UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended          December 31, 2013                                  

or

For the transition period from ________________________________ to ________________________________

Commission File Number: 001-31458                                                                                                                         

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 798-6100

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

x Yes o No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

o Yes x No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

x Yes o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

x Yes o No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this form 10-K o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). (Check One):

o Yes x No

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2013 (computed based on the closing price on such date as reported on the NYSE) was: $1.5 billion.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock was 351,453,495 as of February 21, 2014.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The information required by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) will be incorporated by reference from the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the operating performance of our investments, the stability of our earnings, and our financing needs. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue” or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, discuss future expectations, describe future plans and strategies, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition or state other forward-looking information. Our ability to predict results or the actual outcome of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, our actual results and performance could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to:

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The factors noted above could cause our actual results to differ significantly from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements, which reflect our management’s views only as of the date of this report. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report to conform these statements to actual results.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING EXHIBITS

In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, please remember they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about Newcastle Investment Corp. (“the Company”) or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:

Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about the Company may be found elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. See “Business – Corporate Governance and Internet Address; Where Readers Can Find Additional Information.”

The Company acknowledges that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, it is responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosures of material information regarding material contractual provisions are required to make the statements in this report not misleading.

PART I

Item 1. Business.

Overview

Newcastle Investment Corp. (“Newcastle”) is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that focuses on opportunistically investing in, and actively managing, a variety of real estate related and other investments. Newcastle is externally managed and advised by an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, or Fortress (the “Manager”). Newcastle’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NCT.”

We currently invest in (1) senior housing properties, (2) real estate debt and (3) other investments. Our investment guidelines are purposefully broad to enable us to make investments in a wide array of assets, and we actively explore new business opportunities and asset categories as part of our business strategy. Our objective is to leverage our longstanding investment expertise to drive attractive risk-adjusted returns. We target stable long-term cash flows and seek to employ conservative capital structures to generate returns throughout different interest rate environments. We take an active approach centered around identifying and executing on opportunities, responding to the changing market environment, and dynamically managing our investment portfolio to enhance returns.

In our senior housing business, we acquire and own senior housing properties. We either have our properties operated pursuant to property management agreements with third parties (“managed properties”) or lease our properties to third-party tenants (“triple net lease properties”). Currently, our managed properties are managed by affiliates or subsidiaries of either Holiday Acquisition Holdings LLC (“Holiday”) or FHC Property Management LLC (together with its subsidiaries, “Blue Harbor”). Holiday is a portfolio company that is majority owned by private equity funds managed by an affiliate of our Manager, and Blue Harbor is an affiliate of our Manager. All of our triple net lease properties are currently leased to Holiday. As of December 31, 2013, we owned 33 managed properties and 51 triple net lease properties. For more information about our portfolio, see “—Developments in 2013—Senior Housing Acquisitions” and “—Investment Portfolio—Other Investments—Senior Housing Investments” below.

In the fourth quarter of 2013, we changed our financial reporting segments. In particular, we established media and golf segments in connection with the restructurings of certain debt investments, as further described below under “Developments in 2013—Restructuring and Spin-off of Media Investments” and “Developments in 2013—Restructuring of Golf Investment.”

The following table summarizes our segment results at December 31, 2013:

* An aggregate face amount of $133.9 million (carrying value of $87.5 million) of debt represents inter-segment financing, which is eliminated upon consolidation.

Further details regarding the revenues, net income (loss) and total assets of each of our segments for each of the last three fiscal years are presented in Note 5 to Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Developments in 2013

Spin-off of Residential Assets

On May 15, 2013, we spun off our wholly owned subsidiary New Residential Investment Corp. (“New Residential”). Prior to the spin-off, we contributed to New Residential all of our investments in excess mortgage servicing rights (“Excess MSRs”), the non-Agency residential mortgage backed securities (“RMBS”) we had acquired since the second quarter of 2012, certain Agency Adjustable Rate Mortgage (“ARM”) RMBS, the residential mortgage loans we had acquired since the beginning of 2013, our interest in a portfolio of consumer loans, and cash and cash equivalents of $181.6 million. The spin-off was effected as a taxable pro rata distribution by Newcastle of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of New Residential to our common stockholders of record at the close of business on May 6, 2013. The distribution ratio was one share of New Residential common stock for each share of Newcastle common stock. For additional information about the New Residential spin-off, see Note 4 to Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Senior Housing Acquisitions

During 2013, we invested a total of $364.9 million of cash to acquire senior housing properties, including the Holiday Portfolio (defined below) and various other properties, as described below.

On December 23, 2013, we completed the acquisition of a 51-property portfolio of independent living senior housing properties (the “Holiday Portfolio”) from certain affiliates of Holiday for approximately $1.0 billion. We funded the purchase price with $719.4 million of non-recourse debt financing and $281.1 million of cash. The Holiday Portfolio includes properties located across 24 states with 5,842 units in aggregate. Concurrently with the closing of the Holiday acquisition, we leased these properties to certain affiliates of Holiday (collectively, the “Master Tenants”) pursuant to two triple net master leases on nearly identical terms. Each master lease has a 17-year term and first-year rent equal to 6.5% of the purchase price with annual increases during the following three years of 4.5% and up to 3.75% thereafter. Under each master lease, the respective Master Tenant is responsible for (i) operating its portion of the Holiday Portfolio and bearing the related costs, including repairs, maintenance, capital expenditures, utilities, taxes, insurance and the payroll expense of property level employees, and (ii) complying with the terms of the mortgage financing documents. The Master Tenants’ obligations to us under the master leases are guaranteed by a subsidiary of Holiday (the “Guarantor”). The Guarantor is required to maintain a minimum net worth (book value plus accumulated depreciation and certain other adjustments as defined in the guaranty) of

$150 million, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio (earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent (“EBITDAR”) divided by rent and interest) of 1.10 and a maximum leverage ratio (debt plus 10 times cash rent divided by EBITDAR) of 10 to 1. While we believe that the financial covenants contained in the master leases and the guaranty of lease agreements enhance the security of payments that will be owed to us under the master leases, these security features may not ensure timely payment in full of all amounts due to us under the master leases or the guaranty of lease agreements. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—The Master Tenants may be unable to cover their lease obligations to us, and there can be no assurance that the Guarantor will be able to cover any shortfall.” For details about the financing, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt Obligations.” Holiday is one of the largest private owners and operators of senior housing properties in North America.

