Inland Real Estate ate Income Trust (INRE) Risk Analysis

Our investment policies may change over time. The methods of implementing our investment policies may also vary, as new investment techniques are developed. Our investment policies, including the strategic plan, the methods for implementing them, and our other objectives, policies and procedures may be altered by a majority of the directors (which must include a majority of the independent directors), without the approval of our stockholders. As a result, the nature of our investments could change without stockholder consent. A change in our investment strategy may, among other things, increase our exposure to interest rate risk, default risk and commercial real property market fluctuations, all of which could materially adversely affect our ability to achieve our investment objectives.

On March 5, 2024, we announced an Estimated Per Share NAV of our common stock as of December 31, 2023 equal to $19.17 per share. To assist our board of directors in establishing the Estimated Per Share NAV, we engaged a third party specializing in providing real estate financial services. As with any methodology used to estimate value, the methodology employed by this third party was based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that may not have been accurate or complete. Further, different parties using different assumptions and estimates could have derived a different estimated per share net asset value, which could be significantly different from our Estimated Per Share NAV. The Estimated Per Share NAV will fluctuate over time and does not represent: (i) the price at which our shares would trade on a national securities exchange, (ii) the amount per share a stockholder would obtain if he, she or it tried to sell his, her or its shares, (iii) the amount per share stockholders would receive if we liquidated our assets and distributed the proceeds after paying all our expenses and liabilities or (iv) the price a third party would pay to acquire our Company. There is also no assurance that the methodology used to estimate our value per share will be acceptable to broker dealers for customer account purposes or to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA") or that the estimated value per share will satisfy the applicable annual valuation requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and the Internal Revenue Code with respect to employee benefit plans subject to ERISA and other retirement plans or accounts subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Existing stockholders do not have preemptive rights to purchase any shares issued by us in the future. Our charter authorizes us to issue up to 1,500,000,000 shares of capital stock, of which 1,460,000,000 shares are classified as common stock and 40,000,000 shares are classified as preferred stock. We may, in the sole discretion of our board and without approval of our common stockholders: - sell additional shares in any future offerings, including as awards under our Employee and Director Restricted Share Plan and pursuant to the DRP;- issue equity interests in a private offering of securities;- classify or reclassify any unissued shares of common or preferred stock by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption of the stock;- amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares or the number of shares of any class or series that we have authority to issue; or - issue shares of our capital stock in exchange for properties. Future issuances of common stock will reduce the percentage of our outstanding shares owned by our other stockholders. Further, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of stock with terms and conditions that could subordinate the rights of the holders of our current common stock, adversely affect the Estimated Per Share NAV or have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets) that might provide a premium price for our stockholders.

