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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-94221
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
- --------------------------------
(To Prospectus dated January 24, 2000)
CENTEX LOGO
$400,000,000
SENIOR MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES C
SUBORDINATED MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES C
DUE NINE MONTHS OR MORE FROM DATE OF ISSUE
CENTEX CORPORATION
2728 North Harwood Street
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 981-5000
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THE ISSUER: Centex Corporation is a Nevada corporation.
TERMS: We plan to offer and sell senior and/or subordinated notes as a
part of a medium-term note program. The terms of the notes offered
in the program may include the following:
- - Ranking as senior or subordinated indebtedness of Centex
- - Stated maturities of nine months or more
- - Redemption and/or repayment provisions, if applicable, whether mandatory or
at the option of Centex or noteholders
- - Minimum denominations of $1,000, except remarketed notes, that will be
issued in minimum denominations of $100,000
- - Interest payments on fixed rate notes on each March 1 and September 1
- - Interest payments on floating rate notes on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual
or annual basis
- - Issuance at discounts to par. Discount notes may not bear any interest.
- - Interest at fixed or floating rates. The floating interest rate may be based
on one or more of the following indices plus or minus a spread or spread
multiplier:
+ CD rate
+ CMT rate
+ Commercial Paper rate
+ Eleventh District Cost of Funds rate
+ Federal Funds Rate
+ LIBOR
+ Prime rate
+ Treasury rate
- - Interest on remarketed notes at the initial interest rate for the initial
interest rate period specified in the pricing supplement and thereafter at
rates established as described herein
- - Book-entry or certificated form
The final terms for each note, which may be different from the terms
described in this prospectus supplement, will be specified in a pricing
supplement.
INVESTING IN THE NOTES INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS. SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON
PAGE S-2.
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Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the
adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
We may sell notes to the agents referred to below as principal for
resale at varying or fixed offering prices or through the agents as agent using
their reasonable efforts on our behalf. If we sell all the notes, we expect to
receive proceeds of between $397,000,000 and $399,500,000, after paying the
agent's discounts and commissions of between $500,000 and $3,000,000. We may
also sell notes without the assistance of the agents (whether acting as
principal or as agent).
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Banc One Capital Markets, Inc.
Banc of America Securities LLC
Chase Securities Inc.
Credit Suisse First Boston
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Warburg Dillon Read LLC
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January 27, 2000
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
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Prospectus Supplement
<S> <C>
CENTEX .......................................................................................................S-1
Home Building..........................................................................................S-1
Investment Real Estate.................................................................................S-1
Financial Services.....................................................................................S-1
Construction Products..................................................................................S-1
Contracting and Construction Services..................................................................S-1
RISK FACTORS....................................................................................................S-2
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES............................................................................................S-3
Pricing and Other Supplements/Addendums................................................................S-3
General ..............................................................................................S-4
Redemption or Repurchases..............................................................................S-5
Certain Covenants......................................................................................S-6
Legal Defeasance.......................................................................................S-7
Covenant Defeasance....................................................................................S-8
Interest ..............................................................................................S-8
Discount Notes........................................................................................S-15
Indexed Notes.........................................................................................S-16
Amortizing Notes......................................................................................S-16
Book-Entry Notes......................................................................................S-16
Multi-Currency and Indexed Notes......................................................................S-19
Remarketed Notes......................................................................................S-19
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS........................................................S-19
U.S. Holders..........................................................................................S-20
Non-U.S. Holders......................................................................................S-25
Backup Withholding....................................................................................S-26
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION...........................................................................................S-27
LEGAL OPINIONS.................................................................................................S-28
Prospectus
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS.............................................................................................2
CENTEX .........................................................................................................2
Home Building............................................................................................2
Investment Real Estate...................................................................................2
Financial Services.......................................................................................2
Construction Products....................................................................................2
Contracting and Construction Services....................................................................3
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION...............................................................................3
A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS........................................................................3
USE OF PROCEEDS...................................................................................................4
SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA................................................................................4
Selected Historical Financial Data.......................................................................4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.......................................................................5
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES....................................................................................6
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
General Information About the Debt Securities............................................................7
Covenants Included in the Indentures.....................................................................7
Payment of Principal, Interest and Premium; Transfer of Securities.......................................8
Specific Characteristics of Our Debt Securities..........................................................8
Global Certificates......................................................................................9
Events of Default.......................................................................................11
Defeasance of Debt Securities...........................................................................12
Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Centex.................................................................12
Modification of the Indentures..........................................................................12
Certificates and Opinions to be Furnished to Trustee....................................................13
Report to Holders of Debt Securities....................................................................13
The Trustee.............................................................................................13
Ratings of Our Debt Securities by Rating Agencies.......................................................13
Method for Calling Meetings of the Holders of Debt Securities...........................................14
Governing Law...........................................................................................14
Notices to Holders of Debt Securities...................................................................14
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION.............................................................................................14
Sale of Debt Securities by Agents.......................................................................14
Sale of Debt Securities by Underwriters.................................................................14
Direct Sales of Our Debt Securities.....................................................................14
General Information About Our Plan of Distribution......................................................15
LEGAL OPINIONS...................................................................................................15
EXPERTS ........................................................................................................15
</TABLE>
You should rely only on the information contained in this document or to
which we have referred you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
information that is different. This prospectus supplement is not an offer to
sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in
any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
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CENTEX
Through its various subsidiaries, Centex Corporation is one of the nation's
largest home builders and general building contractors. We also provide retail
mortgage lending services through various financial services subsidiaries. We
currently operate in five principal business segments:
o Home Building;
o Investment Real Estate;
o Financial Services;
o Construction Products; and
o Contracting and Construction Services.
HOME BUILDING
The Home Building business has expanded to include both Conventional Homes
and Manufactured Homes.
The Conventional Homes operations currently involve the construction and
sale of single-family homes, town homes and low-rise condominiums and also
include the purchase and development of land.
In March 1997, we entered the Manufactured Homes business when we acquired
approximately 80% of the predecessor of Cavco Industries, LLC. Manufactured
Homes operations include the manufacture of quality residential and park model
homes and their sale through company-owned retail outlets and a network of
independent dealers.
INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE
Investment Real Estate operations involve the acquisition, development and
sale of land, and the development of industrial, office, retail and other
commercial projects and apartment complexes.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Through our Financial Services operations, we offer financing of
conventional and manufactured homes, home equity and sub-prime lending and the
sale of title and other insurance coverages. These activities include mortgage
origination and other related services for homes sold by our subsidiaries and by
others.
CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS
Through our Construction Products operations, we also manufacture cement,
gypsum wallboard and ready- mix concrete for distribution and sale. In April
1994, our construction products subsidiary, Centex Construction Products, Inc.,
completed an initial public offering of 51% of its common stock. Principally as
a result of stock repurchases by Centex Construction Products, our ownership
interest in Centex Construction Products has increased to 63.2% as of December
31, 1999.
CONTRACTING AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
Contracting and Construction Services activities involve the construction
of buildings for both private and government interests, including office,
commercial and industrial buildings, hospitals, hotels, museums, libraries,
airport facilities and educational facilities.
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Our principal executive office is located at 2728 N. Harwood Street,
Dallas, Texas 75201, and our telephone number is (214) 981-5000.
RISK FACTORS
Your investment in the notes will include certain risks. In consultation
with your own financial and legal advisers, you should carefully consider, among
other matters, the following discussion of risks before deciding whether an
investment in the notes is suitable for you. Notes are not an appropriate
investment for you if you are unsophisticated with respect to the significant
components of the notes.
INDEXED NOTES PRESENT RISKS NOT PRESENT IN CONVENTIONAL FIXED OR FLOATING
RATE NOTES.
If you invest in notes indexed to one or more interest rate, currency or
other indices or formulas, there will be significant risks not associated with a
conventional fixed rate or floating rate debt security. These risks include
fluctuation of the indices or formulas and the possibility that you will receive
a lower, or no, amount of premium or interest. We have no control over a number
of matters, including economic, financial and political events, that are
important in determining the existence, magnitude and longevity of these risks
and their results. In addition, if an index or formula used to determine any
amounts payable in respect of the notes contains a multiplier or leverage
factor, the effect of any change in that index or formula will be magnified. In
recent years, values of certain indices and formulas have been volatile and
volatility in those and other indices and formulas may be expected in the
future. However, past experience is not necessarily indicative of what may occur
in the future.
IF YOU INVEST IN REDEEMABLE NOTES, WE MAY REDEEM YOUR NOTES WHEN INTEREST
RATES ARE RELATIVELY LOW.
If your notes are redeemable at our option or are otherwise subject to
mandatory redemption, we may, in the case of optional redemption, or must, in
the case of mandatory redemption, redeem your notes at times when interest rates
may be relatively low. Accordingly, you generally will not be able to reinvest
the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate
as high as that of the notes that we redeem.
A TRADING MARKET FOR YOUR NOTES MAY NOT DEVELOP OR BE MAINTAINED.
We cannot assure you that a trading market for your notes will ever develop
or be maintained. Many factors independent of our creditworthiness affect the
trading market. These factors include:
o complexity and volatility of the index or formula applicable to the
notes;
o method of calculating the principal, premium and interest on the
notes;
o time remaining to the maturity of the notes;
o outstanding amount of the notes;
o redemption features of the notes;
o amount of other debt securities linked to the index or formula
applicable to the notes; and
o level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally.
In addition, some notes may have a more limited trading market and may
experience more price volatility because they were designed for specific
investment objectives or strategies. There may be a limited number of buyers
when you decide to sell these notes. This may affect the price you receive for
your notes or your ability to sell your notes at all. You should not purchase
notes unless you understand and know you can bear these investment risks.
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IF YOU PURCHASE NOTES AT A DISCOUNT TO THEIR AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AT
MATURITY, YOU GENERALLY WILL BE REQUIRED TO INCLUDE AMOUNTS IN GROSS INCOME FOR
FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES BEFORE YOU RECEIVE CASH PAYMENTS FOR THAT INCOME.
Some of the notes may be issued at a discount from their aggregate
principal amount at maturity. If you purchase those notes, you generally will be
required to include amounts in gross income for federal income tax purposes
before you receive cash payments on the notes equal to that income. See "Certain
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations" for a more detailed discussion
of the federal income tax consequences to the holders of discount notes of the
purchase, ownership, and disposition of discount notes.
THE CREDIT RATINGS ASSIGNED TO THE MEDIUM-TERM NOTE PROGRAM MAY NOT REFLECT
THE POSSIBLE IMPACT OF ALL RISKS ON YOUR NOTES AND THE MARKET VALUE OF YOUR
NOTES MAY FLUCTUATE BECAUSE OF CHANGES IN THE RATINGS.
The credit ratings of our medium-term note program may not reflect the
potential impact of all risks related to structure and other factors on the
value of your notes. In addition, actual or anticipated changes in our credit
ratings will generally affect the market value of your notes.
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
We may sell up to an aggregate of $400,000,000 of senior notes and/or
subordinated notes under this prospectus supplement. We may reduce that amount
in our discretion due to our sale of other securities covered by the prospectus.
The senior notes will be issued under an indenture, dated as of October 1,
1998, as amended or modified from time to time, between us and Chase Bank of
Texas, National Association, as trustee. The subordinated notes will be issued
under an indenture, dated as of March 12, 1987, as amended or modified from time
to time, between us and Chase Bank of Texas, National Association (successor to
Texas Commerce Bank, National Association), as trustee. The indentures are
subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
The following description is a summary of the terms that apply to the
notes, including the terms of the fixed rate notes and floating rate notes, the
senior indenture, the subordinated indenture and other agreements. The
description does not restate those documents. Please read these documents
because they, and not this description, define your rights as holders of the
notes. We have filed those agreements as exhibits to the registration statement
of which this prospectus supplement and the attached prospectus are a part.
In the discussion that follows, whenever we talk about paying principal on
the notes, we mean at maturity, redemption or repurchase. Also, in discussing
the time for notices and how the different interest rates are calculated, all
times, unless we say otherwise, are New York City time.
PRICING AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTS/ADDENDUMS
The pricing supplement for each offering of notes will contain the specific
information and terms for that offering. The pricing supplement will specify the
interest rate or interest rate basis or bases, in addition to other relevant
terms.
The pricing or other supplements or addendums we may issue may add, update
or change information contained in this supplement or the prospectus. For
example, we might issue an addendum or supplement that explains the terms of
indexed or multi-currency notes. The terms of any supplement or addendum,
including the pricing supplement, will supersede the information in this
prospectus supplement and the attached prospectus.
It is important that you consider the information contained in the
prospectus, this prospectus supplement, the pricing supplement and any other
supplements or addendums applicable to the notes in making your investment
decision.
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References in this prospectus supplement to the pricing supplement refer to
the pricing supplement for those notes and not other pricing supplements. The
pricing supplement will also indicate whether any other supplements or addendums
are part of that offering.
GENERAL
All senior debt securities, including the senior notes, will be our
unsecured general obligations and will rank equally with all of our other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.