During 2013, we also completed acquisitions of 21 other senior housing properties for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $302.8 million, financed with $219.0 million of mortgage loans and $83.8 million of cash. These properties are located across 5 states and have more than 3,000 beds in aggregate. These properties are managed by Holiday or Blue Harbor.

For additional information about these investments, see Note 3 to Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

As of February 23, 2014, we have signed either a purchase and sale agreement or a letter of intent (granting us exclusive right to negotiate a purchase and sale agreement) with respect to 11 properties with an aggregate estimated purchase price of $266.0 million (including assumed debt and other transaction costs). There can be no assurance that we will complete any particular investment, including those that are under contract, which are subject to material closing conditions, including, in certain transactions, financing conditions. Moreover, any senior housing property that we do acquire in the future may have different characteristics and expected returns than those in our existing portfolio and may expose us to additional regulatory and operational risks. See “—Government Regulation of Our Senior Housing Business.”

As part of our continuing efforts to provide value to our stockholders, we are currently considering a spin-off of our senior housing business from the remainder of our investment portfolio. If the transaction resulted in our senior housing business being held in a stand-alone entity, we expect that such entity would elect and qualify to be taxed as a REIT. Our board has not formally evaluated any such transaction, and there can be no assurance as to the timing, terms, structure or completion of any such transaction. Any such transaction would be subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, could have tax implications for the holders of shares of our common stock, and could adversely affect the price of shares of our common stock.

Restructuring and Spin-Off of Media Investments

During 2013, we completed a restructuring of our debt investment in GateHouse Media, Inc. (“GateHouse”), and we acquired Dow Jones Local Media Group (renamed Local Media Group Holdings LLC, or “Local Media”) from News Corp.

We completed the purchase of Local Media on September 3, 2013. The purchase price for Local Media was approximately $86.9 million, including capitalized transaction costs of approximately $4.3 million. We funded the purchase price with $53.9 million of cash and financed the remainder. As described in more detail below, as part of the restructuring of GateHouse, we contributed Local Media to GateHouse’s successor, New Media Investment Group Inc. (“New Media” or the “Media business”).

GateHouse’s restructuring was completed on November 26, 2013. We sponsored a prepackaged plan of reorganization (as amended or supplemented, the “Plan”) for GateHouse. On September 27, 2013, GateHouse commenced voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, and the court confirmed the Plan on November 6, 2013.

Pursuant to the Plan, (i) we formed New Media as a wholly owned subsidiary of Newcastle, (ii) GateHouse and Local Media became wholly owned subsidiaries of New Media, (iii) we offered to either purchase in cash the claims of other GateHouse debt holders at 40% of the face amount of their claims or issue to other debt holders a pro rata share of the common stock of New Media and the net cash proceeds, if any, from a new financing (the “GateHouse Credit Facilities”), and (iv) we exchanged our debt claims for equity of New Media and net cash proceeds from the GateHouse Credit Facilities and, in accordance with the elections made by other debt holders, purchased approximately $441.5 million of claims and issued

approximately 15.4% of New Media’s common stock to certain third parties. As a result, and taking into account the value assigned to our contribution of Local Media to New Media, we became the owner of approximately 84.6% of New Media.

We spun off New Media on February 13, 2014. The spin-off was effected as a taxable pro rata distribution by Newcastle of all of the outstanding shares of common stock we held of New Media to our common stockholders of record at the close of business on February 6, 2014. The distribution ratio was 0.0722 shares of New Media common stock for each share of Newcastle common stock. For more information about the acquisition and spin-off of the Media business, see Notes 3 and 20 to Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Restructuring of Golf Investment

In December 2013, we restructured an investment in mezzanine debt issued by NGP Mezzanine, LLC (“NGP”), the indirect parent of NGP Realty Sub, L.P. (“National Golf”). National Golf owns 27 golf courses across 8 states, and leases these courses to American Golf Corporation (“American Golf”), an affiliated operating company. American Golf also leases an additional 54 golf courses and manages 11 courses, all owned by third parties. As part of the transaction, we acquired the equity of NGP and American Golf’s indirect parent, AGC Mezzanine Pledge LLC (“AGC”), and therefore consolidated these entities as of December 31, 2013.

In the original investment in 2006, we invested approximately $110 million in mezzanine debt issued by NGP. At the time of the transaction, the mezzanine debt had an outstanding face amount of approximately $68 million, which we valued at approximately $29 million.

On December 30, 2013, pursuant to an agreement with the other senior creditors of National Golf, we and National Golf’s senior lender entered into a new senior debt facility with a principal amount of $109 million, of which we committed to fund $54.5 million (and have funded $47 million to date). We also acquired the equity of NGP and AGC for $2.0 million and acquired the ground lease for an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse and other related facilities and improvements (the “Vineyard Property”) for an additional $0.5 million (collectively, the “Golf business”). As a result of our consolidation of these entities, our debt investments in these entities are eliminated in consolidation.

We believe that the financial results of the Golf business can be improved significantly utilizing the operational expertise of our Manager. For more information about this investment, see Note 3 to Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

WA – Weighted average, in all tables.

Debt Investments

The following table reflects the spread between the yield and the cost of financing our portfolio of debt investments at December 31, 2013:

CMBS 

Mezzanine Loans, B-Notes and Whole Loans

CDO Securities (A)

Manufactured Housing and Residential Loans

Non-Agency RMBS (A)

Agency ARM RMBS (FNMA/FHLMC Securities)

In January 2014, we sold all of the remaining FNMA/FHLMC securities at an average price of 105.82% for total proceeds of $532.2 million and repaid $516.1 million of repurchase agreements associated with these securities, and we recognized a gain of approximately of $1.9 million.

REIT Debt

Corporate Bank Loans

Credit Risk Management – Debt Investments

Credit risk refers to the ability of each individual borrower under our loans and securities to make required interest and principal payments on the scheduled due dates. We strive to reduce credit risk by actively monitoring our asset portfolio and the underlying credit quality of our holdings and, where feasible and appropriate, repositioning our investments to upgrade their credit quality and yield. A significant portion of our investments are financed with collateralized debt obligations, known as CDOs. Our CDO financings offer us the structural flexibility to buy and sell certain investments to manage risk and, subject to certain limitations, to optimize returns.

