Risk Factors
Before making an investment decision in the Fund, potential investors should, considering their own financial situation, investment objectives and risk profile, carefully evaluate all the information available in this Prospectus and the Regulations, including, but not limited to, information relating to the Investment Policy, portfolio composition and risk factors described in this section, to which the Fund and investors are subject.
Given the nature of the investments to be made by the Fund, the Unitholders should be aware of the risks to which the Fund's investments and applications will be subject, as described below. Therefore, there are no guarantees that the capital actually paid in will be remunerated as expected by the Unitholders.
The Fund's investments are, by their nature, subject to typical market fluctuations, credit risk, systemic risk, adverse liquidity conditions, and atypical trading in the markets in which they operate. Even though the Administrator and the Manager maintain risk management routines and procedures, there is no guarantee of completely eliminating the possibility of losses for the Fund and its Unitholders.
The following describes the main risks inherent to the Fund, which are not the only risks to which investments in the Fund and in Brazil in general are subject. The Fund's business, financial condition or results may be adversely and materially affected by any of these risks, without prejudice to additional risks that are not currently known to the Administrator or that are considered to be of minor relevance at this time.
I. Market risks.
Macroeconomic factors
Additionally, the Fund's financial assets must be marked to market, meaning their values will be updated daily and accounted for at the market trading price, or the best estimate of the value that would be obtained in that transaction. As a consequence, the value of the Fund's issued Units may experience frequent and significant fluctuations, including throughout the day. Consequently, the market value of the Fund's issued Units may not necessarily reflect their net asset value.
No fine or penalty of any kind shall be due by the Fund or by any person, including the institutions responsible for the distribution of the Units, the other Unit Holders of the Fund, the Administrator and the Institutions Participating in the Offering, if, for any reason, (a) the amortization period of the units and/or the distribution of the Fund's results is extended; (b) the Fund is liquidated; or (c) the Unit Holders suffer any damage or loss resulting from such events.
Other macroeconomic risks
- Fluctuating demand for real estate-based assets;
- competitiveness of the real estate sector;
- regulation of the real estate sector; and
- Taxation related to the real estate sector.
II. Institutional risks.
The Federal Government can intervene in the country's economy and make significant changes to its policies and regulations, impacting various sectors and segments of the country's economy. The Fund's activities, financial situation, and results may be significantly affected by changes in policies or regulations involving, for example, interest rates, exchange controls and restrictions on remittances abroad; exchange rate fluctuations; inflation; liquidity in domestic financial and capital markets; fiscal policy; social and political instability; regulatory changes; and other political, social, and economic events that may occur in or affect Brazil. In a scenario of rising interest rates, for example, asset prices may be negatively impacted. In this scenario, adverse effects related to the aforementioned factors may negatively impact the Fund's assets, profitability, and the trading value of the units.
Additionally, political instability can adversely affect real estate transactions and their respective results. The Brazilian political environment has historically influenced, and continues to influence, the performance of the country's economy. The political crisis has affected and may continue to affect investor and general public confidence, and has already resulted in an economic slowdown and increased volatility in bonds issued by Brazilian companies.
Brazil recently went through the impeachment process against former President Dilma Rousseff and the government of former President Michel Temer without major changes from an economic standpoint. The government of President Jair Bolsonaro will face the challenge of reversing the country's political and economic crisis, in addition to approving the social reforms necessary for a more stable economic environment. The inability of President Jair Bolsonaro's new government to reverse the country's political and economic crisis, and to approve social reforms, could have effects on the Brazilian economy and may have an adverse effect on the Fund's operational results and financial condition.