All subordinated debt securities, including the subordinated notes, will be
unsecured and will have a junior position to all of our senior debt as set forth
under "Description of Debt Securities--Specific Characteristics of Our Debt
Securities--Subordinated Debt Securities" in the attached prospectus. As of
September 30, 1999, we had approximately $916.3 million principal amount of
senior debt outstanding, including approximately $204.7 million due to our
subsidiaries.
Because we are a holding company that conducts all of our operations
through our subsidiaries, holders of our debt securities will generally have a
junior position to claims of creditors of our subsidiaries, including trade
creditors, debt holders, secured creditors, taxing authorities, guarantee
holders and any preferred stockholders. All of our operating subsidiaries have
ongoing corporate debt programs used to finance their business activities. As of
September 30, 1999, our subsidiaries had approximately $1.2 billion of
outstanding debt. Moreover, our ability to pay principal and interest on our
debt securities is, to a large extent, dependent upon our receiving dividends,
interest or other amounts from our subsidiaries. The indentures under which the
debt securities are to be issued do not contain any limitation on our ability to
incur additional debt or on our subsidiaries' ability to incur additional debt
to us or to unaffiliated third parties. In addition, we borrow funds and lend
funds to our subsidiaries from time to time to manage our working capital needs.
Our indebtedness to our subsidiaries will rank equally in right of payment to
our senior debt securities and senior in right of payment to our subordinated
debt securities.
The indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that we may
issue, and we may issue debt securities in one or more series up to the
aggregate initial offering price authorized by us for each series. We may,
without the consent of the holders of the notes, provide for the issuance of
notes or other debt securities under the indentures in addition to the
$400,000,000 of notes authorized as of the date of this prospectus supplement.
Our senior indenture includes restrictive covenants with respect to liens
and the sale or lease of our assets. See "-- Certain Covenants." Our
subordinated indenture does not include similar covenants.
The notes are currently limited to up to $400,000,000 aggregate initial
offering price, or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign or composite
currencies. Each note will have a stated maturity on a day nine months or more
from the date the notes are issued. The principal may become due and payable
prior to the maturity date stated in the applicable pricing supplement by the
declaration of acceleration of maturity, notice of redemption at our option,
notice of the holder's option to elect repayment or otherwise. Interest-bearing
notes will either be fixed rate notes or floating rate notes, as specified in
the pricing supplement related to the notes. We may also issue discount notes,
indexed notes and amortizing notes.
The notes may initially bear interest at a fixed rate or floating rate
through the date set forth in the pricing supplement and for each interest rate
period thereafter. Remarketed notes will bear interest at a fixed or floating
rate and will have the terms as described in the applicable pricing supplement.
Except as specified in a pricing supplement, the notes will be denominated
in, and principal and interest payments will be made in United States dollars.
Interest rates offered by us with respect to the notes may differ depending
on, among other factors, the aggregate principal amount of notes purchased in
any single transaction. We may also offer notes with different variable terms
other than interest rates concurrently to different investors. We may change
interest rates or formulas
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and other terms of the notes from time to time, but no change will affect any
note previously issued or as to which we have accepted an offer to purchase.
Except for remarketed notes, each note will be issued as a book-entry note
represented by one or more fully registered global securities or as a fully
registered certificated note. The minimum denominations of each note, other than
a remarketed note, will be $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. Remarketed
notes will be issued only as book-entry notes in denominations of $100,000 and
integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
We will pay principal of, and premium and interest on, book-entry notes
through the trustee to the depositary. See "--Book-Entry Notes." In the case of
certificated notes, we will pay principal and premium due on the maturity date
in immediately available funds when you present and surrender your note, and, in
the case of any repayment on an optional repayment date, when you submit a duly
completed election form in accordance with the provisions described below, at
the office or agency maintained by us for that purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, currently the corporate trust office of the
trustee located at Chase Global Trust, 450 W. 33rd Street, 15th Floor, New York,
New York 10001. We will pay any interest due on the maturity date of a
certificated note to the person to whom payment of the principal and premium is
made. We will pay interest by check mailed to the address of the holder in our
security register. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a holder of $10,000,000 or
more in aggregate principal amount of certificated notes, whether having
identical or different terms and provisions, may receive interest payments on
any interest payment date other than the maturity date by wire transfer of
immediately available funds if appropriate wire transfer instructions have been
received in writing by the trustee not less than 15 days prior to that interest
payment date. Wire transfer instructions received by the trustee shall remain in
effect until revoked by the holder.
As used in this prospectus supplement, "business day" means any day, other
than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which
banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive
order to close in The City of New York or the City of Dallas. However, with
respect to notes on which interest is calculated using the LIBOR rate, that day
must also be a London business day. "London business day" means a day on which
dealings in the designated LIBOR currency are transacted in the London interbank
market.
"Principal financial center" means the capital city of the country to which
the designated LIBOR currency relates (or, in the case of the ECU, Luxembourg),
except that with respect to United States dollars, Australian dollars, Canadian
dollars, Deutsche marks, Dutch guilders, Portuguese escudos, South African rand
and Swiss francs, the "principal financial center" shall be The City of New
York, Sydney, Toronto, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, London, Johannesburg and Zurich,
respectively.
Book-entry notes may be transferred or exchanged only through the
depositary. See "--Book-Entry Notes." Holders of certificated notes can register
the transfer or exchange of those notes at the office or agency maintained by us
for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, currently
the corporate trust office of the trustee located at Chase Global Trust, 450 W.
33rd Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10001. No service charge will be
made by us or the trustee for the registration of transfer or exchange of the
notes, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with that registration.
REDEMPTION OR REPURCHASES
If we will have the right to redeem the notes, those provisions will be set
forth in the pricing or another supplement. If so specified, we may redeem the
notes on any date on and after the first date specified in the applicable
pricing or another supplement in whole or from time to time in part. If the
supplement does not provide for those terms, then the notes will not be
redeemable.
If you will have the right to cause us to repurchase the notes, those
provisions will be set forth in a pricing or another supplement. If so
specified, you may cause us to repurchase the notes on any date on and after the
first date specified in the applicable pricing or other supplement in whole or
from time to time in part. If you exercise
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the repayment option, you may not revoke the exercise. If the supplement does
not provide for those terms, then you will not be able to cause us to repurchase
the notes.
Only the depositary may exercise the repayment option in respect of global
securities representing book- entry notes. Accordingly, beneficial owners of
global securities that desire to have all or any portion of the book- entry
notes represented by those global securities repaid must instruct the
participant through which they own their interest to direct the depositary to
exercise the repayment option on their behalf. In order to ensure that the
global security and election form are received by the trustee on a particular
day, the beneficial owner must instruct the participant before the participant's
deadline for accepting instructions for that day. Different firms may have
different deadlines for accepting instructions from their customers.
