptions are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by, our charter and our bylaws and applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law the ("MGCL"). You are encouraged to read the full text of our charter and bylaws, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, as well as the provisions of applicable Maryland law. The specific terms of any series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any series of preferred stock we issue will be governed by our charter and by the articles supplementary related to that series. We will file the articles supplementary with the SEC and incorporate it by reference as an exhibit to our registration statement at or before the time we issue any preferred stock of that series of authorized preferred stock.

#### General
Our authorized stock consists of 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of February 17, 2026, 223,237,235 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and no shares of our preferred stock were outstanding. All the outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

#### Common Stock
All of the shares of our common stock offered hereby will, upon issuance, be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock and the provisions of our charter that will restrict transfer and ownership of stock, the holders of shares of our common stock generally are entitled to receive dividends on such stock out of assets legally available for distribution to the stockholders when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and declared by us. The holders of shares of our common stock are also entitled to share ratably in our net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of or adequate provision for all known debts and liabilities, including any preferential rights upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of any class or series of our stock then outstanding.

Subject to the rights of any other class or series of our stock and the provisions of our charter that restrict transfer and ownership of stock, each outstanding share of our common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Under our charter, there is no cumulative voting in the election of directors.

Holders of shares of our common stock generally have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. Subject to the provisions of our charter that restrict transfer and ownership of stock, all shares of our common stock have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.

#### Preferred Stock
Under our charter, our board of directors may from time to time establish and cause us to issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock and set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption of such classes or series. Accordingly, our board of directors, without stockholder approval, may issue preferred stock with voting, conversion or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of common stock. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change of control or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock, may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock, and could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of our company or other corporate action. Preferred stock, upon issuance against full payment of the purchase price therefor, will be fully paid and nonassessable. As of February 17, 2026, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

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The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock offered will describe the specific terms thereof, including, where applicable:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the title, designation, number of shares and stated value of the preferred stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the dividend rates, if any (or method of calculation), whether that rate is fixed or variable or both, and the dates on which dividends will be payable, whether those dividends will be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends will begin to cumulate;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the dates on which the preferred stock will be subject to redemption and the applicable redemption prices;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any redemption or sinking fund provisions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the convertibility or exchangeability of the preferred stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if other than United States dollars, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which the preferred stock is denominated and/or in which payments will or may be payable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the method by which amounts in respect of the preferred stock may be calculated and any commodities, currencies or indices, or the value, rate or price relevant to that calculation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the place where dividends and other payments on the preferred stock are payable and the identity of the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for the preferred stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any additional dividend, liquidation, redemption, preemption, sinking fund, voting and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions.

The federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any series of preferred stock will be generally described in the prospectus supplement related thereto.

#### Rank
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock, each series of preferred stock will rank pari passu as to dividends and liquidation rights in all respects with each other series of preferred stock.

#### Dividends
Holders of preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, cash dividends out of our assets legally available for payment, at those rates and on the dates as will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. Each dividend will be payable to holders of record as they appear on our stock books on the record dates fixed by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof. Different series of preferred stock may be entitled to dividends at different rates or based upon different methods of determination. Those rates may be fixed or variable or both. Dividends on any series of preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative as provided in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Except as provided in the related prospectus supplement, no series of preferred stock will be entitled to participate in our earnings or assets.

#### Liquidation Rights
Unless otherwise stated in the related prospectus supplement, in the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive out of our assets available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common stock or any other class of stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock upon liquidation, liquidating distributions in an amount set forth in the prospectus supplement related to that series of preferred stock, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends up to the date fixed for distribution for the current dividend period and, if that series of preferred stock is cumulative, for all dividend periods prior thereto, all as set forth in the prospectus supplement with respect to that series of preferred stock. If, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, amounts payable with respect to a series of preferred stock and any other

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shares of our capital stock ranking pari passu as to any distribution with that series of preferred stock are not paid in full, holders of that series of preferred stock and of such other shares will share ratably in any distribution of our assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment in full of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of our assets.

Neither the sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of our property and assets, our consolidation or merger with or into any other corporation, nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation into or with us, will be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us.

In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation) by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares of our stock or otherwise is permitted under the MGCL, no effect shall be given to amounts that would be needed, if we would be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of holders of shares of our stock whose preferential rights upon dissolution are superior to those receiving the distribution.

#### Redemption and Sinking Fund
The terms, if any, on which shares of a series of preferred stock may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, or may have the benefit of a sinking fund, will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. Restrictions, if any, on our repurchase or redemption of shares of a series of preferred stock while there is an arrearage in the payment of dividends or sinking fund installments will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to that series.

#### Voting Rights
The voting rights attaching to any series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

#### Conversion and Exchange Rights
The terms, if any, on which shares of any series of preferred stock are convertible or exchangeable will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. The prospectus supplement will describe the securities or rights into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible or exchangeable (which may include other preferred stock, debt securities, common stock, warrants or other of our securities or rights (including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies or indices) or securities of other issuers or a combination of the foregoing), and the terms and conditions upon which those conversions or exchanges will be effected including the initial conversion or exchange prices or rules, the conversion or exchange period and any other related provisions. Those terms may include provisions for conversion or exchange, the exchange or conversion period, provisions as to whether the conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder, or at our option, and may include provisions pursuant to which the consideration to be received by holders of that series of preferred stock would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the prospectus supplement.

#### Power to Reclassify Our Unissued Shares
Our board of directors has the power, without stockholder approval, to amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of authorized shares of stock of any class or series, to authorize us to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of common stock or preferred stock and to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock into other classes or series of stock, including one or more classes or series of common stock or preferred stock that have priority with respect to voting rights, dividends or upon liquidation over shares of our common stock. Prior to the issuance of shares of each new class or series, our board of directors is required by the MGCL and our charter to set, subject to the provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on transfer and ownership of stock, the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series of stock.

#### Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of CareTrust REIT Stock
In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), our stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than our first taxable year as a REIT) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year.

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Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, beneficially or constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as qualified pension plans and private foundations) during the last half of a taxable year (other than our first taxable year as a REIT). In addition, rent from related party tenants (generally, a tenant of a REIT owned, beneficially or constructively, 10% or more by the REIT, or a 10% owner of the REIT) is not qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests under the Code. To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy other requirements as well. See "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of REITs in General."

Our charter contains restrictions on the transfer and ownership of our stock. The relevant sections of our charter provide that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or more than 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock. These limits are collectively referred to herein as the "ownership limits." The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned beneficially or constructively by a group of related individuals or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% of our outstanding common stock or less than 9.8% of our outstanding capital stock, or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that beneficially or constructively owns our stock, could, nevertheless, cause the acquiror, or another individual or entity, to own constructively shares of our outstanding stock in excess of the ownership limits.

Upon receipt of certain representations and agreements and in its sole and absolute discretion, our board of directors will be able to, prospectively or retroactively, exempt a person from the ownership limits or establish a different limit on ownership, or an excepted holder limit, for a particular stockholder if the stockholder's ownership in excess of the ownership limits would not result in us being "closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT. As a condition of granting a waiver of the ownership limits or creating an excepted holder limit, our board of directors will be able to, but is not required to, require an Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") ruling or opinion of counsel satisfactory to our board of directors (in its sole discretion) as it may deem necessary or advisable to determine or ensure our status as a REIT.

Our board of directors will also be able to, from time to time, increase or decrease the ownership limits unless, after giving effect to the increased or decreased ownership limits, five or fewer persons could beneficially own or constructively own, in the aggregate, more than 49.9% in value of our outstanding stock or we would otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT. Decreased ownership limits will not apply to any person or entity whose ownership of our stock is in excess of the decreased ownership limits until the person or entity's ownership of our stock equals or falls below the decreased ownership limits, but any further acquisition of our stock will be in violation of the decreased ownership limits.

Our charter also prohibits:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock to the extent such beneficial or constructive ownership would result in us being "closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any person from transferring shares of our stock if the transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any person from beneficially owning or constructively owning shares of our stock to the extent such ownership would result in us failing to qualify as a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity," within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock to the extent such beneficial or constructive ownership would cause us to own, beneficially or constructively, 9.9% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant (other than a "taxable REIT subsidiary" of ours (as such term is defined in Section 856(l) of the Code)) of our real property within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any person from beneficially or constructively owning shares of our stock to the extent such beneficial or constructive ownership would cause any "eligible independent contractor" that operates a "qualified health care property" on behalf of a "taxable REIT subsidiary" of ours (as such terms are defined in Sections 856(d)(9)(A), 856(e)(6)(D)(i) and 856(*l*) of the Code, respectively) to fail to qualify as such.