The Company is not registered, and does not intend to register itself or any of its subsidiaries, as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). If we become obligated to register the Company or any of its subsidiaries as an investment company, the registered entity would have to comply with regulation under the Investment Company Act with respect to capital structure (including the registered entity's ability to use leverage), management, operations, transactions with affiliated persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act) and portfolio composition, including disclosure requirements and restrictions with respect to diversification and industry concentration, and other matters. Compliance with the Investment Company Act would limit our ability to make certain investments and require us to significantly restructure our operations and business plan. The costs we would incur and the limitations that would be imposed on us as a result of such compliance and restructuring would negatively affect the value of our common stock, our ability to make distributions and the sustainability of our business and investment strategies. We intend to continue conducting our operations, directly and through wholly or majority-owned subsidiaries, so that neither we nor our subsidiaries are registered or will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act, in relevant part, defines an investment company as (i) any issuer that is, or holds itself out as being, engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities, or (ii) any issuer that is engaged, or proposes to engage, in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and owns, or proposes to acquire, "investment securities" having a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis, which we refer to as the "40% test." The term "investment securities" generally includes all securities except government securities and securities of majority-owned subsidiaries that are not themselves investment companies and are not relying on the exemption from the definition of investment company under Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act. We believe we are not considered an investment company under Section 3(a)(1)(A) of the Investment Company Act because we do not engage primarily or hold ourselves out as being engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. Rather, we and our subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the business of investing in real property. We also conduct our operations and the operations of our subsidiaries in a manner designed so that we do not come within the definition of an investment company under Section 3(a)(1)(C) because less than 40% of the value of our adjusted total assets on an unconsolidated basis consist of "investment securities." This requirement limits the types of businesses in which we may engage through our subsidiaries. Furthermore, the assets we and our subsidiaries may originate or acquire are limited by the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Investment Company Act, which may adversely affect our business. If we or any of our wholly or majority-owned subsidiaries would ever inadvertently fall within one of the definitions of "investment company," we intend to rely on the exemption from registration as an investment company pursuant to Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act, which is available for entities "primarily engaged" in the business of "purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate." As reflected in no-action letters, the SEC staff's position on Section 3(c)(5)(C) generally requires that at least 55% of an entity's assets comprise qualifying real estate assets and that at least 80% of its assets must comprise qualifying real estate assets and real estate-related assets under the Investment Company Act. Specifically, we expect any of our subsidiaries relying on Section 3(c)(5)(C) to invest at least 55% of its assets in mortgage loans, certain mezzanine loans and other interests in real estate that constitute qualifying real estate assets in accordance with SEC staff guidance, and an additional 25% of its assets in other types of mortgages, securities of REITs and other real estate-related assets such as debt and equity securities of companies primarily engaged in real estate businesses and securities issued by pass-through entities of which substantially all of the assets consist of qualifying real estate assets and/or real estate-related assets. The remaining 20% of the entity's assets can consist of miscellaneous assets. These criteria may limit what we buy, sell and hold. We classify our assets for purposes of Section 3(c)(5)(C) based in large measure upon no-action letters issued by the SEC staff and other interpretive guidance provided by the SEC and its staff or on our analysis of such guidance published with respect to other types of assets to determine which assets are qualifying real estate assets and real estate-related assets. However, the SEC's guidance was issued in accordance with factual situations that may be substantially different from the factual situations we may encounter. No assurance can be given that the SEC will concur with how we classify our assets or the assets of our subsidiaries. The SEC may in the future take a view different than or contrary to our analysis with respect to the types of assets we have determined to be qualifying real estate assets or real estate-related assets. For example, on August 31, 2011 the SEC issued a concept release and request for comments regarding the Section 3(c)(5)(C) exemption (Release No. IC-29778) in which it contemplated the possibility of issuing new rules or providing new interpretations of the exemption that might, among other things, define the phrase "liens on and other interests in real estate" or consider sources of income in determining a company's "primary business." To the extent that the SEC or its staff provides more specific or different guidance, we may be required to adjust our strategy accordingly. Any additional guidance from the SEC or its staff could provide additional flexibility to us, or it could further inhibit our ability to pursue the strategies we have chosen. If we are required to re-classify our assets, we may no longer be in compliance with the exclusion from the definition of an "investment company" provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act. There can be no assurance that the laws and regulations governing the Investment Company Act status of REITs, including the SEC or its staff providing more specific or different guidance regarding these exemptions, will not change in a manner that adversely affects our operations. Certain of our subsidiaries may rely on the exemption provided by Section 3(c)(6) to the extent that they hold mortgage assets through majority-owned subsidiaries that rely on the exemption provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C). The SEC staff has issued little interpretive guidance with respect to Section 3(c)(6) and any guidance published by the staff could require us to adjust our strategy accordingly. A change in the value of any of our assets could cause us to fall within the definition of "investment company" and negatively affect our ability to be free from registration and regulation under the Investment Company Act. To avoid being required to register the Company or any of its subsidiaries as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we may be unable to sell assets we would otherwise want to sell and may need to sell assets we would otherwise wish to retain. Sales may be required during adverse market conditions, and we could be forced to accept a price below that which we would otherwise consider appropriate. In addition, we may have to acquire additional income- or loss-generating assets that we might not otherwise have acquired or may have to forgo opportunities to acquire interests in companies that we would otherwise want to acquire and would be important to our investment strategy. Furthermore, if the value of securities issued by our subsidiaries that are exempted from the definition of "investment company" by Sections 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act, together with any other investment securities we own, exceeds 40% of our adjusted total assets on an unconsolidated basis, or if one or more of such subsidiaries fail to maintain an exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act, we could, among other things, be required to substantially change the manner in which we conduct our operations to avoid being required to register as an investment company, effect sales of our assets in a manner that, or at a time when, we would not otherwise choose to do so or register as an investment company. Any of these activities could negatively affect the value of our common stock, our ability to make distributions and the sustainability of our business and investment strategies, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. If we were required to register the Company or any of its subsidiaries as an investment company but failed to do so, we or the applicable subsidiary would be prohibited from engaging in our or its business, and criminal and civil actions could be brought against us or the applicable subsidiary. In addition, our contracts would be unenforceable unless a court required enforcement, and a court could appoint a receiver to take control of us and liquidate our business.