Further, while the expected yield on our real estate securities, which comprise a meaningful portion of our assets, is sensitive to the performance of the underlying loans, the first risk of default and loss - referred to as a “first loss” position-is borne by the more subordinated securities or other features of the securitization transaction, in the case of commercial mortgage and asset backed securities, and the issuer’s underlying equity and subordinated debt, in the case of senior unsecured REIT debt securities.

We also invest in loans and securities which represent “first loss” positions; in other words, they do not benefit from credit support although we believe at acquisition they predominantly benefit from underlying collateral value in excess of their carrying amounts.

Other Investments

Senior Housing Investments

We currently own 51 dedicated independent living (“IL-only”) properties that are triple net leased to Holiday. We have 33 managed properties, including 2 IL-only properties and 31 properties with some combination of independent living, assisted living or memory care (“AL/MC”) properties. Our properties are located across 25 states. IL-only properties are age-restricted, multifamily rental properties with central dining that provide residents access to meals and other services such as housekeeping, linen service, transportation and social and recreational activities. A typical resident is 80 to 85 years old and is relatively healthy. Residents are typically charged all-inclusive monthly rates. AL/MC properties are state-regulated rental properties that provide the same services as IL-only properties and additionally have staff to provide residents assistance with activities of daily living, such as management of medications, bathing, dressing, toileting, ambulating and eating. AL/MC properties may include memory care facilities that specifically provide care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory loss. The average age of an AL/MC resident is similar to that of an IL-only resident, but AL/MC residents typically have greater healthcare needs. Residents are typically charged all-inclusive monthly rates for IL-only services and additional “care charges” for AL/MC services, which vary depending on the types of services required. AL/MC properties are generally private pay, though many states will allow residents to cover a portion of the cost with Medicaid. The table below sets forth key characteristics of our portfolio.

As of December 31, 2013, the average occupancy rate of our senior housing properties was 90% for acquisitions completed in 2012 and 82% for acquisitions completed in 2013 (excluding managed properties that we had owned for less than one full quarter as of December 31, 2013).

Our portfolio of senior housing properties is broadly diversified by geographic location throughout the United States. The following table shows the geographic location of our senior housing properties, and the percentage of total revenues by geographic location for the year ended December 31, 2013 

Managed Properties

As of December 31, 2013, either Blue Harbor or Holiday managed all of our managed properties. We pay annual property management fees pursuant to long-term property management agreements. Currently, all of our property management agreements have initial 10-year terms, with successive automatic 1-year renewal periods. For AL/MC properties, we pay base management fees equal to 6% of revenue for the first two years and 7% thereafter. For IL-only properties, we pay base management fees of 5% of revenues. As managers, Blue Harbor and Holiday do not lease our properties and, therefore, we are not directly exposed to their credit risk in the same manner or to the same extent as a triple net lease tenant. However, we rely on our managers’ personnel, expertise, technical resources and information systems, proprietary information, good faith and judgment to manage our senior housing operations efficiently and effectively. We also rely on our managers to set appropriate resident fees and to otherwise operate our seniors housing communities in compliance with the terms of our management agreements and all applicable laws and regulations. Although we have various rights as the property owner under our management agreements, including various rights to set budget guidelines and to terminate and exercise remedies under those agreements as provided therein, Blue Harbor’s or Holiday’s failure, inability or unwillingness to satisfy its respective obligations under those agreements, to efficiently and effectively manage our properties or to provide timely and accurate accounting information with respect thereto could have a material adverse effect on us.

Triple Net Lease Properties

The Holiday Portfolio is leased to Holiday pursuant to two triple net master leases on nearly identical terms. Each master lease has a 17-year term and first-year rent equal to 6.5% of the purchase price with annual increases during the following three years of 4.5% and up to 3.75% thereafter. Under each master lease, the respective Master Tenant is responsible for (i) operating its portion of the Holiday Portfolio and bearing the related costs, including repairs, maintenance, capital expenditures, utilities, taxes, insurance, and the payroll expense of property-level employees, and (ii) complying with the terms of the mortgage financing documents.

Media Investments

As part of the acquisition of the Media investments, we obtained an 84.6% ownership in New Media. New Media is one of the largest publishers of locally based print and online media in the United States as measured by the number of daily publications. New Media operates in 338 markets across 24 states. New Media’s portfolio of products includes 435 community publications, 353 related websites, and 6 yellow page directories, serves more than 128,000 business advertising accounts and reaches approximately 12 million people on a weekly basis. We spun-off New Media in February 2014 as described above.

Golf Investment

As noted above, we restructured a debt investment that resulted in our acquisition of National Golf and American Golf. National Golf owns 27 golf courses and leases them to American Golf. American Golf also leases 54 golf courses owned by third parties and manages 11 golf courses owned by third parties. We categorize our owned and leased golf courses as public or private. Set forth below is additional information about our golf courses.

Public Courses.    Public courses generate revenues principally through daily green fees, golf cart rentals and food, beverage and merchandise sales.  Amenities at these courses generally include practice facilities, and pro shops with food and beverage facilities.  In some cases, our public courses have small clubhouses with banquet facilities.

Private Courses.    Private courses are open to members only and generate revenues principally through initiation fees, membership dues, guest fees, and food, beverage and merchandise sales. Amenities at these courses typically include practice facilities, full service clubhouses with a pro shop, locker room facilities and multiple food and beverage outlets, including grills, restaurants and banquet facilities.

Managed Courses. Our 11 managed courses are properties that American Golf manages pursuant to a management agreement with the owner.  We will recognize revenue from these courses in an amount equal to the respective management fee. 

The following table summarizes certain information about our golf courses as of December 31, 2013.

Our Financing and Hedging Activities

We employ leverage as part of our investment strategy. We do not have a predetermined target debt to equity ratio as we believe the appropriate leverage for the particular assets we are financing depends on the credit quality of those assets. As of December 31, 2013 and as of the date of this Annual Report, we have complied with the general investment guidelines adopted by our board of directors that limit total leverage. We utilize leverage for the sole purpose of financing our portfolio and not for the purpose of speculating on changes in interest rates.