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Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate the ownership limits, or any of the other restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock, and any person who is the intended transferee of shares of our stock that are transferred to the charitable trust described below, will be required to give immediate written notice and, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, at least 15 days' prior written notice, to us and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of the transfer on our status as a REIT. The provisions of our charter regarding restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

Any attempted transfer of our stock which, if effective, would result in our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons will be null and void and the proposed transferee will acquire no rights in such shares of our stock. Any attempted transfer of our stock which, if effective, would violate any of the other restrictions described above will cause the number of shares causing the violation (rounded up to the nearest whole share) to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares. The trustee of the trust will be appointed by us and will be unaffiliated with us and any proposed transferee of the shares. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the trust. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the applicable restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock, then the transfer of the shares will be null and void and the proposed transferee will acquire no rights in such shares.

Shares of our stock held in trust will continue to be issued and outstanding shares. The proposed transferee will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of our stock held in the trust, and will have no rights to dividends and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of stock held in the trust. The trustee of the trust will exercise all voting rights and receive all dividends and other distributions with respect to shares held in the trust for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary of the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares have been transferred to a trust as described above must be repaid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand. Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will have the authority, at the trustee's sole discretion, to rescind as void any vote cast by a proposed transferee prior to our discovery 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 charitable beneficiary of the trust. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.

If our board of directors or a committee thereof determines in good faith that a proposed transfer or other event has taken place that violates the restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock set forth in our charter, our board of directors or such committee may take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such transfer, including, but not limited to, causing us to redeem shares of stock, refusing to give effect to the transfer on our books or instituting proceedings to enjoin the transfer, provided that any transfer or other event in violation of the above restrictions shall automatically result in the transfer to the trust described above, and, where applicable, such transfer or other event shall be null and void as provided above irrespective of any action or non-action by our board of directors or any committee or designee thereof.

Shares of our stock transferred to the trustee will be deemed offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the charitable trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price of such stock at the time of such devise or gift) and (2) the market price of such stock on the date we accept, or our designee accepts, such offer. We may reduce the amount so payable to the proposed transferee by the amount of any dividend or other distribution that we made to the proposed transferee before we discovered that the shares had been automatically transferred to the trust and that are then owed by the proposed transferee to the trustee as described above, and we may pay the amount of any such reduction to the trustee for distribution to the charitable beneficiary. We will have the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares held in the charitable trust, as discussed below. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will be required to distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee, and any distributions held by the trustee with respect to such shares shall be paid to the charitable beneficiary.

If we do not buy the shares, the trustee will be required, within 20 days of receiving notice from us of a transfer of shares to the trust, to sell the shares to a person or entity designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limits, or the other restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock. After selling

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the shares, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares transferred to the trust will terminate and the trustee will be required to distribute to the proposed transferee an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares or, if the proposed transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held by the trust (*e.g.*, in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the market price of such stock on the day of the event causing the shares to be held by the trust and (2) the sales proceeds (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares. The trustee may reduce the amount payable to the proposed transferee by the amount of any dividends or other distributions that we paid to the proposed transferee before we discovered that the shares had been automatically transferred to the trust and that are then owed by the proposed transferee to the trustee as described above. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the proposed transferee will be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary, together with any distributions thereon. If the proposed transferee sells such shares prior to the discovery that such shares have been transferred to the trustee, then (a) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and (b) to the extent that the proposed transferee received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such proposed transferee was entitled to receive pursuant to this paragraph, such excess shall be paid to the trustee upon demand. The proposed transferee will have no rights in the shares held by the trustee.

Any certificates representing shares of our stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions on transfer and ownership described above.

Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, will be required to give us written notice stating the person's name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the person beneficially owns, a description of the manner in which the shares are held and any additional information that we request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the person's beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits. In addition, any beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who holds shares of our stock for a beneficial owner or constructive owner will be required to, on request, disclose to us in writing such information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the stockholder's beneficial and constructive ownership of our stock on our status as a REIT and to comply, or determine our compliance with, the requirements of any governmental or taxing authority.

The restrictions on transfer and ownership described above could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control in which holders of shares of our stock might receive a premium for their shares over the then prevailing price.

#### Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws

#### Amendments to Our Charter and Bylaws and Approval of Extraordinary Actions
Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot amend its charter, merge, consolidate, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a statutory share exchange or dissolve unless the action is advised by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these actions by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter provides that the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter is required to approve all charter amendments or extraordinary actions. However, Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to transfer all or substantially all of its assets without the approval of the stockholders of the corporation to one or more persons if all of the equity interests of the person or persons are owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, stockholder approval is not required for a transfer of assets constituting collateral if the secured party exercises its rights under applicable law to effect the transfer without our consent, or if our board of directors authorizes an alternative transaction with a secured party that reduces or eliminates secured liabilities in an amount at least equal to the value of the assets transferred.

Our bylaws may be adopted, altered or repealed, in whole or in part, or new bylaws may be adopted by (i) our board of directors or (ii) our stockholders with the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

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#### Election and Removal of Directors; Vacancies on Our Board of Directors
Our bylaws require, in uncontested elections, that each director be elected by the majority of votes cast with respect to such director. This means that the number of shares voted "for" a director nominee must exceed the number of shares affirmatively voted "against" the nominee in order for that nominee to be elected. If an incumbent director fails to receive a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election, such incumbent director shall promptly tender his or her resignation for consideration by the nominating and corporate governance committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee will then promptly consider any such tendered resignation and will make a recommendation to the board of directors as to whether such tendered resignation should be accepted, rejected, or whether other action should be taken. The board of directors, within 90 days after the date on which certification of the stockholder vote on the election of directors is made, will publicly disclose its decision and rationale regarding whether to accept, reject or take other action with respect to the tendered resignation in a press release, a periodic or current report filed with the SEC or by other public announcement. The nominating and corporate governance committee and the board of directors may consider any factors they deem relevant in deciding whether to accept, reject or take other action with respect to any such tendered resignation. A plurality voting standard will continue to apply in the event of a contested election.

In addition, our charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of preferred stock separately entitled to elect one or more directors, a director (or the entire board of directors) may be removed only with "cause" (as defined in our charter), by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting as a single class. We have elected to be subject to certain provisions of the MGCL, as a result of which our board of directors has the exclusive power to fill vacancies on the board of directors.

#### Business Combinations
Under the MGCL, "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 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:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation's outstanding voting stock; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• 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 10% 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 such person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, a 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 of directors.

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:

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• 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, voting together as a single class.

These supermajority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation's common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under the MGCL, 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 permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.

Our board of directors has not opted out of the business combination provisions of the MGCL and, consequently, the five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements apply to business combinations

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between us and any interested stockholder of ours. However, our board of directors may elect to opt out of the business combination provisions by resolution at any time in the future.

#### Control Share Acquisitions
Maryland law provides that issued and outstanding shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers, or by employees who are directors of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock that, 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, directly or indirectly, exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• one-tenth or more but less than one-third;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• one-third or more but less than a majority; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• more than 50%.

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 or waiver of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the special meeting. If no request for a special meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholder meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the special meeting or if the acquiror does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may, subject to certain conditions and limitations, redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. 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 stockholder 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 to (1) shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction, or (2) acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

Our bylaws contain a provision that exempts from the MGCL's control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of our stock. However, there can be no assurance that this provision will not be amended or eliminated, in whole or in part, at any time in the future.

#### Subtitle 8
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL 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 by a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a classified board;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by vote of the directors;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office and such director shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualified; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a majority requirement for the calling of a special meeting of stockholders.

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We amended our charter to reflect that we have elected to be subject to the provisions of Subtitle 8 that vests in our board of directors the exclusive power to fix the number of directors and requires that vacancies on the board may be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the directors in which the vacancy occurred.

In addition, our board of directors and stockholders approved amendments to our charter to declassify the board of directors and phase in the annual election of directors beginning at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders. Accordingly, all directors are now elected annually for a one-year term and will hold office until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal.

#### Special Meetings of the Stockholders
Our bylaws provide that the chair of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, the president or the board of directors has the power to call a special meeting of stockholders. A special meeting of our stockholders to act on any matter that may properly be brought before a meeting of stockholders will also be called by the secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting and containing the information required by our bylaws. The secretary is required to inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing the notice of meeting (including its proxy materials), and the requesting stockholder is required to pay such estimated cost to the secretary prior to the preparation and mailing of any notice for such special meeting.

