<PAGE> 1
This filing is made pursuant
to Rule 424(b)(3) under
the Securities Act of
1933 in connection with
Registration No. 333-58857
PROSPECTUS
INGRAM MICRO INC.
$1,330,000,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AT MATURITY OF
ZERO COUPON CONVERTIBLE SENIOR DEBENTURES DUE 2018
AND
SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK,
PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE, ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION THEREOF
This Prospectus relates to the offering for resale of the Zero Coupon
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018 (the "Debentures") of Ingram Micro Inc.,
a Delaware corporation ("Ingram Micro" or the "Company"), and the shares of
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock"), of the
Company, issuable upon conversion of the Debentures (the "Conversion Shares").
The Debentures were issued and sold on June 9, 1998 in a private placement to
the Initial Purchaser (as defined herein, see "Selling Securityholders") and
were simultaneously sold by the Initial Purchaser in transactions exempt from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), to qualified institutional buyers (as defined in Rule 144A
under the Securities Act).
The Debentures and the Conversion Shares (the "Offered Securities") may be
offered and sold from time to time by the holders named herein or by their
transferees, pledgees, donees or their successors (collectively, the "Selling
Securityholders") pursuant to this Prospectus. The Offered Securities may be
offered and sold by the Selling Securityholders from time to time directly to
purchasers or through underwriters, broker/dealers or agents at fixed prices, at
prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at
the time of sale or at negotiated prices. See "Plan of Distribution" and
"Selling Securityholders." If required, the names of any such underwriters,
broker/dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other items
constituting compensation from the Selling Securityholders and any discounts,
commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to broker/dealers will
be set forth in an accompanying supplement to this Prospectus (the "Prospectus
Supplement"). The Selling Securityholders will receive all of the net proceeds
from the sale of the Offered Securities and will pay all underwriting discounts
and selling commissions, if any, applicable to any such sale. The Company is
responsible for payment of all other expenses incident to the offer and sale of
the Offered Securities. The Selling Securityholders and any underwriters,
broker/dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of Offered
Securities may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act, and any profits on the sale of Offered Securities by any Selling
Securityholder and any discounts, commissions, concessions or other compensation
received by any such underwriter, broker/dealer or agent may be deemed to be
underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. See "Plan of
Distribution" for a description of indemnification arrangements.
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE MATTERS DISCUSSED UNDER
THE CAPTION "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 6.
The Debentures are convertible at any time after September 7, 1998 and prior
to maturity, unless previously redeemed or otherwise purchased, into shares of
Common Stock at a conversion rate of 5.495 shares per $1,000 principal amount at
maturity. The conversion rate will not be adjusted for accrued Original Issue
Discount (as defined), but will be subject to adjustment in certain events. See
"Description of Debentures -- Conversion of Debentures." The Company's Common
Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "IM."
The Debentures were issued at an original price of $346.18 per $1,000
principal amount at maturity (the "Issue Price"), which represented an original
issue discount of 65.382% from the principal amount thereof payable at maturity
(the "Original Issue Discount"). The Issue Price represented a yield to maturity
of 5.375% per annum (computed on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis).
Prior to June 9, 2003, the Debentures are not redeemable at the option of
the Company. Thereafter, the Debentures are redeemable at the option of the
Company at Redemption Prices (as defined) equal to the Issue Price plus accrued
Original Issue Discount to the date of redemption. See "Description of
Debentures -- Redemption of Debentures at the Option of the Company."
Each holder may require the Company to purchase such holder's Debentures as
of June 9, 2001, June 9, 2003, June 9, 2008 and June 9, 2013 at Purchase Prices
equal to the Issue Price plus accrued Original Issue Discount from and including
the Issue Date and to but excluding such dates. Subject to certain conditions,
the Company may elect to pay any such Purchase Price in cash or Common Stock, or
any combination thereof, and, in the case of any purchase as of June 9, 2001,
the Company may elect, in lieu of the payment of cash or Common Stock, to pay
the Purchase Price in new Zero Coupon Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018.
See "Description of Debentures -- Purchase of Debentures at the Option of the
Holder." Each holder may also require the Company to redeem such holder's
Debentures if there is a Fundamental Change (as defined) at Redemption Prices
equal to the Issue Price plus accrued Original Issue Discount to the date of
redemption, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as described herein.
See "Description of Debentures -- Redemption at Option of the Holder Upon a
Fundamental Change." The Debentures are senior unsecured indebtedness of the
Company.
The Debentures have been designated for trading in The Portal Market.
However, the Debentures sold pursuant to this Prospectus are not eligible for
trading in The Portal Market.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS JULY 23, 1998.
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Available Information.................. 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference............................ 3
Forward-Looking Statements............. 3
Prospectus Summary..................... 4
Risk Factors........................... 6
Use of Proceeds........................ 8
Dividend Policy........................ 8
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.... 8
Description of Debentures.............. 9
Description of Capital Stock........... 22
Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations....................... 27
Selling Securityholders................ 33
Plan of Distribution................... 33
Legal Matters.......................... 34
Experts................................ 34
</TABLE>
---------------
This Prospectus includes or incorporates by reference certain trademarks of
the Company.
---------------
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"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed with the Commission by the Company can 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
Commission's regional offices located at 500 West Madison Street, Room 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661 and at 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New
York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, Washington, D.C. 20549, at
prescribed rates, or on the World Wide Web at http://www.sec.gov. In addition,
reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company can be
inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005.
The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (of which this Prospectus is a part (as amended from time to time, the
"Registration Statement")) under the Securities Act with respect to the Offered
Securities. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in
the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. Statements
contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other
document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made
to the copy of such contract or document filed or incorporated by reference as
an exhibit or schedule to the Registration Statement, each such statement being
qualified in all respects by such reference. Copies of the Registration
Statement and the exhibits are on file with the Commission and the NYSE and may
be obtained at the above locations.
---------------
2
<PAGE> 3
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents previously filed with the Commission by the Company
pursuant to the Exchange Act (Exchange Act Commission File Number: 001-12203)
are incorporated by reference herein:
(1) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
January 3, 1998 (the "Company's 1997 Form 10-K").
(2) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended April 4, 1998.
(3) The Company's Proxy Statement in connection with the Company's
1998 Annual Meeting of Shareowners held on May 6, 1998.
(4) The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the
Company's Exchange Act Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated September
19, 1996, filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange
Act, including any amendment thereto or report filed for the purpose of
updating such description.
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 but prior to
the termination of the offering to which this Prospectus relates shall be deemed
to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be part hereof from
the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, in its unmodified form, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
Upon written or oral request, the Company will provide without charge to
each person to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered a copy of any of the
documents incorporated by reference herein (other than exhibits to such
documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into
such documents). Requests for such documents should be submitted to Ingram Micro
Inc., 1600 E. St. Andrew Place, Santa Ana, CA 92705, Attention: Senior Director,
Investor Relations (telephone number (714) 566-1000).
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Investors are cautioned that certain statements included or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus are forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans,"
"believes," "seeks," "estimates," and variations of such words and similar
expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These
statements are based on current expectations and projections about the
technology distribution industry and assumptions made by the Company's
management and are not guarantees of future performance. Therefore, actual
events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in
the forward-looking statements due to factors such as intense competition,
narrow margins, fluctuations in quarterly results, the capital intensive nature
of the Company's business, management of growth, the Company's dependence on
information systems, exposure to foreign markets, dependence on key suppliers,
acquisitions, risk of declines in inventory value, dependence on independent
shipping companies, rapid technological change, failure to achieve Year 2000
readiness, any reduction of floor planning financing for the Company's master
reseller business and other risk factors identified in "Risk Factors" and
elsewhere in this Prospectus. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements in this Prospectus.
---------------
Except as otherwise indicated, all references to the "Company" or "Ingram
Micro" refer to Ingram Micro Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the
context otherwise requires.
3
<PAGE> 4
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following information is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
financial and other information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus and in
the documents incorporated by reference herein.
THE COMPANY
Ingram Micro is the leading wholesale distributor of computer-based
technology products and services worldwide. The Company markets microcomputer
hardware, networking equipment, and software products to more than 100,000
reseller customers in more than 120 countries. As a wholesale distributor, the
Company markets its products to resellers as opposed to marketing directly to
end-user customers.
THE OFFERING
SECURITIES OFFERED............ Up to $1,330,000,000 principal amount at
maturity of Zero Coupon Convertible Senior
Debentures due 2018 (the "Debentures") and an
indeterminate number of shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversion thereof (the
"Conversion Shares"). There will be no
periodic interest payments on the Debentures.
See "Description of Debentures -- General."
ISSUE PRICE................... The Debentures were originally sold by the
Initial Purchaser to qualified institutional
buyers (as defined in Rule 144A under the
Securities Act) at an issue price of 34.618%
of the principal amount at maturity (the
"Issue Price").
YIELD TO MATURITY OF
DEBENTURES.................... 5.375% per annum (computed on a semi-annual
bond equivalent basis) calculated from June
9, 1998.
CONVERSION.................... The Debentures are convertible, at the option
of the holder, at any time after September 7,
1998 and prior to maturity, unless previously
redeemed or otherwise purchased by the
Company, into Common Stock at the rate of
5.495 shares per $1,000 principal amount at
maturity of the Debentures (the "Conversion
Rate"). The Conversion Rate will not be
adjusted for accrued Original Issue Discount
(as defined), but will be subject to
adjustment upon the occurrence of certain
events. Upon conversion, the holder will not
receive any cash payment representing accrued
Original Issue Discount; such accrued
Original Issue Discount will be deemed paid
by the Common Stock received upon conversion.
See "Description of Debentures -- Conversion
of Debentures."
RANKING....................... The Debentures are senior unsecured
indebtedness of the Company, ranking pari
passu in right of payment with the Company's
existing and future unsubordinated unsecured
indebtedness. See "Description of
Debentures -- General."
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT....... The Debentures were issued with Original Issue
Discount for Federal income tax purposes
equal to the excess of the principal amount
at maturity of the Debentures over their
Issue Price. Prospective purchasers of
Debentures should be aware that, although
there will be no periodic payments of
interest on the Debentures, accrued Original
Issue Discount will be included
4
<PAGE> 5
periodically in a holder's gross income for
Federal income tax purposes prior to
conversion, redemption, other disposition or
maturity of such holder's Debentures, whether
or not such Debentures are ultimately
converted, redeemed, sold (to the Company or
otherwise) or paid at maturity. See "Certain
Federal Income Tax Considerations."
SINKING FUND.................. None.
REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF
THE COMPANY................... The Debentures are not redeemable by the
Company prior to June 9, 2003. Thereafter,
the Debentures will be redeemable for cash,
at the option of the Company, in whole at any
time or in part from time to time, at
Redemption Prices equal to the Issue Price
plus accrued Original Issue Discount to the
date of redemption. See "Description of
Debentures -- Redemption of Debentures at the
Option of the Company."
FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE............ Each holder may require the Company to redeem
such holder's Debentures if there is a
Fundamental Change (as defined) at a
Fundamental Change Redemption Price equal to
the Issue Price plus accrued Original Issue
Discount to the date of redemption, subject
to adjustment in certain circumstances. See
"Description of Debentures -- Redemption at
Option of the Holder Upon a Fundamental
Change."
PURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF THE
HOLDER........................ Each holder may require the Company to purchase
such holder's Debentures as of June 9, 2001,
June 9, 2003, June 9, 2008 and June 9, 2013
at Purchase Prices equal to the Issue Price
plus accrued Original Issue Discount to such
dates. The Company may, at its option, elect
to pay any such Purchase Price in cash or
Common Stock, or any combination thereof,
and, in the case of any purchase as of June
9, 2001, the Company may elect, in lieu of
the payment of cash or Common Stock, to pay
the Purchase Price in new Zero Coupon
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018. See
"Description of Debentures -- Purchase of
Debentures at the Option of the Holder."
USE OF PROCEEDS............... The Company will not receive any proceeds from
the sale by the Selling Securityholders of
the Offered Securities.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS........... The Company has agreed to use all reasonable
efforts to keep effective a registration
statement of which this Prospectus forms a
part covering resales of the Debentures and
Conversion Shares (the "Offered Securities")
until the earlier of (i) the sale pursuant to
the Registration Statement of all the Offered
Securities and (ii) the expiration of the
holding period applicable to the Offered
Securities held by nonaffiliates of the
Company under Rule 144(k) under the
Securities Act, or any successor provision,
subject to certain permitted exceptions. See
"Description of Debentures -- Registration
Rights."
5
<PAGE> 6
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the risk factors and other information included or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus (including the information
contained in Exhibit 99.01 to the Company's 1997 Form 10-K and any future
updates to such exhibit), prospective investors should carefully consider the
following risk factors in connection with an investment in the Offered
Securities. This Prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference
herein, contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The statements contained in this Prospectus or incorporated by
reference herein that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the
Exchange Act, including without limitation statements regarding the Company's
expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. All
forward-looking statements included in this document or incorporated by
reference herein are based on information available to the Company on the date
hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking
statements. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors,
including those set forth in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Prospectus.