We strive to maintain access to a broad array of capital resources in an effort to insulate our business from potential fluctuations in the availability of capital. We utilize multiple forms of financing, including common and preferred stock offerings, collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), other securitizations, term loans, and trust preferred securities, as well as short term financing in the form of loans and repurchase agreements. Additionally, the Manager may elect for us to bear a level of refinancing risk on a short term or longer term basis, such as is the case with investments financed with repurchase agreements, when, based on all of the relevant factors, the Manager determines that bearing such risk is advisable or unavoidable. Further details regarding the forms of financing that are currently utilized are presented in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under “– Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

We attempt to reduce refinancing and interest rate risks through the use of match funded financing structures, when appropriate and available, whereby we seek (i) to match the maturities of our debt obligations with the maturities of our assets and (ii) to match the interest rates on our investments with like-kind debt financing (i.e., floating rate assets are financed with floating rate debt and fixed rate assets are financed with fixed rate debt), directly or through the use of interest rate swaps, interest rate caps or other financial instruments, or through a combination of these strategies. We believe this allows us to reduce the risk that we have to refinance our liabilities prior to the maturities of our assets and to reduce the impact of changing interest rates on our earnings.

We enter into hedging transactions to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and other changes in market conditions, and we may continue to do so, when feasible and appropriate. These transactions predominantly include interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and may include the purchase or sale of interest rate collars, caps or floors, options, mortgage derivatives and other hedging instruments, and may be subject to margin calls. These instruments may be used to hedge as much of the interest rate risk as our Manager determines is in the best interest of our stockholders, given the cost of such hedges and the need to maintain our status as a REIT. Our Manager elects to have us bear a level of interest rate risk that could otherwise be hedged when our Manager believes, based on its analysis, that bearing such risks is advisable or unavoidable. We engage in hedging for the purpose of protecting against interest rate risk and not for the purpose of speculating on changes in interest rates. We note that new hedging transactions with respect to many types of hedging instruments may impose liquidity constraints on us or may be uneconomical for us to obtain. As a result, we currently face meaningful challenges in entering into hedging transactions to protect new investments from interest rate fluctuations and other changes in market conditions.

Further details regarding our hedging activities are presented in Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Interest Rate and Credit Spread Sensitive Instruments and Fair Value.”

Debt Obligations

The following table presents certain summary information regarding our debt obligations and related hedges as of December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

Further details regarding our debt obligations are presented in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources,” as well as Note 14 to Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Formation

We were formed in June 2002 and completed our initial public offering in October 2002.

The following table presents information on shares of our common stock issued since our formation:

Our Investment Guidelines

Our investment guidelines are purposefully broad to enable us to make investments in a wide array of assets, including, but not limited to, any assets that can be held by REITs. Our investment guidelines state:

These investment guidelines may be changed by our board of directors without the approval of our stockholders. We do not have specific policies as to the allocation among type of real estate related assets or investment categories since our investment decisions depend on changing market conditions. Instead, we focus on relative value and in-depth risk/reward analysis. Our focus on relative value means that assets which may be unattractive under particular market conditions may, if priced appropriately to compensate for risks such as projected defaults and prepayments, become attractive relative to other available investments. We generally utilize a match funded financing strategy, when appropriate and available, and active management as part of our investment strategy.

The Management Agreement

We are party to an amended and restated management agreement with FIG LLC, our Manager and an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, dated April 25, 2013 (the “management agreement”), pursuant to which FIG LLC provides for the day-to-day management of our operations and performs (or causes to be performed) such services and activities relating to our investments and operations as may be appropriate.

The management agreement requires our Manager to manage our business affairs, under the direction of our board of directors, in conformity with the policies and the investment guidelines that are approved and monitored by our board of directors. The Manager is responsible for, among other things, (i) the purchase and sale of our investments, (ii) the financing of our investments, (iii) management of our investments, including arranging for leases, maintenance, insurance, and servicing, as applicable, and (iv) investment advisory services.

We pay our Manager an annual management fee equal to 1.5% of our gross equity, as defined in the management agreement. The management agreement provides that we will reimburse our Manager for various expenses incurred by our Manager or its officers, employees and agents on our behalf, including costs of legal, accounting, tax, auditing, administrative and other similar services rendered for us by providers retained by our Manager or, if provided by our Manager’s employees, in amounts which are no greater than those which would be payable to outside professionals or consultants engaged to perform such services pursuant to agreements negotiated on an arm’s-length basis.

To provide an incentive for our Manager to enhance the value of our common stock, our Manager is entitled to receive an incentive return (the “Incentive Compensation”) on a cumulative, but not compounding, basis in an amount equal to the product of (A) 25% of the dollar amount by which (1) (a) our funds from operations (defined as the net income available for common stockholders before the Incentive Compensation, excluding extraordinary items, plus depreciation of operating real estate, and after adjusting for unconsolidated subsidiaries, if any) per share of common stock (based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding) plus (b) gains (or losses) from debt restructuring and from sales of property and other assets per share of common stock (based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding), exceed (2) an amount equal to (a) the weighted average of the price per share of common stock in our initial public offering and the value attributed to the net assets transferred to us by Newcastle Investment Holdings, and in any of our subsequent offerings (adjusted for prior capital dividends or capital distributions) multiplied by (b) a simple interest rate of 10% per annum (divided by four to adjust for quarterly calculations) multiplied by (B) the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Our Manager earned no incentive compensation during 2013, 2012, or 2011.

The management agreement provides for automatic one year extensions. Our independent directors review our Manager’s performance annually and the management agreement may be terminated annually upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of our independent directors, or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock, based upon unsatisfactory performance that is materially detrimental to us or a determination by our independent directors that the management fee earned by our Manager is not fair, subject to our Manager’s right to prevent such a management fee compensation termination by accepting a mutually acceptable reduction of fees. Our Manager must be provided with 60 days’ prior notice of any such termination and would be paid a termination fee equal to the amount of the management fee earned by our Manager during the twelve month period preceding such termination, which may make it difficult and costly for us to terminate the management agreement. Following any termination of the management agreement, we shall be entitled to purchase our Manager’s right to receive the Incentive Compensation at a price determined as if our assets were sold for cash at their then current fair market value (as determined by an appraisal, taking into account, among other things, the expected future value of the underlying investments) or otherwise we may continue to pay the Incentive Compensation to our Manager. In addition, if we do not purchase our Manager’s Incentive Compensation, our Manager may require us to purchase the same at the price discussed above. In addition, the management agreement may be terminated by us at any time for cause.

