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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-213513

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of each class of securities to be registered		Amount to be registered		Proposed maximum offering price per unit		Proposed maximum aggregate offering price		Amount of registration fee
2.125% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026		$805,000,000(1)(2)		100%		$805,000,000(1)(2)		$81,063.50(3)
Common Stock, $0.01 par value		—(4)		—(4)		—(4)		—(5)

 

(1)	Equals the aggregate principal amount of 2.125% convertible senior notes due 2026 to be registered hereunder. These amounts are estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

(2)	Includes $105,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 2.125% convertible senior notes due 2026 that may be offered and sold pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional 2.125% convertible senior notes due 2026.

 

(3)	Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act. The fee payable in connection with the offering of Common Stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement has been paid in accordance with Rule 456(b) under the Securities Act.

 

(4)

An indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time upon conversion of the 2.125% convertible senior notes due 2026. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the registrant is also registering an indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may become issuable upon conversion by reason of adjustments in the conversion price.

 

(5)	Pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act, no separate registration fee is required for the shares of Common Stock underlying the 2.125% convertible senior notes due 2026 because no additional consideration is to be received in connection with the exercise of the conversion privilege.

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Prospectus supplement

(To prospectus dated September 6, 2016)

 

 

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

$700,000,000

2.125% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026

Interest payable March 1 and September 1

We are offering $700,000,000 principal amount of our 2.125% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026. The notes will bear interest at a rate of 2.125% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2017. The notes will mature on September 1, 2026, unless earlier repurchased or converted.

Holders may convert their notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding June 1, 2026 only under the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on September 30, 2016 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (2) during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price (as defined below) per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events. On or after June 1, 2026 until the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances. Upon conversion, we will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, as described in this prospectus supplement.

We may not redeem the notes prior to the maturity date, and no sinking fund is provided for the notes.

The conversion rate will initially be 125.0031 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $8.00 per share of common stock). The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment in some events but will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date, we will increase the conversion rate for a holder who elects to convert its notes in connection with such a corporate event in certain circumstances.

If we undergo a fundamental change prior to the maturity date of the notes, holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their notes at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

The notes will be our senior, unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to any of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes; equal in right of payment to any of our unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries.

We anticipate that we will use the net proceeds of this offering, together with the net proceeds from the Common Stock Offering (as defined herein), to repay up to $226 million of our borrowings under the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of April 14, 2015 (as amended, the “Amended and Restated Loan Agreement”) that provides our secured revolving line of credit (“Secured Revolving Line of Credit”) and to purchase up to $1,260 million aggregate total consideration of our Senior Notes (as defined herein) (assuming no proceeds are used for the repayment of the borrowings under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement). We have the option, but not the obligation, to call any and all of the untendered 7.75% Senior Notes due 2020 after the completion of the Tender Offer (as defined herein) with any remaining net proceeds. Any remaining net proceeds will be used for capital expenditures, working capital and other general corporate purposes. See “Use of proceeds.”

Neither the completion of this offering nor of the Common Stock Offering is contingent on the completion of the other, so it is possible that this offering occurs and the anticipated Common Stock Offering does not occur, and vice versa. If the Common Stock Offering is not completed, we anticipate the proceeds of this offering will be used to repay borrowings under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and to purchase up to $454 million aggregate total consideration of our Senior Notes. We have the option, but not the obligation, to call any and all of the untendered 7.75% Senior Notes due 2020 after the completion of the Tender Offer (as defined herein) with any remaining net proceeds. Any remaining net proceeds will be used for capital expenditures, working capital and other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.” This prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities being offered in the Common Stock Offering.

We do not intend to apply to list the notes on any securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system. Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “AMD”. On September 8, 2016, the last reported sale price of our common stock on NASDAQ was $6.22 per share.

 

		Per note				Total
Public offering price(1)		$	1,000			$	700,000,000
Underwriting discounts and commissions(2)		$	27.50			$	19,250,000
Proceeds to AMD, before expenses		$	972.50			$	680,750,000

(1)

Plus accrued interest, if any, from September 14, 2016.

 

(2)

We refer you to “Underwriting: Conflicts of Interest” beginning on page S-95 of this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding underwriting compensation.

We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional $105 million principal amount of notes, solely to cover over-allotments.

Investing in our notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase our notes.

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

We expect that delivery of the notes will be made to investors in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, on or about September 14, 2016.

Joint book-running managers

 

J.P. Morgan		Barclays		Credit Suisse
BofA Merrill Lynch				Wells Fargo Securities

September 8, 2016

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Table of contents

 

Prospectus supplement

 

About this prospectus supplement			S-ii
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements			S-iii
Prospectus supplement summary			S-1
The offering			S-4
Summary of historical consolidated financial information			S-9
Risk factors			S-11
Use of proceeds			S-43
Capitalization			S-44
Price range of common stock			S-46
Dividend policy			S-47
Description of notes			S-48
Description of material indebtedness			S-83
Material U.S. federal income tax considerations			S-86
Underwriting; conflicts of interest			S-95
Legal matters			S-105
Experts			S-105
Where you can find more information			S-106
Incorporation by reference			S-107

Prospectus

 

About this prospectus			1
Where you can find more information; incorporation by reference			2
The company			4
Use of proceeds			6
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred share dividends			7
Description of capital stock			8
Description of debt securities			10
Description of other securities			18
Global securities			19
Plan of distribution			22
Legal matters			23
Experts			23

 

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About this prospectus supplement

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus dated September 6, 2016 are part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time offer to sell the notes in one or more offerings. We provide information to you about this offering of the notes in two separate documents that are bound together: (1) this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific details regarding this offering; and (2) the accompanying prospectus, which provides general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to this “prospectus,” we are referring to both documents combined. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on this prospectus supplement. However, if any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for example, a document incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement as our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the earlier dates. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents and information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering when making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents we have referred you to under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes other than the notes described in this prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.

AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, Catalyst, FirePro, Radeon and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. in the United States and in other selected countries. All other brand names or trademarks appearing in this prospectus supplement are the property of their respective holders. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus supplement to “AMD,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated herein and therein by reference includes statements that are, or may be deemed, “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs and involve numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the statements and should not be relied upon as predictions of future events, as we cannot assure you that the events or circumstances reflected in these statements will be achieved or will occur. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology including “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “intends,” “plans,” “pro forma,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” or the negative of these words and phrases, other variations of these words and phrases or comparable terminology.

The forward-looking statements relate to, among other things:

 

•

demand for AMD’s products;

 

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the growth, change and competitive landscape of the markets in which AMD participates;

 

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future restructuring activities;

 

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the completion of this offering, the Common Stock Offering and the repurchase of our Senior Notes;

 

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the nature and extent of AMD’s future payments to GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. (“GF”) and the materiality of these payments;

 

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the materiality of AMD’s future purchases from GF;

 

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the expected amount and timing of the final net cash proceeds from the joint venture transaction between AMD and Nantong Fujitsu Microelectronics Co. Ltd.;

 

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the expected amounts to be received by AMD under the IP licensing agreement and AMD’s expected royalty payments from future product sales of the China JVs’ products to be developed on the basis of such licensed IP;

 

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AMD may not realize the benefits anticipated from any acquisitions, divestitures and/or joint ventures;

 

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sales patterns of AMD’s PC products and semi-custom System-on-Chip (“SoC”) products for game consoles;

 

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the level of international sales as compared to total sales;

 

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AMD’s expected completion of its restructuring plan announced in October 2015 (the “2015 Restructuring Plan”);

 

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that other unrecognized tax benefits will not materially change in the next 12 months;

 

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that AMD’s cash and cash equivalents balances together with the availability under our Secured Revolving Line of Credit made available to AMD and certain of its subsidiaries under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement will be sufficient to fund AMD’s operations including capital expenditures over the next 12 months;

 

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AMD’s ability to obtain sufficient external financing on favorable terms, or at all;

 

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AMD’s expectation that based on the information presently known to management, the securities class action and the shareholder derivative suit will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, cash flows or results of operations; and

 

•

AMD does not expect to pay dividends in the future.

 

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Material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, without limitation, the following: Intel Corporation’s dominance of the microprocessor market and its aggressive business practices may limit AMD’s ability to compete effectively; AMD relies on GF to manufacture all of its microprocessor and accelerated processing unit (“APU”) products and a certain portion of its discrete graphics processing units (“GPU”) products, with limited exceptions. If GF is not able to satisfy AMD’s manufacturing requirements, its business could be adversely impacted; AMD relies on third parties to manufacture its products, and if they are unable to do so on a timely basis in sufficient quantities and using competitive technologies, AMD’s business could be materially adversely affected; failure to achieve expected manufacturing yields for AMD’s products could negatively impact its financial results; the success of AMD’s business is dependent upon its ability to introduce products on a timely basis with features and performance levels that provide value to its customers while supporting and coinciding with significant industry transitions; if AMD cannot generate sufficient revenue and operating cash flow or obtain external financing, it may face a cash shortfall and be unable to make all of its planned investments in research and development or other strategic investments; the loss of a significant customer may have a material adverse effect on AMD; AMD’s receipt of revenue from its semi-custom SoC products is dependent upon its technology being designed into third-party products and the success of those products; global economic uncertainty may adversely impact AMD’s business and operating results; AMD may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service its debt obligations or meet its working capital requirements; AMD has a substantial amount of indebtedness which could adversely affect its financial position and prevent it from implementing its strategy or fulfilling its contractual obligations; the agreements governing AMD’s notes and the Secured Revolving Line of Credit impose restrictions on AMD that may adversely affect its ability to operate its business; the markets in which AMD’s products are sold are highly competitive; uncertainties involving the ordering and shipment of AMD’s products could materially adversely affect it; the demand for AMD’s products depends in part on the market conditions in the industries into which they are sold. Fluctuations in demand for AMD’s products or a market decline in any of these industries could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations; the completion and impact of the 2015 Restructuring Plan, its transformation initiatives and any future restructuring actions could adversely affect it; AMD’s ability to design and introduce new products in a timely manner is dependent upon third-party intellectual property; AMD depends on third-party companies for the design, manufacture and supply of motherboards, software and other computer platform components to support its business; if AMD loses Microsoft Corporation’s support for its products or other software vendors do not design and develop software to run on AMD’s products, its ability to sell its products could be materially adversely affected; AMD’s reliance on third-party distributors and AIB partners subjects it to certain risks; AMD’s inability to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel may hinder its product development programs; in the event of a change of control, AMD may not be able to repurchase its outstanding debt as required by the applicable indentures and its Secured Revolving Line of Credit, which would result in a default under the indentures and its Secured Revolving Line of Credit; the semiconductor industry is highly cyclical and has experienced severe downturns that have materially adversely affected, and may continue to materially adversely affect its business in the future; acquisitions, divestitures and/or joint ventures could disrupt its business, harm its financial condition and operating results or dilute, or adversely affect the price of its common stock; AMD’s business is dependent upon the proper functioning of its internal business processes and information systems and modification or interruption of such systems may disrupt its business, processes and internal controls; data breaches and cyber-attacks could compromise AMD’s intellectual property or other sensitive information, be costly to remediate and cause significant damage to its business and reputation; AMD’s operating results are subject to quarterly and seasonal sales patterns; if essential equipment, materials or manufacturing processes are not available to manufacture its products, AMD could be materially adversely affected; if AMD’s products are not compatible with some or all industry-standard software and hardware, it could be materially adversely affected; costs related to defective products could have a material adverse effect on AMD; if AMD fails to maintain the efficiency of its supply chain as it responds to changes in customer demand for its products, its business could be materially adversely affected; AMD

 

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outsources to third parties certain supply-chain logistics functions, including portions of its product distribution, transportation management and information technology support services; AMD may incur future impairments of goodwill; AMD’s worldwide operations are subject to political, legal and economic risks and natural disasters, which could have a material adverse effect on it; worldwide political conditions may adversely affect demand for AMD’s products; unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect AMD; AMD’s inability to effectively control the sales of its products on the gray market could have a material adverse effect on it; if AMD cannot adequately protect its technology or other intellectual property in the United States and abroad, through patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks and other measures, it may lose a competitive advantage and incur significant expenses; AMD is a party to litigation and may become a party to other claims or litigation that could cause it to incur substantial costs or pay substantial damages or prohibit it from selling its products; AMD’s business is subject to potential tax liabilities; and AMD is subject to environmental laws, conflict minerals-related provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act as well as a variety of other laws or regulations that could result in additional costs and liabilities.

 

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Risk factors

You should consider the risk factors below as well as the other information set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks faced by us described below, elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Risks related to our business

Intel Corporation’s dominance of the microprocessor market and its aggressive business practices may limit our ability to compete effectively.

Intel Corporation has been the market share leader for microprocessors for many years. Intel’s market share, margins and significant financial resources enable it to market its products aggressively, to target our customers and our channel partners with special incentives and to influence customers who do business with us. These aggressive activities have in the past and are likely in the future to result in lower unit sales and a lower average selling price for many of our products and adversely affect our margins and profitability.

Intel exerts substantial influence over computer manufacturers and their channels of distribution through various brand and other marketing programs. As a result of Intel’s position in the microprocessor market, Intel has been able to control x86 microprocessor and computer system standards and benchmarks and to dictate the type of products the microprocessor market requires of us. Intel also dominates the computer system platform, which includes core logic chipsets, graphics chips, motherboards and other components necessary to assemble a computer system. OEMs that purchase microprocessors for computer systems are highly dependent on Intel, less innovative on their own and, to a large extent, are distributors of Intel technology. Additionally, Intel is able to drive de facto standards and specifications for x86 microprocessors that could cause us and other companies to have delayed access to such standards.

As long as Intel remains in this dominant position, we may be materially adversely affected by Intel’s:

 

•

business practices, including rebating and allocation strategies and pricing actions, designed to limit our market share and margins;

 

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product mix and introduction schedules;

 

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product bundling, marketing and merchandising strategies;

 

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exclusivity payments to its current and potential customers and channel partners;

 

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de facto control over industry standards, and heavy influence on PC manufacturers and other PC industry participants, including motherboard, memory, chipset and basic input/output system, or BIOS, suppliers and software companies as well as the graphics interface for Intel platforms; and

 

•

marketing and advertising expenditures in support of positioning the Intel brand over the brand of its original equipment manufacturer OEM customers.

Intel has substantially greater financial resources than we do and accordingly spends substantially greater amounts on marketing and research and development than we do. We expect Intel to maintain its market

 

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position and to continue to invest heavily in marketing, research and development, new manufacturing facilities and other technology companies. To the extent Intel manufactures a significantly larger portion of its microprocessor products using more advanced process technologies, or introduces competitive new products into the market before we do, we may be more vulnerable to Intel’s aggressive marketing and pricing strategies for microprocessor products. For example, Intel has introduced microprocessors for low-cost notebooks, similar to products that we offer for low-cost notebooks.

Intel could also take actions that place our discrete GPUs at a competitive disadvantage, including giving one or more of our competitors in the graphics market, such as Nvidia Corporation, preferential access to its proprietary graphics interface or other useful information.

Intel’s position in the microprocessor market and integrated graphics chipset market, its introduction of competitive new products, its existing relationships with top-tier OEMs and its aggressive marketing and pricing strategies could result in lower unit sales and a lower average selling price for our products, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

We rely on GF to manufacture all of our microprocessor and APU products and a certain portion of our GPU products, with limited exceptions. If GF is not able to satisfy our manufacturing requirements, our business could be adversely impacted.

The WSA governs the terms by which we purchase products manufactured by GF. Pursuant to the WSA, we are required to purchase all of our microprocessor and APU product requirements, and a certain portion of our GPU product requirements, from GF with limited exceptions. If GF is unable to achieve anticipated manufacturing yields, remain competitive using or implementing advanced leading-edge process technologies needed to manufacture future generations of our products, manufacture our products on a timely basis at competitive prices or meet our capacity requirements, then we may experience delays in product launches, supply shortages for certain products or increased costs and our business could be materially adversely affected.

Additionally, if our requirements are less than the number of wafers that we committed to purchase, we could have excess inventory or higher inventory unit costs, both of which may adversely impact our gross margin and our results of operations.

We expect that our future purchases from GF will continue to be material.

In addition, GF has relied on Mubadala Technology Investments LLC (“Mubadala Tech”) for its funding needs. If Mubadala Tech fails to adequately fund GF on a timely basis, or at all, GF’s ability to manufacture products for us could be materially adversely affected.

We rely on third parties to manufacture our products, and if they are unable to do so on a timely basis in sufficient quantities and using competitive technologies, our business could be materially adversely affected.

We rely on third-party wafer foundries to fabricate the silicon wafers for all of our products. We also rely on third-party manufacturers to assemble, test, mark and pack (“ATMP”) our products. It is important to have reliable relationships with all of these third-party manufacturing suppliers to ensure adequate product supply to respond to customer demand.

We cannot guarantee that these manufacturers or our other third-party manufacturing suppliers will be able to meet our near-term or long-term manufacturing requirements. If we experience supply constraints from our third-party manufacturing suppliers, we may be required to allocate the affected products amongst our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our relationships with these customers and on our financial condition. In addition, if we are unable to meet customer demand due to fluctuating or late supply

 

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from our manufacturing suppliers, it could result in lost sales and have a material adverse effect on our business.

We do not have long-term commitment contracts with some of our third-party manufacturing suppliers. We obtain some of these manufacturing services on a purchase order basis and these manufacturers are not required to provide us with any specified minimum quantity of product beyond the quantities in an existing purchase order. Accordingly, we depend on these suppliers to allocate to us a portion of their manufacturing capacity sufficient to meet our needs, to produce products of acceptable quality and at acceptable manufacturing yields and to deliver those products to us on a timely basis and at acceptable prices. The manufacturers we use also fabricate wafers and assemble, test and package products for other companies, including certain of our competitors. They could choose to prioritize capacity for other customers, increase the prices that they charge us on short notice or reduce or eliminate deliveries to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Other risks associated with our dependence on third-party manufacturers include limited control over delivery schedules and quality assurance, lack of capacity in periods of excess demand, misappropriation of our intellectual property, dependence on several small undercapitalized subcontractors and limited ability to manage inventory and parts. Moreover, if any of our third-party manufacturers suffer any damage to facilities, lose benefits under material agreements, experience power outages, lack sufficient capacity to manufacture our products, encounter financial difficulties, are unable to secure necessary raw materials from their suppliers or suffer any other disruption or reduction in efficiency, we may encounter supply delays or disruptions. If we are unable to secure sufficient or reliable supplies of products, our ability to meet customer demand may be adversely affected and this could materially affect our business.

If we transition the production of some of our products to new manufacturers, we may experience delayed product introductions, lower yields or poorer performance of our products. If we experience problems with product quality or are unable to secure sufficient capacity from a particular third-party manufacturer, or if we for other reasons cease utilizing one of those suppliers, we may be unable to secure an alternative supply for any specific product in a short time frame. We could experience significant delays in the shipment of our products if we are required to find alternative third-party manufacturers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

On April 29, 2016, we consummated the transaction contemplated by the Equity Interest Purchase Agreement dated October 15, 2015 with Nantong Fujitsu Microelectronics Co., Ltd. (“JV Party”), under which we sold to JV Party 85% of the equity interests in our ATMP facilities consisting of AMD Technologies (China) Co., Ltd. (now Suzhou TF-AMD Semiconductor Co., Ltd.) and Advanced Micro Devices Export Sdn. Bhd., thereby forming two joint ventures (collectively, the “JVs”). Going forward, the majority of our ATMP services will be provided by the JVs and there is no guarantee that the JVs will be able to adequately fulfill our ATMP requirements as we transition operations to the JV Party, nor is there any guarantee that the JVs will be able to fulfill our long-term ATMP requirements. If we are unable to meet customer demand due to fluctuating or late supply from the JVs, it could result in lost sales and have a material adverse effect on our business.

Failure to achieve expected manufacturing yields for our products could negatively impact our financial results.

Semiconductor manufacturing yields are a result of both product design and process technology, which is typically proprietary to the manufacturer, and low yields can result from design failures, process technology failures or a combination of both. Our third-party foundries, including GF, are responsible for the process technologies used to fabricate silicon wafers. If our third-party foundries experience manufacturing inefficiencies or encounter disruptions, errors or difficulties during production, we may fail to achieve

 

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acceptable yields or experience product delivery delays. We cannot be certain that our third-party foundries will be able to develop, obtain or successfully implement leading-edge process technologies needed to manufacture future generations of our products profitably or on a timely basis or that our competitors will not develop new technologies, products or processes earlier. Moreover, during periods when foundries are implementing new process technologies, their manufacturing facilities may not be fully productive. A substantial delay in the technology transitions to smaller process technologies could have a material adverse effect on us, particularly if our competitors transition to more cost effective technologies before us. Any decrease in manufacturing yields could result in an increase in per unit costs, which would adversely impact our gross margin and/or force us to allocate our reduced product supply amongst our customers, which could harm our relationships and reputation with our customers and materially adversely affect our business.

The success of our business is dependent upon our ability to introduce products on a timely basis with features and performance levels that provide value to our customers while supporting and coinciding with significant industry transitions.

Our success depends to a significant extent on the development, qualification, implementation and acceptance of new product designs and improvements that provide value to our customers. Our ability to develop, qualify and distribute, and have manufactured, new products and related technologies to meet evolving industry requirements, at prices acceptable to our customers and on a timely basis are significant factors in determining our competitiveness in our target markets. For example, a large portion of our Computing and Graphics revenue is focused on consumer desktop PC and notebook segments, which have experienced and continue to experience a decline driven by, among other factors, the adoption of smaller form factors, increased competition and changes in replacement cycles. As consumers adopt new form factors, have new product feature preferences or have different requirements than those consumers in the PC market, PC sales could be negatively impacted, which could adversely impact our business. Our product roadmap includes a new x86 processor core codenamed “Zen” to help drive our re-entry into high-performance and server computing. We cannot assure you that our efforts to execute our product roadmap and address markets beyond our core PC market will result in innovative products and technologies that provide value to our customers. If we fail to or are delayed in developing, qualifying or shipping new products or technologies that provide value to our customers and address these new trends or if we fail to predict which new form factors consumers will adopt and adjust our business accordingly, we may lose competitive positioning, which could cause us to lose market share and require us to discount the selling prices of our products. Although we make substantial investments in research and development, we cannot be certain that we will be able to develop, obtain or successfully implement new products and technologies on a timely basis.

Delays in developing, qualifying or shipping new products can also cause us to miss our customers’ product design windows or, in some cases, breach contractual obligations or cause us to pay penalties. If our customers do not include our products in the initial design of their computer systems or products, they will typically not use our products in their systems or products until at least the next design configuration. The process of being qualified for inclusion in a customer’s system or product can be lengthy and could cause us to further miss a cycle in the demand of end-users, which also could result in a loss of market share and harm our business.

In addition, market demand requires that products incorporate new features and performance standards on an industry-wide basis. Over the life of a specific product, the sale price is typically reduced over time. The introduction of new products and enhancements to existing products is necessary to maintain the overall corporate average selling price. If we are unable to introduce new products with sufficiently high sale prices or to increase unit sales volumes capable of offsetting the reductions in the sale prices of existing products over time, our business could be materially adversely affected.

 

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If we cannot generate sufficient revenue and operating cash flow or obtain external financing, we may face a cash shortfall and be unable to make all of our planned investments in research and development or other strategic investments.

Our ability to fund research and development expenditures depends on generating sufficient revenue and cash flow from operations and the availability of external financing, if necessary. Our research and development expenditures, together with ongoing operating expenses, will be a substantial drain on our cash flow and may decrease our cash balances. If new competitors, technological advances by existing competitors or other competitive factors require us to invest significantly greater resources than anticipated in our research and development efforts, our operating expenses would increase. If we are required to invest significantly greater resources than anticipated in research and development efforts without an increase in revenue, our operating results could decline.

We regularly assess markets for external financing opportunities, including debt and equity financing. Additional debt or equity financing may not be available when needed or, if available, may not be available on satisfactory terms. The health of the credit markets may adversely impact our ability to obtain financing when needed. Any downgrades from credit rating agencies such as Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s may adversely impact our ability to obtain external financing or the terms of such financing. Credit agency downgrades or concerns regarding our credit worthiness may impact relationships with our suppliers, who may limit our credit lines. Our inability to obtain needed financing or to generate sufficient cash from operations may require us to abandon projects or curtail planned investments in research and development or other strategic initiatives. If we curtail planned investments in research and development or abandon projects, our products may fail to remain competitive and our business would be materially adversely affected.

The loss of a significant customer may have a material adverse effect on us.

Collectively, our top two and our top five customers accounted for approximately 54% and 74% of our net revenue, respectively, during the second quarter of 2016. On a segment basis, during the second quarter of 2016, five customers accounted for approximately 59% of the net revenue of our Computing and Graphics segment and five customers accounted for approximately 97% of the net revenue of our Enterprise, Embedded and Semi-Custom segment. We expect that a small number of customers will continue to account for a substantial part of revenue of our businesses in the future. If one of our key customers decides to stop buying our products, or if one of these customers materially reduces or reorganizes its operations or its demand for our products, our business would be materially adversely affected.

Our receipt of revenue from our semi-custom SoC products is dependent upon our technology being designed into third-party products and the success of those products.

The revenue that we receive from our semi-custom SoC products is in the form of non-recurring engineering fees charged to third parties for design and development services and revenue received in connection with sales of our semi-custom SoC products to these third parties. As a result, our ability to generate revenue from our semi-custom products depends on our ability to secure customers for our semi-custom design pipeline, our customers’ desire to pursue the project, and our semi-custom SoC products being incorporated into those customer’s products. Any revenue from sales of our semi-custom SoC products is directly related to sales of the third-party’s products and reflective of their success in the market. Moreover, we have no control over the marketing efforts of these third parties, and we cannot make any assurances that sales of their products will be successful in current or future years. Consequently, the semi-custom SoC product revenue expected by us may not be fully realized and our operating results may be adversely affected.

 

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Global economic uncertainty may adversely impact our business and operating results.

Uncertain global economic conditions have in the past and may in the future adversely impact our business, including, without limitation, a slowdown in the Chinese economy, one of the largest global markets for desktop and notebook PCs. Uncertainty in the worldwide economic environment may negatively impact consumer confidence and spending causing our customers to postpone purchases. In addition, during challenging economic times, our current or potential future customers may experience cash flow problems and as a result may modify, delay or cancel plans to purchase our products. Additionally, if our customers are not successful in generating sufficient revenue or are unable to secure financing, they may not be able to pay, or may delay payment of, accounts receivable that they owe us. The risk related to our customers’ potentially defaulting on or delaying payments to us is increased because we expect that a small number of customers will continue to account for a substantial part of our revenue. Any inability of our current or potential future customers to pay us for our products may adversely affect our earnings and cash flow. Moreover, our key suppliers may reduce their output or become insolvent, thereby adversely impacting our ability to manufacture our products. In addition, uncertain economic conditions may make it more difficult for us to raise funds through borrowings or private or public sales of debt or equity securities.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service our debt obligations or meet our working capital requirements.

Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our debt will depend on our financial and operating performance, which may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that we will be able to generate cash flow or that we will be able to borrow funds, including under our Secured Revolving Line of Credit for a principal amount up to $500 million, in amounts sufficient to enable us to service our debt or to meet our working capital requirements. If we are not able to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or to borrow sufficient funds to service our debt, we may be required to sell assets or equity, reduce expenditures, refinance all or a portion of our existing debt or obtain additional financing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance our debt, sell assets or equity, borrow funds under our Secured Revolving Line of Credit or borrow more funds on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness which could adversely affect our financial position and prevent us from implementing our strategy or fulfilling our contractual obligations.