Control by Ingram Family Stockholders; Certain Anti-takeover
Provisions. As of February 17, 1998, Martha R. Ingram, her children, certain
trusts created for their benefit, and two charitable trusts and a foundation
created by the Ingram family (collectively, the "Ingram Family Stockholders")
held 137,961 shares of Common Stock (including 115,939 shares issuable for stock
options exercisable within 60 days of February 17, 1998) in the aggregate and
89,930,326 shares of Class B Common Stock in the aggregate (amounting to 86.9%
of the aggregate voting power of the Common Equity (as defined herein)). Ingram
Industries Inc. ("Ingram Industries"), the Company's former parent (which is
controlled by the Ingram Family Stockholders), held 231,000 shares of Common
Stock as of February 17, 1998. In addition, Ingram Entertainment Inc. (which is
controlled by David B. Ingram) held 2,901 shares of Common Stock as of February
17, 1998. The Ingram Family Stockholders have entered into a Board
Representation Agreement (as defined herein) with the Company, which provides
that certain types of corporate transactions, including transactions involving
the potential sale or merger of the Company; the issuance of additional equity,
warrants, or options; certain acquisitions; or the incurrence of significant
indebtedness, may not be entered into without the written approval of at least a
majority of the voting power held by certain of the Ingram Family Stockholders
acting in their sole discretion. In addition, the Board Representation Agreement
provides for the election of certain directors designated by the Ingram Family
Stockholders. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Board Representation
Agreement." Voting control by the Ingram Family Stockholders may discourage
certain types of transactions involving an actual or potential change of control
of the Company, including transactions in which the holders of the Common Stock
(including holders of the Debentures who may desire to convert such Debentures
into shares of Common Stock) might receive a premium for their shares over the
prevailing market price of the Common Stock. In addition, certain provisions of
the Delaware General Corporation Law (as amended from time to time, the "DGCL")
and the Company's Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of
Incorporation") may make any attempt to obtain control of the Company more
difficult. See "Description of Capital Stock."
Possible Volatility of Debentures and Share Price. The market price of the
Company's Common Stock has experienced significant fluctuations and may continue
to fluctuate significantly. The market price of the Debentures and the
Conversion Shares may be significantly affected by quarterly variations in the
Company's results of operations, changes in earnings estimates by market
analysts, conditions in the personal computer and technology industries, general
market or economic conditions, among other factors. Statements or changes in
opinions, ratings, or earnings estimates made by brokerage firms or industry
analysts relating to the market in which the Company does business or relating
to the Company specifically could result in an immediate and adverse effect on
the market price of the Debentures and the Conversion Shares. In addition, in
recent years the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume
fluctuations. These fluctuations have had a substantial effect on the market
prices for many companies in technology-related industries, often unrelated to
the operating performance of the specific companies. There can be no assurances
that the market price of the Debentures and the Conversion Shares will not
decline below the levels prevailing at the time of purchase of Offered
Securities hereunder.
6
<PAGE> 7
Limitations on Repurchase or Redemption of Debentures. As of June 9, 2001,
June 9, 2003, June 9, 2008 and June 9, 2013 (each, a "Purchase Date"), the
Company will become obligated to purchase, at the option of the holder thereof,
any outstanding Debenture, subject to certain conditions. In addition, upon a
Fundamental Change (as defined), each holder of the Debentures will have certain
rights, at such holder's option, to require the Company to redeem all or a
portion of such holder's Debentures. In the case of any purchase as of June 9,
2001, the Company may elect, in lieu of the payment of cash or Common Stock, to
pay the Purchase Price in new Zero Coupon Convertible Senior Debentures due
2018. There can be no assurance that the Company will have sufficient funds to
pay the repurchase price on any Purchase Date (in which case the Company could
be required to issue shares of Common Stock to pay the repurchase price at
valuations based on then prevailing market prices, or as of June 9, 2001, new
Zero Coupon Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018), or, in the event of a
Fundamental Change, the redemption price for all the Debentures tendered by the
holders thereof. Any future credit agreements or other agreements relating to
other indebtedness to which the Company becomes a party may contain restrictions
or prohibitions on the repurchase or redemption of the Debentures. In the event
a Purchase Date or a Fundamental Change occurs at a time when the Company is
prohibited from repurchasing or redeeming the Debentures, the Company could seek
the consent of its then existing lenders to repurchase or redeem the Debentures
or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such prohibition. If
the Company does not obtain such a consent or repay such borrowings, the Company
would remain prohibited from repurchasing or redeeming the Debentures. In such
case, the Company's failure to repurchase or redeem Debentures required to be
repurchased or redeemed under the terms of the Indenture would constitute an
Event of Default under the Indenture and would likely constitute a default under
the terms of any other indebtedness of the Company outstanding at such time. The
term "Fundamental Change" is limited to certain specified transactions and does
not include all events that could adversely affect the Company's financial
condition or operating results. The requirement that the Company offer to redeem
the Debentures upon a Fundamental Change will not necessarily protect holders of
the Debentures in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization,
merger or similar transaction involving the Company. See "Description of
Debentures -- Redemption at Option of the Holder Upon a Fundamental Change."
Absence of a Public Market. There is a limited trading market for the
Debentures. Although in connection with the initial placement of the Debentures
the Initial Purchaser advised the Company that it intended at such time to make
a market in the Debentures, it is not obligated to do so and may discontinue
such market making at any time without notice. In addition, such market making
activity will be subject to the limits imposed by the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any active market for
the Debentures will develop or, if one does develop, that it will be maintained.
If an active market for the Debentures fails to develop or be sustained, the
trading price of the Debentures could be adversely affected.
7
<PAGE> 8
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale by the Selling
Securityholders of the Offered Securities.
DIVIDEND POLICY
The Company has never declared or paid any dividends on its capital stock
other than a distribution of $20 million to Ingram Industries in connection with
its split-off (the "Split-Off") from Ingram Industries in 1996. The Company
currently intends to retain its future earnings to finance the growth and
development of its business and therefore does not anticipate declaring or
paying cash dividends on its capital stock for the foreseeable future. Any
future decision to declare or pay dividends will be at the discretion of the
Board of Directors and will be dependent upon the Company's financial condition,
results of operations, capital requirements, and such other factors as the Board
of Directors deems relevant. In addition, certain of the Company's debt
facilities contain restrictions on the declaration and payment of dividends.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth the ratios of earnings to fixed charges for
the Company, and such ratios pro forma for the issuance of the Debentures.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THIRTEEN WEEKS
ENDED
FISCAL YEAR --------------------
-------------------------------- MARCH 29, APRIL 4,
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges.............. 4.3x 3.6x 3.4x 4.2x 7.3x 7.4x 5.3x
Pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges.... 7.4x 5.4x
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE> 9
DESCRIPTION OF DEBENTURES
The Debentures were issued under an indenture dated as of June 9, 1998 (the
"Indenture"), between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as
trustee (the "Trustee"). A copy of the Indenture, the form of Debenture and the
registration rights agreement dated as of June 9, 1998 between the Company and
the Initial Purchaser (the "Registration Rights Agreement") have been filed as
exhibits to the Registration Statement and are available from the Trustee upon
request by a registered holder of the Debentures. The following summaries of
certain provisions of the form of Debenture, the Indenture and the Registration
Rights Agreement do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the form of
Debenture, the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement, including the
definitions therein of certain terms that are not otherwise defined in this
Prospectus. Wherever particular provisions or defined terms of the Indenture (or
of the form of Debenture which is a part thereof) or the Registration Rights
Agreement are referred to, such provisions or defined terms are incorporated
herein by reference. As used in this "Description of Debentures," the "Company"
refers to Ingram Micro Inc. and does not, unless the context otherwise
indicates, include its subsidiaries.
GENERAL
The Debentures are senior unsecured obligations of the Company ranking pari
passu in right of payment with the Company's existing and future unsubordinated
unsecured indebtedness, are limited to $1,330,000,000 aggregate principal amount
at maturity and will mature on June 9, 2018.
The Debentures were issued at a substantial discount from their principal
amount at maturity. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations."
There will be no periodic payments of interest on the Debentures. The
calculation of the accrual of Original Issue Discount (the difference between
the Issue Price of the Debentures and the principal amount at maturity of a
Debenture) in the period during which a Debenture remains outstanding will be on
a semi-annual bond equivalent basis using a year composed of twelve 30-day
months; such accrual commenced on June 9, 1998. Maturity, conversion, purchase
by the Company at the option of a holder or redemption of a Debenture will cause
Original Issue Discount and interest, if any, to cease to accrue on such
Debenture, under the terms and subject to the conditions of the Indenture. The
Company may not reissue a Debenture that has matured or been converted,
purchased by the Company at the option of a holder, redeemed or otherwise
canceled (except for registration of transfer, exchange or replacement thereof).
The principal amount at maturity of each Debenture will be payable at the
office or agency of the paying agent, initially the Trustee, in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, or any other office of the paying agent
maintained for such purpose. Debentures may be presented for conversion or
exchange into Common Stock at the office of the conversion agent and Debentures
in definitive form may be presented for exchange for other Debentures or
registration of transfer at the office of the registrar, each such agent
initially being the Trustee. The Company will not charge a service charge for
any registration of transfer or exchange of Debentures; however, the Company may
require payment by a holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or
other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
The Indenture does not prohibit or limit the incurrence of indebtedness or
other liabilities by the Company or its subsidiaries, and the incurrence of any
such additional indebtedness and other liabilities could adversely affect the
Company's ability to perform its obligations pursuant to the Debentures. The
Company anticipates that from time to time it and its subsidiaries will incur
additional indebtedness and other liabilities.
Although a portion of the Company's operations are conducted through its
subsidiaries, the Company itself currently generates sufficient cash flow to
meet its obligations and to service its debt and expects that such cash flow
will be sufficient to meet its obligations on the Debentures. Nevertheless, it
is possible that contributions to the Company's business by its subsidiaries may
increase over time and that at some point in the future the Company's ability to
service debt, including the Debentures, may become dependent upon the earnings
of its subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings, or upon loans or
other payments of funds by those subsidiaries, to the Company. Any right of the
Company to receive any assets of any of its subsidiaries
9
<PAGE> 10
upon their liquidation or reorganization will be subject to prior satisfaction
of the claims of that subsidiary's creditors (including trade creditors), except
to the extent that the Company is itself recognized as a creditor of such
subsidiary, in which case the claims of the Company would still be subject to
prior satisfaction of any claim secured by the assets of such subsidiary and any
indebtedness of such subsidiary senior to the claim held by the Company. The
payment of dividends or distributions and the making of loans and advances to
the Company by any such subsidiaries could be subject to statutory or
contractual restrictions, could be contingent upon the earnings of those
subsidiaries and could be subject to various business considerations. In
addition to direct borrowings by the Company's subsidiaries, indebtedness of the
Company under the Company's bank revolving credit facilities is guaranteed by
certain of the Company's subsidiaries, and claims of the creditors under such
bank indebtedness may be entitled to be satisfied prior to the rights of the
Company (and therefore the rights of the holders of the Debentures) with respect
to the assets of such subsidiaries. A substantial portion of the Company's
consolidated long-term debt is issued by or guaranteed by one or more of the
Company's subsidiaries.
FORM, DENOMINATION AND REGISTRATION
The Debentures were issued in fully registered form, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 principal amount at maturity and integral multiples
thereof.
Global Debenture; Book-Entry Form. The Debentures are evidenced by one or
more global Debentures (collectively, the "Global Debenture"), which were
deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New
York ("DTC") and registered in the name of Cede & Co. ("Cede") as DTC's nominee.
Except as set forth below, the Global Debenture may be transferred, in whole or
in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.
Holders of Debentures may hold their interests in the Global Debenture
directly through DTC, or indirectly through organizations which are participants
in DTC (the "Participants"). Transfers between Participants will be effected in
the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in clearing
house funds. The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical
delivery of securities in definitive form. Consequently, the ability to transfer
beneficial interests in the Global Debenture to such persons may be limited.
Holders of Debentures who are not Participants may beneficially own
interests in the Global Debenture held by DTC only through Participants or
certain banks, brokers, dealers, trust companies and other parties that clear
through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly
or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). So long as Cede, as the nominee of DTC,
is the registered owner of the Global Debenture, Cede for all purposes will be
considered the sole holder of the Global Debenture. Except as provided below,
owners of beneficial interests in the Global Debenture will not be entitled to
have certificates registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive form, and will not be
considered the holders thereof.
Payment of the redemption price and the purchase price of the Global
Debenture will be made to Cede, the nominee for DTC, as the registered owner of
the Global Debenture by wire transfer of immediately available funds. Neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any paying agent will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account
of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Debenture or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership
interests.
The Company has been informed by DTC that, with respect to payment of the
redemption price or the purchase price of the Global Debenture, DTC's practice
is to credit Participants' accounts on the payment date therefor with payments
in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the
Debentures represented by the Global Debenture as shown on the records of DTC
(adjusted as necessary so that such payments are made with respect to whole
Debentures only), unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive
payment on such payment date. Payments by Participants to owners of beneficial
interests in Debentures represented by the Global Debenture held through such
Participants will be the responsibility of
10
<PAGE> 11
such Participants, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers registered in "street name."
Holders who desire to convert their Debentures into Common Stock should
contact their brokers or other Participants or Indirect Participants to obtain
information on procedures, including proper forms and cut-off times, for
submitting such request.