#### Transactions Outside the Ordinary Course of Business
Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally may not dissolve, merge or consolidate with another entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange unless the action is declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is specified in the corporation's charter. Our charter provides that these actions must be approved by a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

#### Dissolution of Our Company
The dissolution of our company must be declared advisable by a majority of our entire board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

#### Advance Notice of Director Nomination and New Business
Our bylaws provide that, at any annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to the board of directors and proposals of business to be considered by stockholders may generally be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting (or any supplement thereto), (2) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (3) by a stockholder who (i) was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder and at the time of the annual meeting, (ii) is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of directors or on any such other proposed business (and any postponement or adjournment thereof) and (iii) has complied with the advance notice procedures of our bylaws. The stockholder must provide notice to our secretary not earlier than the 150th day and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of our proxy statement for the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors at the preceding year's annual meeting.

Only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before any special meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws provide that nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors at a special meeting of stockholders may be made only (1) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (2) if the special meeting has been called for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder who (i) was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholders and at the time of the meeting, (ii) is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated, and (iii) has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws. Such stockholder will be entitled to nominate one or more individuals, as the case may be, for election as a director if the stockholder's notice, containing the information and certifications required by our bylaws, is delivered to our secretary not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to such special meeting or (ii) the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting.

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The purpose of requiring stockholders to give advance notice of nominations and other proposals is to afford our board of directors the opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees or the advisability of the other proposals and, to the extent considered necessary by our board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations regarding such nominations or other proposals. The advance notice procedures also permit a more orderly procedure for conducting stockholder meetings.

#### Choice of Forum
Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternate forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland (the "Court") shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, and any record or beneficial stockholder of CareTrust REIT who commences such an action shall cooperate in a request that the action be assigned to the Court's Business & Technology Case Management Program. This exclusive forum provision is intended to apply to claims arising under the MGCL and would not apply to claims brought pursuant to the Exchange Act or Securities Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. The exclusive forum provision in our bylaws will not relieve us of our duties to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations.

#### Effect of Certain Provisions of Our Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law
The restrictions on transfer and ownership of our stock contained in our charter prohibit any person from acquiring more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or more than 9.8% in value of the outstanding shares of all classes or series of our stock, without the prior consent of our board of directors. In addition, the MGCL's business combination statute may discourage others from trying to acquire more than 10% of our stock without the advance approval of our board of directors, and may substantially delay or increase the difficulty of consummating any transaction with or change in control of us. Because our board of directors is able to approve exceptions to the ownership limits and exempt transactions from the MGCL's business combination statute, the ownership limits and the business combination statute will not interfere with a merger or other business combination approved by our board of directors. The power of our board of directors to classify and reclassify unissued common stock or preferred stock, and authorize the issuance of classified or reclassified shares, could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or other transaction.

In addition, our charter and bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting. Our bylaws require, in uncontested elections, that each director be elected by the majority of votes cast with respect to such director. This means that the number of shares voted "for" a director nominee must exceed the number of shares affirmatively voted "against" the nominee in order for that nominee to be elected. A plurality voting standard will continue to apply in the event of a contested election. If an incumbent director fails to receive a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election, such incumbent director shall promptly tender his or her resignation for consideration by the nominating and corporate governance committee. See above under "Election and Removal of Directors; Vacancies on Our Board of Directors" for additional information on the consideration of such resignation by the nominating and corporate governance committee and the board of directors.

The provisions described above, along with other provisions of the MGCL and our charter and bylaws discussed above, including provisions relating to the election and removal of directors and the filling of vacancies, the supermajority vote that is required to amend certain provisions of our charter, the advance notice provisions and the procedures that stockholders are required to follow to request a special meeting, alone or in combination, could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or other change in control of us that might involve a premium price for shares of our common stockholders or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders, and could increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

#### Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision that limits the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (i) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (ii) active or deliberate dishonesty

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that is established by a final judgment and that is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains a provision that limits, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland statutory or decisional law, the liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for money damages.

Maryland law requires a Maryland corporation (unless otherwise provided in its charter, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in that capacity unless it is established that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.

Under the MGCL, we may not indemnify a director or officer in a suit by us or in our right in which the director or officer was adjudged liable to us or in a suit in which the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the director or officer did not meet the prescribed standard of conduct or was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by the corporation or in its right, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, will be limited to expenses.

In addition, Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon receipt of (i) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification and (ii) a written undertaking by him or her, or on his or her behalf, to repay the amount paid or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

Our bylaws require, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, that we indemnify and pay or reimburse the reasonable costs, fees and expenses (including attorney's costs, fees and expenses) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding of (i) any present or former director or officer and (ii) any individual who, while a director or officer and, at our request, serves or has served another corporation, REIT, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager, in each case, who was or is made or threatened to be made a party to any pending or contemplated action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceeding may incur by reason of his or her service in any of the foregoing capacities.

In addition, our bylaws permit us, with the approval of our board of directors, to provide such indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses in advance to any individual who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described in the paragraph above and to any employee or agent of ours or a predecessor of ours.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors providing for the indemnification of, and advancement of expenses to, each such person in connection with claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of such person's service as an officer or director of ours. We also maintain insurance on behalf of our directors and officers, insuring them against liabilities that they may incur in such capacities or arising from this status.

#### Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc. The transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for each series of preferred stock will be designated in the related prospectus supplement.

#### Listing
Our common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CTRE."

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#### DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
*References to "we," "us" and "our" in this section refer to CareTrust REIT, Inc.* 

We may offer warrants for the purchase of shares of our common stock or shares of our preferred stock. We may issue warrants independently of or together with shares of our common stock or shares of our preferred stock offered by any prospectus supplement, and we may attach the warrants to, or issue them separately from, shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock. We will issue the warrants under one or more warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a warrant agent to be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future warrants we may offer under a prospectus supplement, we will describe the particular terms of any warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any warrants we offer may differ from the description provided below and does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the applicable warrant agreement and warrant certificate, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer warrants. You should read the applicable warrant certificate, the applicable warrant agreement and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.

#### General
The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms may include the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the title of the warrants;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each other security;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the aggregate number of warrants offered;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the holding and/or exercise of the warrants;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the maximum or minimum number of warrants that may be exercised at any time;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

#### Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase for cash the amount of common stock or preferred at the exercise price stated or determinable in the applicable prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified in such prospectus supplement.

After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. When the warrant holder makes the payment and

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properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as possible, forward the common stock or preferred stock that the warrant holder has purchased. If the warrant holder exercises the warrant for less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.

#### Amendments and Supplements to the Warrant Agreements
We may amend or supplement a warrant agreement without the consent of the holders of the applicable warrants to cure ambiguities in the warrant agreement, to cure or correct a defective provision in the warrant agreement, or to provide for other matters under the warrant agreement that we and the warrant agent deem necessary or desirable, so long as, in each case, such amendments or supplements do not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

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#### DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
*References to "we," "us" and "our" in this section refer to CareTrust REIT, Inc.* 

We may issue rights for the purchase of shares of our common stock or shares of our preferred stock. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement which we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.

We will file the rights agreement and the rights certificates relating to each series of rights with the SEC, and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of rights.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any rights we issue, including as applicable:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the date for determining the persons entitled to participate in the rights distribution;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the aggregate number or amount of underlying securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights and the exercise price;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the aggregate number of rights being issued;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the date, if any, on and after which the rights may be transferable separately;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the date on which the right to exercise the rights commences and the date on which the right expires;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the number of rights outstanding, if any;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the rights; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any other terms of the rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights.

Rights will be exercisable for U.S. dollars only and will be in registered form only.

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#### DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
*References to "we," "us" and "our" in this section refer to CareTrust REIT, Inc.* 

We may issue securities in units, each consisting of two or more types of securities. For example, we might issue units consisting of a combination of rights and warrants to purchase our common stock. If we issue units, the prospectus supplement relating to the units will contain the information described above with regard to each of the securities that is a component of the units. The prospectus supplement relating to the units will describe the terms of any units we issue, including as applicable:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the date, if any, on and after which the units may be transferable separately;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• whether we will apply to have the units traded on a securities exchange or securities quotation system;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• how, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the purchase price paid for the units is to be allocated among the component securities.

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#### DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES
*References to "we," "our" and "us" and the "issuer" in this section refer to CareTrust REIT or the Operating Partnership, as the case may be, as the issuer of the applicable series of debt securities.* 

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that may be issued under this prospectus.

While the terms summarized below will generally apply to any future debt securities may be issued under this prospectus, the particular terms of any debt securities that may be issued will be described in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities that may be issued under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

We will issue any senior debt securities under the senior indenture which we will enter into with the trustee to be named in the senior indenture. We will issue any subordinated debt securities under the subordinated indenture which we will enter into with the trustee to be named in the subordinated indenture. We have filed forms of these indentures as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC. Unless the context requires otherwise, we use the term "indenture" to refer to both the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture, as well as to refer to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities. Except as we may otherwise indicate, the terms of the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are identical.