Policies with Respect to Certain Other Activities

Subject to the approval of our board of directors, we have the authority to offer our common stock or other equity or debt securities in exchange for property and to repurchase or otherwise reacquire our shares or any other securities and may engage in such activities in the future.

We also may make loans to, or provide guarantees of certain obligations of, our subsidiaries.

Subject to the percentage ownership and gross income and asset tests necessary for REIT qualification, we may invest in securities of other REITs, other entities engaged in real estate activities or securities of other issuers, including for the purpose of exercising control over such entities.

We may engage in the purchase and sale of investments.

Our officers and directors may change any of these policies and our investment guidelines without a vote of our stockholders.

In the event that we determine to raise additional equity capital, our board of directors has the authority, without stockholder approval (subject to certain NYSE requirements), to issue additional common stock or preferred stock in any manner and on such terms and for such consideration it deems appropriate, including in exchange for property.

Decisions regarding the form and other characteristics of the financing for our investments are made by our Manager subject to the general investment guidelines adopted by our board of directors.

Competition

We are subject to significant competition in seeking investments. We compete with other companies, including other REITs, insurance companies and other investors including funds and companies affiliated with our Manager. Some of our competitors have greater resources than we possess, or have greater access to capital or various types of financing than are available to us, and we may not be able to compete successfully for investments or provide attractive investments returns relative to our competitors.

For more information about the competition we face generally and in our senior housing and golf businesses specifically, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Competition may affect our senior housing property managers’ and tenant operators’ ability to meet their obligations to us or make it difficult for us to identify and purchase, or

develop, suitable senior housing properties to grow our investment portfolio” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We are subject to significant competition, and we may not compete successfully.”

Government Regulation of Our Senior Housing Business.

AL/MC properties and operations are subject to extensive and complex federal, state and local healthcare laws and regulations relating to fraud and abuse practices, government reimbursement, licensure and certificate of need and similar laws governing the operation of healthcare facilities. While the AL/MC properties within our portfolio are subject to many varying types of regulatory and licensing requirements, we expect that the healthcare industry, in general, will continue to face increased regulation, enforcement and pressure in the areas of fraud, waste and abuse, cost control, healthcare management and provision of services, among others. In fact, some states have revised and strengthened their regulation of senior housing properties and that trend may continue. In addition, efforts by third-party payors, such as Governmental Programs (defined below) and private insurance payor organizations (which include insurance companies, health maintenance organizations and other types of health plans/managed care organizations) to impose more stringent controls upon operators are expected to intensify and continue. Changes in applicable federal, state or local laws and regulations and new interpretations of existing laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business.

As used in this section, “Governmental Program” means individually and collectively, any federal, state or local governmental reimbursement programs administered through a governmental body, agency thereof, or contractor thereof (including a Governmental Program Payor), including without limitation the Medicare and Medicaid programs or successor programs to any of them. “Governmental Program Payor” means a private insurance payor organization which has a contract with a Governmental Program to arrange for the provision of assisted living facility or skilled nursing facility (“SNF”) services to Governmental Program beneficiaries, and which receives reimbursement from the Governmental Program to do so.

Our AL/MC senior housing properties are regulated by state and local laws governing licensure, provision of services, staffing requirements and other operational matters. The laws that govern our facilities vary greatly from one jurisdiction to another. Owners and/or operators of certain senior housing properties, including, but not limited to, AL/MC facilities, are required to be licensed or certified by the state in which they operate. In granting and renewing such licenses, the state regulatory agencies consider numerous factors relating to a facility’s physical plant and operations, including, but not limited to, admission and discharge standards, staffing and training. A decision to grant or renew a license may also be affected by a facility’s record with respect to licensure compliance, patient and consumer rights, medication guidelines and other regulations. Certain states require additional licensure and impose additional staffing and other operational standards in order for a facility to provide higher levels of assisted living services. Senior housing properties may also be subject to state and/or local building, zoning, fire and food service laws before licensing or certification may be granted. Our facilities may also be affected by changes in accreditation standards or procedures of accreditation bodies that are recognized by states or a Governmental Program in the licensure or certification process.

In the future, we may also acquire senior housing properties that include skilled nursing facilities (“SNF”). SNFs are licensed by the state in which the facility is located, and if an owner chooses to participate in Medicaid or Medicare, or certain other Governmental Programs, the facility must also be certified to participate in such programs. In that regard, SNFs are particularly subject to myriad, comprehensive federal Medicare and Medicaid certification requirements that not only require state licensure, but which also separately (apart from state licensure) regulate the type and quality of the medical and/or nursing care provided, ancillary services (e.g., respiratory, occupational, physical and infusion therapies), qualifications of the administrative personnel and nursing staff, the adequacy of the physical plant and equipment, reimbursement and rate setting, and other operational issues and policies.

In the future, we may also acquire certain health care facilities (including assisted living facilities in some states, and SNFs in most states) that are subject to a variety of certificate of need (“CON”) or similar laws. None of our portfolio is currently subject to such laws. Where applicable, such laws generally require, among other requirements, as a predicate to licensure that a facility demonstrate the need for (i) constructing a new facility, (ii) adding beds or expanding an existing facility, (iii) investing in major capital equipment or adding new services, (iv) changing the ownership or control of an existing licensed facility, or (v) terminating services that have been previously approved through the CON process. These laws could affect, and even restrict, our ability to expand into new markets and to expand our facilities and services in existing markets. In addition, CON laws may constrain the ability of an operator to transfer responsibility for operating a particular facility to a new operator. If we have to replace a facility operator who is excluded from participating in a federal or state health care program (as discussed below), our ability to replace the operator may be affected by a particular state’s CON laws, regulations, and applicable guidance governing changes in provider control.