Our total debt as of June 25, 2016 was $2.2 billion, net of unamortized debt issuance costs. Our substantial indebtedness may:

 

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make it difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations, including making scheduled principal and interest payments;

 

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limit our ability to borrow additional funds for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and general corporate and other purposes;

 

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limit our ability to use our cash flow or obtain additional financing for future working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate purposes;

 

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require us to use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to make debt service payments;

 

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place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors with relatively less debt; and

 

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increase our vulnerability to the impact of adverse economic and industry conditions.

 

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We enter into interest rate swap agreements from time to time to manage our exposure to interest rate risk. These swap agreements involve risks, such as the risk that counterparties may fail to honor their obligations under these arrangements, the risk that these arrangements may not be effective in reducing our exposure to changes in interest rates and the risk that our exposure to interest rates may increase if interest rates increase.

We also enter into sale and factoring arrangements from time to time with respect to certain of our accounts receivables, which arrangements are non-recourse to us in the event that an account debtor fails to pay for credit-related reasons, and are not included in our indebtedness. We could become obligated to repurchase such accounts receivables or otherwise incur liability to the counterparties under these arrangements under certain circumstances, such as where a commercial dispute arises between us and an account debtor.

The agreements governing our notes and our Secured Revolving Line of Credit impose restrictions on us that may adversely affect our ability to operate our business.

The indentures governing our Senior Notes contain various covenants which limit our ability to, among other things:

 

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incur additional indebtedness;

 

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pay dividends and make other restricted payments;

 

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make certain investments, including investments in our unrestricted subsidiaries;

 

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create or permit certain liens;

 

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create or permit restrictions on the ability of certain restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us;

 

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use the proceeds from sales of assets;

 

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enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates; and

 

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consolidate or merge or sell our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety.

The Amended and Restated Loan Agreement restricts our ability to make cash payments on the notes to the extent that on the date of such payment a default or event of default exists under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, or we have not had at all times during the 45 consecutive days immediately preceding such payment or would not have, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such payment, Excess Cash Availability (as defined in the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement) of at least $100 million. Any of our future debt agreements may contain similar restrictions. If we fail to make any cash payment on the notes when required by the indenture, it would constitute an event of default under the indenture, which, in turn, would constitute an event of default under the agreements governing our indebtedness.

Our Secured Revolving Line of Credit also contains various covenants which limit our ability to, among other things, make certain investments, merge or consolidate with other entities and permit certain subsidiaries from incurring indebtedness. In addition, further restrictions apply when certain payment conditions (the “Payment Conditions”) are not satisfied with respect to specified transactions, events or payments. The Payment Conditions include that (i) no default or event of default exists and (ii) at all times during the 45 consecutive days immediately prior to such transaction, event or payment and on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such transaction, event or payment and any incurrence or repayment of indebtedness in connection therewith, the Loan Parties’ (as defined below) Excess Cash Availability (as defined in the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement) available cash is greater than the greater of 20% of the total commitment amount and $100

 

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million. If Payment Conditions are not satisfied under certain circumstances, we will become subject to various additional covenants which limit our ability to, among other things:

 

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create liens upon any of the Loan Parties’ property (other than customary permitted liens and liens in respect of up to $1.5 billion of secured credit facilities debt (which amount includes our Secured Revolving Line of Credit));

 

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declare or make cash distributions;

 

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create any encumbrance on the ability of a subsidiary to make any upstream payments;

 

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make asset dispositions other than certain ordinary course dispositions and certain supply chain finance arrangements;

 

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make certain loans, make payments with respect to subordinated debt or certain borrowed money prior to its due date; and

 

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enter into any non-arm’s-length transaction with an affiliate (except for certain customary exceptions).

The agreements governing our notes and our Secured Revolving Line of Credit contain cross-default provisions whereby a default under one agreement would likely result in cross defaults under agreements covering other borrowings. For example, the occurrence of a default with respect to any indebtedness or any failure to repay debt when due in an amount in excess of $50 million would cause a cross default under the indentures governing our Senior Notes, as well as under our Secured Revolving Line of Credit (to the extent such default would result in the acceleration of such indebtedness). The occurrence of a default under any of these borrowing arrangements would permit the applicable note holders or the lenders under our Secured Revolving Line of Credit to declare all amounts outstanding under those borrowing arrangements to be immediately due and payable. If the note holders or the trustee under the indentures governing our Senior Notes or the lenders under our Secured Revolving Line of Credit accelerate the repayment of borrowings, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient assets to repay those borrowings.

The markets in which our products are sold are highly competitive.

The markets in which our products are sold are very competitive and delivering the latest and best products to market on a timely basis is critical to achieving revenue growth. We believe that the main factors that determine our product competitiveness are timely product introductions, product quality (including enabling state-of-the-art visual experience), energy efficiency (including power consumption and battery life), reliability, processor clock speed, performance, size (or form factor), selling price, cost, adherence to industry standards (and the creation of open industry standards), level of integration, software and hardware compatibility, security and stability, brand recognition and availability.

We expect that competition will continue to be intense due to rapid technological changes, frequent product introductions by our competitors or new competitors of products that may provide better performance/experience or may include additional features that render our products uncompetitive. We may also face aggressive pricing by competitors, especially during challenging economic times. Some competitors may have greater access or rights to companion technologies, including interface, processor and memory technical information. For instance, with the introduction of our APU products and other competing solutions with integrated graphics, we believe that demand for additional discrete graphics chips and cards may decrease in the future due to improvements in the quality and performance of integrated graphics. In addition, our competitors have significant marketing and sales resources which could increase the competitive environment in such a declining market, leading to lower prices and margins. If competitors introduce competitive new products into the market before us, demand for our products could be adversely impacted and our business could be adversely affected.

 

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In addition, we are entering markets with current and new competitors who may be able to adapt more quickly to customer requirements and emerging technologies. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against current or new competitors who may have stronger positions in these new markets or superior ability to anticipate customer requirements and emerging industry trends. We may face delays or disruptions in research and development efforts, or we may be required to invest significantly greater resources in research and development than anticipated.

Uncertainties involving the ordering and shipment of our products could materially adversely affect us.

We typically sell our products pursuant to individual purchase orders. We generally do not have long-term supply arrangements with our customers or minimum purchase requirements except that orders generally must be for standard pack quantities. Generally, our customers may cancel orders for standard products more than 30 days prior to shipment without incurring significant fees. We base our inventory levels in part on customers’ estimates of demand for their products, which may not accurately predict the quantity or type of our products that our customers will want in the future or ultimately end up purchasing. Our ability to forecast demand is even further complicated when our products are sold indirectly through downstream channel distributors and customers, as our forecasts for demand are then based on estimates provided by multiple parties throughout the downstream channel.

PC and consumer markets are characterized by short product lifecycles, which can lead to rapid obsolescence and price erosion. In addition, our customers may change their inventory practices on short notice for any reason. We may build inventories during periods of anticipated growth, and the cancellation or deferral of product orders or overproduction due to failure of anticipated orders to materialize, could result in excess or obsolete inventory, which could result in write-downs of inventory and an adverse effect on gross margins.

Factors that may result in excess or obsolete inventory, which could result in write-downs of the value of our inventory, a reduction in the average selling price or a reduction in our gross margin include:

 

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a sudden or significant decrease in demand for our products;

 

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a production or design defect in our products;

 

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a higher incidence of inventory obsolescence because of rapidly changing technology and customer requirements;

 

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a failure to accurately estimate customer demand for our products, including for our older products as our new products are introduced; or

 

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our competitors introducing new products or taking aggressive pricing actions.

For example, in the third quarter of 2015, we recorded an inventory write-down of $65 million consisting primarily of older generation APUs, which adversely impacted our operating results. Since market conditions are uncertain, these and other factors could materially adversely affect our business.

The demand for our products depends in part on the market conditions in the industries into which they are sold. Fluctuations in demand for our products or a market decline in any of these industries could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Industry-wide fluctuations in the computer marketplace have materially adversely affected us in the past and may materially adversely affect us in the future. A large portion of our Computing and Graphics revenue is focused on the consumer desktop PC and notebook segments, which have experienced and continue to experience a decline driven by, among other factors, the adoption of smaller form factors, increased competition and changes in replacement cycles. The success of our semi-custom SoC products is dependent on

 

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securing customers for our semi-custom design pipeline and consumer market conditions, including the success of the Sony PlayStation^®4 and Microsoft Xbox One game console systems worldwide.

The completion and impact of the 2015 Restructuring Plan, our transformation initiatives and any future restructuring actions could adversely affect us.

In the third quarter of 2015, we implemented the 2015 Restructuring Plan focused on our ongoing efforts to simplify our business and better align resources around our priorities and business outlook. The 2015 Restructuring Plan largely involved a reduction of global headcount by approximately 5% and includes organizational actions such as outsourcing certain IT services and application development. We expect the 2015 Restructuring Plan to be largely completed by the end of the third quarter of 2016. These restructuring actions and any future restructuring actions could have an adverse impact on our business as a result of decreases in employee morale and the failure to meet operational targets due to the loss of employees. We cannot be sure that we will realize operational savings or any other anticipated benefits from the 2015 Restructuring Plan or any future restructuring actions. Any operating savings are subject to assumptions, estimates and significant economic, competitive and other uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. If these estimates and assumptions are incorrect, if we experience delays or if other unforeseen events occur, our business and financial results could be adversely affected.

Any transformation initiatives or future restructuring actions we undertake may fail to achieve the anticipated results and may materially adversely affect our business and financial results.

Our ability to design and introduce new products in a timely manner is dependent upon third-party intellectual property.

In the design and development of new and enhanced products, we rely on third-party intellectual property such as software development tools and hardware testing tools. Furthermore, certain product features may rely on intellectual property acquired from third parties. The design requirements necessary to meet consumer demand for more features and greater functionality from semiconductor products may exceed the capabilities of the third-party intellectual property or development tools available to us. If the third-party intellectual property that we use becomes unavailable, is not available with required functionality and performance in the time frame or price point needed for our new products or fails to produce designs that meet customer demands, our business could be materially adversely affected.

We depend on third-party companies for the design, manufacture and supply of motherboards, software and other computer platform components to support our business.

We depend on third-party companies for the design, manufacture and supply of motherboards, software (e.g., BIOS, operating systems) and other components that our customers utilize to support our microprocessor, GPU and APU offerings. We also rely on AIBs to support our GPU and APU products. In addition, our microprocessors are not designed to function with motherboards and chipsets designed to work with Intel microprocessors. If the designers, manufacturers, AIBs and suppliers of motherboards, software and other components decrease their support for our product offerings, our business could be materially adversely affected.

If we lose Microsoft Corporation’s support for our products or other software vendors do not design and develop software to run on our products, our ability to sell our products could be materially adversely affected.

Our ability to innovate beyond the x86 instruction set controlled by Intel depends partially on Microsoft designing and developing its operating systems to run on or support our x86-based microprocessor products. With respect to our graphics products, we depend in part on Microsoft to design and develop its operating system to run on or support our graphics products. Similarly, the success of our products in the

 

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market, such as our APU products, is dependent on independent software providers designing and developing software to run on our products. If Microsoft does not continue to design and develop its operating systems so that they work with our x86 instruction sets or does not continue to develop and maintain their operating systems to support our graphics products, independent software providers may forego designing their software applications to take advantage of our innovations and customers may not purchase PCs with our products. In addition, some software drivers sold with our products are certified by Microsoft. If Microsoft did not certify a driver, or if we otherwise fail to retain the support of Microsoft or other software vendors, our ability to market our products would be materially adversely affected.

Our reliance on third-party distributors and AIB partners subjects us to certain risks.

We market and sell our products directly and through third-party distributors and AIB partners pursuant to agreements that can generally be terminated for convenience by either party upon prior notice to the other party. These agreements are non-exclusive and permit both our distributors and AIBs to offer our competitors’ products. We are dependent on our distributors and AIBs to supplement our direct marketing and sales efforts. If any significant distributor or AIB or a substantial number of our distributors or AIBs terminated their relationship with us, decided to market our competitors’ products over our products or decided not to market our products at all, our ability to bring our products to market would be impacted and we would be materially adversely affected. If we are unable to manage the risks related to the use of our third-party distributors and AIB partners or offer appropriate incentives to focus them on the sale of our products, our business could be materially adversely affected.

Additionally, distributors and AIBs typically maintain an inventory of our products. In most instances, our agreements with distributors protect their inventory of our products against price reductions, as well as provide return rights for any product that we have removed from our price book and that is not more than 12 months older than the manufacturing code date. Some agreements with our distributors also contain standard stock rotation provisions permitting limited levels of product returns. Our agreements with AIBs protect their inventory of our products against price reductions. We defer the gross margins on our sales to distributors and AIBs, resulting from both our deferral of revenue and related product costs, until the applicable products are re-sold by the distributors or the AIBs. However, in the event of a significant decline in the price of our products, the price protection rights we offer would materially adversely affect us because our revenue and corresponding gross margin would decline.

Our inability to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel may hinder our product development programs.

Much of our future success depends upon the continued service of numerous qualified engineering, marketing, sales and executive personnel. If we are not able to continue to attract, train and retain qualified personnel necessary for our business, the progress of our product development programs could be hindered, and we could be materially adversely affected. To help attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel, we use share-based incentive awards such as employee stock options and non-vested share units (restricted stock units). If the value of such stock awards does not appreciate as measured by the performance of the price of our common stock, or if our share-based compensation otherwise ceases to be viewed as a valuable benefit, our ability to attract, retain and motivate personnel could be weakened, which could harm our results of operations. In addition, our current and any future restructuring plans may adversely impact our ability to attract and retain key employees.

 

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In the event of a change of control, we may not be able to purchase our outstanding debt as required by the applicable indentures and our Secured Revolving Line of Credit, which would result in a default under the indentures and our Secured Revolving Line of Credit.

Upon a change of control, we will be required to offer to purchase all of our Senior Notes then outstanding at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to, but excluding, the purchase date. In addition, a change of control would be an event of default under our Secured Revolving Line of Credit. As of June 25, 2016, $226 million was outstanding under our Secured Revolving Line of Credit and $2.03 billion was outstanding under our notes. Future debt agreements may contain similar provisions. We may not have the financial resources to purchase our outstanding notes and prepay all of our outstanding obligations under our Secured Revolving Line of Credit.

The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical and has experienced severe downturns that have materially adversely affected, and may continue to materially adversely affect, our business in the future.

The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical and has experienced significant downturns, often in conjunction with constant and rapid technological change, wide fluctuations in supply and demand, continuous new product introductions, price erosion and declines in general economic conditions. We have incurred substantial losses in recent downturns, due to:

 

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substantial declines in average selling prices;

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the cyclical nature of supply and demand imbalances in the semiconductor industry;

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a decline in demand for end-user products (such as PCs) that incorporate our products; and

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excess inventory levels.

Industry-wide fluctuations in the computer marketplace have materially adversely affected us in the past and may materially adversely affect us in the future. For example, form factor devices continue to shift from desktop PCs and notebooks to smaller form factor devices. A large portion of our Computing and Graphics revenue is focused on consumer desktop PC and notebook segments, which have experienced and continue to experience a decline driven by, among other factors, the adoption of smaller form factors, increased competition and changes in replacement cycles.

Global economic uncertainty and weakness have also impacted the semiconductor market as consumers and businesses have deferred purchases, which negatively impacted demand for our products. Our financial performance has been, and may in the future be, negatively affected by these downturns.

The growth of our business is also dependent on continued demand for our products from high-growth adjacent emerging global markets. Our ability to be successful in such markets depends in part on our ability to establish adequate local infrastructure, as well as our ability to cultivate and maintain local relationships in these markets. If demand from these markets is below our expectations, sales of our products may decrease, which would have a material adverse effect on us.

Acquisitions, divestitures and/or joint ventures could disrupt our business, harm our financial condition and operating results or dilute, or adversely affect the price of, our common stock.

Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to expand our product offerings and grow our business in response to changing technologies, customer demands and competitive pressures. In some circumstances, we may pursue growth through the acquisition of complementary businesses, solutions or technologies or through divestitures or joint ventures rather than through internal development. The identification of suitable acquisition or joint venture candidates can be difficult, time-consuming and costly, and we may not be able to successfully complete identified acquisitions or joint ventures. Moreover, if such acquisitions or joint ventures

 

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require us to seek additional debt or equity financing, we may not be able to obtain such financing on terms favorable to us or at all. Even if we successfully complete an acquisition or a joint venture, we may not be able to assimilate and integrate effectively or efficiently the acquired business, technologies, solutions, assets, personnel or operations, particularly if key personnel of the acquired company decide not to work for us. Acquisitions and joint ventures may also involve the entry into geographic or business markets in which we have little or no prior experience. Consequently, we may not achieve anticipated benefits of the acquisitions or joint ventures which could harm our operating results. In addition, to complete an acquisition, we may issue equity securities, which would dilute our stockholders’ ownership and could adversely affect the price of our common stock, as well as incur debt, assume contingent liabilities or have amortization expenses and write-downs of acquired assets, which could adversely affect our results of operations. Acquisitions and joint ventures may also reduce our cash available for operations and other uses, which could harm our business. Also, any failure on our part to effectively evaluate and execute new business initiatives could adversely affect our business. We may not adequately assess the risk of new business initiatives and subsequent events may arise that alter the risks that were initially considered.

We may not achieve the objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services.

On April 29, 2016, we consummated the transaction contemplated by the Equity Interest Purchase Agreement dated October 15, 2015 with JV Party, under which we sold to JV Party 85% of the equity interests in our JVs. Going forward, we expect the majority of our ATMP services will be provided by the JVs and there is no guarantee that the JVs will be able to adequately fulfill our ATMP requirements as we transition operations to the JV Party, nor is there any guarantee that the JVs will be able to fulfill our long-term ATMP requirements. If we are unable to meet customer demand due to fluctuating or late supply from the JVs, it could result in lost sales and have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, we may not realize the anticipated benefits from any new business initiatives. For example, in connection with our strategy of licensing portions of our intellectual property portfolio, in the first quarter of 2016, we entered into a joint venture with and Tianjin Haiguang Advanced Technology Investment Co., Ltd. (“THATIC”), comprised of two separate legal entities, China JV1 and China JV2 (collectively, the “China JVs”). The China JVs’ primary purpose is to support our expansion into the server and workstation product market in China. We also licensed certain of our intellectual property (“Licensed IP”) to the China JVs for license fees payable over several years contingent upon achievement of certain milestones. We also expect to receive a royalty based on the sales of the China JVs’ products to be developed on the basis of such Licensed IP. We may not realize the expected benefits from this joint venture, including the China JVs’ expected future performance, the receipt of any future milestone payments from the Licensed IP, and the receipt of any royalty payments from future sales of the China JVs’ products.

Our business is dependent upon the proper functioning of our internal business processes and information systems and modification or interruption of such systems may disrupt our business, processes and internal controls.

We rely upon a number of internal business processes and information systems to support key business functions, and the efficient operation of these processes and systems is critical to our business. Our business processes and information systems need to be sufficiently scalable to support the growth of our business and may require modifications or upgrades that expose us to a number of operational risks. As such, our information systems will continually evolve and adapt in order to meet our business needs. These changes may be costly and disruptive to our operations and could impose substantial demands on management time.

These changes may also require changes in our information systems, modification of internal control procedures and significant training of employees and third-party resources. We continuously work on simplifying our information systems and applications through consolidation and standardization efforts. There can be no assurance that our business and operations will not experience any disruption in connection with this

 

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transition. Our information technology systems, and those of third-party information technology providers or business partners, may also be vulnerable to damage or disruption caused by circumstances beyond our control including catastrophic events, power anomalies or outages, natural disasters, viruses or malware, cyber-attacks, data breaches and computer system or network failures, exposing us to significant cost, reputational harm and disruption or damage to our business.

In addition, as our IT environment continues to evolve, we are embracing new ways of communicating and sharing data internally and externally with customers and partners using methods such as mobility and the cloud that can promote business efficiency. However, these practices can also result in a more distributed IT environment, making it more difficult for us to maintain visibility and control over internal and external users, and meet scalability and administrative requirements. If our security controls cannot keep pace with the speed of these changes, or if we are not able to meet regulatory and compliance requirements, our business would be materially adversely affected.

Data breaches and cyber-attacks could compromise our intellectual property or other sensitive information, be costly to remediate and cause significant damage to our business and reputation.

In the ordinary course of our business, we maintain sensitive data on our networks, including our intellectual property and proprietary or confidential business information relating to our business and that of our customers and business partners. The secure maintenance of this information is critical to our business and reputation. We believe that companies have been increasingly subject to a wide variety of security incidents, cyber-attacks, hacking and phishing attacks, and other attempts to gain unauthorized access. These threats can come from a variety of sources, all ranging in sophistication from an individual hacker to a state-sponsored attack. Cyber threats may be generic, or they may be custom-crafted against our information systems. Over the past year, cyber-attacks have become more prevalent and much harder to detect and defend against. Our network and storage applications may be subject to unauthorized access by hackers or breached due to operator error, malfeasance or other system disruptions. It is often difficult to anticipate or immediately detect such incidents and the damage caused by such incidents. These data breaches and any unauthorized access or disclosure of our information or intellectual property could compromise our intellectual property and expose sensitive business information. Cyber-attacks could also cause us to incur significant remediation costs, result in product development delays, disrupt key business operations and divert attention of management and key information technology resources. These incidents could also subject us to liability, expose us to significant expense and cause significant harm to our reputation and business. In addition, we could be subject to potential claims for damages resulting from loss of data from alleged vulnerabilities in the security of our processors. We also maintain confidential and personally identifiable information about our workers. The integrity and protection of our worker data is critical to our business and our workers have a high expectation that we will adequately protect their personal information. We anticipate an increase in costs related to:

 

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implementing new data security procedures, including costs related to upgrading computer and network security;

 

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training workers to maintain and monitor our security measures;

 

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remediating any data security breach and addressing the related litigation; and

 

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mitigating reputational harm.

We often partner with third-party providers for certain worker services and we may provide certain limited worker information to such third parties based on the scope of the services provided to us. However, if these third parties fail to adopt or adhere to adequate data security practices, or in the event of a breach of their networks, our workers’ data may be improperly accessed, used or disclosed. A breach of data privacy is likely to

 

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cause significant disruption of our business operations. Failure to adequately maintain and update our security systems could materially adversely affect our operations and our ability to maintain worker confidence. Failure to prevent unauthorized access to electronic and other confidential information and data breaches could materially adversely affect our financial condition, our competitive position and operating results.

Our operating results are subject to quarterly and seasonal sales patterns.

A substantial portion of our quarterly sales have historically been made in the last month of the quarter. This uneven sales pattern makes prediction of revenue for each financial period difficult and increases the risk of unanticipated variations in quarterly results and financial condition. In addition, our operating results tend to vary seasonally with the markets in which our products are sold. For example, historically, first quarter PC product sales are generally lower than fourth quarter sales. In addition, with respect to our semi-custom SoC products for game consoles, we expect sales patterns to follow the seasonal trends of a consumer business with sales in the first half of the year being lower than sales in the second half of the year. Many of the factors that create and affect quarterly and seasonal trends are beyond our control.

If essential equipment, materials or manufacturing processes are not available to manufacture our products, we could be materially adversely affected.

We purchase equipment and materials for our internal back-end manufacturing operations from a number of suppliers and our operations depend upon obtaining deliveries of adequate supplies of equipment and materials on a timely basis. Our third-party suppliers also depend on the same timely delivery of adequate quantities of equipment and materials in the manufacture of our products. In addition, as many of our products increase in technical complexity, we rely on our third-party suppliers to update their processes in order to continue meeting our back-end manufacturing needs. Certain equipment and materials that are used in the manufacture of our products are available only from a limited number of suppliers, or in some cases, a sole supplier. We also depend on a limited number of suppliers to provide the majority of certain types of integrated circuit packages for our microprocessors, including our APU products. Similarly, certain non-proprietary materials or components such as memory, printed circuit boards (“PCBs”), interposers, substrates and capacitors used in the manufacture of our products are currently available from only a limited number of sources. Because some of the equipment and materials that we and our third-party manufacturing suppliers purchase are complex, it is sometimes difficult to substitute one supplier for another.

From time to time, suppliers may extend lead times, limit supply or increase prices due to capacity constraints or other factors. Also, some of these materials and components may be subject to rapid changes in price and availability. Interruption of supply or increased demand in the industry could cause shortages and price increases in various essential materials. Dependence on a sole supplier or a limited number of suppliers exacerbates these risks. If we are unable to procure certain of these materials for our back-end manufacturing operations, or our third-party foundries or manufacturing suppliers are unable to procure materials for manufacturing our products, our business would be materially adversely affected.

If our products are not compatible with some or all industry-standard software and hardware, we could be materially adversely affected.

Our products may not be fully compatible with some or all industry-standard software and hardware. Further, we may be unsuccessful in correcting any such compatibility problems in a timely manner. If our customers are unable to achieve compatibility with software or hardware, we could be materially adversely affected. In addition, the mere announcement of an incompatibility problem relating to our products could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

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Costs related to defective products could have a material adverse effect on us.

Products as complex as those we offer may contain defects or failures when first introduced or when new versions or enhancements to existing products are released. We cannot assure you that, despite our testing procedures, errors will not be found in new products or releases after commencement of commercial shipments in the future, which could result in loss of or delay in market acceptance of our products, material recall and replacement costs, delay in recognition or loss of revenue, writing down the inventory of defective products, the diversion of the attention of our engineering personnel from product development efforts, defending against litigation related to defective products or related property damage or personal injury and damage to our reputation in the industry and could adversely affect our relationships with our customers. In addition, we may have difficulty identifying the end customers of the defective products in the field. As a result, we could incur substantial costs to implement modifications to correct defects. Any of these problems could materially adversely affect our business.

We could be subject to potential product liability claims if one of our products causes, or merely appears to have caused, an injury. Claims may be made by consumers or others selling our products, and we may be subject to claims against us even if an alleged injury is due to the actions of others. A product liability claim, recall or other claim with respect to uninsured liabilities or for amounts in excess of insured liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business.

If we fail to maintain the efficiency of our supply chain as we respond to changes in customer demand for our products, our business could be materially adversely affected.

Our ability to meet customer demand for our products depends, in part, on our ability to deliver the products our customers want on a timely basis. Accordingly, we rely on our supply chain for the manufacturing, distribution and fulfillment of our products. As we continue to grow our business, expand to high-growth adjacent markets, acquire new customers and strengthen relationships with existing customers, the efficiency of our supply chain will become increasingly important because many of our customers tend to have specific requirements for particular products, and specific time-frames in which they require delivery of these products. If we are unable to consistently deliver the right products to our customers on a timely basis in the right locations, our customers may reduce the quantities they order from us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We outsource to third parties certain supply-chain logistics functions, including portions of our product distribution, transportation management and information technology support services.

We rely on third-party providers to operate our regional product distribution centers and to manage the transportation of our work-in-process and finished products among our facilities, to our manufacturing suppliers and to our customers. In addition, we rely on third parties to provide certain information technology services to us, including help desk support, desktop application services, business and software support applications, server and storage administration, data center operations, database administration and voice, video and remote access. We cannot guarantee that these providers will fulfill their respective responsibilities in a timely manner in accordance with the contract terms, in which case our internal operations and the distribution of our products to our customers could be materially adversely affected. Also, we cannot guarantee that our contracts with these third-party providers will be renewed, in which case we would have to transition these functions in-house or secure new providers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business if the transition is not executed appropriately.

We may incur future impairments of goodwill.

We perform our annual goodwill impairment analysis as of the first day of the fourth quarter of each year. Subsequent to our annual goodwill impairment analysis, we monitor for any events or changes in

 

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circumstances, such as significant adverse changes in business climate or operating results, changes in management’s business strategy, an inability to successfully introduce new products in the marketplace, an inability to successfully achieve internal forecasts or significant declines in our stock price, which may represent an indicator of impairment. The occurrence of any of these events may require us to record future goodwill impairment charges.