The ongoing investigations of "Operation Lava Jato" and "Operation Zelotes" may negatively affect the growth of the Brazilian economy and could have a negative impact on the Fund's business dealings. Brazilian markets have been experiencing increased volatility due to the uncertainties arising from these investigations conducted by the Federal Police, the Attorney General's Office, and other authorities. "Operation Lava Jato" investigates the payment of bribes to high-ranking officials of large state-owned companies in exchange for contracts awarded by the government and state-owned companies in the infrastructure, oil, gas, and energy sectors, among others. The profits from these bribes allegedly financed the political campaigns of political parties, as well as serving to personally enrich the beneficiaries of the scheme. As a result of the ongoing "Operation Lava Jato," a number of politicians and executives from various private and state-owned companies in Brazil are being investigated and, in some cases, have been removed from their positions or arrested. In turn, "Operation Zelotes" investigates improper payments allegedly made by Brazilian companies to officials of the Administrative Council of Tax Appeals ("CARF"). These payments aimed to induce officials to reduce or waive fines related to non-compliance with tax legislation imposed by the Federal Revenue Service, which were under CARF review. Even though the investigations are not yet concluded, they have already had a negative impact on the image and reputation of the companies involved, and on the general perception of the Brazilian economy. We cannot predict whether the investigations will lead to greater political and economic instability or whether new accusations against government officials and state-owned or private companies will emerge in the future within the scope of these or other investigations. Furthermore, we cannot predict the outcome of such allegations, nor their effect on the Brazilian economy. The development of these cases may negatively affect the Brazilian economy and, consequently, the Fund's assets, profitability, and the trading value of its units.
III. Credit risk.
IV. Liquidity-related risks.
The assets comprising the Fund's portfolio may have low liquidity compared to other investment options. Investors should be aware that real estate investment funds are, by regulation, structured as closed-end funds, not allowing the redemption of their units under any circumstances. As a result, real estate investment funds have low liquidity in the Brazilian market, and unit holders may have difficulty selling their units on the secondary market. Therefore, investors acquiring units in the Fund should be aware that investing in the Fund is a long-term investment. Furthermore, the Regulations establish some circumstances in which the General Meeting may opt for the liquidation of the Fund and other circumstances in which the redemption of units may be carried out by delivering the assets comprising the Fund's portfolio to the unit holders. Unit holders may encounter difficulties selling the assets received in the event of the Fund's liquidation.
Risk of Mark-to-Market.
V. Tax risks.
VI. Risks of changes in accounting practices.
VII. Risk of changes to the legislation applicable to the Fund and/or the Quota Holders.
IX. Legal risk.
X. Risk of unfavorable court decisions.
XI. Risk of past performance.
XII. Risk arising from changes to the Regulation.
XIII. Risk arising from the possibility of the delivery of Fund assets in the event of its liquidation.
XIV. Market risk related to the Assets.
XV. Time risks.
XVI. Risk of concentration in the Fund's portfolio.
XVII. Risk of involuntary passive disqualification.
XVIII. Cash availability risk.
XIX. Risk related to concentration and spraying.
If the Fund has a very dispersed ownership structure, certain matters within the purview of the general meeting that can only be approved by a qualified majority of the Unitholders may be unable to be approved due to the lack of a quorum for the meeting (when applicable) and for deliberation at such meetings. The inability to deliberate on certain matters may lead to, among other consequences, the early liquidation of the Fund.
XX. Risks related to investing in securities.
XXI. Operational risk.
XXII. Risk of potential conflict of interest.
XXIII. Risk arising from the non-mandatory nature of revisions and/or updates to projections.
XXIV. Risk related to the preparation of the feasibility study by the Fund Manager.
The fund does not have any target, expected, or intended return.
ANY PROFITABILITY PROJECTED IN THE FEASIBILITY STUDY DOES NOT REPRESENT AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED, AT ANY TIME AND UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, AS A PROMISE, GUARANTEE, OR SUGGESTION OF MINIMUM OR GUARANTEED FUTURE PROFITABILITY TO INVESTORS.
XXV. Governance risk.
XXVI. Risk related to new emissions.
XXVII. Risk of restriction in negotiation.
XXVIII. Risk related to the non-replacement of the Administrator, Manager or Custodian.
XXIV. Risks related to Assets and risk of non-realization of investments.
XXX. Risk related to the non-existence of real estate assets, securities, and financial assets that fit within the investment policy.
XXXI. Risk of investment discretion by the Manager.
XXXII. Risks Related to the Real Estate Securitization Sector and Securitization Companies.
Provisional Measure No. 2,158-35, of August 24, 2001, in its article 76, establishes that "the rules that establish the allocation or separation, for any reason, of the assets of a natural or legal person do not produce effects in relation to debts of a fiscal, social security or labor nature, especially regarding the guarantees and privileges attributed to them". Its sole paragraph further provides that "in this way, all the assets and income of the taxpayer, their estate or their bankrupt estate, including those that have been the object of separation or allocation, remain liable for the debts referred to therein".
