<PAGE> 1
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1)
Registration No. 33-30570
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus Dated November 26, 1996)
$440,000,000
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
1.00% SENIOR EXCHANGEABLE NOTES DUE DECEMBER 2, 2001
(SUBJECT TO EXCHANGE INTO SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $1.00 PER SHARE, OF
SALOMON INC)
The Notes are being offered by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ("Berkshire") at a price
of $907.78 per $1,000 principal amount due at maturity (the "Issue Price").
Interest on the Notes at the rate of 1.00% per annum on the principal amount due
at maturity is payable semiannually on December 2 and June 2 of each year,
commencing June 2, 1997. Such rate of interest and accrual of OID (as defined
below) represents a yield to maturity of 3.00% per annum (computed on a
semi-annual bond equivalent basis). "OID" means original issue discount
calculated on a constant yield basis using the $1,000 principal amount due at
maturity. The calculation of original issue discount for United States Federal
income tax purposes will differ. The Notes will be issued with Tax OID (as
defined herein) for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, which will be calculated
under recently issued U.S. Treasury regulations governing contingent payment
debt instruments. For a discussion of certain United States Federal income tax
consequences for holders of Notes, see "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations."
At maturity (including as a result of acceleration or otherwise), if both (1)
the 10-Day Average Closing Price (as defined herein) of the common stock, par
value $1.00 per share (the "Salomon Common Stock"), of Salomon Inc, a Delaware
corporation ("Salomon"), and (2) the Closing Price (as defined herein) of
Salomon Common Stock on the last trading day (as defined herein) prior to
maturity are equal to or greater than the Exchange Price (as defined herein)
then in effect, each Note will be exchanged by Berkshire into Salomon Common
Stock at an exchange rate (the "Exchange Rate") of 17.65 shares of Salomon
Common Stock per Note or, at Berkshire's option, cash equal to the product of
the Exchange Rate and the Current Market Value (as defined herein) of Salomon
Common Stock. In all other circumstances, Berkshire will pay at maturity $1,000
per Note (or, in the event the Notes mature prior to December 2, 2001, the
Accreted Value (as defined herein) thereof). Accrued and unpaid interest to
maturity will be payable by Berkshire in cash on all Notes outstanding at
maturity. The Exchange Rate will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of
certain events affecting the Salomon Common Stock.
On the last trading day of January, April, July and October, from and including
January 1997 through and including July 2001 (each, an "Exchange Date"), any
Notes (other than Notes with respect to which a notice of exchange for Salomon
Common Stock has been delivered by Berkshire) will be exchangeable, at the
option of the holder, for shares of Salomon Common Stock at the Exchange Rate
then in effect, provided that the Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock on the
Exchange Date exceeds the Exchange Price then in effect, and subject to certain
additional conditions. In addition, if a prospectus is required to be delivered
under the Securities Act and is not available to Berkshire for use during any
Exchange Period (as defined herein), the foregoing exchange rights will be
subject to cancellation or postponement as described under "Description of the
Notes -- Exchange at Option of Holder."
The Notes will not be redeemable or exchangeable at the option of Berkshire
prior to December 2, 1999. Thereafter, (1) at any time when both (A) the 10-Day
Average Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock on the date on which the
applicable notice of redemption is given and (B) the Closing Price of Salomon
Common Stock on the last trading day prior to such date are equal to or greater
than the Exchange Price then in effect, Berkshire may, at its option, either (i)
exchange the Notes, in whole or in part, for shares of Salomon Common Stock at
the Exchange Rate then in effect or (ii) redeem the Notes, in whole or in part,
in cash at a price per Note equal to the product of the Exchange Rate then in
effect and the Current Market Value of Salomon Common Stock on the date on which
the applicable notice of redemption is given, and (2) at any other time,
Berkshire may, at its option, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, in cash at
a price per Note equal to the Accreted Value of the Notes on the date of
redemption. Berkshire may not redeem the Notes for cash during certain periods
as described under "Description of the Notes -- Redemption or Exchange at Option
of Berkshire."
The Notes are not subject to any sinking fund prior to maturity.
Attached hereto as Appendix A is a prospectus supplement and prospectus of
Salomon (the "Salomon Prospectus") covering the shares of Salomon Common Stock
which may be received by a holder of Notes at maturity or upon exchange prior to
maturity.
The Salomon Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE")
under the symbol "SB." An application has been filed to list the Notes on the
NYSE.
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
UNDER "RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE NOTES" BEGINNING ON PAGE S-6.
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 SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS TO WHICH IT
RELATES. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
DUE AT PRICE TO UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
MATURITY PUBLIC(1) DISCOUNT BERKSHIRE(1)(2)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Note............. 100% 90.778% 1.361% 89.417%
Total(3)............. $440,000,000 $399,423,200 $5,988,400 $393,434,800
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Plus accrued interest and OID, if any, from December 2, 1996.
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $295,500 payable by Berkshire.
(3) Berkshire has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable within 30
days after the date of this Prospectus Supplement, to purchase up to an
additional $60,000,000 aggregate principal amount due at maturity of Notes
at the Price to Public, less the Underwriting Discount, solely to cover
over-allotments, if any. If the Underwriters exercise such option in full,
the total Principal Amount Due at Maturity, Price to Public, Underwriting
Discount, and Proceeds to Berkshire will be $500,000,000, $453,890,000,
$6,805,000, and $447,085,000, respectively. See "Plan of Distribution."
The Notes are offered subject to receipt and acceptance by the Underwriters, to
prior sale and to the Underwriters' right to reject any order in whole or in
part and to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer without notice. It is expected
that delivery of the Notes will be made at the office of Salomon Brothers Inc,
or through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company, on or about December
2, 1996.
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
SMITH BARNEY INC.
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is November 26, 1996.
<PAGE> 2
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE NOTES AND/OR
SALOMON COMMON STOCK AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE
OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NYSE, IN THE OVER-
THE-COUNTER MARKET, OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. Investors should carefully
consider the information set forth under the heading "Risk Factors Relating to
the Notes." For definitions of certain terms used in this Prospectus, see
"Description of the Notes -- Certain Definitions."
THE OFFERING
SECURITIES OFFERED......... $440,000,000 in aggregate principal amount due at
maturity of 1.00% Senior Exchangeable Notes Due
December 2, 2001 ($500,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount due at maturity if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in
full).
ISSUE PRICE................ $907.78 per $1,000 principal amount due at
maturity.
MATURITY DATE.............. December 2, 2001.
INTEREST................... 1.00% per annum on the principal amount due at
maturity (or approximately 1.10% per annum on the
Issue Price), payable semi-annually in cash on
December 2 and June 2 of each year, commencing June
2, 1997.
YIELD TO MATURITY OF
NOTES...................... 3.00% per annum, computed on a semi-annual bond
equivalent basis giving effect both to the accrual
of OID (calculated based on the excess of the
principal amount due at maturity over the Issue
Price) and the accrual of interest, calculated from
December 2, 1996. See "Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Considerations."
PAYMENT OR EXCHANGE AT
MATURITY................. At maturity (including as a result of acceleration
or otherwise) if both (1) the 10-Day Average
Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock at maturity
and (2) the Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock
on the last trading day prior to maturity are equal
to or greater than the Exchange Price then in
effect, each Note will be exchanged by Berkshire
into 17.65 shares of Salomon Common Stock per Note
(the "Exchange Rate"), or Berkshire may, at its
option, deliver cash, in lieu of delivering shares
of Salomon Common Stock, in an amount equal to the
product obtained by multiplying the Exchange Rate
by the Current Market Value (as defined below) of
Salomon Common Stock at maturity. In all other
circumstances, Berkshire will pay at maturity, in
cash, a price per Note equal to the principal
amount due at maturity (or, in the event the Notes
mature prior to the Maturity Date, the Accreted
Value thereof). In all events, accrued and unpaid
interest to maturity will be payable by Berkshire
in cash on all Notes outstanding at maturity. The
Exchange Rate will be subject to adjustment upon
the occurrence of certain events affecting the
Salomon Common Stock as described under
"Description of the Notes -- Adjustment of Exchange
Rate." "Current Market Value" of Salomon Common
Stock on any date of determination means the
greater of (1) the 10-Day Average Closing Price as
of such date and (2) the Closing Price of Salomon
Common Stock on the trading day immediately
preceding such date (or, if determined after the
close of business on any trading day, the Closing
Price of Salomon Common Stock on such trading day).
"10-Day Average Closing Price" of Salomon Common
Stock as of any date of determination means the
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average Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock on
the 10 trading days immediately prior to such date
(or, if determined after the close of business on
any trading day, the average Closing Price of
Salomon Common Stock on such trading day and the
nine trading days immediately prior to such date).
EXCHANGE AT OPTION OF THE
HOLDER................... On the last trading day of each January, April,
July and October, from and including January 1997
through and including July 2001 (each an "Exchange
Date"), any Notes (other than Notes with respect to
which a notice of exchange for Salomon Common Stock
has been delivered by Berkshire prior to such
Exchange Date) will be exchangeable, at the option
of the holder, for shares of Salomon Common Stock
at the Exchange Rate then in effect, provided that
(1) such holder has delivered such Notes to the
Trustee during the Exchange Period (as defined
below) in accordance with the procedures set forth
in the Indenture and (2) the Closing Price of
Salomon Common Stock on the Exchange Date exceeds
the Exchange Price then in effect, and subject to
certain additional conditions. In addition, if a
prospectus is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act and is not available to Berkshire
for use during any Exchange Period, the foregoing
exchange rights will be subject to cancellation or
postponement as described under "Description of the
Notes -- Exchange at Option of Holder." The
"Exchange Period" with respect to any Exchange Date
means the period from the opening of business on
the business day immediately prior to such Exchange
Date until the close of business on such Exchange
Date.
REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE AT
OPTION OF BERKSHIRE...... The Notes will not be redeemable or exchangeable at
the option of Berkshire prior to December 2, 1999.
Thereafter, (1) at any time when both (A) the
10-Day Average Closing Price of Salomon Common
Stock on the date on which the applicable notice of
redemption is given and (B) the Closing Price of
Salomon Common Stock on the last trading day prior
to such date are equal to or greater than the
Exchange Price then in effect, Berkshire may, at
its option, either (i) exchange the Notes, in whole
or in part, for shares of Salomon Common Stock at
the Exchange Rate then in effect or (ii) redeem the
Notes, in whole or in part, in cash at a price per
Note equal to the product of the Exchange Rate then
in effect and the Current Market Value of Salomon
Common Stock on the date on which the applicable
notice of redemption is given, and (2) at any other
time, Berkshire may, at its option, redeem the
Notes, in whole or in part, in cash at a price per
Note equal to the Accreted Value of the Notes on
the date of redemption. However, Berkshire may not
give any notice of redemption for cash prior to or
during any Exchange Period if the redemption date
would occur during or after such Exchange Period.
SINKING FUND............... None.
RANKING.................... The Notes will be unsecured obligations of
Berkshire ranking on a parity with all other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of
Berkshire. "Unsubordinated" indebtedness refers to
debt obligations of Berkshire that are not
specifically by their terms subordinated or junior
in rank to other, more senior, debt obligations of
Berkshire.
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Berkshire is a holding company that conducts
virtually all of its operations through
subsidiaries and, therefore, the Notes will
effectively be subordinated to indebtedness and
other liabilities of Berkshire's subsidiaries. As
of September 30, 1996, Berkshire's subsidiaries had
approximately $16.8 billion of total indebtedness
and other liabilities, while Berkshire had no
secured indebtedness. The Indenture does not limit
the ability of Berkshire or its subsidiaries to
incur additional indebtedness (including secured
indebtedness).
CERTAIN UNITED STATES
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSIDERATIONS........... Because the Notes will be treated as contingent
payment debt obligations of Berkshire, and because
by accepting Notes holders thereof agree to this
treatment of the Notes, U.S. Holders (as defined
herein) of the Notes will be required to include
original issue discount for United States federal
income tax purposes ("Tax OID") in gross income on
a constant yield basis over the term of the Notes.
The amount of Tax OID will equal the excess of (i)
the sum of the cash interest payable over the life
of the Notes and an assumed amount payable at
maturity of the Notes over (ii) the Issue Price of
the Notes. Such Tax OID will be includible in a
U.S. Holder's gross income for United States
federal income tax purposes (as ordinary income)
over the life of the Notes, regardless of when (or
whether) cash (or Salomon Common Stock)
attributable to such Tax OID is actually received
by such holder. The amount of Tax OID includible in
a U.S. Holder's gross income during any period will
exceed the cash interest payable with respect to a
Note for such period. Furthermore, because the
amount of Tax OID is calculated based (in part) on
an assumed amount payable at maturity, if the value
of the Salomon Common Stock or cash actually paid
at maturity is, in fact, less than the assumed
amount payable at maturity, a U.S. Holder will have
recognized taxable income in periods prior to
maturity that exceed such holder's economic income
from the holding of the Note during such periods
(with an offsetting ordinary loss at maturity of
the Note). If a U.S. Holder receives shares of
Salomon Common Stock (or the cash equivalent
thereof) upon a retirement, redemption or optional
exchange of a Note, such holder will recognize
ordinary taxable income to the extent the value of
such Salomon Common Stock (or cash equivalent)
exceeds the assumed amount payable at maturity that
was taken into account in determining the amount of
Tax OID with respect to the Note. A U.S. Holder
will also be required to treat any gain recognized
upon a sale of a Note as ordinary income (rather
than capital gain). See "Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Considerations."
USE OF PROCEEDS............ The net proceeds received from the sale of Notes
will be used for general corporate purposes.
LISTING.................... An application has been filed to list the Notes on
the NYSE. The Salomon Common Stock is currently
listed on the NYSE under the symbol "SB."
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RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE NOTES
As described in more detail below, the trading price of the Notes may vary
considerably prior to maturity due to, among other things, fluctuations in the
price of Salomon Common Stock and other events that are difficult to predict and
beyond Berkshire's control.
COMPARISON TO OTHER DEBT SECURITIES
The terms of the Notes differ from those of ordinary debt securities in
that the amount that a holder of the Notes will receive at maturity or upon
redemption or exchange of the Notes prior to maturity is not fixed, but may be
based on the price of the Salomon Common Stock as described under "Description
of the Notes." Berkshire will not have the right to exchange the Notes for
Salomon Common Stock at or prior to maturity unless both (1) the 10-Day Average
Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock at maturity or on the date on which the
applicable notice of redemption is given and (2) the Closing Price of Salomon
Common Stock on the last trading day prior to such date are equal to or greater
than the Exchange Price then in effect. Therefore, the value (based on such
average and last-day Closing Prices) of the shares of Salomon Common Stock (or
the equivalent cash amount) received by a holder of Notes at maturity will not
be less than the principal amount due at maturity of the Notes. However, the
value of the shares of Salomon Common Stock received by a holder upon exchange
of the Notes at Berkshire's option prior to maturity may fluctuate during the 15
to 30 day period between the date on which the applicable notice of exchange is
given and the effective date of such exchange and, therefore, the value of such
shares on such effective date may be less than the Accreted Value of the Notes
on such date. In addition, the amount of cash received upon any redemption of
the Notes at Berkshire's option prior to maturity will be determined as of the
date on which the applicable notice of redemption is given and, therefore, such
cash amount may be less than the value (determined as of the redemption date) of
the shares of Salomon Common Stock into which such Notes are exchangeable.
In addition, the opportunity for equity appreciation afforded by an
investment in the Notes is less than the opportunity for equity appreciation
afforded by an investment in the Salomon Common Stock because the amount
receivable by a holder of Notes upon redemption or exchange of the Notes at or
prior to maturity will exceed the Accreted Value of such Notes only if both (1)
the 10-Day Average Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock at maturity or on the
date on which the applicable notice of redemption is given and (2) the Closing
Price of Salomon Common Stock on the last trading day prior such date are equal
to or greater than the Exchange Price then in effect. The Exchange Price
initially will be $51.43 representing an appreciation of approximately 10.31%
over the Closing Price of the Salomon Common Stock on the NYSE on November 25,
1996.
RELATIONSHIP OF THE NOTES AND SALOMON COMMON STOCK
The market price of the Notes at any time may be affected by changes in the
price of Salomon Common Stock. Berkshire is making no prediction to prospective
holders of Notes as to whether the price of Salomon Common Stock will rise or
fall. Trading prices of Salomon Common Stock will be determined by Salomon's
operational results and by complex and interrelated economic, financial,
political and other factors that can affect the capital markets generally, the
NYSE (on which the Salomon Common Stock is traded) and the market segment of
which Salomon is a part.
Holders of the Notes will not be entitled to any rights with respect to
Salomon Common Stock (including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to
receive any dividends or other distributions in respect thereof) until such
time, if any, as such Notes have been exchanged at or prior to maturity for
shares of Salomon Common Stock and the applicable record date, if any, for the
exercise of such rights occurs after such date.