Because DTC can only act on behalf of Participants, who in turn act on
behalf of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a person
having a beneficial interest in the Debentures represented by the Global
Debenture to pledge such interest to persons or entities that do not participate
in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interest, may be
affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interest.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee (or any registrar, paying agent or
conversion agent under the Indenture) will have any responsibility for the
performance by DTC or its Participants or Indirect Participants of their
respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their
operations. DTC has advised the Company that it will take any action permitted
to be taken by a holder of Debentures (including, without limitation, the
presentation of Debentures for conversion as described below) only at the
direction of one or more Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the
Global Debenture are credited and only in respect of the principal amount at
maturity of the Debentures represented by the Global Debenture as to which such
Participant or Participants has or have given such direction.
DTC has advised the Company as follows: DTC is a limited purpose trust
company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the
Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the
Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the
provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold
securities for its Participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement
of securities transactions between Participants through electronic book-entry
changes to accounts of its Participants, thereby eliminating the need for
physical movement of certificates. Participants include securities brokers and
dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations and may include
certain other organizations such as the Initial Purchaser. Certain of such
Participants (or their representatives), together with other entities, own DTC.
Indirect access to the DTC system is available to others such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies that clear through, or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly.
Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate
transfers of interests in the Global Debenture among participants of DTC, DTC is
under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such
procedures may be discontinued at any time. If DTC is at any time unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by
the Company within 90 days, the Company will cause Debentures to be issued in
definitive form in exchange for the Global Debenture.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Participants, by
Participants to Indirect Participants and Indirect Participants to beneficial
owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or
regulatory requirements that may be in effect from time to time. Redemption
notices shall be sent to Cede. If less than all of the Debentures are being
redeemed, DTC will reduce the amount of the interest of each Participant in such
Debentures in accordance with its procedures.
Certificated Debentures. Certificated Debentures will be issued in
exchange for Debentures represented by the Global Debenture if a depositary is
unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the Global Debenture as set
forth above under "-- Global Debenture; Book-Entry Form."
CONVERSION OF DEBENTURES
A holder of a Debenture may convert it into Common Stock at any time after
September 7, 1998 and prior to maturity; provided that if a Debenture is called
for redemption, the holder may convert it only until the close of business on
the last Trading Day prior to the Redemption Date unless the Company defaults in
the payment of the redemption price. A Debenture in respect of which a holder
has delivered a Purchase Notice exercising the option of such holder to require
the Company to purchase such Debenture may be
11
<PAGE> 12
converted only if such notice is withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture. Similarly, a Debenture in respect of which a holder is exercising its
option to require redemption upon a Fundamental Change may be converted only if
such holder withdraws its election to exercise its option in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture. A holder may convert its Debentures in part so long as
such part is $1,000 principal amount at maturity or an integral multiple
thereof.
The initial Conversion Rate is 5.495 shares of Common Stock per $1,000
principal amount at maturity of Debentures, subject to adjustment upon the
occurrence of certain events, as described below. A holder entitled to a
fractional share of Common Stock shall receive cash equal to the then current
market value of such fractional share.
On conversion of a Debenture, a holder will not receive any cash payment
representing accrued Original Issue Discount. The Company's delivery to the
holder of the fixed number of shares of Common Stock into which the Debenture is
convertible (together with the cash payment, if any, in lieu of fractional
shares of Common Stock) will be deemed to satisfy the Company's obligation to
pay the principal amount of the Debenture including the accrued Original Issue
Discount attributable to the period from the Issue Date to the Conversion Date.
Thus, the accrued Original Issue Discount is deemed to be paid in full rather
than canceled, extinguished or forfeited. The Conversion Rate will not be
adjusted at any time during the term of the Debentures for such accrued Original
Issue Discount.
To convert a certificated Debenture into Common Stock, a holder must (i)
complete and manually sign the conversion notice on the back of the Debenture
(or complete and manually sign a facsimile thereof) and deliver such notice to
the conversion agent, (ii) surrender the Debenture to the conversion agent,
(iii) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and
(iv) if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes. Pursuant to the Indenture,
the date on which all of the foregoing requirements have been satisfied is the
Conversion Date.
The Conversion Rate is subject to adjustment under formulae as set forth in
the Indenture in certain events, including: (i) the issuance of Common Stock of
the Company as a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock; (ii) certain
subdivisions and combinations of the Common Stock; (iii) the issuance to all
holders of Common Stock of certain rights or warrants to purchase Common Stock;
(iv) the distribution to all holders of Common Stock of capital stock (other
than Common Stock) of the Company, of evidences of indebtedness of the Company
or of assets (including securities other than Common Stock, but excluding those
rights, warrants, dividends and distributions referred to in clause (i) or (iii)
above or paid in cash); (v) distributions consisting of cash, excluding any
quarterly cash dividend on the Common Stock to the extent that the aggregate
cash dividend per share of Common Stock in any fiscal quarter does not exceed
the greater of (x) the amount per share of Common Stock of the next preceding
quarterly cash dividend on the Common Stock to the extent that such preceding
quarterly dividend did not require an adjustment of the Conversion Rate pursuant
to this clause (v) (as adjusted to reflect subdivisions or combinations of the
Common Stock), and (y) 3.75 percent of the average of the last reported sales
price of the Common Stock during the ten Trading Days immediately prior to the
date of declaration of such dividend, and excluding any dividend or distribution
in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company;
(vi) payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer by the Company or
any Subsidiary (as defined) of the Company for the Common Stock to the extent
that the cash and value of any other consideration included in such payment per
share of Common Stock exceeds the Current Market Price (as defined) per share of
Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders
or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer; and (vii)
payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer by a person other than
the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company for the Common Stock to the extent
that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per
share of Common Stock exceeds the Current Market Price per share of Common Stock
on the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges
may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer in which, as of the
closing date of the offer, the Board of Directors is not recommending rejection
of the offer. If an adjustment is required to be made as set forth in clause (v)
above as a result of a distribution that is a quarterly dividend, such
adjustment would be based upon the amount by which such distribution exceeds the
amount of the quarterly cash dividend permitted to be excluded pursuant to
clause (v) above. If an adjustment is required to be made as set forth in clause
(v) above as a result of a distribution that is not a quarterly dividend, such
adjustment would be based upon the full amount
12
<PAGE> 13
of the distribution. The adjustment referred to in clause (vii) above will only
be made if the tender offer or exchange offer is for an amount that would
increase the offeror's ownership of Common Equity (as defined) from less than
25% to more than 25% of the total shares of Common Equity outstanding. The
adjustment referred to in clause (vii) above will generally not be made,
however, if as of the closing of such offer, the offering documents with respect
to such offer disclose a plan or an intention to cause the Company to engage in
a consolidation or merger of the Company or a sale of all or substantially all
of the Company's assets. "Current Market Price" is generally defined in the
Indenture as the average of the daily closing prices of the Common Stock for the
five consecutive Trading Days ending on and including such date of
determination.
No adjustment in the Conversion Rate will be required unless such
adjustment would require a change of at least 1% in the Conversion Rate then in
effect; provided that any adjustment that would otherwise be required to be made
shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.
Except as stated above, the Conversion Rate will not be adjusted for the
issuance of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
Common Stock or carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing.
In the case of (i) any reclassification of the Common Stock or (ii) a
consolidation or merger involving the Company or a sale or conveyance to another
corporation of the property and assets of the Company as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety, in each case as a result of which holders of
Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, securities, other property or
assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such Common Stock,
the holders of the Debentures then outstanding will be entitled thereafter to
convert such Debentures into the kind and amount of shares of stock, securities
or other property or assets (including cash) which they would have owned or been
entitled to receive upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or
conveyance had such Debentures been converted immediately prior to such
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance assuming that a
holder of Debentures would not have exercised any rights of election as to the
stock, securities or other property or assets (including cash) receivable in
connection therewith.
In the event of a taxable distribution to holders of Common Stock or in
certain other circumstances requiring an adjustment to the Conversion Rate, the
holders of Debentures may, in certain circumstances, be deemed to have received
a distribution subject to United States income tax as a dividend; in certain
other circumstances, the absence of such an adjustment may result in a taxable
dividend to the holders of Common Stock. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations."
The Company from time to time may, to the extent permitted by law, increase
the Conversion Rate by any amount for any period of at least 20 Business Days,
in which case the Company shall give at least 15 days' notice of such increase,
if the Board of Directors has made a determination that such increase would be
in the best interests of the Company, which determination shall be conclusive.
The Company may, at its option, make such increases in the Conversion Rate, in
addition to those set forth above, as the Board of Directors deems advisable to
avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock resulting from any
dividend or distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event
treated as such for income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations."
REDEMPTION OF DEBENTURES AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY
No sinking fund is provided for the Debentures. Prior to June 9, 2003, the
Debentures will not be redeemable at the option of the Company. Beginning on
June 9, 2003, the Company may redeem the Debentures for cash as a whole at any
time, or from time to time in part, upon not less than 30 days' nor more than 60
days' notice of redemption given by mail to holders of Debentures. The
Debentures will be redeemable in integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount
at maturity.
13
<PAGE> 14
The table below shows Redemption Prices of Debentures per $1,000 principal
amount at maturity thereof at June 9, 2003 and at each June 9 thereafter prior
to maturity and at maturity on June 9, 2018, which prices reflect the accrued
Original Issue Discount calculated to each such date. The Redemption Price of a
Debenture redeemed between such dates would include an additional amount
reflecting the additional Original Issue Discount accrued since the next
preceding date in the table to the actual Redemption Date.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(2) (3)
(1) ACCRUED ORIGINAL REDEMPTION
DEBENTURE ISSUE DISCOUNT PRICE
REDEMPTION DATE ISSUE PRICE AT 5.375% (1)+(2)
- --------------- ----------- ---------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
June 9, 2003.................................. $346.18 $105.14 $ 451.32
June 9, 2004.................................. 346.18 129.72 475.90
June 9, 2005.................................. 346.18 155.65 501.83
June 9, 2006.................................. 346.18 182.98 529.16
June 9, 2007.................................. 346.18 211.80 557.98
June 9, 2008.................................. 346.18 242.20 588.38
June 9, 2009.................................. 346.18 274.25 620.43
June 9, 2010.................................. 346.18 308.05 654.23
June 9, 2011.................................. 346.18 343.68 689.86
June 9, 2012.................................. 346.18 381.26 727.44
June 9, 2013.................................. 346.18 420.89 767.07
June 9, 2014.................................. 346.18 462.67 808.85
June 9, 2015.................................. 346.18 506.73 852.91
June 9, 2016.................................. 346.18 553.19 899.37
June 9, 2017.................................. 346.18 602.18 948.36
June 9, 2018.................................. 346.18 653.82 1,000.00
</TABLE>
If less than all of the outstanding Debentures held in certificated form
are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Debentures held in such form to
be redeemed in principal amounts at maturity of $1,000 or integral multiples
thereof by lot, pro rata or by another method the Trustee considers fair and
appropriate (as long as such method is not prohibited by the rules of any stock
exchange on which the Debentures are then listed). If a portion of a holder's
certificated Debentures is selected for partial redemption and such holder
converts a portion of such certificated Debentures, such converted portion shall
be deemed to be the portion selected for redemption. Debentures registered in
the name of DTC or its nominee will be redeemed pro rata as described under
"-- Form, Denomination and Registration -- Global Debenture; Book-Entry Form."
REDEMPTION AT OPTION OF THE HOLDER UPON A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE
If a Fundamental Change (as defined) occurs at any time prior to June 9,
2018, each holder of Debentures shall have the right, at the holder's option, to
require the Company to redeem any or all of such holder's Debentures on the date
(the "Repurchase Date") that is 45 days after the date of the Company's notice
of such Fundamental Change. The Debentures will be redeemable in integral
multiples of $1,000 principal amount at maturity.
The Company shall redeem such Debentures at a price (the "Fundamental
Change Redemption Price") equal to the Issue Price plus accrued Original Issue
Discount to the Repurchase Date; provided that if the Applicable Price (as
defined) in connection with the Fundamental Change is less than the Reference
Market Price (as defined), the Fundamental Change Redemption Price shall be a
price equal to the foregoing Fundamental Change Redemption Price multiplied by
the fraction obtained by dividing the Applicable Price by the Reference Market
Price.
The Company shall mail to all holders of record of the Debentures a notice
of the occurrence of a Fundamental Change and of the redemption right arising as
a result thereof on or before the tenth day after the occurrence of such
Fundamental Change. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee a copy of such
notice. To exercise the redemption right, holders of Debentures must deliver, on
or before the 30th day after the date
14
<PAGE> 15
of the Company's notice of a Fundamental Change (the "Fundamental Change
Expiration Time"), the Debentures to be so redeemed, duly endorsed for transfer,
together with the form entitled "Option to Elect Redemption Upon a Fundamental
Change" on the reverse thereof duly completed, to the Company (or an agent
designated by the Company for such purpose). Payment for Debentures surrendered
for redemption (and not withdrawn) prior to the Fundamental Change Expiration
Time will be made promptly following the Fundamental Change Redemption Date.
Any Fundamental Change Redemption Notice (as defined) may be withdrawn by
the holder by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the paying agent prior
to the close of business on the Trading Day immediately preceding the
Fundamental Change Redemption Date. The notice of withdrawal shall state the
principal amount at maturity and the certificate numbers of the Debentures to
which the withdrawal notice relates and the principal amount at maturity, if
any, which remains subject to the Fundamental Change Redemption Notice.