The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. We use the term "trustee" to refer to either the senior trustee or the subordinated trustee, as applicable.

The following summary of material provisions of the indentures is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the respective indenture. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the debt securities that we may sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.

#### General
The indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder. The debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series and permits us to establish the terms of the debt securities of each series at the time of issuance. The terms relating to a series of debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including but not limited to:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the identity of the issuer;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the title of the debt securities being offered;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the principal amount being offered, and, if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities that may be issued;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• whether or not the series of debt securities will be issued in global form and, if so, the identity of the depositary and the terms and conditions, if any, upon which interests in the debt securities may be exchanged;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities is payable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the principal amount due at maturity, and whether the debt securities will be issued with any original issue discount;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the interest rate(s) at which the debt securities will bear interest, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate, the date from which interest will accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payable on any interest payment date or the method for determining such dates;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the place where payments of principal (and premium, if any) and interest will be payable, where the debt securities may be surrendered for transfer or exchange and where notices or demands may be served;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the date, if any, after which, the terms and conditions upon which, and the price at which the debt securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions, and any other applicable terms of those redemption provisions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• provisions for a sinking fund or other provisions that would require the redemption, repayment or purchase of the debt securities, if any;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities of the series will be required to be repurchased at the option of the holders of such debt securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the events of default and covenants relevant to the debt securities, including the inapplicability of any event of default or covenant set forth in the indenture relating to the debt securities, or the applicability of any other events of defaults or covenants in addition to the events of default or covenants set forth in the indenture relating to the debt securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any provisions for the satisfaction and discharge or defeasance or covenant defeasance of the indenture under which the debt securities are issued;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the denominations in which the issuer will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if other than U.S. dollars, the currency in which the series of debt securities will be denominated;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the identity of the guarantor, if any, of the debt securities and the terms of any such guarantee; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, and any terms which may be required by the issuer or advisable under applicable laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the debt securities.

One or more series of the debt securities may be issued as discounted debt securities (bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates) to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Material U.S. federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any such discounted debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

#### Information Concerning the Trustee
The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered security and indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, losses, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

#### Payment and Paying Agents
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the issuer will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

The issuer will pay principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by the issuer, except that, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the issuer may make payments of interest by check which they will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders to an account within the United States. Any other paying agents that the issuer initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. The issuer will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

#### Governing Law
The indenture is, and the debt securities and any guarantees will be, governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

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#### Guarantees
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities of CareTrust REIT will be unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis by the Operating Partnership and the debt securities of the Operating Partnership will be unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis by CareTrust REIT. Any guarantee would cover the timely payment of the principal of, and any premium, interest or sinking fund payments on, the debt securities, whether we make the payment at a maturity date, as a result of acceleration or redemption, or otherwise. We will more fully describe the existence and terms of any guarantee of any of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities.

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#### U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
*References to "CareTrust REIT," "we," "our" and "us" in this section generally mean only CareTrust REIT, Inc. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated.* 

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our common stock. For purposes of this section, references to "CareTrust," "we," "our" and "us" generally mean only CareTrust REIT, Inc. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated. This summary is based on the Code, the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the "Treasury"), rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. The summary is also based upon the assumption that we and our subsidiaries and affiliated entities will operate in accordance with our and their applicable organizational documents. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. It does not discuss any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences relevant to us or an investment in our common stock, and it does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to investors subject to special tax rules, such as:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• financial institutions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• insurance companies;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• broker-dealers;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• regulated investment companies;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• partnerships, other pass-through entities and trusts;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• persons who hold our stock on behalf of other persons as nominees;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• persons who receive our stock as compensation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• persons holding our stock as part of a "straddle," "hedge," "conversion transaction," "synthetic security" or other integrated investment;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• persons who are subject to alternative minimum tax;

and, except to the extent discussed below:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• tax-exempt organizations; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• foreign investors.

This summary assumes that investors will hold their common stock as a capital asset, which generally means property held for investment.

**The U.S. federal income tax treatment of holders of our common stock depends, in some instances, on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. In addition, the tax consequences to any particular stockholder of holding our common stock will depend on the stockholder's particular tax circumstances. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor as to the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign income and other tax consequences to you in light of your particular investment or tax circumstances of acquiring, holding, exchanging, or otherwise disposing of our common stock.** 

#### Taxation of CareTrust
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2014. We believe that we have been organized, and have operated, in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Code.

The law firm of Kirkland & Ellis LLP has acted as our tax counsel ("Tax Counsel") in connection with the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We currently operate, and intend to continue to operate, in a manner that will allow us to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we have received an opinion of Tax Counsel with respect to our qualification to be taxed as a REIT, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Investors should be aware, however, that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS or any court. The opinion of Tax Counsel represents only the view of Tax Counsel, based on its review and analysis of existing law and on certain representations as to factual matters and

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covenants made by us, including representations relating to the values of our assets and the sources of our income. The opinion is expressed as of the date issued. Tax Counsel will have no obligation to advise us or the holders of our common stock of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed or of any subsequent change in applicable law. Furthermore, both the validity of the opinion of Tax Counsel and our qualification to be taxed as a REIT will depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis, the results of which will not be monitored by Tax Counsel. Our ability to satisfy the asset tests depends upon our analysis of the characterization and fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we will not obtain independent appraisals.

#### Taxation of REITs in General
As indicated above, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below under "—Requirements for Qualification—General." While we intend to continue to operate so that we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See "—Failure to Qualify."

Provided that we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, generally we will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net REIT taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the "double taxation" at the corporate and stockholder levels that generally results from an investment in a C corporation. A "C corporation" is a corporation that generally is required to pay tax at the corporate level. Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the stockholder level when the income is distributed. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the stockholder level upon a distribution of dividends to our stockholders.

U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed on corporate dividends at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% (the same as long-term capital gains). With limited exceptions, however, dividends from us or from other entities that are taxed as REITs are generally not eligible for this rate and will continue to be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income. The highest marginal noncorporate U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income is 37%. However, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, non-corporate taxpayers may deduct up to 20% of certain qualified business income, including "qualified REIT dividends" (generally, dividends received by our stockholders that are not designated as capital gain dividends or qualified dividend income), subject to certain limitations, resulting in an effective maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 29.6% on such income. This deduction was made permanent by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ("OBBBA"), signed into law on July 4, 2025. See "—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions."

Any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes generally do not pass through to our stockholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the capital gains that we recognize. See "—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions."

Even if we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we will nonetheless be subject to U.S. federal tax in the following circumstances:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed net taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• For taxable years prior to January 1, 2018, we may be subject to the "alternative minimum tax" on our items of tax preference, including any deductions of net operating losses.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See "—Prohibited Transactions" and "—Foreclosure Property."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as "foreclosure property," we may thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 21%).

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification to be taxed as a REIT because we satisfy other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• If we violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our qualification to be taxed as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to a penalty tax. In that case, the amount of the penalty tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the non-qualifying assets in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate (currently 21%) if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (3) any undistributed net taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts that we actually distributed and (b) the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT's stockholders, as described below in "—Requirements for Qualification—General."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a taxable REIT subsidiary ("TRS") that do not reflect arm's-length terms.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• If after the effective date of our election to be subject to tax as a REIT, we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT (*i.e.*, a corporation taxable under subchapter C of the Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, we may be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the five-year period following their acquisition from the subchapter C corporation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• The earnings of our TRSs will generally be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.

In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property, gross receipts and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

#### Requirements for Qualification—General
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

(1)<br> that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

(2)<br> the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

(3)<br> that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax as a REIT;

(4)<br> that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Code;

(5)<br> the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;

(6) in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer "individuals" (as defined in the Code to include specified tax-exempt entities); and 

(7)<br> that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets.

The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be met during a corporation's initial tax year as a REIT

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(which, in our case, was 2014). Our charter provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfers of shares of our stock, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the stock ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above, among other purposes. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except as provided in the next sentence, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, we comply with the rules contained in applicable Treasury regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of our shares and we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirement described in condition (6) above, we will be treated as having met this requirement.

To monitor compliance with the stock ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our stock. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the stock (*i.e.*, the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If such record holder fails or refuses to comply with the demands, such record holder will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with such record holder's tax return disclosing such record holder's actual ownership of our stock and other information.

In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. We have adopted December 31 as our year-end, and therefore satisfy this requirement.

#### Effect of Subsidiary Entities
*Ownership of Partnership Interests* 

We currently own limited partner interests in the partnership, CTR Partnership, L.P. As a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership's assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership's income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our proportionate share of a partnership's assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value test, described below, our proportionate share of the partnership's assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of any of our subsidiary partnerships will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements.