IMPACT OF THE NOTES ON THE MARKET FOR THE SALOMON COMMON STOCK
It is not possible to predict accurately how or whether the Notes will
trade in the secondary market or whether such market will be liquid. Any market
that develops for the Notes is likely to influence and be
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influenced by the market for the Salomon Common Stock. For example, the price of
the Salomon Common Stock could become more volatile and could be depressed by
investors' anticipation of the potential distribution into the market of
substantial additional amounts of Salomon Common Stock at the maturity of the
Notes, by possible sales of Salomon Common Stock by investors who view the Notes
as a more attractive means of equity participation in Salomon and by hedging or
arbitrage trading activity that may develop involving the Notes and the Salomon
Common Stock.
DILUTION OF SALOMON COMMON STOCK
The Exchange Rate (which determines the number of shares of Salomon Common
Stock that holders of the Notes are entitled to receive upon the exchange at or
prior to maturity) or the exchange consideration is subject to adjustment for
certain events arising from, among others, a merger or consolidation in which
Salomon is not the surviving or resulting corporation, a sale or other transfer
of all or substantially all of the assets of Salomon and the liquidation,
dissolution, winding up or bankruptcy of Salomon, as well as stock splits and
combinations, stock dividends and certain other actions of Salomon that modify
its capital structure. See "Description of the Notes -- Adjustment of Exchange
Rate." The Exchange Rate or the exchange consideration may not be adjusted for
other events, such as offerings of Salomon Common Stock for cash or in
connection with acquisitions, that may adversely affect the price of Salomon
Common Stock and, because of the relationship between the Notes and the price of
Salomon Common Stock, such other events may adversely affect the trading price
of the Notes. There can be no assurance that Salomon or Berkshire will not make
offerings of Salomon Common Stock or take such other action in the future or as
to the amount of such offerings, if any. See "Relationship Between Berkshire and
Salomon."
NO OBLIGATION ON PART OF SALOMON WITH RESPECT TO THE NOTES
Other than its obligation to make available a Salomon Prospectus for use by
Berkshire in connection with any exchange of Notes at the option of the holder
as described under "Description of the Notes -- Exchange at Option of Holder,"
Salomon has no obligations with respect to the Notes, including any obligation
to take the needs of Berkshire as issuer of the Notes or of holders of the Notes
into consideration for any reason. Salomon will not receive any of the proceeds
of the offering of the Notes, other than the portion of the Underwriting
Discount earned by Salomon Brothers Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Salomon,
in connection with the underwriting of the Notes. Salomon will not be involved
with the administration of the Notes and will have no obligations with respect
to the election of consideration received by holders of the Notes at maturity or
upon redemption or exchange prior to maturity.
POSSIBLE ILLIQUIDITY OF THE SECONDARY MARKET
The Notes are novel securities and there is currently no secondary market
for the Notes. The Underwriters (other than Salomon Brothers Inc) currently
intend, but are not obligated, to make a market in the Notes. See "Plan of
Distribution." There can be no assurance that a secondary market will develop
or, if a secondary market does develop, that it will provide the holders of the
Notes with liquidity of investment or that it will continue for the life of the
Notes.
An application has been filed to list the Notes on the NYSE. However, there
can be no assurance that, if so listed, the Notes will not later be delisted or
that trading in the Notes on the NYSE will not be suspended. In the event of a
failure to list, delisting or suspension of trading on such market, Berkshire
will apply for quotation on another trading market or for listing of the Notes
on another national securities exchange. If the Notes are not listed or traded
on any securities exchange or trading market, or if trading of the Notes is
suspended, pricing information for the Notes may be difficult to obtain, and the
liquidity of the Notes may be adversely affected.
TAX CONSEQUENCES
Because the Notes will be treated as contingent payment debt obligations of
Berkshire, and because by accepting Notes holders thereof agree to this
treatment of the Notes, U.S. Holders of the Notes will be required to include
original issue discount for U.S. Federal income tax purposes ("Tax OID") in
gross
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income on a constant yield basis over the term of the Notes. The amount of Tax
OID will equal the excess of (i) the sum of the cash interest payable over the
life of the Notes and an assumed amount payable at maturity of the Notes over
(ii) the Issue Price of the Notes. Such Tax OID will be includible in a U.S.
Holder's gross income for U.S. Federal income tax purposes (as ordinary income)
over the life of the Notes, regardless of when (or whether) cash (or Salomon
Common Stock) attributable to such Tax OID is actually received by such holder.
The amount of Tax OID includible in a U.S. Holder's gross income during any
period will exceed the cash interest payable with respect to a Note for such
period. Furthermore, because the amount of Tax OID is calculated based (in part)
on an assumed amount payable at maturity, if the value of the Salomon Common
Stock or cash actually paid at maturity is, in fact, less than the assumed
amount payable at maturity, a U.S. Holder will have recognized taxable income in
periods prior to maturity that exceed such holder's economic income from the
holding of a Note during such periods (with an offsetting ordinary loss at
maturity of the Note). If a U.S. Holder receives shares of Salomon Common Stock
(or the cash equivalent thereof) upon a retirement, redemption or optional
exchange by the holder of a Note, such holder will recognize ordinary taxable
income to the extent the value of such Salomon Common Stock (or cash equivalent)
exceeds the assumed amount payable at maturity that was taken into account in
determining the amount of Tax OID with respect to the Note. A U.S. Holder will
also be required to treat any gain recognized upon a sale of a Note as ordinary
income (rather than capital gain). See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations."
SALOMON INC
Salomon Inc conducts global investment banking, global securities and
commodities trading, and U.S. oil refining and gathering activities. Investment
banking activities are conducted by Salomon Brothers Holding Company Inc and its
subsidiaries, including Salomon Brothers Inc ("Salomon Brothers"). Salomon
Brothers provides capital raising, advisory, trading and risk management
services to its customers, and executes proprietary trading strategies on its
own behalf. Salomon Inc's commodities trading activities are conducted by its
wholly owned subsidiary, Phibro Inc., and its subsidiaries. Oil refining and
gathering activities are conducted by Basis Petroleum, Inc. At November 8, 1996,
Salomon employed 8,639 people.
Attached hereto as Appendix A is the Salomon Prospectus covering the shares
of Salomon Common Stock offered in connection with the Notes. Information about
reports, proxy statements and other information concerning Salomon filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and the NYSE is contained on page 2 of
the Salomon Prospectus.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BERKSHIRE AND SALOMON
As of the date of this Prospectus Supplement, Berkshire beneficially owns
21,370,437 shares of Salomon Common Stock, representing approximately 18% of the
outstanding voting power of Salomon. Such beneficial ownership consists of (1)
10,317,806 shares of Salomon Common Stock held by subsidiaries of Berkshire and
(2) 420,000 shares of the 9.00% Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
of Salomon ("Salomon Convertible Preferred Stock") held by subsidiaries of
Berkshire, which shares are convertible, at the option of the holder, into an
aggregate of 11,052,631 shares of Salomon Common Stock at the current conversion
rate.
In October 1987, pursuant to a Purchase Agreement dated September 27, 1987,
between Salomon and Berkshire (the "Purchase Agreement"), Salomon issued to
certain affiliates of Berkshire an aggregate of 700,000 shares of Salomon
Convertible Preferred Stock. In the Purchase Agreement, Berkshire (which for
purposes of the Purchase Agreement includes the affiliates of Berkshire) agreed
that (1) Berkshire will not sell any Salomon securities owned by it to a third
party without first giving Salomon or its designee a reasonable opportunity to
purchase such securities at the same price and on the same terms and conditions
proposed with respect to an anticipated sale by Berkshire to a third party, and
(2) if Salomon does not exercise its right of first refusal and buy Salomon
securities which Berkshire proposes to sell, Berkshire will not knowingly sell
to any one entity or group acting in concert Salomon
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securities giving such entity or group securities which amount in the aggregate
to over 5% of the Salomon voting stock outstanding at the time of the sale. In
the Purchase Agreement, Salomon agreed to use its best efforts to nominate and
elect Warren E. Buffett and Charles T. Munger, or two other Berkshire
representatives reasonably acceptable to Salomon, to Salomon's Board of
Directors, so long as Berkshire owns at least 5% of Salomon's outstanding voting
securities.
On October 31, 1995, pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of
Designation of the Salomon Convertible Preferred Stock, Salomon redeemed 140,000
shares of Salomon Convertible Preferred Stock for a redemption price of
$140,000,000. On October 29, 1996, Berkshire converted the 140,000 shares of
Salomon Convertible Preferred Stock that would otherwise have been redeemed by
Salomon on October 31, 1996, into 3,684,206 shares of Salomon Common Stock. If
the shares called for redemption are not previously converted, one-third of the
remaining 420,000 shares of Salomon Convertible Preferred Stock are to be
redeemed annually on each October 31 of 1997 through 1999 at $1,000 per share
plus any accrued but unpaid dividends. No cash dividends may be paid on the
Salomon Common Stock, nor may Salomon repurchase any Salomon Common Stock, if
dividends or required redemptions of the Salomon Convertible Preferred Stock are
in arrears.
Berkshire has asked Salomon, pursuant to Salomon's obligations under the
Purchase Agreement, to file a registration statement under the Securities Act
registering the shares of Salomon Common Stock that may be delivered upon
exchange of the Notes. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Salomon will pay
certain expenses arising in connection with such registration. In addition,
Salomon will waive its right of first refusal under the Purchase Agreement with
respect to the delivery of shares of Salomon Common Stock in exchange for the
Notes.
Berkshire has also advised Salomon that, depending upon its evaluation of
market conditions and investment alternatives, Berkshire may effect other types
of transactions that could result in a disposition of a portion of its shares of
Salomon Common Stock, or may determine not to effect any such transaction.
Berkshire expects to remain a large shareholder of Salomon even if, over time,
it disposes of a portion of its shares of Salomon Common Stock. In that
connection, Berkshire has advised Salomon that Mr. Buffett, Berkshire's Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Munger, its Vice Chairman, expect to remain
on Salomon's Board of Directors, with Mr. Buffett continuing to serve as
Chairman of the Executive Committee. In addition, Louis A. Simpson, President
and Chief Executive Officer--Capital Operations of GEICO Corporation, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Berkshire, would expect to remain a director of Salomon and
to continue serving as Chairman of the Audit Committee.
S-9
<PAGE> 10
PRICE RANGE OF SALOMON COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY
Salomon Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "SB." The
following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of the Salomon Common
Stock as reported on the NYSE and the dividends paid per share thereon for the
calendar periods listed below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIVIDENDS
HIGH LOW PER SHARE
---- ---- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1994
First Quarter......................................... $52 3/4 $44 3/4 $ .16
Second Quarter........................................ 52 5/8 47 1/4 .16
Third Quarter......................................... 48 1/4 38 1/2 .16
Fourth Quarter........................................ 42 35 .16
1995
First Quarter......................................... 40 1/8 32 1/4 .16
Second Quarter........................................ 43 1/4 33 1/4 .16
Third Quarter......................................... 41 1/8 34 3/4 .16
Fourth Quarter........................................ 40 5/8 33 7/8 .16
1996
First Quarter......................................... 39 1/4 34 7/8 .16
Second Quarter........................................ 44 1/4 36 1/8 .16
Third Quarter......................................... 46 7/8 38 .16
Fourth Quarter (through November 25, 1996)............ 49 44 1/8 .16
</TABLE>
As of November 22, 1996, there were approximately 11,559 holders of record
of Salomon Common Stock, including The Depository Trust Company which holds
shares of Salomon Common Stock on behalf of an indeterminate number of
beneficial owners.
On November 25, 1996, the closing sale price of Salomon Common Stock on the
NYSE was $46 5/8 per share.
Berkshire makes no representation as to the amount of dividends, if any,
that Salomon will pay in the future. In any event, holders of the Notes will not
be entitled to receive any dividends that may be payable on Salomon Common Stock
until such time, if any, as the Notes shall have been exchanged for shares of
Salomon Common Stock and a record date, if any, for such dividend occurs after
such date. See "Description of the Notes."
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to be received by Berkshire from the sale of the Notes
will be used for general corporate purposes.
S-10
<PAGE> 11
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF BERKSHIRE
The selected consolidated financial data which follows should be read in
conjunction with the restated audited consolidated financial statements and
accompanying notes and the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
and accompanying notes of Berkshire in the documents which are incorporated by
reference into the Prospectus of Berkshire attached hereto. Berkshire's
consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 1991 through
December 31, 1995 and the nine months ended September 30, 1995 have been
restated to account for Berkshire's acquisition of GEICO Corporation on January
2, 1996. The condensed consolidated financial statements of Berkshire as of
September 30, 1996 and September 30, 1995 and for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and September 30, 1995 are unaudited; however, in Berkshire's
opinion, they reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
items, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results
of operations for such periods. See "Available Information" and "Incorporation
of Certain Documents by Reference" in the Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Sales and service
revenues................. $2,137.0 $1,871.4 $2,755.9 $2,351.9 $1,962.9 $1,774.4 $1,651.1
Insurance premiums
earned................... 2,904.8 579.4 957.5 923.2 650.7 664.3 776.4
Interest, dividend and
other investment
income................... 582.5 456.1 629.2 519.0 520.7 485.5 482.8
Income from finance
businesses............... 16.9 21.5 26.6 24.9 22.2 20.7 19.5
Realized investment
gain(1).................. 2,428.6(2) 141.2 194.1 91.3 546.4 89.9 192.5
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues....... $8,069.8 $3,069.6 $4,563.3 $3,910.3 $3,702.9 $3,034.8 $3,122.3
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Earnings:
Before realized investment
gain and cumulative
effect of accounting
change................... $ 555.3 $ 435.5 $ 669.9 $ 491.9(3) $ 520.2(4) $ 400.8 $ 382.8
Realized investment
gain(1).................. 1,588.6(2) 90.2 125.0 61.1 356.7 59.6 124.2
Cumulative effect of change
in accounting for income
taxes.................... -- -- -- -- (33.3) -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net earnings......... $2,123,9 $ 525.7 $ 794.9 $ 553.0 $ 843.6 $ 460.4 $ 507.0
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Sources of net earnings:
Property and casualty
insurance................ $ 454.5 $ 331.3 $ 496.4 $ 487.3 $ 436.2 $ 287.8 $ 275.0
Non-insurance businesses... 123.2 111.5 191.4 202.2 166.5 154.1 131.8
Realized investment
gain(1).................. 1,568.6(2) 90.2 125.0 61.1 356.7 59.6 124.2
Interest expense........... (45.1) (25.2) (34.9) (37.3) (35.6) (62.9) (57.2)
Other...................... 22.7 17.9 17.0 12.3 6.7 21.8 33.2
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Earnings before
non-recurring charges and
effect of accounting
change................... 2,123.9 525.7 $ 794.9 $ 725.6 $ 930.5 $ 460.4 $ 507.0
Non-recurring charges and
effect of accounting
change................... -- -- -- (172.6)(3) (86.9)(5) -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net earnings............... $2,123.9 $ 525.7 $ 794.9 $ 553.0 $ 843.6 $ 460.4 $ 507.0
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges(6)............... 34.01x 13.15x 14.14x 10.90x 19.11x 7.43x 7.38x
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, AS OF DECEMBER 31,
----------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance sheet data:
Total assets...................... $39,206.7 $27,165.3 $28,711.4 $20,609.6 $18,697.5 $15,721.5 $13,869.9
Borrowings under investment 1,435.2 806.6 1,061.7 810.7 972.4 1,154.7 1,100.5
agreements and other debt(7)....
Shareholders' equity.............. 21,188.7 15,685.0 16,738.7 11,651.5 10,140.2 8,132.9 7,145.0
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The amount of realized investment gain/loss for any given period has no
predictive value, and variations in amount from period to period have no
practical analytical value, particularly in view of the unrealized
appreciation now existing in Berkshire's consolidated investment portfolio.
S-11
<PAGE> 12
(2) In March 1996, The Walt Disney Company completed its acquisition of Capital
Cities/ABC, Inc. A pre-tax realized gain related to this transaction of $2.2
billion ($1.4 billion after-tax) is included in 1996's year-to-date results.
(3) Includes a charge of $172.6 million representing an other-than-temporary
decline in value of investment in USAir Group, Inc. preferred stock.
(4) Includes a charge of $53.6 million representing the effect of the change in
U.S. Federal income tax rates on deferred taxes applicable to unrealized
appreciation.
(5) Includes a charge of $33.3 million related to change in accounting for
income taxes and $53.6 million as described in (4) above.
(6) Earnings represent income before provision for income taxes and fixed
charges. Fixed charges, which exclude fixed charges of Berkshire's finance
businesses, consist of interest on all indebtedness, amortization of debt
issuance costs and discount or premium relating to any indebtedness, and
such portion of rental charges considered to be representative of the
interest component in the particular case. Including fixed charges of
finance businesses, which consist of interest on indebtedness and, in years
prior to 1994, interest on savings deposits, the ratios of earnings to fixed
charges were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------ ---------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
27.31x 9.70x 10.48x 7.82x 14.21x 5.93x 5.71x
</TABLE>
(7) Excludes borrowings of finance businesses.