The term "Fundamental Change" means the occurrence of any transaction or
event in connection with which all or substantially all Common Stock shall be
exchanged for, converted into, acquired for or constitute solely the right to
receive (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender offer,
consolidation, merger, combination, reclassification, recapitalization or
otherwise) consideration which is not all or substantially all common stock
listed (or, upon consummation of or immediately following such transaction or
event, which will be listed) on a United States national securities exchange or
approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market or any similar United
States system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices.
The term "Applicable Price" means (i) in the event of a Fundamental Change
in which the holders of the Common Stock receive only cash, the amount of cash
received by the holder of one share of Common Stock and (ii) in the event of any
other Fundamental Change, the average of the reported last sale price for the
Common Stock during the ten Trading Days immediately prior to the record date
for the determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive cash,
securities, property or other assets in connection with such Fundamental Change,
or, if there is no such record date, the date upon which the holders of the
Common Stock shall have the right to receive such cash, securities, property or
other assets in connection with the Fundamental Change.
The term "Reference Market Price" shall initially mean $26.25 (which is
equal to 66 2/3% of the last sale price of the Common Stock on June 3, 1998) and
in the event of any adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to the provisions
of the Indenture, the Reference Market Price shall also be adjusted so that the
Reference Market Price shall be equal to the initial Reference Market Price
multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the Conversion Rate specified
on the cover page of this Offering Memorandum (without regard to any adjustment
thereto) and the denominator of which is the Conversion Rate following such
adjustment.
The Company will comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4 and any other
tender offer rules under the Exchange Act which may then be applicable in
connection with the redemption rights of Debenture holders in the event of a
Fundamental Change.
The redemption rights of the holders of Debentures could discourage a
potential acquiror of the Company. The Fundamental Change redemption feature,
however, is not the result of management's knowledge of any specific effort to
obtain control of the Company by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation
or otherwise, or part of a plan by management to adopt a series of anti-takeover
provisions.
The term "Fundamental Change" is limited to certain specified transactions
and may not include other events that might adversely affect the financial
condition of the Company, nor would the requirement that the Company offer to
repurchase the Debentures upon a Fundamental Change necessarily afford the
holders of the Debentures protection in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction, reorganization, merger or similar transaction involving the
Company.
No Debentures may be redeemed at the option of holders upon a Fundamental
Change if there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default described
under "-- Events of Default; Notice and Waiver"
15
<PAGE> 16
below (other than a default in the payment of the Fundamental Change Redemption
Price with respect to such Debentures). In the event of a Fundamental Change and
exercise by holders of the Debentures of their associated rights to require the
Company to redeem all or a portion of their Debentures, there can be no
assurance that the Company would have sufficient funds to pay the redemption
price for all the Debentures tendered by the holders thereof. Any future credit
agreements or other agreements relating to indebtedness to which the Company
becomes a party may contain restrictions or prohibitions on the redemption of
the Debentures. In the event a Fundamental Change occurs at a time when the
Company is prohibited from redeeming the Debentures, the Company could seek the
consent of its then existing lenders to redeem the Debentures or could attempt
to refinance the borrowings that contain such prohibition. If the Company does
not obtain such a consent or repay such borrowings, the Company would remain
prohibited from redeeming the Debentures. The Company's failure to redeem
Debentures required to be redeemed under the terms of the Indenture would
constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture and would likely constitute a
default under the terms of any other indebtedness of the Company outstanding at
such time.
PURCHASE OF DEBENTURES AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER
On June 9, 2001, June 9, 2003, June 9, 2008 and June 9, 2013 (each, a
"Purchase Date"), the Company will become obligated to purchase, at the option
of the holder thereof, any outstanding Debenture for which a written Purchase
Notice has been delivered by the holder to the office of the paying agent
(initially the Trustee) at any time from the opening of business on the date
that is 20 Business Days (as defined) prior to such Purchase Date until the
close of business on the Trading Day immediately preceding such Purchase Date
and for which such Purchase Notice has not been withdrawn in accordance with the
provisions of the Indenture, subject to certain additional conditions.
The Purchase Notice shall state (i) the certificate numbers of the
Debentures to be delivered by the holder thereof for purchase by the Company;
(ii) the portion of the principal amount at maturity of Debentures to be
purchased, which portion must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof; (iii)
that such Debentures are to be purchased by the Company pursuant to the
applicable provisions of the Debentures; and (iv) in the event the Company
elects, pursuant to the Company Notice (as defined), to pay the Purchase Price
to be paid as of such Purchase Date in whole or in part in Common Stock or in
whole in Extension Debentures (as defined) but such Purchase Price is ultimately
to be paid in cash because (a) if the Company has so elected to pay in Extension
Debentures, less than $25,000,000 aggregate stated issue price of Extension
Debentures would otherwise be issued in respect of the aggregate Purchase Price
to be paid as of such Purchase Date, as described below, or (b) any other
condition to payment of the Purchase Price in Common Stock or Extension
Debentures is not satisfied by the Purchase Date, as described below, whether
such holder elects (x) to withdraw such Purchase Notice as to some or all of the
Debentures to which it relates (stating the principal amount at maturity and
certificate numbers of the Debentures as to which such withdrawal shall relate),
or (y) to receive cash in respect of the entire Purchase Price for all
Debentures subject to such Purchase Notice. If the holder fails to indicate, in
the Purchase Notice and in any written notice of withdrawal relating to such
Purchase Notice, such holder's choice with respect to the election described in
clause (iv) above, such holder shall be deemed to have elected to receive cash
in respect of the entire Purchase Price for all Debentures subject to such
Purchase Notice and not previously withdrawn in such circumstances. For a
discussion of the tax treatment of a holder receiving cash, Common Stock or
Extension Debentures pursuant to its election to tender its Debentures to the
Company on a Purchase Date, see "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations."
Any Purchase Notice may be withdrawn by the holder by a written notice of
withdrawal delivered to the paying agent prior to the close of business on the
Trading Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date. The notice of withdrawal
shall state the principal amount at maturity and the certificate numbers of the
Debentures to which the withdrawal notice relates and the principal amount at
maturity, if any, which remains subject to the Purchase Notice.
16
<PAGE> 17
The Purchase Price payable in respect of a Debenture shall be equal to the
Issue Price plus accrued Original Issue Discount to the Purchase Date. The table
below shows the Purchase Prices of a Debenture as of the specified Purchase
Dates. The Company may elect to pay the Purchase Price payable as of any
Purchase Date in cash or Common Stock or any combination thereof or, in the case
of June 9, 2001, in Extension Debentures.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PURCHASE
PURCHASE DATE PRICE
- ------------- --------
<S> <C>
June 9, 2001................................................ $405.89
June 9, 2003................................................ 451.32
June 9, 2008................................................ 588.38
June 9, 2013................................................ 767.07
</TABLE>
If the Company elects to pay the Purchase Price, in whole or in part, in
Common Stock, the number of shares to be delivered in respect of the portion of
the Purchase Price to be paid in Common Stock shall be equal to such portion of
the Purchase Price divided by the Market Price (as defined) of the Common Stock.
However, no fractional shares of Common Stock will be delivered upon any
purchase by the Company of Debentures through the delivery of Common Stock in
payment, in whole or in part, of the Purchase Price. Instead, the Company will
pay cash based on the Market Price for all fractional shares of Common Stock.
If the Company elects to pay the Purchase Price in Extension Debentures,
the aggregate stated issue price of Extension Debentures to be issued in respect
of the Purchase Price shall be equal to the Purchase Price. Such stated issue
price of the Extension Debentures may differ from the "issue price" of such
Debentures for U.S. federal income tax purposes (which is expected to be the
fair market value of such Debentures on the Purchase Date), in which case the
amounts of original issue discount that will be treated as accruing on such
Debentures in any period for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be different
from the amounts of Original Issue Discount that are otherwise treated as
accruing on the Debentures in such period for purposes of the Indenture. See
"Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations -- U.S. Holders -- Exchange for
Extension Debentures." However, no Extension Debentures in denominations of
other than $1,000 principal amount at maturity or an integral multiple thereof
will be delivered upon any purchase by the Company of Debentures through the
delivery of any such security in payment of the Purchase Price. Instead, the
Company will pay cash based on the stated issue price for all fractional
Extension Debentures. In addition, if as of the Purchase Date less than
$25,000,000 aggregate stated issue price of Extension Debentures would otherwise
be issued in respect of the aggregate Purchase Price to be paid as of such
Purchase Date, the Company will instead pay such Purchase Price in cash.
The Company will give notice (the "Company Notice") not less than 20
Business Days prior to the Purchase Date (the "Company Notice Date") to all
holders at their addresses shown in the register of the registrar (and to
beneficial owners as required by applicable law) stating, among other things,
whether the Company will pay the Purchase Price of the Debentures in cash,
Common Stock, or any combination thereof (specifying the percentage of each), or
Extension Debentures and, if the Company elects to pay in whole or in part in
Common Stock, the method of calculating the Market Price of such Common Stock
or, if the Company elects to pay in whole in Extension Debentures, a description
of the material terms of the Extension Debentures as hereinafter described (the
"Material Terms").
The Extension Debentures will be identical to the Debentures except that
either (a) a new Conversion Rate (which will be determined by reference to the
premium (expressed as a percentage) to the Market Price of the Common Stock to
be used for purposes of setting the new Conversion Rate as of the Purchase Date
as described below) or (b) a new yield to maturity (based on the stated issue
price per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of Extension Debentures and
calculated on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis using a year of twelve 30-day
months) will be established so as to cause the Extension Debentures deliverable
as payment of the Purchase Price to have, in the opinion of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated (or any successor thereto), an aggregate initial market value on a
fully distributed basis as of the Purchase Date (assuming the prevailing market
and other conditions existing as of the Company Notice Date) at or as near as
possible to the sum of the aggregate Issue Price and accrued Original Issue
Discount to the Purchase Date with respect to the
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Debentures to be purchased, and the Extension Debentures will have such other
changes from the Debentures as are appropriate as a result of the new Conversion
Rate or yield to maturity, as the case may be.
The description of the Material Terms in the Company Notice shall include
the stated issue price, the new Purchase Prices on all future Purchase Dates and
the new Redemption Prices at June 9, 2003, and at each June 9 thereafter through
maturity of the Extension Debentures, in each case, per $1,000 principal amount
at maturity of Extension Debentures and, in the case of a new Conversion Rate,
the Conversion Premium and the method for setting the new Conversion Rate per
$1,000 principal amount at maturity of Extension Debentures based on such
Conversion Premium, and, in the case of a new yield to maturity, the new yield
to maturity and new Conversion Rate per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of
Extension Debentures and the aggregate principal amount at maturity of Extension
Debentures to be issued per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of Debentures.
In the event the Company has elected to establish a new Conversion Rate, the
Conversion Rate per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of the Extension
Debentures will be equal to the stated issue price divided by the product of (a)
one plus the new Conversion Premium, and (b) the Market Price (as defined) of
the Common Stock as of the June 9, 2001 Purchase Date.
Upon determination of the actual number of shares of Common Stock or the
Material Terms of the Extension Debentures in accordance with the foregoing
provisions (including the new Conversion Rate, if applicable), the Company will
publish such determination in a daily newspaper of national circulation.
The Extension Debentures will constitute a separate series of securities
from the Debentures, and will be issued pursuant to a separate indenture, which
shall be in substantially the form of the Indenture.
The "Market Price" means the average of the Sale Prices (as defined) of the
Common Stock for the five Trading Day period ending on the third Business Day
immediately prior to the applicable Purchase Date (if the third Business Day
prior to the applicable Purchase Date is a Trading Day or, if it is not a
Trading Day, then ending on the last Trading Day prior to such third Business
Day), appropriately adjusted to take into account the occurrence during the
period commencing on the first of such Trading Days during such five Trading Day
period and ending on such Purchase Date of certain events that would result in
an adjustment of the Conversion Rate under the Indenture with respect to the
Common Stock. The "Sale Price" of the Common Stock on any date means the closing
per share sale price (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average bid
and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average
bid and average ask prices) on such date as reported in the composite
transactions for the principal United States securities exchange on which the
Common Stock is traded or, if the Common Stock is not listed on a United States
national or regional stock exchange, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market.
Because the Market Price of the Common Stock is determined prior to the
applicable Purchase Date, holders of Debentures bear the market risk with
respect to the value of the Common Stock to be received from the date of
determination of such Market Price to such Purchase Date. The Company may elect
to pay the Purchase Price in Common Stock only if the information necessary to
calculate the Market Price is reported in a daily newspaper of national
circulation.
The Company's right to purchase Debentures with Common Stock or Extension
Debentures is subject to the satisfaction of various conditions, including: (i)
the registration of the Common Stock or Extension Debentures under the
Securities Act, if required; and (ii) compliance with other applicable federal
and state securities laws, if any. If such conditions are not satisfied by a
Purchase Date, the Company will pay the Purchase Price of the Debentures to be
purchased on such Purchase Date entirely in cash. The Company will comply with
the provisions of Rule 13e-4 and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange
Act which may then be applicable and will file a Schedule 13E-4 or any other
schedule required thereunder in connection with any offer by the Company to
purchase Debentures at the option of holders.