We have acquired, and may again acquire, properties in "as is" condition on a "where is" basis and "with all faults," without any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use or purpose. In addition, purchase agreements may contain only limited warranties, representations and indemnifications that will only survive for a limited period after the closing. The purchase of properties with limited warranties increases the risk that we may lose some or all of our invested capital in the property, as well as the loss of rental income from that property.

We pay fees, which may be significant, to our Business Manager, Real Estate Manager and other affiliates of IREIC for services provided to us. Our Business Manager receives fees based on the aggregate book value, including acquired intangibles, of our invested assets and is entitled to receive its business management fee for the remainder of the term ending March 31, 2027 in one lump sum upon termination of the business management agreement by the Company except for cause. Further, our Real Estate Manager receives fees based on the gross income from properties under management and may also receive leasing and construction management fees. Other parties related to, or affiliated with, our Business Manager or Real Estate Manager may also receive fees or cost reimbursements from us. These compensation arrangements may cause these entities to take or not take certain actions. For example, these arrangements may provide an incentive for our Business Manager to: (1) borrow more money than prudent to increase the amount we can invest; or (2) retain instead of sell assets, even if our stockholders may be better served by a sale or other disposition of the assets. The interests of these parties in receiving fees may conflict with the interest of our stockholders in earning income on their investment in our common stock.

Under our charter, no director or officer will be liable to us or to any stockholder for money damages to the extent that Maryland law permits the limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation. We generally indemnify our directors, officers, employees, if any, Business Manager, Real Estate Manager and their respective affiliates for any losses or liabilities suffered by any of them. As a result, we and our stockholders may have more limited rights against our directors, officers and employees, our Business Manager, the Real Estate Manager and their respective affiliates, than might otherwise exist under common law. In addition, we may be obligated to fund the defense costs incurred by our directors, officers and employees or our Business Manager and the Real Estate Manager and their respective affiliates in some cases.

Corporations organized under Maryland law with a class of registered securities and at least three independent directors are permitted to protect themselves from unsolicited proposals or offers to acquire the company by electing to be subject, by a charter or bylaw provision or a board of directors resolution and notwithstanding any contrary charter or bylaw provision, to any or all of five provisions: - requiring a two-thirds vote of stockholders to remove directors;- providing that only the board can fix the size of the board;- providing that all vacancies on the board, regardless of how the vacancy was created, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred; and - requiring that special stockholders meetings be called only by holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. These provisions may discourage an extraordinary transaction, such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, all of which might provide a premium price for stockholders' shares. Our charter does not prohibit our board from opting into any of the above provisions. Further, under the Maryland Business Combination Act, we may not engage in any merger or other business combination with an "interested stockholder" or any affiliate of that interested stockholder for a period of five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder. After the five-year period ends, any merger or other business combination with the interested stockholder must be recommended by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of at least: - 80% of all votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of our voting stock; and - two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of our voting stock other than those shares owned or held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder unless, among other things, our stockholders receive a minimum payment for their common stock equal to the highest price paid by the interested stockholder for its common stock. Our directors have adopted a resolution exempting any business combination involving us and The Inland Group or any affiliate of The Inland Group, including our Business Manager and Real Estate Manager, from the provisions of this law.