Our worldwide operations are subject to political, legal and economic risks and natural disasters, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

We maintain operations around the world, including in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. We rely on third-party wafer foundries in Europe and Asia. Nearly all product assembly and final testing of our products is performed at manufacturing facilities, operated by third-party manufacturing facilities, in China, Malaysia and Taiwan. We also have international sales operations. International sales, as a percent of net revenue, were 77% in the second quarter of 2016. We expect that international sales will continue to be a significant portion of total sales in the foreseeable future.

The political, legal and economic risks associated with our operations in foreign countries include, without limitation:

 

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expropriation;

 

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changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions;

 

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changes in tax laws, trade protection measures and import or export licensing requirements;

 

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difficulties in protecting our intellectual property;

 

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difficulties in managing staffing and exposure to different employment practices and labor laws;

 

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changes in foreign currency exchange rates;

 

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restrictions on transfers of funds and other assets of our subsidiaries between jurisdictions;

 

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changes in freight and interest rates;

 

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disruption in air transportation between the United States and our overseas facilities;

 

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loss or modification of exemptions for taxes and tariffs; and

 

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compliance with U.S. laws and regulations related to international operations, including export control and economic sanctions laws and regulations and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

In addition, our worldwide operations (or those of our business partners) could be subject to natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, typhoons and volcanic eruptions that disrupt manufacturing or other operations. For example, our Sunnyvale operations are located near major earthquake fault lines in California. Any conflict or uncertainty in the countries in which we operate, including public health issues (for example, an outbreak of a contagious disease such as Avian Influenza, measles or Ebola), safety issues, natural disasters, fire, disruptions of service from utilities, nuclear power plant accidents or general economic or political factors, could have a material adverse effect on our business. Any of the above risks, should they occur, could result in an increase in the cost of components, production delays, general business interruptions, delays from difficulties in obtaining export licenses for certain technology, tariffs and other barriers and restrictions, longer payment cycles, increased taxes, restrictions on the repatriation of funds and the burdens of complying with a variety of foreign laws, any of which could ultimately have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

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Worldwide political conditions may adversely affect demand for our products.

Worldwide political conditions may create uncertainties that could adversely affect our business. The United States has been and may continue to be involved in armed conflicts that could have a further impact on our sales and our supply chain. The consequences of armed conflict, political instability or civil or military unrest are unpredictable, and we may not be able to foresee events that could have a material adverse effect on us. Terrorist attacks or other hostile acts may negatively affect our operations, or adversely affect demand for our products, and such attacks or related armed conflicts may impact our physical facilities or those of our suppliers or customers. Furthermore, these attacks or hostile acts may make travel and the transportation of our products more difficult and more expensive, which could materially adversely affect us. Any of these events could cause consumer spending to decrease or result in increased volatility in the United States economy and worldwide financial markets.

Unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect us.

We have costs, assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies. As a consequence, movements in exchange rates could cause our foreign currency denominated expenses to increase as a percentage of revenue, affecting our profitability and cash flows. Whenever we believe appropriate, we hedge a portion of our short-term foreign currency exposure to protect against fluctuations in currency exchange rates. We determine our total foreign currency exposure using projections of long-term expenditures for items such as payroll. We cannot assure you that these activities will be effective in reducing foreign exchange rate exposure. Failure to do so could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. In addition, the majority of our product sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the local currency can cause increases or decreases in the cost of our products in the local currency of such customers. An appreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to the local currency could reduce sales of our products.

Our inability to effectively control the sales of our products on the gray market could have a material adverse effect on us.

We market and sell our products directly to OEMs and through authorized third-party distributors. From time to time, our products are diverted from our authorized distribution channels and are sold on the “gray market.” Gray market products result in shadow inventory that is not visible to us, thus making it difficult to forecast demand accurately. Also, when gray market products enter the market, we and our distribution channels compete with these heavily discounted gray market products, which adversely affects demand for our products and negatively impact our margins. In addition, our inability to control gray market activities could result in customer satisfaction issues because any time products are purchased outside our authorized distribution channels there is a risk that our customers are buying counterfeit or substandard products, including products that may have been altered, mishandled or damaged, or are used products represented as new.

If we cannot adequately protect our technology or other intellectual property in the United States and abroad, through patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks and other measures, we may lose a competitive advantage and incur significant expenses.

We rely on a combination of protections provided by contracts, including confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, copyrights, patents, trademarks and common law rights, such as trade secrets, to protect our intellectual property. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to adequately protect our technology or other intellectual property from third-party infringement or from misappropriation in the United States and abroad. Any patent licensed by us or issued to us could be challenged, invalidated or circumvented or rights granted there under may not provide a competitive advantage to us.

 

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Furthermore, patent applications that we file may not result in issuance of a patent or, if a patent is issued, the patent may not be issued in a form that is advantageous to us. Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights, others may independently develop similar products, duplicate our products or design around our patents and other rights. In addition, it is difficult to monitor compliance with, and enforce, our intellectual property on a worldwide basis in a cost-effective manner. In jurisdictions where foreign laws provide less intellectual property protection than afforded in the United States and abroad, our technology or other intellectual property may be compromised, and our business would be materially adversely affected.

We are party to litigation and may become a party to other claims or litigation that could cause us to incur substantial costs or pay substantial damages or prohibit us from selling our products.

From time to time, we are a defendant or plaintiff in various legal actions. For example, on January 15, 2014, March 20, 2014, April 27, 2015 and September 29, 2015, complaints were filed against us seeking damages for alleged securities law violations which are described in Note 11 of our condensed consolidated financial statements in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 25, 2016. Our products are purchased by and/or used by consumers, which could increase our exposure to consumer actions such as product liability claims and consumer class action claims. On occasion, we receive claims that individuals were allegedly exposed to substances used in our former semiconductor wafer manufacturing facilities and that this alleged exposure caused harm. Litigation can involve complex factual and legal questions, and its outcome is uncertain. Any claim that is successfully asserted against us, including the claims filed against us on January 15, 2014, March 20, 2014, April 27, 2015 and September 29, 2015, may result in the payment of damages that could be material to our business.

With respect to intellectual property litigation, from time to time, we have been notified of, or third parties may bring or have brought, actions against us and/or against our customers based on allegations that we are infringing the intellectual property rights of others, contributing to or inducing the infringement of the intellectual property rights of others, improperly claiming ownership of intellectual property or otherwise improperly using the intellectual property of others. If any such claims are asserted, we may seek to obtain a license under the third parties’ intellectual property rights. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain all of the necessary licenses on satisfactory terms, if at all. These parties may file lawsuits against us or our customers seeking damages (potentially up to and including treble damages) or an injunction against the sale of products that incorporate allegedly infringed intellectual property or against the operation of our business as presently conducted, which could result in our having to stop the sale of some of our products or to increase the costs of selling some of our products or which could damage our reputation. The award of damages, including material royalty payments, or other types of damages, or the entry of an injunction against the manufacture and sale of some or all of our products could have a material adverse effect on us. We could decide, in the alternative, to redesign our products or to resort to litigation to challenge such claims. Such challenges could be extremely expensive and time-consuming regardless of their merit, could cause delays in product release or shipment and/or could have a material adverse effect on us. We cannot assure you that litigation related to our intellectual property rights or the intellectual property rights of others can always be avoided or successfully concluded.

Even if we were to prevail, any litigation could be costly and time-consuming and would divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Our business is subject to potential tax liabilities.

We are subject to income taxes in the United States, Canada and other foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes. In the ordinary course of our

 

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business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, we cannot assure you that the final determination of any tax audits and litigation will not be materially different from that which is reflected in historical income tax provisions and accruals. Should additional taxes be assessed as a result of an audit, assessment or litigation, there could be a material adverse effect on our cash, income tax provision and net income in the period or periods for which that determination is made.

We are subject to environmental laws, conflict minerals-related provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act as well as a variety of other laws or regulations that could result in additional costs and liabilities.

Our operations and properties have in the past been and continue to be subject to various United States and foreign laws and regulations, including those relating to materials used in our products and manufacturing processes, discharge of pollutants into the environment, the treatment, transport, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and remediation of contamination. These laws and regulations require our suppliers to obtain permits for operations making our products, including the discharge of air pollutants and wastewater. Although our management systems are designed to oversee our suppliers’ compliance, we cannot assure you that our suppliers have been or will be at all times in complete compliance with such laws, regulations and permits. If our suppliers violate or fail to comply with any of them, a range of consequences could result, including fines, suspension of production, alteration of manufacturing processes, import/export restrictions, sales limitations, criminal and civil liabilities or other sanctions. Such non-compliance from our manufacturing suppliers could result in disruptions in supply, higher sourcing costs, and/or reputational damage for us.

Environmental laws are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent over time. For example, the European Union (“EU”) and China are two among a growing number of jurisdictions that have enacted restrictions on the use of lead and other materials in electronic products. These regulations affect semiconductor devices and packaging. As regulations restricting materials in electronic products continue to increase around the world, there is a risk that the cost, quality and manufacturing yields of products that are subject to these restrictions, may be less favorable compared to products that are not subject to such restrictions, or that the transition to compliant products may not meet customer roadmaps, or produce sudden changes in demand, which may result in excess inventory. A number of jurisdictions including the EU, Australia and China are developing or have finalized market entry or public procurement regulations for computers and servers based on ENERGY STAR specifications as well as additional energy consumption limits. There is the potential for certain of our products being excluded from some of these markets which could materially adversely affect us.

Certain environmental laws, including the U.S. Comprehensive, Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, or the Superfund Act, impose strict or, under certain circumstances, joint and several liability on current and previous owners or operators of real property for the cost of removal or remediation of hazardous substances and impose liability for damages to natural resources. These laws often impose liability even if the owner or operator did not know of, or was not responsible for, the release of such hazardous substances. These environmental laws also assess liability on persons who arrange for hazardous substances to be sent to disposal or treatment facilities when such facilities are found to be contaminated. Such persons can be responsible for cleanup costs even if they never owned or operated the contaminated facility. We have been named as a responsible party at three Superfund sites in Sunnyvale, California. Although we have not yet been, we could be named a potentially responsible party at other Superfund or contaminated sites in the future. In addition, contamination that has not yet been identified could exist at our other facilities.

Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, the SEC adopted disclosure and reporting requirements for companies that use “conflict” minerals originating from the Democratic

 

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Republic of Congo or adjoining countries. We continue to incur additional costs associated with complying with these requirements, such as costs related to developing internal controls for the due diligence process, determining the source of any conflict minerals used in our products, auditing the process and reporting to our customers and the SEC. In addition to the SEC regulation, the European Union, China and other jurisdictions are developing new policies focused on conflict minerals that may impact and increase the cost of our compliance program. Also, since our supply chain is complex, we may face reputational challenges if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins of the subject minerals. Moreover, we are likely to encounter challenges to satisfy those customers who require that all of the components of our products are certified as “conflict free.” If we cannot satisfy these customers, they may choose a competitor’s products.

Recently the US federal government has issued new policies for federal procurement focused on eradicating the practice of forced labor and human trafficking. In addition, the United Kingdom and the state of California have issued laws that require AMD to disclose its policy and practices for identifying and eliminating forced labor and human trafficking in our supply chain. Several customers as well as the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) have also issued expectations to eliminate these practices that may impact AMD. While we have a policy and management systems to identify and avoid these practices in our supply chain, we cannot guarantee that AMD’s suppliers will always be in conformance to these laws and expectations. We may face enforcement liability and reputational challenges if we are unable to sufficiently meet these expectations. Moreover, we are likely to encounter challenges with customers if we cannot satisfy their forced and trafficked labor polices and they may choose a competitor’s products.

Risks related to our debt, including the notes

Our substantial debt upon consummation of this offering could adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the notes and other contractual obligations.

We have substantial debt and we will incur additional debt upon consummation of this offering and, as a result, we have significant debt service obligations. As of June 25, 2016, after giving effect to the issuance of the notes and the common stock in the concurrent Common Stock Offering (assuming, in each case, no exercise of the underwriters’ option) and the application of the use of proceeds therefrom to repay amounts borrowed under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and the anticipated repurchase of our Senior Notes in the Tender Offer for the total consideration contemplated thereby, our total outstanding debt is approximately $1,712 million. Our substantial debt could have important consequences to you. For example, it could:

 

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make it more difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations under the notes, our other indebtedness and our contractual and commercial commitments and increase the risk that we may default on our debt obligations;

 

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prevent us from raising the funds necessary to repurchase notes tendered to us if we are required to make an offer to repurchase notes upon a fundamental change, which would constitute a default under the indenture;

 

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require us to use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to pay interest and principal on the notes and other debt, which would reduce the funds available for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes;

 

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limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other investments, or general corporate purposes, which may limit the ability to execute our business strategy and affect the market price of our common stock and, in turn, the market value of the notes;

 

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•

heighten our vulnerability to downturns in our business, our industry or in the general economy and restrict us from exploiting business opportunities or making acquisitions;

 

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place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to those of our competitors that may have less debt;

 

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limit management’s discretion in operating our business;

 

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limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business, the industry in which we operate or the general economy; and

 

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result in higher interest expense if interest rates increase and we have outstanding floating rate borrowings.

We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional debt in the future. If new debt or other liabilities are added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we and our subsidiaries now face could intensify.

The agreements governing our notes and our Secured Revolving Line of Credit impose restrictions on us that may adversely affect our ability to operate our business, and our Secured Revolving Line of Credit contains restrictions that limit our ability to make cash payments on the notes if our excess cash availability under the Secured Revolving Line of Credit is less than $100 million.

The indentures governing our Senior Notes contain various covenants which limit our ability to, among other things:

 

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incur additional indebtedness;

 

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pay dividends and make other restricted payments;

 

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make certain investments, including investments in our unrestricted subsidiaries;

 

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create or permit certain liens;

 

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create or permit restrictions on the ability of certain restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us;

 

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use the proceeds from sales of assets;

 

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enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates; and

 

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consolidate or merge or sell our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety.

Our Secured Revolving Line of Credit also contains various covenants which limit our ability to, among other things, make certain investments, merge or consolidate with other entities and permit certain subsidiaries from incurring indebtedness. In addition, further restrictions apply when certain payment conditions (the Payment Conditions) are not satisfied with respect to specified transactions, events or payments. The Payment Conditions include that (i) no default or event of default exists and (ii) at all times during the 45 consecutive days immediately prior to such transaction, event or payment and on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such transaction, event or payment and any incurrence or repayment of indebtedness in connection therewith, the Loan Parties’ Excess Cash Availability (as defined in the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement) available cash is greater than the greater of 20% of the total commitment amount and $100 million. If Payment Conditions are not satisfied under certain circumstances, we will become subject to various additional covenants which limit our ability to, among other things:

 

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create any liens upon any of the Loan Parties’ property (other than customary permitted liens and liens on up to $1.5 billion of secured credit facilities debt (which amount includes our Secured Revolving Line of Credit));

 

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•

declare or make cash distributions;

 

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create any encumbrance on the ability of a subsidiary to make any upstream payments;

 

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make asset dispositions other than certain ordinary course dispositions and certain supply chain finance arrangements;

 

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make certain loans, make payments with respect to subordinated debt or certain borrowed money, including the notes offered hereby, prior to its due date; and

 

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become party to certain agreements restricting the Loan Parties’ ability to enter into any non-arm’s-length transaction with an affiliate.

The agreements governing our notes and our Secured Revolving Line of Credit contain cross-default provisions whereby a default under one agreement would likely result in cross defaults under agreements covering other borrowings. For example, the occurrence of a default with respect to any indebtedness or any failure to repay debt when due in an amount in excess of $50 million would cause a cross default under the indentures governing our Senior Notes, as well as under our Secured Revolving Line of Credit. The occurrence of a default under any of these borrowing arrangements would permit the applicable note holders or the lenders under our Secured Revolving Line of Credit to declare all amounts outstanding under those borrowing arrangements to be immediately due and payable. If the note holders or the trustee under the indentures governing our Senior Notes or the lenders under our Secured Revolving Line of Credit accelerate the repayment of borrowings, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient assets to repay those borrowings.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our debt, including the notes, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our debt, which may not be successful.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations, including the notes, and to fund future capital expenditures in the future depends on our ability to generate cash in the future and our financial condition and operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure you that we will maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on (as well as any cash due upon conversion of) our debt, including the notes.

If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, or to sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our debt, including the notes. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. If our operating results and available cash are insufficient to meet our debt service obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain the proceeds that we could realize from them, and these proceeds may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due. Further, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt on or before maturity, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

We may be unable to make cash payments on the notes, as well as our Senior Notes and our Secured Revolving Line of Credit, including payments of interest, the repurchase of such series of notes for cash when required pursuant to the applicable indenture upon the occurrence of a fundamental change, or pay cash upon conversion of the notes, and our future debt may contain limitations on our ability to make cash payments on the notes.

Upon a change of control, we will be required to offer to repurchase all of our Senior Notes then outstanding at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to, but excluding, the

 

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repurchase date. In addition, holders of the notes will have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of their notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, as described under “Description of notes—Fundamental change permits holders to require us to repurchase notes.” In addition, upon conversion of the notes, unless we elect to deliver solely common stock to settle such conversion (other than cash in lieu of any fractional share), we will be required to make cash payments in respect of the notes being converted as described in under “Description of notes—Conversion rights—Settlement upon conversion.” However, we may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make repurchases of notes surrendered therefor or notes being converted.

In addition, our ability to make cash payments on our Senior Notes or the notes, including payments of interest, repurchase such series of notes for cash when required upon the occurrence of a fundamental change or pay cash upon conversion of the notes may be limited by law or the terms of other agreements relating to our debt outstanding at the time, including the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement. The Amended and Restated Loan Agreement restricts our ability to make cash payments on our Senior Notes or the notes to the extent that on the date of such payment a default or event of default exists under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, or we have not had at all times during the 45 consecutive days immediately preceding such payment or would not have, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such payment, Excess Cash Availability (as defined under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement) of at least $100 million. Further, a change of control would be an event of default under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement. Any of our future debt agreements may contain similar restrictions. If we fail to make any cash payment on the notes when required by the indenture, it would constitute an event of default under the indenture, which, in turn, would constitute an event of default under the agreements governing our indebtedness.

Restrictive covenants in the agreements governing our other indebtedness will restrict our ability to operate our business, which may affect the market price of our common stock and, in turn, the market value of the notes.

The agreements governing our indebtedness contain, and agreements governing indebtedness we may incur in the future may contain, covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things, incur additional debt, pay dividends, make investments, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate with other entities or sell all or substantially all of our assets. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default thereunder, which could allow the lenders or noteholders to declare all amounts outstanding under the applicable debt immediately due and payable and which may affect the market price of our common stock and, in turn, the market value of the notes. We may also be prevented from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise because of the limitations imposed on us by the restrictive covenants under our indebtedness.

We may incur substantially more debt or take other actions that would intensify the risks discussed above.

We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional debt in the future, subject to the restrictions contained in our debt instruments, some of which may be secured debt. We will not be restricted under the terms of the indenture governing the notes from incurring additional debt, securing existing or future debt, recapitalizing our debt or taking a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the indenture governing the notes that could have the effect of diminishing our ability to make payments on the notes when due. The agreements governing our indebtedness restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, but if these facilities mature or are repaid, we may not be subject to such restrictions under the terms of any subsequent indebtedness.

 

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There is currently no trading market for the notes, and an active liquid trading market for the notes may not develop or, if it develops, be maintained.

The notes are a new issue of securities, and there is currently no existing trading market for the notes. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation of the notes on any automated dealer quotation system. Although the underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making at any time without notice. Accordingly, an active public trading market may not develop for the notes and, even if one develops, may not be maintained. If an active public trading market for the notes does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the notes is likely to be adversely affected and holders may not be able to sell their notes at desired times and prices or at all. If any of the notes are traded after their purchase, they may trade at a discount from their purchase price.

The liquidity of the trading market, if any, and future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including, among other things, the market price of our common stock, prevailing interest rates, our financial condition, results of operations, business, prospects and credit quality relative to our competitors, the market for similar securities and the overall securities market, and may be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in any of these factors, some of which are beyond our control and others of which would not affect debt that is not convertible or exchangeable into capital shares. Historically, the market for convertible or exchangeable debt has been volatile. Market volatility could materially and adversely affect the notes, regardless of our financial condition, results of operations, business, prospects or credit quality.

The notes have a number of features that may adversely affect the value and trading prices of the notes, including conversion conditions and the lack of financial covenants. Furthermore, even if the conversion conditions are met, volatile or depressed market prices for our common stock are likely to have a similar effect on the trading prices of the notes. It is impossible to assure holders of the notes that the trading price of our common stock in the future will not have an adverse effect on the trading price of the notes.

Claims of holders of the notes will be effectively subordinated to claims of lenders under our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such secured indebtedness.

The notes are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such secured indebtedness. In addition, we may incur additional secured indebtedness in the future. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding against us, the assets that are securing secured indebtedness must first be used to pay the claims under our secured indebtedness in full before these assets may be used to make any payments on the notes. As a result, the holders of the notes may receive less, ratably, than holders of our secured indebtedness in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or reorganization.

The notes are our obligations exclusively and are not guaranteed by any of our operating subsidiaries.

A portion of our consolidated assets is held by our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our ability to service our debt, including the notes, depends in part on the results of operations of our subsidiaries and upon the ability of such subsidiaries to provide us with cash, whether in the form of dividends, loans or otherwise, to pay amounts due on our obligations, including the notes. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to make payments on the notes or to make any funds available for that purpose. In addition, dividends, loans or other distributions to us from such subsidiaries may be subject to contractual and other restrictions and are subject to other business considerations.

 

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Recent and future regulatory actions and other events may adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the notes.

We expect that many investors in, and potential purchasers of, the notes will employ, or seek to employ, a convertible arbitrage strategy with respect to the notes. Investors that employ a convertible arbitrage strategy with respect to convertible debt instruments typically implement that strategy by selling short the common stock underlying the convertible notes and dynamically adjusting their short position while they hold the notes. Investors may also implement this strategy by entering into swaps on our common stock in lieu of or in addition to short selling the common stock. As a result, any specific rules regulating equity swaps or short selling of securities or other governmental action that interferes with the ability of market participants to effect short sales or equity swaps with respect to our common stock could adversely affect the ability of investors in, or potential purchasers of, the notes to conduct the convertible arbitrage strategy that we believe they will employ, or seek to employ, with respect to the notes. This could, in turn, adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the notes.

The SEC and other regulatory and self-regulatory authorities have implemented various rules and taken certain actions, and may in the future adopt additional rules and take other actions, that may impact those engaging in short selling activity involving equity securities (including our common stock). These rules and actions include Rule 201 of SEC Regulation SHO, the adoption by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. and the national securities exchanges of a “Limit Up-Limit Down” program, the imposition of market-wide circuit breakers that halt trading of securities for certain periods following specific market declines, and the implementation of certain regulatory reforms required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Any governmental or regulatory action that restricts the ability of investors in, or potential purchasers of, the notes to effect short sales of our common stock or enter into swaps on our common stock could adversely affect the trading price and the liquidity of the notes.

In addition, if investors and potential purchasers seeking to employ a convertible arbitrage strategy are unable to borrow or enter into swaps on our common stock, in each case on commercially reasonable terms, the trading price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.

Volatility in the market price and trading volume of our common stock could adversely impact the trading price of the notes.

The stock market in recent years has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated to the operating performance of companies. The market price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly for many reasons, including in response to the risks described in this section, elsewhere in this prospectus supplement or the documents we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or for reasons unrelated to our operations, such as reports by industry analysts, investor perceptions or negative announcements by our customers, competitors or suppliers regarding their own performance, as well as industry conditions and general financial, economic and political instability. A decrease in the market price of our common stock would likely adversely impact the trading price of the notes. The market price of our common stock could also be affected by possible sales of our common stock by investors who view the notes as a more attractive means of equity participation in us and by hedging or arbitrage trading activity that we expect to develop involving our common stock. This trading activity could, in turn, affect the trading price of the notes.

Holders of the notes will not be entitled to any rights with respect to our common stock, but they will be subject to all changes made with respect to them to the extent our conversion obligation includes common stock.

Holders of the notes will not be entitled to any rights with respect to our common stock (including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on our common stock) prior to

 

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the conversion date relating to such notes (if we have elected to settle the relevant conversion by delivering solely common stock (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share)) or the last trading day of the relevant observation period (if we elect to pay and deliver, as the case may be, a combination of cash and common stock in respect of the relevant conversion), but holders of the notes will be subject to all changes affecting our common stock. For example, if an amendment is proposed to our amended and restated articles of incorporation or code of regulations requiring shareholder approval and the record date for determining the shareholders of record entitled to vote on the amendment occurs prior to the conversion date related to a holder’s conversion of its notes (if we have elected to settle the relevant conversion by delivering solely common stock (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share)) or the last trading day of the relevant observation period (if we elect to pay and deliver, as the case may be, a combination of cash and common stock in respect of the relevant conversion), such holder will not be entitled to vote on the amendment, although such holder will nevertheless be subject to any changes affecting our common stock.

Conversions of the notes may adversely affect our financial condition.

If one or more holders elect to convert their notes, unless we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation by delivering solely common stock (other than cash in lieu of any fractional share), we would be required to settle a portion or all of our conversion obligation through the payment of cash, which could adversely affect our liquidity.

The conditional conversion feature of the notes, if triggered, may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

In the event the conditional conversion feature of the notes is triggered, holders of the notes will be entitled to convert the notes at any time during specified periods at their option. See “Description of notes—Conversion rights.” If one or more holders elect to convert their notes, unless we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation by delivering solely shares of our common stock (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share), we would be required to settle a portion or all of our conversion obligation through the payment of cash, which could adversely affect our liquidity. In addition, even if holders do not elect to convert their notes, we could be required under applicable accounting rules to reclassify all or a portion of the outstanding principal of the notes as a current rather than long-term liability, which would result in a material reduction of our net working capital.

The conditional conversion feature of the notes could result in holders receiving less than the value of our common stock into which the notes would otherwise be convertible.

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding June 1, 2026, holders of the notes may convert the notes only if specified conditions are met. If the specific conditions for conversion are not met, holders will not be able to convert the notes, and holders may not be able to receive the value of the cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, as applicable, into which the notes would otherwise be convertible.

The accounting method for convertible debt securities that may be settled in cash, such as the notes, could have a material effect on our reported financial results.

Pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options, which we refer to as ASC 470-20, an entity must separately account for the liability and equity components of the convertible debt instruments (such as the notes) that may be settled entirely or partially in cash upon conversion in a manner that reflects the issuer’s economic interest cost. The effect of ASC 470-20 on the accounting for the notes is that the equity component is required to be included in the additional paid-in capital section of stockholders’ equity on our consolidated balance sheet and the value of the equity component would

 

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be treated as original issue discount for purposes of accounting for the debt component of the notes. As a result, we will be required to record a greater amount of non-cash interest expense in current periods presented as a result of the amortization of the discounted carrying value of the notes to their face amount over the term of the notes. We will report greater losses in our financial statements because ASC 470-20 will require interest to include both the current period’s amortization of the debt discount and the instrument’s coupon interest, which could adversely affect our reported or future financial results, the market price of our common stock and the trading price of the notes.

In addition, under certain circumstances, convertible debt instruments (such as the notes) that may be settled entirely or partly in cash are currently accounted for utilizing the treasury stock method, the effect of which is that the shares issuable upon conversion of the notes are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share except to the extent that the conversion value of the notes exceeds their principal amount. Under the treasury stock method, for diluted earnings per share purposes, the transaction is accounted for as if the number of our common stock that would be necessary to settle such excess, if we elected to settle such excess in shares, are issued. We cannot be sure that the accounting standards in the future will continue to permit the use of the treasury stock method. If we are unable to use the treasury stock method in accounting for the shares issuable upon conversion of the notes, then our diluted earnings per share would be adversely affected.

Upon conversion of the notes, holders of the notes may receive less valuable consideration than expected because the value of our common stock may decline after holders exercise their conversion right but before we settle our conversion obligation.

Under the notes, a converting holder will be exposed to fluctuations in the value of our common stock during the period from the date such holder surrenders notes for conversion until the date we settle our conversion obligation.

Upon conversion of the notes, we have the option to pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. If we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation in cash or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, the amount of consideration that a holder will receive upon conversion of the notes will be determined by reference to the volume-weighted average price of our common stock for each trading day in a 20-trading day observation period. As described under “Description of notes—Conversion rights—Settlement upon conversion,” this period would be (i) if the relevant conversion date occurs prior to the 25th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, the 20 consecutive trading day period beginning on, and including, the second trading day immediately succeeding such conversion date; and (ii) if the relevant conversion date occurs on or after the 25th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, the 20 consecutive trading day period beginning on, and including, the 22nd scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. Accordingly, if the price of our common stock decreases during this period, the amount and/or value of consideration you receive will be adversely affected. In addition, if the market price of our common stock at the end of such period is below the average volume-weighted average price of our common stock during such period, the value of any shares of common stock that you will receive in satisfaction of our conversion obligation will be less than the value used to determine the number of shares that you will receive.

If we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation solely in shares of our common stock upon conversion of the notes, we will be required to deliver the shares of common stock, together with cash for any fractional share, on the third business day following the relevant conversion date. Accordingly, if the price of our common stock decreases during this period, the value of the shares of common stock that you receive will be adversely affected and would be less than the conversion value of the notes on the conversion date.

 

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The increase in the conversion rate for notes converted in connection with a make-whole fundamental change may not adequately compensate you for any lost value of your notes as a result of such transaction.

If a make-whole fundamental change occurs prior to the maturity date, under certain circumstances, we will increase the conversion rate by a number of additional shares of common stock for notes converted in connection with such make-whole fundamental change. The increase in the conversion rate will be determined based on the date on which the specified corporate transaction becomes effective and the price paid (or deemed to be paid) per share of common stock in such transaction, as described below under “Description of notes—Conversion rights—Increase in conversion rate upon conversion upon a make-whole fundamental change.” The increase in the conversion rate for notes converted in connection with a make-whole fundamental change may not adequately compensate you for any lost value of your notes as a result of such transaction. In addition, if the price of our common stock in the transaction is greater than $50.00 per share of common stock or less than $6.00 per share of common stock (in each case, subject to adjustment), no additional shares of common stock will be added to the conversion rate. Moreover, in no event will the conversion rate per $1,000 principal amount of notes as a result of this adjustment exceed 166.6666 shares of common stock, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the conversion rate as set forth under “Description of notes—Conversion rights—Conversion rate adjustments.”

Our obligation to increase the conversion rate for notes converted in connection with a make-whole fundamental change could be considered a penalty, in which case the enforceability thereof would be subject to general principles of reasonableness and equitable remedies.

Future sales of our common stock in the public market could lower the market price for our common stock and adversely impact the trading price of the notes.

In the future, we may sell additional common stock to raise capital. In addition, a substantial number of shares of our common stock is reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock options and upon conversion of the notes. We cannot predict the size of future issuances or the effect, if any, that they may have on the market price for our common stock. The issuance and sale of substantial amounts of common stock, or the perception that such issuances and sales may occur, could adversely affect the trading price of the notes and the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.

The conversion rate of the notes may not be adjusted for all dilutive events.

The conversion rate of the notes is subject to adjustment for certain events, including, but not limited to, the issuance of certain stock dividends on our common stock, the issuance of certain rights or warrants, subdivisions, combinations, distributions of capital stock, indebtedness, or assets, cash dividends and certain issuer tender or exchange offers as described under “Description of notes—Conversion rights—Conversion rate adjustments.” However, the conversion rate will not be adjusted for other events, such as a third-party tender or exchange offer or an issuance of shares of common stock for cash, that may adversely affect the trading price of the notes or our common stock. An event that adversely affects the value of the notes may occur, and that event may not result in an adjustment to the conversion rate of the notes.

The notes are not protected by restrictive covenants.

The indenture governing the notes does not contain any financial or operating covenants or restrictions on the payments of dividends, the incurrence of indebtedness or the issuance or repurchase of securities by us or any of our subsidiaries. The indenture contains no covenants or other provisions to afford protection to holders of the notes in the event of a fundamental change or other corporate transaction involving us except to the extent

 

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described under “Description of notes—Fundamental change permits holders to require us to repurchase notes,” “Description of notes—Conversion rights—Increase in conversion rate upon conversion upon a make-whole fundamental change” and “Description of notes—Consolidation, merger and sale of assets.”

Some significant restructuring transactions and significant changes in the composition of our board may not constitute a fundamental change, in which case we would not be obligated to offer to repurchase the notes.

Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change, holders of the notes have the right to require us to repurchase the notes. However, the fundamental change provisions will not afford protection to holders of the notes in the event of other transactions that could adversely affect the notes. For example, transactions such as leveraged recapitalizations, refinancings, restructurings, or acquisitions initiated by us may not constitute a fundamental change requiring us to repurchase the notes. In the event of any such transaction, holders would not have the right to require us to repurchase the notes, even though each of these transactions could increase the amount of our indebtedness, or otherwise adversely affect our capital structure or any credit ratings, thereby adversely affecting the holders of the notes.

Any adverse rating of the notes may cause their trading price to fall.

We do not intend to seek a rating on the notes. However, if a rating service were to rate the notes and if such rating service were to lower its rating on the notes below the rating initially assigned to the notes or otherwise announces its intention to put the notes on credit watch, the trading price of the notes could decline.

Holders of the notes may be subject to tax if we make or fail to make certain adjustments to the conversion rate of the notes even though you do not receive a corresponding cash distribution.

The conversion rate of the notes is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, including the payment of cash dividends on our common stock. If the conversion rate is adjusted as a result of a distribution that is taxable to our common shareholders, such as a cash dividend, holders may be deemed to have received a dividend subject to U.S. federal income tax without the receipt of any cash. In addition, a failure to adjust (or to adjust adequately) the conversion rate after an event that increases your proportionate interest in us could be treated as a deemed taxable dividend to you. If a make-whole fundamental change occurs on or prior to the maturity date under some circumstances, we will increase the conversion rate for notes converted in connection with the make-whole fundamental change. Such increase also may be treated as a distribution subject to U.S. federal income tax as a dividend. See “Material U.S. federal income tax considerations.” If you are a non-U.S. holder (as defined in “Material U.S. federal income tax considerations”), any deemed dividend would generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable treaty, which may be set off against subsequent payments on the notes. On April 12, 2016, the Internal Revenue Service proposed regulations addressing the amount and timing of deemed distributions, obligations of withholding agents and filing and notice obligations of issuers, which if adopted could affect the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a holder of notes deemed to receive such a distribution. See “Material U.S. federal income tax considerations.”

The notes will initially be held in book-entry form and, therefore, holders must rely on the procedures and the relevant clearing systems to exercise their rights and remedies.

Unless and until certificated notes are issued in exchange for book-entry interests in the notes, owners of the book-entry interests will not be considered owners or holders of the notes. Instead, DTC, or its nominee, will be the sole holder of the notes. Payments of principal, interest (including any additional interest), amounts due upon conversion, and other amounts owing on or in respect of the notes in global form will be made to the paying agent, which will make the payments to DTC. Thereafter, such payments will be credited to DTC

 

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participants’ accounts that hold book-entry interests in the notes in global form and credited by such participants to indirect participants. Unlike holders of the notes themselves, owners of book-entry interests will not have the direct right to upon our solicitations for consents or requests for waivers or other actions from holders of the notes. Instead, if a holder owns a book-entry interest, such holder will be permitted to act only to the extent such holder has received appropriate proxies to do so from DTC or, if applicable, a participant. We cannot assure holders that to procedures for the granting of such proxies will be sufficient to enable holders to vote on any requests actions on a timely basis.

Risks related to our common stock

The price of our notes and our common stock underlying the notes may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations.

The trading price of our common stock has historically fluctuated significantly. From December 29, 2013 (the beginning of our first fiscal quarter for 2014) to September 8, 2016, our stock has had low and high sales prices in the range of $1.61 to $8.00 per share. The price of our common stock underlying the notes could be subject to wide fluctuations in the future in response to many events or factors, including those discussed in the risk factors above, as well as:

 

•

actual or anticipated fluctuations in operating results;

 

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changes in expectations as to future financial performance or buy/sell recommendations of securities analysts;

 

•

our, or a competitor’s, announcement of new products, services or innovations; and

 

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the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies.

General market conditions and domestic or international macroeconomic factors unrelated to our performance may also affect the price of our notes and underlying common stock. For these reasons, investors should not rely on recent trends to predict future prices of our notes and underlying common stock or financial results.

This offering is not conditioned on the consummation of any other financing, and we may invest or spend the net proceeds of this offering in ways with which you may not agree.

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering, together with the proceeds from the Common Stock Offering, to repay up to $226 million of our borrowings under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and to purchase up to $1,260 million aggregate total consideration of our outstanding Senior Notes (assuming no proceeds are used for the repayment of the borrowings under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement). We have the option, but not the obligation, to call any and all of the untendered 7.75% Senior Notes due 2020 after the completion of the Tender Offer with any remaining net proceeds. Any remaining net proceeds will be used for capital expenditures, working capital and other general corporate purposes, as described under “Use of Proceeds.” We cannot assure you which Senior Note holders will tender their notes.

However, neither the completion of this offering nor of the Common Stock Offering is contingent on the completion of the other, so it is possible that this offering occurs and the Common Stock Offering does not occur, and vice versa. If the Common Stock Offering is not completed, the proceeds of this offering will be used to repay borrowings under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and to repurchase up to $454 million aggregate total consideration of our Senior Notes. See “Use of Proceeds.” You may not agree with the ways we decide to use these proceeds. We have the option, but not the obligation, to call any and all of the untendered 7.75% Senior Notes due 2020 after the completion of the Tender Offer with any remaining net proceeds.

 

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Our issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect holders of common stock.

Our board of directors is authorized to issue series of preferred stock without any action on the part of our holders of common stock. Our board of directors also has the power, without stockholder approval, to set the terms of any such series of preferred stock that may be issued, including voting rights, dividend rights, preferences over our common stock with respect to dividends or if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our business and other terms. If we issue preferred stock in the future that has preference over our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or if we issue preferred stock with voting rights that dilute the voting power of our common stock, the rights of holders of our common stock or the price of our common stock could be adversely affected.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law may make an acquisition of us more difficult.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law may make an acquisition of us more difficult. These provisions:

 

•

authorize our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval and to designate the rights, preferences and privileges of each class; if issued, such preferred stock would increase the number of outstanding shares of our capital stock and could include terms that may deter an acquisition of us;

 

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establish advanced notice requirements for nominations to the board of directors or for proposals that can be acted on at stockholder meetings; and

 

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limit who may call stockholder meetings.

In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which may prohibit large stockholders from consummating a merger with, or acquisition of, us.

These provisions may deter an acquisition of us that might otherwise be attractive to stockholders.

We have no present intention of paying dividends on our common stock.

We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock and have no present plans to do so. In addition, under the terms of the agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness, including the indentures governing our Senior Notes and the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, we are limited in our ability to pay cash dividends unless we obtain the written consent of the applicable lenders and bondholders.

 

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Use of proceeds

We estimate that our net proceeds from the sale of the notes in this offering will be approximately $680.0 million, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

If the underwriters exercise their option pursuant to this offering to purchase up to an additional $105 million principal amount of notes, we estimate that our net proceeds will be approximately $782.1 million after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

We anticipate that we will use the net proceeds of this offering, together with the net proceeds from the Common Stock Offering, which we anticipate will be approximately $580.5 million, to repay up to $226 million of our borrowings under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the Secured Revolving Line of Credit thereunder matures on April 14, 2020, and at June 25, 2016 and December 27, 2015, has an outstanding loan balance of $226 million and $230 million at an interest rate of 4.25% and 4.00%, respectively) and to purchase up to $1,260 million aggregate total consideration of our Senior Notes (assuming no proceeds are used for the repayment of the borrowings under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement). We cannot assure you which Senior Notes will tender their notes. We have the option, but not the obligation, to call any and all of the untendered 7.75% Senior Notes due 2020 after the completion of the Tender Offer with any remaining net proceeds. Any remaining net proceeds will be used for capital expenditures, working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Neither the completion of this offering nor of the Common Stock Offering is contingent on the completion of the other, so it is possible that this offering occurs and the anticipated Common Stock Offering does not occur, and vice versa. If the Common Stock Offering is not completed, we anticipate the proceeds of this offering will be used to repay borrowings under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and to purchase up to $454 million aggregate total consideration of our Senior Notes. We have the option, but not the obligation, to call any and all of the untendered 7.75% Senior Notes due 2020 after the completion of the Tender Offer with any remaining net proceeds. Any remaining net proceeds will be used for capital expenditures, working capital and other general corporate purposes.

 

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Capitalization

The following table sets forth our consolidated cash and cash equivalents and our consolidated capitalization as of June 25, 2016 on:

 

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an actual basis; and

 

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on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to (i) the offering of the notes (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), (ii) the consummation of the Common Stock Offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option) and (iii) the application of the net proceeds of this offering and the net proceeds of the Common Stock Offering, as described in “Use of Proceeds.”

The information in this table is illustrative only and our capitalization following the completion of this offering will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. You should read this table in conjunction with the entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

		As of June 25, 2016
(In millions, except per share amounts)		Actual				Pro forma as adjusted for this offering and the concurrent common stock offering
		(unaudited)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	957			$	957
Short-term debt		$	226			$	—	(1)
Long-term debt:
Existing Senior Notes(2)			2,002				1,032	(3)
2.125% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 offered hereby(4)			—				700	(4)
Unamortized financing costs on the notes offered hereby(5)			—				(20	)
Total long-term debt			2,002				1,712
Total debt(6)		$	2,228			$	1,712
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 1,500 shares authorized, 810 shares issued and 795 shares outstanding, actual; 895 shares outstanding, as adjusted(7)			8				9
Additional paid-in capital(5)			7,053				7,633
Treasury stock, at cost (14 shares)			(125	)			(125	)
Accumulated deficit(8)			(7,346	)			(7,410	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(3	)			(3	)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)			(413	)			103
Total capitalization		$	1,815			$	1,815

(1)

Reflects the full repayment of $226 million of our borrowings under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement. We may choose to use $226 million of the net proceeds of this offering, together with the net proceeds of the Common Stock Offering, to repay such borrowings under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement or instead use such amount to repurchase additional Senior Notes, as described in footnote (3) below.

 

(2)

Reflects adoption of FASB ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs beginning in the first quarter of 2016.

 

(3)

Reflects an assumed repayment of $226 million of our borrowings under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and our offer to purchase up to $1,035 million maximum aggregate total consideration of our existing Senior Notes pursuant to the concurrent tender offers described in “Prospectus Supplement Summary—Purchase of Senior Notes.” The notes will be prioritized in the following order, to the extent holders validly tender their notes: 6.75% Senior Notes due 2019, 7.75% Senior Notes due 2020, 7.50% Senior Notes due 2022 and 7.00% Senior Notes due

 

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2024. We cannot assure you which Senior Note holders will tender their notes. We have the option, but not the obligation, to call any and all of the untendered 7.75% Senior Notes due 2020 after the completion of the Tender Offer with any remaining net proceeds.

 

(4)

In accordance with ASC 470-20, convertible debt that may be wholly or partially settled in cash is required to be separated into a liability and an equity component, such that interest expense reflects the issuer’s non-convertible debt interest rate. Upon issuance, a debt discount is recognized as a decrease in debt and an increase in equity. The debt component will accrete up to the principal amount ($700 million for the notes offered hereby assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) over the expected term of the debt. ASC 470-20 does not affect the actual amount that we are required to repay, and the amount shown in the table above for the notes is the aggregate total consideration of the notes and does not reflect the debt discount that we will be required to recognize in our consolidated balance sheet.

 

(5)

In accounting for the unamortized financing costs related to the Convertible Notes, we are required to allocate the total amount of unamortized financing costs incurred to a liability and an equity component in accordance with ASC 470-20. The amount shown in the table above for the unamortized financing costs is not reflective of the portion that we will be required to recognize in the equity portion in our consolidated balance sheets.

 

(6)

Total debt reflects net book value of short-term and long-term debt.

 

(7)

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering set forth above excludes:

 

•

22.4 million shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of June 25, 2016 at a weighted-average exercise price of $4.14 per share;

 

•

51.5 million shares of our common stock issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units outstanding as of June 25, 2016;

 

•

55.0 million shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our equity incentive plans as of June 25, 2016;

 

•

75.0 million shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants as of August 30, 2016, with an exercise price of $5.98 per share (50 million of which cannot be exercised before August 30, 2017; and

 

•

The shares of our common stock reserved for issuance upon conversion of the notes offered hereby.

 

(8)

Increase to accumulated deficit primarily due to anticipated premiums in connection with the Tender Offer.

 

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Price range of common stock

Our common stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “AMD”. Prior to January 2, 2015, our common stock was traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported on NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange:

 

		High				Low
Fiscal Year 2014 Quarters Ended:
March 29, 2014		$	4.60			$	3.29
June 28, 2014		$	4.50			$	3.65
September 27, 2014		$	4.80			$	3.60
December 27, 2014		$	3.66			$	2.35
Fiscal Year 2015 Quarters Ended:
March 28, 2015		$	3.37			$	2.14
June 27, 2015		$	2.94			$	2.20
September 26, 2015		$	2.63			$	1.61
December 26, 2015		$	3.00			$	1.65
Fiscal Year 2016 Quarters Ended:
March 26, 2016		$	3.06			$	1.75
June 25, 2016		$	5.52			$	2.60
Third Quarter (through September 8, 2016)		$	8.00			$	4.65

On September 8, 2016, the reported last sale price of our common stock on NASDAQ was $6.22. On September 1, 2016, there were approximately 6,244 holders of record of our common stock.

 

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Dividend policy

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. Additionally, the indentures governing our Senior Notes and the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement limit our ability to, among other things, pay dividends on our common stock. We currently do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to declare cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to applicable laws and compliance with any outstanding or future credit agreements and other loan arrangements, which may restrict or limit our ability to pay dividends, and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

 

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Description of notes

We will issue the notes under a base indenture to be dated as of the date of the initial issuance of the notes between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture with respect to the notes. In this section, we refer to the base indenture (the “base indenture”), as supplemented by the supplemental indenture (the “supplemental indenture”), collectively as the “indenture.” This description of the notes supplements and, to the extent it is inconsistent, replaces the description of the general provisions of the notes and the base indenture in the accompanying prospectus. The terms of the notes include those expressly set forth in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

You may request a copy of the indenture from us as described under “Where you can find more information.”

The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the notes and the indenture and does not purport to be complete. This summary is subject to and is qualified by reference to all the provisions of the notes and the indenture, including the definitions of certain terms used in the indenture. We urge you to read these documents because they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of the notes.

For purposes of this description, references to “we,” “our” and “us” refer only to Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. and not to its subsidiaries.

General

The notes will:

 

•

be our general senior unsecured obligations;

 

•

initially be limited to an aggregate principal amount of $700,000,000 (or $805,000,000 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full);

 

•

bear cash interest from September 14, 2016 at an annual rate of 2.125% payable on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2017;

 

•

not be redeemable prior to maturity;

 

•

be subject to repurchase by us at the option of the holders following a fundamental change (as defined below under “—Fundamental change permits holders to require us to repurchase notes”), at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date;

 

•

mature on September 1, 2026, unless earlier converted or repurchased;

 

•

be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 and multiples of $1,000; and

 

•

be represented by one or more registered notes in global form, but in certain limited circumstances may be represented by notes in definitive form. See “Book-entry, settlement and clearance.”

Subject to satisfaction of certain conditions and during the periods described below, the notes may be converted at an initial conversion rate of 125.0031 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $8.00 per share of common stock). The conversion rate is subject to adjustment if certain events occur.

 

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We will settle conversions of notes by paying or delivering, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, as described under “—Conversion rights—Settlement upon conversion.” You will not receive any separate cash payment for interest, if any, accrued and unpaid to the conversion date except under the limited circumstances described below.

The indenture will not limit the amount of debt that may be issued by us or our subsidiaries under the indenture or otherwise. The indenture will not contain any financial covenants and will not restrict us from paying dividends or issuing or repurchasing our other securities. Other than restrictions described under “—Fundamental change permits holders to require us to repurchase notes” and “—Consolidation, merger and sale of assets” below and except for the provisions set forth under “—Conversion rights—Increase in conversion rate upon conversion upon a make-whole fundamental change,” the indenture will not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving us or in the event of a decline in our credit rating as the result of a takeover, recapitalization, highly leveraged transaction or similar restructuring involving us that could adversely affect such holders.

We may, without the consent of the holders, reopen the indenture for the notes and issue additional notes under the indenture with the same terms as the notes offered hereby (other than differences in the issue date, the issue price, interest accrued prior to the issue date of such additional notes and, if applicable, restrictions on transfer in respect of such additional notes) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if any such additional notes are not fungible with the notes initially offered hereby for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional notes will have one or more separate CUSIP numbers.

We do not intend to list the notes on any securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system.

Except to the extent the context otherwise requires, we use the term “notes” in this prospectus supplement to refer to each $1,000 principal amount of notes. We use the term “common stock” in this prospectus supplement to refer to shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share. References in this prospectus supplement to a “holder” or “holders” of notes that are held through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) are references to owners of beneficial interests in such notes, unless the context otherwise requires. However, we and the trustee will treat the person in whose name the notes are registered (Cede & Co., in the case of notes held through DTC) as the owner of such notes for all purposes. References herein to the “close of business” refer to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, and to the “open of business” refer to 9:00 a.m., New York City time.

Purchase and cancellation

We will cause all notes surrendered for payment, repurchase (including as described below), registration of transfer or exchange or conversion, if surrendered to any person other than the trustee (including any of our agents, subsidiaries or affiliates), to be delivered to the trustee for cancellation. All notes delivered to the trustee shall be cancelled promptly by the trustee. No notes shall be authenticated in exchange for any notes cancelled as provided in the indenture.

We may, to the extent permitted by law, and directly or indirectly (regardless of whether such notes are surrendered to us), repurchase notes in the open market or otherwise, whether by us or our subsidiaries or through a private or public tender or exchange offer or through counterparties pursuant to private agreements, including by cash-settled swaps or other derivatives. We will cause any notes so repurchased (other than notes repurchased pursuant to cash-settled swaps or other derivatives) to be surrendered to the trustee for cancellation, and they will no longer be considered “outstanding” under the indenture upon their repurchase.

 

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Payments on the notes; paying agent and registrar; transfer and exchange

The provisions described in the first paragraph under “Description of Debt Securities—Payment and Paying Agent” in the accompanying prospectus will not apply to the notes. Instead, the provisions described in this “—Payments on the notes; paying agent and registrar; transfer and exchange” section will apply to the notes. We will pay or cause the paying agent to pay the principal of, and interest on, notes in global form registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such global note.

We will pay or cause the paying agent to pay the principal of any certificated notes upon presentation at the office or agency designated by us for that purpose. We have initially designated the trustee as our paying agent and registrar and its corporate trust office as a place where notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer. We may, however, change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the notes, and we may act as paying agent or registrar. Interest on any certificated notes will be payable (i) to holders having an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or less, by check mailed to the holders of these notes and (ii) to holders having an aggregate principal amount of more than $5,000,000, either by check mailed to each holder or, upon application by such a holder to the registrar not later than the relevant regular record date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that holder’s account within the United States, which application shall remain in effect until the holder notifies, in writing, the registrar to the contrary.

A holder of notes may transfer or exchange notes at the office of the registrar in accordance with the indenture. Certificated notes must be surrendered to the Trustee prior to any transfer or exchange. We, the registrar and the trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents. No service charge will be imposed by us, the trustee or the registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but we may require a holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge required by law or permitted by the indenture. We are not required to transfer or exchange any note surrendered for conversion or required repurchase.

The registered holder of a note will be treated as its owner for all purposes under the indenture.

Interest

The notes will bear cash interest at a rate of 2.125% per year until maturity. Interest on the notes will accrue from September 14, 2016 or from the most recent date on which interest has been paid or duly provided for. Interest will be payable semiannually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2017.

Interest will be paid to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on February 15 or August 15, as the case may be, immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date (each, a “regular record date”). Interest on the notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and, for partial months, on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month.

If any interest payment date, the maturity date or any earlier required repurchase date upon a fundamental change of a note falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment will be made on the next succeeding business day and no interest on such payment will accrue in respect of the delay. The term “business day” means, with respect to any note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed. However, solely for purposes of the first sentence of this paragraph, a day on which the applicable place of payment is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed will be deemed not to be a “business day.”

 

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Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to interest in this prospectus supplement include additional interest, if any, payable at our election as the sole remedy relating to the failure to comply with our reporting obligations as described under “—Events of default.”

Ranking

The notes will be our general senior unsecured obligations and will rank:

 

•

senior in right of payment to any of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes;

 

•

equal in right of payment to all of our unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated;

 

•

effectively junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and

 

•

structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries.

A significant portion of our operations are conducted through subsidiaries. The notes will not be guaranteed by any of our existing or future subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due with respect to the notes or to make any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans or other payments. The notes will effectively rank junior in right of payment to all existing and future debt and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries. Our right to receive any assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, and, therefore, the right of the holders of the notes to participate in those assets, will be subject to prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, including trade creditors, and such subsidiary may not have sufficient assets remaining to make any payments to us as a shareholder or otherwise. We advise you that there may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all the notes then outstanding.

As of June 25, 2016, our total consolidated indebtedness was $2,238 million, all of which was senior indebtedness and $226 million of which was secured indebtedness, and our subsidiaries had no indebtedness outstanding to which the notes would have been structurally subordinated. After giving effect to the issuance of the notes and the common stock in the concurrent Common Stock Offering (assuming, in each case, no exercise of the underwriters’ option) and the application of the use of proceeds therefrom to repay amounts borrowed under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and the anticipated repurchase of our Senior Notes in the Tender Offer for the total consideration contemplated thereby, our consolidated indebtedness would have been $1,712 million.

The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends and make other payments to us is restricted by, among other things, applicable corporate and other laws and regulations as well as agreements to which our subsidiaries may become a party. We may not be able to pay the cash portions of any settlement amount upon conversion of the notes, or to pay cash for the fundamental change repurchase price if a holder requires us to repurchase notes upon a fundamental change as described below. See “Risk factors—Risks related to the notes—We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversions of the notes or to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change, and our future debt may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion or repurchase of the notes.”

No redemption

We may not redeem the notes prior to the maturity date, and no “sinking fund” is provided for the notes, which means that we are not required to redeem or retire the notes periodically.

 

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Conversion rights

General

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding June 1, 2026, the notes will be convertible only upon satisfaction of one or more of the conditions described under the headings “—Conversion upon satisfaction of sale price condition,” “—Conversion upon satisfaction of trading price condition,” and “—Conversion upon specified corporate events.” On or after June 1, 2026 until the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert all or any portion of their notes at the conversion rate at any time irrespective of the foregoing conditions.

The conversion rate will initially be 125.0031 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $8.00 per share of common stock). Upon conversion of a note, we will satisfy our conversion obligation by paying or delivering, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, all as set forth below under “—Settlement upon conversion.” If we satisfy our conversion obligation solely in cash or through payment and delivery, as the case may be, of a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, the amount of cash and number of shares of our common stock, if any, due upon conversion will be based on a daily conversion value (as defined below) calculated on a proportionate basis for each trading day in a 20 trading day observation period (as defined below under “—Settlement upon conversion”). The trustee will initially act as the conversion agent.

A holder may convert fewer than all of such holder’s notes so long as the notes converted are a multiple of $1,000 principal amount.

Upon conversion, you will not receive any separate cash payment for accrued and unpaid interest, if any, except as described in the second succeeding paragraph below, and we will not adjust the conversion rate to adjust for any accrued and unpaid interest on the notes. We will not issue fractional shares of our common stock upon conversion of notes. Instead, we will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share as described under “—Settlement upon conversion.” Our payment of cash, delivery of shares of common stock or a combination thereof, in the manner set forth herein, into which a note is convertible will be deemed to satisfy in full our obligation to pay:

 

•

the principal amount of the note; and

•

accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the relevant conversion date.

As a result, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the relevant conversion date will be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. Upon a conversion of notes into a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, accrued and unpaid interest will be deemed to be paid first out of the cash paid upon such conversion.

 

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Notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, if notes are converted after the close of business on a regular record date for the payment of interest, holders of such notes at the close of business on such regular record date will receive the full amount of interest payable on such notes on the corresponding interest payment date notwithstanding the conversion. Notes surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any regular record date to the open of business on the immediately following interest payment date must be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of interest payable on the notes so converted; provided that no such payment need be made:

 

•

for conversions after the close of business on the regular record date immediately preceding the maturity date;

 

•

if we have specified a fundamental change repurchase date that is after a regular record date and on or prior to the business day immediately following the corresponding interest payment date; or

 

•

to the extent of any overdue interest, if any overdue interest exists at the time of conversion with respect to such note.

Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, all record holders of notes at the close of business on the regular record date immediately preceding the maturity date will receive the full interest payment due on the maturity date regardless of whether their notes have been converted following such regular record date.

If a holder converts notes, we will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on any issuance of any shares of our common stock upon the conversion, unless the tax is due because the holder requests such shares to be issued in a name other than the holder’s name, in which case the holder will pay that tax.

Holders may surrender their notes for conversion to the conversion agent under the following circumstances:

Conversion upon satisfaction of sale price condition

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding June 1, 2026, a holder may surrender all or any portion of its notes for conversion at any time during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on September 30, 2016 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day, as determined by us.

The “last reported sale price” of our common stock on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock is traded. If our common stock is not listed for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on the relevant date, the “last reported sale price” will be the last quoted bid price per share for our common stock in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If our common stock is not so quoted, the “last reported sale price” will be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and last ask prices per share for our common stock on the relevant date from a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm selected by us for this purpose.

 

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Except for purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion, “trading day” means a day on which (i) trading in our common stock (or other security for which a closing sale price must be determined) generally occurs on the NASDAQ Capital Market or, if our common stock (or such other security) is not then listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock (or such other security) is then listed or, if our common stock (or such other security) is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our common stock (or such other security) is then traded, and (ii) a last reported sale price for our common stock (or closing sale price for such other security) is available on such securities exchange or market. If our common stock (or such other security) is not so listed or traded, “trading day” means a “business day.”

Conversion upon satisfaction of trading price condition

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding June 1, 2026, a holder of notes may surrender all or any portion of its notes for conversion at any time during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the “trading price” per $1,000 principal amount of notes, as determined following a request by a holder of notes in accordance with the procedures described below, for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate for the notes on each such trading day.

The “trading price” of the notes on any date of determination means the average of the secondary market bid quotations obtained by the bid solicitation agent for $5,000,000 principal amount of notes at approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such determination date from three independent nationally recognized securities dealers we select for this purpose; provided that if three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained by the bid solicitation agent but two such bids are obtained, then the average of the two bids shall be used, and if only one such bid can reasonably be obtained by the bid solicitation agent, then that one bid shall be used. If the bid solicitation agent cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for $5,000,000 principal amount of notes from a nationally recognized securities dealer, then the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes will be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate for the notes. If (x) we are not acting as bid solicitation agent, and we do not, when we are required to, instruct the bid solicitation agent to obtain bids, or if we give such instruction to the bid solicitation agent, and the bid solicitation agent fails to carry out such instruction, or (y) we are acting as bid solicitation agent and we fail to make such determination, then, in either case, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes will be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate for the notes on each trading day of such failure.

The bid solicitation agent (if other than us) shall have no obligation to determine in the manner above the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes unless we have requested such determination (or, if we are acting as bid solicitation agent, we shall have no obligation to determine the trading price); and we shall have no obligation to make such request unless a holder of at least $5,000,000 aggregate principal amount of notes provides us with reasonable evidence that the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes would be less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate and such holder requests that we request that the bid solicitation agent determine or, if we are acting as bid solicitation agent, requests that we determine, the trading price of the notes. At such time, we shall instruct the bid solicitation agent (if other than us) to determine or, if we are acting as bid solicitation agent, we shall determine, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes beginning on the next trading day and on each successive trading day until the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate for the notes. If the trading price condition has been met, we will so notify the holders, the trustee and the conversion

 

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agent (if other than the trustee) in accordance with the provisions of the indenture. If, at any time after the trading price condition has been met, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate for such date, we will so notify the holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee), in accordance with the provisions of the indenture, that the trading price condition is no longer applicable.

We will initially act as the bid solicitation agent.

Conversion upon specified corporate events

Certain distributions

If, prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding June 1, 2026, we elect to:

 

•

issue to all or substantially all holders of our common stock any rights, options or warrants (other than pursuant to a stockholders rights plan in connection with the initial adoption by us, so long as such rights have not separated from the shares of common stock) entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase our common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale price of our common stock for the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance; or

 

•

distribute to all or substantially all holders of our common stock our assets, securities or rights to purchase our securities, which distribution has a per share value, as reasonably determined by our board of directors or a committee thereof, exceeding 10% of the last reported sale price of our common stock on the trading day preceding the date of announcement for such distribution,

then, in either case, we must notify the trustee and holders of the notes at least 25 scheduled trading days prior to the ex-dividend date for such issuance or distribution. Once we have given such notice, holders may surrender all or any portion of their notes for conversion at any time until the earlier of the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such issuance or distribution and our announcement that such issuance or distribution will not take place, even if the notes are not otherwise convertible at such time. Holders of the notes may not exercise this right if they participate (other than in the case of a share split or share combination), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of our common stock and solely as a result of holding the notes, in any of the transactions described above without having to convert their notes as if they held a number of shares of common stock equal to the applicable conversion rate multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of notes held by such holder.

Certain corporate events

If a transaction or event that constitutes a “fundamental change” (as defined under “—Fundamental change permits holders to require us to repurchase notes”) or a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined under “—Increase in conversion rate upon conversion upon a make-whole fundamental change”) occurs, regardless of whether a holder has the right to require us to repurchase the notes as described under “—Fundamental change permits holders to require us to repurchase notes,” or if we are a party to a consolidation, merger, binding share exchange, or transfer or lease of all or substantially all of our assets (other than a merger effected solely to change our jurisdiction of incorporation that does not otherwise constitute a fundamental change or a make-whole fundamental change), in each case, that occurs prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding June 1, 2026 and pursuant to which our common stock would be converted into cash, securities or other assets, all or any portion of a holder’s notes may be surrendered for conversion at any time

 

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from or after the effective date of the transaction until 35 trading days after such effective date or, if such transaction also constitutes a fundamental change, until the related fundamental change repurchase date. We will notify holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee) no later than the effective date of such transaction.

Conversions on or after June 1, 2026

On or after June 1, 2026, a holder may convert all or any portion of its notes at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date regardless of the foregoing conditions.

Conversion procedures

If you hold a beneficial interest in a global note, to convert you must comply with DTC’s procedures for converting a beneficial interest in a global note and, if required, pay funds equal to the interest payable on the next interest payment date to which you are not entitled. As such, if you are a beneficial owner of the notes, you must allow for sufficient time to comply with DTC’s procedures if you wish to exercise your conversion rights.

If you hold a certificated note, to convert you must:

 

•

complete and manually sign the conversion notice on the back of the note, or a facsimile of the conversion notice;

 

•

deliver the conversion notice, which is irrevocable, and the note to the conversion agent;

 

•

if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents; and

 

•

if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next interest payment date to which you are not entitled.

We will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax on the issuance of any shares of common stock upon conversion of the notes, unless the tax is due because the holder requests such shares to be issued in a name other than the holder’s name, in which case the holder will pay the tax.

We refer to the date you comply with the relevant procedures for conversion described above as the “conversion date.”

If a holder has already delivered a repurchase notice as described under “—Fundamental change permits holders to require us to repurchase notes” with respect to a note, the holder may not surrender that note for conversion until the holder has withdrawn the repurchase notice in accordance with the relevant provisions of the indenture. If a holder submits its notes for required repurchase, the holder’s right to withdraw the fundamental change repurchase notice and convert the notes that are subject to repurchase will terminate at the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the relevant fundamental change repurchase date.

Settlement upon conversion

Upon conversion, we may choose to pay or deliver, as the case may be, either cash (“cash settlement”), shares of our common stock (“physical settlement”) or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock (“combination settlement”), as described below. We refer to each of these settlement methods as a “settlement method.”

 

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All conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs on or after June 1, 2026 will be settled using the same settlement method. Except for any conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs on or after June 1, 2026, we will use the same settlement method for all conversions with the same conversion date, but we will not have any obligation to use the same settlement method with respect to conversions with different conversion dates. That is, we may choose for notes converted on one conversion date to settle conversions using one settlement method (e.g., physical settlement), and choose for notes converted on another conversion date to use a different settlement method (e.g., cash settlement or combination settlement).

If we elect a settlement method, we will inform holders so converting through the conversion agent of the settlement method we have selected no later than the close of business on the second trading day immediately following the related conversion date (or in the case of any conversions for which the relevant conversion date occurs on or after June 1, 2026, no later than June 1, 2026). If we do not timely elect a settlement method, we will no longer have the right to elect cash settlement or physical settlement with respect to any conversion on such conversion date or during such period, and we will be deemed to have elected combination settlement in respect of our conversion obligation, as described below, and the specified dollar amount (as defined below) per $1,000 principal amount of notes will be equal to $1,000. If we elect combination settlement, but we do not timely notify converting holders of the specified dollar amount per $1,000 principal amount of notes to be converted, such specified dollar amount will be deemed to be $1,000. It is our current intent and policy to settle conversions through combination settlement with a specified dollar amount per $1,000 principal amount of notes of $1,000.

Settlement amounts will be computed as follows:

 

•

if we elect physical settlement, we will deliver to the converting holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of notes being converted a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate;

 

•

if we elect cash settlement, we will pay to the converting holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of notes being converted cash in an amount equal to the sum of the daily conversion values for each of the 20 consecutive trading days during the relevant observation period; and

 

•

if we elect (or are deemed to have elected) combination settlement, we will pay or deliver, as the case may be, to the converting holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of notes being converted a “settlement amount” equal to the sum of the daily settlement amounts for each of the 20 consecutive trading days during the relevant observation period.

The “daily settlement amount,” for each of the 20 consecutive trading days during the relevant observation period, shall consist of:

 

•

cash equal to the lesser of (i) the maximum cash amount per $1,000 principal amount of notes to be received upon conversion as specified in the notice specifying our chosen (or deemed) settlement method (the “specified dollar amount”), if any, divided by 20 (such quotient, the “daily measurement value”) and (ii) the daily conversion value; and

 

•

if the daily conversion value exceeds the daily measurement value, a number of shares of common stock equal to (i) the difference between the daily conversion value and the daily measurement value, divided by (ii) the daily VWAP for such trading day.

The “daily conversion value” means, for each of the 20 consecutive trading days during the relevant observation period, 1/20th of the product of (1) the conversion rate on such trading day and (2) the daily VWAP for such trading day.

 

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The “daily VWAP” means, for each of the 20 consecutive trading days during the relevant observation period, the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page “AMD <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such trading day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of our common stock on such trading day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by us). The “daily VWAP” will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.

The “observation period” with respect to any note surrendered for conversion means:

 

•

if the relevant conversion date occurs prior to the 25th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, the 20 consecutive trading day period beginning on, and including, the second trading day immediately succeeding such conversion date; and

 

•

if the relevant conversion date occurs on or after the 25th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, the 20 consecutive trading days beginning on, and including, the 22nd scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date.

For the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion only, “trading day” means a day on which (i) there is no “market disruption event” (as defined below) and (ii) trading in our common stock generally occurs on the NASDAQ Capital Market or, if our common stock is not then listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our common stock is then listed or, if our common stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our common stock is then listed or admitted for trading. If our common stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “trading day” means a “business day.”

“Scheduled trading day” means a day that is scheduled to be a trading day on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which our common stock is listed or admitted for trading. If our common stock is not so listed or admitted for trading, “scheduled trading day” means a “business day.”

For the purposes of determining amounts due upon conversion, “market disruption event” means (i) a failure by the primary U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which our common stock is listed or admitted for trading to open for trading during its regular trading session or (ii) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any scheduled trading day for our common stock for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in our common stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to our common stock.

Except as described under “—Increase in conversion rate upon conversion upon a make-whole fundamental change” and “—Recapitalizations, reclassifications and changes of our common stock,” we will deliver the consideration due in respect of conversion on the third business day immediately following the relevant conversion date, if we elect physical settlement, or on the third business day immediately following the last trading day of the relevant observation period, in the case of any other settlement method.

We will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share of common stock issuable upon conversion based on the daily VWAP for the relevant conversion date (or, if such conversion date is not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) (in the case of physical settlement), or based on the daily VWAP for the last trading day of the relevant observation period (in the case of combination settlement).

 

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Each conversion will be deemed to have been effected as to any notes surrendered for conversion on the conversion date; provided, however, that the person in whose name any shares of common stock shall be issuable upon such conversion will become the holder of record of such shares of common stock as of the close of business on the relevant conversion date (in the case of physical settlement) or the last trading day of the relevant observation period (in the case of combination settlement).

Conversion rate adjustments

The conversion rate will be adjusted as described below, except that we will not make any adjustments to the conversion rate if holders of the notes participate (other than in the case of (x) a share split or share combination or (y) a tender or exchange offer), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of our common stock and solely as a result of holding the notes, in any of the transactions described below without having to convert their notes as if they held a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate, multiplied by the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of notes held by such holder.

 

(1)

If we exclusively issue shares of our common stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of our common stock, or if we effect a share split or share combination, the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

CR1 =

CR0

×

OS1

OS0

where,

 

CR0		=		the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date of such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the effective date of such share split or share combination, as applicable;
CR1		=		the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date or effective date, as applicable;
OS		=		the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such ex-dividend date or effective date, as applicable; and
OS1		=		the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination, as applicable.

Any adjustment made under this clause (1) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the effective date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this clause (1) is declared but not so paid or made, the conversion rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date our board of directors or a committee thereof determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

 

(2)

If we issue to all or substantially all holders of our common stock any rights, options or warrants (other than pursuant to a stockholders rights plan, so long as such rights have not separated from the shares of common stock) entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement

 

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date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of our common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock for the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

CR1 =

CR0

×

OS0 +  X

OS0 + Y

where,

 

CR0		=		the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such issuance;
CR1		=		the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date;
OS0		=		the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such ex-dividend date;
X		=		the total number of shares of our common stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and
Y		=		the number of shares of our common stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, divided by the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of the issuance of such rights, options or warrants.

Any increase made under this clause (2) will be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such issuance. To the extent that shares of common stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the conversion rate shall be decreased to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of common stock actually delivered. If no such rights, options or warrants are issued, or if no such rights, options or warrants are exercised prior to their expiration, the conversion rate shall be decreased to the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such ex-dividend date for such issuance had not occurred.

For the purpose of this clause (2), and for the purpose of the first bullet point under “—Conversion upon specified corporate events—Certain distributions,” in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders of our common stock to subscribe for or purchase shares of our common stock at less than such average of the last reported sale prices for the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such common stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by us for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by us in good faith.

 

(3)

If we distribute shares of our capital stock, evidences of our indebtedness, other assets or property of ours or rights, options or warrants to acquire our capital stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, excluding:

 

•

dividends, distributions or issuances as to which an adjustment was effected (or will be so effected, in accordance with the 1% provision (as defined below)) pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above;

 

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•

rights issued under a stockholders rights plan (except as set forth below);

 

•

dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash as to which the provisions set forth in clause (4) below apply (or shall apply, in accordance with the 1% provision);

 

•

distributions of reference property issued in exchange for our common stock as described in “—Recapitalizations, reclassifications and changes of our common stock;” and

 

•

spin-offs as to which the provisions set forth below in this clause (3) apply (or shall apply, in accordance with the 1% provision);

then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

CR1 =				CR0		×		SP0
								SP0 — FMV

where,

 

CR0		=		the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution;
CR1		=		the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution;
SP0		=		the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such distribution; and
FMV		=		the fair market value (as determined by us in good faith) of the shares of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, other assets or property of ours or rights, options or warrants to acquire our capital stock or other securities distributed with respect to each outstanding share of our common stock on the ex-dividend date for such distribution.

Any increase made under the portion of this clause (3) above will become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution. If such distribution is not so paid or made, the conversion rate shall be decreased to be the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “FMV” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP₀” (as defined above), then, in lieu of the foregoing increase, each holder of a note shall receive, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of notes it holds, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of our common stock, the amount and kind of our capital stock, evidences of our indebtedness, other assets or property of ours or rights, options or warrants to acquire our capital stock or other securities that such holder would have received if such holder owned a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate in effect on the ex-dividend date for the distribution.

With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this clause (3) where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on our common stock of shares of capital stock of any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating to any of our subsidiaries or other business units, that are, or, when issued, will be, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange, which we refer to as a “spin-off,” the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

CR1 =				CR0		×		FMV0  + MP0
								MP0

where,

 

CR0		=		the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the end of the valuation period (as defined below);

 

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CR1		=		the conversion rate in effect immediately after the end of the valuation period;
FMV0		=		the average of the last reported sale prices of the capital stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of our common stock applicable to one share of our common stock (determined by reference to the definition of last reported sale price set forth under “—Conversion upon satisfaction of sale price condition” as if references therein to our common stock were to such capital stock or similar equity interest) over the first 10 consecutive trading day period after, and including, the ex-dividend date of the spin-off (the “valuation period”); and
MP0		=		the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the valuation period.

The increase to the conversion rate under the preceding paragraph will occur on the last trading day of the valuation period; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of notes for which physical settlement is applicable, if the relevant conversion date occurs during the valuation period, the reference to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed between the ex-dividend date for such spin-off and such conversion date in determining the conversion rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of notes for which cash settlement or combination settlement is applicable, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, for any trading day that falls within the relevant observation period for such conversion and within the valuation period, the reference to “10” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed between the ex-dividend date for such spin-off and such trading day in determining the conversion rate as of such trading day. In addition, if the ex-dividend date for such spin-off is after the 10th trading day immediately preceding, and including, the end of any observation period in respect of a conversion of notes, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph and this paragraph shall be deemed to be replaced, solely in respect of that conversion, with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the ex-dividend date for such spin-off to, and including, the last trading day of such observation period. If the distribution constituting the spin-off is not so paid or made, the conversion rate shall be decreased to the conversation rate that would be in effect if such distribution had not been declared.

 

(4)

If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, excluding any consideration payable in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer made by us or any of our subsidiaries, the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

CR1 =				CR0		×		SP0
								SP0 — C

where,

 

CR0		=		the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution;
CR1		=		the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution;
SP0		=		the last reported sale price of our common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution; and
C		=		the amount in cash per share we distribute to all or substantially all holders of our common stock.

Any increase made under this clause (4) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid, the conversion rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date our board of directors or a committee thereof determines not to make or pay such dividend or distribution, to be the conversion rate that would then be in effect if such

 

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dividend or distribution had not been declared. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “C” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), then, in lieu of the foregoing increase, each holder of a note shall receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of notes it holds, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of our common stock, the amount of cash that such holder would have received if such holder owned a number of shares of our common stock equal to the conversion rate in effect on the ex-dividend date for such cash dividend or distribution.

 

(5)

If we or any of our subsidiaries make a payment in respect of a tender or exchange offer for our common stock (other than an odd-lot tender offer), to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of common stock exceeds the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period commencing on, and including, the trading day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

CR1 =				CR0		×		AC +  SP1 × OS1
								OS0 × SP1

where,

 

CR0		=		the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the 10th trading day immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires;
CR1		=		the conversion rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the 10th trading day immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires;
AC		=		the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by us in good faith) paid or payable for shares purchased in such tender or exchange offer;
OS0		=		the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the date such tender or exchange offer expires (prior to giving effect to the purchase of all shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer);
OS1		=		the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after the date such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the purchase of all shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and
SP1		=		the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period commencing on, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires.

The increase to the conversion rate under the preceding paragraph will occur at the close of business on the 10th trading day immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires; provided that (x) in respect of any conversion of notes for which physical settlement is applicable, if the relevant conversion date occurs during the 10 trading days immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed between the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer and such conversion date in determining the conversion rate and (y) in respect of any conversion of notes for which cash settlement or combination settlement is applicable, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence, for any trading day that falls within the relevant observation period for such conversion and within the 10 trading days immediately following, and including, the trading day next succeeding the expiration date of any tender or exchange offer, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed between the expiration date of such tender or exchange offer and such trading

 

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day in determining the conversion rate as of such trading day. In addition, if the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires is after the 10th trading day immediately preceding, and including, the end of any observation period in respect of a conversion of notes, references to “10” or “10th” in the preceding paragraph and this paragraph shall be deemed to be replaced, solely in respect of that conversion, with such lesser number of trading days as have elapsed from, and including, the trading day next succeeding the date such tender or exchange offer expires to, and including, the last trading day of such observation period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if:

 

•

a conversion rate adjustment for any event becomes effective on any ex -dividend date as described above;

 

•

a note is to be converted pursuant to physical settlement or combination settlement;

 

•

the conversion date for such conversion (in the case of physical settlement) or any trading day in the observation period for such conversion (in the case of combination settlement) occurs on or after such ex -dividend date and on or before the related record date;

 

•

the consideration due upon such conversion (in the case of physical settlement) or due with respect to such trading day (in the case of combination settlement) includes any whole shares of common stock; and

 

•

the holder of such note would be treated, on such record date, as the record holder of such shares of common stock based on a conversion rate that is adjusted for such event on such basis,

then such conversion rate adjustment will not be given effect for such conversion (in the case of physical settlement) or for such trading day (in the case of combination settlement). Instead, such holder will be treated as if such holder were, as of such record date, the record owner of such shares of common stock on an unadjusted basis and will participate in such event.

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, if:

 

•

a note is to be converted and, as of the conversion date for such conversion (in the case of physical settlement) or as of any trading day in the observation period for such conversion (in the case of combination settlement), the record date or effective date for any event that requires an adjustment to the conversion rate as described above has occurred but an adjustment to the conversion rate for such event has not yet become effective;

 

•

the consideration due upon such conversion (in the case of physical settlement) or due in respect of such trading day (in the case of combination settlement) consists of any whole shares of common stock; and

 

•

such shares are not entitled to participate in such event (because they were not held on the related record date or otherwise),

then, solely for purposes of such conversion, we will, without duplication, give effect to such adjustment on such conversion date (in the case of physical settlement) or such trading day (in the case of combination settlement).

Except as stated herein, we will not adjust the conversion rate for the issuance of shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock or the right to purchase shares of our common stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities.

As used in this section, “ex-dividend date” means the first date on which shares of our common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance,

 

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dividend or distribution in question, from us or, if applicable, from the seller of our common stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market, and “effective date” means the first date on which our common stock trades on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, reflecting the relevant share split or share combination, as applicable.

As used in this section, “record date” means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of our common stock (or other applicable security) have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which our common stock (or such other security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of our common stock (or such other security) entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof, statute, contract or otherwise).

Subject to applicable listing standards of the NASDAQ Capital Market, we are permitted (but not required) to increase the conversion rate of the notes by any amount for a period of at least 20 business days if our board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof determines that such increase would be in our best interest. Subject to applicable listing standards of the NASDAQ Capital Market, we may also (but are not required to) increase the conversion rate to avoid or diminish income tax to holders of our common stock or rights to purchase our common stock in connection with a dividend or distribution of shares (or rights to acquire shares) or similar event.

A beneficial owner may, in some circumstances, including a distribution of cash dividends to holders of our common stock, be deemed to have received a distribution subject to U.S. federal income tax as a result of an adjustment or the nonoccurrence of an adjustment to the conversion rate. For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an adjustment to the conversion rate, see “Material U.S. federal income tax considerations.” Any applicable withholding taxes (including backup withholding) may be withheld from interest and payments upon conversion, repurchase or maturity of the notes, or if any withholding taxes (including backup withholding) are paid on behalf of a holder, those withholding taxes may be set off against payments of cash or common stock, if any, payable on the notes (or, in some circumstances, any payments on our common stock) or sales proceeds received by or other funds or assets of the holder.

If we have a rights plan in effect upon conversion of the notes into common stock, you will receive, in addition to any shares of common stock received in connection with such conversion, the rights under the rights plan. However, if, prior to any conversion, the rights have separated from the common stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable rights plan, the conversion rate will be adjusted at the time of separation as if we distributed to all or substantially all holders of our common stock, shares of our capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights, options or warrants as described in clause (3) above, subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.

Except as described above and under “—Increase in conversion rate upon conversion upon a make-whole fundamental change” below, the conversion rate will not be required to be adjusted for any transaction or event. Without limiting the foregoing, the conversion rate will not be required to be adjusted:

 

•

upon the issuance of common stock at a price below the conversion price or otherwise;

 

•

upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on our securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in our common stock under any plan;

 

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•

upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by us or any of our subsidiaries;

 

•

upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in the preceding bullet and outstanding as of the date the notes were first issued;

 

•

for a third-party tender offer by any party other than a tender offer by one or more of our subsidiaries as described in clause (5) above;

 

•

upon the repurchase of any shares of our common stock pursuant to an open market share purchase program or other buy-back transaction, including structured or derivative transactions, that is not a tender offer or exchange offer of the kind described under clause (5) above;

 

•

as a result of a tender offer solely to holders of fewer than 100 shares or our common stock;

 

•

solely for a change in the par value of our common stock; or

 

•

for accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

Adjustments to the conversion rate will be calculated to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share.

If an adjustment to the conversion rate otherwise required by the provisions described above would result in a change of less than 1% to the conversion rate, then, notwithstanding the foregoing, we may, at our election, defer and carry forward such adjustment, except that all such deferred adjustments must be given effect immediately upon the earliest to occur of the following: (i) when all such deferred adjustments would result in an aggregate change of at least 1% to the conversion rate; (ii) the conversion date of, or any trading day of an observation period for, any note; (iii) the date a fundamental change or make-whole fundamental change occurs; and (iv) June 1, 2026. The provisions described in the preceding sentence are referred to herein as the “1% provision.”

Whenever the conversion rate is adjusted as herein provided, we will promptly file with the trustee (and the conversion agent if not the trustee) an officers’ certificate setting forth the conversion rate after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. In the absence of an officers’ certificate being filed with the trustee (and the conversion agent if not the trustee), the trustee may assume without inquiry that the conversion rate has not been adjusted and that the last conversion rate of which it has knowledge remains in effect.

Recapitalizations, reclassifications and changes of our common stock

In the case of:

 

•

any recapitalization, reclassification or change of our common stock (other than a change to par value, or from par value to no par value, or changes resulting from a subdivision or combination),

 

•

any consolidation, merger or combination involving us,

 

•

any sale, lease or other transfer to a third party of the consolidated assets of ours and our subsidiaries substantially as an entirety, or

 

•

any statutory share exchange,

in each case, as a result of which our common stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, shares, stock, other securities, other property or assets, including cash or any combination thereof (such transaction, a

 

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“common stock change event”), then, at and after the effective time of the transaction, we or the successor or acquiring corporation, as the case may be, will execute a supplemental indenture with the trustee of the indenture, without the consent of holders, providing that the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of notes will be changed into a right to convert such principal amount of notes into the kind and amount of shares, shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of a number of shares of common stock equal to the conversion rate immediately prior to such transaction would have owned or been entitled to receive (the “reference property”) upon such transaction. However, at and after the effective time of the transaction, (i) we will continue to have the right to elect physical settlement, cash settlement or combination settlement with respect to conversions to the extent described under “—Settlement upon conversion” and (ii)(w) any amount payable in cash upon conversion of the notes as set forth under “—Settlement upon conversion” will continue to be payable in cash, (x) any shares of our common stock that we would have been required to deliver upon conversion of the notes as set forth under “—Settlement upon conversion” will instead be deliverable in the amount and type of reference property that a holder of that number of shares of our common stock would have received in such transaction, (y) the daily VWAP will be calculated based on the value of the kind and amount of reference property that a holder of one shares of our common stock would have received in such transaction (the “reference property unit”) and (z) the conditions to conversion described under the headings “—Conversion upon satisfaction of sale price condition,” “—Conversion upon satisfaction of trading price condition” and “—Conversion upon specified corporate events” will be determined as if each reference to a share of common stock were instead a reference to a reference property unit. If the transaction causes our common stock to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of shareholder election), the reference property will be deemed to be (i) the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of our common stock that affirmatively make such an election or (ii) if no holders of our common stock affirmatively make such an election, the types and amounts of consideration actually received by the holders of our common stock. We will notify holders, the trustee and the conversion agent (if other than the trustee) of the composition of the reference property unit as soon as reasonably practicable after such determination is made. If the holders of our common stock receive only cash in such transaction, then for all conversions that occur after the effective date of such transaction (i) the consideration due upon conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of notes shall be solely cash in an amount equal to the conversion rate in effect on the conversion date (as may be increased as described under “—Increase in conversion rate upon conversion upon a make-whole fundamental change”), multiplied by the cash price paid per share of common stock in such transaction and (ii) we will satisfy our conversion obligation by paying cash to converting holders on or before the third business day immediately following the conversion date. We will agree in the indenture not to become a party to any such transaction unless its terms are consistent with the foregoing.

The supplemental indenture providing that the notes will be convertible as provided above will also provide for anti-dilution and other adjustments that are as nearly equivalent as possible to the adjustments described under “—Conversion rate adjustments” above in a manner that we reasonably deem appropriate to preserve the economic interests of holders of the notes. If the reference property in respect of any such transaction includes shares of stock, securities or other property or assets of a company other than us or the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, in such transaction, such other company will also execute such supplemental indenture, and such supplemental indenture will contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the holders, including the right of holders to require us to repurchase their notes upon a fundamental change as described under “—Fundamental change permits holders to require us to repurchase notes” below, as we reasonably consider necessary by reason of the foregoing.

 

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Adjustments of prices

Whenever any provision of the indenture requires us to calculate the last reported sale prices, the daily VWAPs, the daily conversion values or the daily settlement amounts over a span of multiple days (including an observation period and the “stock price” for purposes of a make-whole fundamental change), we will make appropriate adjustments in our good faith judgment to each such calculation to account for any adjustment to the conversion rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the conversion rate as provided above under “—Conversion rate adjustments” where the ex-dividend date, effective date, effective time or expiration date of the event occurs, at any time during the period when such last reported sale prices, daily VWAPs, daily conversion values or daily settlement amounts are to be calculated.

For the avoidance of doubt, the adjustments made pursuant to the foregoing paragraph will be made, solely to the extent we determine in our good faith judgment that any such adjustment is necessary, without duplication of any adjustment made pursuant to the provision set forth under “—Conversion rate adjustments.”

Increase in conversion rate upon conversion upon a make-whole fundamental change

If the “effective date” (as defined below) of a “fundamental change” (as defined below and determined after giving effect to any exceptions to or exclusions from such definition, but without regard to the proviso in clause (2) of the definition thereof, a “make-whole fundamental change”) occurs prior to the maturity date of the notes and a holder elects to convert its notes in connection with such make-whole fundamental change we will, under certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for the notes so surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares of common stock (the “additional shares”), as described below. A conversion of notes will be deemed for these purposes to be “in connection with” such make-whole fundamental change if the relevant notice of conversion of the notes is received by the conversion agent from, and including, the effective date of the make-whole fundamental change up to, and including, the business day immediately prior to the related fundamental change repurchase date (or, in the case of a make-whole fundamental change that would have been a fundamental change but for the proviso in clause (2) of the definition thereof, the 35th trading day immediately following the effective date of such make-whole fundamental change) (such period, the “make-whole fundamental change period”).

Upon surrender of notes for conversion in connection with a make-whole fundamental change, we will, at our option, satisfy our conversion obligation by physical settlement, cash settlement or combination settlement, as described under “—Conversion rights—Settlement upon conversion.” However, if the consideration for our common stock in any make-whole fundamental change described in clause (2) of the definition of fundamental change is composed entirely of cash, for any conversion of notes following the effective date of such make-whole fundamental change, the conversion obligation will be calculated based solely on the “stock price” (as defined below) for the transaction and will be deemed to be an amount of cash per $1,000 principal amount of converted notes equal to the conversion rate (including any increase to reflect the additional shares as described in this section), multiplied by such stock price. In such event, the conversion obligation will be determined and paid to holders in cash on the third business day following the conversion date. We will notify holders of the effective date of any make-whole fundamental change no later than five business days after such effective date.

The number of additional shares, if any, by which the conversion rate will be increased will be determined by reference to the table below, based on the date on which the make-whole fundamental change occurs or becomes effective (the “effective date”), and the price (the “stock price”) paid (or deemed to be paid) per share of our common stock in the make-whole fundamental change. If the holders of our common stock receive in exchange for their common stock only cash in a make-whole fundamental change described in clause (2) of the definition of fundamental change, the stock price will be the cash amount paid per share. Otherwise, the stock

 

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price will be the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock over the five consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the effective date of the make-whole fundamental change.

The stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table below will be adjusted as of any date on which the conversion rate of the notes is otherwise adjusted. The adjusted stock prices will equal the stock prices immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the conversion rate immediately prior to the adjustment giving rise to the stock price adjustment and the denominator of which is the conversion rate as so adjusted. The number of additional shares as set forth in the table below will be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the conversion rate as set forth under “—Conversion rate adjustments.”

The following table sets forth the number of additional shares by which the conversion rate will be increased per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each stock price and effective date set forth below:

 

		Stock Price
Effective Date		$6.00				$7.00				$8.00				$9.00				$10.00				$15.00				$20.00		$25.00		$30.00		$40.00		$50.00
September 14, 2016			41.6635				33.8372				27.2749				22.4287				18.7376				8.8872			4.8550		2.8282		1.6879		0.5761		0.1347
September 1, 2017			41.6635				34.3245				27.5229				22.5241				18.7343				8.7299			4.7071		2.7125		1.6022		0.5331		0.1186
September 1, 2018			41.6635				34.7279				27.6672				22.5072				18.6168				8.4806			4.4939		2.5504		1.4836		0.4732		0.0926
September 1, 2019			41.6635				35.0129				27.6693				22.3393				18.3479				8.1180			4.2059		2.3401		1.3338		0.4006		0.0630
September 1, 2020			41.6635				35.2705				27.5885				22.0595				17.9537				7.6475			3.8477		2.0865		1.1584		0.3213		0.0351
September 1, 2021			41.6635				35.3236				27.2605				21.5185				17.3008				6.9995			3.3843		1.7724		0.9486		0.2316		0.0101
September 1, 2022			41.6635				34.7555				26.3250				20.4070				16.1253				6.0629			2.7738		1.3852		0.7043		0.1384		0.0000
September 1, 2023			41.6635				33.6340				24.7765				18.6858				14.3773				4.8300			2.0401		0.9553		0.4516		0.0558		0.0000
September 1, 2024			41.6635				31.3432				22.0235				15.8308				11.6179				3.2087			1.2098		0.5277		0.2278		0.0051		0.0000
September 1, 2025			41.6635				27.0796				17.1183				10.9766				7.1713				1.2880			0.4540		0.2043		0.0797		0.0000		0.0000
September 1, 2026			41.6635				17.8540				0.0000				0.0000				0.0000				0.0000			0.0000		0.0000		0.0000		0.0000		0.0000

The exact stock prices and effective dates may not be set forth in the table above, in which case

 

•

If the stock price is between two stock prices in the table or the effective date is between two effective dates in the table, the number of additional shares by which the conversion rate will be increased will be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of additional shares set forth for the higher and lower stock prices and the earlier and later effective dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day year.

 

•

If the stock price is greater than $50.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above), no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate.

 

•

If the stock price is less than $6.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above), no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the conversion rate per $1,000 principal amount of notes exceed 166.6666 shares of common stock, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the conversion rate as set forth under “—Conversion rate adjustments.”

Our obligation to increase the conversion rate for notes converted in connection with a make-whole fundamental change could be considered a penalty, in which case the enforceability thereof would be subject to general principles of reasonableness and equitable remedies.

 

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Exchange in lieu of conversion

When a holder surrenders its notes for conversion, we may, at our election (an “exchange election”), direct the conversion agent to surrender, on or prior to the second business day following the conversion date, such notes to a financial institution designated by us for exchange in lieu of conversion. In order to accept any notes surrendered for conversion, the designated institution must agree to timely deliver, in exchange for such notes, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, that would otherwise be due upon conversion as described above under “—Conversion rights—settlement upon conversion” (the “conversion consideration”). If we make an exchange election, we will, by the close of business on the second business day following the relevant conversion date, notify the holder surrendering its notes for conversion that we have made the exchange election and we will notify the designated financial institution of the relevant deadline for delivery of the conversion consideration.

Any notes exchanged by the designated institution will remain outstanding, subject to applicable DTC procedures. If the designated institution agrees to accept any notes for exchange but does not timely deliver the related conversion consideration, or if such designated financial institution does not accept the notes for exchange, we will deliver the relevant conversion consideration as if we had not made an exchange election.

Our designation of a financial institution to which the notes may be submitted for exchange does not require such institution to accept any notes.

Fundamental change permits holders to require us to repurchase notes

If a “fundamental change” (as defined below in this section) occurs at any time prior to maturity, holders will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase for cash all of their notes, or any portion of the principal amount thereof that is equal to minimum denominations of $1,000 or a multiple of $1,000. The fundamental change repurchase date will be a date specified by us that is not less than 20 or more than 35 business days following the date of our fundamental change notice as described below. The fundamental change purchase date shall be subject to postponement in order to allow us to comply with applicable law as a result of changes to such applicable law occurring after the date of the indenture.

The fundamental change repurchase price we are required to pay will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date (unless the fundamental change repurchase date falls after a regular record date but on or prior to the interest payment date to which such regular record date relates, in which case we will instead pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to the holder of record on such regular record date, and the fundamental change repurchase price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased).

A “fundamental change” will be deemed to have occurred at the time after the notes are originally issued if any of the following occurs:

(1) a “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than us, our wholly owned subsidiaries and our and their employee benefit plans, files a Schedule TO or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act that discloses that such person or group has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of our common equity representing more than 50% of the voting power of our common equity;

(2) the consummation of (A) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of our common stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination) as a result of which our common stock would be

 

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converted into or exchanged for, shares, stock, other securities, other property or assets; (B) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of us pursuant to which our common stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets; or (C) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person other than one of our wholly owned subsidiaries; provided, however, that a transaction described in clause (B) in which the holders of all classes of our common equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of all classes of common equity of the continuing or surviving corporation or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportions as such ownership immediately prior to such transaction shall not be a fundamental change pursuant to this clause (2);

(3) our shareholders approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of us; or

(4) our common stock (or other common stock underlying the notes) ceases to be listed or quoted on any of the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the NASDAQ Global Market, the NASDAQ Capital Market, the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE MKT (or any of their respective successors).

A transaction or transactions described in clause (1) or clause (2) above will not constitute a fundamental change, however, if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by our common shareholders, excluding cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made pursuant to dissenters’ appraisal rights, in connection with such transaction or transactions consists of common stock that is listed or quoted on any of the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the NASDAQ Global Market, the NASDAQ Capital Market, the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE MKT (or any of their respective successors) or will be so listed or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or transactions and as a result of such transaction or transactions the notes become convertible into such consideration, excluding cash payments for fractional shares (subject to the provisions set forth above under “—Conversion rights—Settlement upon conversion”).

If any transaction in which our common stock is replaced by the securities of another entity occurs, following completion of any related make-whole fundamental change period (or, in the case of a transaction that would have been a fundamental change or a make-whole fundamental change but for the immediately preceding paragraph, following the effective date of such transaction), references to us in the definition of “fundamental change” above shall instead be references to such other entity.

On or before the 20th day after the occurrence of a fundamental change, we will provide to all holders of the notes and the trustee and paying agent a notice of the occurrence of the fundamental change and of the resulting repurchase right. Such notice shall state, among other things:

 

•

the events causing the fundamental change;

 

•

the effective date of the fundamental change;

 

•

the last date on which a holder may exercise the repurchase right;

 

•

the fundamental change repurchase price;

 

•

the fundamental change repurchase date;

 

•

the name and address of the paying agent and the conversion agent, if applicable;

 

•

if applicable, the conversion rate and any adjustments to the conversion rate as a result of the fundamental change;

 

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•

that the notes with respect to which a fundamental change repurchase notice has been delivered by a holder may be converted only if the holder withdraws the fundamental change repurchase notice in accordance with the terms of the indenture; and

 

•

the procedures that holders must follow to require us to repurchase their notes.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will not be required to repurchase, or to make an offer to repurchase, the notes upon a fundamental change if a third party makes such an offer in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us as set forth above and such third party purchases all notes properly surrendered and not validly withdrawn under its offer in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us as set forth above.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will not be required to give such notice or repurchase the notes as described above upon a fundamental change pursuant to clause (2) of the definition thereof (or a fundamental change pursuant to clause (2) which also results in a fundamental change pursuant to clause (1)) if (1) such fundamental change results in the notes becoming convertible (pursuant to the provisions described above under “—Recapitalizations, reclassifications and changes of our common stock”) into an amount of cash per note (which is a fixed aggregate amount of cash that is required to be delivered upon conversion under the supplemental indenture for such fundamental change, excluding any cash payable as a result of any settlement method election or cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) that is greater than the fundamental change repurchase price (assuming the maximum amount of accrued interest would be payable based on the latest possible fundamental change repurchase date) and (2) we provide timely notice of the holders’ right to convert their notes based on such fundamental change as described above under “— Conversion rights—conversion upon specified corporate events.”

To exercise the fundamental change repurchase right for certificated notes, you must deliver, on or before the business day immediately preceding the fundamental change repurchase date, the notes to be repurchased, duly endorsed for transfer, together with a written repurchase notice, to the paying agent. Each repurchase notice must state:

 

•

if certificated, the certificate numbers of your notes to be delivered for repurchase;

 

•

the portion of the principal amount of notes to be repurchased, which must be in minimum denominations of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof; and

 

•

that the notes are to be repurchased by us pursuant to the applicable provisions of the notes and the indenture.

If the notes are not in certificated form, such repurchase notice must comply with appropriate DTC procedures.

Holders of certificated notes may withdraw any repurchase notice (in whole or in part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the paying agent prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the fundamental change repurchase date. The notice of withdrawal shall state:

 

•

the principal amount of the withdrawn notes, which must be $1,000 or a multiple thereof;

 

•

if certificated notes have been issued, the certificate numbers of the withdrawn notes; and

 

•

the principal amount, if any, which remains subject to the repurchase notice, which must be $1,000 or a multiple thereof.

 

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If the notes are not in certificated form, such notice of withdrawal must comply with appropriate DTC procedures.

We will be required to repurchase the notes on the fundamental change repurchase date. Holders who have exercised the repurchase right will receive payment of the fundamental change repurchase price on the later of (i) the fundamental change repurchase date and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer or the delivery of the notes. If the paying agent holds money sufficient to pay the fundamental change repurchase price of the notes on the fundamental change repurchase date, then, with respect to the notes that have been properly surrendered for repurchase and have not been validly withdrawn:

 

•

the notes will cease to be outstanding and interest will cease to accrue (whether or not book-entry transfer of the notes is made or whether or not the notes are delivered to the paying agent); and

 

•

all other rights of the holder will terminate (other than the right to receive the fundamental change repurchase price).

In connection with any repurchase offer pursuant to a fundamental change repurchase notice, we will, if required comply with applicable federal and state securities laws so as to permit the rights and obligations under this “—Fundamental change permits holders to require us to repurchase notes” to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified in the indenture.

No notes may be repurchased on any date at the option of holders upon a fundamental change if the principal amount of the notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a default by us in the payment of the fundamental change repurchase price with respect to such notes).

The repurchase rights of the holders could discourage a potential acquirer of us. The fundamental change repurchase feature, however, is not the result of management’s knowledge of any specific effort to obtain control of us by any means or part of a plan by management to adopt a series of anti-takeover provisions.

The term fundamental change is limited to specified transactions and may not include other events that might adversely affect our financial condition. In addition, the requirement that we offer to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change may not protect holders in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization, merger or similar transaction involving us.

Furthermore, holders may not be entitled to require us to repurchase their notes upon a fundamental change or entitled to an increase in the conversion rate upon conversion as described under “—Increase in conversion rate upon conversion upon a make-whole fundamental change” in certain circumstances involving a significant change in the composition of our board, unless such change is in connection with a fundamental change or a make-whole fundamental change as described herein.

The definition of fundamental change includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease or other transfer of “all or substantially all” of our consolidated assets. There is no precise, established definition of the phrase “substantially all” under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of the notes to require us to repurchase its notes as a result of the sale, lease or other transfer of less than all of our assets may be uncertain.

If a fundamental change were to occur, we may not have enough funds to pay the fundamental change repurchase price. Our ability to repurchase the notes for cash may be limited by restrictions on our ability to obtain funds for such repurchase through dividends from our subsidiaries, certain covenants contained in our Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, and the terms of any of our other then existing borrowing arrangements or otherwise. See “Risk factors—Risks related to the notes—We may not have the ability to raise

 

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the funds necessary to settle conversions of the notes or to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change, and our future debt may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion or repurchase of the notes.” If we fail to repurchase the notes when required following a fundamental change, we will be in default under the indenture. In addition, we have, and may in the future incur, other indebtedness, including our Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and our Senior Notes, with similar change in control provisions permitting our holders to accelerate or to require us to repurchase or repay, as applicable, our indebtedness upon the occurrence of similar events or on some specific dates.

Consolidation, merger and sale of assets

The provisions described under “Description of Debt Securities—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” in the accompanying prospectus will not apply to the notes. Instead, the provisions described in this “—Consolidation, merger and sale of assets” section will apply to the notes.

The indenture will provide that we will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, another person, unless (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee person (if not us) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and such corporation (if not us) expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all of our obligations under the notes and the indenture; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture; and (iii) we shall have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with the indenture, and that all conditions precedent therein provided for relating to such transaction have been satisfied. Upon any such consolidation, merger or sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, the resulting, surviving or transferee person (if not us) shall succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, ours under the indenture, and we shall be discharged from our obligations under the notes and the indenture except in the case of any such lease.

Although these types of transactions will be permitted under the indenture, certain of the foregoing transactions could constitute a fundamental change permitting each holder to require us to repurchase the notes of such holder as described above.

Events of default

The provisions described under “Description of Debt Securities—Events of Default” in the accompanying prospectus will not apply to the notes. Instead, the events of default and related provisions described in this “—Events of default” section will apply to the notes.

Each of the following is an event of default with respect to the notes:

(1) default in any payment of interest on any note when due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days;

(2) default in the payment of principal of any note when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon any required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

(3) our failure to comply with our obligation to convert the notes in accordance with the indenture upon exercise of a holder’s conversion right and such failure continues for five business days;

(4) our failure to give a fundamental change notice as described under “—Fundamental change permits holders to require us to repurchase notes” or notice of a specified corporate transaction as described under “—Conversion rights—Conversion upon specified corporate events,” in each case when due;

 

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(5) our failure to comply with our obligations under “—Consolidation, merger and sale of assets;”

(6) our failure for 60 days after written notice from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the notes then outstanding has been received to comply with any of our other agreements contained in the notes or indenture;

(7) default by us or any of our significant subsidiaries, as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, with respect to any mortgage, agreement or other instrument under which there may be outstanding, or by which there may be secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $50,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of us and/or any such subsidiary, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created (i) resulting in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable or (ii) constituting a failure to pay the principal or interest of any such debt when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, in each case after the expiration of any applicable grace period, if such default is not cured or waived, or such acceleration is not rescinded within 30 days after written notice to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of notes then outstanding, in accordance with the indenture; (8) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of us or any of our significant subsidiaries, as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X; or

(9) a final judgment or judgments for the payment of $50,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) or more (excluding any amounts covered by insurance) in the aggregate rendered against us or any of our subsidiaries, which judgment is not discharged, bonded, paid, waived or stayed within 60 days after (i) the date on which the right to appeal thereof has expired if no such appeal has commenced, or (ii) the date on which all rights to appeal have been extinguished.

If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee by notice to us, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes by notice to us and the trustee, may, and the trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare 100% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the notes to be due and payable. In case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, involving us, 100% of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the notes will automatically become due and payable. Upon such a declaration of acceleration, such principal and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be due and payable immediately.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indenture will provide that, to the extent we elect, the sole remedy for an event of default relating to (i) our failure to file with the trustee pursuant to Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act any documents or reports that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or (ii) our failure to comply with our obligations as set forth under “—Reports” below, will after the occurrence of such an event of default consist exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the notes at a rate equal to:

 

•

0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the notes outstanding for the first 180 days during which such event of default has occurred and is continuing, beginning on, and including, the date on which such an event of default first occurs and

 

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0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the notes outstanding for each day during the next 185-day period during which such event of default is continuing beginning on, and including, the 181st day after such an event of default first occurred.

If we so elect, such additional interest will be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the notes. On the 366th day after such event of default (if the event of default relating to the reporting obligations is not cured or waived prior to such 366th day), the notes will be subject to

 

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acceleration as provided above. The provisions of the indenture described in this paragraph will not affect the rights of holders of notes in the event of the occurrence of any other event of default. In the event we do not elect to pay the additional interest following an event of default in accordance with this paragraph or we elected to make such payment but do not pay the additional interest when due, the notes will be immediately subject to acceleration as provided above.

In order to elect to pay the additional interest as the sole remedy during the first 365 days after the occurrence of an event of default relating to the failure to comply with the reporting obligations in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, we must notify all holders of notes, the trustee and the paying agent of such election prior to the beginning of such 365-day period. Upon our failure to timely give such notice, the notes will be immediately subject to acceleration as provided above. In the absence of such notice, the trustee shall assume without investigation that no additional interest shall be due or become due.

If any portion of the amount payable on the notes upon acceleration is considered by a court to be unearned interest (through the allocation of the value of the instrument to the embedded warrant or otherwise), the court could disallow recovery of any such portion.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes may waive all past defaults (except with respect to nonpayment of principal or interest or with respect to the failure to deliver the consideration due upon conversion, with respect to the failure to pay the repurchase price in connection with a fundamental change when due) and rescind any such acceleration with respect to the notes and its consequences if (i) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (ii) all existing events of default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of and interest on the notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

Each holder shall have the right to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of:

 

•

the principal (including the fundamental change repurchase price, if applicable) of;

 

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accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on; and

 

•

the consideration due upon conversion of,

its notes, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the indenture, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery, as the case may be.

Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee, if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal or interest when due, or the right to receive payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, or the right to receive the fundamental change repurchase price in connection with a fundamental change when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the notes unless:

(1) such holder has previously given the trustee written notice that an event of default is continuing;

(2) holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes have requested the trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such holders have offered the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense;

 

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(4) the trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of such security or indemnity; and

(5) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes have not given the trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee under the indenture.

The indenture will provide that in the event an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will be required in the exercise of its powers to use the degree of care that a prudent person would use under the circumstances in the conduct of its own affairs. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the trustee will be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense caused by taking or not taking such action.

The indenture will provide that if a default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to the trustee, the trustee must send to each holder notice of the default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of or interest on any note or a default in the payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, the trustee may withhold notice if and so long as the trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders. In addition, we are required to deliver to the trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any default that occurred during the previous year. We are also required to deliver to the trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any events which would constitute certain defaults, their status and what action we are taking or proposing to take in respect thereof.

Payments of the fundamental change repurchase price, principal and interest that are not made when due will accrue interest per annum at the then-applicable interest rate from the required payment date.

Modification and amendment

The provisions described under “Description of Debt Securities—Modification and Waiver” in the accompanying prospectus will not apply to the notes. Instead, the modification, waiver and amendment and related provisions described in this “—Modification and amendment” section will apply to the notes.

Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture or the notes may be amended with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, notes) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, notes). However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding note affected, no amendment may, among other things:

(1) reduce the amount of notes whose holders must consent to an amendment;

(2) reduce the rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest, including any additional interest, on any note;

(3) reduce the principal of, or any premium on, or extend the stated maturity of any note;

 

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(4) make any change that adversely affects the conversion rights of any notes;

(5) reduce the fundamental change repurchase price of any note or amend or modify in any manner adverse to the holders of the notes our obligation to make such payments, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions or otherwise;

(6) make any note payable in money, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the note;

(7) change the ranking of the notes;

(8) make any change in the modification or amendment provisions that require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions; or

(9) impair the rights of any holder to receive payment of principal and interest on such holder’s notes on or after the due dates therefor or institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s notes.

Without the consent of any holder, we and the trustee may amend the indenture or the notes to:

(1) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency (as evidenced by an officers’ certificate);

(2) provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of our obligations under the indenture;

(3) add guarantees with respect to the notes;

(4) provide for the issuance of additional notes;

(5) secure the notes;

(6) add to our covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon us under the indenture;

(7) make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect (as evidenced by an officers’ certificate);

(8) in connection with any transaction described under “—Conversion rights—Recapitalizations, reclassifications and changes of our common stock” above, provide that the notes are convertible into reference property, subject to the provisions described under “—Conversion rights—Settlement upon conversion” above, and make certain related changes to the terms of the notes to the extent expressly required by the indenture;

(9) comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(10) appoint a successor trustee with respect to the notes;

(11) conform the provisions of the indenture or the notes to any provision of the “Description of notes” section in the preliminary prospectus supplement, as supplemented by the related pricing term sheet (as evidenced by an officers’ certificate);

(12) comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary, including DTC, so long as such amendment does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect;

(13) irrevocably elect or eliminate one of the settlement methods and/or irrevocably elect a minimum specified dollar amount; or

(14) increase the conversion rate as provided in the indenture.

 

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Holders do not need to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It will be sufficient if such holders approve the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the indenture becomes effective, we are required to send to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all the holders, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

Discharge

The provisions described under “Description of Debt Securities—Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances” in the accompanying prospectus will not apply to the notes. Instead, the modification, waiver and amendment and related provisions described in this “—Discharge” section will apply to the notes.