Payment of the Purchase Price for a Debenture for which a Purchase Notice
has been delivered and not withdrawn is conditioned upon book-entry transfer or
delivery of such Debenture (together with necessary endorsements) to the paying
agent at its office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or any
other office of the paying agent maintained for such purpose, at any time
(whether prior to, on or after the Purchase Date) after delivery of such
Purchase Notice. Payment of the Purchase Price for such Debenture will be made
promptly following the later of the Purchase Date or the time of book-entry
transfer or delivery
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<PAGE> 19
of such Debenture. If the paying agent holds, in accordance with the terms of
the Indenture, money or securities sufficient to pay the Purchase Price of such
Debenture on the Business Day following the Purchase Date, then, on and after
such date, such Debenture will cease to be outstanding and Original Issue
Discount on such Debenture will cease to accrue whether or not book-entry
transfer of such Debenture is made or such Debenture is delivered to the paying
agent, and all other rights of the holder shall terminate (other than the right
to receive the Purchase Price upon delivery of the Debenture).
No Debentures may be purchased at the option of the holder for cash if
there has occurred (prior to, on or after the giving by the holders of such
Debentures of the required Purchase Notice) and is continuing an Event of
Default described under "-- Events of Default; Notice and Waiver" below (other
than a default in the payment of the Purchase Price with respect to such
Debentures).
If the Company becomes obligated to purchase any outstanding Debenture on a
Purchase Date, there can be no assurance that the Company would have sufficient
funds to pay the Purchase Price on that Purchase Date for all the Debentures
tendered by the holders thereof (in which case, the Company could be required to
issue shares of Common Stock to pay the Purchase Price at valuations based on
then prevailing market prices or, as of June 9, 2001, Extension Debentures).
There can be no assurance that any future credit agreements or other agreements
relating to indebtedness to which the Company becomes a party will not contain
prohibitions on or defaults with respect to the repurchase of the Debentures. In
the event a Purchase Date occurs at a time when the Company is prohibited from
repurchasing the Debentures, the Company could seek the consent of its then
existing lenders to repurchase the Debentures or could attempt to refinance the
borrowings that contain such prohibition. If the Company does not obtain such a
consent or repay such borrowings, the Company would remain prohibited from
repurchasing the Debentures. The Company's failure to repurchase Debentures
required to be repurchased under the terms of the Indenture would constitute an
Event of Default under the Indenture and would likely constitute a default under
the terms of any other indebtedness of the Company outstanding at such time.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE AND WAIVER
The Indenture provides that, if an Event of Default specified therein shall
have occurred and be continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of not less
than 25% in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Debentures then
outstanding may declare the Issue Price of the Debentures plus the Original
Issue Discount on the Debentures and any Liquidated Damages under the
Registration Rights Agreement accrued to the date of such declaration to become
and be immediately due and payable. In the case of certain events of bankruptcy
or insolvency, the Issue Price of the Debentures plus the Original Issue
Discount accrued thereon to the occurrence of such event shall automatically
become and be immediately due and payable. Under certain circumstances, the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the
outstanding Debentures may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the
Debentures and its consequences. Interest shall accrue at the rate of 5.375% per
annum and be payable on demand upon a default in the payment of the Issue Price,
accrued Original Issue Discount, accrued Liquidated Damages, if any, or any
Redemption Price, Purchase Price or Fundamental Change Redemption Price to the
extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable.
Under the Indenture, Events of Default are defined as: (i) default in
payment of the principal amount at maturity, Issue Price, accrued Original Issue
Discount, accrued Liquidated Damages, if any, Redemption Price, Purchase Price
or Fundamental Change Redemption Price with respect to any Debenture when such
becomes due and payable (whether or not payment is prohibited by the provisions
of the Indenture); provided that in the case of any failure to pay Liquidated
Damages, such failure continues for a period of 30 days; (ii) failure by the
Company to comply with any of its other agreements in the Debentures or the
Indenture upon the receipt by the Company of notice of such default by the
Trustee or by holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount at
maturity of the Debentures then outstanding and the Company's failure to cure
such default within 60 days after receipt by the Company of such notice; or
(iii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency.
The Trustee shall give notice to holders of the Debentures of any
continuing Event of Default known to the Trustee within 90 days after the
occurrence thereof; provided that, except in the case of a Default as
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<PAGE> 20
described in clause (i) of the preceding paragraph, the Trustee may withhold
such notice if it determines in good faith that withholding the notice is in the
interests of the holders.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the
outstanding Debentures may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Trustee; provided that such direction shall not be in
conflict with any law or the Indenture and subject to certain other limitations.
Before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the Indenture at the
direction of such holders, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive from such
holders reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs,
expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in complying with any
such direction. No holder of any Debenture will have any right to pursue any
remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Debentures, unless (i) such holder
shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of
Default; (ii) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount at
maturity of the outstanding Debentures shall have made a written request to the
Trustee to pursue such remedy; (iii) such holder or holders shall have offered
to the Trustee reasonable indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee; (iv) the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the
outstanding Debentures shall not have given the Trustee a direction inconsistent
with such request within 60 days after receipt of such request; and (v) the
Trustee shall have failed to comply with the request within such 60-day period.
However, the right of any holder (x) to receive payment of the principal
amount at maturity, Issue Price, accrued Original Issue Discount, Redemption
Price, Purchase Price, Fundamental Change Redemption Price and any interest in
respect of a default in the payment of any such amounts on a Debenture, on or
after the due date expressed in such Debenture, (y) to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payments or conversion or (z) to convert Debentures
shall not be impaired or adversely affected without such holder's consent. The
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the
outstanding Debentures may waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its
consequences, other than (i) any default in any payment on the Debentures, (ii)
any default with respect to the conversion rights of the Debentures or (iii) any
default in respect of certain covenants or provisions in the Indenture which may
not be modified without the consent of the holder of each Debenture as described
in "Modification" below. The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee
annually a statement as to any default by the Company in the performance and
observance of its obligations under the Indenture.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
The Company has filed the Registration Statement with the Commission. The
Company will use all reasonable efforts to keep the Registration Statement
effective until the earlier of (i) the sale pursuant to the Registration
Statement of all the Offered Securities and (ii) the expiration of the holding
period applicable to such securities held by persons that are not affiliates of
the Company under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act, or any successor
provision, subject to certain permitted exceptions. The Company will be
permitted to suspend the use of this Prospectus under certain circumstances
relating to pending corporate developments, public filings with the Commission
and similar events for a period not to exceed 30 days in any three-month period
or not to exceed an aggregate of 90 days in any 12-month period; provided,
however, that the Company will be permitted to suspend the use of this
Prospectus for a period not to exceed 60 days in any 3-month period under
certain circumstances relating to possible acquisitions, acquisitions,
financings or similar transactions. The Company has agreed to pay predetermined
liquidated damages as described herein ("Liquidated Damages") to holders of
Debentures and holders of Conversion Shares if this Prospectus is unavailable
for periods in excess of those permitted above. Such Liquidated Damages shall
accrue until such unavailability is cured, (i) in respect of any Debenture, at a
rate per annum equal to 0.25% for the first 90 day period after the occurrence
of such event and 0.5% thereafter of the Applicable Principal Amount (as
defined) at maturity thereof, and (ii) in respect of any Conversion Shares, at a
rate per annum equal to 0.25% for the first 90 day period and 0.5% thereafter of
the then Applicable Conversion Price (as defined). A holder who sells Debentures
and Conversion Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement generally will be
required to be named as a Selling Securityholder in this Prospectus, deliver
this Prospectus to purchasers of such Debentures and/or Conversion Shares and be
bound by certain provisions of the Registration Rights
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<PAGE> 21
Agreement that are applicable to such holder (including certain indemnification
provisions). The Company has agreed to pay all expenses of the Registration
Statement, provide to each registered holder copies of this Prospectus, notify
each registered holder when the Registration Statement has become effective and
take certain other actions as are required to permit, subject to the foregoing,
unrestricted resales of the Debentures and the Conversion Shares. The plan of
distribution of this Prospectus permits resales of Offered Securities by Selling
Securityholders through brokers and dealers. The term "Applicable Principal
Amount" means, as of any date of determination, with respect to each $1,000
principal amount at maturity of Debentures, the sum of the initial issue price
of such Debenture ($346.18) plus accrued Original Issue Discount with respect to
such Debenture through such date of determination or, if no Debentures are then
outstanding, such sum calculated as if such Debentures were then outstanding.
The term "Applicable Conversion Price" means, as of any date of determination,
the Applicable Principal Amount per $1,000 principal amount at maturity of
Debentures as of such date of determination divided by the Conversion Rate in
effect as of such date of determination or, if no Debentures are then
outstanding, the Conversion Rate that would be in effect were Debentures then
outstanding.
MERGERS AND SALES OF ASSETS BY THE COMPANY
The Company may not consolidate with or merge into any other person or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety
to another person, unless, among other items, (i) the resulting, surviving or
transferee person (if other than the Company) is organized and existing under
the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia,
(ii) such successor person assumes all obligations of the Company under the
Debentures and the Indenture and (iii) the Company or such successor person
shall not immediately thereafter be in default under the Indenture. Upon the
assumption of the Company's obligations by such person in such circumstances,
subject to certain exceptions, the Company shall be discharged from all
obligations under the Debentures and the Indenture. Certain such transactions
which would constitute a Fundamental Change would permit each holder to require
the Company to redeem the Debentures of such holder as described under
"-- Redemption at Option of the Holder Upon a Fundamental Change."
MODIFICATION
Modification and amendment of the Indenture or the Debentures may be
effected by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of not
less than a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Debentures
then outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such amendment may, without
the consent of each holder affected thereby: (i) reduce the principal amount at
maturity, Issue Price, Purchase Price, Fundamental Change Redemption Price or
Redemption Price, or extend the stated maturity of any Debenture or alter the
manner or rate of accrual of Original Issue Discount or interest, or make any
Debenture payable in money or securities other than that stated in the
Debenture; (ii) make any changes to the principal amount at maturity of
Debentures whose holders must consent to an amendment or any waiver under the
Indenture or modify the Indenture provisions relating to such amendments or
waivers; (iii) make any change that adversely affects the right to convert any
Debenture or the right to require the Company to purchase a Debenture or the
right to require the Company to redeem a Debenture upon a Fundamental Change; or
(iv) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment with
respect to, or conversion of, the Debentures. The Indenture also provides for
certain modifications of its terms without the consent of the holders.
LIMITATIONS OF CLAIMS IN BANKRUPTCY
If a bankruptcy proceeding is commenced in respect of the Company, the
claim of the holder of a Debenture is, under Title 11 of the United States Code,
limited to the initial issue price of the Debenture plus that portion of the
Original Issue Discount that has accrued from the date of issue to the
commencement of the proceeding. In addition, the Debentures will be effectively
subordinated to the indebtedness and other obligations of the Company's
subsidiaries.
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TAXATION OF DEBENTURES
See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations" for a discussion of certain
tax considerations relevant to a holder of Debentures.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee under the Indenture, has
been appointed by the Company as paying agent, conversion agent, registrar and
custodian with respect to the Debentures.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 265,000,000 shares
of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock"), of which
38,271,346 shares were issued and outstanding as of April 4, 1998, and
135,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Class B
Common Stock" and, together with the Common Stock, the "Common Equity") of which
99,664,302 shares were issued and outstanding as of April 4, 1998. In addition,
the Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance by the Company of up to
1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Preferred
Stock"), on terms determined by the Company's Board of Directors. The following
description is a summary of the capital stock of the Company and is subject to
and qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Certificate
of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws (the "Bylaws") of the
Company, which have been filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the
Registration Statement.
COMMON EQUITY
The shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are identical in all
respects, except for voting rights and certain conversion rights, as described
below.
Voting Rights. Each share of Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote
on each matter submitted to a vote of the Company's shareowners, including the
election of directors, and each share of Class B Common Stock entitles the
holder to ten votes on each such matter. Except as required by applicable law,
holders of the Common Stock and Class B Common Stock vote together as a single
class on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareowners of the Company.
There is no cumulative voting. See "Risk Factors -- Control by Ingram Family
Stockholders; Certain Anti-takeover Provisions."
Subject to New York Stock Exchange requirements, for so long as there are
any shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding, any action that may be taken at
a meeting of the shareowners may be taken by written consent in lieu of a
meeting if the Company receives consents signed by shareowners having the
minimum number of votes that would be necessary to approve the action at a
meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the matter were present and
voted. This could permit certain holders of Class B Common Stock to take action
regarding certain matters without providing other shareowners the opportunity to
voice dissenting views or raise other matters. The right to take such action by
written consent of shareowners will expire at such time as all outstanding
shares of Class B Common Stock cease to be outstanding.
Dividends, Distributions, and Stock Splits. Holders of Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends at the same rate if, as,
and when such dividends are declared by the Board of Directors out of assets
legally available therefor after payment of dividends required to be paid on
shares of Preferred Stock, if any.
In the case of dividends or distributions payable in Common Stock or Class
B Common Stock, only shares of Common Stock will be distributed with respect to
the Common Stock and only shares of Class B Common Stock will be distributed
with respect to the Class B Common Stock. In the case of dividends or other
distributions consisting of other voting shares of the Company, the Company will
declare and pay such dividends in two separate classes of such voting
securities, identical in all respects, except that the voting rights of each
such security paid to the holders of the Common Stock shall be one-tenth of the
voting rights of each such security paid to the holders of Class B Common Stock,
and such security paid to the holders of Class B
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<PAGE> 23
Common Stock shall convert into the security paid to the holders of the Common
Stock upon the same terms and conditions applicable to the Class B Common Stock.