No more than 50% of the outstanding shares of our common stock may be beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of each taxable year (other than the first taxable year for which an election to be a REIT has been made). Our charter prohibits any persons or groups from owning more than 9.8% in value of our outstanding stock or more than 9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our outstanding common stock without the prior approval of our board of directors. These provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all of our assets that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock. Further, any person or group attempting to purchase shares exceeding these limits could be compelled to sell the additional shares and, as a result, to forfeit the benefits of owning the additional shares.

Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors. At each annual meeting, directors of one class are elected to serve until the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. The classification of our board of directors may have the effect of discouraging offers to acquire us and of increasing the difficulty of consummating any transaction that could result from such offers, even if the acquisition would be in our stockholders' best interests, and may therefore prevent our stockholders from receiving a premium price for their stock in connection with a change in control of us, including an extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, tender offer or sale of all or substantially all our assets).

The Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act provides that "control shares" of a Maryland corporation acquired in a "control share acquisition" have no voting rights except to the extent approved by stockholders by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares of stock owned by the acquirer, by officers of the acquirer or by employees who are directors of the acquirer, are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. "Control shares" are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer can exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within specified ranges of voting power. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A "control share acquisition" means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares. The control share acquisition statute does not apply: (1) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the Maryland corporation is a party to the transaction; or (2) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the Maryland corporation. Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions of our stock by any person. There can be no assurance that this provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

We elected to be taxed as a REIT, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2013 and intend to operate in a manner that would allow us to continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, we may terminate our REIT qualification, if our board of directors determines that not qualifying as a REIT is in the best interests of our stockholders, or inadvertently. Our qualification as a REIT depends upon our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis. We have structured and intend to continue structuring our activities in a manner designed to satisfy all the requirements for qualification as a REIT. However, the REIT qualification requirements are extremely complex and interpretation of the U.S. federal income tax laws governing qualification as a REIT is limited. Furthermore, any opinion of our counsel, including tax counsel, as to our eligibility to remain qualified as a REIT is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") and is not a guarantee that we will continue to qualify as a REIT. Accordingly, we cannot be certain that we will be successful in operating so we can remain qualified as a REIT. Our ability to satisfy the asset tests depends on our analysis of the characterization and fair market values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we will not obtain independent appraisals. Our compliance with the REIT income or quarterly asset requirements also depends on our ability to successfully manage the composition of our income and assets on an ongoing basis. Accordingly, if certain of our operations were to be recharacterized by the IRS, such recharacterization would jeopardize our ability to satisfy all requirements for qualification as a REIT. Furthermore, future legislative, judicial or administrative changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws could be applied retroactively, which could result in our disqualification as a REIT. If we were to fail to remain qualified as a REIT, without the benefit of certain statutory relief provisions, in any taxable year: - we would not be allowed to deduct dividends paid to stockholders when computing our taxable income;- we would be subject to federal and state income tax on our taxable income as a regular "C corporation" and may be subject to additional state and local taxes;- we would be disqualified from being taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we failed to qualify, unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions;- we would have less cash to pay distributions to stockholders; and - we may be required to borrow additional funds or sell some of our assets in order to pay corporate tax obligations we may incur as a result of being disqualified. In addition, if we were to fail to qualify as a REIT, we would not be required to pay distributions to stockholders, and all distributions to stockholders that we did pay would be subject to tax as regular corporate dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. This means that our U.S. stockholders who are taxed as individuals generally would be taxed on our dividends at capital gains rates and that our corporate stockholders would be entitled to the dividends received deduction with respect to such dividends, subject, in each case, to applicable limitations under the Internal Revenue Code.