Aside from CON considerations, transfers of ownership, provider control and/or operations of assisted living facilities and SNFs are subject to licensure and other regulatory approvals not required for transfers of other types of commercial operations and real estate. These regulations may also constrain or even impede our ability to replace tenant operators or

managers of our facilities, and they may also impact our acquisition or sale of senior housing properties. In addition, if any of our licensed facilities are operated outside of its licensed authority, doing so could subject the facility to penalties, including closure of the facility. Failure to obtain licensure or loss or suspension of licensure or certification may prevent an assisted living facility or SNF from operating, or result in a suspension of Governmental Program reimbursement payment, until all licensure or certification issues have been resolved.

The significant portion of the revenues received by our facilities are from self-pay residents. The remaining revenue source is primarily Medicaid under certain federal waiver programs. As a part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“OBRA”) of 1981, Congress established a waiver program enabling some states to offer Medicaid reimbursement to assisted living providers as an alternative to institutional long-term care services. The provisions of OBRA and subsequent federal enactments permit states to seek a waiver from typical Medicaid requirements to develop cost-effective alternatives to long-term care, including Medicaid payments for assisted living, and in some instances including payment for such services through Governmental Program Payors. In 2013, approximately 4.2% of the revenues at our senior housing properties were from Medicaid reimbursement. There can be no guarantee that a state Medicaid program operating pursuant to a waiver will be able to maintain its waiver status, that funding levels will not decrease, or that eligibility requirements will not change.

Rates paid by self-pay residents are set by our senior housing properties and are determined by local market conditions and operating costs.

The level of assisted living Medicaid reimbursement varies from state to state. Thus, the revenues generated by our assisted living facilities may be adversely affected by payor mix, acuity level, changes in Medicaid eligibility and reimbursement levels. In addition, a state could lose its Medicaid waiver and no longer be permitted to utilize Medicaid dollars to reimburse for assisted living services. Such changes in revenues could in turn have a material adverse effect on our business.

Unlike assisted living operators, SNF operators typically receive most of their revenues from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, with the balance representing reimbursement payments from private insurance payor organizations (and perhaps minimal self-pay). Consequently, changes in federal or state reimbursement policies may also adversely affect our business if we acquire facilities with an SNF component.

The percentage of federal Medicaid revenue support used for long-term care varies from state to state, due in part to different ratios of elderly population and eligibility requirements. Within certain federal guidelines, states have a fairly wide range of discretion to determine eligibility and to establish a reimbursement methodology for SNF Medicaid patients. Many states reimburse SNFs pursuant to fixed daily Medicaid rates, which are applied prospectively based on patient acuity and the historical costs incurred in providing patient care. Reasonable costs typically include allowances for staffing, administrative and general expenses, property, and equipment (e.g., real estate taxes, depreciation and fair rental).

The Medicare SNF benefit covers skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services and other goods and services and the facility receives a pre-determined daily rate for each day of care, up to 100 days. These prospective payment system (“PPS”) rates are expected to cover all operating and capital costs that efficient facilities would be expected to incur in furnishing most SNF services, with certain high-cost, low-probability ancillary services paid separately.

There is a risk that some skilled nursing facilities’ costs could exceed the fixed payments under the SNF PPS, and there is also a risk that payments under the SNF PPS may be set below the costs to provide certain items and services, which could have a material adverse effect on a SNF. Further, SNFs are subject to periodic pre- and post-payment reviews, and other audits by federal and state authorities. Such a review or audit could result in recoupments, denials, or delay of payments in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on the business of a SNF.

In the ordinary course of business, our AL/MC facilities have been and are subject regularly to inspections, inquiries, investigations and audits by state agencies that oversee applicable laws and regulations. State licensure laws, and where applicable, Governmental Program certification, require license renewals and compliance surveys on an annual or bi-annual basis. The failure of our AL/MC facility managers or operators to maintain or renew any required license or regulatory approval, as well as the failure of our managers or operators to correct serious deficiencies identified in a compliance survey, could result in the suspension of operations at a facility. In addition, if an AL/MC or SNF facility, where applicable, is found to be out of compliance with Governmental Program conditions of participation, the facility’s manager or operator may be excluded from participating in those Governmental Programs. Any such occurrence may impair the ability of a manager or operator to meet its obligations. If we have to replace a manager or operator, our ability to do so may be affected by the federal and state regulations governing such changes. This may result in payment delays, an inability to find a replacement manager or operator or other difficulties. Unannounced surveys or inspections of a facility may occur annually or bi-annually, or following a regulator’s receipt of a complaint regarding the facility. From time-to-time, our facilities receive deficiency reports from state regulatory bodies resulting from such inspections or surveys. Most

deficiencies are resolved through a plan of corrective action relating to the facility’s operations, but whether the deficiencies are cured or not, the applicable governmental authority typically has the authority to take further action against a licensee. Such an action could result in the imposition of fines, imposition of a provisional or conditional license, suspension or revocation of a license or Governmental Program participation, suspension or denial of admissions, or imposition of other sanctions, including criminal penalties. The imposition of such sanctions may adversely affect our business.

Assisted living facilities and SNFs that participate in Governmental Programs are subject to numerous federal, state, and local laws, including their implementing regulations and applicable governmental guidance, that govern the operational, financial and other arrangements that may be entered into by health care facilities and other providers. Certain of these laws prohibit direct or indirect payments of any kind for the purpose of inducing or encouraging the referral of patients for medical products or services reimbursable by Governmental Programs. Other laws require providers to furnish only medically necessary services and submit to the Governmental Program and Governmental Program Payors valid and accurate statements for each service, and other laws require providers to comply with a variety of safety, health and other requirements relating to the condition of the licensed property and the quality of care provided. Sanctions for violations of these laws may include, but are not limited to, criminal and/or civil penalties and fines, loss of licensure, immediate termination of government payments, and exclusion from any Governmental Program participation. In certain circumstances, violation of these laws (such as those prohibiting abusive and fraudulent behavior and in the case of Governmental Program Payors, also prohibiting insurance fraud) with respect to one facility may subject other facilities under common control or ownership to sanctions, including exclusion from participation in Governmental Programs. In the ordinary course of business, our facilities are regularly subjected to inquiries, investigations, and audits by the federal and state agencies that oversee these laws.