In the case of dividends or other distributions consisting of securities
convertible into, or exchangeable for, voting securities of the Company, the
Company will provide that such convertible or exchangeable securities and the
underlying securities be identical in all respects, except that the voting
rights of each security underlying the convertible or exchangeable security paid
to the holders of the Common Stock shall be one-tenth of the voting rights of
each security underlying the convertible or exchangeable security paid to the
holders of Class B Common Stock, and such underlying securities paid to the
holders of Class B Common Stock shall convert into the security paid to the
holders of the Common Stock upon the same terms and conditions applicable to the
Class B Common Stock.
Neither the Common Stock nor the Class B Common Stock may be subdivided or
combined in any manner unless the other class is subdivided or combined in the
same proportion.
Conversion. The Common Stock has no conversion rights.
The Class B Common Stock is convertible into Common Stock, in whole or in
part, at any time and from time to time at the option of the holder, on the
basis of one share of Common Stock for each share of Class B Common Stock
converted. Each share of Class B Common Stock will also automatically convert
into one share of Common Stock upon the earliest to occur of (i) November 6,
2001; (ii) the sale or transfer of such share of Class B Common Stock (a) by a
holder that is a party to the Board Representation Agreement (as defined below)
to any person that is not an affiliate, spouse or descendant of such holder,
their estates or trusts for their benefit or any other party to the Exchange
Agreement which effected the Split-Off or (b) by any other holder, to a holder
that is not the spouse or descendant of such holder or their estates or trusts
for their benefit; and (iii) the date on which the number of shares of Class B
Common Stock then outstanding is less than 25% of the aggregate number of shares
of Common Equity then outstanding.
Liquidation. In the event of any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up
of the affairs of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment
of the debts and other liabilities of the Company and making provision for the
holders of Preferred Stock, if any, the remaining assets of the Company will be
distributed ratably among the holders of the Common Stock and the Class B Common
Stock, treated as a single class.
Mergers and Other Business Combinations. Upon a merger, combination, or
other similar transaction of the Company in which shares of Common Equity are
exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other
property, holders of each class of Common Equity will be entitled to receive an
equal per share amount of stock, securities, cash, and/or any other property, as
the case may be, into which or for which each share of any other class of Common
Equity is exchanged or changed; provided that in any transaction in which shares
of capital stock are distributed, such shares so exchanged for or changed into
may differ as to voting rights and certain conversion rights to the extent and
only to the extent that the voting rights and certain conversion rights of
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock differ at that time.
Other Provisions. The holders of the Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
are not entitled to preemptive rights. There are no redemption provisions or
sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock or the Class B Common
Stock.
PREFERRED STOCK
The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed
by the DGCL, or the rules of any quotation system or national securities
exchange on which stock of the Company may be quoted or listed, to provide for
the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series; to establish
from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series; to
fix the rights, powers, preferences, and privileges of the shares of each series
and any qualifications and restrictions thereon; and, to the extent permitted by
the DGCL, to increase or decrease the number of shares of such series, without
any further vote or action by the shareowners. Depending upon the terms of the
Preferred Stock established by the Board of Directors, any or all series of
Preferred Stock could have preference over the Common Stock with respect to
dividends and other distributions and upon liquidation of the Company or could
have voting or conversion rights that could
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adversely affect the holders of the outstanding Common Stock. The Company has no
present plans to issue any shares of Preferred Stock.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
As permitted by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation provides that
directors of the Company shall not be personally liable to the Company or its
shareowners for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to
the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL (which currently provides that such
liability may be so limited, except for liability (i) for any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareowners, (ii) for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of the law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, relating to
prohibited dividends or distributions or the repurchase or redemption of stock,
or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal
benefit).
Each person who is or was a party to any action by reason of the fact that
such person is or was a director or officer of the Company shall be indemnified
and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.
This right to indemnification also includes the right to have paid by the
Company the expenses incurred in connection with any such proceeding in advance
of its final disposition, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. In
addition, the Company may, by action of the Board of Directors, provide
indemnification to such other employees and agents of the Company to such extent
as the Board of Directors determines to be appropriate under the DGCL.
As a result of this provision, the Company and its shareowners may be
unable to obtain monetary damages from a director for breach of his duty of
care. Although shareowners may continue to seek injunctive or other equitable
relief for an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by a director, shareowners may
not have any effective remedy against the challenged conduct if equitable
remedies are unavailable. The Company also reserves the right to purchase and
maintain directors' and officers' liability insurance.
BOARD REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT
The Company and the Ingram Family Stockholders have entered into a Board
Representation Agreement (the "Board Representation Agreement"). So long as the
Ingram Family Stockholders and their permitted transferees (as defined in the
Board Representation Agreement) own in excess of 25,000,000 shares of the
outstanding Common Equity, the Board Representation Agreement provides for the
designation of certain directors (the "Designated Nominees"): (i) not more than
three directors designated by the Ingram Family Stockholders, (ii) one director
designated by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and (iii) four or five
additional directors ("Independent Directors") who are not members of the Ingram
family or executive officers or employees of the Company. Directors designated
by the Ingram Family Stockholders may, but are not required to, include Martha
R. Ingram, any of her legal descendants, or any of their respective spouses.
Messrs. David B. Ingram and John R. Ingram and Mrs. Ingram are the directors
designated by the Ingram Family Stockholders; Mr. Jerre L. Stead is the director
designated by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company; and Messrs. Don H.
Davis, Jr., Philip M. Pfeffer, J. Phillip Samper and Joe B. Wyatt are
Independent Directors. Each of the parties to the Board Representation Agreement
(other than the Company) has agreed to vote its shares of Common Equity in favor
of the Designated Nominees. The Ingram Family Stockholders' holdings of Common
Equity are sufficient to guarantee the election of the Designated Nominees.
The Board Representation Agreement provides for the formation of certain
committees of the Board of Directors. As provided in the Bylaws and the Board
Representation Agreement, the Company has four committees: an Executive
Committee, a Nominating Committee, an Audit Committee, and a Human Resources
Committee.
In addition to provisions relating to the designation of directors, the
Board Representation Agreement provides that certain types of corporate
transactions, including transactions involving the potential sale or merger of
the Company; the issuance of additional equity, warrants, or options;
acquisitions involving aggregate consideration in excess of 10% of the Company's
stockholders' equity; any guarantee of indebted-
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ness of an entity other than a subsidiary of the Company exceeding 5% of the
Company's stockholders' equity; and the incurrence of indebtedness in a
transaction which could reasonably be expected to reduce the Company's
investment rating (i) lower than one grade below the rating in effect
immediately following the Company's initial public offering in November 1996
(the "IPO") or (ii) below investment grade, may not be entered into without the
written approval of at least a majority of the voting power deemed to be held
(for purposes of the Board Representation Agreement) by certain of the Ingram
Family Stockholders, acting in their sole discretion.
The Board Representation Agreement will terminate on the date on which the
Ingram Family Stockholders and their permitted transferees collectively cease to
beneficially own at least 25,000,000 shares of the Common Equity of the Company
(as such number may be equitably adjusted to reflect stock splits, stock
dividends, recapitalizations, and other transactions in the capital stock of the
Company). All decisions for the Ingram Family Stockholders that are trusts or
foundations will be made by the trustees thereof, who in some cases are members
of the Ingram family.
CERTAIN REGISTRATION RIGHTS
The Ingram Family Stockholders and the other shareowners of Ingram
Industries who received shares of Class B Common Stock in the Split-Off entered
into a registration rights agreement (the "Ingram Family Registration Rights
Agreement") which grants the QTIP Trust (a trust for the benefit of certain of
the Ingrams) demand registration rights. Such demand registration rights may be
exercised with respect to all or any portion (subject to certain minimum
thresholds) of the shares of Class B Common Stock owned by the QTIP Trust, one
or more of the other Ingram Family Stockholders and certain of their permitted
transferees on up to three occasions during the 84-month period following the
closing of the IPO; provided that the Company shall not be obligated to effect
(i) any registration requested by the QTIP Trust unless the QTIP Trust has
furnished the Company with an opinion of counsel to the effect that such
registration and any subsequent sale will not affect the tax-free nature of the
Split-Off or (ii) more than one demand registration during any 12-month period.
The Ingram Family Registration Rights Agreement also grants one demand
registration right (subject to certain minimum thresholds) to members of the
Ingram family (which may only be exercised during the 84-month period following
the closing of the IPO) and one demand registration right to certain minority
shareowners of the Company if a change of control of the Company occurs
following the closing of the IPO but prior to the second anniversary of the
Split-Off. The minority shareowners will not be entitled to this registration
right if they were offered the opportunity to participate in the change of
control transaction.
The Ingram Family Registration Rights Agreement restricts the exercise by
any party thereto of a demand registration right, and provides that the Company
will not grant any registration rights to any other person that are more
favorable than those granted pursuant to the Ingram Family Registration Rights
Agreement or that provide for the exercise of demand registration rights sooner
than three months following a public offering in which such person was entitled
to include its shares, unless the number of shares requested to be included in
such public offering exceeded 125% of the number of shares actually included.
In addition, the Ingram Family Registration Rights Agreement provides that
the parties thereto shall be entitled to unlimited "piggyback" registration
rights in connection with any proposed registration of equity securities by the
Company (with certain specified exceptions) during the 84-month period following
the completion of the IPO. Employees who received shares of Class B Common Stock
in the Company's July 1996 employee offering are bound by the provisions of the
Ingram Family Registration Rights Agreement as if such employees were parties
thereto, and are entitled to the "piggyback" registration rights provided
therein, with respect to the portion of their shares of Class B Common Stock
that is no longer subject to restrictions on transfer. The piggyback
registration rights under the Ingram Family Registration Rights Agreement do not
apply to offerings of the Debentures pursuant to the Registration Statement.
The Ingram Family Registration Rights Agreement contains provisions
regarding reduction of the size of an offering that has been determined by the
underwriters to have exceeded its maximum potential size and
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contains certain customary provisions, including those relating to holdback
arrangements, registration procedures, indemnification, contribution and payment
of fees and expenses.
The Company has filed a registration statement on Form S-3 (the "Thrift
Plan S-3") with the Commission covering 10,949,298 shares of Common Stock. The
Thrift Plan S-3, which was declared effective on November 20, 1997, relates to
the offer and sale by certain thrift plans of a total of 8,213,894 shares of
Common Stock of the Company. The Thrift Plan S-3 also relates to the offer and
sale by the Company of up to 2,735,944 shares of Common Stock upon the exercise
of certain stock options. The Thrift Plan S-3 is being kept current by the
Company.
OTHER CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAW PROVISIONS
The Bylaws provide that a majority of the total number of directors shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Board of Directors may
act by unanimous written consent. The Board Representation Agreement contains
additional provisions relating to corporate governance, as described above.
Annual meetings of shareowners shall be held to elect the Board of
Directors and transact such other business as may be properly brought before the
meeting. Special meetings of shareowners may be called by the chairman and shall
be called by the secretary on the written request of shareowners having 10% of
the voting power of the Company. The shareowners may act by written consent in
lieu of a meeting of shareowners until such time as all shares of Class B Common
Stock cease to be outstanding.
The Certificate of Incorporation may be amended with the approval of the
Board of Directors (by the vote required as described above), and for so long
as any shares of Class B Common Stock remain outstanding, in addition to any
vote required by law, any such amendment also requires the approval of the
holders of a majority of the Company's outstanding voting power and a majority
of the members of the Board of Directors. However, any amendment to the
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation relating to the Common Equity
also requires the consent of a majority of the outstanding voting power held by
the Ingram Family Stockholders. The Bylaws may be amended with the approval of
three-quarters of the entire Board of Directors or by the holders of 75% of the
Company's voting power present and entitled to vote at any annual or special
meeting of shareowners at which a quorum is present.
The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors
shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors. The number of directors
shall be eight or nine. The Board currently has eight members, but may be
increased to nine in accordance with the Board Representation Agreement. The
vote of a majority of the entire Board is required for all actions of the Board.
The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the shareowners, except
for filling vacancies. Directors may be removed with the approval of the holders
of a majority of the Company's voting power present and entitled to vote at a
meeting of shareowners. Vacancies and newly created directorships on the Board
of Directors resulting from any increase in the number of directors may be
filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a
quorum, a sole remaining director, or the holders of a majority of the voting
power present and entitled to vote at a meeting of shareowners. So long as the
Ingram Family Stockholders and their permitted transferees own at least
25,000,000 shares of the Common Equity, the Bylaws will provide for the
appointment of the Designated Nominees.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the
votes entitled to be cast by the shareowner entitled to vote generally, shall
constitute a quorum for shareowner action at any meeting.
SECTION 203 OF THE DGCL
The Company is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL which, subject to certain
exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in a business
combination (as defined therein) with an "interested stockholder" (defined
generally as any person who beneficially owns 15% or more of the outstanding
voting stock of the Company or any person affiliated with such person) for a
period of three years following the date that such shareowner became an
interested stockholder, unless (i) prior to such date the board of directors of
the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that
resulted in the shareowner becoming an interested stockholder; (ii) upon
consummation of the transaction that resulted in the shareowner becoming an
interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the
voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction
commenced (excluding for purposes of
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determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (a) by directors
who are also officers of the corporation and (b) by employee stock plans in
which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially
whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange
offer); or (iii) on or subsequent to such date the business combination is
approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at a
meeting of shareowners by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the
outstanding voting stock of the corporation not owned by the interested
stockholder.