Accordingly, beneficial owners should consult the participants through which
they own their interest. All instructions given to participants from beneficial
owners of global securities relating to the option to elect repayment will be
irrevocable. In addition, at the time the instructions are given, each
beneficial owner will cause the participant through which it owns its interest
to transfer such beneficial owner's interest in the global security or
securities representing the related book-entry notes, on the depositary's
records, to the trustee. See "--Book-Entry Notes."
We may at any time purchase notes at any price or prices in the open
market. Notes that we purchase may, in our discretion, be held, resold or
surrendered to the trustee for cancellation.
CERTAIN COVENANTS
The following covenants apply only to the senior notes.
Limitation on Liens. We will not and will not permit any of our
subsidiaries, other than Centex Financial Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries,
to issue, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money if that
borrowed money is secured by a mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or
other encumbrance (a "lien") on or with respect to any of our properties or
assets or the assets or properties of our subsidiaries or on any shares of
capital stock or other equity interests of any subsidiary that owns property or
assets, other than Centex Financial Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries,
whether, in each case, owned at the date of the senior indenture or thereafter
acquired, unless:
(a) we make effective a provision under which the senior notes of that
series are secured equally and ratably with any and all borrowed money
that we secure, or
(b) the aggregate amount of all of our and our subsidiaries' secured
borrowings, together with all attributable debt (as defined in the
senior indenture) in respect of sale and lease-back transactions
existing at that time, with the exception of transactions that are not
subject to the limitation described in "Limitation on Sale and
Lease-Back Transactions" below, would not exceed 20% of our and our
subsidiaries consolidated net tangible assets (as defined in the
senior indenture), as shown on the audited consolidated balance sheet
contained in the latest annual report to our stockholders.
The limitation described above will not apply to:
(a) any lien existing on our properties or assets or shares of capital
stock or other equity interests at the date of the senior indenture,
(b) any lien created by a subsidiary in our favor or in favor of one of
our wholly-owned subsidiaries,
(c) any lien existing on any asset of any corporation or other entity, or
on any accession or improvement to that asset or any proceeds from
that asset or improvement, at the time that corporation or other
entity becomes a subsidiary or at the time we or one of our
subsidiaries merges or is consolidated with or into us or one of our
subsidiaries,
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(d) any lien on any asset existing at the time that asset is acquired, or
on any accession or improvement to that asset or any proceeds from
that asset or improvement,
(e) any lien on any asset, or on any accession or improvement to that
asset or any proceeds from that asset or improvement, securing
indebtedness we incur or assume for the purpose of financing all or
any part of the cost of acquiring or improving that asset, if that
lien attaches to that asset concurrently with or within 180 days after
the acquisition or improvement of that asset,
(f) any lien incurred in connection with pollution control, industrial
revenue or any similar financing,
(g) any refinancing, extension, renewal or replacement of any of the liens
described above if the principal amount of the indebtedness secured is
not increased and is not secured by any additional assets, or
(h) any lien imposed by law.
Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions. Neither we nor any of our
subsidiaries may enter into any arrangement with any person, other than with us,
under which we or any of our subsidiaries lease any of our properties or assets,
except for temporary leases for a term of not more than three years and except
for sales and leases of model homes, if that property has been or is to be sold
or transferred by us or any of our subsidiaries to that person (referred to in
this prospectus supplement as a "sale and lease-back transaction").
The limitation described above does not apply to any sale and lease-back
transaction if:
(a) our net proceeds or the net proceeds of our subsidiaries from the sale
or transfer are equal to or exceed the fair value, as determined by
our Board of Directors, Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman,
President or principal financial officer, of the property so leased,
(b) we or any of our subsidiaries would be entitled to incur indebtedness
secured by a lien on the property to be leased as described in
"Limitation on Liens" above,
(c) we, within 180 days of the effective date of any sale and lease-back
transaction, apply an amount equal to the fair value of the property
so leased to the retirement of our "funded indebtedness" (as defined
in our senior indenture),
(d) the sale and lease-back transaction relates to a sale which occurs
within 180 days from the date of acquisition of that property by us or
any of our subsidiaries or the date of the completion of construction
or commencement of full operations on that property, whichever is
later, or
(e) the transaction was consummated prior to the date of the senior
indenture.
LEGAL DEFEASANCE
We will be discharged from our obligations on the notes of any series at
any time if:
(a) we deposit with the trustee sufficient cash or government securities
to pay the principal, interest, any premium and any other sums due to
the stated maturity date or a redemption date of the note of the
series, and
(b) we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that the
federal income tax obligations of the holders of the notes of that
series will not change as a result of our performing the action
described above.
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If this happens, the holders of the notes of the series will not be
entitled to the benefits of the indenture except for the registration of
transfer and exchange of notes and the replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated
notes.
COVENANT DEFEASANCE
We will be discharged from our obligations under any restrictive covenant
applicable to the notes of a particular series if we perform both actions
described above under the heading "Legal Defeasance." However, if we cause an
event of default apart from breaching a restrictive covenant, there may not be
sufficient money or government obligations on deposit with the trustee to pay
all amounts due on the notes of that series. In that instance, we would remain
liable for these amounts.
INTEREST
General
Each note will bear interest from the date it is issued at the rate per
year, in the case of a fixed rate note, or according to the interest rate
formula set forth in the applicable pricing supplement, in the case of a
floating rate note, until the principal is paid or the note is redeemed or
repurchased. The interest rate paid will be the lower of the rate of the note or
the highest lawful rate. Interest is either fixed or floating, or a combination
of the two. Floating rate notes may be:
o regular floating rate notes;
o inverse floating rate notes; or
o floating rate/fixed rate notes.
Regular floating rate notes are described below. If the notes will be either of
the other two types, we will describe those attributes in a pricing supplement.
Payment of interest on the notes will include interest accrued from the
date of issue to but excluding the maturity, repurchase or redemption date.
Interest is generally payable to the person in whose name the note is registered
at the close of business on the record date before the interest payment date.
Interest payable at maturity, redemption or repurchase will be payable to the
person to whom the principal is payable.
Interest on the notes is generally payable on each interest payment date
and on the date the note matures. The first payment of interest on any note
originally issued between a record date and the related interest payment date
will be made on the interest payment date after the next record date to the
person in whose name the note is registered on the next record date.