S-12
<PAGE> 13
CAPITALIZATION OF BERKSHIRE
The following table sets forth the capitalization of Berkshire and its
consolidated subsidiaries at September 30, 1996 and as adjusted to give effect
to the issuance of the Notes being offered hereby.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
-----------------------------
OUTSTANDING AS ADJUSTED(1)
----------- --------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C>
Notes offered hereby.............................. $ -- $ 399.4
Borrowings under investment agreements............ 1,145.1 1,145.1
Other long term debt.............................. 679.2 679.2
Minority shareholders' interests.................. 311.8 311.8
Shareholders' equity(2)........................... $21,188.7 $ 21,188.7
--------- ---------
Total Capitalization $23,324.8 $ 23,724.2
========= =========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Assuming the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, the
Notes offered hereby and total capitalization at September 30, 1996, as
adjusted, would have been $453.9 and $23,778.7, respectively.
(2) At September 30, 1996, Berkshire had 1,500,000 authorized shares of Class A
Common Stock, $5.00 par value per share, of which 1,189,074 shares were
issued and outstanding, and 50,000,000 authorized shares of Class B Common
Stock, $.1667 par value per share, of which 650,640 shares were issued and
outstanding.
S-13
<PAGE> 14
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
The following description of the particular terms of the Notes supplements,
and to the extent inconsistent therewith replaces, the description of the
general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities set forth in the
accompanying Prospectus under the "Description of Debt Securities" to which
reference is hereby made.
GENERAL
The Notes are to be issued under an indenture dated as of December 1, 1987
(as supplemented from time to time, the "Indenture"), between Berkshire and
State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"). A copy of the
Indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus Supplement is a part. The following summaries of certain
provisions of the Indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject to,
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the
Indenture, including the definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this
Prospectus. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the
meanings set forth in the section, "-- Certain Definitions."
The Notes will mature on December 2, 2001 (the "Maturity Date"). The Notes
will be limited to $440,000,000 aggregate principal amount due at maturity
($500,000,000 in aggregate principal amount due at maturity if the Underwriters'
over-allotment option is exercised in full), and will be issued in registered
form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof. Unless payment on the Notes is accelerated or the Notes are redeemed or
exchanged or otherwise mature prior to the Maturity Date, the principal amount
due at maturity of each Note is $1,000.
The Notes are being offered at a discount from their principal amount due
at maturity. In addition, the Notes will be issued with Tax OID for U.S. Federal
income tax purposes, which will be calculated under recently issued U.S.
Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments. See "Certain
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations." The Notes will bear interest
at the rate of 1.00% per annum on the principal amount due at maturity (or
approximately 1.10% on the Issue Price), from December 2, 1996, or from the most
recent date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable
semiannually on December 2 and June 2 of each year (each an "Interest Payment
Date"), commencing on June 2, 1997, to holders of record at the close of
business on the November 15 or May 15 immediately preceding each Interest
Payment Date. The maturity (including as a result of acceleration or otherwise),
redemption or exchange of the Notes will cause OID and interest to cease to
accrue thereon, under the terms and subject to the conditions of the Indenture.
Berkshire will maintain an office or agency in New York, New York at which
principal of and interest on the Notes will be paid, Salomon Common Stock (or,
at the option of Berkshire at maturity or in the event of a redemption, its cash
equivalent) will be delivered in any exchange for the Notes at or prior to
maturity upon surrender of such Notes, and the Notes may be presented for
exchange or registration of transfer, except that interest may be paid, at the
option of Berkshire, by check mailed to the registered holders of the Notes.
Such office or agency initially will be at the offices of an affiliate of the
Trustee (and at such other offices or agencies that may be established by
Berkshire for such purposes). The Notes may be transferred, combined or divided
without payment of any charge other than taxes or other governmental charges
involved in issuing Notes in the name of a person other than the holder of the
Note.
No sinking fund is provided for the Notes.
PAYMENT OR EXCHANGE AT MATURITY
At maturity (including as a result of acceleration or otherwise), if both
(1) the 10-Day Average Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock and (2) the Closing
Price of Salomon Common Stock on the last trading day prior to maturity are
equal to or greater than the Exchange Price then in effect, each Note will be
exchanged by Berkshire into shares of Salomon Common Stock at the Exchange Rate,
or Berkshire may, at its option, deliver cash, in lieu of delivering shares of
Salomon Common Stock, in an
S-14
<PAGE> 15
amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying the Exchange Rate by the
Current Market Value of Salomon Common Stock at maturity. In all other
circumstances, Berkshire will pay at maturity, in cash, a price per Note equal
to the principal amount due at maturity (or, in the event the Notes mature prior
to the Maturity Date, the Accreted Value thereof). In all events, accrued and
unpaid interest to maturity shall be payable by Berkshire in cash on all Notes
outstanding at maturity. The Exchange Rate or exchange consideration will be
subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events affecting Salomon
Common Stock as described under "-- Adjustment of Exchange Rate."
In any exchange of Notes for shares of Salomon Common Stock at maturity of
the Notes, no fractional shares of Salomon Common Stock will be issued, as
described under "-- Fractional Shares." Not later than 15 days prior to
maturity, Berkshire will notify The Depository Trust Company and the Trustee and
will publish a notice in a daily newspaper of national circulation stating
whether Berkshire (1) will exchange the Notes for shares of Salomon Common Stock
or (2) will deliver cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying the
Exchange Rate by the Current Market Value of Salomon Common Stock at maturity,
if at maturity both (A) the 10-Day Average Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock
and (B) the Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock on the last trading day prior
to maturity are equal to or greater than the Exchange Price then in effect. The
Salomon Common Stock, if any, to which a holder is entitled upon any exchange at
maturity will be delivered or made available by Berkshire as soon as practicable
and, in any event, not later than the close of business on the fifth Business
Day after maturity. If Berkshire delivers shares of Salomon Common Stock at
maturity of the Notes, holders of the Notes will be responsible for the payment
of any brokerage costs incurred upon any subsequent sale of such stock.
EXCHANGE AT OPTION OF HOLDER
On the last trading day of each January, April, July and October, from and
including January 1997 through and including July 2001 (each an "Exchange
Date"), any Notes (other than Notes with respect to which a notice of exchange
for Salomon Common Stock has been delivered by Berkshire prior to such Exchange
Date) will be exchangeable, at the option of the holder, for shares of Salomon
Common Stock at the Exchange Rate then in effect, provided that the Closing
Price of Salomon Common Stock on the Exchange Date exceeds the Exchange Price
then in effect, and subject to certain additional conditions described below.
To exchange a Note for Salomon Common Stock, a holder must, at any time
during the period from the opening of business on the Business Day immediately
prior to such Exchange Date until the close of business on such Exchange Date
(the "Exchange Period"), (1) deliver to the Trustee (or such other office or
agency that may be established by Berkshire for such purpose) a completed and
manually signed exchange notice (the "Exchange Notice") on the back of such Note
(or a facsimile thereof), (2) surrender or arrange for book entry transfer of
such Note to the Trustee, (3) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and
transfer documents and (4) if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes. Any
Exchange Notice may be withdrawn by the holder by a written notice of withdrawal
delivered to the Trustee prior to the close of business on the Exchange Date.
The notice of withdrawal shall state the principal amount due at maturity and
any certificate number(s) of the Notes as to which the withdrawal notice relates
and the principal amount due at maturity, if any, which remains subject to the
Exchange Notice, each of which must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof.
Salomon has agreed with Berkshire to use its reasonable efforts to cause a
shelf registration statement covering the Salomon Common Stock deliverable upon
exchange of the Notes (the "Salomon Registration Statement") to be effective
under the Securities Act during each Exchange Period in order to permit the
Salomon Prospectus forming a part thereof to be usable by Berkshire in
connection with any exchange of Notes at the option of the holder; provided
however, that (1) Salomon may postpone delivery of a prospectus at any time for
valid business reasons, and (2) Salomon's obligation shall cease at such time as
Salomon is no longer an affiliate of Berkshire and a Salomon Prospectus is no
longer required to be delivered under the Securities Act. If a Salomon
Prospectus is required to be delivered and is not made available by Salomon to
Berkshire for use during any Exchange Period, Berkshire shall, on or prior to
the applicable Exchange Date, upon written notice to each holder that has
complied with the
S-15
<PAGE> 16
procedures for exchange of Notes described above (an "Electing Holder"),
postpone such Exchange Date from time to time until such later Business Day (the
"New Exchange Date") as Berkshire is able to deliver a Salomon Prospectus or is
no longer required to do so. In the event that Berkshire postpones any Exchange
Date, (A) no additional Notes may be delivered to the Trustee by any holder for
exchange into Salomon Common Stock at any time during the period from the
original Exchange Date through and including the New Exchange Date, (B) each
Electing Holder shall have the right, at any time until the New Exchange Date,
to irrevocably withdraw any Notes delivered to the Trustee on or prior to the
original Exchange Date, and (C) any Notes that have not been withdrawn by an
Electing Holder prior to the New Exchange Date shall be exchanged for shares of
Salomon Common Stock on the New Exchange Date, provided that the Closing Price
of Salomon Common Stock on the New Exchange Date exceeds the Exchange Price then
in effect.
In addition, if a Reorganization Event shall have occurred as described
under "-- Adjustment of Exchange Rate -- Adjustment of Exchange Consideration
for Consolidation, Merger or Other Reorganization Event," the Notes shall not be
exchangeable at the option of the holder for any Exchange Securities during any
Exchange Period if a prospectus covering such Exchange Securities is required to
be delivered by Berkshire under the Securities Act and is not available to
Berkshire for use during such Exchange Period.
Upon any exchange of Notes at the option of the holder, no payment will be
made in respect of accrued but unpaid interest, unless such exchange is made
concurrently with or after acceleration of the Notes following an event of
default under the Indenture. The Salomon Common Stock to which a holder is
entitled upon any exchange will be delivered or made available by Berkshire as
soon as practicable and, in any event, not later than the close of business on
the fifth Business Day after the applicable Exchange Date.
REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE AT OPTION OF BERKSHIRE
The Notes will not be redeemable or exchangeable at the option of Berkshire
prior to December 2, 1999. Thereafter, (1) at any time when both (A) the 10-Day
Average Closing Price of the Salomon Common Stock on the date on which the
applicable notice of redemption is given and (B) the Closing Price of Salomon
Common Stock on the last trading day prior to such date are equal to or greater
than the Exchange Price then in effect, Berkshire may, at its option, either (i)
exchange the Notes, in whole or in part, for shares of Salomon Common Stock at
the Exchange Rate then in effect or (ii) redeem the Notes, in whole or in part,
in cash at a price per Note equal to the product of the Exchange Rate then in
effect and the Current Market Value of Salomon Common Stock on the date on which
the applicable notice of redemption is given, and (2) at any other time,
Berkshire may, at its option, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, in cash at
a price per Note equal to the Accreted Value of the Notes on the date of
redemption. However, Berkshire may not give any notice of redemption for cash
(x) during the period from the beginning of any Exchange Period until the close
of business on the applicable Exchange Date or New Exchange Date or (y) prior to
the beginning of any Exchange Period if the redemption date would occur during
or after such Exchange Period. Upon any exchange or redemption described in
clause (1) above, the holders of Notes will not receive any payment representing
accrued OID; such accrued OID will be deemed paid upon the receipt of Salomon
Common Stock or the cash equivalent received on such exchange or redemption.
In connection with any redemption or exchange prior to maturity of the
Notes, Berkshire will notify The Depository Trust Company and the Trustee and
will publish a notice in a daily newspaper of national circulation stating (1)
the Exchange Rate then in effect, (2) whether the Notes will be exchanged for
shares of Salomon Common Stock or redeemed for cash, (3) the redemption or
exchange date (which shall be at least 15 days but not more than 30 days after
the date of such notice) and (4) in the case of a redemption, the redemption
price. On the exchange date with respect to any exchange of Notes for Salomon
Common Stock, such Notes shall cease to be outstanding and shall be deemed to
represent solely the right to receive shares of Salomon Common Stock in
accordance with the terms of the
S-16
<PAGE> 17
Indenture. Berkshire will pay in cash the accrued and unpaid interest on all
Notes redeemed or exchanged to but excluding the date of redemption or exchange.
The following table shows the Issue Price, accrued OID, Accreted Value and
Exchange Price of the Notes as of December 2, 1999, and at each anniversary
thereof through the Maturity Date. If the Notes are redeemed between any two
such dates, the Accreted Value would include an additional amount reflecting the
additional OID accrued from the previous date in the table, and the Exchange
Price would be adjusted in accordance with the definition of such term.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE ISSUE PRICE ACCRUED OID ACCRETED VALUE EXCHANGE PRICE
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 2, 1999............ $907.78 $ 53.68 $ 961.46 $54.47
December 2, 2000............ 907.78 72.66 980.44 55.55
December 2, 2001............ 907.78 92.22 1,000.00 56.66
</TABLE>
In any exchange of Notes for shares of Salomon Common Stock at or prior to
maturity of the Notes, no fractional shares of Salomon Common Stock will be
issued, as described under " -- Fractional Shares." If Berkshire exchanges Notes
for shares of Salomon Common Stock, holders of the Notes will be responsible for
the payment of any brokerage costs incurred upon the subsequent sale of such
shares.
If less than all the Notes then outstanding are to be redeemed or exchanged
prior to maturity of the Notes, the Trustee will select those to be redeemed or
exchanged as a whole or in part pro rata or by lot or by such method as the
Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. Notice of redemption or exchange will
be given to holders of the Notes to be redeemed or exchanged by first-class
mail, postage prepaid at their last address appearing on the Note registry
books.
NO RESTRICTION ON SALE OF SALOMON STOCK
The Indenture does not contain any restriction on the ability of Berkshire
to sell, pledge or otherwise convey all or any portion of the Salomon Common
Stock or Salomon Convertible Preferred Stock held by it, and no such shares of
Salomon Common Stock or Salomon Convertible Preferred Stock will be pledged or
otherwise held in escrow for exchange at maturity of the Notes. Consequently, in
the event of a bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation of Berkshire, the Salomon
Common Stock or Salomon Convertible Preferred Stock, if any, then owned by
Berkshire will be subject to the claims of the creditors of Berkshire. In
addition, as described herein, Berkshire will have the option under certain
circumstances, exercisable in its sole discretion, to satisfy its obligations at
maturity or upon redemption of the Notes by delivering to holders of the Notes
either a number of shares of Salomon Common Stock or cash in an amount equal to
the product obtained by multiplying such number of shares by the Current Market
Value of Salomon Common Stock on the date of the related notice of redemption or
the Maturity Date, as applicable. In the event of a sale, pledge or conveyance
by Berkshire of the Salomon Common Stock or Salomon Convertible Preferred Stock
held by it, a holder of the Notes may be more likely to receive cash in lieu of
Salomon Common Stock in those circumstances in which Berkshire can elect to
deliver either Salomon Common Stock or the cash equivalent. As a result, there
can be no assurance that, if Berkshire can elect at maturity or upon redemption
to deliver Salomon Common Stock, it will do so, or, if it does so elect, that it
will use all or any portion of its current holdings of Salomon Common Stock (or
will convert all or any portion of its current holdings of Salomon Convertible
Preferred Stock into Salomon Common Stock) in order to make such delivery. It is
Berkshire's current intention to deliver Salomon Common Stock at maturity or
exchange of the Notes (if Berkshire has the right to deliver either cash or
Salomon Common Stock at such time); however, Berkshire may change its intention
at any time. Holders of the Notes will not be entitled, as such holders, to any
rights with respect to Salomon Common Stock (including without limitation voting
rights and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions in respect
thereof) until such time, if any, as Berkshire shall have delivered shares of
Salomon Common Stock to holders of the Notes at or prior to maturity in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture. See "Relationship Between Berkshire
and Salomon".
S-17
<PAGE> 18
RANKING
The Notes will be unsecured obligations of Berkshire ranking on a parity
with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Berkshire. Berkshire
is a holding company that conducts virtually all of its operations through
subsidiaries and, therefore, the Notes will effectively be subordinated to all
indebtedness and liabilities of Berkshire's subsidiaries. As of September 30,
1996, Berkshire's subsidiaries had approximately $16.8 billion of total
indebtedness and other liabilities, while Berkshire had no secured indebtedness.
The Indenture does not limit the ability of Berkshire or its subsidiaries to
incur additional indebtedness (including secured indebtedness).
ADJUSTMENT OF EXCHANGE RATE
Adjustment for Distributions, Reclassification, etc. The Exchange Rate
shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:
(1) If Salomon shall:
(A) pay a dividend or make a distribution with respect to the Salomon
Common Stock in shares of such stock;
(B) subdivide or split the outstanding shares of Salomon Common Stock
into a greater number of shares;
(C) combine the outstanding shares of Salomon Common Stock into a
smaller number of shares; or
(D) issue by reclassification of shares of Salomon Common Stock any
shares of common stock of Salomon;
then, in any such event, the Exchange Rate in effect immediately prior to such
event shall be adjusted so that the holder of any Note shall thereafter be
entitled to receive, upon exchange of such holder's Note by Berkshire at
maturity or upon redemption, the number of shares of Salomon Common Stock that
such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive immediately following
such event had such Note been exchanged immediately prior to such event or any
record date with respect thereto. Each such adjustment shall become effective at
the opening of business on the Business Day next following the record date for
determination of holders of Salomon Common Stock entitled to receive such
dividend or distribution in the case of a dividend or distribution and shall
become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a
subdivision, split, combination or reclassification. Each such adjustment shall
be made successively.