If the understanding foreseen in the aforementioned provision prevails, creditors of tax, social security, or labor debts of the securitization company may compete with the holders of the CRI (Real Estate Receivables Certificates) in receiving the real estate credits that comprise the collateral of the CRI in case of bankruptcy. Therefore, if the securitization company fails to honor its tax, social security, or labor obligations, the real estate credits that serve as collateral for the issuance of the CRI and other assets comprising the respective segregated patrimonies may be accessed to settle such liabilities, affecting the securitization company's ability to honor its obligations arising from the CRI and, consequently, the respective Real Estate Asset comprising the fund's patrimony.
XXXIII. Credit risk of the Fund's portfolio assets
XXXIV. Risk of Investing in Financial Assets
XXXV. The Unitholders may be called upon to deliberate on the need to make additional contributions to the Fund in the event of losses and damages in the portfolio that result in negative equity for the Fund.
XXXVI. Risks of fluctuations in the value of the assets comprising the Fund's portfolio.
XXXVII. Risks related to the real estate sector.
(i) Real estate risk
(ii) Risk of irregularity of the properties
(iii) Risk of loss
(iv) Risk of expropriation
(v) Developer/builder risk
(vi) Risk of vacancy
(vii) Risk of property devaluation
(viii) Risks related to the occurrence of unforeseen events and force majeure events
(ix) Environmental risks
In the event of violation or non-compliance with such laws, regulations, licenses, grants, and authorizations, companies and, eventually, the Fund or tenants may suffer administrative sanctions, such as fines, indemnities, prohibition and/or total or partial embargo of activities, cancellation of licenses and revocation of authorizations, without prejudice to civil liability and criminal sanctions (including its administrators), negatively affecting the Fund's assets, profitability, and the trading value of the Units. The operation of potentially polluting activities without the proper environmental license is considered an administrative infraction and an environmental crime, subject to applicable penalties, regardless of the obligation to repair any environmental damage. The administrative sanctions applicable under federal law include the immediate suspension of activities and fines.
Additionally, government agencies or other authorities may also issue new, stricter rules or seek more restrictive interpretations of existing laws and regulations, which may require tenants or property owners to spend additional resources on environmental compliance, including obtaining environmental permits for facilities and equipment that were not previously required. Government agencies or other authorities may also significantly delay the issuance or renewal of licenses and permits necessary for the development of the owners' and tenants' businesses, consequently generating adverse effects on their businesses. Any of the above events may cause tenants to have difficulty paying rent on the properties. Furthermore, due to requirements from the competent bodies, there may be a need to carry out renovations or alterations to such properties, the cost of which may be charged to the Fund. The occurrence of the above events may negatively affect the Fund's assets, profitability, and the trading value of the Units.
(x) Risk of review or termination of lease or rental agreements
(xi) Risks related to the profitability of the Fund
(xii) Risk related to the acquisition of real estate
(xiii) Risk of exposure associated with the rental and sale of real estate
Furthermore, real estate may be affected by local or regional real estate market conditions, such as an oversupply of space for residential properties, offices, shopping centers, warehouses, and distribution centers in a certain region, and their profit margins may be affected (i) due to taxes and public fees and (ii) the interruption or irregular provision of public services, especially the supply of water and electricity.
In these cases, the Fund may suffer a material adverse effect on its financial condition, and the Units may have their profitability reduced.
(xiv) Risk of adverse economic conditions in the locations where the properties are located
Additionally, the market value of the real estate assets in the Fund's portfolio is subject to fluctuations depending on economic or market conditions, so a change in these conditions could cause a significant decrease in their value. A significant drop in the market value of the real estate assets in the Fund's portfolio could negatively impact the Fund's financial situation, as well as the return on the Units.
(xv) Risk of launching new commercial real estate developments near properties whose operation is linked to securities invested by the Fund, which may hinder the ability to sell, renew leases or lease spaces to new tenants.
