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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration Statement No. 33-56799
1,070,000 SHARES
(UNITED CITIES GAS COMPANY LOGO)
5300 MARYLAND WAY
BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE 37027
(615) 373-5310
CUSTOMER STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
COMMON STOCK
WITHOUT PAR VALUE
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Current and potential customers of United Cities Gas Company (the
"Company") are offered the right to make one purchase of shares of the Company's
Common Stock at a 5% discount to market value, all as set forth herein under
"Customer Stock Purchase Plan." Purchasers will have the option of becoming
participants in the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.
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No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in this Prospectus and, if given or
made, such information or representations must not be relied upon. Prospective
purchasers may wish to read the prospectus describing the Dividend Reinvestment
and Stock Purchase Plan which accompanies this Prospectus. Employees may wish to
read this Prospectus in conjunction with the prospectus describing the Employee
Stock Purchase Plan.
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
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THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS DECEMBER 13, 1995
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
THE COMPANY IS SUBJECT TO THE INFORMATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED (THE "EXCHANGE ACT") AND, IN ACCORDANCE
THEREWITH, FILES REPORTS, PROXY STATEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE "COMMISSION"). REPORTS, PROXY STATEMENTS
AND OTHER INFORMATION FILED BY THE COMPANY WITH THE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO THE
INFORMATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE EXCHANGE ACT MAY BE INSPECTED AND COPIED AT
THE PUBLIC REFERENCE FACILITIES MAINTAINED BY THE COMMISSION AT 450 FIFTH
STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549, AND AT THE FOLLOWING REGIONAL OFFICES OF
THE COMMISSION: NEW YORK REGIONAL OFFICE, 75 PARK PLACE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
10007; AND CHICAGO REGIONAL OFFICE, 500 WEST MADISON STREET, 14TH FLOOR,
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606. COPIES OF SUCH MATERIAL MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC
REFERENCE SECTION OF THE COMMISSION AT 450 FIFTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C.
20549, AT PRESCRIBED RATES.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents, heretofore filed by the Company with the
Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, are hereby incorporated by reference,
except as superseded or modified herein:
1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1994.
2. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
periods ended March 31, 1995, June 30, 1995 and September 30, 1995.
3. The description of the Common Stock of the Company, without par
value, as contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 10, as
amended by subsequently filed reports on Form 10-K.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be modified or superseded, for purposes
of this Prospectus, to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any
subsequently filed document which is deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of any such
person, a copy of the documents described above (other than exhibits). Requests
for such copies should be directed to Investor Relations/Corporate
Communications, United Cities Gas Company, 5300 Maryland Way, Brentwood,
Tennessee 37027, telephone (615) 373-5310, ext. 233.
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UNITED CITIES GAS COMPANY
5300 MARYLAND WAY
BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE 37027
(615) 373-5310
CUSTOMER STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
1. THE PLAN
United Cities Gas Company's Customer Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan") was
created by action of the Board of Directors of the Company on August 6, 1993.
The Plan originally authorized the issuance of up to 200,000 shares of Common
Stock of the Company pursuant to the Plan. On November 29, 1994, the Board of
Directors of the Company authorized the issuance of up to an additional
1,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company pursuant to the Plan. The
purpose of the Plan is to further encourage individual ownership of Company
stock by providing current and potential customers, including existing
shareholders, and Company employees with a convenient and commission-free way to
make an initial, one-time purchase of Company stock and thereby gain access to
the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.
Under the Plan, current and potential customers and Company employees are
offered the right to make a single purchase of shares of Common Stock at a 5%
discount from market value. When the purchaser becomes a registered shareholder,
he or she may elect to enroll in the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock
Purchase Plan which permits shareholders to reinvest cash dividends and make
optional cash purchases without incurring additional expense. Enrollment cards
are routinely mailed to all new shareholders.
The Company believes that encouraging stock ownership by customers and
Company employees will create good will for the Company and that the Company
will benefit from increasing the number of individual shareholders as well as
the funds raised pursuant to the Plan. The number of shares subject to the Plan
is subject to adjustment in the case of any stock split, stock dividend or
reclassification regarding the Company's Common Stock.
2. ONE PURCHASE PERMITTED
Only one purchase per participant will be permitted pursuant to the Plan.
3. ELIGIBILITY
Current and potential customers, including existing shareholders, eligible
to purchase Common Stock pursuant to the Plan include individuals residing
within a county in which the Company provides natural or propane gas. Company
employees are eligible to participate in the Plan regardless of residence.
4. ENROLLMENT PROCEDURE
Any participant may make a one-time purchase pursuant to the Plan at any
time by completing, signing and forwarding an Initial Investment Form along with
a check or money order payable to the Plan Administrator, First Union National
Bank of North Carolina, at the following address:
First Union National Bank of North Carolina
Shareholder Services Group
Dividend Reinvestment Unit
230 South Tryon Street, 11th Floor
Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-1153
An Initial Investment Form and postage-paid envelope are enclosed with this
Prospectus.