The record dates for fixed rate notes will be February 15, for interest
paid on March 1, and August 15, for interest paid on September 1. The record
date for floating rate notes will be 15 calendar days prior to each day interest
is paid, whether or not that day is a business day.
Fixed Rate Notes
Interest on fixed rate notes will be designated in the pricing supplement.
We will pay interest on March 1 and September 1 of each year and when the note
matures or we redeem or repurchase the note. Interest will be computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
If any interest payment date or the maturity date falls on a day that is
not a business day, we will pay the interest you are owed on the next business
day and no additional interest will be paid for that delay.
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Floating Rate Notes
Each floating rate note will have an interest rate formula, which may be
based on the:
o CD rate;
o CMT rate;
o Commercial Paper rate;
o Eleventh District Cost of Funds rate;
o Federal Funds rate;
o LIBOR;
o Prime rate;
o Treasury rate;
o Another rate noted in a pricing supplement; or
o Any combination of rates if noted in a pricing supplement.
The pricing supplement will specify any other terms of each floating rate note
being delivered.
CALCULATION DATE. Floating interest rates will be calculated not later than
the calculation date by the calculation agent. The calculation date for any
interest determination date, described below, will be the earlier of:
(a) 10 days after that interest determination date or the next business
day if that tenth day is not a business day; or
(b) the business day before the interest payment date or maturity, as
applicable.
TRUSTEE AND CALCULATION AGENT. Chase Bank of Texas, National Association
will be the trustee and, unless otherwise specified in the pricing supplement,
the calculation agent. The calculation agent will provide the current, and when
known the next, interest rate effective for that period. Interest will be
calculated on the earlier of:
(a) the tenth calendar day after the interest determination date or, if
that day is not a business day, the next business day; or
(b) the business day immediately preceding the interest payment date or
the maturity date.
INITIAL INTEREST RATE. The initial interest rate or interest rate formula
on each note until the first interest reset date, described below, will be
indicated in the pricing supplement. Thereafter, the interest rate will be the
rate determined as of the next interest determination date. Each time a new
interest rate is determined, it will become effective on the next interest reset
date.
DATE OF INTEREST RATE CHANGES (THE INTEREST RESET DATE). The interest rate
on each floating rate note may be reset daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly,
semi-annually, or annually. The interest reset date will be stated in the
pricing supplement.
If any interest reset date is not a business day, then the interest reset
date will be postponed to the next business day. For LIBOR notes, however, if
the next business day is in the next calendar month, the interest reset date
will be the immediately preceding business day. If, in the case of a Treasury
rate note, an interest reset date falls on a day on which the Treasury auctions
Treasury Bills, then the interest reset date will instead be the first business
day immediately following the auction.
WHEN INTEREST IS DETERMINED (THE INTEREST DETERMINATION DATE). The interest
determination date for CD, CMT, Commercial Paper, Federal Funds and Prime rate
notes is the second business day before the interest reset date.
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The interest determination date for LIBOR notes is the second London
business day before the interest reset date.
The interest determination date for Treasury rate notes will be the day of
the week in which the interest reset date falls on which treasury bills would
normally be auctioned. Treasury bills are usually sold at auction on Monday of
each week, unless that day is a legal holiday, in which case the auction is
usually held on Tuesday. The auction, however, may be held on the preceding
Friday. If so, that Friday will be the interest determination date for the
interest reset date occurring in the next week. If an auction date falls on any
interest reset date then the interest reset date will instead be the first
business day following the auction date.
The interest determination date for Eleventh District rate notes is the
last working day of the month just before the interest reset date in which the
Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco publishes the relevant index noted below
under "Interest Rate Formulas -- Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate."
A floating rate note may also have either or both a maximum or minimum
interest rate that may accrue during any period in which interest is earned. The
interest rate on floating rate notes will never be higher than the maximum rate
permitted by Texas law, as the same may be modified by United States law of
general application.
WHEN INTEREST IS PAID (THE INTEREST PAYMENT DATE). We will pay interest on
the dates stated in the pricing supplement. If interest is payable on a day that
is not a business day, payment will be postponed to the next business day and
will include interest through that date. For LIBOR notes, however, if the next
business day is in the next calendar month, interest will be paid on the
preceding business day. If the maturity, repayment or redemption date is not a
business day, interest will be paid on the next business day for all types of
notes, and no interest will accrue after the maturity, repayment or redemption
date.
ROUNDING. All percentages resulting from any calculation on floating rate
notes will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a
percentage point, with five-one millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards
(e.g., 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655)). All
amounts used in or resulting from that calculation will be rounded, in the case
of United States dollars, to the nearest cent or, in the case of a foreign or
composite currency, to the nearest unit (with one-half cent or unit being
rounded upwards).
DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST. The interest payable will be the amount
of interest accrued from and including the date of issue or the most recent date
on which interest has been paid, to, but excluding, the interest payment date or
the date the note matures, as applicable. If the interest payment date is also a
day that principal is due, the interest payable will include interest accrued
to, but will exclude, the date of maturity, redemption or repurchase.
The accrued interest for any period is calculated by multiplying the
principal amount of the note by an accrued interest factor. The accrued interest
factor is computed by adding the interest factors calculated for each day in the
period to the date for which accrued interest is being calculated. The interest
factor, expressed as a decimal rounded upwards if necessary, as described below,
is computed by dividing the interest rate, expressed as a decimal rounded
upwards if necessary, applicable to that date by 360, unless the notes are
Treasury rate notes or CMT rate notes, in which case it will be divided by the
actual number of days in the year.
Interest Rate Formulas
CD RATE. Each CD rate note will bear interest at the rate, calculated with
reference to the CD rate and the spread and/or spread multiplier, if any,
specified in the note and pricing supplement. The CD rate means for the interest
determination date the rate for negotiable United States dollar certificates of
deposit having the index maturity specified in the pricing supplement as
published in H.15(519) under the heading "CDS (secondary market)", or if the CD
rate is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the date on which
interest is to be calculated, the rate on such interest determination date for
negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit of
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the index maturity specified in the applicable pricing supplement as published
in H.15 Daily Update, or any other recognized electronic source used for the
purpose of displaying the rate, under the caption "CDS (secondary market)."
If the CD rate is not published as provided above by 3:00 P.M. on the
related calculation date, then the CD rate on such interest determination date
will be calculated by the calculation agent and will be the average of the
secondary market offered rates as of 10:00 A.M., New York City time, by 3:00
P.M. on the related calculation date of three leading nonbank dealers in
negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit in The City of New York
selected by the calculation agent for negotiable United States dollar
certificates of deposit of major United States money center banks for negotiable
certificates of deposit with a remaining maturity closest to the index maturity
specified in the pricing supplement in an amount that is representative for a
single transaction in that market at that time. However, if the dealers selected
by the calculation agent are not quoting as provided above, the CD rate will be
the CD rate in effect on the immediately prior interest reset period.