(2) If Salomon shall issue rights or warrants to all holders of Salomon
Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of Salomon
Common Stock (other than rights to purchase Salomon Common Stock pursuant to (A)
a plan for the reinvestment of dividends or interest or (B) pursuant to a
shareholders rights plan or agreement, unless a triggering event shall have
occurred thereunder) at a price per share less than the current market price of
Salomon Common Stock (determined for purposes of this clause (2) as the Closing
Price per share of Salomon Common Stock on the record date fixed for the
determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants), then
in each case the Exchange Rate shall be adjusted by multiplying the Exchange
Rate in effect immediately prior to such record date, by a fraction, of which
(x) the numerator shall be the number of shares of Salomon Common Stock
outstanding at the close of business on such record date, plus the number of
additional shares of Salomon Common Stock offered for subscription or purchase
pursuant to such rights or warrants, and (y) the denominator shall be the number
of shares of Salomon Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on such
record date, plus the number of additional shares of Salomon Common Stock that
the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Salomon Common
Stock so offered for subscription or purchase pursuant to such rights or
warrants would purchase at such current market price (calculated at the Closing
Price per share of Salomon Common Stock on such record date), which shall be
determined by multiplying such total numbers of shares offered by the exercise
price of such
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rights or warrants and dividing the product so obtained by such current market
price. Such adjustment shall become effective at the opening of business on the
Business Day next following the record date for the determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such rights or warrants. To the extent that
shares of Salomon Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such
rights or warrants, the Exchange Rate shall be readjusted to the Exchange Rate
which would then be in effect had such adjustments for the issuance of such
rights or warrants been made upon the basis of delivery of only the number of
shares of Salomon Common Stock actually delivered. Each such adjustment shall be
made successively.
(3) If Salomon shall pay a dividend or make a distribution to all holders
of Salomon Common Stock of any class of its capital stock, evidences of its
indebtedness or other assets (in each case excluding any dividends or
distributions referred to in paragraph (1) above or any ordinary periodic cash
dividends that do not constitute Extraordinary Cash Dividends (as defined
below)) or shall issue to all holders of Salomon Common Stock rights or warrants
to subscribe for or purchase any of its securities (other than those referred to
in paragraph (2) above), then in each such case, the Exchange Rate shall be
adjusted by multiplying the Exchange Rate in effect on the record date mentioned
below by a fraction of which (A) the numerator shall be the current market price
per share of the Salomon Common Stock on the record date for the determination
of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution (such current
market price being determined for purposes of this paragraph as the Closing
Price per share of Salomon Common Stock on such record date) and (B) the
denominator shall be such current market price per share of Salomon Common Stock
less the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors of
Berkshire, whose determination shall be conclusive, and described in a
resolution adopted with respect thereto) as of such record date of the portion
of the capital stock, evidences of indebtedness or other assets so distributed
or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to one share of Salomon
Common Stock; provided, however, that in the event of a distribution of shares
of capital stock of a subsidiary of Salomon (a "Spin-Off") made to holders of
shares of Salomon Common Stock, the numerator of such fraction shall be the sum
of (i) the Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock as of the 35th trading day
after the effective date of such Spin-Off and (ii) the Closing Price of the
number of shares (or the fraction of a share) of capital stock of such
subsidiary of Salomon on such 35th trading day which is distributed in such
Spin-Off in respect of one share of Salomon Common Stock as of such 35th trading
day and the denominator of which shall be the Closing Price of Salomon Common
Stock as of such 35th trading day. Each such adjustment shall become effective
on the opening of business on the Business Day next following the record date
for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or
distribution (or, in the case of an adjustment pursuant to the proviso of the
immediately preceding sentence, on the Business Day next following the 35th
trading day after the effective date of the Spin-Off). Each such adjustment
shall be made successively.
Any shares of Salomon Common Stock issuable in payment of a dividend shall
be deemed to have been issued immediately prior to the close of business on the
record date for such dividend for purposes of calculating the number of
outstanding shares of Salomon Common Stock under paragraph (2) above.
All adjustments to the Exchange Rate shall be calculated to the nearest
1/10,000th of a share of Salomon Common Stock (or if there is not a nearest
1/10,000th of a share to the next lower 1/10,000th of a share). No adjustment in
the Exchange Rate shall be required unless such adjustment would require an
increase or decrease of at least one percent therein; provided, however, that
any adjustments which by reason of this paragraph are not required to be made
shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.
For purposes of the foregoing, the term "Extraordinary Cash Dividend" shall
mean, with respect to any consecutive 365-day period, any cash dividend with
respect to Salomon Common Stock the amount of which, together with the aggregate
amount of all other such cash dividends on the Salomon Common Stock occurring in
such 365-day period, exceeds on a per share basis 10% of the average Closing
Price per share of the Salomon Common Stock over such 365-day period, and for
purposes of applying the formula set forth in paragraph (3) above, the fair
market value of such dividends being calculated pursuant to such paragraph (3)
shall be equal to (A) the aggregate amount of such cash dividend together with
the amounts of such other cash dividends occurring in such period minus (B) the
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aggregate amount of such other cash dividends occurring in such period for which
a prior adjustment in the Exchange Rate was previously made as described in this
subsection. In making the determinations required by the foregoing sentence, the
amount of cash dividends paid on a per share basis shall be appropriately
adjusted to reflect the occurrence during such period of any event described in
this subsection.
Adjustment of Exchange Consideration for Consolidation, Merger or Other
Reorganization Event. In the event of (1) any consolidation or merger of
Salomon, or any surviving entity or subsequent surviving entity of Salomon (a
"Salomon Successor"), with or into another entity (other than a merger or
consolidation in which Salomon is the continuing corporation and in which the
Salomon Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the merger or
consolidation is not exchanged for cash, securities ("Exchange Securities") or
other property of Salomon or another corporation), (2) any statutory exchange of
securities of Salomon or any Salomon Successor with another corporation (other
than in connection with a merger or acquisition) or (3) any liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of Salomon or any Salomon Successor (any such event, a
"Reorganization Event"), if Berkshire shall have the right to deliver either
cash or Salomon Common Stock at maturity or upon redemption or exchange of the
Notes, then, at the option of Berkshire, each holder of Notes will receive at
maturity or upon redemption or exchange, in lieu of Salomon Common Stock, cash
in an amount equal to the Exchange Rate multiplied by the Transaction Value (as
defined herein). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any securities
received in a Reorganization Event that (A) are (i) listed on a United States
national securities exchange, (ii) reported on a United States national
securities system subject to last sale reporting, (iii) traded in the
over-the-counter market and reported on the National Quotation Bureau or similar
organization or (iv) for which bid and ask prices are available from at least
three nationally recognized investment banking firms and (B) are either (x)
perpetual equity securities or (y) non-perpetual equity or debt securities with
a stated maturity after the Maturity Date ("Reported Exchange Securities"),
Berkshire may, at its option, in lieu of delivering the amount of cash
deliverable in respect of Reported Exchange Securities received in a
Reorganization Event, as determined in accordance with the previous sentence,
deliver a number of such Reported Exchange Securities with a value equal to such
cash amount, as determined in accordance with clause (2) of the definition of
Transaction Value, as applicable; provided, however, that (a) if such option is
exercised, Berkshire shall deliver Reported Exchange Securities in respect of
all, but not less than all, cash amounts that would otherwise be deliverable in
respect of Reported Exchange Securities received in a Reorganization Event, (b)
Berkshire may not exercise such option if Berkshire has elected to deliver cash
in lieu of Salomon Common Stock deliverable at maturity or upon redemption and
(c) Berkshire must exercise such option if Berkshire does not elect to deliver
cash in lieu of Salomon Common Stock deliverable at maturity or upon redemption.
If Berkshire elects to deliver Reported Exchange Securities, each holder of
Notes will be responsible for the payment of any and all brokerage and other
transaction costs upon the sale of such Reported Exchange Securities. If,
following any Reorganization Event, any Reported Exchange Security ceases to
qualify as a Reported Exchange Security, then (x) Berkshire may no longer elect
to deliver such Reported Exchange Security in lieu of an equivalent amount of
cash and (y) notwithstanding clause (2) of the definition of Transaction Value,
the Transaction Value of such Reported Exchange Security shall mean the fair
market value of such Reported Exchange Security on the date such security ceases
to qualify as a Reported Exchange Security, as determined by a nationally
recognized investment banking firm selected for this purpose by Berkshire.
If a Reorganization Event shall occur, subject to certain conditions
described under "-- Exchange at Option of Holder," upon exchange of any Notes at
the option of the holder, each holder of a Note will have the right to receive
the kind and amount of cash, Exchange Securities or other property receivable
upon such Reorganization Event by a holder of the number of shares of Salomon
Common Stock for which such Note might have been exchanged immediately prior to
such Reorganization Event (assuming that such holder failed to exercise his
rights of election, if any, as to the kind or amount of cash, Exchange
Securities, and other property receivable in such Reorganization Event).
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The kind and amount of securities into which the Notes shall be
exchangeable by Berkshire after consummation of any Reorganization Event shall
be subject to adjustment as described above in "Adjustment of Exchange
Rate -- Adjustment for Distributions, Reclassification, etc." following the date
of consummation of such transaction.
Notice of Adjustments and Certain Other Events. (1) Whenever the Exchange
Rate or the consideration receivable upon exchange is adjusted as previously
described, Berkshire shall:
(A) forthwith compute the adjusted Exchange Rate as described above in
"Adjustment of Exchange Rate -- Adjustment for Distributions,
Reclassification, etc." or the adjusted exchange consideration described
above in "Adjustment of Exchange Rate -- Adjustment of Exchange
Consideration for Consolidation, Merger or Other Reorganization Event" and
prepare a certificate signed by an officer of Berkshire setting forth the
adjusted Exchange Rate or exchange consideration, the method of calculation
thereof in reasonable detail, and the facts requiring such adjustment and
upon which such adjustment is based, which certificate shall be conclusive,
final and binding evidence of the correctness of the adjustment, and file
such certificate forthwith with the Trustee; and
(B) within 10 Business Days following the occurrence of an event that
permits or requires an adjustment to the Exchange Rate or exchange
consideration as described in "Adjustment of Exchange Rate -- Adjustment
for Distributions, Reclassification, etc." and "Adjustment of Exchange
Rate -- Adjustment of Exchange Consideration for Consolidation, Merger or
Other Reorganization Event" (or if Berkshire is not aware of such
occurrence, as soon as practicable after becoming so aware), provide
written notice to the Trustee and to the holders of the outstanding Notes
of the occurrence of such event and a statement in reasonable detail
setting forth the method by which the adjustment to the Exchange Rate or
exchange consideration was determined and setting forth the revised
Exchange Rate or exchange consideration per Note.
(2) In case at any time while any of the Notes are outstanding Berkshire
receives notice that:
(A) Salomon has declared a dividend (or any other distribution) on or
in respect of the Salomon Common Stock to which clause (1) or (2) of
"Adjustment of Exchange Rate -- Adjustment for Distributions,
Reclassification, etc." shall apply (other than any cash dividends and
distributions, if any, paid from time to time by Salomon that do not
constitute Extraordinary Cash Dividends);
(B) Salomon has authorized the issuance to all holders of Salomon
Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of
Salomon Common Stock or of any other subscription rights or warrants;
(C) there shall be proposed any conversion or reclassification of
Salomon Common Stock (other than a subdivision or combination of
outstanding shares of such Salomon Common Stock) or any consolidation,
merger or reorganization to which Salomon is a party and for which approval
of any stockholders of Salomon is required; or
(D) there shall be proposed the voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of Salomon;
then Berkshire shall promptly cause to be delivered to the Trustee and filed at
the office or agency maintained for the purpose of exchange of Notes in the
Borough of Manhattan, in The City of New York by the Trustee, and shall promptly
cause to be mailed to the holders of the Notes at their last addresses as they
shall appear upon the registration books of the Securities Registrar, at least
10 days before the date hereinafter specified (or the earlier of the dates
hereinafter specified, in the event that more than one is specified), a notice
stating (i) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such
dividend, distribution or grant of rights or warrants, or, if a record is not to
be taken, the date as of which the holders of Salomon Common Stock to be
entitled to such dividend, distribution or grant of rights or
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warrants are to be determined, or (ii) the date, if known by Berkshire, on which
such reclassification, consolidation, merger, dissolution, liquidation or
winding up is expected to become effective.
FRACTIONAL SHARES
No fractional shares of Salomon Common Stock will be issued if any Notes
are exchanged for shares of Salomon Common Stock at or prior to maturity. If
more than one Note from the same holder is exchanged for Salomon Common Stock at
one time, the number of full shares of Salomon Common Stock to be delivered upon
exchange shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of Notes from
such holder so exchanged at that time. In lieu of any fractional share otherwise
issuable in respect of all Notes of any holder that are exchanged at or prior to
maturity, such holder shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash equal to
the product of such fraction of a share and the Current Market Value of Salomon
Common Stock on the applicable Exchange Date (in the case of an exchange at the
option of the holder), the date on which the related notice of exchange is given
(in the case of an exchange at the option of Berkshire) or the Maturity Date, as
applicable.
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
The Notes will be issued in the form of one or more global securities (the
"Global Securities") deposited with The Depository Trust Company (the
"Depositary") and registered in the name of a nominee of the Depositary.
The Depositary has advised Berkshire and the Underwriters as follows: The
Depositary 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 New York Uniform Commercial Code and a
"clearing agency" registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The
Depositary was created to hold securities of persons who have accounts with the
Depositary ("participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions among its participants in such securities through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Such participants
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing
corporations. Indirect access to the Depositary's book-entry system also 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.
Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary or its nominee will
credit the respective Notes represented by such Global Security to the accounts
of participants. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the
Underwriters. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Securities will be
limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants.
Ownership of beneficial interests by participants in such Global Securities will
be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only
through, records maintained by the Depositary or its nominee for such Global
Securities. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Securities by
persons that hold through participants will be shown on, and the transfer of
that ownership interest within such participant will be effected only through,
records maintained by such participant. The laws of some jurisdictions require
that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities
in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer
beneficial interests in a Global Security.
So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a
Global Security, such depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or holder of the Notes for all purposes under the
Indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in such
Global Securities will not be entitled to have the Notes registered in their
names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the Notes
in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof
under the Indenture.
Payment of principal of and any interest on the Notes registered in the
name of or held by the Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary
or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner or the holder of the
Global Security. None of Berkshire, the Trustee, any paying agent or
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any securities registrar for the Notes will have any responsibility or liability
for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of
beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership
interests.
Berkshire expects that the Depositary, upon receipt of any payment of
principal or interest in respect of a permanent Global Security, will credit
immediately participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to
their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Global
Security as shown on the records of the Depositary. Berkshire also expects that
payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Global
Security held through such participants will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held
for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name," and
will be the responsibility of such participants.
A Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the
Depositary to a nominee or a successor of the Depositary. If the Depositary is
at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and a successor
depositary is not appointed by Berkshire within ninety days, Berkshire will
issue Notes in definitive registered form in exchange for the Global Security
representing such Notes. In addition, Berkshire may at any time and in its sole
discretion determine not to have any Notes represented by one or more Global
Securities and, in such event, will issue Notes in definitive form in exchange
for all of the Global Securities representing the Notes. Further, if Berkshire
so specifies with respect to the Notes, an owner of a beneficial interest in a
Global Security representing Notes may, on terms acceptable to Berkshire and the
Depositary for such Global Security, receive Notes in definitive form. Moreover,
if there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, or an event
that, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an
Event of Default with respect to any Notes represented by one or more Global
Securities, such Global Securities shall be exchangeable for Notes in definitive
form. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global
Security will be entitled to physical delivery in definitive form of Notes
represented by such Global Security equal in number to that represented by such
beneficial interest and to have such Notes registered in its name.
DEFEASANCE
The provisions in the accompanying Prospectus regarding defeasance of Debt
Securities will not be applicable to the Notes.
LISTING
An application has been filed to list the Notes on the NYSE. The Salomon
Common Stock is currently listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol "SB".
GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture provides that it and the Notes will be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
"Accreted Value" of a Note means the Issue Price of such Note plus accrued
OID thereon.
"Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on
which the NYSE, banking institutions or trust companies in The City of New York
are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
"Closing Price" of any security on any date of determination means the
closing sale price (or, if no closing price is reported, the last reported sale
price) of such security (regular way) on the NYSE on such date or, if such
security is not listed for trading on the NYSE on any such date, as reported in
the composite transactions for the principal United States securities exchange
on which such security is so listed, or if such security is not so listed on a
United States national or regional securities exchange, as
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<PAGE> 24
reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market, or, if such security is not so reported,
the last quoted bid price for such security in the over-the-counter market as
reported by the National Quotation Bureau or similar organization, or, if such
bid price is not available, the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask
prices for such security from each of at least three nationally recognized
investment banking firms selected for such purpose by Berkshire, or if such
quotes are not available, the market value of such security on such date as
determined by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm
selected for this purpose by Berkshire.
"Current Market Value" of Salomon Common Stock on any date of determination
means the greater of (1) the 10-Day Average Closing Price of Salomon Common
Stock as of such date and (2) the Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock on the
trading day immediately preceding such date (or, if determined after the close
of business on any trading day, the Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock on
such trading day).
"Exchange Price" of a Note on any date means (1) the Accreted Value of such
Note on such date divided by (2) the Exchange Rate in effect on such date.
"OID" means original issue discount calculated on a constant yield basis
using $1,000 principal amount due at maturity based on the excess of the
principal amount due at maturity over the Issue Price.
"Tax OID" means original issue discount for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes calculated on a constant yield basis determined as described in
"Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations."
"10-Day Average Closing Price" of Salomon Common Stock as of any date of
determination means the average Closing Price of Salomon Common Stock on the 10
trading days immediately prior to such date (or, if determined after the close
of business on any trading day, the average Closing Price of Salomon Common
Stock on such trading day and the nine trading days immediately prior to such
date).
A "trading day" means any day on which the security the Closing Price of
which is being determined (1) is not suspended from trading on any national or
regional securities exchange or association or over-the-counter market at the
close of business and (2) has traded at least once on the national or regional
securities exchange or association or over-the-counter market that is the
primary market for the trading of such security.
"Transaction Value" means (1) for any cash received in any Reorganization
Event, the amount of cash received per share of Salomon Common Stock, (2) for
any Reported Exchange Securities received in any Reorganization Event, an amount
equal to the average Closing Price per security of such Reported Exchange
Securities on the 10 trading days immediately prior to maturity or the date on
which the notice of redemption or exchange is given, as applicable, multiplied
by the number of such Reported Exchange Securities received for each share of
Salomon Common Stock and (3) for any property received in any Reorganization
Event other than cash or such Reported Exchange Securities, an amount equal to
the fair market value of the property received per share of Salomon Common Stock
on the date such property is received, as determined by a nationally recognized
investment banking firm selected for this purpose by Berkshire; provided,
however, that in the case of clause (2), (A) with respect to securities that are
Reported Exchange Securities by virtue of only clause (A)(iv) of the definition
of Reported Exchange Securities, Transaction Value with respect to any such
Reported Exchange Securities means the average of the mid-point of the last bid
and ask prices for such Reported Exchange Security as of maturity or such notice
date from each of at least three nationally recognized investment banking firms
selected for such purpose by Berkshire multiplied by the number of such Reported
Exchange Securities received for each share of Salomon Common Stock and (B) with
respect to all other Reported Exchange Securities, if there are not 10 trading
days for any particular Reported Exchange Security occurring after the 60th
calendar day immediately prior to, but not including, the date of maturity or
such notice date, Transaction Value with respect to such Reported Exchange
Security means the market value per security of such Reported Exchange Security
as of maturity or such notice date as determined by a nationally recognized
investment banking firm selected for such purpose by Berkshire multiplied by the
number of such Reported Exchange Securities received for each share of Salomon
Common Stock.
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<PAGE> 25
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion is a general summary of the material United States
("U.S.") Federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a holder of
Notes that is a U.S. Holder (as defined below). This summary is based on
provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and
administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as currently in effect
and all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) and to
differing interpretations. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the
Internal Revenue Service would not take a position contrary to those expressed
herein. This summary deals only with U.S. Holders that hold the Notes as capital
assets and does not address all aspects of U.S. Federal income taxation that may
be applicable to investors in light of their particular circumstances, or to
investors subject to special treatment under U.S. Federal income tax law
(including, but not limited to, life insurance companies, dealers in securities,
financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, persons having a functional
currency other than the U.S. dollar, and persons holding the Notes as a position
in a "straddle" or conversion transaction, or as part of a "synthetic security"
or other integrated financial transaction). This summary also does not address
the state, local or foreign tax consequences of an investment in the Notes.
As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a holder of a Note that is,
for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, (1) an individual citizen or resident of
the United States, (2) a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation
for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws
of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof, (3) an estate or
trust the income of which is subject to U.S. Federal income taxation regardless
of its source, or (4) a person otherwise subject to U.S. Federal income taxation
on a net basis in respect of such holder's ownership of a Note.
TAXATION OF THE NOTES
Berkshire has received an opinion of Munger, Tolles & Olson, counsel to
Berkshire, that the Notes will be treated as single debt instruments subject to
recently issued U.S. Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt
instruments (the "Contingent Payment Regulations"). Berkshire intends to treat
each Note as a contingent payment debt instrument subject to the Contingent
Payment Regulations, and by accepting Notes, holders thereof agree to this
treatment and to report all income (or loss) with respect to the Notes in
accordance with those regulations. The Contingent Payment Regulations require
the application of a "noncontingent bond" method to determine accruals of
income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to a contingent debt obligation.
As described in more detail in the second succeeding paragraph, under the
noncontingent bond method, a U.S. Holder of a Note will be required for tax
purposes to include in income each year an accrual of interest at the annual
rate of 6.31% (the "comparable yield"). Accordingly, for purposes of the
Contingent Payment Regulations, a U.S. Holder of a Note will be assumed to be
entitled to receive, in respect of the Note, semi-annual payments of interest at
a rate of 1.00%, as well as a fixed payment (in stock) of $1,174.87 on December
2, 2001 (the "Payment Schedule"). The fixed payment due on December 2, 2001 is
calculated as the amount required to produce the comparable yield when combined
with the semi-annual payments of interest made in respect of the Note and taking
into account the Note's Issue Price.
The comparable yield and the Payment Schedule are used to determine
accruals of interest for tax purposes only and are not assurances by Berkshire
with respect to the actual yield of, or payments to be made in respect of, the
Note. The comparable yield and the Payment Schedule do not necessarily represent
Berkshire's expectations regarding such yield or the amounts of such payments.
Each Note is being issued at a price of $907.78 per $1,000 principal amount
due at maturity, which represents OID of 9.222% from the principal amount due at
maturity of the Note. The amount of OID on a Note for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes ("Tax OID"), however, will be greater than the amount of OID on the
Note described in the preceding sentence, because the relevant tax rules require
that Tax OID be accrued at the comparable yield, rather than on the stated
coupon plus the OID on the Note. Under the Tax OID rules of the Code, and the
Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, a U.S. Holder, whether
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<PAGE> 26
such holder uses the cash or the accrual method of tax accounting, will be
required to include as ordinary interest income the sum of the "daily portions"
of Tax OID on the Note for all days during the taxable year that the U.S. Holder
owns the Note. As a result, a U.S. Holder of a Note that employs the cash method
of accounting will be required to include amounts in respect of Tax OID accruing
on the Note in taxable income each year, whether or not the current receipt of
cash from the Note is sufficient to pay any resulting tax.
The daily portions of Tax OID on a Note are determined by allocating to
each day in any accrual period a ratable portion of the Tax OID allocable to
that accrual period. In the case of an initial holder, the amount of Tax OID on
a Note allocable to each accrual period is determined by multiplying the
"adjusted issue price" (as defined below) of the Note at the beginning of the
accrual period by the comparable yield of the Note (appropriately adjusted to
reflect the length of the accrual period). The "adjusted issue price" of a Note
at the beginning of any accrual period generally will be the sum of its Issue
Price and the amount of Tax OID allocable to all prior accrual periods, less the
amount of any payments made in all prior accrual periods.
When a U.S. Holder sells, exchanges or otherwise disposes of a Note
(including the repayment of the Note on the Maturity Date or the exercise by
Berkshire or the U.S. Holder of its respective option to exchange the Notes for
Salomon Common Stock) (a "disposition"), the U.S. Holder's gain (or loss) on
such disposition will equal the difference between the amount received by the
U.S. Holder for the Note and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Note. Upon the
repayment of a Note on the Maturity Date or on an earlier exercise by Berkshire
or the U.S. Holder of its respective exchange option, the U.S. Holder will be
treated as receiving an amount equal to the fair market value of any Salomon
Common Stock received by such holder, plus any cash received in lieu of
fractional shares. A U.S. Holder's tax basis (i.e., adjusted cost) in a Note
will be equal to the U.S. Holder's original purchase price for the Note, plus
any Tax OID accrued by the U.S. Holder and less the amount of any payments
received by such holder while holding such Note. Any gain realized by a U.S.
Holder on a disposition will be treated as ordinary interest income. Any loss
realized by a U.S. Holder on a disposition will be treated as ordinary loss, to
the extent of the U.S. Holder's Tax OID inclusions with respect to the
obligation up to the date of disposition. Any loss realized in excess of such
amount generally will be treated as a capital loss. An individual U.S. Holder
generally will be allowed a deduction for any such loss without regard to the
two-percent miscellaneous itemized deduction rule of section 67 of the Code. Any
capital loss recognized by a U.S. Holder will be a long-term capital loss if
such U.S. Holder has held such Note for more than one year, and a short-term
capital loss in other cases. If a U.S. Holder receives Salomon Common Stock in a
disposition, such holder will have a basis in that stock equal to the stock's
fair market value on the date of the disposition. Additionally, the U.S.
Holder's holding period in the Salomon Common Stock will begin the day after the
disposition.
A U.S. Holder that purchases a Note in the secondary market for an amount
that differs from the Note's adjusted issue price at the time of purchase will
be required to accrue Tax OID on the contingent debt obligation in accordance
with the comparable yield and Payment Schedule, even if market conditions have
changed since the date of issuance. If the difference between a U.S. Holder's
purchase price for the Note and the adjusted issue price of the Note is
attributable to a change in interest rates, the U.S. Holder will be required to
allocate that difference among all remaining Tax OID accruals on the Note. If
the difference between a U.S. Holder's purchase price for the Note and the
adjusted issue price of the Note is attributable to a change in expectations as
to the payment to be made by Berkshire on the Maturity Date, the U.S. Holder
will be required to allocate that difference to the payment on the Maturity
Date. Adjustments allocated to either a Tax OID accrual or the payment on the
Maturity Date are taken into account at the time the corresponding Tax OID is
accrued or payment is made. If the purchaser's basis is greater than the
adjusted issue price of the Note, the excess is treated as a "negative
adjustment" that reduces such Tax OID accruals or payment; if the purchaser's
basis is less than the adjusted issue price, the difference is treated as a
"positive adjustment" that similarly increases such Tax OID accruals or payment.
Any negative and positive adjustments of the kind described above made by a U.S.
Holder of a Note in respect of any difference between its purchase price and the
adjusted issue price of the Note on the date of purchase decrease or increase,
respectively, the U.S. Holder's basis in
S-26
<PAGE> 27
the Note, in a manner consistent with the operation of the general premium and
market discount rules that such adjustments supersede.
Certain U.S. Holders may receive Forms 1099-OID reporting Tax OID accruals
on a Note. Those forms may not, however, reflect the effects of any positive or
negative adjustments resulting from the U.S. Holder's purchase of a Note in the
secondary market at a price that differs from its adjusted issue price on the
date of purchase. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to
whether, and how, such adjustments should be made to the amounts reported on any
Form 1099-OID.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
A U.S. Holder may be subject to information reporting and to backup
withholding at a rate of 31 percent with respect to payments made on a Note, or
the proceeds of the sale of a Note before maturity, unless such U.S. Holder
provides proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification
number, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the information
reporting and backup withholding rules.
TAXATION OF SALOMON COMMON STOCK
Distributions on Salomon Common Stock. The gross amount of any distribution
made by Salomon to a U.S. Holder with respect to the Salomon Common Stock
generally will be includible in the income of a U.S. Holder as dividend income
to the extent that such distribution is paid out of Salomon's current or
accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. Federal income tax
principles. Subject to certain limitations, United States corporations holding
Salomon Common Stock that receive dividends thereon generally will be eligible
for a dividends-received deduction equal to 70% of the dividends received. If
the amount of any distribution exceeds Salomon's current and accumulated
earnings and profits as so computed, such excess first will be treated as a
tax-free return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder's tax basis in its
Salomon Stock, and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of property.
Dispositions of Salomon Common Stock. A U.S. Holder generally will recognize
capital gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes on the sale or
disposition of Salomon Common Stock in an amount equal to the difference between
the amount realized on the sale or other disposition and the U.S. Holder's tax
basis in the Salomon Common Stock. Any such gain or loss will be long-term gain
or loss if the U.S. Holder held the Salomon Common Stock for more than one year.
As discussed above, a U.S. Holder that received Salomon Common Stock from
Berkshire in a disposition of a Note will have a basis in that Salomon Common
Stock equal to that stock's fair market value on the date of such disposition of
the Note. Additionally, the U.S. Holder's holding period in the Salomon Common
Stock will begin the day after such disposition of the Note.
S-27
<PAGE> 28
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting
Agreement, Berkshire has agreed to sell to the Underwriters named below, and
each of the Underwriters has severally agreed to purchase from Berkshire, the
principal amount of the Notes set forth opposite its name below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
UNDERWRITERS AMOUNT OF NOTES
------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C>
Salomon Brothers Inc......................................... $ 146,666,668
Goldman, Sachs & Co.......................................... 146,666,666
Smith Barney Inc. ........................................... 146,666,666
------------
Total.............................................. $ 440,000,000
============
</TABLE>
In the Underwriting Agreement, the several Underwriters have agreed,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all of the
Notes if any are purchased.
Berkshire has been advised that the Underwriters propose to offer the Notes
to the public initially at the offering price set forth on the cover of this
Prospectus Supplement and to certain dealers at such price less a selling
concession of not more than 0.817% of such principal amount of the Notes; that
the Underwriters may allow, and each such dealer may reallow, to other dealers a
concession not exceeding 0.100% of such principal amount of the Notes; and that
such Issue Price and such concession and reallowance may be changed by the
Underwriters after completion of the offering of the Notes.
Berkshire has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable for 30
days from the date of this Prospectus Supplement (or, if such 30th day is not a
Business Day, on the next Business Day thereafter), to purchase up to an
additional $60,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the Issue
Price set forth on the cover page hereof, less the underwriting discount. The
Underwriters may exercise such option solely for the purpose of covering
over-allotments, if any, incurred in connection with the sale of the Notes
offered hereby.
Each of Berkshire and Salomon has agreed that it will not, for a period of
90 days after the date of this Prospectus Supplement, without the written
consent of Salomon Brothers, offer, sell or contract to sell, or otherwise
dispose of, directly or indirectly, or announce the offering of, any shares of
Salomon Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for,
shares of Salomon Common Stock; provided, however, that such restriction shall
not affect the ability of Berkshire, Salomon or their subsidiaries to take any
such actions in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes or any exchange
at or prior to maturity pursuant to the terms of Notes; and provided, further,
that Salomon may sell or register shares of Salomon Common Stock or grant
options to purchase the same, in either case, pursuant to any employee or
director stock option plan, stock ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan
of Salomon in effect as of the date of this Prospectus.
Berkshire and Salomon have agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to
indemnify the Underwriters and their controlling persons against certain
liabilities under the Securities Act or to contribute to payments the
Underwriters or their controlling persons may be required to make in respect
thereof. Berkshire and Salomon have also agreed to indemnify each other and
their controlling persons with respect to certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments in respect
thereof.
Berkshire has been advised by the Underwriters (other than Salomon
Brothers) that they may make a market in the Notes but they are not obligated to
do so and may discontinue such market making at any time without notice. No
assurance can be given that an active public market for the Notes will develop.
Salomon Brothers is a wholly owned subsidiary of Salomon. Berkshire
beneficially owns Salomon Common Stock and Salomon Preferred Stock representing
approximately 18% of the voting power of Salomon. Mr. Buffett, Mr. Munger, and
Louis A. Simpson, President and Chief Executive Officer-Capital Operations of
GEICO Corporation, are directors of Salomon. Because of such ownership and other
relationships between Berkshire and Salomon Brothers, Berkshire may be deemed to
be an affiliate of
S-28
<PAGE> 29
Salomon Brothers. Accordingly, the offering is being made pursuant to the
provisions of Rule 2720 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. See "Relationship between Berkshire and Salomon" in
this Prospectus Supplement and "Ownership of Company Securities by Berkshire" in
the Salomon Prospectus.
In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the
Underwriters and their respective affiliates have engaged in and may in the
future engage in commercial and investment banking transactions with Berkshire,
Salomon and their affiliates.
VALIDITY OF THE NOTES
The validity of the Notes offered hereby will be passed upon for Berkshire
by Munger, Tolles & Olson, Los Angeles, California. Certain legal matters
relating to the Notes will be passed on for Salomon by Cravath, Swaine & Moore,
New York, New York, and for the Underwriters by Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen &
Hamilton, New York, New York. Cravath, Swaine & Moore has previously
represented, and may continue to represent, GEICO Corporation in connection with
its significant legal matters.