TRANSFER AGENT
The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is First Chicago
Trust Company of New York.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income and certain
estate tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of
the Debentures and Common Stock into which Debentures may be converted, but does
not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations
relating thereto. This discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), existing and proposed Treasury Regulations, and
judicial decisions and administrative interpretations thereunder, as of the date
hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or
different interpretations. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS") will not challenge one or more of the tax results described
herein, and the Company has not obtained, nor does it intend to obtain, a ruling
from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal tax consequences of acquiring or
holding Debentures or Common Stock.
This discussion does not purport to address all tax considerations that may
be important to a particular holder in light of the holder's circumstances (such
as the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code), or to certain categories
of investors (such as certain financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations,
dealers in securities, persons who hold Debentures or Common Stock as part of a
hedge, conversion or constructive sale transaction, or straddle or other risk
reduction transaction or persons who have ceased to be United States citizens or
to be taxed as resident aliens) that may be subject to special rules. This
discussion is limited to holders of Debentures who hold the Debentures and any
Common Stock into which the Debentures are converted as capital assets. This
discussion also does not address the tax consequences arising under the laws of
any foreign, state or local jurisdiction.
PERSONS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF A DEBENTURE SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN
TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF ACQUIRING,
HOLDING, CONVERTING OR OTHERWISE DISPOSING OF THE DEBENTURES AND COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING THE EFFECT AND APPLICABILITY OF STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS.
U.S. HOLDERS
As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a holder of a Debenture or
Common Stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (i) a citizen or
resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any
political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate, the income of which is subject
to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a
trust, the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a
court within the United States and which has one or more United States persons
with authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
Original Issue Discount on the Debentures. The Debentures were issued at a
substantial discount from their stated redemption price at maturity. For federal
income tax purposes, the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of
each Debenture over its "issue price" constitutes original issue discount
("OID"). The "issue price" of the Debentures equals the initial price at which a
substantial amount of the Debentures was sold (not including sales to
underwriters or placement agents, including the Initial Purchasers). U.S.
Holders of the Debentures will be required to include OID in income as it
accrues, in accordance with a constant yield
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method, before receipt of the cash attributable to such income, regardless of
such U.S. Holder's regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. Under these rules, U.S. Holders will have to include in gross income
increasingly greater amounts of OID in each successive accrual period. A U.S.
Holder's original tax basis for determining gain or loss on the sale or other
disposition of a Debenture will be increased by any accrued OID included in such
U.S. Holder's gross income.
There are several circumstances under which the Company could make a
payment on a Debenture which would affect the yield to maturity of a Debenture,
including (as described under "Description of Debentures") the payment of
Liquidated Damages due to the unavailability of this Prospectus for certain
periods, or certain redemptions or repurchases of Debentures. According to
Treasury Regulations, the possibility of a change in the yield will not be
treated as affecting the amount of OID required to be realized by a holder (or
the timing of such recognition) if the likelihood of the change, as of the date
the debt obligations are issued, is remote. The Company intends to report on the
basis that the likelihood of any change in the yield on the Notes is remote. The
Company also intends to report on the basis that there is no alternative payment
schedule that would minimize the yield on the Debentures.
Market Discount. Any principal payment or gain realized by a U.S. Holder
on disposition or retirement of a Debenture generally will be treated as
ordinary income to the extent that there is accrued market discount on the
Debenture. The amount of market discount on a Debenture with respect to a U.S.
Holder will equal the excess of the "revised issue price" (generally, the sum of
the issue price of a Debenture and the aggregate amount of accrued OID on a
Debenture) of such Debenture over the initial tax basis of such Debenture in the
hands of such holder. To the extent a U.S. Holder exchanges or converts a
Debenture into Common Stock in a transaction that is otherwise tax free, any
accrued market discount will carry over and generally be recognized upon a
disposition of the Common Stock. Unless a U.S. Holder irrevocably elects to
accrue market discount under a constant-interest method, accrued market discount
is the total market discount multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of days the U.S. Holder has held the obligation and the denominator
of which is the number of days from the date the holder acquired the obligation
until its maturity. A U.S. Holder may be required to defer a portion of its
interest deductions for the taxable year attributable to any indebtedness
incurred or continued to purchase or carry a Debenture purchased with market
discount. Any such deferred interest expense would not exceed the market
discount that accrues during such taxable year and is, in general, allowed as a
deduction not later than the year in which such market discount is includable in
income. If a U.S. Holder elects to include market discount in income currently
as it accrues on all market discount instruments acquired by the U.S. Holder in
that taxable year or thereafter, (i) the interest deferral described above will
not apply and (ii) market discount will not carry over into Common Stock as
described above. Any such election is terminable only with the consent of the
IRS and applies to all market discount bonds acquired during or after the year
for which it is made.
Acquisition Premium. A U.S. Holder will be considered to have "acquisition
premium" to the extent the U.S. Holder's initial tax basis in a Debenture is
greater than the adjusted issue price of such Debenture but less than the stated
redemption price at maturity of such Debenture. Acquisition premium will reduce
the amount of OID received on such Debenture that the U.S. Holder is required to
include in income.
Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the Debentures. Upon the sale, exchange or
retirement of a Debenture, including as a result of a tender upon the occurrence
of a Fundamental Change, and, except as discussed in the next paragraph or in
"Exchange for Extension Debentures" below, on a Purchase Date, a holder will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the sale or redemption
proceeds (other than in respect of accrued OID not previously included in
income, which will be taxable as ordinary income) and the U.S. Holder's adjusted
tax basis in the Debenture. A holder's adjusted tax basis in a Debenture will
generally equal the holder's cost of the Debenture increased by any OID and
accrued market discount previously included in income by such holder with
respect to such Debenture. Except to the extent of any accrued market discount
not previously included in income, gain or loss realized on the sale, exchange
or retirement of a Debenture will generally be capital gain or loss and will be
long-term capital gain or loss if the Debenture is held for more than one year.
Prospective investors should consult their tax advisers regarding the treatment
of capital gains (which may be taxed at lower rates than ordinary income for
certain taxpayers who are individuals) and losses (the deductibility of which is
subject to limitations).
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If a U.S. Holder elects to exercise its option to tender the Debentures to
the Company on a Purchase Date and the Purchase Price is paid solely in Common
Stock, except to the extent the Common Stock is considered attributable to OID
not previously included in income (which is taxable as ordinary income), or in
the case of a fractional share as described below, a U.S. Holder will not be
required to recognize any gain or be permitted to recognize any loss. If the
Purchase Price is paid in a combination of Common Stock and cash (other than
cash received in lieu of a fractional share), gain (but not loss) realized by
the U.S. Holder will be recognized, but only to the extent of the cash received.
A U.S. Holder's initial tax basis in the Common Stock received will be equal to
such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Debenture tendered (except for any
portion allocable to a fractional share of Common Stock), increased by the
amount of gain recognized (other than with respect to a fractional share) and
decreased by the amount of any cash received (except cash received in lieu of a
fractional share). The holding period for Common Stock received in the exchange
will include the holding period of the Debenture tendered to the Company in
exchange therefor. The receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of Common
Stock will generally result in capital gain or loss (except to the extent of any
accrued market discount not previously included in income that is allocable to
such fractional share), measured by the difference between the amount of cash
received for the fractional share and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the
fractional share interest.
Exchange for Extension Debentures. It is unclear whether the exchange of a
Debenture for an Extension Debenture (a "Debt Exchange") will be treated as a
"modification" of the Debentures within the meaning of the applicable Treasury
regulations, potentially giving rise to treatment of the Debt Exchange as an
exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes, with the U.S. federal income tax
consequences described in the next paragraph. However, even if such Debt
Exchange is treated as giving rise to a modification, if (a)(i) the only
material difference between a Debenture and an Extension Debenture is that the
latter has a higher yield to maturity and (ii) the excess of the Extension
Debenture's yield to maturity over the Debenture's yield to maturity is equal to
or less than a safe harbor amount specified in applicable Treasury Regulations
(generally, the greater of 25 basis points or 5% of the annual yield to maturity
on the Debentures) or (b) the adjustment to the Conversion Premium, based on all
facts and circumstances, is not economically significant, such modification will
not be treated as "significant" within the meaning of the applicable Treasury
regulations, with the result that a Debt Exchange will not be treated as an
exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and therefore will not have any
tax consequences to a U.S. Holder who participates in the exchange, other than
that the amount of OID that accrues on the Extension Debenture after the
Exchange will be determined on the basis of the yield to maturity of the
Extension Debentures. See "-- Adjustment of Conversion Rate" for certain tax
consequences in the event of a change in the Conversion Premium.
If a Debt Exchange is treated as an exchange for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, such Debt Exchange will qualify as a reorganization for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, and except (i) to the extent an Extension Debenture is
considered attributable to OID not previously included in income (which is
taxable as ordinary income), and (ii) as described in the next paragraph, a U.S.
holder will not be required to recognize any gain or permitted to recognize any
loss. A U.S. Holder's initial tax basis in an Extension Debenture will be equal
to such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Debenture exchanged therefor,
increased by any ordinary income recognized in respect of accrued OID not
previously included in income and by any gain recognized on the Debt Exchange
(as described in the next paragraph). If the Debenture in question is a market
discount bond in the U.S. Holder's hands, the Extension Debenture received will
also be a market discount bond with the same amount of accrued market discount.
The U.S. Holder's holding period for the Extension Debenture will generally
include the holding period of the Debenture exchanged therefor, except to the
extent that an Extension Debenture is treated as giving rise to the recognition
of gain (as described in the next paragraph).
Under Sections 354 and 356 of the Code, a U.S. Holder will be required to
recognize any gain realized on a Debt Exchange to the extent that the "principal
amount" of the Extension Debenture received exceeds the "principal amount" of
the Debenture exchanged therefor. For this purpose, realized gain (and thus the
gain recognized) will be limited to the excess of the fair market value of the
Extension Debentures over the holder's adjusted tax basis in the Debentures
(determined as described in "Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the Debentures"
above). There is no authority directly on point on the interpretation of the
term "principal amount" in the context of debt instruments issued with OID, and
for these purposes the term "principal amount" may be applied literally to refer
to the respective amounts payable at maturity on an Extension
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Debenture and a Debenture, in which case a U.S. Holder would be required to
recognize any gain realized on the Debt Exchange to the extent of the fair
market value of the excess of the amount payable at maturity on an Extension
Debenture over the amount payable at maturity on a Debenture. However, it is
also possible that the term "principal amount" may be interpreted for this
purpose to refer to the "issue price" of an Extension Debenture and the adjusted
issue price of a Debenture, in each case as determined at the time of the
Exchange, in which case a U.S. Holder would be required to recognize any gain
realized on the Debt Exchange to the extent that the issue price of the
Extension Debenture exceeds the adjusted issue price of the Debenture, even
though there has been no change in principal amount. The "issue price" of the
Extension Debentures will depend on whether either or both of the Debentures and
the Extension Debentures are "traded on an established market," within the
meaning of the applicable Treasury Regulations, at the time of the Debt
Exchange. A debt instrument is considered to be so traded for this purpose if
price quotations for the debt instrument are readily available from dealers,
brokers, or traders during specified time periods. The Initial Purchaser has
advised the Company that it presently intends to make a market in the Debentures
and, if issued, the Extension Debentures as permitted by applicable laws and
regulations, but is not obligated to make such a market and may discontinue any
such market making at any time in its sole discretion. Assuming that the Initial
Purchaser is making a market in the Debentures and the Extension Debentures at
the time of the Debt Exchange, the issue price of the Extension Debentures will
be equal to the fair market value of such Extension Debentures on the first date
on which a substantial amount of the Extension Debentures is issued. U.S.
Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the
application of Sections 354 and 356 of the Code to a Debt Exchange and the
determination of the issue price of the Extension Debentures.
The tax consequences to a U.S. Holder of the ownership and sale,
disposition, exchange or conversion of an Extension Debenture will be the same
as those described herein with respect to the Debentures, except that the timing
and amounts of OID accruals on the Extension Debentures will be based on the
issue price and the stated redemption price at maturity of the Extension
Debentures, taking into account the amounts payable in the event of the exercise
of an option by Holders or the Company to cause the Extension Debentures to be
redeemed.
The receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional Extension Debenture should
generally result in capital gain or loss (except to the extent of any accrued
market discount not previously included in income that is allocable to such
fractional Extension Debenture), measured by the difference between the amount
of cash received for the fractional Extension Debenture and the U.S. Holder's
tax basis in the fractional Extension Debenture.
Conversion of Debentures. A U.S. Holder's conversion of a Debenture into
Common Stock will generally not be a taxable event (except to the extent the
Common Stock is considered attributable to OID not previously included in income
(which is taxable as ordinary income), or with respect to cash received in lieu
of a fractional share). A U.S. Holder's basis in the Common Stock received on
conversion of a Debenture will be the same as the U.S. Holder's basis in the
Debenture at the time of conversion (exclusive of any tax basis allocable to a
fractional share), and the holding period for the Common Stock received on
conversion will include the holding period of the Debenture converted. The
receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock should generally
result in capital gain or loss (measured by the difference between the cash
received for the fractional share interest and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in
the fractional share interest), except to the extent allocable to accrued market
discount not previously included in income that is allocable to such fractional
share.