"H.15(519)" means the weekly statistical release or any successor
publication published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
"H.15 Daily Update" means the daily update of H.15(519), available through
the world-wide-web site of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
at http://www.bog.frb.fed.us/releases/h15/update, or any successor site or
publication.
CMT RATE. Each CMT rate note will bear interest at the rate, calculated
with reference to the CMT rate and the spread and/or spread multiplier, if any,
specified in the note and pricing supplement. The CMT rate means, for an
interest determination date, the rate displayed on the designated CMT telerate
page under the caption "...Treasury Constant Maturities...Federal Reserve Board
Release H.15...Mondays Approximately 3:45 P.M.," under the column for the
designated CMT maturity index for:
o if the designated CMT telerate page is 7051, the rate on that interest
determination date, and
o if the designated CMT telerate page is 7052, the weekly or monthly
average, as specified in the pricing supplement, for the week or the
month, as applicable, ended just before the week or the month, as
applicable, containing the interest determination date.
If the CMT rate cannot be set as described above, the calculation agent
will use the following methods:
If that rate is no longer displayed on the relevant page, or if it is not
displayed by 3:00 P.M. on the related calculation date, then the CMT rate for
that interest determination date will be the treasury constant maturity rate for
the designated index maturity as published in the relevant H.15(519).
If that rate is no longer published or is not published by 3:00 P.M. on the
related calculation date, then the CMT rate for that interest determination date
will be the treasury constant maturity rate (or other United States Treasury
rate) for the designated index maturity for that interest determination date
then published by either the Federal Reserve Board or the United States
Department of the Treasury that the calculation agent determines is comparable
to the rate formerly displayed on the designated CMT telerate page and published
in the relevant H.15(519).
If that information is not provided by 3:00 P.M. on the related calculation
date, then the CMT rate for that interest determination date will be calculated
as a yield to maturity, based on the average of the secondary market offered
rates as of approximately 3:30 P.M. on that interest determination date
reported, according to their written records, by three leading primary United
States government securities dealers (each, a "reference dealer") in New York
selected by the calculation agent. They will be selected from five reference
dealers.
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The calculation agent will eliminate the highest and lowest quotations (or,
in the event of equality, one of the highest and/or lowest, as applicable) for
the most recently issued direct noncallable fixed rate obligations of the United
States ("treasury notes") with an original maturity approximating the designated
index maturity and a remaining term to maturity of not less than the index
maturity minus one year.
If the calculation agent cannot obtain three qualified treasury note
quotations, the CMT rate for that interest determination date will be calculated
as a yield to maturity based on the average of the secondary market offered
prices as of approximately 3:30 P.M. on that interest determination date of
three reference dealers in New York selected by the calculation agent (using the
same method described above for treasury notes) for treasury notes with an
original maturity of the number of years that is the next highest to the
designated index maturity with a remaining term to maturity closest to the
designated index maturity and in an amount of at least $100 million.
If three or four, and not five, of the reference dealers are quoting as
described above, the CMT rate will be based on the average of the offered rates
obtained and neither the highest nor the lowest of those quotes will be
eliminated.
If fewer than three reference dealers are quoting as described above, the
CMT rate will be the same as that in effect for the immediately prior interest
reset period.
Finally, if two treasury notes with an original maturity as described in
the last sentence have remaining terms to maturity equally close to the
designated index maturity, the quotes for the treasury note with the shorter
remaining term to maturity will be used.
"Designated CMT telerate page" means the display on Bridge Telerate, Inc.,
or any successor service, on the page specified in the pricing supplement for
the purpose of displaying Treasury Constant Maturities as reported in H.15(519)
or, if no page is specified in the pricing supplement, page 7052.
"Designated CMT maturity index" means the original period to maturity of
the U.S. Treasury securities, either 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20 or 30 years,
specified in the pricing supplement, by which the CMT rate will be calculated
or, if no maturity is specified in the pricing supplement, 2 years.
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATE. Each Commercial Paper rate note will bear interest
at the rate, calculated with reference to the Commercial Paper rate and the
spread and/or spread multiplier, if any, specified in the note and pricing
supplement.
"Commercial Paper rate" means, for an interest determination date, the
money market yield, calculated as described below, of the rate on that date for
commercial paper having the index maturity specified in the applicable pricing
supplement and as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Commercial Paper -
Nonfinancial" or, if that rate is not published in H.15(519) by 3:00 P.M. on the
related calculation date, then the Commercial Paper rate will be the money
market yield of the rate on that interest determination date for commercial
paper having the index maturity specified in the applicable pricing supplement
and as published in H.15 Daily Update under the heading "Commercial Paper --
Nonfinancial" or another recognized electronic source.
If the rate is not published in H.15 Daily Update or any other recognized
electronic source by 3:00 P.M. on the related calculation date, the Commercial
Paper rate for that interest determination date will be the money market yield
of the average of the offered rates, as of 11:00 A.M., New York City time, of
three leading dealers of commercial paper in New York City selected by the
calculation agent. The offered rates will be for commercial paper having the
index maturity specified in the applicable pricing supplement placed for
industrial issuers the bond rating of which is "Aa," or the equivalent, from a
nationally recognized rating agency.
Finally, if fewer than three dealers are quoting as mentioned, the
Commercial Paper rate of interest will be the same as that for the immediately
prior interest reset period.
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The "money market yield" will be a yield calculated in accordance with the
following formula:
D x 360
money market yield = ------------------ x 100
360 - (D x M)
where "D" refers to the applicable per year rate for commercial paper quoted on
a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal and "M" refers to the actual
number of days in the applicable interest reset period.
ELEVENTH DISTRICT COST OF FUNDS RATE. Eleventh District rate notes will
bear interest at the rates, calculated with reference to the Eleventh District
rate and the spread and/or spread multiplier, if any, specified in the note and
pricing supplement.
The Eleventh District rate means for an interest determination date the
rate equal to the monthly weighted average cost of funds for the calendar month
ending before that date set forth under the caption "11th District" of Telerate
Page 7058 as of 11:00 A.M. San Francisco time on the interest determination
date.
If the rate cannot be set as described above, the calculation agent will
use the following methods:
(a) The rate will be the monthly weighted average cost of funds paid by
member institutions of the Eleventh Federal Home Loan Bank District
that was most recently announced by the Eleventh Federal Home Loan
Bank District of San Francisco as the cost of funds for the calender
month ending before the date of that announcement.