S-29
<PAGE> 30
PROSPECTUS
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
DEBT SECURITIES
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ("Berkshire") intends from time to time to issue in one
or more series its debt securities (the "Debt Securities") with an aggregate
initial public offering price or purchase price of up to $453,890,000 or the
equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies or composite currencies,
including the European Currency Unit. The Debt Securities of each series will be
offered on terms to be determined at the time of sale. When a particular series
of Debt Securities is offered, a supplement to this Prospectus (the "Prospectus
Supplement") will be delivered with this Prospectus setting forth with respect
to such series; the designation and principal amount offered; the rate and time
of payment of interest, if any; the maturity or maturities; the currency in
which the Debt Securities are denominated (which may be U.S. Dollars or foreign
currencies, including the European Currency Unit); the terms for a sinking,
purchase or analogous fund, if any; the terms for redemption or early repayment,
if any; the terms for conversion or exchange of such series for securities of
Berkshire or another issuer, if any; any other terms of such series; the
purchase price and other terms of the offering; and any listing on a securities
exchange.
The Debt Securities may be sold (1) through underwriting syndicates represented
by one or more managing underwriters or through one or more underwriters; (2)
through agents designated from time to time; or (3) directly to institutional
purchasers. Any such managing underwriters or underwriters will include Salomon
Brothers Inc. The names of any underwriters or agents of Berkshire involved in
the sale of the Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being
delivered and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement. The net proceeds to Berkshire from such sale will also be
set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND 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 November 26, 1996
<PAGE> 31
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Berkshire 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"). All such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed with the Commission concerning Berkshire
can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
the Commission's regional offices at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New
York, New York 10048, and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661. Copies of such material can be obtained upon written request addressed to
the Commission, Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. In addition, the Commission maintains a World
Wide Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding Berkshire. Berkshire's Class A Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock are each listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information
concerning Berkshire can be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock
Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
Berkshire has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (herein together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities
Act"). This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information, reference
is hereby made to the Registration Statement, which may be obtained from the
Commission at its principal office in Washington, D.C. upon payment of charges
prescribed by the Commission.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by Berkshire with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13 of the Exchange Act (File No. 1-10125) are incorporated herein by
reference: (1) Berkshire's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995; (2) Berkshire's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996; and (3)
Berkshire's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 16, 1996, February 15,
1996, March 27, 1996, July 26, 1996, and October 16, 1996.
All documents filed by Berkshire pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus, and prior
to the termination of this offering, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus and to be part of this Prospectus from the date of
filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in this Prospectus or in a document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained in this Prospectus or in any subsequently filed document which also is
or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
Each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this
Prospectus is delivered may obtain, without charge, upon written or oral
request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference,
except the exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference into such documents). Written requests for such copies
should be directed to the Corporate Secretary, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., 1440
Kiewit Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. Telephone requests for such copies should
be directed to the Corporate Secretary at (402) 346-1400.
2
<PAGE> 32
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
Berkshire is a holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in a number of
diverse business activities. The most important of these is the property and
casualty insurance business, which Berkshire conducts through subsidiaries
referred to collectively as the Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group. See
"-- Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group." The investment portfolios of the
insurance subsidiaries include meaningful equity ownership percentages of other
publicly traded companies. See "-- Common Stock Investments." In addition,
Berkshire publishes the Buffalo News, a daily and Sunday newspaper in upstate
New York, and its non-insurance subsidiaries engage in a variety of
manufacturing, publication, retail and finance businesses. See "-- Non-Insurance
Businesses of Berkshire."
Operating decisions for the various insurance and non-insurance businesses
of Berkshire are made by the managers of the business units. Investment
decisions and all other capital allocation decisions are made for Berkshire and
its subsidiaries by Warren E. Buffett, Berkshire's Chairman, in consultation
with Charles T. Munger, its Vice-Chairman.
Berkshire's executive offices are located at 1440 Kiewit Plaza, Omaha,
Nebraska 68131, and its telephone number at that location is (402) 346-1400.
Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group
The Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group (the "Group") operates a primary or
direct insurance business nationwide and a reinsurance business worldwide. The
largest subsidiary in the Group is National Indemnity Company ("National
Indemnity"), headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska with offices also in Stamford,
Connecticut. Also included in this Group is GEICO Corporation ("GEICO"), the
seventh largest auto insurer in the United States.
The Group maintains capital strength at high levels, significantly higher
than normal in the industry. This capital strength differentiates Group members
from their competitors. For example, in each of the five years from 1991 through
1995 the Group's ratio of net premiums written to year-end statutory surplus was
10% or less; the addition of GEICO will cause the Group's ratio to increase in
1996 to a presently estimated 15%-20%. The industry average net
premiums-to-surplus ratio from 1991 through 1995 ranged from 113% to 141% (based
on statistics published by A.M Best & Company).
Because it maintains large capital in relation to annual premiums written,
Berkshire can pay losses under the most adverse circumstances. This obvious
margin of safety is very attractive to the Group's insureds, and creates
opportunities for the Group to negotiate and enter into contracts of insurance
specially designed to meet unique needs of sophisticated insurance and
reinsurance buyers. Berkshire's capital base also allows the Group to issue
policies with limits larger than other insurance companies are typically
prepared to write. Finally, large capital combined with low overhead allows the
Group to respond to insurance opportunities with exceptional speed and be
selective about the business it writes. The Group can forbear from writing
policies when it perceives rates to be inadequate. Conversely, it can more fully
utilize its capital strength when better-than-industry-average results may be
expected.
Reinsurance. The Reinsurance Division of National Indemnity, located in
Stamford, Connecticut, provides excess of loss and quota share treaty
reinsurance to other property/casualty insurers and reinsurers. Minimal
organizational resources, but huge financial resources, are currently devoted to
this business.
During 1990, management of the Group perceived declines in industry
capacity and competition for megacatastrophe excess-of-loss reinsurance
("super-cat") coverages. Consequently, National Indemnity has written coverages
for a number of such risks. Management believes that in recent years the Group
has been the largest provider in the world of this type of coverage. These
coverages may provide sizeable amounts of indemnification per contract, and a
single event may result in payments under a number of contracts. Berkshire's
present underwriting standards (which are subject to change) seek to limit
Berkshire's exposure to a loss from a single event to $1 billion in excess of
the premium earned. This business can produce extreme volatility in reported
periodic results. Accounting consequences, however,
3
<PAGE> 33
do not influence decisions of Berkshire's management with respect to this or any
other business, and this fact plus the Group's extraordinary financial strength
are believed to be the primary reasons why the Group has become a major provider
of these coverages.
Since 1992, there has been a substantial increase in catastrophe
reinsurance capacity for the industry. Most of the additional capacity has
arisen from equity capital raised by newly-formed entities. Berkshire management
has observed that, in some instances, catastrophe reinsurance prices have fallen
below the amounts that it considered adequate. The result was a decrease in the
level of business accepted in 1995. Management anticipates that the level of
business accepted in 1996, and possibly in subsequent years as well, may also be
reduced.
In recent years, the Group has entered into several non-traditional
reinsurance arrangements known as finite risk contracts. These contracts have
become increasingly significant in the Group's business and the
property/casualty insurance marketplace. These reinsurance agreements provide
essentially traditional coverages but also contractually establish minimum and
maximum payouts by the reinsurer. Minimum payout requirements may call for
repayments to the reinsured, on specified dates, of sums not otherwise paid out
by the reinsurer as losses. The amount of risk transferred, while significant,
is limited. Because the period over which claims are expected to be paid can be
lengthy, the time value of money is an important element in pricing and setting
terms for these contracts. Transaction amounts and limits of indemnification are
likely to be large. In addition, a single contract may relate to loss
occurrences in a number of lines of business that span a number of years.
Providers of such non-traditional products need significant financial
strength. Increased competition for such business and new accounting standards
for ceding companies have limited the number of opportunities to write such
business, particularly with respect to retroactive reinsurance coverages of past
loss events. However, the occasional acceptance of such business continues to
produce considerable premium volume.
Primary or Direct Basis Insurance. The Group also writes insurance on a
primary or direct basis (policies issued in the name of and to the insured
party). The Group's primary or direct business was significantly expanded when
GEICO became a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire on January 2, 1996.
GEICO, through its own subsidiaries, is a multiple line property casualty
insurer, the principal business of which is writing private passenger automobile
insurance. GEICO markets its policies to individuals in 48 states and the
District of Columbia by direct response methods, which is a major aspect of
GEICO's strategy to be a low-cost provider of such coverages.
Other Group members engaged in primary or direct basis insurance underwrite
multiple lines of principally casualty coverages nationwide for primarily
commercial accounts. These members write business through insurance agents and
brokers. The traditional business of National Indemnity has been largely in
providing liability coverages for commercial truck and bus operators and related
commercial transportation activities that require specialized underwriting
knowledge and techniques. The Commercial Casualty Division and Professional
Liability and Special Risk Division of National Indemnity solicit and underwrite
especially large or unusual risks. Other member companies, referred to as
"homestate operations," market various commercial coverages for standard risks
to insured in an increasing number of selected states. The Group also insures
the credit card debt of policyholders through Berkshire's 82%-owned Central
States Indemnity Co. of Omaha, which markets to individuals through credit card
issuers nationwide, and provides workers' compensation insurance primarily to
employers in California through Cypress Insurance Company.
Underwriting Results and "Float." The increases in reinsurance business in
recent years have produced an exceptional increase in the amount of "float"
generated by the Group. Float is an estimate of the net investable funds
provided by policyholders to the Group and held by it prior to payment of claims
and claims adjustment expenses. Float arises because of the time lapse between
the dates premiums are paid by policyholders and the dates policy costs,
primarily losses and loss adjustment expenses, are paid. Float equals the sum of
unpaid losses, unpaid loss adjustment expenses, unearned
4
<PAGE> 34
premiums, and other liabilities to policyholders, less the aggregate of premium
balances receivable, amounts recoverable as reinsurance on paid and unpaid
losses, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred charges applicable to
assumed reinsurance and prepaid income taxes. The Group generates float in
exceptional amounts relative to premium volume. Since 1967, when Berkshire
entered the insurance business, its float has grown at an annual compounded rate
of 20.7%.
The "cost" of float in any year is the underwriting loss that occurs when
premiums earned by an insurer are less than losses and expenses incurred by the
insurer for the year. In years when an underwriting profit is achieved, as the
Group has in each of the past three years, the "cost" of float is negative; that
is, the Group has had access to money at no cost. The following table shows the
Group's pre-tax underwriting profit or loss (stated on the basis of generally
accepted accounting principles and not including GEICO), average float, and
approximate cost of float (compared to the year-end yield on long-term U.S.
Treasury bonds) for the past five years:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(1) YEAR-END
UNDERWRITING (2) APPROXIMATE YIELD ON LONG-TERM
GAIN (LOSS) AVERAGE FLOAT COST OF FUNDS GOVERNMENT BONDS
--------------- --------------- ----------------- ------------------
(IN $ MILLIONS) (IN $ MILLIONS) (RATIO OF 1 TO 2)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1991............. (119.6) 1,895.0 6.31% 7.40%
1992............. (109.0) 2,290.4 4.76% 7.39%
1993............. 30.0 2,624.7 less than zero 6.35%
1994............. 129.0 3,056.6 less than zero 7.88%
1995............. 19.6 3,607.2 less than zero 5.95%
</TABLE>
Underwriting results from the last three years have benefitted from the
profitability of the super-cat business. This business has produced underwriting
gains of approximately $152 million, $240 million, and $110 million in 1995,
1994 and 1993, respectively, but is virtually certain to produce huge losses in
some years in the future.
Common Stock Investments
Berkshire's investment portfolio, held principally through insurance
subsidiaries, includes marketable equity securities valued at approximately
$25.6 billion as of September 30, 1996. Such investments include:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGE
OF CAPITAL STOCK
----------------------
<S> <C>
American Express Company....................... 10%
The Coca-Cola Company.......................... 8%
The Walt Disney Company........................ 3 1/2%
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Company............. 9%
The Gillette Company........................... 11%
Salomon Inc.................................... 18%*
The Washington Post Company.................... 16%
Wells Fargo & Company.......................... 8%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Includes Salomon preferred stock with a carrying value of $588 million as of
September 30, 1996 not included in the $25.6 billion stated above.
Much information about these publicly-owned companies is available,
including that released from time to time by the companies themselves.
Non-Insurance Businesses of Berkshire
Berkshire's non-insurance businesses engage in a variety of manufacturing,
publication, retail, and finance activities. Berkshire's non-insurance
businesses accounted for approximately 62% of Berkshire's consolidated revenues
and 26% of consolidated net earnings in 1995.
5
<PAGE> 35
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, the proceeds to
be received by Berkshire from the sale of the Debt Securities will be used for
general corporate purposes.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description of the terms of the Debt Securities sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate. The particular terms of the Debt Securities
offered by any Prospectus Supplement and the extent, if any, to which such
general provisions may apply to the Debt Securities so offered will be described
in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Debt Securities.
The Debt Securities are to be issued under an indenture, dated as of
December 1, 1987 (the "Indenture"), between Berkshire and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (as successor trustee to The First National Bank of Boston), as
trustee (the "Trustee"). The Indenture is an exhibit to the Registration
Statement. The following summaries of certain provisions of the Indenture do not
purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
provisions of the Indenture. Numerical references in parentheses below are to
sections in the Indenture. Wherever particular sections or defined terms of the
Indenture are referred to, it is intended that such sections or defined terms
shall be incorporated herein by reference.
GENERAL
The Debt Securities offered by this Prospectus will be limited to an
aggregate initial public offering price of up to $453,890,000 or the equivalent
thereof in one or more foreign currencies or composite currencies, including the
European Currency Unit. The Indenture provides that Debt Securities in an
unlimited amount may be issued thereunder from time to time in one or more
series. (Section 301) The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of
Berkshire and will rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated
obligations of Berkshire.
Reference is hereby made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the
particular series of Debt Securities offered thereby for the terms of such Debt
Securities, including, where applicable: (1) the designation, aggregate
principal amount, currency or currencies and denominations of such Debt
Securities; (2) the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal
amount thereof) at which such Debt Securities will be issued; (3) the date or
dates on which such Debt Securities will mature; (4) the currency or currencies
in which such Debt Securities are being sold and in which the principal of and
any premium and interest on such Debt Securities will be payable and, if the
holders of any such Debt Securities may elect the currency in which payments
thereon are to be made, the manner of such election; (5) the rate or rates
(which may be fixed or variable) per annum at which such Debt Securities will
bear interest; (6) the date from which such interest on such Debt Securities
will accrue, the dates on which such interest will be payable and the date on
which payment of such interest will commence; (7) the dates on which and the
price or prices at which such Debt Securities will, pursuant to any mandatory
sinking fund provision, or may, pursuant to any optional redemption or required
repayment provisions, be redeemed or repaid and the other terms and provisions
of any such optional redemption or required repayment; (8) whether such Debt
Securities are to be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities and, if
so, the identity of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities; (9)
any additional restrictive covenants included for the benefit of holders of such
Debt Securities; (10) additional Events of Default provided with respect to such
Debt Securities; (11) whether such Debt Securities will be convertible or
exchangeable for securities of Berkshire or another issuer; and (12) any other
specific terms of or matters relating to such Debt Securities.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest will be payable at the Place of
Payment designated for such Debt Securities, provided that payment of interest
may, at the option of Berkshire, be made by check mailed to the address of the
person entitled thereto as it appears in the Security Register. (Section 307)
6
<PAGE> 36
The Debt Securities will be issued only in fully registered form, without
coupons. Debt Securities of a series may be issued in the form of one or more
Global Securities, as described below under "Global Securities." Unless the
Prospectus Supplement specifies otherwise, the Debt Securities will be issued
only in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof. The Prospectus
Supplement relating to a series of Debt Securities denominated in a foreign or
composite currency will specify the denomination thereof. (Section 302 and 305)
Debt Securities of any series (other than a Global Security) will be
exchangeable into an equal aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of the
same series (with the same interest rate and maturity date) of different
authorized denominations. (Section 305)
Debt Securities (other than Global Securities) may be presented for
exchange or for registration of transfer (with the form of transfer endorsed
thereon duly executed), at the office of any transfer agent or at the office of
the Security Registrar, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and
other governmental charges as described in the Indenture. Such transfer or
exchange will be effected upon the transfer agent or the Security Registrar, as
the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the
person making the request. No service charge will be made for any transfer or
exchange of the Debt Securities, but Berkshire may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith. (Section 305)
Debt Securities may be issued under the Indenture as Original Issue
Discount Securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount below their
stated principal amount which may bear no interest or interest at a rate which
is below the market rate. Federal income tax consequences and other special
considerations applicable to any such Original Issue Discount Securities will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. "Original Issue
Discount Securities" means any Debt Securities that provide for an amount less
than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of
acceleration of the maturity thereof upon the occurrence of an Event of Default
and the continuation thereof. (Section 101)
GLOBAL SECURITIES
The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in the form of one or more
fully registered Global Securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of,
a depositary (the "Depositary") identified in the Prospectus Supplement relating
to such series. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Debt
Securities in definitive registered form, a Global Security may not be
transferred except as a whole by the Depositary or any other nominee of such
Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such
Depositary or a nominee of such successor. (Section 305)
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series
of Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
such series. Berkshire anticipates that the following provisions will apply to
all depositary arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global
Security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
respective principal amounts of the Debt Securities represented by such Global
Security to accounts of institutions that have accounts with such Depositary
("participants"). The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the
underwriters or agents of such Debt Securities or by Berkshire if such Debt
Securities are offered and sold directly by Berkshire. Ownership of beneficial
interests in such Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that
ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary
for such Global Security or by participants or persons that hold through
participants. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such
limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in
a Global Security.