(xvi) Risk of the properties being subject to specific conditions that may affect the profitability of the real estate market
In this sense, renewal actions present two main risks that, if materialized, could adversely affect the conduct of business in the real estate market: (i) if the owner decides to vacate the space occupied by a particular tenant in order to renew it, the tenant may, by filing a renewal action, be able to remain in the property; and (ii) in the renewal action, the parties may request a review of the lease agreement value, with the final contract value being determined by the Judiciary. Therefore, the Fund is subject to the interpretation and decision of the Judiciary and may potentially receive a lower rental value from the tenants of the properties.
(xvii) Risk of Other Restrictions on Use of the Property by Public Authorities
(xviii) Risk of natural disasters and accidents
(xix) Risk of not taking out property and liability insurance
(xx) Risks related to the regularity of the built area
(xxi) Risk of non-renewal of licenses necessary for the operation of properties and related to the regularity of the Fire Department Inspection Certificate (“AVCB”)
The existence of a constructed area built without prior authorization from the competent Municipal Authority, or in disagreement with the approved project, may entail risks and liabilities for the properties and for the Fund, if said area is not eligible for regularization and is subject to inspection by the responsible bodies. Among such risks, the following stand out: (i) the application of fines by the public administration; (ii) the impossibility of registering the construction; (iii) the refusal to issue an operating license; (iv) the refusal to contract or renew property insurance; and (v) the closure of the properties, which may even culminate in the Fund's obligation to demolish the unregulated areas, which may adversely affect the activities and operational results of the properties and, consequently, the assets, profitability of the Fund and the trading value of the Units.
Furthermore, failure to obtain or renew such licenses may result in penalties that vary, depending on the type of irregularity and the time it takes to rectify the situation, from warnings and fines to the closure of the respective properties.
Under these circumstances, the Fund, its profitability, and the trading value of its Units may be adversely affected.
(xxii) Risk of Delays and/or Non-Completion of Real Estate Development Works
(xxiii) Risk of administration of Real Estate Assets by third parties
(xxiv) Risk related to the possibility of the Fund acquiring encumbered Real Estate Assets
XXXIV. Ownership of Shares and not of Assets.
XXXV. Risks of extraordinary expenses
Nevertheless, the Fund will be subject to expenses and costs arising from legal actions necessary for the collection of unpaid rents, legal actions (eviction, renewal, revision, among others), as well as any other expenses not paid by the tenants of the properties, such as taxes, condominium fees, as well as costs for the renovation or recovery of properties unsuitable for rental after eviction or amicable departure of the tenant.
XXXVI. No guarantee of risk elimination.
XXXVII. Collection of Assets, Possibility of Additional Contributions by Shareholders and Possibility of Loss of Invested Capital.
XXVIII. Risks of the Fund having negative net worth and of the Unitholders having to make capital contributions.
XXXIX. Risk of Execution of Guarantees Attached to CRIs.
In the event of an enforcement proceeding on the CRI guarantees, there may be a need to hire consultants, among other costs, which must be borne by the Fund, in its capacity as an investor in the CRIs. Additionally, the guarantee granted in favor of the CRIs may not be sufficient to cover the financial obligations associated with said CRIs.
Therefore, a series of events related to the enforcement of CRI guarantees could negatively affect the value of the units and the profitability of the investment in the Fund.
XL. Risk exposure associated with property rentals
XLI. Risks related to the acquisition of real estate ventures.
XLII. Regulatory Risk
XLIII. Risks Related to CRI, LCI and LH
XLIV. Risks Related to Prepayment or Extraordinary Amortization of Assets
XLV. Risk of non-compliance with the conditions imposed for tax exemption.
Furthermore, the income and net gains earned by the Fund in Financial Assets are subject to withholding income tax, in accordance with the same rules applicable to legal entities.
XLVI. Risk Related to the Fund's Indefinite Duration.
XLVII. The Importance of the Manager.
XLVIII. Risk Arising from the Provision of Management Services for Other Investment Funds.
L. Information contained in this Prospectus.
There is no guarantee that the Fund's future performance will be consistent with these prospects. Future events could differ significantly from the trends indicated here.
Additionally, the information contained in this Prospectus regarding Brazil and the Brazilian economy is based on data published by the Central Bank of Brazil (BACEN), public agencies, and other independent sources. The information on the real estate market presented throughout this Prospectus was obtained through internal research, market research, public information, and industry publications.