(b) If the Eleventh Federal Home Loan Bank District of San Francisco fails
to announce that rate as noted above, the Eleventh District rate will
be the Eleventh District rate in effect for the immediately prior
interest reset period.
FEDERAL FUNDS RATE. Each Federal Funds rate note will bear interest at the
rate, calculated with reference to the Federal Funds rate and the spread and/or
spread multiplier, if any, specified in the note and pricing supplement.
"Federal Funds rate" means for an interest determination date, the rate on
that date for United States dollar federal funds as published in H.15(519) under
the heading "Federal Funds (Effective)", as that rate is displayed on Bridge
Telerate, Inc., or any successor service, on page 120 ("Telerate Page 120") or,
if that rate does not appear or is not published in H.15(519) prior to 3:00 P.M.
on the related calculation date, then the Federal Funds rate will be the rate on
the interest determination date for United States dollar federal funds as
published in H.15 Daily Update under the heading "Federal Funds (Effective)" or
another recognized electronic source.
If that rate is not published in H.15 Daily Update or any other recognized
electronic source by 3:00 P.M. on the calculation date, the Federal Funds rate
for the interest determination date will be the average of the rates, as of 9:00
A.M. on that date, for the last transaction in overnight United States dollar
federal funds arranged by three leading brokers of federal funds transactions in
New York selected by the calculation agent.
Finally, if the brokers selected are not quoting as described above, the
Federal Funds rate of interest will be the same as that in effect for the
immediately prior interest reset period.
LIBOR. Each LIBOR note will bear interest at the rate, calculated with
reference to LIBOR and the spread and/or spread multiplier, if any, specified in
the note and pricing supplement.
LIBOR will be determined by the calculation agent as follows:
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(a) For an interest determination date, LIBOR will be determined as
specified in the pricing supplement by either:
(1) if "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the pricing supplement, the
rate for deposits in the applicable currency having the index maturity
specified in the pricing supplement and beginning on the interest reset
date that appears on the Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 A.M., London time,
on that date; or
(2) if "LIBOR Reuters" is specified in the pricing supplement, the
average of the offered rates for deposits in the applicable currency having
the index maturity specified in the pricing supplement and beginning on the
interest reset date that appear on the Reuters Screen LIBOR Page as of
11:00 A.M., London time, on that date, if at least two offered rates appear
on the Reuters Screen LIBOR Page.
If the pricing supplement does not specify either the Reuters Screen LIBOR
Page or Telerate Page 3750, LIBOR will be determined as set forth in clause
(a)(1) above.
(b) In the case where (1) above applies, if no rate appears on the Telerate
Page 3750, or, in the case where (2) above applies, if fewer than two offered
rates appear on the Reuters Screen LIBOR Page, LIBOR for that date will be
determined as follows:
(1) LIBOR will be determined based on the rates at approximately 11:00
A.M., London time, on that interest determination date at which deposits in
the applicable currency for the period of the index maturity specified in
the pricing supplement, commencing on the interest reset date, and in a
principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in that
market at the time (a "representative amount") are offered to prime banks
in the London interbank market by four major banks in the London interbank
market selected by the calculation agent. The calculation agent will
request the principal London office of each of those banks to provide a
quotation of its rate. If at least two quotations are provided, LIBOR for
that date will be the average of those quotations.
(2) If fewer than two quotations are provided, LIBOR for that date
will be the average of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 A.M., in the
principal financial center of the applicable currency, on that date by
three major banks in that principal financial center selected by the
calculation agent for loans in the applicable currency to leading European
banks having the index maturity specified in the pricing supplement and in
a principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in the
applicable currency in that market at the time.
(3) Finally, if the banks noted in (2) are not quoting as mentioned,
the rate of interest will be the same as that in effect for the immediately
prior interest reset period.
PRIME RATE. Each Prime rate note will bear interest at the rate, calculated
with reference to the Prime rate and the spread and/or spread multiplier, if
any, specified in the note and in the pricing supplement.
"Prime rate" means, with respect to an interest determination date, the
rate set forth on that date in H.15(519) under the heading "Bank Prime Loan." If
that rate is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
calculation date the rate shall be the rate on the interest determination date
as published in H.15 Daily Update or any other recognized electronic source used
for the purpose of displaying that rate under the caption "Bank Prime Loan."
The following procedures will occur if the rate cannot be set as described
above:
(a) The Prime rate will be the average of the rates of interest publicly
announced by each bank that appears on the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page as its
prime rate or base lending rate as of 11:00 A.M. on that interest determination
date.
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(b) If fewer than four rates appear on the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page,
the Prime rate will be the average of the prime rates or base lending rates
quoted on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by 360 as
of the close of business on the interest determination date by four major money
center banks in New York selected by the calculation agent.
(c) If fewer than four quotations are so provided, the Prime rate will be
the average of four prime rates quoted on the basis of the actual number of days
in the year divided by 360 as of the close of business on the interest
determination date as furnished by the major money center banks in New York, if
any, that have provided such quotations and by a reasonable number of substitute
banks or trust companies selected by the calculation agent that are organized
and doing business under the laws of the United States, or any state thereof, in
each case having total equity capital of at least $500 million and being subject
to supervision or examination by a federal or state authority to provide the
rate or rates.
(d) Finally, if the banks and substitutes are not quoting as mentioned
above, the prime rate for such interest determination date will be the same as
that in effect for the immediately prior interest reset period.
"Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page" means the display on the Reuter Monitor
Money Rates Service, or any successor service, on the "USPRIME1" page, or any
other page that may replace the USPRIME1 page on that service, for the purpose
of displaying prime rates or base lending rates of major United States banks.
TREASURY RATE. Each Treasury rate note will bear interest at the rate,
calculated with reference to the Treasury rate and the spread and/or spread
multiplier, if any, specified in the note and in the pricing supplement.
"Treasury rate" means for an interest determination date, the rate from the
most recent auction held on the interest determination date of direct
obligations of the United States ("treasury bills") having the index maturity
specified in the pricing supplement as published under the caption "INVESTMENT
RATE" on the display on Bridge Telerate, Inc., or any successor service, on page
56 ("Telerate Page 56") or page 57 ("Telerate Page 57") or, if not so published
by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related calculation date, the auction
average rate of the treasury bills (expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis
of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis), as
otherwise announced by the United States Department of the Treasury.
