<HTML>
<HEAD>
     <TITLE></TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">

<P STYLE="margin: 0"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>UNITED STATES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp; <B>WASHINGTON, DC 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">_________________</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM&nbsp;8-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d)&nbsp;of
the</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">Date of report (Date of earliest event
reported): <B>February 16, 2012 (February 15, 2012)</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>American Realty Capital Trust, Inc.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified
in Its Charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>Maryland</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; vertical-align: top; padding-right: 2.4pt; line-height: 115%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><B>333-145949</B></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; vertical-align: bottom; padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 48%; vertical-align: top; padding-right: 2.4pt; line-height: 115%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><B>71-1036989</B></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 2.4pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center">(Commission File Number)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 2.4pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 2.4pt 0 0; text-align: center"><B>106 Old York Road</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 2.4pt 0 0; text-align: center"><B>Jenkintown, PA</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; padding-right: 2.4pt; line-height: 115%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><B>19046</B></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 2.4pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 2.4pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center">(Zip Code)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>(215) 887-2189</B> (Registrant&rsquo;s
Telephone Number, Including Area Code)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing
is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General
Instruction A.2. below):</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 5%; padding-right: 2.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&#163;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 95%; padding-right: 2.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%">Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 2.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&#163;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 2.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 2.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&#163;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 2.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 2.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings 2">&#83;</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 2.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 1 -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Item 2.02&nbsp;&nbsp;Results of Operations and Financial
Condition.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">On February 15, 2012, we issued a press release discussing
our financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011.&nbsp;&nbsp;A copy of the press release, which is
hereby incorporated into this filing in its entirety, is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">The information furnished under this Item 2.02 of this Current
Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be &ldquo;filed&rdquo; for the purposes of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Item 9.01</B> &nbsp;&nbsp; <B>Financial Statements and
Exhibits.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(d) Exhibits.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">99.1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;American Realty
Capital Trust, Inc. Press Release, dated February 15, 2012.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 2 -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="3" STYLE="padding-right: 10.5pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-weight: bold"><B>AMERICAN REALTY CAPITAL TRUST, INC.</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 53%; padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 5%; padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 8%; padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 34%; padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 2.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%">Date: February 16, 2012</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 2.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%">By:</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="border-bottom: black 1.5pt solid; padding-right: 6.5pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%">/s/ Nicholas S. Schorsch&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 2.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%">Name:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 2.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%">Nicholas S. Schorsch</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0.8pt; line-height: 115%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 2.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; line-height: 115%">Title:</TD>
    <TD>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 2.4pt 0 9pt">Chief Executive Officer and</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 2.4pt 0 9pt">Chairman of the Board of Directors</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<!-- Field: Page; Sequence: 3 -->
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 6pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-size: 10pt"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <DIV STYLE="margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->
<P STYLE="font: 10pt/normal Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt/0.05pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>



<P STYLE="margin: 0"></P>

</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "v303014_8-k.htm", "secsgml_size_bytes": 14712}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "American Realty Capital Trust, Inc.", "cik": "0001410997", "assigned-sic": "6500", "irs-number": "711036989", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-53958", "film-number": "12620042"}, "business-address": {"street1": "106 OLD YORK ROAD", "city": "JENKINTOWN", "state": "PA", "zip": "19046", "phone": "215.887.2189"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "106 OLD YORK ROAD", "city": "JENKINTOWN", "state": "PA", "zip": "19046"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
_________________
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event
reported):
February 16, 2012 (February 15, 2012)
American Realty Capital Trust, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified
in Its Charter)
Maryland
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)
333-145949
71-1036989
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
106 Old York Road
Jenkintown, PA
19046
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(215) 887-2189
(Registrant's
Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing
is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General
Instruction A.2. below):
£
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
£
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
£
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
S
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 2.02  Results of Operations and Financial
Condition.
On February 15, 2012, we issued a press release discussing
our financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011.  A copy of the press release, which is
hereby incorporated into this filing in its entirety, is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.
The information furnished under this Item 2.02 of this Current
Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and
Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
99.1       American Realty
Capital Trust, Inc. Press Release, dated February 15, 2012.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
AMERICAN REALTY CAPITAL TRUST, INC.
Date: February 16, 2012
By:
/s/ Nicholas S. Schorsch
Name:
Nicholas S. Schorsch
Title:
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors