e424b5
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-121626
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated March 10, 2005)
2,000,000 Shares
Common Stock
We have entered into an equity distribution agreement with UBS
Securities LLC relating to shares of our common stock, par value
$0.01 per share, offered by this prospectus supplement and
the accompanying prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the
equity distribution agreement, we may offer and sell up to
2,000,000 shares of our common stock from time to time
through UBS Securities LLC as our sales agent. Sales of the
shares, if any, will be made by means of ordinary brokers
transactions on the New York Stock Exchange at market prices, in
block transactions, or otherwise. We will pay UBS Securities LLC
a commission equal to 2% of the gross sales price per share of
shares sold through it as agent under the equity distribution
agreement.
Under the terms of the equity distribution agreement, we also
may sell shares of our common stock to UBS Securities LLC as
principal for its own account at a price agreed upon at the time
of sale. If we sell shares to UBS Securities LLC as principal,
we will enter into a separate terms agreement with UBS
Securities LLC and we will describe this agreement in a separate
prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol FLR. On March 11, 2005, the last
quoted price of the shares of common stock as reported on the
NYSE was $57.28.
Investing in these securities involves risks that are
described in the Company Risk Factors section
beginning on page 9 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2004, as amended.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
UBS Investment Bank
The date of this prospectus supplement is March 14, 2005
You should rely only on the information incorporated by
reference or provided in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus. We have not, and UBS Securities LLC has
not, authorized any other person to provide you with different
information. If anyone provides you with different or
inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not,
and UBS Securities LLC is not, making an offer to sell these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not
permitted. You should not assume that the information in this
prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the
front of this document. Our business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects may have changed since such
date.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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PROSPECTUS
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Plan of Distribution
We have entered into an equity distribution agreement with UBS
Securities LLC under which we may offer and sell up to
2,000,000 shares of our common stock from time to time
through UBS Securities LLC as our sales agent. Sales of the
shares, if any, will be made by means of ordinary brokers
transactions on the New York Stock Exchange at market prices,
block transactions and such other transactions as agreed upon by
us and UBS Securities LLC. As agent, UBS Securities LLC will not
engage in any transactions that stabilize our common stock.
UBS Securities LLC, as agent, will use its reasonable efforts to
solicit offers to purchase the shares of common stock on a daily
basis or as otherwise agreed upon by us and UBS Securities LLC.
We will designate the maximum amount of shares of common stock
to be sold through UBS Securities LLC on a daily basis or
otherwise as we and UBS Securities LLC agree. Subject to the
terms and conditions of the equity distribution agreement, UBS
Securities LLC will use its reasonable efforts to sell on our
behalf all of the designated shares of common stock. We may
instruct UBS Securities LLC not to sell shares of common stock
if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated
by us in any such instruction. We or UBS Securities LLC may
suspend the offering of shares of common stock by notifying the
other.
We will pay UBS Securities LLC a commission equal to 2% of the
gross sales price of any such shares sold, through it as agent,
as set forth in the equity distribution agreement. The remaining
sales proceeds, after deducting any expenses payable by us and
any transaction fees imposed by any governmental or
self-regulatory organization in connection with the sales, will
equal our net proceeds for the sale of the shares.
Settlement for sales of common stock will occur on the third
business day following the date on which any sales were made in
return for payment of the net proceeds to us. There is no
arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or
similar arrangement.
We will deliver to the NYSE copies of this prospectus supplement
pursuant to the rules of the NYSE. We will report at least
quarterly the number of shares of common stock sold through UBS
Securities LLC, as agent, in at-the-market offerings, the net
proceeds to us and the compensation paid by us to UBS Securities
LLC in connection with the sales of common stock.
Under the terms of the equity distribution agreement, we also
may sell shares to UBS Securities LLC as principal for its own
account at a price agreed upon at the time of sale. If we sell
shares to UBS Securities LLC as principal, we will enter into a
separate terms agreement with UBS Securities LLC and we will
describe this agreement in a separate prospectus supplement.
In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf,
UBS Securities LLC may be deemed to be an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and the compensation paid to UBS Securities
LLC may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts.
We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to
UBS Securities LLC against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act. UBS Securities LLC may
engage in transactions with, or perform other services for, us
in the ordinary course of business.
If UBS Securities LLC or we have reason to believe that our
common stock is no longer an actively-traded
security as defined under Rule 101(c)(1) of
Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, that party will promptly notify the other and sales of
common stock under the equity distribution agreement and any
terms agreement will be suspended until that or other exemptive
provisions have been satisfied in the judgment of UBS Securities
LLC and our company.
The offering of common stock pursuant to the equity distribution
agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale
of all shares of common stock subject to the equity distribution
agreement and (ii) the termination of the equity
distribution agreement by either UBS Securities LLC or us.
S- 2
Legal Matters
The legality of the shares of our common stock offered hereby
will be passed upon for us by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
LLP, New York, New York. The legality of the shares of our
common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for UBS
Securities LLC by Morrison & Foerster LLP, New York,
New York.
S- 3
PROSPECTUS
$500,000,000
Debt Securities
Common Stock
By this prospectus, Fluor Corporation from time to time may
offer securities to the public. We will provide specific terms
of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You
should read this prospectus and each applicable supplement
carefully before you invest.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the ticker symbol FLR.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representations to the contrary are a criminal
offense.
This prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless it
is accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.
The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and
may be changed. You should rely only on the information
incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any
prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to
provide you with different information or to make additional
representations. We are not making or soliciting an offer of any
securities other than the securities described in this
prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We are not making or
soliciting an offer of these securities in any state or
jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted or in any
circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.
You should not assume that the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus
supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the
front of those documents.
We will sell these securities directly, or through agents,
dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or
through a combination of these methods. We reserve the sole
right to accept, and together with our agents, dealers and
underwriters reserve the right to reject, in whole or in part,
any proposed purchase of securities to be made directly or
through agents, underwriters or dealers. If any agents, dealers
or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the
relevant prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable
commissions or discounts. Our net proceeds from the sale of
securities also will be set forth in the relevant prospectus
supplement.
The date of this prospectus is March 10, 2005.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This document is called a prospectus and is part of a
registration statement that we filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a shelf
registration or continuous offering process. Under this
registration statement, we may sell any combination of the
securities described in this prospectus from time to time,
either separately or in units, in one or more offerings.
Together, these offerings may total up to $500,000,000.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the
securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will
provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information
about the terms of that offering. That prospectus supplement may
include a discussion of any risk factors or other special
considerations applicable to those securities. The prospectus
supplement also may add, update or change information in this
prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the
information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement,
you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.
You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus
supplement together with the additional information described
under the heading Where You Can Find More
Information. The registration statement containing this
prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration
statement, provides additional information about us and the
securities offered under this prospectus. The registration
statement, including the exhibits, can be read at the SECs
website or at the SECs offices mentioned under the heading
Where You Can Find More Information.
Unless we have indicated otherwise, references in this
prospectus to Fluor, we, us
and our or similar terms are to Fluor Corporation, a
Delaware company, and its consolidated subsidiaries and
divisions.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements
and other information with the SEC. You may access and read our
SEC filings, including the complete registration statement and
all exhibits to it, over the Internet at the SECs web site
at http://www.sec.gov. This uniform resource locator is an
inactive textual reference only and is not intended to
incorporate the contents of the SEC website into this prospectus.
You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the
SECs Public Reference Room located at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, DC 20549. You may also
request copies of the documents that we file with the SEC by
writing to the SECs Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, DC 20549, at
prescribed rates. Please call the SEC at (800) 732-0330 for
further information on the operations of the Public Reference
Room and copying charges.
Our SEC filings are also available at the offices of the New
York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, NY
10005. We also post our SEC filings on our website at
http://www.fluor.com. Information contained on our website is
not intended to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus
and you should not consider that information a part of this
prospectus. Our website address is included in this prospectus
as an inactive textual reference only.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the
information we file with it, which means we can disclose
important information to you by referring you to other documents
that contain that information. The information incorporated by
reference is an important part of this prospectus. Any
information that we file with the SEC in the future and
incorporate by reference will automatically update and supersede
the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the
following documents filed by us with the SEC and any future
filings made with the SEC by us under Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until
we sell all of the securities, except as noted below:
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the description of our common stock contained in our
Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on
September 20, 2000 (as amended by Amendment No. 1
thereto on Form 10/A, filed with the SEC on
November 22, 2000); and |
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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004, filed with the SEC on March 4, 2005
(as amended by Form 10-K/A, filed with the SEC on March 7,
2005). |
All documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
after the date of the initial registration statement containing
this prospectus and all documents that we file after the date of
this prospectus and prior to the termination of all offerings
made pursuant to this prospectus also will be deemed to be
incorporated herein by reference and will automatically update
information in this prospectus. Nothing in this prospectus shall
be deemed to incorporate information furnished but not filed
with the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of
Form 8-K.
Statements made in this prospectus, in any prospectus supplement
or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus
as to the contents of any contract or other document are not
necessarily complete. In each instance we refer you to the copy
of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as
an exhibit to the documents incorporated by reference.
We will provide to you, at no cost, a copy of any document
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any exhibits
specifically incorporated by reference in those documents. You
may request copies of these filings from us by mail at the
following address: Fluor Corporation, One Enterprise Drive,
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656-2606, Attention: Investor Relations, or by
telephone at the following telephone number: (949) 349-3909
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this prospectus or any
prospectus supplement, including information incorporated by
reference, are not based on historical facts and may be
forward-looking in nature. Under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, a safe harbor may be
provided to us for certain of these forward-looking statements.
We wish to caution readers that forward-looking statements,
including disclosures which use words such as the company
believes, anticipates,
expects, estimates and similar
statements, are subject to risks and uncertainties which could
cause actual results of operations to differ materially from
expectations.
Any forward-looking statements that we may make are based on our
current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments
and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance
that future developments affecting us will be those anticipated
by us. Any forward-looking statements are subject to the risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results of operations,
financial condition, cost reductions, acquisitions,
dispositions, financing transactions, operations, expansion,
consolidation and other events to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. We
undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements. As a result, the reader is cautioned
not to rely on these forward-looking statements. In addition,
any forward-looking statements should be considered in context
with the various disclosures made by us about our businesses,
including without limitation the risk factors more specifically
described under the heading Company Risk Factors in
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004, as amended, which is incorporated by
reference.
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THE COMPANY
Fluor Corporation was incorporated in Delaware on
September 11, 2000, prior to a reverse spin-off transaction
that separated us from our coal business, which now operates as
Massey Energy Company. However, through various of our
predecessors, we have been in business for more than
100 years. Our executive offices are located at One
Enterprise Drive, Aliso Viejo, California 92656, telephone
number (949) 349-2000.
The company itself is a holding company that owns the stock of a
number of subsidiaries. It is through these subsidiaries that we
perform our business. We operate globally, with offices in 25
countries across six continents. We define our business as
providing engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance
services. We serve a diverse set of industries ranging from oil
and gas to power to industrial clients to the
U.S. government. We also perform operations and maintenance
activities for major industrial clients.
We provide professional services on a global basis in the fields
of engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance. We
are aligned into five principal operating segments:
Oil & Gas offers a full range of design,
engineering, procurement, construction and project management
services to a broad spectrum of energy-related industries.
Industrial & Infrastructure provides design,
engineering, procurement and construction services to the
manufacturing, life sciences, commercial and institutional,
mining, microelectronics, telecommunications and transportation
sectors.
Government provides project management services to the
U.S. government, particularly to the Department of Energy
and the Department of Defense.
Global Services brings together a variety of customized
service capabilities that complement and support our core
businesses, including operations and maintenance activities,
construction and maintenance site services and industrial fleet
outsourcing, plant turnaround services, temporary staffing,
materials and subcontract procurement, and construction-related
support.
Power designs and constructs new power generation
facilities, mostly in the fossil fuel power industry.
Fluor Constructors International, Inc., which is organized and
operates separately from our business segments, provides
unionized management, construction and management services in
the U.S. and Canada, both independently and as a subcontractor
on projects to our operating segments.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus
supplement, the net proceeds we expect to receive from the sale
of the securities will be used for general corporate purposes,
which may include, among others, the following:
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repaying existing debt; and |
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funding working capital requirements. |
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed
charges on a consolidated basis for the periods shown.
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Year Ended |
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October 31 |
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4.10x
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7.75 |
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6.93 |
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For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings consist of earnings from
continuing operations before provision for income taxes plus
fixed charges less equity in earnings from less than
50 percent owned persons, net of distributions. Fixed
charges consist of interest and approximately one-third of
rental expense. You should also refer to the
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations contained in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004, as amended, for a discussion of factors
which have affected our earnings from continuing operations
before income taxes.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a general description of the debt securities
that we may offer from time to time. The particular terms of the
debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the
extent, if any, to which the general provisions described below
may apply to those securities will be described in the
applicable prospectus supplement. As you read this section,
please remember that the specific terms of a debt security as
described in the applicable prospectus supplement will
supplement and may modify or replace the general terms described
in this section. If there are any differences between the
applicable prospectus supplement and this prospectus, the
applicable prospectus supplement will control. As a result, the
statements we make in this section may not apply to the debt
security you purchase.
As used in this Description of the Debt Securities,
the Company refers to Fluor Corporation, and does
not, unless the context otherwise indicates, include our
subsidiaries.
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this section have the
respective meanings set forth in the applicable indenture.
General
The debt securities that we offer will be either senior debt
securities or subordinated debt securities. We will issue senior
debt securities under an indenture, which we refer to as the
senior indenture, to be entered into between us and The Bank of
New York, as trustee. We will issue subordinated debt securities
under a different indenture, which we refer to as the
subordinated indenture, to be entered into between us and The
Bank of New York, as trustee. We refer to both the senior
indenture and the subordinated indenture as the indentures, and
to the trustee under each of the indentures as a trustee. In
addition, the indentures may be supplemented or amended as
necessary to set forth the terms of the debt securities issued
under the indentures. You should read the indentures, including
any amendments or supplements, carefully to fully understand the
terms of the debt securities. The forms of the indentures have
been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part. The indentures are subject to, and
are governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
The debt securities will be direct obligations of the Company
and will not constitute obligations of our subsidiaries. Because
we are a holding company, however, our ability to meet our debt
obligations depends upon the earnings of, and dividends and
other payments from, our subsidiaries. Furthermore, the debt
securities offered hereby will be effectively subordinated to
all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries.
Creditors of our subsidiaries are entitled to a claim on the
assets of those subsidiaries. Consequently, in the event of a
liquidation or reorganization of any subsidiary, creditors of
the subsidiary are likely to be paid in full before any
distribution is made to the Company and holders of debt
securities, except to the extent that the Company is itself
recognized as a creditor of such subsidiary, in which case the
Companys claims would still be subordinate to any security
interests in the assets of such subsidiary and any debt of such
subsidiary senior to that held by the Company.
The senior debt securities will be unsubordinated obligations of
the Company. They will be unsecured and will rank equally with
each other and all of our other unsubordinated debt, unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The
subordinated debt securities will be subordinated, in right of
payment, to the prior payment in full of our senior debt. See
Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities.
Subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will rank
equally with each other, unless otherwise indicated in the
applicable prospectus supplement. We will indicate in each
applicable prospectus supplement, as of the most recent
practicable date, the aggregate amount of our outstanding debt
that would rank senior to the subordinated debt securities.
The indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that
can be issued thereunder and provide that debt securities of any
series may be issued thereunder up to the aggregate principal
amount that we may authorize from time to time. The indentures
do not limit the amount of other indebtedness or securities that
we may issue. We may issue debt securities of the same series at
more than one time and, unless prohibited by
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the terms of the series, we may reopen a series for issuances of
additional debt securities, without the consent of the holders
of the outstanding debt securities of that series.
Reference is made to the prospectus supplement for the following
and other possible terms of each series of the debt securities
in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
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the title of the debt securities; |
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any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt
securities; |
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if other than 100 percent of the principal amount, the
percentage of their principal amount at which the debt
securities will be offered; |
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the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities
will be payable, or method of determination thereof; |
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the rate or rates, or method of determination thereof, at which
the debt securities will bear interest, if any, the date or
dates from which any such interest will accrue and on which such
interest will be payable, and the record dates for the
determination of the holders to whom interest is payable; |
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if other than as set forth herein, the place or places where the
principal of and interest, if any, on the debt securities will
be payable; |
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the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which
and the terms and conditions upon which debt securities may be
redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option; |
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if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the
principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration
of acceleration of the maturity thereof; |
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if other than U.S. dollars, the foreign currencies or units
based on or related to foreign currencies in which the debt
securities may be denominated or payable; |
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our obligation, if any, to redeem, repurchase or repay debt
securities, whether pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
provisions or pursuant to other provisions set forth therein or
at the option of a holder thereof; |
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whether the debt securities will be represented in whole or in
part by one or more global notes registered in the name of a
depositary or its nominee; |
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the ranking of such debt securities as senior debt securities or
subordinated debt securities; |
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whether there are, and, if so, the name of, any authentication
agents, paying agents, transfer agents or registrars with
respect to the debt securities; |
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whether the debt securities are convertible into our common
stock and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion; |
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whether the debt securities are subject to a periodic
offering; and |
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any other terms or conditions not inconsistent with the
provisions of the indenture under which the debt securities will
be issued. |
Principal when used herein includes any premium on
any series of the debt securities.
Some of the debt securities may be issued as discounted debt
securities to be sold at a substantial discount below their
stated principal amount. The prospectus supplement will describe
any federal income tax consequences and other special
considerations applicable to discounted debt securities.
Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating
to any debt securities, principal and interest, if any, will be
payable, and transfers of the debt securities may be registered,
at the office or offices or agency we maintain for such
purposes. Payment of interest on the debt securities, however,
will be paid at such place by check mailed to the persons
entitled thereto at the addresses of such persons appearing on
the security register. Interest on the debt securities will be
payable on any interest payment date to the persons in
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whose name the debt securities are registered at the close of
business on the record date for such interest payment.
The debt securities may be issued only in fully registered form
in minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof. Additionally, the debt securities may be represented in
whole or in part by one or more global notes registered in the
name of a depositary or its nominee and, if so represented,
interests in such global note will be shown on, and transfers
thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the
designated depository and its participants.
The debt securities may be exchanged for an equal aggregate
principal amount of debt securities of the same series and date
of maturity in such authorized denominations as may be requested
upon surrender of the debt securities at an agency of the
Company maintained for such purpose and upon fulfillment of all
other requirements of such agent. No service charge will be made
for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt
securities, but we may require payment of an amount sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in
connection therewith.
The indentures require the annual filing by the Company with the
trustee of a certificate as to compliance with certain covenants
contained in the indentures.
We will comply with Section 14(e) under the Exchange Act,
to the extent applicable, and any other tender offer rules under
the Exchange Act which may then be applicable, in connection
with any obligation to purchase debt securities at the option of
the holders thereof. Any such obligation applicable to a series
of debt securities will be described in the prospectus
supplement relating thereto.
Unless otherwise described in a prospectus supplement relating
to any debt securities, there are no covenants or provisions
contained in the indentures that may afford the holders of debt
securities protection in the event that we enter into a
highly-leveraged transaction.
The statements made hereunder relating to the indentures and the
debt securities are summaries of certain provisions thereof, do
not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to all provisions of the indentures and the debt
securities.
Events of Default
An Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of any
series is defined in the indentures as:
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default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any
of the debt securities of such series as and when the same shall
become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a
period of 30 days; |
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default in the payment of all or any part of the principal of
any of the debt securities of such series as and when the same
shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon any
redemption, by declaration or otherwise; |
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default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or
warranty contained in the debt securities of such series or set
forth in the applicable indenture (other than a covenant or
warranty included in the applicable indenture solely for the
benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than such
series) and continuance of such default or breach for a period
of 90 days after due notice by the trustee or by the
holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the
outstanding securities of such series; or |
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certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of
the Company. |
Additional Events of Default may be added for the benefit of
holders of certain series of debt securities which, if added,
will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such
debt securities.
The indentures provide that the trustee shall notify the holders
of debt securities of each series of any continuing default
known to the trustee which has occurred with respect to such
series within 90 days after the occurrence thereof. The
indentures provide that, notwithstanding the foregoing, except
in the case of default in
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the payment of the principal of, or interest, if any, on any of
the debt securities of such series, the trustee may withhold
such notice if the trustee in good faith determines that the
withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders of
debt securities of such series.
The indentures provide that if an Event of Default with respect
to any series of debt securities shall have occurred and be
continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than
25 percent in aggregate principal amount of debt securities
of such series then outstanding may declare the principal amount
of all debt securities of such series to be due and payable
immediately, but upon certain conditions such declaration may be
annulled. Any past defaults and the consequences thereof, except
a default in the payment of principal of or interest, if any, on
debt securities of such series, may be waived by the holders of
a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such
series then outstanding.
Subject to the provisions of the indentures relating to the
duties of the trustee, in case an Event of Default with respect
to any series of debt securities shall occur and be continuing,
the trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of
the trusts or powers vested in it by the indentures at the
request or direction of any of the holders of such series,
unless such holders shall have offered to such trustee
reasonable security or indemnity. The holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each series
affected and then outstanding shall have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the trustee under the applicable indenture
or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with
respect to the debt securities of such series; provided that the
trustee may refuse to follow any direction which is in conflict
with any law or such indenture and subject to certain other
limitations.
No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right
by virtue or by availing of any provision of the indentures to
institute any proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or
otherwise with respect to the indentures or for any remedy
thereunder, unless such holder shall have previously given the
trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to
debt securities of such series and unless the holders of at
least 25 percent in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of such series shall have made
written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the
trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, and the trustee
shall have failed to institute such proceeding within
60 days after its receipt of such request, and the trustee
shall not have received from the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of
such series a direction inconsistent with such request. The
right of a holder of any debt security to receive payment of the
principal of and interest, if any, on such debt security on or
after the due dates expressed in such debt security, or to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or
after such dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the
consent of such holder.