All health care providers, including but not limited to assisted living facilities and SNFs that participate in Governmental Programs, are also subject to the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, a criminal statute which generally prohibits persons from offering, providing, soliciting, or receiving remuneration to induce either the referral of an individual or the furnishing of a good or service for which payment may be made under a federal Governmental Program. SNFs and certain other types of health care facilities and providers are also subject to the Federal Ethics in Patient Referral Act of 1989, commonly referred to as the “Stark Law.” The Stark Law generally prohibits the submission of claims to Medicare for payment if the claim results from a physician referral for certain designated services and the physician has a financial relationship with the health service provider that does not qualify under one of the exceptions for a financial relationship under the Stark Law. Many states have similar prohibitions on physician self-referrals and submission of claims which are applicable to all payor sources, including state Medicaid programs.

Further, health care facilities and other providers, including, but not limited to, assisted living facilities and SNFs, that receive Governmental Program payments, are subject to substantial financial and other (in some cases, criminal) penalties under the Civil Monetary Penalties Act, the Federal False Claims Act and, in particular, actions under the Federal False Claims Act’s “whistleblower” provisions. Violations of these laws can also subject persons and entities to termination from participation in Governmental Programs or result in the imposition of substantial damages, fines or other penalties. Private enforcement of health care fraud has increased due in large part to amendments to the Federal False Claims Act that encourage private individuals to sue on behalf of Governmental. These whistleblower suits brought by private individuals, known as qui tam actions, may be filed by almost anyone, including present and former patients, nurses and other employees. Significantly, if a claim is successfully adjudicated, the Federal False Claims Act provides for treble damages, in addition to penalties up to $11,000 per claim. Various state false claim act and anti-kickback laws may also apply to each facility operator, regardless of payor source (i.e. such as a private insurance payor organization or a Governmental Program), and violations of those state laws can also result in substantial fines and/or adverse licensure actions to our material detriment.

Government investigations and enforcement actions brought against the health care industry have increased dramatically over the past several years and are expected to continue. Some of these enforcement actions represent novel legal theories and expansions in the application of the Federal False Claims Act. Governmental agencies, both state and federal, are also devoting increasing attention and resources to anti-fraud initiatives against healthcare facilities and other providers. Legislative developments, including changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), have greatly expanded the definition of health care fraud and related offenses and broadened its scope to include certain private insurance payor organizations in addition to Governmental Programs. Congress also has greatly increased funding for the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to audit, investigate and prosecute suspected health care fraud. Moreover, a significant portion of the billions in health care fraud recoveries over the past several years has also been returned to government agencies to further fund their fraud investigation and prosecution efforts.

HIPAA regulations provide for communication of health information through standard electronic transaction formats and for the privacy and security of health information. In order to comply with the regulations, health care providers often must

undertake significant operational and technical implementation efforts. Operators also may face significant financial exposure if they fail to maintain the privacy and security of medical records and other personal health information about individuals. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (“HITECH”) Act, passed in February 2009, strengthened the HHS Secretary’s authority to impose civil money penalties for HIPAA violations occurring after February 18, 2009. HITECH directs the HHS Secretary to provide for periodic audits to ensure covered entities and their business associates (as that term is defined under HIPAA) comply with the applicable HITECH requirements, increasing the likelihood that a HIPAA violation will result in an enforcement action. CMS issued an interim Final Rule which conformed HIPAA enforcement regulations to the HITECH Act, increasing the maximum penalty for multiple violations of a single requirement or prohibition to $1.5 million. Higher penalties may accrue for violations of multiple requirements or prohibitions. Additionally, on January 17, 2013, CMS released a final rule, which expands the applicability of HIPAA and HITECH and strengthens the government’s ability to enforce these laws. The final rule broadens the definition of “business associate” and provides for civil money penalty liability against covered entities and business associates for the acts of their agents regardless of whether a business associate agreement is in place. Additionally, the final rule adopts certain changes to the HIPAA enforcement regulations to incorporate the increased and tiered civil monetary penalty structure provided by HITECH, and makes business associates of covered entities directly liable under HIPAA for compliance with certain of the HIPAA privacy standards and HIPAA security standards. HIPAA violations are also potentially subject to criminal penalties.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “Affordable Care Act”) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, which amends the Affordable Care Act (collectively, the “Health Reform Laws”) and the June 28,2012 United States Supreme Court ruling upholding the individual mandate of the Health Reform Laws and partially invalidating the expansion of Medicaid (further discussed below), may have a significant impact on Medicare, Medicaid, other Governmental Programs, and as well on private insurance payor organizations, which in turn may impact the reimbursement amounts received by our facilities which participate in Governmental Programs. In fact, the Health Reform Laws could have a substantial and material adverse effect on all parties directly or indirectly involved in the healthcare system. Together, the Health Reform Laws make the most sweeping and fundamental changes to the U.S. healthcare system undertaken since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid and contain various provisions that may directly impact our business.

These new Health Reform laws include without limitation the expansion of Medicaid eligibility, requiring most individuals to have health insurance, establishing new regulations on certain private insurance payor organizations (including Governmental Program Payors), establishing health insurance exchanges and modifying certain payment systems to encourage more cost-effective care and a reduction of inefficiencies and waste, including through new tools to address fraud and abuse. Because many of our facilities deliver healthcare services, we will be impacted by the risks associated with the healthcare industry, including the Health Reform Laws. While the expansion of health care coverage may result in some additional demand for services provided by our facilities, reimbursement levels may be lower than the costs required to provide such services, which could materially adversely affect our business. The Health Reform Laws also enhance certain fraud and abuse penalty provisions in the event of one or more violations of the federal health care regulatory laws. In addition, the Health Reform Laws have provisions that impact the health coverage that our managers or future operators provide to their respective employees. We cannot predict whether the existing Health Reform Laws, or future healthcare reform legislation or regulatory changes, will have a material impact on our business.

Additionally, certain provisions Health Care Reform Laws are designed to increase transparency and program integrity of SNFs. Specifically, SNFs will be required to institute compliance and ethics programs. Additionally, the Health Reform Laws make it easier for consumers to file complaints against nursing homes by mandating that states establish complaint websites. The provisions calling for enhanced transparency will increase the administrative burden and costs on SNF providers.