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Payment must be received by the Plan Administrator at least seven days
before the Stock Purchase Date. Payments which are received after the seventh
day will be held by the Plan Administrator for investment on the next succeeding
purchase date.
5. STOCK PURCHASE DATE
Stock will be purchased on the fifteenth day of each month or, if such day
is not a trading day, the trading day immediately preceding that day, such day
being referred to herein as the Stock Purchase Date.
Because no use will be made of the purchaser's money until the stock is
purchased, no interest will be paid from the date the Plan Administrator
receives the check to the Stock Purchase Date.
6. PRICE AT WHICH STOCK MAY BE PURCHASED
The price per share will be 95% of the average of the closing prices of the
Common Stock for the period of five trading days ending on the Stock Purchase
Date in the NASDAQ Over-the-Counter National Market Issues report of The Wall
Street Journal.
The minimum amount which may be invested is $250; the maximum amount is
$10,000. Each purchaser's account will be credited with the number of shares,
including fractions computed to four decimal places, equal to the amount to be
invested divided by the applicable purchase price.
Company employees should compare the Plan with the Company's Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "Employee Plan"). Copies of the prospectus relating to the
Employee Plan may be obtained by contacting Investor Relations/Corporate
Communications, United Cities Gas Company, 5300 Maryland Way, Brentwood,
Tennessee 37027, telephone (615) 373-5310, ext. 233.
7. ISSUANCE OF STOCK
Shares purchased under the Plan will be credited to the purchaser's
account. Certificates for such shares will be issued without charge by the Plan
Administrator upon receipt of a written request by the purchaser. Certificates
representing fractional share interests will not be issued under any
circumstances.
In lieu of issuing a certificate for any fractional share interest
remaining in a purchaser's account, any fractional share interest will be
liquidated and a check for the net proceeds will be mailed to the purchaser by
the Plan Administrator.
8. SELLING PLAN SHARES
A participant may sell all or any portion of shares held in the
participant's account by notifying the Plan Administrator in writing. Within ten
days after receipt of written notice, the Plan Administrator will sell the
requested number of shares held in the Plan through First Union Brokerage
Services. Any shares held in certificate form must first be transferred into the
Plan before such shares can be sold under this provision of the Plan. First
Union Brokerage Services has agreed to process all sales of shares pursuant to
the Plan on a nonprofit basis and will charge fees only to the extent necessary
to cover its cost in effecting the sale. In addition, no minimum fee will be
applied to any sale transaction.
Alternatively, a participant may withdraw all or any portion of the full
shares of Common Stock held in the participant's account under the Plan, in the
manner described pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan, and sell such shares through
any broker that the participant may choose.
9. SHARE SAFEKEEPING
At the time of enrollment in the Plan, or at any later time, participants
may use the Plan's "safekeeping" service to deposit any Common Stock
certificates in their possession with the Plan Administrator. Shares deposited
will be transferred and credited to the participant's account under the Plan.
Thereafter, such shares will be treated in the same manner as shares purchased
through the Plan.
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By using the Plan's safekeeping service, participants avoid the risk
associated with loss, theft or destruction of stock certificates. Also, because
shares deposited with the Plan Administrator are treated in the same manner as
shares purchased through the Plan, such shares may be transferred or sold
through the Plan in a convenient and efficient manner pursuant to Section 8 of
the Plan.
10. PARTICIPATION IN DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
A purchaser of shares of Common Stock will have the option of becoming a
participant in the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the
"Dividend Plan"). The Dividend Plan permits the automatic reinvestment of cash
dividends in additional shares of Common Stock at a price equal to 95% of the
average closing prices of the Common Stock for the period of five trading days
ending on the Investment Date (as defined). It also permits the purchase of
additional shares through optional cash payments at 100% of such average price.
A copy of the prospectus relating to the Dividend Plan is enclosed with this
Prospectus.
11. TERMINATION OF AND AMENDMENTS TO PLAN
The Company reserves the right to amend, modify, suspend or terminate the
Plan at any time.
12. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
The Treasurer of the Company, James B. Ford, 5300 Maryland Way, Brentwood,
Tennessee 37027 or an alternate named by him, will administer the Plan until its
termination and make such interpretations and rulings as are necessary in
connection with its operations.