Merger
Each indenture provides that the Company may consolidate with,
sell, convey or lease all or substantially all of its assets to,
or merge with or into, any other corporation, if:
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either the Company is the continuing corporation or the
successor corporation is a domestic corporation and expressly
assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of and
interest on all the debt securities outstanding under such
indenture according to their tenor and the due and punctual
performance and observance of all of the covenants and
conditions of such indenture to be performed or observed by the
Company; and |
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immediately after such merger, consolidation, sale, conveyance
or lease, the Company or such successor corporation, as the case
may be, is not in material default in the performance or
observance of any such covenant or condition. |
Modification of the Indentures
The indentures contain provisions permitting the Company and the
trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of
each series at the time outstanding under the indenture affected
thereby, to execute supplemental indentures adding any
9
provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of
the provisions of, the applicable indenture or any supplemental
indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders
of the debt securities of each such series. No such supplemental
indenture, however, may:
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extend the final maturity date of any debt security, or reduce
the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the
time of payment of any interest thereon, or reduce any amount
payable on redemption thereof, or impair or affect the right of
any holder of debt securities to institute suit for payment
thereof or, if the debt securities provide therefor, any right
of repayment at the option of the holders of the debt
securities, without the consent of the holder of each debt
security so affected; |
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reduce the aforesaid percentage of debt securities of such
series, the consent of the holders of which is required for any
such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders
of all debt securities of such series so affected; or |
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reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the
maturity date of any Original Issue Discount Security. |
Additionally, the Company and the trustee may execute
supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of
debt securities:
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to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property or
assets to the trustee as security for one or more series of debt
securities or to provide that any of the Companys
obligations under any debt security or the related indenture
will be guaranteed and the terms and conditions for the release
or substitution of such security or guarantee; |
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to evidence the succession of another entity to the Company, or
successive successions, and the assumptions by the successor
entity of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the
Company; |
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to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants,
restrictions, conditions, or provisions for the protection of
the holders of any series of debt securities and, if such
additional covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all
the series of debt securities, stating that such covenants are
being added solely for the benefit of such series; |
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to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision
contained in the indenture or in any supplemental indenture that
may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision
contained in the indenture or in any supplemental indenture, or
to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions
arising under the indenture or any supplemental indenture as the
board of directors may deem necessary or desirable and that does
not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders
of the debt securities; |
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to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series
as permitted by the applicable indenture; or |
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to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment by a
successor trustee and to add to or change any provisions as are
necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the
trusts by more than one trustee. |
Discharge and Defeasance
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. The indentures
provide, if such provision is made applicable to the debt
securities of a series, that the Company may elect to terminate,
and be deemed to have satisfied and to be discharged from, all
its obligations under the indenture with respect to such series
of debt securities except for the obligations to
register the transfer or exchange of such debt securities, to
replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to
maintain an office or agency in respect of such debt securities,
to compensate and indemnify the trustee and to pay or cause to
be paid the principal of, and interest, if any, on all debt
securities of such series when due upon the deposit
with the trustee, in trust for such purpose, of funds or
Government Obligations which through the payment of principal
and interest in accordance with their terms will provide funds
in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally
recognized independent
10
registered public accounting firm, to pay the principal of and
premium and interest, if any, on the outstanding debt securities
of such series, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous
payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor.
Defeasance. The indentures provide, if such provision is
made applicable to the debt securities of a series, that the
Company may defease the covenants applicable to any series of
debt securities. For this purpose, defeasance means
that the Company will be deemed to have paid and discharged the
entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding securities of
a series of debt securities and to have satisfied all other
obligations under such debt securities and the related
indenture, except for certain specified obligations, including
the following:
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the rights of the holders of such debt securities to receive
payments in respect of the principal of and interest on such
securities when such payments are due; and |
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the Companys obligations to register the transfer or
exchange of such debt securities, to replace mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office
or agency in respect of such debt securities, to compensate and
indemnify the trustee and to pay or cause to be paid the
principal of, and interest, if any, on all debt securities of
such series when due. |
This covenant defeasance may only occur if the following
conditions are met:
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the Company has deposited with the trustee, in trust for such
purpose, funds or Government Obligations, which in accordance
with their terms will provide funds in an amount sufficient, in
the opinion of a nationally recognized independent registered
public accounting firm, to pay the principal of and each
installment of interest on the outstanding securities of the
series of debt securities and any mandatory sinking fund or
analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor; |
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no Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing; |
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the defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default under the applicable indenture; |
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the Company has delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel
with regard to certain matters, including an opinion to the
effect that the holders of such debt securities will not
recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes
as a result of such deposit and discharge and will be subject to
federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner
and at the same times as would have been the case if such
deposit and defeasance had not occurred, and which opinion of
counsel must be based upon: |
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a ruling of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to the same
effect; or |
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a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law after
the date of the indenture such that a ruling is no longer
required; and |
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the Company has delivered to the trustee an officers
certificate and opinion of counsel, each stating that all
conditions precedent provided for in the applicable indenture
relating to the deposit and defeasance have been complied with. |
The prospectus supplement may further describe these or other
provisions, if any, permitting defeasance with respect to the
debt securities of any series.
Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities
The senior debt securities will constitute part of our Senior
Indebtedness and will rank pari passu with all
outstanding senior debt. Except as set forth in the related
prospectus supplement, the subordinated debt securities will be
subordinated, in right of payment, to the prior payment in full
of our Senior Indebtedness, including the senior debt
securities, whether outstanding at the date of the subordinated
indenture or thereafter incurred, assumed or guaranteed.