We may satisfy and discharge our obligations under the indenture by delivering to the securities registrar for cancellation all outstanding notes or by irrevocably depositing with the trustee or delivering to the holders, as applicable, after the notes have become due and payable, whether at maturity, at any fundamental change repurchase date or upon conversion or otherwise, cash or cash and/or shares of common stock (or, if applicable, reference property), solely to satisfy outstanding conversions, as applicable, sufficient to pay all of the outstanding notes and paying all other sums payable under the indenture by us. Such discharge is subject to terms contained in the indenture.

Calculations in respect of the notes

Except as otherwise provided above, we will be responsible for making all calculations called for under the notes. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the stock price, the last reported sale prices of our common stock, the daily VWAPs, the daily conversion values, the daily settlement amounts, accrued interest payable on the notes and the conversion rate of the notes, including adjustment to the conversion price and conversion rate. We will make all these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, our calculations will be final and binding on holders of notes. We will provide a schedule of our calculations to each of the trustee, the paying agent and the conversion agent, and each of the trustee, the paying agent and the conversion agent is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of our calculations without independent verification. The trustee will forward our calculations to any holder of notes upon the request of that holder at our sole cost and expense. The trustee shall not be accountable for and makes no representation as to the validity or value of any securities or assets issued upon conversion of the notes.

Reports

The indenture will provide that any documents or reports that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act must be filed by us with the trustee within 15 days after the same are required to be filed with the SEC (giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act or any similar or successor grace period). Documents filed by us with the SEC via the EDGAR system will be deemed to be filed with the trustee as of the time such documents are filed via EDGAR. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, we shall in no event be required to file with, or otherwise provide or disclose to, the trustee or any holder any information for which we are requesting (assuming such request has not been denied), or have received, confidential treatment from the SEC.

Trustee

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association is the trustee, security registrar, paying agent and conversion agent. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in each of its capacities, including without limitation as trustee,

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completeness of the information concerning us or our affiliates or any other party contained in this document or the related documents or for any failure by us or any other party to disclose events that may have occurred and may affect the significance or accuracy of such information.

We maintain banking relationships in the ordinary course of business with the trustee and its affiliates.

Governing law

The indenture will provide that it and the notes, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the indenture or the notes, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Book-entry, settlement and clearance

The global notes

The notes will be initially issued in the form of one or more registered notes in global form, without interest coupons (the “global notes”). Upon issuance, each of the global notes will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a global note will be limited to persons who have accounts with DTC (“DTC participants”) or persons who hold interests through DTC participants. We expect that under procedures established by DTC:

 

•

upon deposit of a global note with DTC’s custodian, DTC will credit portions of the principal amount of the global note to the accounts of the DTC participants designated by the underwriters; and

 

•

ownership of beneficial interests in a global note will be shown on, and transfer of ownership of those interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of DTC participants) and the records of DTC participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the global note).

Beneficial interests in global notes may not be exchanged for notes in physical, certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below.

Book-entry procedures for the global notes

All interests in the global notes will be subject to the operations and procedures of DTC and, therefore, you must allow for sufficient time in order to comply with these procedures if you wish to exercise any of your rights with respect to the notes. We provide the following summary of those operations and procedures solely for the convenience of investors. The operations and procedures of DTC are controlled by that settlement system and may be changed at any time. Neither we nor the underwriters are responsible for those operations or procedures.

DTC has advised us that it is:

 

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a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York;

 

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a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York State Banking Law;

 

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a member of the Federal Reserve System;

 

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•

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

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a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, including the underwriters; banks and trust companies; clearing corporations and other organizations. Indirect access to DTC’s system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies; these indirect participants clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global note will be limited to DTC participants and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through DTC participants.

So long as DTC’s nominee is the registered owner of a global note, that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by that global note for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note:

 

•

will not be entitled to have notes represented by the global note registered in their names;

 

•

will not receive or be entitled to receive physical, certificated notes; and

 

•

will not be considered the owners or holders of the notes under the indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the trustee under the indenture.

DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of notes represented by the global note to the accounts of its participants. Each person owning a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of the DTC (and, if such person is not a DTC participant, on procedures of the DTC participant through which such person owns its interest) to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

Payments on a global note will be made to DTC’s nominee as the holder of the global note. Some jurisdictions have laws that require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global note.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a global note will be shown on and effected through records maintained by DTC, with respect to DTC participants’ interests, or by any DTC participant, with respect to interests of persons held by DTC participants on their behalf. Payments, transfers and exchanges relating to beneficial interests in a global note will be subject to policies and procedures of DTC. Transfers between participants in DTC will be settled in same-day funds. DTC’s policies and procedures may change from time to time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for acts or omissions of DTC or any DTC participant’s records with respect to beneficial interests in a global note.

Certificated notes

The provisions described in the second paragraph under “Description of Debt Securities—Global Securities” in the accompanying prospectus will not apply to the notes. Instead, the modification, waiver and amendment and related provisions described in this “—Certificated notes” section will apply to the notes.

Unless we agree otherwise, notes in physical, certificated form will be issued and delivered to each person that DTC identifies as a beneficial owner of the related notes only if:

 

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DTC notifies us at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the global notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days;

 

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•

DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days; or

 

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an event of default with respect to the notes has occurred and is continuing and such beneficial owner requests that its notes be issued in physical, certificated form.

 

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Description of material indebtedness

6.75% Senior Notes due 2019

On February 26, 2014, we issued $600 million of our 6.75% Notes due 2019 (“6.75% Notes”). Our 6.75% Notes are our general unsecured senior obligations. Interest is payable on March 1 and September 1 of each year beginning September 1, 2014 until the maturity date of March 1, 2019. Our 6.75% Notes are governed by the terms of an indenture (the “6.75% Indenture”) dated February 26, 2014 between us and Wells Fargo Bank, as trustee.

At any time before March 1, 2019, we may redeem some or all of our 6.75% Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and a “make whole” premium (as set forth in the 6.75% Indenture).

As of June 25, 2016, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% Notes was $600 million.

7.75% Senior Notes due 2020

On August 4, 2010, we issued $500 million of our 7.75% Notes due 2020 (“7.75% Notes”). Our 7.75% Notes are our general unsecured senior obligations. Interest is payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year beginning February 1, 2011 until the maturity date of August 1, 2020. Our 7.75% Notes are governed by the terms of an indenture (the “7.75% Indenture”) dated August 4, 2010 between us and Wells Fargo, as trustee.

Beginning August 1, 2015, we may redeem our 7.75% Notes for cash, in whole or in part, at specified prices that decline over time plus accrued and unpaid interest.

As of June 25, 2016, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of our 7.75% Notes was $450 million.

7.50% Senior Notes due 2022

On August 15, 2012, we issued $500 million of our 7.50% Notes due 2022 (“7.50% Notes”). Our 7.50% Notes are our general unsecured senior obligations. Interest is payable on February 15 and August 15 of each year beginning February 15, 2013 until the maturity date of August 15, 2022. Our 7.50% Notes are governed by the terms of an indenture (the “7.50% Indenture”) dated August 15, 2012 between us and Wells Fargo, as trustee.

Prior to August 15, 2022, we may redeem some or all of our 7.50% Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and a “make whole” premium (as set forth in the 7.50% Indenture).

As of June 25, 2016, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of our 7.50% Notes was $475 million.

7.00% Senior Notes due 2024

On June 16, 2014, we issued $500 million of our 7.00% Notes due 2024 (“7.00% Notes”). The 7.00% Notes are our general unsecured senior obligations. Interest is payable on January 1 and July 1 of each year beginning January 1, 2015 until the maturity date of July 1, 2024. The 7.00% Notes are governed by the terms of an indenture (the “7.00% Indenture”) dated June 16, 2014 between us and Wells Fargo, as trustee.

At any time before July 1, 2017, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 7.00% Notes within 90 days of the closing of an equity offering with the net proceeds thereof at a redemption price equal to 107.000% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the date of redemption. Prior to July 1, 2019, we may redeem some or all of the 7.00% Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and a “make whole” premium (as set forth in the 7.00% Indenture).

 

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Beginning July 1, 2019, we may redeem our 7.00% Notes for cash, in whole or in part, at specified prices that decline over time plus accrued and unpaid interest.

As of June 25, 2016, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of our 7.00% Notes was $500 million.

Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement

On April 14, 2015, AMD and its subsidiaries, AMD International Sales & Service, Ltd. and ATI Technologies ULC (collectively, the “Loan Parties”), entered into the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement by and among the Loan Parties, the financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lenders (the “Lenders”) and Bank of America, N.A., acting as agent for the Lenders (the “Agent”).

Secured Revolving Line of Credit

The Amended and Restated Loan Agreement provides for the Secured Revolving Line of Credit for a principal amount up to $500 million with up to $75 million available for issuance of letters of credit, which remained unchanged from the loan and security agreement dated November 12, 2013, as amended on December 11, 2014. Borrowings under the Secured Revolving Line of Credit are limited to up to 85% of eligible accounts receivable (90% for certain qualified eligible accounts receivable), minus specified reserves. The size of the commitments under the Secured Revolving Line of Credit may be increased by up to an aggregate amount of $200 million.

The Secured Revolving Line of Credit matures on April 14, 2020 and is secured by a first priority security interest in the Loan Parties’ accounts receivable, inventory, deposit accounts maintained with the Agent and other specified assets, including books and records.

As of June 25, 2016 and December 26, 2015, the Secured Revolving Line of Credit had an outstanding loan balance of $226 million and $230 million, at an interest rate of 4.25% and 4.00%, respectively. At June 25, 2016, the Secured Revolving Line of Credit also had $21 million related to outstanding letters of credit, and up to $163 million available for future borrowings. We report our intra-period changes in our revolving credit balance on a net basis in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows as we intend the period of the borrowings to be brief, repaying borrowed amounts within 90 days. As of June 25, 2016, we were in compliance with all required covenants stated in the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement.

The agreements governing our Senior Notes and our Secured Revolving Line of Credit contain cross-default provisions whereby a default under one agreement would likely result in cross defaults under agreements covering other borrowings. The occurrence of a default under any of these borrowing arrangements would permit the applicable note holders or the lenders under the Secured Revolving Line of Credit to declare all amounts outstanding under those borrowing arrangements to be immediately due and payable.

First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement

On June 10, 2015, the Loan Parties entered into a first amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “First Amendment”) by and among the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Agent, which modifies the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement. Amendments to the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement effected by the First Amendment included the addition of exceptions to the liens and asset sale covenants to permit the Loan Parties to enter into certain supply chain finance arrangements, as well as the addition of certain definitions related thereto.

Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement

On April 29, 2016, the Loan Parties entered into a second amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) by and among the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Agent, which

 

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modifies the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement. The primary amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement effected by the Second Amendment related to the expansion of the definition of permitted asset dispositions to include the sale or transfer of inventory to the JVs pursuant to the Equity Interest Purchase Agreement between AMD and Nantong Fujitsu Microelectronics Co. Ltd.

Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement

On June 21, 2016, the Loan Parties entered into a third amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Third Amendment”) by and among the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Agent, which modifies the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement. Amendments to the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement effected by the Third Amendment included the further expansion of the asset sale covenants to permit the Loan Parties to enter into certain supply chain finance arrangements.

Other long-term liabilities

As of June 25, 2016, other long-term liabilities of the Company were $136 million and primarily consist of $101 million of payments due under certain software and technology licenses that will be paid through 2020.

Other long-term liabilities do not include: (i) amounts recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheet that do not require us to make cash payments, which, as of June 25, 2016, primarily consisted of $16 million of deferred gains resulting from certain real estate transactions that occurred in Sunnyvale, California in 1998, in Markham, Ontario, Canada in 2015 and 2008 and in Singapore in 2013 and $13 million interest accretion for future payments related to software and technology licenses; (ii) deferred rent related to our facilities in Sunnyvale, California of $5 million and operating lease accruals of $5 million as they are included in the Company’s operating leases obligations; and (iii) the $12 million deferred tax liabilities, $3 million non-current unrecognized tax benefits and $3 million of environmental reserves, which represent potential cash payments that could be payable by us upon settlements with the related authorities.

 

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Material U.S. federal income tax considerations

The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes and the shares of our common stock into which the notes may be converted, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or foreign tax laws are not discussed. This summary is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), in each case in effect as of the date hereof. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a holder of the notes or the shares of our common stock into which the notes may be converted. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position to that discussed below regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes and the shares of our common stock into which the notes may be converted.

Except where noted, this summary addresses only a note or common stock held as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment) by a beneficial owner who purchased the notes on original issuance at its “issue price” (i.e., the first price at which a substantial portion of the notes is sold for cash to persons other than bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers). This summary only addresses holders that are treated as purchasing the notes for cash for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to holders of a note or common stock (including the potential application of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income), nor does it address all tax consequences that may be relevant to such holders in light of their personal circumstances or particular situations, such as:

 

•

tax consequences to holders who may be subject to special tax treatment, including dealers in securities or currencies, banks, financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt entities, insurance companies or traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities;

 

•

tax consequences to persons holding notes or common stock as a part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction or a straddle or other risk reduction strategy, or persons deemed to sell notes or common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

•

tax consequences to U.S. holders (as defined below) whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar;

 

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tax consequences to investors that hold notes or common stock through pass-through entities;

 

•

alternative minimum tax consequences, if any;

 

•

any state, local or foreign tax consequences; and

 

•

U.S. estate or gift tax consequences, if any.

If an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds notes or common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partnerships holding notes or common stock and the partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors.

 

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THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF NOTES AND COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER OTHER U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS (INCLUDING ESTATE AND GIFT TAX LAWS), UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.

As used herein, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of a note or common stock received upon conversion of a note that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as any of the following:

 

•

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

 

•

a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

 

•

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

•

a trust that (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and all substantial decisions of which are subject to the control of one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (ii) has a valid election in effect to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

A “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of a note or common stock received upon conversion of a note that is an individual, corporation, estate or trust that is not a U.S. holder. Special rules may apply to certain non-U.S. holders such as corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax or, in certain circumstances, individuals who are U.S. expatriates or former U.S. citizens or long-term residents. Consequently, non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them in light of their particular circumstances.

Consequences to U.S. holders

Interest on the notes

It is anticipated, and this discussion assumes, that the notes will be issued with less than de minimis original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In such case, stated interest on a note generally will be taxable to a U.S. holder as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with the U.S. holder’s usual method of accounting for tax purposes.

Additional payments

In certain circumstances, we may be obligated to make payments on the notes in excess of stated principal and interest. We intend to take the position that the foregoing contingencies should not cause the notes to be treated as contingent payment debt instruments under the applicable Treasury regulations. Assuming such position is respected, a U.S. holder would be required to include in income the amount of any such additional payments at the time such payments are received or accrued in accordance with such U.S. holder’s method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our position is binding on a holder, unless the holder discloses in the proper manner to the IRS that it is taking a different position. If the IRS successfully challenged our position, and the notes were treated as contingent payment debt instruments, U.S. holders would be required to accrue interest income at a rate higher than their yield to maturity, regardless of the holder’s method of accounting, and to treat as ordinary income, rather than capital gain, any gain recognized on a sale, exchange, retirement or redemption of a note (including all gain realized upon conversion, even if the U.S. holder receives

 

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shares of our common stock). This discussion assumes that the notes will not be considered contingent payment debt instruments. U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application to the notes of the contingent payment debt instrument rules and the consequences thereof.

Sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of notes

Except to the extent provided below under “—Conversion of Notes,” a U.S. holder generally will recognize gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a note (including an exchange with a designated financial institution in lieu of conversion, as described in “Description of Notes—Exchange in Lieu of Conversion”) equal to the difference between the amount realized (less accrued but unpaid interest which will be treated as described above under “—Interest on the Notes”) and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note generally will be equal to the amount that the U.S. holder paid for the note.

Any gain or loss recognized on a taxable disposition of a note will be capital gain or loss. If, at the time of the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a note, a U.S. holder held the note for more than one year, such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss. Otherwise, such gain or loss will be short-term capital gain or loss. In the case of certain non-corporate U.S. holders (including individuals) long-term capital gains are generally subject to a reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax. A U.S. holder’s ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.

Conversion of notes

If a U.S. holder presents a note for conversion, a U.S. holder may receive solely cash, solely common stock, or a combination of cash and common stock in exchange for the note, depending upon our chosen settlement method.

If a U.S. holder receives solely cash in exchange for a note upon conversion, the U.S. holder’s gain or loss will be determined in the same manner as if the U.S. holder disposed of the notes in a taxable disposition (as described above under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes”).

If a U.S. holder receives solely common stock in exchange for notes upon conversion (excluding an exchange with a designated financial institution in lieu of conversion, as described in “Description of Notes— Exchange in Lieu of Conversion,” which would be taxable as described above, under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes”), the U.S. holder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the conversion of the notes into common stock, except to the extent of (i) cash received in lieu of a fractional share and (ii) amounts received with respect to accrued but unpaid interest (which will be treated as described above under “—Interest on the Notes”).

The amount of gain or loss a U.S. holder will recognize on the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share will be equal to the difference between the amount of cash the U.S. holder receives in respect of the fractional share and the portion of the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note that is allocable to the fractional share. Any such gain or loss generally would be capital gain or loss and would be long-term capital gain or loss, if at the time of the conversion, the note has been held for more than one year.

The tax basis of shares of common stock received upon a conversion (other than shares attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, the tax basis of which will equal their fair market value) will equal the adjusted tax basis of the note that was converted (excluding the portion of the adjusted tax basis that is allocable to any fractional share). The U.S. holder’s holding period for the shares of common stock will include the period during which the U.S. holder held the notes, except that the holding period of any shares received with respect to accrued interest will commence on the day after the date of receipt.

 

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As described below, the tax treatment of a conversion of a note into cash and common stock is uncertain and subject to different characterizations, and U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the consequences of such a conversion.

Treatment as a recapitalization.    If a combination of cash and common stock is received by a U.S. holder upon conversion of a note (excluding an exchange with a designated financial institution in lieu of conversion, as described in “Description of Notes—Exchange in Lieu of Conversion,” which would be taxable as described above, under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes”), we intend to take the position that the notes are securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that the conversion should be treated as a recapitalization. In such case, gain, but not loss, would be recognized by the U.S. holder equal to the excess of the fair market value of our common stock and cash received (other than amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be treated as described above under “—Interest on the Notes”) over the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note, but in no event would the gain recognized exceed the amount of cash received (excluding any cash received in lieu of a fractional share or attributable to accrued but unpaid interest). The amount of gain or loss recognized on the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share would be equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the portion of the U.S. holder’s tax basis in our common stock received that is allocable to the fractional share, as described in the following paragraph. Any gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder on conversion of a note generally would be capital gain or loss and would be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the conversion, the note has been held for more than one year.

The tax basis of our common stock received upon such a conversion (including any fractional share deemed to be received by the U.S. holder, but excluding any common stock attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, the tax basis of which would equal its fair market value) would equal the adjusted tax basis of the note that was converted, reduced by the amount of any cash received (excluding cash received in lieu of a fractional share or attributable to accrued but unpaid interest), and increased by the amount of gain, if any, recognized (other than gain recognized on any cash received with respect to a fractional share). A U.S. holder’s holding period for common stock would include the period during which the U.S. holder held the note, except that the holding period of any common stock received with respect to accrued but unpaid interest would commence on the day after our common stock is received.

Alternative treatment as part conversion and part redemption.    If the conversion of a note into cash and common stock were not treated as a recapitalization as discussed above, the cash payment received may be treated as proceeds from the sale of a portion of the note and taxed in the manner described above under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes,” in which case our common stock received on such a conversion would be treated as received upon a conversion of the other portion of the note, which generally would not be taxable to a U.S. holder except to the extent of any common stock received with respect to accrued but unpaid interest. In that case, the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note would generally be allocated pro rata among our common stock received and the portion of the note that is treated as sold for cash based on the fair market value of our common stock and the cash. The holding period for our common stock received in the conversion would include the holding period for the note, except that the holding period of any common stock received with respect to accrued but unpaid interest would commence on the day after our common stock is received.

Distributions

Distributions, if any, made on our common stock generally will be included in a U.S. holder’s income as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a U.S.

 

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holder’s tax basis in our common stock and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such common stock. Dividends received by a corporate U.S. holder may be eligible for a dividends received deduction, subject to applicable limitations. Dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. holders (including individuals), are generally taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rates, provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.

Constructive distributions

The conversion rate of the notes will be adjusted in certain circumstances. Adjustments (or failures to make adjustments) that have the effect of increasing a U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits may, in some circumstances, result in a deemed distribution to the U.S. holder for U.S. federal income tax purposes even though no cash or property is received. Adjustments to the conversion rate made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing the dilution of the interest of the holders of the notes, however, will generally not result in a deemed distribution to a U.S. holder.

Certain of the conversion rate adjustments provided in the notes (including, without limitation, adjustments in respect of taxable dividends to holders of our common stock) will not qualify as being pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula. If such adjustments are made, a U.S. holder will be deemed to have received a distribution even though the U.S. holder has not received any cash or property as a result of such conversion rate adjustment. In addition, an adjustment to the conversion rate in connection with a make-whole fundamental change may be treated as a deemed distribution. Any deemed distribution will be taxable as a dividend, return of capital or capital gain to the extent thereof as described above under “—Distributions.”

However, it is unclear whether a constructive dividend deemed paid to a non-corporate U.S. holder would be eligible for the lower applicable long-term capital gains rates as described above under “—Distributions.” It is also unclear whether corporate holders would be entitled to claim the dividends received deduction with respect to any such constructive dividends. Generally, a U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note will be increased to the extent any such constructive distribution is treated as a dividend. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors on the impact a constructive distribution may have on their holding period in the notes.

We currently are required to report the amount of any deemed distributions on our website or to the IRS and holders of notes not exempt from reporting. On April 12, 2016, the IRS proposed regulations addressing the amount and timing of deemed distributions, obligations of withholding agents and filing and notice obligations of issuers. If adopted as proposed, the regulations would generally provide that (i) the amount of a deemed distribution is the excess of the fair market value of the right to acquire stock immediately after the conversion adjustment over the fair market value of the right to acquire stock without the adjustment, (ii) the deemed distribution occurs at the earlier of the date the adjustment occurs under the terms of the note and the date of the actual distribution of cash or property that results in the deemed distribution, (iii) subject to certain limited exceptions, a withholding agent is required to impose any applicable withholding on deemed distributions to a non-U.S. holder and, if there is no associated cash payment, may set off its withholding obligations against payments on the notes (or, in some circumstances, any payments on our common stock) or sales proceeds received by or other funds or assets of such holder and (iv) we are required to report the amount of any deemed distributions on our website or to the IRS and all holders of notes (including holders of notes that would otherwise be exempt from reporting). The final regulations will be effective for deemed distributions occurring on or after the date of adoption, but holders of notes and withholding agents may rely on them prior to that date under certain circumstances.

Sale, certain redemptions or other taxable dispositions of common stock

Upon the sale, certain redemptions or other taxable dispositions of our common stock, a U.S. holder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in

 

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our common stock. Any gain or loss recognized on a taxable disposition of common stock will be capital gain or loss. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if a U.S. holder’s holding period at the time of the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of our common stock is more than one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. holders (including individuals) are generally subject to a reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Possible effect of the change in conversion consideration after a change in control

In certain situations, the notes may become convertible or exchangeable into shares of an acquirer. Depending on the circumstances, such an adjustment could result in a deemed taxable exchange of the notes to a U.S. holder and the modified notes could be treated as newly issued at that time, potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss. Furthermore, depending on the circumstances, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the exchange or conversion of the notes as well as the ownership of the notes and the shares may be different from the U.S. federal income tax consequences addressed in this discussion.

Consequences to Non-U.S. holders

Interest on the notes

Interest paid on a note to a Non-U.S. Holder that is not effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, or withholding tax of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), provided that:

 

•

the non-U.S. holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock;

 

•

the non-U.S. holder is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us (actually or constructively) through stock ownership; and

 

•

(i) the non-U.S. holder provides its name and address, and certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a U.S. person (which certification may be made on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form)) or (ii) the non-U.S. holder holds the notes through certain foreign intermediaries and the non-U.S. holder and the foreign intermediaries satisfy the certification requirements of applicable Treasury regulations.

If a non-U.S. holder cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest will be subject to the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless the non-U.S. holder provides the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed (i) IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under an applicable income tax treaty or (ii) IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) stating that interest paid on the notes is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. If a non-U.S. holder is engaged in a trade or business within the United States and interest on a note is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment, then (although the non-U.S. holder will be exempt from the 30% withholding tax provided the certification requirements discussed above are satisfied) the non-U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on that interest on a net income basis at regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates, generally in the same manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. holder. In addition, if the non-U.S. holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or lesser rate under an applicable income tax treaty) of its earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to adjustments, that are effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business within the United States.

 

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Dividends and constructive distributions

Subject to the discussion below on effectively connected income, any dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to common stock (including any deemed dividends resulting from certain adjustments, or failures to make adjustments, to the conversion rate of the notes, see above under “Consequences to U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions”) will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, provided the non-U.S. holder furnishes a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) certifying qualification for the lower treaty rate).

If dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder are effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the non-U.S. holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), the non-U.S. holder will be exempt from the U.S. federal withholding tax described above. To claim the exemption, the non-U.S. holder must furnish to the applicable withholding agent a valid IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Any such effectively connected dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates. A non-U.S. holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected dividends, as adjusted for certain items.

Any applicable withholding taxes (including backup withholding) with respect to deemed dividends may be withheld from interest and payments upon conversion, repurchase or maturity of the notes or if any withholding taxes (including backup withholding) are paid on behalf of a holder, those amounts may be set off against payments of cash or common stock, if any, payable on the notes (or, in some circumstances, any payments on our common stock) or sales proceeds received by, or other funds or assets of, such holder.

Sale, exchange, certain redemptions, conversion or other taxable dispositions of notes or common stock

Any gain recognized by a non-U.S. holder on the sale, exchange (including an exchange with a designated financial institution in lieu of conversion, as described in “Description of Notes—Exchange in Lieu of Conversion”), certain redemptions, conversion or other taxable disposition of a note or common stock will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:

 

•

the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment);

 

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the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or

 

•

we are or have been a U.S. real property holding corporation (“USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes during the shorter of the non-U.S. holder’s holding period or the five-year period ending on the date of disposition of the note or common stock, as the case may be.

Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates, generally in the same manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. holder. A non-U.S. holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital

 

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losses of the non-U.S. holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe we currently are not, and do not anticipate becoming, a USRPHC.

Any amounts (including common stock) that a non-U.S. holder receives on a sale, exchange, redemption, conversion or other taxable disposition of a note that are attributable to accrued but unpaid interest will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in accordance with the rules described above under “Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders—Interest on the Notes.”

Information reporting and backup withholding

U.S. holders

Information reporting requirements generally will apply to payments of interest (including additional interest, if any) and deemed dividends on the notes, dividends on our common stock and the proceeds of a sale of a note or common stock paid to a U.S. holder, unless the U.S. holder is an exempt recipient, and if requested, certifies as to that status. Backup withholding generally will apply to those payments if the U.S. holder fails to provide an appropriate certification with its correct taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Non-U.S. holders

Generally, the amount of interest (including additional interest, if any) and deemed dividends on the notes and dividends on common stock paid to non-U.S. holders, and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect thereto must be reported annually to the IRS and to the non-U.S. holders. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest, deemed dividends, dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in a country in which the non-U.S. holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. In general, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments of interest or deemed dividends on a note or dividends on common stock, provided the statement described above in the last bullet point under “Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders—Interest on the Notes” has been received. A non-U.S. holder will be subject to information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding with respect to payments of the proceeds of the sale of a note or common stock conducted within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the statement described above has been received, or the non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign account tax compliance act

Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or “FATCA”) on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on interest and dividends (including deemed dividends) on, or gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our notes or common stock paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (ii) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an

 

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exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (i) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States-owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of interest and dividends (including deemed dividends) on the notes or our common stock, and, beginning on or after January 1, 2019, will apply to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of such notes or stock.

Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our notes and common stock.

 

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Underwriting; conflicts of interest

We will enter into a purchase agreement with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc. and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, who are acting as joint book-running managers of the offering and as representatives of the underwriters. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of notes set forth opposite that underwriter’s name.

 

Name		Principal amount of notes
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC		$	358,910,000
Barclays Capital Inc.		$	133,818,000
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC		$	133,818,000
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith                    Incorporated		$	36,727,000
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC		$	36,727,000
Total		$	700,000,000

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the notes if any are purchased. The obligations of the underwriters under the underwriting agreement are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

Option to purchase additional notes

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase, exercisable within a 30-day period from the date of this offering memorandum, up to an additional $105 million principal amount of notes from us to cover sales of the notes that exceed the principal amount of notes specified above. If any additional notes are purchased with this option, the underwriters will offer such additional notes on the same terms as those on which the notes are being offered.

New issue of notes

The notes are a new issue of securities, and there is currently no established trading market for such notes. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes, but they are not obligated to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market-making in the notes at any time in their sole discretion without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for the notes. If an active trading market for the notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected. If the notes are traded, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our performance and other factors.

No sale of similar securities

We have agreed that we will not, with limited exceptions, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the SEC a registration statement under the

 

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Securities Act relating to, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our common stock, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock or such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, in each case without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus, other than the shares of our common stock to be sold hereunder.

Our directors and executive officers, and certain of our significant shareholders have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters prior to the commencement of this offering pursuant to which each of these persons or entities, with limited exceptions, for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus, may not, without the prior written consent of the representatives on behalf of the underwriters, (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock (including, without limitation, common stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such directors, executive officers and significant shareholders in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant), or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge or disposition, (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock or such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or (3) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of our common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock.

Price stabilization and short positions; repurchase of common stock

In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions in the notes and our common stock. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the notes or our common stock in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the notes. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the notes or our common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the notes or our common stock to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of those transactions.

These acquisitions could have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock above levels that would otherwise have prevailed, or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our common stock. See “Use of proceeds.”

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a

 

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solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have provided in the past to us and our affiliates and may provide from time to time in the future certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and other services for us and such affiliates in the ordinary course of their business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. Certain of the underwriters for this offering are expected to act as underwriters in connection with the Common Stock Offering. In addition, from time to time, certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may effect transactions for their own account or the account of customers, and hold on behalf of themselves or their customers, long or short positions in our debt or equity securities or loans, and may do so in the future.

Conflicts of interest

A portion of the net proceeds from this offering may be used to repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and under our outstanding Senior Notes. The notes will be prioritized in the following order, to the extent holders validly tender their notes: 6.75% Senior Notes due 2019, 7.75% Senior Notes due 2020, 7.50% Senior Notes due 2022 and 7.00% Senior Notes due 2024. We cannot assure you which Senior Note holders will tender their notes. Certain affiliates of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated are lenders under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and holders of the Senior Notes. Certain affiliates of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are lenders under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement. Because such affiliates of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC may, in each case, receive more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering due to such repayment, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are each deemed to have a “conflict of interest” under FINRA Rule 5121(f)(5)(B). Accordingly, this offering is being made in compliance with the requirements of Rule 5121(a)(1)(A). Pursuant to that rule, the appointment of a “qualified independent underwriter” is not required in connection with this offering as each of the members primarily responsible for managing the public offering does not have a conflict of interest, is not an affiliate of any member that has a conflict of interest and meets the requirements of paragraph (f)(12)(E) of Rule 5121. In accordance with Rule 5121, neither Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated nor Wells Fargo Securities, LLC will sell any of our securities to a discretionary account without receiving written approval from the account holder.

Notice to prospective investors in the European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each, a “Relevant Member State”), no offer of notes may be made to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

 

A.

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

B.

to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives; or

 

C.

in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided, that no such offer of notes shall require the Company or the representatives to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

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Each person in a Relevant Member State who initially acquires any notes or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive. In the case of any notes being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the notes acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any notes to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant Member State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

The Company, the representatives and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements.

This prospectus has been prepared on the basis that any offer of notes in any Relevant Member State will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of notes. Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant Member State of notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for the Company or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive in relation to such offer. Neither the Company nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of notes in circumstances in which an obligation arises for the Company or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer.

For the purpose of the above provisions, the expression “an offer to the public” in relation to any notes in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the notes, as the same may be varied in the Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in the Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member States) and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

Notice to prospective investors in the United Kingdom

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Directive) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”).

Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on the information included in this document or use it as basis for taking any action. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity that this document relates to may be made or taken exclusively by relevant persons. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

 

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Notice to prospective investors in Switzerland

The notes may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of, and has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

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

Notice to prospective investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”)

This document relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Markets Rules 2012 of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This document is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Markets Rules 2012 of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for this document. The securities to which this document relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered should conduct their own due diligence on the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this document you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

In relation to its use in the DIFC, this document is strictly private and confidential and is being distributed to a limited number of investors and must not be provided to any person other than the original recipient, and may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. The interests in the securities may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly to the public in the DIFC.

Notice to prospective investors in the United Arab Emirates

The notes have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) other than in compliance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates (and the Dubai International Financial Centre) governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus does not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) and is not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus has not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority or the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

Notice to prospective investors in Australia

This prospectus supplement:

 

•

does not constitute a disclosure document under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the “Corporations Act”);

 

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•

has not been, and will not be, lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), as a disclosure document for the purposes of the Corporations Act and does not purport to include the information required of a disclosure document under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act; and

 

•

may only be provided in Australia to select investors who are able to demonstrate that they fall within one or more of the categories of investors, or Exempt Investors, available under section 708 of the Corporations Act.

The notes may not be directly or indirectly offered for subscription or purchased or sold, and no invitations to subscribe for or buy the notes may be issued, and no draft or definitive offering memorandum, advertisement or other offering material relating to any notes may be distributed in Australia, except where disclosure to investors is not required under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act or is otherwise in compliance with all applicable Australian laws and regulations. By submitting an application for the notes, you represent and warrant to us that you are an Exempt Investor.

As any offer of notes under this document will be made without disclosure in Australia under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act, the offer of those securities for resale in Australia within 12 months may, under section 707 of the Corporations Act, require disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D.2 if none of the exemptions in section 708 applies to that resale. By applying for the notes you undertake to us that you will not, for a period of 12 months from the date of issue of the notes, offer, transfer, assign or otherwise alienate those securities to investors in Australia except in circumstances where disclosure to investors is not required under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act or where a compliant disclosure document is prepared and lodged with ASIC.

Notice to prospective investors in Japan

The notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Accordingly, the notes may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the benefit of a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Notice to prospective investors in Hong Kong

The notes have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.

WARNING: The contents of this document have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this document, you should obtain independent professional advice.

 

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Notice to prospective investors in Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

(a)

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

(b)

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

(a)

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

(b)

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

(c)

where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

(d)

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

(e)

as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore

Notice to prospective investors in Bermuda

Notes may be offered or sold in Bermuda only in compliance with the provisions of the Investment Business Act of 2003 of Bermuda which regulates the sale of securities in Bermuda. Additionally, non-Bermudian persons (including companies) may not carry on or engage in any trade or business in Bermuda unless such persons are permitted to do so under applicable Bermuda legislation.

Notice to prospective investors in Saudi Arabia

This document may not be distributed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia except to such persons as are permitted under the Offers of Securities Regulations as issued by the board of the Saudi Arabian Capital Market Authority (“CMA”) pursuant to resolution number 2-11-2004 dated 4 October 2004 as amended by resolution number 1-28-2008, as amended (the “CMA Regulations”). The CMA does not make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this document and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from, or incurred in reliance upon, any part of this document. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered hereby should conduct their own due diligence on the accuracy of the information relating to the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

 

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Notice to prospective investors in the British Virgin Islands

The notes are not being, and may not be offered to the public or to any person in the British Virgin Islands for purchase or subscription by or on behalf of the Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. The notes may be offered to companies incorporated under the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (British Virgin Islands),“BVI Companies”), but only where the offer will be made to, and received by, the relevant BVI Company entirely outside of the British Virgin Islands.

This prospectus has not been, and will not be, registered with the Financial Services Commission of the British Virgin Islands. No registered prospectus has been or will be prepared in respect of the notes for the purposes of the Securities and Investment Business Act, 2010 (“SIBA”) or the Public Issuers Code of the British Virgin Islands.

Notice to prospective investors in China

This prospectus supplement does not constitute a public offer of notes, whether by sale or subscription, in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”). The notes is not being offered or sold directly or indirectly in the PRC to or for the benefit of, legal or natural persons of the PRC.

Further, no legal or natural persons of the PRC may directly or indirectly purchase any of the notes or any beneficial interest therein without obtaining all prior PRC’s governmental approvals that are required, whether statutorily or otherwise. Persons who come into possession of this document are required by the issuer and its representatives to observe these restrictions.

Notice to prospective investors in Korea

The notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Investments Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder (the “FSCMA”), and the notes have been and will be offered in Korea as a private placement under the FSCMA. None of the notes may be offered, sold or delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea, including the FSCMA and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law of Korea and the decrees and regulations thereunder (the “FETL”). The notes have not been listed on any of securities exchanges in the world including, without limitation, the Korea Exchange in Korea. Furthermore, the purchaser of the notes shall comply with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to requirements under the FETL) in connection with the purchase of the notes. By the purchase of the notes, the relevant holder thereof will be deemed to represent and warrant that if it is in Korea or is a resident of Korea, it purchased the notes pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea.

Notice to prospective investors in Malaysia

No prospectus or other offering material or document in connection with the offer and sale of the notes has been or will be registered with the Securities Commission of Malaysia (“Commission”) for the Commission’s approval pursuant to the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Malaysia other than (i) a closed end fund approved by the Commission; (ii) a holder of a Capital Markets Services Licence; (iii) a person who acquires the notes, as principal, if the offer is on terms that the notes may only be acquired at a consideration of not less than RM250,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) for each transaction; (iv) an

 

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individual whose total net personal assets or total net joint assets with his or her spouse exceeds RM3 million (or its equivalent in foreign currencies), excluding the value of the primary residence of the individual; (v) an individual who has a gross annual income exceeding RM300,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) per annum in the preceding twelve months; (vi) an individual who, jointly with his or her spouse, has a gross annual income of RM400,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies), per annum in the preceding twelve months; (vii) a corporation with total net assets exceeding RM10 million (or its equivalent in a foreign currencies) based on the last audited accounts; (viii) a partnership with total net assets exceeding RM10 million (or its equivalent in foreign currencies); (ix) a bank licensee or insurance licensee as defined in the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010; (x) an Islamic bank licensee or takaful licensee as defined in the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010; and (xi) any other person as may be specified by the Commission; provided that, in the each of the preceding categories (i) to (xi), the distribution of the notes is made by a holder of a Capital Markets Services Licence who carries on the business of dealing in securities. The distribution in Malaysia of this prospectus supplement is subject to Malaysian laws. This prospectus supplement does not constitute and may not be used for the purpose of public offering or an issue, offer for subscription or purchase, invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities requiring the registration of a prospectus with the Commission under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007.

Notice to prospective investors in Taiwan

The notes have not been and will not be registered with the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be sold, issued or offered within Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitutes an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan that requires a registration or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer, sell, give advice regarding or otherwise intermediate the offering and sale of the notes in Taiwan.

Notice to prospective investors in South Africa

Due to restrictions under the securities laws of South Africa, the notes are not offered, and the Offer shall not be transferred, sold, renounced or delivered, in South Africa or to a person with an address in South Africa, unless one or other of the following exemptions applies:

 

i.

the offer, transfer, sale, renunciation or delivery is to duly registered banks, mutual banks, financial services provider, financial institution, the Public Investment Corporation (in each case registered as such in South Africa), a person who deals with securities in their ordinary course of business, or a wholly owned subsidiary of a bank, mutual bank, authorised services provider or financial institution, acting as agent in the capacity of an authorised portfolio manager for a pension fund (duly registered in South Africa), or as manager for a collective investment scheme(registered in South Africa); or

 

ii.

the contemplated acquisition cost of the securities, for any single addressee acting as principal is equal to or greater than R1,000,000.

This document does not, nor is it intended to, constitute an “offer to the public” (as that term is defined in the South African Companies Act, 2008 (the “SA Companies Act”) and does not, nor is it intended to, constitute a prospectus prepared and registered under the SA Companies Act. This document is not an “offer to the public” and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who do not fall within Section 96(1)(a) of the SA Companies Act (such persons being referred to as “relevant persons”). Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

 

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A South African resident person or company or any non-South African company which is a subsidiary of a South African company is not permitted to acquire the notes unless such person has obtained exchange control approval to do so.

 

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Legal matters

The validity of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, Palo Alto, California.

Experts

The consolidated financial statements of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. appearing in Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 26, 2015 including schedules appearing therein, and the effectiveness of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2015, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are, and audited consolidated financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the respective dates (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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Where you can find more information

We file reports and proxy statements with the SEC. These filings include our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and proxy statements on Schedule 14A, as well as any amendments to those reports and proxy statements, and are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Once at www.amd.com, go to Investor Relations to locate copies of such reports and proxy statements. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the website will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in, and are not considered part of, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. You should not rely on any such information in making your decision whether to purchase the notes. You may also read and copy materials that we file with SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding us and other issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the notes being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which constitutes part of that registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules which are part of the registration statement. For further information about us and the notes offered, see the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document to which reference is made are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance where a copy of a contract or other document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, reference is made to the copy so filed, each of those statements being qualified in all respects by the reference.

 

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Incorporation by reference

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement the information we file with the SEC in other documents, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents instead of having to repeat the information in this prospectus supplement. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede such information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future information filed (rather than furnished) with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, between the date of this prospectus supplement and the date we close or otherwise terminate this offering, provided, however, that we are not incorporating any information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K:

 

•

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2015, filed with the SEC on February 18, 2016.

 

•

Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 26, 2016, filed with the SEC on April 28, 2016, and June 25, 2016, filed with the SEC on July 26, 2016.

 

•

Information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2015 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on March 24, 2016.

 

•

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 28, 2015, April 29, 2016 (Item 2.01 only), May 12, 2016, May 18, 2016, July 1, 2016 and August 31, 2016.

 

•

The description of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on December 9, 2014, including any subsequently filed amendments and reports updating such description.

We will furnish without charge to you a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference, including exhibits to these documents, upon written or oral request. Direct your written request to:

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

One AMD Place

P.O. Box 3453

Sunnyvale, California 94088-3453

(408) 749-4000

A statement contained in a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this or any other prospectus supplement, or in any other subsequently filed document which is also incorporated in this prospectus supplement modifies or replaces such statement. Any statements so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

 

ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES, INC.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

Units

 

 

We may offer and sell the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities.

Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.

We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

 

 

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE THE “RISK FACTORS” INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY SIMILAR SECTION CONTAINED IN OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT CONCERNING FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES.

Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “AMD.” On September 2, 2016, the last reported sale price of our common stock on NASDAQ was $7.51 per share.

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

The date of this prospectus is September 6, 2016.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE			2
THE COMPANY			4
RISK FACTORS			5
USE OF PROCEEDS			6
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED SHARE DIVIDENDS			7
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK			8
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			10
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER SECURITIES			18
GLOBAL SECURITIES			19
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			22
LEGAL MATTERS			23
EXPERTS			23

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings as described in this prospectus. Each time that we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the prospectus supplement. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate as of the date on its respective cover and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus incorporates by reference, and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may contain and incorporate by reference, market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently verified this information. Although we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the market and industry data presented in this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference, these estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

When we refer to “AMD,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” in this prospectus, we mean Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified. When we refer to “you,” we mean the holders of the applicable series of securities.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Available Information

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Information filed with the SEC by us can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Room of the SEC at prescribed rates. Further information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov.

Our web site address is www.amd.com. The information on our web site, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus.

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided below. Forms of the indenture and other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are or may be filed as exhibits to the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or through the SEC’s website, as provided above.

Incorporation by Reference

The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus modifies or replaces that statement.

We incorporate by reference our documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the “Exchange Act” in this prospectus, between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed below or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including our Compensation Committee report and performance graph or any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or related exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:

 

•

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2015, filed with the SEC on February 18, 2016.

 

•

Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 26, 2016, filed with the SEC on April 28, 2016, and June 25, 2016, filed with the SEC on July 26, 2016.

 

•

Information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2015 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on March 24, 2016.

 

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•

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 28, 2015, April 29, 2016 (Item 2.01 only), May 12, 2016, May 18, 2016, July 1, 2016 and August 31, 2016.

 

•

The description of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on December 9, 2014, including any subsequently filed amendments and reports updating such description.

All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus (other than exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference in the documents) by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

One AMD Place

P.O. Box 3453

Sunnyvale, California 94088-3453

(408) 749-4000

Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

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THE COMPANY

We are a global semiconductor company primarily offering:

 

•

x86 microprocessors, as standalone devices or as incorporated as an accelerated processing unit (“APU”), chipsets, discrete graphics processing units (“GPUs”) and professional graphics; and

 

•

server and embedded processors, semi-custom System-on-Chip (“SoC”) products and technology for game consoles. We also license portions of our intellectual property portfolio.

We were incorporated under the laws of Delaware on May 1, 1969 and became a publicly held company in 1972. Our common stock is currently listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “AMD.” Our mailing address and executive offices are located at One AMD Place, P.O. Box 3453, Sunnyvale, California 94088-3453, and our telephone number at that location is (408) 749-4000.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making a decision to invest in our securities, in addition to the other information contained in this prospectus, in any accompanying prospectus supplement, or incorporated by reference herein or therein, you should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and discussed under “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference, and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with a specific offering. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED SHARE DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth the historical ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred share dividends for AMD and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods indicated.

 

Year Ended

Six Months Ended June 25, 2016

Dec. 26, 2015

Dec. 27, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Ratio of earnings (loss) to fixed charges(1)

*

*

0.6x

*

1.0x

*

Ratio of earnings (loss) to combined fixed charges and preferred share dividends

*

*

0.6x

*

1.0x

*

 

(1)

For the years ended December 26, 2015, December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $646 million, $398 million, $74 million, $1.2 billion and $1 million, respectively. For the six-months ended June 25, 2016, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $157 million.

For the periods indicated above, we have no outstanding shares of preferred stock with required dividend payments. Therefore, the ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends are identical to the ratios presented in the tables above.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock is not complete and may not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our capital stock. This description is summarized from, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our certificate of incorporation, which has been publicly filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

Our authorized capital stock consists of:

 

•

1,500,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value; and

 

•

1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.10 par value.

Common Stock

The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted on by stockholders, including the election of directors. Stockholders are not entitled to cumulative voting rights, and, accordingly, the holders of a majority of the shares voting for the election of directors can elect the entire board if they choose to do so and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any person to the board of directors.

The holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors, in its discretion, from funds legally available therefor and subject to prior dividend rights of holders of any shares of preferred stock which may be outstanding. However, the terms of certain of our borrowing arrangements restrict our ability to declare or pay dividends on our common stock in certain circumstances. Upon liquidation or dissolution of the company subject to prior liquidation rights of the holders of preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive on a pro rata basis the remaining assets of the company available for distribution. Holders of common stock have no preemptive or other subscription rights, and there are no conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to such shares. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

Dividends on Common Stock

Currently, we do not have any plans to pay dividends on our common stock. Under the terms of our indentures for our 6.75% Senior Notes due 2019, 7.75% Senior Notes due 2020, 7.50% Senior Notes due 2022 and 7.00% Senior Notes due 2024, we are prohibited from paying cash dividends if the aggregate amount of dividends and other restricted payments made by us since entering into each indenture would exceed the sum of specified financial measures including fifty percent of consolidated net income as that term is defined in the indentures. Under the terms of our Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of April 14, 2015 (the “Amended and Restated Loan Agreement”), we are prohibited from paying cash dividends on our common stock when certain payment conditions (the “Payment Conditions”) are not satisfied. The Payment Conditions include that (i) no default or event of default exists and (ii) at all times during the 45 consecutive days immediately prior to such transaction, event or payment and on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such transaction, event or payment and any incurrence or repayment of indebtedness in connection therewith, the Loan Parties’ excess cash availability (as defined in the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement) is greater than the greater of 20% of the total commitment amount and $100 million, which as of June 25, 2016 was achieved.

Undesignated Preferred Stock

Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without action by our stockholders, to designate and issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to designate the rights, preferences and privileges of each series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of our common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any

 

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shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of our common stock until our board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of preferred stock. However, the effects might include, among other things, restricting dividends on the common stock, diluting the voting power of the common stock, impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock and delaying or preventing a change in control of our common stock without further action by our stockholders and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As of September 6, 2016, no shares of our preferred stock were outstanding.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Under Section 203, we would generally be prohibited from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the time that this stockholder became an interested stockholder unless:

 

•

prior to this time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

•

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

•

at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Under Section 203, a “business combination” includes:

 

•

any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

 

•

any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

 

•

any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder, subject to limited exceptions;

 

•

any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

 

•

the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as an entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. In the summary below, we have included references to the section numbers of the indenture so that you can easily locate these provisions. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture.

General

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our board of directors, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. (Section 2.2) The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).

We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. (Section 2.1) We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:

 

•

the title and ranking of the debt securities (including the terms of any subordination provisions);

 

•

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;

 

•

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

•

the date or dates on which the principal of the securities of the series is payable;

 

•

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

•

the place or places where principal of, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable (and the method of such payment), where the securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered;

 

•

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

 

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•

any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and in the terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

•

the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations;

 

•

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

•

whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

 

•

the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

 

•

the currency of denomination of the debt securities, which may be United States Dollars or any foreign currency, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

 

•

the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made;

 

•

if payments of principal of, premium or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;

 

•

the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

 

•

any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

 

•

any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

•

any addition to, deletion of or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

•

any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities;

 

•

the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of such series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price and period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange;

 

•

any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities; and

 

•

whether any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries will guarantee the debt securities of that series, including the terms of subordination, if any, of such guarantees. (Section 2.2)

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Transfer and Exchange

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”) or a nominee of the Depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. (Section 2.4) No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange. (Section 2.7)

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System. Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. Please see “Global Securities.”

Covenants

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities. (Article IV)

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person (a “successor person”) unless:

 

•

we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than AMD) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; and

 

•

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

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Notwithstanding the above, any of our subsidiaries may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to us. (Section 5.1)

Events of Default

“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

 

•

default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period);

 

•

default in the payment of principal of any security of that series at its maturity;

 

•

default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or AMD and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

 

•

certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of AMD; and

 

•

any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement. (Section 6.1)

No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. (Section 6.1) The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.

We will provide the trustee written notice of any Default or Event of Default within 30 days of becoming aware of the occurrence of such Default or Event of Default, which notice will describe in reasonable detail the status of such Default or Event of Default and what action we are taking or propose to take in respect thereof. (Section 6.1)

If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. (Section 6.2) We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.

 

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The indenture provides that the trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in performing such duty or exercising such right or power. (Section 7.1(e)) Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. (Section 6.12)

No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

•

that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

 

•

the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered indemnity or security satisfactory to the trustee, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days. (Section 6.7)

Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment. (Section 6.8)

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. (Section 4.3) If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a responsible officer of the trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities. (Section 7.5)

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may modify, amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:

 

•

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

•

to comply with covenants in the indenture described above under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

 

•

to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities;

 

•

to add guarantees with respect to debt securities of any series or secure debt securities of any series;

 

•

to surrender any of our rights or powers under the indenture;

 

•

to add covenants or events of default for the benefit of the holders of debt securities of any series;

 

•

to comply with the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary;

 

•

to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities;

 

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•

to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;

 

•

to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or

 

•

to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. (Section 9.1)

We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:

 

•

reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

•

reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

 

•

reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;

 

•

reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

 

•

waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

•

make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

 

•

make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

 

•

waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security. (Section 9.3)

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. (Section 9.2) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration. (Section 6.13)

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the irrevocable deposit with the trustee,

 

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in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money or U.S. government obligations in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. (Section 8.3)

Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

 

•

we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

 

•

any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series (“covenant defeasance”).

The conditions include:

 

•

depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and

 

•

delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred. (Section 8.4)

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees or Stockholders

None of our past, present or future directors, officers, employees or stockholders, as such, will have any liability for any of our obligations under the debt securities or the indenture or for any claim based on, or in respect or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a debt security, each holder waives and releases all such liability. This waiver and release is part of the consideration for the issue of the debt securities. However, this waiver and release may not be effective to waive liabilities under U.S. federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

 

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Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

The indenture will provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture, the debt securities or the transactions contemplated thereby.

The indenture will provide that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the indenture or the transactions contemplated thereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York, and we, the trustee and the holder of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. The indenture will further provide that service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth in the indenture will be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The indenture will further provide that we, the trustee and the holders of the debt securities (by their acceptance of the debt securities) irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the courts specified above and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. (Section 10.10)

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER SECURITIES

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of any warrants, purchase contracts or units issued by us that may be offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus.

 

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GLOBAL SECURITIES

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

Unless we indicate differently in a prospectus supplement, the securities initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes or global securities, or, collectively, global securities. The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, as depositary, or DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for individual certificates evidencing securities under the limited circumstances described below, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor depositary or to a nominee of the successor depositary.

DTC has advised us that it is:

 

•

a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

 

•

a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

 

•

a member of the Federal Reserve System;

 

•

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

•

a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. “Direct participants” in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as indirect participants, that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a security, which we sometimes refer to as a beneficial owner, is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which they purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except under the limited circumstances described below.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

 

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So long as the securities are in book-entry form, you will receive payments and may transfer securities only through the facilities of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants. We will maintain an office or agency in the location specified in the prospectus supplement for the applicable securities, where notices and demands in respect of the securities and the indenture may be delivered to us and where certificated securities may be surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the securities of such series to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

So long as securities are in book-entry form, we will make payments on those securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of such securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If securities are issued in definitive certificated form under the limited circumstances described below, we will have the option of making payments by check mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled to payment or by wire transfer to bank accounts in the United States designated in writing to the applicable trustee or other designated party at least 15 days before the applicable payment date by the persons entitled to payment, unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the applicable trustee or other designated party.

Redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC, the trustee, or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the securities and the indenture.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in securities.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depositary is not obtained, securities certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

 

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As noted above, beneficial owners of a particular series of securities generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in those securities. However, if:

 

•

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global security or securities representing such series of securities or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a time when it is required to be registered and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of the notification to us or of our becoming aware of DTC’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be;

 

•

we determine, in our sole discretion, not to have such securities represented by one or more global securities; or

 

•

an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series of securities,

we will prepare and deliver certificates for such securities in exchange for beneficial interests in the global securities. Any beneficial interest in a global security that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.

We have obtained the information in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system from sources that are believed to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the offered securities from time to time:

 

•

through underwriters or dealers;

 

•

through agents;

 

•

directly to one or more purchasers; or

 

•

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Latham & Watkins LLP will pass upon certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the securities offered hereby on behalf of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. appearing in Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 26, 2015 including schedules appearing therein, and the effectiveness of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2015, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are, and audited consolidated financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the respective dates (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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