Government Regulation of Our Golf Business

Our golf facilities and operations are subject to a number of environmental laws. As a result, we may be required to incur costs to comply with the requirements of these laws, such as those relating to water resources, discharges to air, water and land, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste, and the cleanup of properties affected by regulated materials. Under these and other environmental requirements, we may be required to investigate and clean up hazardous or toxic substances or chemical releases from current or formerly owned or operated facilities.

Environmental laws typically impose cleanup responsibility and liability without regard to whether the relevant entity knew of or caused the presence of the contaminants. We may use certain substances and generate certain wastes that may be deemed hazardous or toxic under such laws, and from time to time have incurred, and in the future may incur, costs related to cleaning up contamination resulting from historic uses of certain of our current or former properties or our treatment, storage or disposal of wastes at facilities owned by others. Our facilities are also subject to risks associated with mold, asbestos and other indoor building contaminants. The costs of investigation, remediation or removal of regulated materials

may be substantial, and the presence of those substances, or the failure to remediate a property properly, may impair our ability to use, transfer or obtain financing for our property. We may be required to incur costs to remediate potential environmental hazards, mitigate environmental risks in the future, or comply with other environmental requirements.

In addition, in order to improve, upgrade or expand some of our facilities, we may be subject to environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act and, for projects in California, the California Environmental Quality Act. Both acts require that a specified government agency study any proposal for potential environmental impacts and include in its analysis various alternatives. Any improvement proposal may not be approved or may be approved with modifications that substantially increase the cost or decrease the desirability of implementing the project.

We are also subject to regulation by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration and similar health and safety laws in other jurisdictions. These regulations impact a number of aspects of operations, including golf course maintenance and food handling and preparation.

The ownership and operation of our facilities subjects us to federal, state and local laws regulating zoning, land development, land use, building design and construction, and other real estate-related laws and regulations.

Our facilities and operations are subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (the "ADA"). The rules implementing the ADA have been further revised by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, which included additional compliance requirements for golf facilities and recreational areas. The ADA generally requires that we remove architectural barriers when readily achievable so that our facilities are made accessible to people with disabilities. Noncompliance could result in imposition of fines or an award of damages to private litigants. Federal legislation or regulations may further amend the ADA to impose more stringent requirements with which we would have to comply.

We are also subject to various local, state and federal laws, regulations and administrative practices affecting our business. For instance, we must comply with provisions regulating equal employment, minimum wages, and licensing requirements and regulations for the sale of food and alcoholic beverages.

Taxation

We have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and we intend to continue to operate in such a manner. Our current and continuing qualification as a REIT depends on our ability to meet various tax law requirements, including, among others, requirements relating to the sources of our income, the nature of our assets, the composition of our stockholders, and the timing and amount of distributions that we make. A portion of the REIT distribution requirements may be able to be satisfied through stock dividends rather than cash, subject to limitations based on the value of the stock.

As a REIT, we will generally not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on that portion of our income that is distributed to stockholders if we distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income to our stockholders by prescribed dates and comply with various other requirements. We may, however, nevertheless be subject to certain state, local and foreign income and other taxes, and to U.S. federal income and excise taxes and penalties in certain situations, including taxes on our undistributed income. In addition, our stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions, including those in which they transact business or reside. The state, local and foreign tax treatment of us and our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment. Taxable income generated by our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS”) is subject to regular corporate income tax.

If, in any taxable year, we fail to satisfy one or more of the various tax law requirements, we could fail to qualify as a REIT. If we fail to qualify as a REIT for a particular tax year, our income in that year would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax), and we may need to borrow funds or liquidate certain investments in order to pay the applicable tax, or we may not be able to pay it. Unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification is lost. Moreover, if we fail to qualify as a REIT, we would be delisted from the NYSE.

Although we currently intend to operate in a manner designed to qualify as a REIT, it is possible that economic, market, legal, tax or other developments may cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT, or may cause our board of directors to revoke the REIT election, including certain potential developments discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”

Employees

As described above under “– The Management Agreement,” we are managed by FIG LLC, an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC. As a result, except in our media and golf operations which are discussed below, we have no employees. From time to time, certain of our officers may enter into written agreements with us that memorialize the provision of certain services; these agreements do not provide for the payment of any cash compensation to such officers from us. The employees of FIG LLC are not a party to any collective bargaining agreements.

Media

As of December 31, 2013, our media segment had approximately 4,992 employees, consisting of hourly and salaried employees. We employed union personnel at a number of our core publications representing approximately 717 full-time equivalent employees. As of December 31, 2013, there were 27 collective bargaining agreements covering union personnel. Most of our unionized employees work under collective bargaining agreements that expire in 2014. As described above, in February 2014, we spun-off our media segment. As a result, we no longer employ these employees.

Golf

As of December 31, 2013, there were approximately 4,450 employees at our golf facilities, consisting primarily of hourly employees. Other than a small group of golf course maintenance staff at one of our clubs, our employees are not unionized. We believe we have a good working relationship with our employees, and the golf business has not experienced interruptions as a result of labor disputes.

Corporate Governance and Internet Address; Where Readers Can Find Additional Information

We emphasize the importance of professional business conduct and ethics through our corporate governance initiatives. Our board of directors consists of a majority of independent directors; the Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Compensation committees of our board of directors are composed exclusively of independent directors. We have adopted corporate governance guidelines, and our Manager has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics, which delineate our standards for our officers and directors, and employees of our Manager.

Newcastle files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the ‘‘Exchange Act’’), with the SEC. Readers may read and copy any document that Newcastle files at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, U.S.A. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of these reports, proxy statements and other information can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.

Our internet site is http://www.newcastleinv.com. We make available free of charge through our internet site our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed on behalf of directors and executive officers and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Also posted on our website in the ‘‘Investor Relations—Corporate Governance” section are charters for the company’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as well as our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics governing our directors, officers and employees. Information on, or accessible through, our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this report.

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total return for Newcastle’s common stock (stock price change plus reinvested dividends) with the comparable return of four indices: NAREIT All REIT, Russell 2000, NAREIT Mortgage REIT and S&P 500. The graph assumes an investment of $100 in the Newcastle’s common stock and in each of the indices on December 31, 2008, and that all dividends were reinvested. The past performance of Newcastle’s common stock is not an indication of future performance. Newcastle’s historical stock price has been adjusted to take into consideration the impact of the spin-off of New Residential in May 2013.