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Except as set forth in the related prospectus supplement,
Senior Indebtedness means:
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the principal of and premium, if any, and unpaid interest on
indebtedness for money borrowed; |
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purchase money and similar obligations; |
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obligations under capital leases or leases of property or assets
made as part of any sale and leaseback transaction; |
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guarantees, assumptions or purchase commitments relating to, or
other transactions as a result of which the Company is
responsible for the payment of, such indebtedness of others; |
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renewals, extensions and refunding of any such indebtedness; |
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interest or obligations in respect of any such indebtedness
accruing after the commencement of any insolvency or bankruptcy
proceedings; and |
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obligations associated with derivative products such as interest
rate and currency exchange contracts, foreign exchange
contracts, commodity contracts, and similar arrangements; |
unless, in each case, the instrument by which the Company
incurred, assumed or guaranteed the indebtedness or obligations
described above expressly provides that such indebtedness or
obligation is not senior in right of payment to the subordinated
debt securities.
Upon any distribution of the Companys assets in connection
with any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization
of the Company, whether in a bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or receivership proceeding or upon an assignment
for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of the
Companys assets and liabilities or otherwise, except a
distribution in connection with a merger or consolidation or a
conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all of the
properties of the Company in accordance with the subordinated
indenture, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall first be
entitled to receive payment of the full amount due thereon
before the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities
are entitled to receive any payment in respect of the
subordinated debt securities. In the event that a payment
default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to
the Senior Indebtedness, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness
shall first be entitled to receive payment of the full amount
due thereon before the holders of any of the subordinated debt
securities are entitled to receive any payment in respect of the
subordinated debt securities. In the event that the principal of
the subordinated debt securities of any series shall have been
declared due and payable pursuant to the subordinated indenture
and such declaration shall not have been rescinded and annulled,
the holders of all Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time
of such declaration shall first be entitled to receive payment
of the full amount due thereon, or provision shall be made for
such payment in full, before the holders of any of the
subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any payment
in respect of the subordinated debt securities.
This subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any event
of default with respect to the subordinated debt securities.
Global Debt Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in
part in the form of one or more global securities that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository (a Debt
Depository) identified in the applicable prospectus
supplement. Global securities may be issued in either registered
or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless
otherwise provided in such prospectus supplement, debt
securities that are represented by a global security will be
issued in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple
thereof and will be issued in registered form only, without
coupons. Payments of principal of, and interest, if any, on debt
securities represented by a global security will be made by the
Company to the trustee under the applicable indenture, and then
forwarded to the Debt Depository.
We anticipate that any global securities will be deposited with,
or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company
(DTC), and that such global securities will be
registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTCs
nominee. We further anticipate that the following provisions
will apply to the depository arrangements
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with respect to any such global securities. Any additional or
differing terms of the depository arrangements will be described
in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of
debt securities issued in the form of global securities.
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a
global security, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole Holder of the debt securities represented by
such global security for all purposes under the applicable
indenture. Except as described below, owners of beneficial
interests in a global security will not be entitled to have debt
securities represented by such global security registered in
their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical
delivery of debt securities in certificated form and will not be
considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable
indenture. The laws of some states require that certain
purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such
securities in certificated form. Such laws may limit the
transferability of beneficial interests in a global security.
If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as
depository or if at any time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act if so required by applicable
law or regulation, and, in either case, we do not appoint a
successor Debt Depository within 90 days, we will issue
individual debt securities in certificated form in exchange for
the global securities. In addition, we may request, at any time
and subject to the procedures of DTC, not to have any debt
securities represented by one or more global securities, and, in
such event, will issue individual debt securities in
certificated form in exchange for the relevant global securities
upon the request of DTC participants. In any such instance, an
owner of a beneficial interest in a global security will be
entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities in
certificated form of like tenor and rank, equal in principal
amount to such beneficial interest, and to have such debt
securities in certificated form registered in its name. Unless
otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement,
debt securities so issued in certificated form will be issued in
denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof, and
will be issued in registered form only, without coupons.
DTC 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 (Participants)
deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among
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 include securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and
certain other organizations (Direct Participants).
DTC is owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the
New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc.
and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access
to the DTC system is also available to others, such as
securities brokers and dealers, and banks and trust companies
that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a
Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly
(Indirect Participants). The rules applicable to DTC
and its Participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases of debt securities under the DTC system must be made
by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit
for the debt securities on DTCs records. The ownership
interest of each actual purchaser of each debt security
(Beneficial Owner) is in turn recorded on the Direct
and Indirect Participants records. A Beneficial Owner does
not receive written confirmation from DTC of its purchase, but
is expected to receive a written confirmation providing details
of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of its
holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participants through which
such Beneficial Owner entered into the action. Transfers of
ownership interests in debt securities are accomplished by
entries made on the books of Participants acting on behalf of
Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners do not receive certificates
representing their ownership interests in debt securities,
except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the
debt securities is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, the debt securities are
registered in the name of DTCs partnership nominee,
Cede & Co. The deposit of the debt securities with DTC
and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. will
effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge
of the actual Beneficial
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Owners of the debt securities; DTC records reflect only the
identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts debt
securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial
Owners. The Participants remain responsible for keeping account
of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Delivery of notice and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants,
and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to
Beneficial Owners are governed by arrangements among them,
subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in
effect from time to time.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. consents or votes with
respect to the debt securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC
mails a proxy (an Omnibus Proxy) to the issuer as
soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy
assigns Cede & Co.s consenting or voting rights
to those Direct Participants to whose accounts the debt
securities are credited on the record date (identified on a list
attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
Principal and interest payments, if any, on the debt securities
will be made to DTC. DTCs practice is to credit Direct
Participants accounts on the payment date in accordance
with their respective holdings as shown on DTCs records,
unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive
payment on the payment date. Payments by Participants to
Beneficial Owners are governed by standing instructions and
customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the
accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in
street name, and are the responsibility of such
Participant and not of DTC, the trustee or us, subject to any
statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from
time to time. Payment of principal and interest, if any, to DTC
is our or the trustees responsibility, disbursement of
such payments to Direct Participants is DTCs
responsibility, and disbursement of such payments to the
Beneficial Owners is the responsibility of Direct and Indirect
Participants.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities
depository with respect to the debt securities at any time by
giving reasonable notice to us or the trustee. Under such
circumstances, in the event that a successor securities
depository is not appointed, debt security certificates are
required to be printed and delivered.