If we become a limited partner or non-managing member in any partnership or limited liability company and such entity takes or expects to take actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail a gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or limited liability company or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify to be taxed as a REIT unless we were entitled to relief, as described below under "—Income Tests—Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests" and "—Asset Tests."

*Disregarded Subsidiaries* 

If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a "qualified REIT subsidiary," that subsidiary is generally disregarded as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all of the subsidiary's assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS (as described below), that is directly or indirectly wholly owned by a REIT. Other entities that are wholly owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as "pass-through subsidiaries."

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In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly owned—for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours—the subsidiary's separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See "—Asset Tests" and "—Income Tests."

*Taxable REIT Subsidiaries* 

In general, we may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly owned, to treat such subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation generally is subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary corporation to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the dividends paid to us from such taxable subsidiary corporation, if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations on a look-through basis in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary corporations to perform services or conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated in our hands as prohibited transactions.

A TRS may not directly or indirectly operate or manage a healthcare facility. The Code defines a "healthcare facility" generally to mean a hospital, nursing facility, assisted living facility, congregate care facility, qualified continuing care facility, or other licensed facility which extends medical or nursing or ancillary services to patients. If the IRS were to treat a subsidiary corporation of ours as directly or indirectly operating or managing a healthcare facility, such subsidiary would not qualify as a TRS, which could jeopardize our REIT qualification under the REIT 5% and 10% gross asset tests.

Although a TRS may not operate or manage a healthcare facility, rent received by a REIT from the lease of a healthcare facility to a TRS may qualify as "rents from real property" for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests, provided that the facility is a "qualified health care property" that is operated by an "eligible independent contractor." For purposes of this rule, a qualified healthcare property means a hospital, nursing facility, assisted living facility, congregate care facility, qualified continuing care facility, or other licensed facility (including the senior housing communities in our SHOP segment) which extends medical or nursing or ancillary services to patients and which is operated by a provider which is eligible for participation in the Medicare program with respect to such facility, along with any real property or personal property necessary or incidental to the use of any such facility. Qualification as an eligible independent contractor, however, involves the application of highly technical and complex Code provisions for which only limited authorities exist.

The TRS rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. Further, the rules impose a 100% excise tax on transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT or the REIT's tenants that are not conducted on an arm's-length basis. We intend that all of our transactions with our TRSs, if any, will be conducted on an arm's-length basis. We may make loans to certain of our TRSs. Deductions for interest paid on any such loan by a TRS may be limited to the sum of (i) the interest income of the TRS for the taxable year, and (ii) 30% of the adjusted taxable income for the taxable year. Additional TRS elections may be made in the future for additional entities in which we own an interest.

*Subsidiary REITs* 

We have formed an entity which has elected to be taxed as a REIT. Each subsidiary REIT is also subject to the same various REIT qualification requirements and other limitations described herein that are applicable to us. We believe that our subsidiary REIT has been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for

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qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. However, if our subsidiary REIT were to fail to qualify as a REIT, then it would become subject to regular U.S. federal corporate income tax and our ownership of stock in such subsidiary REIT would cease to be a qualifying real estate asset for purposes of the 75% asset test and would become subject to the 5% asset test, the 10% vote test and the 10% value test generally applicable to ownership in corporations other than REITs, qualified REIT subsidiaries and TRSs. If any subsidiary REIT were to fail to qualify as a REIT, it is possible that we would not meet the 10% vote test and the 10% value test with respect to our indirect interest in such entity, in which event we would fail to qualify as a REIT unless we could avail ourselves of certain relief provisions.

#### Income Tests
In order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in "prohibited transactions," discharge of indebtedness and certain hedging transactions, generally must be derived from "rents from real property," gains from the sale of real estate assets (excluding gain from the sale of a "nonqualified publicly offered REIT debt instrument" (defined as a real estate asset that qualifies as such only because of the rule treating debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs as real estate assets)), interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including certain types of mortgage-backed securities), dividends received from other REITs and specified income from temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, discharge of indebtedness and certain hedging transactions, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% gross income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property. Income and gain from certain hedging transactions will be excluded from both the numerator and the denominator for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.

*Rents from Real Property* 

Rents we receive from a tenant will qualify as "rents from real property" for the purpose of satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of the conditions described below are met.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• The amount of rent is not based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount we receive or accrue will generally not be excluded from the term "rents from real property" solely because it is based on a fixed-percentage or percentages of receipts or sales;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Neither we nor an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of our stock actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the interests in the assets or net profits of a noncorporate tenant, or, if the tenant is a corporation (but excluding any TRS), 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of stock of the tenant. Rents we receive from such a tenant that is a TRS of ours, however, will not be excluded from the definition of "rents from real property" as a result of this condition if at least 90% of the space at the property to which the rents relate is leased to third parties, and the rents paid by the TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by our other tenants for comparable space. Whether rents paid by a TRS are substantially comparable to rents paid by other tenants is determined at the time the lease with the TRS is entered into, extended, and modified, if such modification increases the rents due under such lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if a lease with a "controlled TRS" is modified and such modification results in an increase in the rents payable by such TRS, any such increase will not qualify as "rents from real property." For purposes of this rule, a "controlled TRS" is a TRS in which the parent REIT owns stock possessing more than 50% of the voting power or more than 50% of the total value of the outstanding stock of such TRS. In addition, rents we receive from a tenant that also is our TRS will not be excluded from the definition of "rents from real property" as a result of our ownership interest in the TRS if the property to which the rents relate is a qualified lodging facility or a qualified health care property, and such property is operated on behalf of the TRS by a person who is an independent contractor and certain other requirements are met. Our TRSs will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their income from the operations of these properties;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Rent attributable to personal property that is leased in connection with a lease of real property is not greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. If this condition is not met, then the portion of the rent attributable to personal property will not qualify as "rents from real property"; and

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• We generally do not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to our tenants, subject to a 1% de minimis and except as provided below. We are permitted, however, to perform directly certain services that are "usually or customarily rendered" in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered "rendered to the occupant" of the property. Examples of these permitted services include the provision of light, heat or other utilities, trash removal and general maintenance of common areas. In addition, we are permitted to employ an independent contractor from whom we derive no revenues (a "TRS"), which may be wholly or partially owned by us, to provide non-customary services to our tenants without causing the rent that we receive from those tenants to fail to qualify as "rents from real property."

*Interest Income* 

Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on (i) real property or an interest in real property or (ii) property described in (i) and other property if such other property constitutes 15% or less of the total fair market value of the secured property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we acquired or originated the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test. For these purposes, the term "interest" generally does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of all or some of the amount depends in any way on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued will generally not be excluded from the term "interest" solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.

*Dividend Income* 

We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from another REIT, however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.

*Fee Income* 

Any fee income that we earn will generally not be qualifying income for purposes of either gross income test. Any fees earned by a TRS, however, will not be included for purposes of our gross income tests.

*Hedging Transactions* 

Any income or gain that we or our pass-through subsidiaries derive from instruments that hedge certain risks, such as the risk of changes in interest rates, will be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests, provided that specified requirements are met, including the requirement that the instrument is entered into during the ordinary course of our business, the instrument hedges risks associated with indebtedness issued by us or our pass-through subsidiary that is incurred or to be incurred to acquire or carry "real estate assets" (as described below under "—Asset Tests"), and the instrument is properly identified as a hedge along with the risk that it hedges within prescribed time periods. Most likely, income and gain from all other hedging transactions will not be qualifying income for either the 95% or 75% gross income test.

*Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests* 

If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, including as a result of rents received by us from Ensign failing to qualify as "rents from real property," we may still qualify to be taxed as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (1) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful

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neglect and (2) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations, which have not yet been issued. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify to be taxed as a REIT. Even if these relief provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, the Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.

#### Asset Tests
At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy certain tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of "real estate assets," cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property (including interests in mortgages on real property and mortgages on interests in real property), stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs, as well as some kinds of mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans, debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs (*i.e.*, REITs that are required to file annual and periodic reports with the SEC under the Exchange Act), personal property securing a mortgage secured by both real property and personal property if the fair market value of such personal property does not exceed 15% of the total fair market value of all such property, and personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property for which the rent attributable to personal property is not greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests described below.

Second, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities (including securities of TRSs), other than those securities includible in the 75% asset test.

Third, the value of any one issuer's securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets, and we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer's outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries, and the 10% asset test does not apply to "straight debt" having specified characteristics and to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code.

Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold, together with other non-qualified assets (such as furniture and equipment or other tangible personal property, or non-real estate securities) may not, in the aggregate, exceed 25% (or, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, 20%) of the value of our total assets.