So long as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt
Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the
Indenture.
7
<PAGE> 37
Except as set forth below or in the Prospectus Supplement, owners of beneficial
interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have Debt Securities of
the series represented by such Global Security registered in their names, will
not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Debt Securities of
such series in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders
thereof under the Indenture.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on Debt Securities
registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee will be made to the
Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the
Global Security or securities representing such Debt Securities. None of
Berkshire, the Trustee, and Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have a
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security
or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial ownership interests.
Berkshire expects that the Depositary for a series of Debt Securities, upon
receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will credit
immediately participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to
their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the Global
Security or Securities for such Debt Securities as shown on the records of such
Depositary. Berkshire also expects that payments by participants to owners of
beneficial interests in such Global Security or Securities held through such
participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices,
as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer
form or registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of such
participants.
If a Depositary for a series of Debt Securities is at any time unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by
Berkshire within ninety days, Berkshire will issue Debt Securities for such
series in definitive form in exchange for the Global Security or Securities
representing such Series of Debt Securities. In addition, Berkshire may at any
time and in its sole discretion determine not to have the Debt Securities of a
series represented by a Global Security or Securities and, in such event, will
issue Debt Securities of such series in definitive form in exchange for the
Global Security or Securities representing such series of Debt Securities. In
either instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security will be
entitled to have Debt Securities of the series represented by such Global
Security equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest registered in its
name and will be entitled to physical delivery of such Debt Securities in
definitive form. Debt Securities of such series so issued in definitive form
will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof and
will be issued in registered form only, without coupons.
DEFEASANCE
At Berkshire's option, either (1) Berkshire will be Discharged (as
hereinafter defined) from any and all obligations in respect of any series of
Debt Securities or (2) Berkshire shall cease to be under any obligations to
comply with the restriction on its ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets
as set forth in the Indenture, in either case if it deposits irrevocably with
the Trustee, in trust, specifically for the benefit of the holders of such
series, money or Government Obligations (as hereinafter defined) which through
the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their
terms will provide money in an amount sufficient (in the written opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent accountants in the case of Government
Obligations or a combination of money and Government Obligations) to pay all the
principal of, and interest on, the Debt Securities of such series on the dates
such payments are due in accordance with the terms of such Debt Securities. To
exercise such option, Berkshire is required to deliver to the Trustee an opinion
of a nationally recognized tax counsel to the effect that Holders of the Debt
Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal
income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and discharge and will be
subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at
the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and discharge had not
occurred.
8
<PAGE> 38
The term "Discharged" is defined to mean that Berkshire is deemed to have
paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations
under, the Debt Securities of such series, except (1) the rights of holders of
the Debt Securities of such series to receive, from the trust fund described
above, payment of the principal of and the interest on the Debt Securities of
such series when such payments are due, (2) Berkshire's obligations with respect
to the Debt Securities of such series with respect to registration, transfer,
exchange maintenance of a paying office and holding money in trust and (3) the
rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee under the
Indenture.
The term "Government Obligations" is defined to mean securities that are
(1) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which
its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a Person controlled
or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality or the United States
of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full
faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either
case under either clause are not callable or redeemable at the option of the
issuer thereof, and also includes a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust
company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligations or a
specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligations
held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt,
provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to
make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository
receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government
Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government
Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt. (Article Thirteen)
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, WAIVER AND NOTICE
Events of default with respect to any series of Debt Securities are defined
in the Indenture as being: (1) default for thirty days in payment of any
interest on any Debt Security of such series; (2) default in payment of
principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt Security of such series when due;
(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment on any Debt Security of
such series when due: (4) default for ninety days after notice to Berkshire by
the Trustee or by the holders of 25% in principal amount of Debt Securities of
such series then outstanding in performance of any other covenant in the
Indenture; (5) acceleration of the maturity of any indebtedness for money
borrowed by Berkshire or any Consolidated Subsidiary (as defined) of $5,000,000
or more at the time outstanding, if such acceleration is by reason of default by
Berkshire or such Consolidated Subsidiary and is not rescinded or annulled
within ten days after notice by the Trustee or the holders of 25% in principal
amount of Debt Securities of such series then outstanding; and (6) certain
events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization. (Section 501) The Indenture
provides that if an event of default specified therein with respect to any
series of Debt Securities shall occur and be continuing, either the Trustee or
the holders of 25% in principal amount of Debt Securities of such series then
outstanding may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all
Debt Securities of such series to be due and payable. (Section 502) In certain
cases, the holders of a majority in principal amount of any series of Debt
Securities then outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all Debt Securities
of such series waive any past default or event of default with respect to Debt
Securities of such series except a default not theretofore cured in payment of
the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Debt Securities of such
series. (Sections 502 and 513)
The Indenture contains a provision entitling the Trustee, subject to the
duty of the Trustee during default with respect to any series of Debt Securities
to act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by the holders of
Debt Securities of such series before proceeding to exercise any right or power
under the Indenture at the request of the holders. (Section 603) The Indenture
provides that no holder of Debt Securities may institute any proceeding,
judicial or otherwise, to enforce the Indenture except in the case of failure of
the Trustee, for sixty days, to act after the Trustee has been given (1) notice
of default with respect to Debt Securities of such series, (2) a request to
enforce the Indenture by the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal
amount of Debt Securities of such series then outstanding and (3) an offer of
reasonable indemnity. (Section 507) This provision will not
9
<PAGE> 39
prevent any holder of Debt Securities from enforcing payment of the principal
thereof and premium, if any, and interest thereon at the respective due dates
thereof. (Section 508) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
of any series of Debt Securities then outstanding may direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee
or exercising any trust or power conferred on it with resect to Debt Securities
of such series. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that
conflicts with law or the Indenture or that would be unjustly prejudicial to
holders of Debt Securities of such series not joining therein. (Section 512)
The Indenture provides that the Trustee will, within ninety days after the
occurrence of a default with respect to any series of Debt Securities known to
it, give to the holders of Debt Securities of such series notice of such default
known to it not cured or waived, but, except in the case of a default in the
payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on Debt Securities of
such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding of such notice if it
determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interest
of the holders of Debt Securities of such series. (Section 602)
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS OF BERKSHIRE
Berkshire shall not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or
sell all or substantially all of its assets, unless (1) the corporation formed
by such consolidation or into which Berkshire is merged or the corporation which
acquires its assets is organized in the United States and expressly assumes all
of the obligations of Berkshire under the Indenture and (2) immediately after
giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which after
notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, and no event
which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default,
shall have happened and be continuing. Upon any such consolidation, merger or
sale, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation, or into which
Berkshire is merged or to which such sale is made, shall succeed to, and be
substituted for, Berkshire under the Indenture. (Sections 801 and 802)
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
The Indenture permits Berkshire and the Trustee, with the consent of the
holders of 66 2/3% in principal amount of the Debt Securities at the time
outstanding thereunder and affected thereby to execute supplemental indentures
adding any provisions to or changing or eliminating any of the provisions of the
Indenture or modifying the rights of the holders of Debt Securities of such
series, except that no supplemental indenture may, without the consent of all
holders of such affected series of Debt Securities, (1) change the maturity of
Debt Securities or any installment of interest thereon or reduce the principal
amount thereof or the interest thereon, or change any place of payment or the
coin or currency in which a Debt Security is payable or affect the right of any
holder to institute suit for the enforcement of payment in accordance with the
foregoing, or (2) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debt Securities of such
series, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such
supplemental indenture. Compliance by Berkshire with certain restrictive
covenants may be waived in particular cases with the consent of the holders of
66 2/3% in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of each series
affected thereby. (Section 902)
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Berkshire may sell the Debt Securities in any of three ways: (1) through
underwriters or dealers; (2) through agents; or (3) directly to a limited number
of institutional purchasers or to a single purchaser. The Prospectus Supplement
with respect to the Debt Securities being offered thereby will set forth the
terms of the offering of such Debt Securities, including the name or names of
any underwriters, the purchase price of such Debt Securities and the proceeds to
Berkshire from such sale, any underwriting discounts and other items
constituting underwriters' compensation, any initial public offering price and
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers, and any
securities exchanges on which such Debt Securities may be listed.
10
<PAGE> 40
If underwriters are used in the sale, the Debt Securities will be acquired
by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in
one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public
offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The Debt
Securities may be offered to the public through underwriting syndicates
represented by one or more managing underwriters. Any managing underwriters or
underwriters will include Salomon Brothers Inc. Unless otherwise set forth in
the Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase Debt
Securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters
will be obligated to purchase all the Debt Securities offered by the Prospectus
Supplement if any of such Debt Securities are purchased. Any initial public
offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
dealers may be changed from time to time.
Debt Securities may be sold directly by Berkshire or through agents
designated by Berkshire from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or
sale of the Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered
will be named, and any commissions payable by Berkshire to such agent will be
set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the
Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for
the period of its appointment.
If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, Berkshire will authorize
agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified
institutions to purchase Debt Securities from Berkshire at the public offering
price set forth in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery
contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future.
Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the
commissions payable for solicitation of such contracts.
Agents and underwriters may be entitled under agreements entered into with
Berkshire to indemnification by Berkshire against certain civil liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribution with
respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in
respect thereof. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in
transactions with, or perform services for, the company or its affiliates in the
ordinary course of business.
ERISA MATTERS
Berkshire and Salomon Brothers Inc may each be considered a "party in
interest" within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended ("ERISA"), with respect to many employee benefit plans.
Prohibited transactions within the meaning of ERISA may arise if the Debt
Securities are acquired by a pension or other employee benefit plan with respect
to which Salomon Brothers Inc is a service provider, unless such Debt Securities
are acquired pursuant to an exemption for transactions effected on behalf of
such plan by a "qualified professional asset manager" or pursuant to any other
available exemption. Any such pension or employee benefit plan proposing to
invest in the Debt Securities should consult with its legal counsel.
EXPERTS
The financial statement schedules incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference from Berkshire's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995 and the restated financial statements incorporated by
reference from Berkshire's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 16, 1996 have
been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
reports which are incorporated herein by reference, and have been so
incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of GEICO incorporated by reference in
Berkshire's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 27, 1996, which is
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference, have been audited by Coopers &
Lybrand L.L.P., independent auditors, as stated in their report which is
incorporated herein by reference, and has been so incorporated in reliance upon
the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
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<PAGE> 41
LEGAL OPINIONS
Certain legal matters relating to the Debt Securities will be passed upon
for Berkshire by Munger, Tolles & Olson, Los Angeles, California, and for the
underwriters, if any, by counsel named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
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<PAGE> 42
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT APPENDIX A
(To Prospectus Dated November 26, 1996)
7,766,000 SHARES
SALOMON INC
COMMON STOCK
(PAR VALUE $1.00 PER SHARE)
This Prospectus Supplement relates to 7,766,000 shares (subject to adjustment as
described below) of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common
Stock"), of Salomon Inc (the "Company"), that may be delivered by Berkshire
Hathaway Inc. ("Berkshire") upon exchange for its 1.00% Senior Exchangeable
Notes Due December 2, 2001 (the "Notes") at or prior to maturity in accordance
with the terms of such Notes. The number of shares of Common Stock that may be
delivered by Berkshire upon exchange for the Notes is subject to adjustment upon
the occurrence of certain events as described in the anti-dilution provisions of
the Notes. This Prospectus Supplement, together with the attached Prospectus,
constitutes Appendix A to a prospectus of Berkshire (the "Berkshire Prospectus")
covering the sale of $440,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes. The
Company will not receive any of the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes or
delivery thereunder of the shares of Common Stock covered hereby.
Berkshire has granted the Underwriters of the Notes a 30-day option to purchase
up to an additional $60,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, which, upon
their redemption by Berkshire or at maturity, may be exchangeable, at
Berkshire's option, for an additional 1,059,000 shares (subject to adjustment as
described above) of Common Stock. Such option to purchase additional Notes has
been granted solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
The Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") under the
symbol "SB." On November 25, 1996, the closing sale price of Common Stock was
$46 5/8 per share. See "Price Range of Common Stock."
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 SUPPLEMENT OR THE ATTACHED PROSPECTUS.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is November 26, 1996.
<PAGE> 43
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK AT
A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH
TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NYSE, IN THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR
OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
The Common Stock of the Company is listed on the NYSE under the symbol
"SB." The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of the Common
Stock as reported on the NYSE and the dividends paid per share thereon for the
calendar periods listed below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIVIDENDS
HIGH LOW PER SHARE
---- ---- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1994
First Quarter................................................. $52 3/4 $44 3/4 $ .16
Second Quarter................................................ 52 5/8 47 1/4 .16
Third Quarter................................................. 48 1/4 38 1/2 .16
Fourth Quarter................................................ 42 35 .16
1995
First Quarter................................................. 40 1/8 32 1/4 .16
Second Quarter................................................ 43 1/4 33 1/4 .16
Third Quarter................................................. 41 1/8 34 3/4 .16
Fourth Quarter................................................ 40 5/8 33 7/8 .16
1996
First Quarter................................................. 39 1/4 34 7/8 .16
Second Quarter................................................ 44 1/4 36 1/8 .16
Third Quarter................................................. 46 7/8 38 .16
Fourth Quarter (through November 25, 1996).................... 49 44 1/8 .16
</TABLE>
For a recent closing price of the Common Stock, see the cover page of this
Prospectus Supplement.
As of November 22, 1996, there were 11,559 record holders of the Common
Stock, including The Depository Trust Company which holds shares of Common Stock
on behalf of an indeterminate number of beneficial owners.
OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY SECURITIES BY BERKSHIRE
Assuming that Berkshire were to deliver the maximum number of shares of
Common Stock deliverable upon exchange of the Notes at the initial exchange rate
applicable thereto, Berkshire would beneficially own 13,604,437 shares
(12,545,437 shares if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in
full) of Common Stock, representing approximately 11.3% (10.4% if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) of the outstanding
voting power of the Company, in each case based on the number of shares of
Common Stock and the Company's 9.00% Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred
Stock (the "Convertible Preferred Stock") beneficially owned by Berkshire as of
November 25, 1996, and assuming full conversion of such Convertible Preferred
Stock and no disposition of Common Stock by Berkshire other than upon exchange
of the Notes.
S-2
<PAGE> 44
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting
Agreement, Berkshire has agreed to sell to the Underwriters named below, and
each of the Underwriters has severally agreed to purchase from Berkshire, the
principal amount of the Notes set forth opposite its name below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
UNDERWRITERS AMOUNT OF NOTES
------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
<S> <C>
Salomon Brothers Inc............................................... $146,666,668
Goldman, Sachs & Co................................................ 146,666,666
Smith Barney Inc................................................... 146,666,666
----------
Total.................................................... $440,000,000
==========
</TABLE>
In the Underwriting Agreement, the several Underwriters have agreed,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all the Notes
if any are purchased.
Berkshire has been advised that the Underwriters propose to offer the Notes
to the public initially at the offering price set forth on the cover of the
Berkshire Prospectus and to certain dealers at such price less a selling
concession of not more than 0.817% of such principal amount of the Notes; that
the Underwriters may allow, and each such dealer may reallow, to other dealers a
concession not exceeding 0.100% of such principal amount of the Notes; and that
such public offering price and concession and reallowance may be changed by the
Underwriters after completion of the offering of the Notes.
Berkshire has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable for 30
days from the date of the Berkshire Prospectus (or, if such 30th day shall not
be a business day, on the next business day thereafter), to purchase up to an
additional $60,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the public
offering price set forth on the cover page of the Berkshire Prospectus, less the
underwriting discount. The Underwriters may exercise such option solely for the
purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, incurred in connection with the
sale of the Notes.
Each of Berkshire and the Company has agreed that it will not, for a period
of 90 days after the date of the Berkshire Prospectus, without the written
consent of Salomon Brothers Inc, offer, sell or contract to sell, or otherwise
dispose of, directly or indirectly, or announce the offering of, any shares of
Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of
Common Stock; provided, however, that such restriction shall not affect the
ability of Berkshire, the Company or their subsidiaries to take any such actions
in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes or any exchange at or prior
to maturity pursuant to the terms of Notes; and provided, further, that the
Company may sell or register shares of Common Stock or grant options to purchase
the same, in either case, pursuant to any employee or director stock option
plan, stock ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan of the Company in
effect as of the date of the Berkshire Prospectus.