We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry
transfers through DTC or a successor securities depository. In
that event, debt security certificates will be printed and
delivered.
We have obtained the information in this section concerning DTC
and DTCs book-entry system from sources that we believe to
be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of
this information.
None of us, any underwriter or agent, the trustee or any
applicable paying agent will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments
made on account of beneficial interests in a global security, or
for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating
to such beneficial interest.
14
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
The following description of the material terms of our common
stock is based on the provisions of our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation. For more information as to how you
can obtain a current copy of our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation, see Where You Can Find More
Information.
Our authorized capital stock consists of 150,000,000 shares
of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and
20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.01 per share. As of March 1, 2005,
85,555,812 shares of our common stock were issued and
outstanding and held of record by approximately
10,182 holders; no shares of our preferred stock were
issued or outstanding.
Common Stock
Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share
on all matters voted on generally by stockholders. Except as
otherwise required by law or with respect to any outstanding
series of our preferred stock, the holders of our common stock
possess all voting power. Our bylaws generally provide that
stockholder action is effective upon majority vote. However, an
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80 percent of
the voting power of outstanding shares is required to:
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amend or repeal the bylaws (although our board of directors may
amend or repeal the bylaws upon a majority vote); |
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merge or consolidate with another corporation or entity, which
together with its affiliates, beneficially owns more than
15 percent of the voting power of outstanding shares of
Fluor, such other corporation and its affiliates referred to as
a related corporation; |
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sell or exchange substantially all of its assets or business to
or with a related corporation; or |
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issue or deliver any stock or securities in exchange or payment
for any assets or property of or securities issued by a related
corporation; unless, under certain circumstances, such actions
are approved by our board of directors. |
Furthermore, the affirmative vote of the holders of
80 percent of the voting power of outstanding shares must
approve changes to provisions in our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation relating to:
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the amendment of our bylaws by the stockholders; |
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the classification of our board of directors; |
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the prohibition of stockholder action without a meeting; and |
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the requirement that 80 percent of the voting power of the
outstanding shares must approve certain transactions or changes. |
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Dividend Rights; Rights Upon Liquidation |
Subject to any preferential rights of holders of any of our
preferred stock that may be outstanding, holders of shares of
our common stock are entitled to receive dividends on such stock
out of assets legally available for distribution when, as and if
authorized and declared by our board of directors and to share
ratably in the assets of Fluor legally available for
distribution to its stockholders in the event of its
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up.
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Classification of Our Board of Directors |
Our board of directors is divided into three classes of
directors serving staggered three-year terms. As a result,
approximately one-third of our directors are elected each year.
This limits the ability of majority stockholders or persons
holding proxies to vote a majority of our shares to change
control of our board of directors in fewer than two annual
stockholder meetings. This limitation could have the effect of
discouraging
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a potential acquiror from making a tender offer or otherwise
attempting to obtain control of Fluor and could thus increase
the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their
positions.
Holders of our common stock will have no preferences or
preemptive, conversion or exchange rights. Shares of our common
stock will not be liable for further calls or assessments by
Fluor.
Preferred Stock
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes
our board of directors to issue from time to time, without
further vote or action by the stockholders, up to
20,000,000 shares of our preferred stock in one or more
series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and
rights, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions,
with respect to the shares issued under each such series.
Because our board of directors have the power to establish the
designations, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of
any such series of our preferred stock, holders of our preferred
stock may be afforded voting rights and preferences, powers and
other rights that could adversely affect the rights of holders
of our common stock. This could have the effect of discouraging
a potential acquiror from making a tender offer or otherwise
attempt to obtain control of Fluor through the acquisition of
our common stock.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
The provisions of our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation, our bylaws and Section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law may have the effect of impeding the
acquisition of control of Fluor by means of a tender offer, a
proxy contest, open market purchases or otherwise in a
transaction not approved by our board of directors. These
provisions are designed to reduce, or have the effect of
reducing, the vulnerability of Fluor to an unsolicited proposal
for the restructuring or sale of all or substantially all the
assets of Fluor or an unsolicited takeover attempt which is
unfair to Fluor stockholders.
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Charter and Bylaw Provisions |
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes
our board of directors to issue from time to time, without
further vote or action by the stockholders, up to
20,000,000 shares of our preferred stock in one or more
series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and
rights, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions,
with respect to the shares issued under each such series.
Pursuant to this authority, our board could create and issue a
series of our preferred stock with such designations, powers,
preferences and rights which have the effect of discriminating
against an existing or prospective holder of our capital stock,
thus making it more difficult for, or discouraging any attempt
by, a potential acquiror to obtain control of Fluor by means of
a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. As a result,
the authority to issue shares of preferred stock may have the
effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control
of Fluor without any further action by our stockholders.