Fifth, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments of publicly offered REITs to the extent those debt instruments would not be real estate assets but for the inclusion of debt instruments of publicly offered REITs in the meaning of real estate assets.

Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by another REIT may not so qualify (although such debt will not be treated as "securities" for purposes of the 10% asset test, as explained below).

Certain securities will not cause a violation of the 10% asset test described above. Such securities include instruments that constitute "straight debt," which term generally excludes, among other things, securities having contingency features. A security does not qualify as "straight debt" where a REIT (or a controlled TRS of the REIT) owns other securities of the same issuer which do not qualify as straight debt, unless the value of those other securities constitute, in the aggregate, 1% or less of the total value of that issuer's outstanding securities. In addition to straight debt, the Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the 10% asset test. Such securities include (1) any loan made to an individual or an estate, (2) certain rental agreements pursuant to which one or more

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payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules), (3) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (4) securities issued by governmental entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a nongovernmental entity, (5) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT and (6) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnership's income is of a nature that it would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under "—Income Tests." In applying the 10% asset test, a debt security issued by a partnership is not taken into account to the extent, if any, of the REIT's proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by that partnership.

No independent appraisals have been obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, the values of some assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.

However, certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and other requirements. For example, if we should fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if (a) we satisfied the asset tests at the close of the preceding calendar quarter and (b) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but instead arose from changes in the relative market values of our assets. If the condition described in (b) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of the relief provisions described above.

In the case of *de minimis* violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (i) the value of the assets causing the violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REIT's total assets and $10,000,000 and (ii) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within that time frame.

Even if we did not qualify for the foregoing relief provisions, one additional provision allows a REIT that fails one or more of the asset requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (1) the REIT provides the IRS with a description of each asset causing the failure, (2) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (3) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure and (b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the highest applicable corporate tax rate (currently 21%) and (4) the REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.

#### Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:

(1)<br> the sum of

(a) 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gains and the deduction for dividends paid; and 

(b) 90% of our after tax net income, if any, from foreclosure property (as described below); 

(2)<br> minus

(a) the excess of the sum of specified items of noncash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gain and the deduction for dividends paid. 

We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. These distributions will be treated as received by our stockholders in the year in

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which paid. In order for distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirements for REITs, and to provide us with a REIT-level tax deduction, unless (for distributions made in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014) we qualify as a "publicly offered REIT," the distributions must not be "preferential dividends." A dividend is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (i) *pro rata* among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class and (ii) in accordance with any preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in our organizational documents.

To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, some or all of our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their stock by the difference between (1) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include in their taxable income, minus (2) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income.

To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect the tax treatment to our stockholders of any distributions that are actually made. See "—Taxation of Stockholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions."

If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year and (3) any undistributed net taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts actually distributed, plus (b) the amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid corporate income tax.

We expect that our REIT taxable income will be less than our cash flow because of depreciation and other noncash charges included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we will generally have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in determining our taxable income. In addition, we may decide to retain our cash, rather than distribute it, in order to repay debt, acquire assets, or for other reasons. If these timing differences occur, we may borrow funds to pay dividends or pay dividends through the distribution of other property (including shares of our stock) in order to meet the distribution requirements, while preserving our cash. Alternatively, we may declare a taxable dividend payable in cash or stock at the election of each stockholder, where the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed in such dividend may be subject to limitation. In such case, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

If our taxable income for a particular year is subsequently determined to have been understated, we may be able to rectify a resultant failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying "deficiency dividends" to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, subject to the 4% excise tax described above. We will be required to pay interest based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

For purposes of the 90% distribution requirement and excise tax described above, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before January 31 of the following calendar year.

#### Prohibited Transactions
Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term "prohibited transaction" generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held as inventory or for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having

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been in the ordinary course of our business. Whether property is held as inventory or "primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business" depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as inventory or property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate rates. We intend to structure our activities to avoid prohibited transaction characterization.

#### Like-Kind Exchanges
We may dispose of properties in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could require us to pay federal income tax, possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.

#### Derivatives and Hedging Transactions
We may enter into hedging transactions, including with respect to foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate exposure on one or more of our assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as swap contracts, cap or floor contracts, futures or forward contracts and options. Except to the extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we enter into (1) in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which is clearly identified as specified in Treasury regulations before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, including gain from the sale or disposition of a position in such a transaction and (2) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests, which is clearly identified as such before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. In addition, income from new transactions entered into to hedge the income or loss from prior hedging transactions, where the indebtedness or property which was the subject of the prior hedging transaction was extinguished or disposed of, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Moreover, to the extent that a position in a hedging transaction has positive value at any particular point in time, it may be treated as an asset that does not qualify for purposes of the REIT asset tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification to be taxed as a REIT. We may conduct some or all of our hedging activities (including hedging activities relating to currency risk) through a TRS or other corporate entity, the income from which may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through subsidiaries. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to income or assets that do not qualify for purposes of the REIT tests, or that our hedging activities will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification requirements.

#### Foreclosure Property
Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that we acquire as the result of having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and secured by the property, (2) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated and (3) with respect to which we made a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. Foreclosure property also includes certain qualified healthcare property acquired by a REIT as the result of the termination or expiration of a lease of such property (other than by reason of a default, or the imminence of a default, on the lease). In general, we may operate a qualified healthcare facility acquired in this manner through, and in certain circumstances may derive income from, an independent contractor for two years (or up to six years if extensions are granted). For purposes of this rule, a "qualified healthcare property" means a hospital, nursing facility, assisted living facility, congregate care facility, qualified continuing care facility, or other licensed facility (including the senior housing communities in our SHOP segment)

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which extends medical or nursing or ancillary services to patients and which is operated by a provider which is eligible for participation in the Medicare program with respect to such facility, along with any real property or personal property necessary or incidental to the use of any such facility.

We will generally be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 21%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property. We do not anticipate receiving any income from foreclosure property that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test.

#### Penalty Tax
Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions, excess interest or (for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015) redetermined TRS service income we generate will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of any services furnished to any of our tenants by a TRS, redetermined deductions and excess interest represent any amounts that are deducted by a TRS for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm's-length negotiations or if the interest payments were at a commercially reasonable rate, and redetermined TRS service income generally represents income of a TRS that is understated as a result of services provided to us or on our behalf. Rents that we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Code.

From time to time, our TRS may provide services to our tenants. We intend to set the fees paid to our TRS for such services at arm's-length rates, although the fees paid may not satisfy the safe-harbor provisions described above. These determinations are inherently factual, and the IRS has broad discretion to assert that amounts paid between related parties should be reallocated to clearly reflect their respective incomes. If the IRS successfully made such an assertion, we would be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on the excess of an arm's-length fee for tenant services over the amount actually paid.

#### Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the income or asset tests, we could avoid disqualification as a REIT if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are also available for failures of the income tests and asset tests, as described above in "—Income Tests" and "—Asset Tests."

If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we will be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We cannot deduct distributions to stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, nor would we be required to make distributions in such a year. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), distributions to stockholders will be taxable as regular corporate dividends. Such dividends paid to U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates may be taxable at the preferential income tax rates (*i.e.*, the 20% maximum U.S. federal rate) for qualified dividends. In addition, subject to the limitations of the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lose our qualification. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we will be entitled to this statutory relief.

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#### Taxation of Stockholders

#### Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to taxable U.S. stockholders. A "U.S. stockholder" is any holder of our common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• trust if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. fiduciaries have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust

If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership are urged to consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

*Distributions* 

For such time as we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, the distributions that we make to our taxable U.S. stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that we do not designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taken into account by such stockholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. With limited exceptions, our dividends are not eligible for taxation at the preferential income tax rates (*i.e.*, the 20% maximum U.S. federal rate) for qualified dividends received by most U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates from taxable C corporations. However, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, non-corporate taxpayers may deduct up to 20% of certain qualified business income, including "qualified REIT dividends" (generally, dividends received by a stockholder that are not designated as capital gain dividends or qualified dividend income), subject to certain limitations, resulting in an effective maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 29.6% on such income. As explained above, this deduction was made permanent by the OBBBA. Additionally, such stockholders are taxed at the preferential rates on dividends designated by and received from REITs to the extent that the dividends are attributable to:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• income retained by the REIT in the prior taxable year on which the REIT was subject to corporate level income tax (less the amount of tax);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• dividends received by the REIT from TRSs or other taxable C corporations; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• income in the prior taxable year from sales of "built-in gain" property acquired by the REIT from C corporations in carryover basis transactions (less the amount of corporate tax on such income).

Distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taxed to our U.S. stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that such distributions do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, and may not exceed our dividends paid for the taxable year, including dividends paid the following year that are treated as paid in the current year, without regard to the period for which the stockholder that receives such distribution has held its stock. We may elect to retain and pay taxes on some or all of our net long-term capital gains, in which case we may elect to apply provisions of the Code that treat our U.S. stockholders as having received, solely for tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains, and the stockholders as receiving a corresponding credit for taxes that we paid on such undistributed capital gains. See "—Taxation of REITs in General—Annual Distribution Requirements." Corporate stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum U.S. federal rates of 20% in the case of U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates, and 21% in the case of U.S. stockholders that are corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than twelve months are subject to a 25% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for taxpayers who are taxed as individuals, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and

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profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will generally represent a return of capital and will not be taxable to a stockholder to the extent that the amount of such distributions does not exceed the adjusted basis of the stockholder's shares in respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of the stockholder's shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a stockholder's shares, the stockholder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In addition, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before the end of January of the following calendar year.

To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Any net operating losses generated in years beginning after December 31, 2017 will only be able to offset 80% of our net taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction). See "—Taxation of REITs in General —Annual Distribution Requirements." Such losses, however, are not passed through to stockholders and do not offset income of stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses affect the character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.

*Dispositions of Our Stock* 

If a U.S. stockholder sells or disposes of shares of our stock, it will generally recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition and the stockholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares of stock. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals, trusts or estates upon the sale or disposition of our stock will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% if the stock is held for more than one year, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates (of up to 37%) if the stock is held for one year or less. Gains recognized by stockholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 21%, whether or not such gains are classified as long-term capital gains. Capital losses recognized by a stockholder upon the disposition of our stock that was held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may also offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our stock by a stockholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of actual or deemed distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the stockholder as long-term capital gain.

If an investor recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our stock or other securities in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of Treasury regulations involving "reportable transactions" could apply, with a resulting requirement to separately disclose the loss-generating transaction to the IRS. These regulations, though directed towards "tax shelters," are broadly written and apply to transactions that would not typically be considered tax shelters. The Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply with these requirements. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of our stock or securities or transactions that we might undertake directly or indirectly. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other participants in the transactions in which we are involved (including their advisors) might be subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.

*Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations* 

Distributions that we make and gains arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. stockholder of our stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, stockholders will not be able to apply any "passive losses" against income or gain relating to our stock. To the extent that distributions we make do not constitute a return of capital, they will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.

#### Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to non-U.S. stockholders. A "non-U.S. stockholder" is any holder of our common stock other than a partnership or U.S. stockholder.

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*Ordinary Dividends* 

The portion of dividends received by non-U.S. stockholders that (1) is payable out of our earnings and profits, (2) is not attributable to capital gains that we recognize and (3) is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder, will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by treaty.

In general, non-U.S. stockholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. stockholder's investment in our stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. stockholder will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends. Such effectively connected income must generally be reported on a U.S. income tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. stockholder. The income may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) in the case of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation.

*Non-Dividend Distributions* 

Unless our stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest ("USRPI"), distributions that we make which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will not be subject to U.S. income tax. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. The non-U.S. stockholder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If our stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions that we make in excess of the sum of (1) the stockholder's proportionate share of our earnings and profits, plus (2) the stockholder's basis in its stock, will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 ("FIRPTA"), at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a U.S. stockholder of the same type (*i.e.*, an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a withholding at a rate of 15% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the stockholder's share of our earnings and profits.

*Capital Gain Dividends* 

Under FIRPTA, a distribution that we make to a non-U.S. stockholder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs that we held directly or through pass-through subsidiaries, or USRPI capital gains, will, except as described below, be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and will be subject to U.S. income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. individuals or corporations, without regard to whether we designate the distribution as a capital gain dividend. See "—Ordinary Dividends," for a discussion of the consequences of income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 21% of the maximum amount that could have been designated as USRPI capital gain dividends. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) in the hands of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation. A distribution is not attributable to USRPI capital gain if we held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor. Capital gain dividends received by a non-U.S. stockholder that are attributable to dispositions of our assets other than USRPIs are not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless (1) the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder's U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder would be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain, except that a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) or (2) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a "tax home" in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will incur a 30% tax on his capital gains. We expect that a significant portion of our assets will be USRPIs.

A capital gain dividend that would otherwise have been treated as a USRPI capital gain will not be so treated or be subject to FIRPTA, and will generally not be treated as income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, but instead will be treated in the same manner as an ordinary dividend (see "—Ordinary Dividends"), if (1) the capital gain dividend is received with respect to a class of stock that is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States and (2) the recipient non-U.S. stockholder does not own more than

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10% of that class at any time during the year ending on the date on which the capital gain dividend is received. We anticipate that our common stock will be "regularly traded" on an established securities exchange. In addition, distributions to certain non-U.S. publicly traded shareholders that meet certain record-keeping and other requirements ("qualified shareholders") are exempt from FIRPTA, except to the extent owners of such qualified shareholders that are not also qualified shareholders own, actually or constructively, more than 10% of our common stock. Furthermore, distributions to qualified foreign pension funds" or entities all of the interests of which are held by "qualified foreign pension funds" are exempt from FIRPTA. Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.

*Dispositions of Our Stock* 

Unless our stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of our stock by a non-U.S. stockholder will generally not be subject to U.S. taxation under FIRPTA. Subject to certain exceptions discussed below, our stock will be treated as a USRPI if 50% or more of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the United States, excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor. We expect that 50% or more of our assets will consist of USRPIs.

Even if the foregoing 50% test is met, however, our stock will not constitute a USRPI if we are a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity." A domestically controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT, less than 50% of value of which is held, directly or indirectly, by non-U.S. stockholders at all times during a specified testing period. For purposes of determining whether a REIT is a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity," a person who at all applicable times holds less than 5% of a class of stock that is "regularly traded" is treated as a United States person unless the REIT has actual knowledge that such person is not a United States person. Finalized Treasury regulations provide additional guidance for determining whether a REIT is a domestically controlled qualified investment entity and clarify, among other things, that ownership by non-U.S. persons (other than persons treated as United States persons as described in the preceding sentence) will be determined by looking through pass-through entities and certain U.S. corporations. However, recently proposed Treasury regulations modify the existing rules for determining whether a REIT is domestically controlled under Section 897. The proposed regulations would remove the aforementioned "domestic corporation look-through rule." Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury regulations until final Treasury regulations are issued. As described above, our charter contains restrictions designed to protect our status as a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity," and we believe that we will be and will remain, a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, and that a sale of our stock should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, no assurance can be given that we will be or will remain a domestically controlled qualified investment entity.

In the event that we are not a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, but our stock is "regularly traded," as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market, a non-U.S. stockholder's sale of our common stock nonetheless also would not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that the selling non-U.S. stockholder held 10% or less of our outstanding common stock at any time during a prescribed testing period. We expect that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market.

In addition, dispositions of our common stock by qualified shareholders are exempt from FIRPTA, except to the extent owners of such qualified shareholders that are not also qualified shareholders own, actually or constructively, more than 10% of our common stock. An actual or deemed disposition of our capital stock by such shareholders may also be treated as a dividend. Furthermore, dispositions of our capital stock by "qualified foreign pension funds" or entities all of the interests of which are held by "qualified foreign pension funds" are exempt from FIRPTA. Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.

If gain on the sale of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. stockholder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. Moreover, in order to enforce the collection of the tax, the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 15% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.

Gain from the sale of our stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a non-U.S. stockholder in two cases: (1) if the non-U.S. stockholder's investment in our stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder, the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, except

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that a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (unless reduced or eliminated by treaty) or (2) if the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a "tax home" in the United States, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual's capital gain. In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of our stock (subject to the 10% exception applicable to "regularly traded" stock described above), a non-U.S. stockholder may be treated as having gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI if the non-U.S. stockholder (a) disposes of our common stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI and (b) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other shares of our common stock within 30 days after such ex-dividend date.

**Non-U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning our stock.** 

#### Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders
Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit-sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, they may be subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income ("UBTI"). While some investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax-exempt stockholder has not held our stock as "debt financed property" within the meaning of the Code (*i.e.*, where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder) and (2) our stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, distributions that we make and income from the sale of our stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt stockholder. Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally require such stockholders to characterize distributions that we make as UBTI.

In certain circumstances, a pension trust that owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of any dividends received from us as UBTI if we are a "pension-held REIT." We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) we are required to "look through" one or more of our pension trust stockholders in order to satisfy the REIT "closely held" test and (2) either (a) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock or (b) one or more pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively own more than 50% of the value of our stock. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of shares of our stock generally should prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock and generally should prevent us from becoming a pension-held REIT.