Adjustment of Conversion Rate. If at any time the Company makes a
distribution of property to shareholders that would be taxable to such
shareholders as a dividend for federal income tax purposes (for example,
distributions of evidences of indebtedness or assets of the Company, but
generally not stock dividends or rights to subscribe for Common Stock) and,
pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the Indenture, the Conversion Rate
of the Debentures is increased, such increase may be deemed to be the payment of
a taxable dividend to U.S. Holders of Debentures. If the Conversion Rate is
increased at the discretion of the Company or in certain other circumstances
(including pursuant to a Debt Exchange that is not treated as an exchange for
U.S. federal income tax purposes), such increase also may be deemed to be the
payment of a taxable dividend to U.S. Holders of Debentures. Moreover, in
certain other circumstances, the absence of such an adjustment to the Conversion
Rate of the Debentures may result in a taxable dividend to the holders of the
Common Stock.
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Ownership and Disposition of Common Stock. Dividends, if any, paid on the
Common Stock generally will be includable in the income of a U.S. Holder as
ordinary income to the extent of the U.S. Holder's ratable share of the
Company's current or accumulated earnings and profits. Upon the sale, exchange
or other disposition of Common Stock, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize
capital gain or capital loss (except to the extent of ordinary income in respect
of any accrued market discount not previously included in income that has been
carried over to the Common Stock, as described in "-- Market Discount" above)
equal to the difference between the amount realized on such sale or exchange and
the holder's adjusted tax basis in such shares. Prospective investors should
consult their tax advisers regarding the treatment of capital gains (which may
be taxed at lower rates than ordinary income for certain taxpayers who are
individuals) and losses (the deductibility of which is subject to limitations).
NON-U.S. HOLDERS
The following discussion is a summary of the principal United States
federal income and estate tax consequences resulting from the ownership of the
Debentures or Common Stock by Non-U.S. Holders. As used herein, the term
"Non-U.S. Holder" means an owner of a Note that is, for United States federal
income tax purposes, (i) a nonresident alien individual, (ii) a foreign
corporation, (iii) a nonresident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust or
(iv) a foreign partnership one or more of the members of which is a nonresident
alien individual, a foreign corporation or a nonresident alien fiduciary of a
foreign estate or trust.
Withholding Tax on Payments of Principal and Original Issue Discount on
Debentures. The payment of principal (including any OID included therein) on a
Debenture by the Company or any paying agent of the Company to any Non-U.S.
Holder will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax, provided
that in the case of payment of cash in respect of OID (i) the Non-U.S. Holder
does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company, (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder is not a
controlled foreign corporation that is related to the Company within the meaning
of the Code and, (iii) either (A) the beneficial owner of the Debenture
certifies to the applicable payor or its agent, under penalties of perjury, that
it is not a U.S. Holder and provides its name and address on United States
Treasury Form W-8 (or a suitable substitute form), or (B) a securities clearing
organization, bank or other financial institution, that holds customers'
securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a "financial
institution") and holds the Debenture, certifies under penalties of perjury that
such a Form W-8 (or suitable substitute form) has been received from the
beneficial owner by it or by a financial institution between it and the
beneficial owner and furnishes the payor with a copy thereof. Except to the
extent otherwise provided under an applicable tax treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder
generally will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. Holder with respect to OID
on a Debenture if such OID is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or
business of the Non-U.S. Holder. Effectively connected OID received by a
corporate Non-U.S. Holder may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to
an additional "branch profits tax" at a 30% rate (or, if applicable, a lower
treaty rate), subject to certain adjustments. Such effectively connected OID
will not be subject to withholding tax if the holder delivers the appropriate
form (currently IRS Form 4224 and, beginning January 1, 2000, a Form W-8) to the
payor.
Dividends. Dividends, if any, paid on the Common Stock to a Non-U.S.
Holder (and, after December 31, 1999, any deemed dividends resulting from an
adjustment to the Conversion Rate (see "Adjustment of Conversion Rate" above))
generally will be subject to a 30% United States federal withholding tax,
subject to reduction for Non-U.S. Holders eligible for the benefits of certain
income tax treaties. Currently, for purposes of determining whether tax is to be
withheld at the 30% rate or at a reduced treaty rate, the Company will
ordinarily presume that dividends paid to an address in a foreign country are
paid to a resident of such country absent knowledge that such presumption is not
warranted. Under Treasury Regulations effective for payments after December 31,
1999, holders will be required to satisfy certain applicable certification
requirements to claim treaty benefits. Except to the extent otherwise provided
under an applicable tax treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be taxed in the
same manner as a U.S. Holder on dividends paid (or deemed paid) that are
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. by the
Non-U.S. Holder. If such Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may also
be subject to a United States branch profits tax on such effectively connected
income at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable
income tax treaty, subject to certain adjustments.
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Gain on Disposition of the Debentures and Common Stock. A Non-U.S. Holder
generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on gain
realized on the sale, exchange or redemption of a Debenture, including the
exchange of a Debenture for Common Stock, or the sale or exchange of Common
Stock unless (i) in the case of an individual Non-U.S. Holder, such holder is
present in the United States for 183 days or more in the year of such sale,
exchange or redemption and either (A) has a "tax home" in the United States and
certain other requirements are met, or (B) the gain from the disposition is
attributable to an office or other fixed place of business in the United States,
(ii) the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade
or business of the Non-U.S. Holder, or (iii) in the case of the disposition of
Common Stock, the Company is a U.S. real property holding corporation. The
Company does not believe that it is currently a "United States real property
holding corporation" or that it will become one in the future.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax. A Debenture held by an individual who at the time
of death is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as specially defined
for United States federal estate tax purposes) will not be subject to United
States federal estate tax if the individual did not actually or constructively
own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of
the Company and, at the time of the individual's death, payments with respect to
such Debenture would not have been effectively connected with the conduct by
such individual of a trade or business in the United States. Common Stock held
by an individual who at the time of death is not a citizen or resident of the
United States (as specially defined for United States federal estate tax
purposes) will be included in such individual's estate for U.S. federal estate
tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty otherwise applies.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
U.S. Holders. Information reporting will apply to payments of interest or
dividends made by the Company on, or the proceeds of the sale or other
disposition of, the Debentures or shares of Common Stock with respect to certain
noncorporate U.S. Holders, and backup withholding at a rate of 31% may apply
unless the recipient of such payment supplies a taxpayer identification number,
certified under penalties of perjury, as well as certain other information or
otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding. Any amount withheld
under the backup withholding rules is allowable as a credit against the U.S.
Holder's federal income tax, provided that the required information is provided
to the IRS.
Non-U.S. Holders. The Company must report annually to the IRS and to each
Non-U.S. Holder the amount of any dividends paid to, and the tax withheld with
respect to, such holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld.
Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the
provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the
country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides.
Under current Treasury Regulations, backup withholding and information
reporting will not apply to payments of principal, including cash payments in
respect of OID, on the Debentures by the Company or any agent thereof to a
Non-U.S. Holder if the Non-U.S. Holder certifies as to its Non-U.S. Holder
status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption
(provided that neither the Company nor its agent has actual knowledge that the
holder is a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other exemptions are not
in fact satisfied). The payment of the proceeds on the disposition of Debentures
or shares of Common Stock to or through the United States office of a United
States or foreign broker will be subject to information reporting and backup
withholding unless the owner provides the certification described above or
otherwise establishes an exemption. The proceeds of the disposition by a
Non-U.S. Holder of Debentures or shares of Common Stock to or through a foreign
office of a broker will not be subject to backup withholding or information
reporting. However, if such broker is a U.S. person, a controlled foreign
corporation for United States tax purposes, a foreign person, 50% or more of
whose gross income from all sources for certain periods is from activities that
are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, or, in the case of
payments made after December 31, 1999, a foreign partnership with certain
connections to the United States, information reporting requirements will apply
unless such broker has documentary evidence in its files of the holder's
Non-U.S. status and has no actual knowledge to the contrary or unless the holder
otherwise establishes an exemption. Any amount withheld under the backup
withholding rules is allowable as a credit against the Non-U.S. Holder's federal
income tax, provided that the required information is provided to the IRS.
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SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
The Debentures offered hereby were originally issued by the Company and
sold by the initial purchaser in the June 1998 private placement (the "Initial
Purchaser") in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act to "qualified institutional buyers" (as defined in Rule 144A
under Securities Act). The Selling Securityholders (which term includes their
transferees, pledgees, donees or their successors) may from time to time offer
and sell pursuant to this Prospectus any or all of the Offered Securities.
Prior to any use of this Prospectus in connection with an offering of the
Offered Securities, this Prospectus will be supplemented to set forth the name
and number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Selling
Securityholder intending to sell such Offered Securities and the number of
Debentures and/or Conversion Shares to be offered. The Prospectus Supplement
will also disclose whether any Selling Securityholder has held any position or
office with, been employed by or otherwise has had a material relationship with,
the Company or any of its affiliates during the three years prior to the date of
the Prospectus Supplement.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company will not receive any of the proceeds of the sale of the Offered
Securities. The Offered Securities may be offered and sold by the Selling
Securityholders from time to time to purchasers directly. Alternatively, the
Selling Securityholders may from time to time offer and sell the Offered
Securities to or through underwriters, broker/dealers or agents, who may receive
compensation in the form of underwriting discounts, concessions or commissions
from the Selling Securityholders and/or the purchasers of the Offered Securities
for whom they may act as agents. The Selling Securityholders and any such
underwriters, broker/ dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of
Offered Securities may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act, and any profits on the sale of Offered Securities by any Selling
Securityholders and any discounts, commissions, concessions or other
compensation received by any such underwriter, broker/dealer or agent may be
deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. To
the extent the Selling Securityholders may be deemed to be underwriters, the
Selling Securityholders may be subject to certain statutory liabilities,
including, but not limited to, Sections 11, 12 and 17 of the Securities Act and
Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act.
The Offered Securities may be offered and sold from time to time in one or
more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of
sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices.
The sale of the Offered Securities may be effected in transactions (which may
involve crosses or block transactions) (i) on any national securities exchange
or quotation service on which the Offered Securities may be listed or quoted at
the time of sale, (ii) in the over-the-counter market, (iii) in transactions
otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market
or (iv) through the writing of options. At the time a particular offering of the
Offered Securities is made, a Prospectus Supplement, if required, will be
distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount and type of Offered
Securities being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or
names of any underwriters, broker/dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions
and other items constituting compensation from the Selling Securityholders and
any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
broker/ dealers. Such Prospectus Supplement and, if necessary, a post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, will
be filed with the Commission to reflect the disclosure of additional information
with respect to the distribution of the Offered Securities. In addition, the
Offered Securities covered by this Prospectus may be sold in private
transactions or under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this Prospectus.
To the best knowledge of the Company, there are currently no plans,
arrangements or understandings between any Selling Securityholders and any
broker/dealer, agent or underwriter regarding the sale of the Offered Securities
by the Selling Securityholders. There is no assurance that any Selling
Securityholder will sell any or all of the Offered Securities or that any such
Selling Securityholder will not transfer such Offered Securities by other means
not described herein.
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To comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if applicable,
the Offered Securities will be offered or sold in such jurisdictions only
through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain
jurisdictions the Offered Securities may not be offered or sold unless they have
been registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdictions or an exemption from
registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
The Selling Securityholders and any other person participating in such
distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulation
M of the Exchange Act which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any
of the Offered Securities by the Selling Securityholders and any other such
person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged
in the distribution of the Offered Securities to engage in market-making
activities with respect to the particular Offered Securities being distributed
for a period of up to five business days prior to the commencement of such
distribution. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the Offered
Securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making
activities with respect to the Offered Securities.
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement entered into in connection
with the offer and sale of the Debentures by the Company, each of the Company
and the Selling Securityholders will be indemnified by the other against certain
liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or will be
entitled to contribution in connection therewith.
The Selling Securityholders will not pay any expenses incidental to the
registration, offering and sale of the Offered Securities to the public other
than commissions, fees and discounts of underwriters, brokers, dealers and
agents.
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Selling Securityholders
will not pay any expenses of the registration of the Offered Securities,
including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees (including,
without limitation, (x) with respect to filings required to be made with the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and (y) of compliance with
federal and state securities or Blue Sky laws); provided, however, that the
Selling Securityholders will pay all registration expenses to the extent the
Company is prohibited by applicable Blue Sky laws from paying such expenses for
or on behalf of such Selling Securityholders. The Company will register or
qualify or cooperate with the Selling Securityholders in connection with the
registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or
qualification) of the Offered Securities for offer and sale under securities or
Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any Selling
Securityholder reasonably requests in writing (which request may be included in
the Questionnaire). The Selling Securityholders will be indemnified by the
Company against certain civil liabilities, including certain liabilities under
the Securities Act, or will be entitled to contribution in connection therewith.
The Company will be indemnified by the Selling Securityholders severally against
certain civil liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities
Act, or will be entitled to contribution in connection therewith.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Debentures offered hereby and the Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of the Debentures will be passed upon for the Company by Davis
Polk & Wardwell.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference to the Company's 1997 Form 10-K have been so incorporated in reliance
on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
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