Other provisions of our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation and bylaws that may make it more difficult to
replace our board of directors include:
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the 80 percent supermajority voting requirements to approve
certain extraordinary corporate transactions or certain
amendments to our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation or bylaws, as described under
Common Stock Voting Rights; |
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classification of our board of directors as described under
Common Stock Classification of Our
Board of Directors; |
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prohibition on stockholders calling a meeting or acting by
written consent; |
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requirements for advance notice for raising business or making
nominations at stockholder meetings; and |
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the ability of the our board of directors to amend the bylaws,
increase the size of our board and to fill vacancies on our
board. |
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Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law |
We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law. The provisions of Section 203 prohibit a
publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in certain
business combinations with an interested
stockholder for a period of three years after the date
that the person became an interested stockholder, unless one of
the following conditions is satisfied:
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prior to the date that the person became an interested
stockholder, the transaction or business combination that
resulted in the person becoming an interested stockholder is
approved by the board of directors; |
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upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the
stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested
stockholder owns at least 85 percent of our outstanding
voting stock; or |
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on or after the date that the person became an interested
stockholder, the business combination is approved by our board
of directors and by the holders of at least two-thirds of our
outstanding voting stock, excluding voting stock owned by the
interested stockholder. |
Generally, a business combination includes a merger,
asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a
financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to
certain exceptions, an interested stockholder is a
person who together with that persons affiliates and
associates owns, or within the previous three years did own,
15 percent or more of our voting stock.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Mellon Investor Services, LLC is the transfer agent and
registrar for our common stock.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may offer and sell the securities described in this
prospectus:
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through agents; |
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through remarketing firms; |
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through one or more underwriters or dealers; |
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through a block trade in which the broker or dealer engaged to
handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as
agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as
principal to facilitate the transaction; |
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directly to one or more purchasers (through a specific bidding
or auction process or otherwise); |
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in at the market offerings, within the meaning of
Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a
market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange
or otherwise; |
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through a combination of any of these methods of sale; or |
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at a fixed exchange ratio in return for other of our securities. |
The distribution of the securities described in this prospectus
may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions
either:
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at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
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at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
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at prices relating to the prevailing market prices; or |
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at negotiated prices. |
Offers to purchase the securities may be solicited by agents
designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the
offer or sale of the securities will be named, and any
commissions payable by us to the agent will be described, in the
applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in
the applicable prospectus supplement, any such agent will be
acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its
appointment. Any agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as
that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities so
offered and sold.
We may use a remarketing firm to offer to sell the securities in
connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase.
Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own account
or as agents for us. These remarketing firms will offer or sell
the securities pursuant to the terms of the securities. A
prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the
terms of its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the
remarketing firms compensation. Remarketing firms may be
deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they
remarket.
If we offer and sell securities through an underwriter or
underwriters, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the
underwriter or underwriters. The names of the specific managing
underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters,
and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the
underwriters and dealers, which may be in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions, if any, will be described in the
applicable prospectus supplement, which will be used by the
underwriters to make resales of the securities. The maximum
compensation we will pay to underwriters in connection with any
offering of securities will not exceed 8 percent of the
maximum proceeds of such offering. Underwriters and agents in
any offering may from time to time include Citigroup Global
Markets, Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, J.P. Morgan
Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated or
UBS Securities LLC.
If we offer and sell securities through a dealer, we or an
underwriter will sell the securities to the dealer, as
principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the
public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the
time of resale. The name of the dealer and the terms of the
transactions will be set forth in the
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applicable prospectus supplement. Dealers may also receive
compensation from purchasers of the securities, which is not
expected to exceed that customary in the types of transactions
involved.
We may solicit offers to purchase the securities directly and we
may sell the securities directly to institutional or other
investors. The terms of these sales, including the terms of any
bidding or auction process, if utilized, will be described in
the applicable prospectus supplement. We may enter into
agreements with agents, underwriters and dealers under which we
may agree to indemnify the agents, underwriters and dealers
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be
required to make with respect to these liabilities. The terms
and conditions of this indemnification or contribution will be
described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Some of the
agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates, may be
customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services
for us in the ordinary course of business.
We may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of
securities an option to purchase additional securities to cover
over-allotments, if any, in connection with the distribution.
We may authorize our agents or underwriters to solicit offers to
purchase securities at the public offering price under delayed
delivery contracts. The terms of these delayed delivery
contracts, including when payment for and delivery of the
securities sold will be made under the contracts and any
conditions to each partys performance set forth in the
contracts, will be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement. The compensation received by underwriters or agents
soliciting purchases of securities under delayed delivery
contracts will be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Unless indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, all
debt securities will be new issues of securities with no
established trading market. Unless indicated in the applicable
prospectus supplement, we do not expect to list the securities
on a securities exchange, except for the common stock, which is
listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Underwriters involved in
the public offering and sale of these securities may make a
market in the securities. They are not obligated to make a
market, however, and may discontinue market making activity at
any time. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of
the trading market for any of these securities.
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LEGAL MATTERS
The legality of the securities offered by this prospectus will
be passed upon for us by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP,
New York, New York. If legal matters in connection
with offerings made by this prospectus are passed on by other
counsel for us or by counsel for the underwriters of an offering
of the securities, that counsel will be named in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2004, and our managements assessment of the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2004 included therein, have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting
firm, as set forth in its reports thereon, included therein, and
incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements and
managements assessment have been incorporated herein by
reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority
of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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