Berkshire and the Company have agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to
indemnify the Underwriters and their controlling persons against certain
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
or contribute to payments the Underwriters or their controlling persons may be
required to make in respect thereof. The Company and Berkshire have also agreed
to indemnify each other and their controlling persons with respect to certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to
payments in respect thereof.
Berkshire has been advised by the Underwriters (other than Salomon Brothers
Inc) that they may make a market in the Notes but they are not obligated to do
so and may discontinue such market making at any time without notice. No
assurance can be given that an active public market for the Notes will develop.
S-3
<PAGE> 45
In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the
Underwriters and their respective affiliates have engaged in and may in the
future engage in commercial and investment banking transactions with Berkshire,
the Company and their affiliates.
S-4
<PAGE> 46
PROSPECTUS
SALOMON INC
COMMON STOCK
(PAR VALUE $1.00 PER SHARE)
This Prospectus relates to an indeterminate number of shares (the "Shares") of
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Salomon Inc
(the "Company"), that may be deliverable by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
("Berkshire") upon exchange of exchangeable debt securities having an aggregate
public offering price of up to $453,890,000 (the "Berkshire Exchangeable Debt
Securities") that may be offered by Berkshire. The Common Stock deliverable by
Berkshire upon exchange of the Berkshire Exchangeable Debt Securities may
include shares of Common Stock currently owned by Berkshire or its affiliates
and/or shares of Common Stock hereafter acquired by Berkshire or its affiliates
upon conversion of shares of the Company's 9.00% Series A Cumulative Convertible
Preferred Stock (the "Convertible Preferred Stock"), through open market
purchases, or in privately negotiated transactions. See "Ownership of Company
Securities by Berkshire." The Company will not receive any of the net proceeds
from the sale of the Berkshire Exchangeable Debt Securities or delivery
thereunder of the Shares covered hereby.
The specific terms of the Berkshire Exchangeable Debt Securities will be set
forth in one or more prospectuses of Berkshire (the "Berkshire Prospectus"), to
which this Prospectus, together with a Prospectus Supplement, will constitute
Appendix A. This Prospectus may not be used unless accompanied by a Prospectus
Supplement.
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 Berkshire Exchangeable Debt Securities may be sold (i) through underwriting
syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or through one or
more underwriters; (ii) through agents designated from time to time; or (iii)
directly to institutional purchasers. Any such managing underwriters or
underwriters will include Salomon Brothers Inc. The names of any underwriters or
agents involved in the sale of the Berkshire Exchangeable Debt Securities and
any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in the Berkshire
Prospectus.
The Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SB."
The date of this Prospectus is November 26, 1996.
<PAGE> 47
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy statements
and other information concerning the Company can be inspected and copied at the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices
at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048, and Citicorp
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of
such material can be obtained upon written request addressed to the Commission,
Public Reference Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at
prescribed rates, or through the World Wide Web (http://www.sec.gov). In
addition, reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company
may be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005 and at the offices of the American Stock
Exchange, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006.
The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Company Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), relating to the Shares offered hereby. This Prospectus
does not contain all the information set forth in the Company Registration
Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Commission. For further information, reference is hereby made
to the Company Registration Statement and to the exhibits thereto. Statements
contained herein concerning the provisions of certain documents are not
necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the copy of
such document filed as an exhibit to the Company Registration Statement or
otherwise filed with the Commission. Each such statement is qualified in its
entirety by such reference.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents, filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant
to Section 13 of the Exchange Act (File No. 1-4346), are incorporated herein by
reference: (i) the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1995 (the "1995 10-K"); (ii) the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods
ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996; and (iii) the
Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 23, 1996, February 1, 1996, February
12, 1996, April 23, 1996, April 29, 1996, May 30, 1996, June 5, 1996, June 26,
1996, June 28, 1996, July 23, 1996, September 12, 1996 and October 22, 1996.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the termination of the offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference in this Prospectus.
Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be 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 subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
2
<PAGE> 48
THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON, INCLUDING ANY
BENEFICIAL OWNER, TO WHOM A COPY OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED, ON THE WRITTEN
OR ORAL REQUEST OF ANY SUCH PERSON, A COPY OF ANY OR ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, EXCEPT THE EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS (UNLESS
SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN SUCH DOCUMENTS).
WRITTEN REQUESTS FOR SUCH COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE CORPORATE SECRETARY,
SALOMON INC, SEVEN WORLD TRADE CENTER, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048. TELEPHONE
REQUESTS FOR SUCH COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE CORPORATE SECRETARY AT (212)
783-7000.
------------------
SALOMON INC
Salomon Inc conducts global investment banking, global securities and
commodities trading, and U.S. oil refining and gathering activities. Investment
banking activities are conducted by Salomon Brothers Holding Company Inc and its
subsidiaries, including Salomon Brothers Inc ("Salomon Brothers"). Salomon
Brothers provides capital raising, advisory, trading and risk management
services to its customers, and executes proprietary trading strategies on its
own behalf. Salomon Inc's commodities trading activities are conducted by the
Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Phibro Inc., and its subsidiaries. Oil
refining and gathering activities are conducted by Basis Petroleum, Inc. At
November 8, 1996, the Company employed 8,639 people.
The Company's principal executive offices are located at Seven World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048 (telephone (212) 783-7000). Its registered
office in Delaware is c/o Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY SECURITIES BY BERKSHIRE
As of the date of this Prospectus, Berkshire beneficially owns 21,370,437
shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 18% of the outstanding voting
power of the Company. Such beneficial ownership consists of (i) 10,317,806
shares of Common Stock held by subsidiaries of Berkshire and (ii) 420,000 shares
of Convertible Preferred Stock held by subsidiaries of Berkshire, which shares
are convertible, at the option of the holder, into 11,052,631 shares of Common
Stock at the current conversion rate.
In October 1987, pursuant to a Purchase Agreement dated September 27, 1987,
between the Company and Berkshire (the "Purchase Agreement"), the Company issued
to certain affiliates of Berkshire an aggregate of 700,000 shares of Convertible
Preferred Stock. In the Purchase Agreement, Berkshire (which for purposes of the
Purchase Agreement includes the affiliates of Berkshire) agreed that (i)
Berkshire will not sell any Company securities owned by it to a third party
without first giving the Company or its designee a reasonable opportunity to
purchase such securities at the same price and on the same terms and conditions
proposed with respect to an anticipated sale by Berkshire to a third party, and
(ii) if the Company does not exercise its right of first refusal and buy Company
securities which Berkshire proposes to sell, Berkshire will not knowingly sell
to any one entity or group acting in concert Company securities giving such
entity or group securities which amount in the aggregate to over 5% of the
Company voting stock outstanding at the time of the sale. In the Purchase
Agreement, the Company agreed to use its best efforts to nominate and elect
Warren E. Buffett and Charles T. Munger, or two other Berkshire representatives
reasonably acceptable to the Company, to the Company's Board of Directors, so
long as Berkshire owns at least 5% of the Company's outstanding voting
securities.
On October 31, 1995, pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of
Designation of the Convertible Preferred Stock, the Company redeemed 140,000
shares of Convertible Preferred Stock for a redemption price of $140,000,000. On
October 29, 1996, Berkshire converted the 140,000 shares of Convertible
Preferred Stock that would otherwise have been redeemed by the Company on
October 31, 1996, into 3,684,206 shares of Common Stock. If the shares called
for redemption are
3
<PAGE> 49
not previously converted, one-third of the remaining 420,000 shares of
Convertible Preferred Stock are to be redeemed annually on each October 31 of
1997 through 1999 at $1,000 per share plus any accrued but unpaid dividends. No
cash dividends may be paid on the Common Stock, nor may the Company repurchase
any of its Common Stock, if dividends or required redemptions of the Convertible
Preferred Stock are in arrears.
Berkshire has advised the Company that it is considering engaging in a
transaction at some future date that may over time result in a reduction in
Berkshire's shareholding in the Company. In this connection, Berkshire has
advised the Company that it is considering whether to sell Berkshire
Exchangeable Debt Securities, and has asked the Company, pursuant to the
Company's obligations under the Purchase Agreement, to file the Company
Registration Statement registering the Shares covered hereby. Pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement, the Company will pay certain expenses arising in connection
with such registration. In addition, the Company will waive its right of first
refusal under the Purchase Agreement with respect to the delivery of Shares in
exchange for any Berkshire Exchangeable Debt Securities.
Berkshire has also advised the Company that, depending upon its evaluation
of market conditions and investment alternatives, Berkshire may effect other
types of transactions that could result in a disposition of a portion of its
shares of Common Stock, or may determine not to effect any such transaction.
Berkshire expects to remain a large shareholder of the Company even if, over
time, it disposes of a portion of its shares of Common Stock. In that
connection, Berkshire has advised the Company that Mr. Buffett, Berkshire's
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Munger, its Vice Chairman, expect
to remain on the Company's Board of Directors, with Mr. Buffett continuing to
serve as Chairman of the Executive Committee. In addition, Louis A. Simpson,
President and Chief Executive Officer--Capital Operations of GEICO Corporation,
a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire, would expect to remain a director of the
Company and to continue serving as Chairman of the Audit Committee.
Each Prospectus Supplement will set forth the number of shares of Common
Stock that would be beneficially owned by Berkshire assuming that Berkshire were
to deliver the maximum number of Shares deliverable upon exchange of the
Berkshire Exchangeable Debt Securities offered thereby at the exchange rate
applicable thereto, as well as any change in the ownership of Company securities
by Berkshire since the date of this Prospectus.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following description of the capital stock of the Company is subject to
the detailed provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws
as currently in effect (the "Bylaws"). This description does not purport to be
complete or to give full effect to the terms of the provisions of statutory or
common law and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the
Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws, each of which has been incorporated
by reference as an exhibit to the Company Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part.
COMMON STOCK
As of the date of this Prospectus, the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 250,000,000 shares of Common Stock. As
of November 22, 1996, 109,039,278 shares of Common Stock were outstanding.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred
stock, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends, in cash,
securities, or property, as may from time to time be declared by the Board of
Directors. Subject to the provisions of the Bylaws with respect to the closing
of the transfer books and the fixing of a record date, holders of shares of
Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share of Common Stock held on all
matters requiring a vote of the holders of Common Stock. In the event of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or
involuntary, after payment shall have been made to the holders of preferred
stock of the full amount to which they shall be entitled, the holders of Common
Stock shall
4
<PAGE> 50
be entitled to share ratably, according to the number of shares held by them, in
all remaining assets of the Company available for distribution. Shares of Common
Stock are not redeemable and have no subscription, conversion or preemptive
rights.
The outstanding shares of Common Stock are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange and trade under the symbol "SB." The transfer agent and registrar for
the Common Stock is First Chicago Trust Company of New York.
PREFERRED STOCK
The Company is authorized by its Certificate of Incorporation to issue
5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value, which may be issued from
time to time in one or more series and, subject to the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation applicable to all series of preferred stock, shall
have such designations, voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions
providing for the issue thereof adopted by the Company's Board of Directors or a
duly authorized committee thereof.
As of the date of this Prospectus, the Company has outstanding (i) 400,000
shares of 8.08% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D, (ii) 500,000 shares of
8.40% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E, and (iii) 420,000 shares of
Convertible Preferred Stock. See "Ownership of Company Securities by Berkshire."
Each outstanding series of preferred stock ranks on parity as to the payment of
dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up. There are also currently authorized and reserved for issuance
690,000 shares of 9.50% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F (the "Series F
Preferred Stock"), which shares are issuable pursuant to purchase contracts of
the Company, each of which requires the purchase on June 30, 2021 (or earlier if
accelerated by the Company) of a depositary share representing one-twentieth of
a share of Series F Preferred Stock. These purchase contracts were issued in
connection with the offering by SI Financing Trust I of 13,800,000 9 1/2% Trust
Preferred Stock(SM) (TRUPS(SM)) Units, each consisting of a 9 1/4% Preferred
Security fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and one purchase
contract.
There are currently reserved for issuance up to 2,500,000 shares of Series
B Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company, which shares are issuable
upon the exercise of certain preferred share purchase rights (collectively, the
"Rights"). The Rights will become exercisable only if a person or group (other
than Berkshire and its affiliates) acquires or (unless exercisability is delayed
by the Company's Board of Directors) announces an offer to acquire 20% or more
(which percentage may be reduced to not less than 10% by the Company's Board of
Directors prior to the time the Rights become exercisable) of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock. Shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock
issued upon the exercise of the Rights will rank junior to all shares of any
other class of the Company's preferred stock with respect to the payment of
dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Shares covered hereby will be deliverable only upon exchange of the
Berkshire Exchangeable Debt Securities, and may include shares of Common Stock
currently owned by Berkshire or its affiliates and/or shares of Common Stock
hereafter acquired by Berkshire or its affiliates upon conversion of shares of
Convertible Preferred Stock, through open market purchases, or in privately
negotiated transactions. See "Ownership of Company Securities by Berkshire."
Berkshire may sell the Berkshire Exchangeable Debt Securities in any of
three ways: (i) through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more
managing underwriters or through one or more underwriters; (ii) through agents
designated from time to time; or (iii) directly to institutional purchasers. Any
such managing underwriters or underwriters will include Salomon
5
<PAGE> 51
Brothers. The Berkshire Prospectus will set forth the terms of the offering of
the Berkshire Exchangeable Debt Securities, including the name or names of any
underwriters or agents, the purchase price of such Berkshire Exchangeable Debt
Securities and the proceeds to Berkshire from such sale, any underwriting
discounts and other items constituting underwriters' compensation, any initial
public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or
paid to dealers, and any securities exchanges on which such Berkshire
Exchangeable Debt Securities may be listed.
If accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement indicating that it may be used
for such purpose, this Prospectus also may be used by Berkshire in connection
with any exchange of Berkshire Exchangeable Debt Securities for Common Stock at
the option of the holder.
Salomon Brothers is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Berkshire
beneficially owns Common Stock and Convertible Preferred Stock representing
approximately 18% of the outstanding voting power of the Company. Mr. Buffett,
Mr. Munger, and Mr. Simpson are directors of the Company. Because of such
ownership and other relationships between Salomon Brothers and Berkshire,
Berkshire may be deemed to be an affiliate of Salomon Brothers. Accordingly, any
offering of the Shares covered hereby will be made pursuant to the provisions of
Rule 2720 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and related schedules included in the 1995 10-K
have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as
indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.
LEGAL OPINIONS
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Company by Cravath,
Swaine & Moore, New York, New York, and for any agents or underwriters of the
Berkshire Exchangeable Debt Securities by Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton,
New York, New York. Cravath, Swaine & Moore has previously represented, and may
continue to represent, GEICO Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Berkshire, in connection with its significant legal matters.
6
<PAGE> 52
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION, OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED
IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL,
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN
THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND
THE PROSPECTUS ARE NOT AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY
SECURITY IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION.
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Price Range of Common Stock........... S-2
Ownership of Company Securities by
Berkshire........................... S-2
Plan of Distribution.................. S-3
PROSPECTUS
Available Information................. 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference........................... 2
Salomon Inc........................... 3
Ownership of Company Securities by
Berkshire........................... 3
Description of Capital Stock.......... 4
Plan of Distribution.................. 5
Experts............................... 6
Legal Opinions........................ 6
</TABLE>
7,766,000 SHARES
SALOMON INC
COMMON STOCK
(PAR VALUE $1.00 PER SHARE)
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
DATED NOVEMBER 26, 1996
<PAGE> 53
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION, OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS, IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST
NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY BERKSHIRE OR ANY UNDERWRITER.
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY
SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT
THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF BERKSHIRE SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS ARE NOT AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Prospectus Summary.................... S-3
Risk Factors Relating to the Notes.... S-6
Salomon Inc........................... S-8
Relationship Between Berkshire and
Salomon............................. S-8
Price Range of Salomon Common Stock
and Dividend Policy................. S-10
Use of Proceeds....................... S-10
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
of Berkshire........................ S-11
Capitalization of Berkshire........... S-13
Description of the Notes.............. S-14
Certain United States Federal Income
Tax Considerations.................. S-25
Plan of Distribution.................. S-28
Validity of the Notes................. S-29
PROSPECTUS
Available Information................. 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference........................... 2
Berkshire Hathaway Inc................ 3
Use of Proceeds....................... 6
Description of Debt Securities........ 6
Plan of Distribution.................. 10
ERISA Matters......................... 11
Experts............................... 11
Legal Opinions........................ 12
APPENDIX A
Prospectus Relating to Salomon Common
Stock
</TABLE>
$440,000,000
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.
1.00% SENIOR
EXCHANGEABLE NOTES
DUE DECEMBER 2, 2001
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
SMITH BARNEY INC.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
DATED NOVEMBER 26, 1996