**Tax-exempt stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning our stock.** 

#### Other Tax Considerations

#### Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time. The REIT rules are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the Treasury, which review may result in statutory changes as well as revisions to regulations and interpretations. Changes to the U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect an investment in our common stock.

In addition, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "TCJA") made substantial changes to the Code. Among those changes are a significant permanent reduction in the generally applicable corporate tax rate, changes in the taxation of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers that generally but not universally reduce their taxes on a temporary basis subject to "sunset" provisions, the elimination or modification of various currently allowed deductions (including additional limitations on the deductibility of business interest and substantial limitation on the deduction for state and local taxes imposed on individuals), and preferential taxation of income (including REIT dividends) derived by non-corporate taxpayers from "pass-through" entities. The TCJA also imposes certain additional limitations on the deduction of net operating losses, which may in the future cause us to make distributions that will

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be taxable to our stockholders to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits in order to comply with the annual REIT distribution requirements. Further changes to the tax laws are possible. Prospective stockholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors with respect to the effects of any regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on investment in our common stock.

#### New Tax Legislation
As noted above, on July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the OBBBA. The OBBBA made significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws in various areas. Among the notable changes, the OBBBA permanently extended certain provisions that were enacted in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, most of which were set to expire after December 31, 2025. Such extensions included the permanent extension of the 20% deduction for "qualified REIT dividends" for individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers as well as the permanent extension of the limitation on non-corporate taxpayers using "excess business losses" to offset other income. The OBBBA also increased the percentage limit under the REIT asset test applicable to TRSs, from 20% to 25% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. As a result, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs held by a REIT may not exceed 25% of the value of its gross assets. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor with respect to the OBBBA and its potential effect on investment in our common stock.

#### Medicare 3.8% Tax on Investment Income
Certain U.S. stockholders who are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare tax on dividends and certain other investment income, including capital gains from the sale or other disposition of our common stock. The 20% deduction currently allowed with respect to ordinary REIT dividends received by non-corporate taxpayers is apparently not allowed as a deduction allocable to such dividends for purposes of determining the amount of net investment income subject to the 3.8% Medicare tax.

#### Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Legislation enacted in 2010 and existing guidance issued thereunder requires withholding at a rate of 30% on dividends in respect of our common stock held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Treasury to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to shares in the institution held by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury regulations or other guidance may modify these requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which our common stock is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of our common stock held by an investor that is a nonfinancial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (1) certifies to us that such entity does not have any "substantial United States owners" (as defined in the Code) or (2) provides certain information regarding the entity's "substantial United States owners," which we will in turn provide to the IRS. The IRS has issued proposed regulations (on which taxpayers may rely until final regulations are issued) that would generally not apply these withholding requirements to gross proceeds from asset dispositions. We will not pay any additional amounts to stockholders in respect of any amounts withheld. Non-U.S. stockholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of the legislation on their investment in our common stock.

#### State, Local and Foreign Taxes
We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. Our state, local or foreign tax treatment and that of our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Any foreign taxes that we incur do not pass through to stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our stock.

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#### SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
Information about selling securityholders, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment, or in filings we make with the SEC that are incorporated into this prospectus by reference.

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#### PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
*References to "we," "us" or "our" in this section refer to CareTrust REIT and the Operating Partnership, as the case may be, who offers and sells securities under this prospectus.* 

We, and any securityholders, may sell the securities offered by this prospectus in any one or more of the following ways (or in any combination) from time to time:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• directly to one or more purchasers, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• to investors through agents;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• directly to agents;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• to or through brokers or dealers;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• to the public through underwriting syndicates led by one or more managing underwriters;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• to one or more underwriters acting alone for resale to investors or to the public;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• through a combination of any such methods of sale; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

We, and any securityholders, may also sell the securities offered by this prospectus in "at the market offerings" within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, including sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange, in block transactions or by any other method permitted by law.

The accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering and the method of distribution and will identify any firms acting as underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering, including:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the method of distribution, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us from the sale;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any over-allotment options under which the underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any underwriting discounts and other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers or agents;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any public offering price;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• any securities exchange or market on which the securities offered in the prospectus supplement may be listed.

Only those underwriters identified in such prospectus supplement are deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities offered in the prospectus supplement. Any underwritten offering may be on a best efforts or a firm commitment basis.

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at prices determined as the applicable prospectus supplement specifies. The securities may be sold through a rights offering, forward contracts or similar arrangements.

We, and any securityholders, may enter into derivative transactions with third parties or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions from time to time. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivative transactions, such third parties (or affiliates of such third parties) may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, such third parties (or affiliates of such third parties) may use securities pledged by us or any securityholders, as the case may be, or borrowed from us or any securityholders, as the case may be, or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities, and may use securities received from us or any securityholders, as the case may be, in settlement of those derivative transactions to close out any related open borrowings of securities. The third parties (or affiliates of such third parties) in such sale transactions by us will be underwriters and will be identified in an applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). We may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn

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may sell the securities using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus.

In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and also may receive commissions from securities purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the securities distribution may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions they receive and any profit they realize on the resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Underwriters and their controlling persons, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution toward specific civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed on The New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance. We may elect to list any series of preferred stock on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. Any other securities we sell pursuant to a prospectus supplement may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, any offered securities.

Underwriters, dealers or agents that participate in the offer of securities, or their affiliates or associates, may have engaged or engage in transactions with and perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business for which they may have received or receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses.

44<br>

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#### LEGAL MATTERS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters regarding the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by O'Melveny & Myers LLP and by DLA Piper LLP (US), Baltimore, Maryland, with respect to matters of Maryland law. In addition, the description of material federal income tax consequences contained in this prospectus under the heading "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" is based upon the opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

#### EXPERTS
The financial statements of CareTrust REIT, Inc. incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and the effectiveness of CareTrust REIT, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm, given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

### 12,500,000 Shares
![](logo_caretrust3.jpg)<br>

### CareTrust REIT, Inc.

### Common Stock<br>

### PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT<br>

### <br>

### Wells Fargo Securities<br>

### J.P. Morgan
May 18, 2026

## Ex-Filing

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'?

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**Exhibit 107**

**CALCULATION OF FILING FEE TABLE**

**Form S-3**

(Form Type)

**CareTrust REIT, Inc.**

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

**<u>Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities</u>**

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| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Security Type** | **Security Class Title** | **Fee Calculation or Carry Forward Rule** | **Amount Registered** | **Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit** | **Maximum Aggregate Offering Price** | **Fee Rate** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Amount of Registration Fee** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Form Type** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward <br>File Number** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Initial Effective Date** | **Filing Fee Previously Paid In Connection with Unsold Securities to be carried Forward** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; **Newly Registered Securities\*** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Newly Registered Securities\*** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Newly Registered Securities\*** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Newly Registered Securities\*** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Newly Registered Securities\*** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Newly Registered Securities\*** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Newly Registered Securities\*** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Newly Registered Securities\*** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Newly Registered Securities\*** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Newly Registered Securities\*** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Newly Registered Securities\*** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Newly Registered Securities\*** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Newly Registered Securities\*** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; Fees to Be Paid  | Equity | Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | 457(c) | 14375000<sup>(1)</sup> | $41.55<sup>(2)</sup> | $597281250<sup>(2)</sup> | 0.0001381 | $82485<sup>(2)</sup> |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; Fees Previously Paid  | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |  |  | N/A |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Securities** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Securities** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Securities** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Securities** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Securities** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Securities** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Securities** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Securities** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Securities** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Securities** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Securities** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Securities** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Carry Forward Securities** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; Carry Forward Securities  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Total Offering Amounts** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Total Offering Amounts** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Total Offering Amounts** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Total Offering Amounts** |  | $597281250 |  | $82485 |  |  |  |  |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Total Fees Previously Paid** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Total Fees Previously Paid** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Total Fees Previously Paid** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Total Fees Previously Paid** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Total Fee Offsets** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Total Fee Offsets** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Total Fee Offsets** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Total Fee Offsets** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Net Fee Due** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Net Fee Due** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Net Fee Due** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Net Fee Due** |  |  |  | $82485 |  |  |  |  |

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(1) Assumes the exercise in
full of the underwriters' option to purchase up to an additional 1,875,000
shares of common stock.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. In accordance with Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the prices shown are based on the average of the high and low prices reported for the registrant's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on May 18, 2026. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the Registrant initially deferred payment of all of the registration fee for the Form S-3ASR filed with the SEC on February 17, 2026. 

&nbsp;&nbsp; Narrative Disclosure<br>The maximum aggregate offering price of the securities to which the prospectus relates is $597,281,250. The prospectus is a final prospectus for the related offering. <br>

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