13. FEDERAL INCOME TAX EFFECTS UPON PURCHASERS
The following Federal income tax consequences are based on current laws,
regulations, rulings and decisions. This type of Plan is novel in that the
Internal Revenue Service has not issued any direct rulings which address the tax
consequences of similar arrangements. The conclusions summarized below result
from an analysis of the applicable authority.
a. Even though the Common Stock will be purchased for less than its fair
market value, the purchaser of Common Stock under the Plan will not be
subject to tax at the time of purchase. The purchaser of stock is not
required to recognize gain just because the purchaser purchases the
stock at a discounted price.
b. Generally, the amount of gain (or loss) is determined and recognized
upon the sale or other disposition of property. Therefore, the purchaser
of the Common Stock may be subject to tax upon the sale of the Common
Stock.
c. The tax basis of property is generally the amount paid for the property
even though the purchaser paid a price below the fair market value of
the property at the time of purchase. Therefore, the purchaser's cost
basis in the Common Stock purchased under the Plan will be the amount
actually paid for the Common Stock.
d. The purchaser's holding period for the Common Stock purchased under the
Plan will begin on the day after the purchase of the Common Stock.
This summary of tax consequences relates only to purchases of Common Stock
for investment purposes. Purchasers should consult the Dividend Plan prospectus
to determine the tax consequences under such plan.
THIS SUMMARY IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR CAREFUL TAX PLANNING,
PARTICULARLY SINCE THIS TYPE OF PLAN IS NOVEL AND THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
INVESTMENT UNDER THE PLAN MAY NOT BE IDENTICAL FOR ALL PURCHASERS. PROSPECTIVE
PURCHASERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH SPECIFIC
REFERENCE TO THEIR OWN SITUATION.
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14. REGULATORY APPROVAL
Authorization for the issuance of the original 200,000 shares and the
additional 1,000,000 shares has been obtained from the Georgia Public Service
Commission, the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Tennessee Public Service
Commission, the Kansas Corporation Commission and the State Corporation
Commission of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
THE COMPANY
United Cities Gas Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of
Illinois and domesticated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its
principal office is located at 5300 Maryland Way, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027 and
its telephone number is (615) 373-5310. Unless the context indicates otherwise,
"Company" includes United Cities Gas Company and its subsidiaries, UCG Energy
Corporation ("UCG Energy") and United Cities Gas Storage Company ("UCG
Storage").
The Company is primarily a distributor of natural and propane gas operating
in ten states and serving approximately 325,000 customers. The Company's natural
gas business is conducted in eight states: Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri,
Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Iowa and Kansas. Propane is distributed
through the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, UCG Energy. The propane division
of UCG Energy serves customers in Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. UCG
Energy is also engaged in other activities complementing the natural gas
business through its rental and utility services division.
UCG Storage provides the Company and others with supplemental natural gas
supplies through Company-owned natural gas storage fields in Kentucky and
Kansas.
The Company will use the proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to
the Plan for general corporate purposes.
LEGAL OPINION
The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Chapman and Cutler, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and schedules incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect
thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in giving said report. Reference is made to said report, which includes
an explanatory paragraph with respect to the change in the method of accounting
for postretirement benefits other than pensions and income taxes effective
January 1, 1993 as discussed in the notes to consolidated financial statements.
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Paragraph 56 of the Company's By-Laws provides in general that, subject to
applicable statutory limitations, each director or officer of the Company and
any person who, at the request of the Company, has served as a director or
officer of another corporation in which the Company has a financial interest
shall be indemnified against costs and expenses incurred (including any
judgments, fines or reasonable settlements) in connection with the defense of
any criminal or civil proceedings in which such person is named as a party by
reason of having been such director or officer, or by reason of any action taken
or not taken in such capacity unless such officer or director is finally
adjudged to have been liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of
duty. Conviction or judgment in a criminal proceeding does not necessarily
constitute an adjudication of liability for negligence or misconduct in
performance of duty, under certain conditions. Paragraph 56 also provides that
the provisions thereof shall not be construed as a limitation on the general
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power of the Company to enter into a contract or undertaking of indemnity with a
director or officer in any proper case not provided for in paragraph 56.
The Illinois Business Corporation Act and the Virginia Stock Corporation
Act generally provide that each corporation subject to such Acts shall have the
power to provide indemnification of the type summarized above, subject to
certain limitations. The Company has purchased insurance policies covering
certain liabilities of its officers and directors.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Company, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
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<S> <C> <C>
CUSTOMER STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
1. The Plan......................... 3
2. One Purchase Permitted........... 3
3. Eligibility...................... 3
4. Enrollment Procedure............. 3
5. Stock Purchase Date.............. 4
6. Price at Which Stock
May Be Purchased............... 4
7. Issuance of Stock................ 4
8. Selling Plan Shares.............. 4
9. Share Safekeeping................ 4
10. Participation in Dividend
Reinvestment and
Stock Purchase Plan............ 5
11. Termination of and Amendments to
Plan........................... 5
12. Administration of the Plan....... 5
13. Federal Income Tax Effects
upon Purchasers................ 5
14. Regulatory Approval.............. 6
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THE COMPANY............................ 6
LEGAL OPINION.......................... 6
EXPERTS................................ 6
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND
OFFICERS............................. 6
</TABLE>
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(UNITED CITIES GAS COMPANY LOGO)
CUSTOMER STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
COMMON STOCK
WITHOUT PAR VALUE
DECEMBER 13, 1995
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