If the Treasury rate cannot be determined as provided above, the Treasury
rate will be the rate (expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of a year of
365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) on the interest
determination date of treasury bills having the index maturity specified in the
pricing supplement as published in H.15(519) under the caption "U.S. Government
Securities/ Treasury Bills/Auction High" or, if not yet published by 3:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate on the interest
determination date of the treasury bills as published in H.15 Daily Update, or
any other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying the
Treasury rate, under the caption "U.S. Government Securities/Treasury
Bills/Auction High."
If the Treasury rate is not published as provided above, then the Treasury
rate will be calculated by the calculation agent and will be a yield to maturity
(expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as
applicable, and applied on a daily basis) of the average of secondary market bid
rates, as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on the interest
determination date, of three leading primary United States government securities
dealers selected by the calculation agent, for the issue of treasury bills with
a remaining maturity closest to the index maturity specified in the pricing
supplement. However, if the dealers are not quoting as mentioned, the rate of
interest will be the same as that in effect for the immediately prior interest
reset period.
DISCOUNT NOTES
We may from time to time offer original issue discount notes. The pricing
supplement applicable to the original issue discount notes may provide that
holders of those notes will not receive periodic payments of interest. For
purposes of determining whether holders of the requisite principal amount of
notes outstanding under the
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indentures have made a demand or given a notice or waiver or taken any other
action, the outstanding principal amount of the original issue discount notes
shall be deemed to be the amount of the principal that would be due and payable
upon declaration of acceleration of the stated maturity of those notes as of the
date of the determination.
See "--General."
"Original issue discount note" means:
o a note that has a "stated redemption price at maturity" that exceeds
its "issue price," each as defined for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, by at least 0.25% of its stated redemption price at maturity
multiplied by the number of complete years from the original issue
date to the stated maturity for the note or, in the case of a note
that provides for payment of any amount other than the qualified
stated interest prior to maturity, the weighted average maturity of
the note; and
o any other note designated by us as issued with original issue discount
for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
INDEXED NOTES
We may from time to time offer notes with the principal amount and/or
interest to be determined with reference to certain indices, including the price
or prices of specified commodities or stocks, or the exchange rate of one or
more designated currencies relative to an indexed currency or to other items. In
some cases, holders of these indexed notes may receive a principal payment on
the maturity date that is greater than or less than the principal amount of the
indexed notes depending upon the relative value on the maturity date of the
specified indexed item. We will provide you with information in a pricing
supplement as to the method for determining the amount of principal, premium, if
any, and/or interest, if any, payable on the indexed notes, any historical
information relating to the specified indexed item and any material tax
considerations associated with an investment in the indexed notes. See also
"Risk Factors."
AMORTIZING NOTES
We may offer notes with the principal and interest payable in installments
over the term of notes. Interest on each of these amortizing notes will be
calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Payments with
respect to amortizing notes will be applied first to interest and then to
principal. We will provide you with a table that sets forth repayment
information relating to each amortizing note in the applicable pricing
supplement.
BOOK-ENTRY NOTES
We have established a depositary arrangement with The Depository Trust
Company for the book-entry notes. Any additional or differing terms of the
depositary arrangement for the book-entry notes will be described in the
applicable pricing supplement.
When issued, all book-entry notes of like tenor and terms up to
$200,000,000 aggregate principal amount will be represented by a single global
security. Each global security representing book-entry notes will be deposited
with, or on behalf of, the depositary and will be registered in the name of the
depositary or a nominee of the depositary. No global security may be transferred
except as a whole by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or to another
nominee of the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor of
the depositary or a nominee of that successor.
So long as the depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of a
global security, the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be the
sole holder of the book-entry notes represented by the book-entry notes for all
purposes under the indentures. Except as provided below, the beneficial owners
of the global security or securities representing book-entry notes will not be
entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes and
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will not be considered the holders of certificate notes for any purpose under
the indentures, and no global security representing book-entry notes shall be
exchangeable or transferable. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on
the procedures of the depositary and, if that beneficial owner is not a
participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that beneficial
owner owns its interest in order to exercise any rights of a holder under the
global security or the indentures. The laws of some jurisdictions require that
certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in
certificated form. These limits and laws may impair the ability to transfer
beneficial interests in a global security representing book-entry notes.
Each global security representing book-entry notes will be exchangeable for
certificated notes of like tenor and terms and of differing authorized
denominations in a like aggregate principal amount, only if:
o the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue
as depositary for the global securities or we become aware that the
depositary has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the
Exchange Act and, in any case, we have not appointed a successor to
the depositary within 60 calendar days thereafter;
o we determine, in our sole discretion, that the global securities will
be exchangeable for certificated notes; or
o an event of default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect
to the notes under the indentures.
If this type of exchange occurs, the certificated notes will be registered
in the names of the beneficial owners of the global security or securities
representing the book-entry notes. The names of the beneficial owners will be
provided by the depositary's relevant participants, as identified by the
depositary, to the trustee.
The following is based on information furnished by the depositary:
The depositary will act as securities depository for the book-entry
notes. The book-entry notes will be issued as fully registered securities
registered in the name of Cede & Co., the depositary's partnership nominee.
One fully registered global security will be issued for each issue of
book-entry notes, each in the aggregate principal amount of that issue, and
will be deposited with the depositary.
The depositary is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the
New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the
New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing
corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code,
and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section
17A of the Exchange Act. The depositary holds securities that its
participants deposit with the depositary. The depositary also facilitates
the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as
transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic
computerized book-entry changes in the participants' accounts, which
eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates.
Direct participants of the depositary include securities brokers and
dealers (including the agents), banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. The depositary is owned by a
number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.,
the American Stock Exchange, Inc., and the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the depositary's system is also
available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust
companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a
direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to
the depositary and its participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases of book-entry notes under the depositary's system must be
made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for
those book-entry notes on the depositary's records. The ownership interest
of each actual purchaser of each book-entry note represented by a global
security ("beneficial owner") is in turn to be recorded on the records of
the direct participants and the indirect
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participants. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from
the depositary of their purchase, but they are expected to receive written
confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic
statements of their holdings, from the direct participants or the indirect
participants through which the beneficial owner entered into the
transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in a global security
representing book-entry notes are to be accomplished by entries made on the
books of the participants acting on behalf of the beneficial owners.
Beneficial owners of a global security representing book-entry notes will
not receive certificated notes representing their ownership interests
therein, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the
book-entry notes is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities representing
book-entry notes which are deposited with, or on behalf of, the depositary
are registered in the name of the depositary's nominee, Cede & Co. The
deposit of global securities with, or on behalf of, the depositary and
their registration in the name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial
ownership. The depositary has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners
of the global securities representing the book-entry notes; the
depositary's records reflect only the identity of the direct participants
to whose accounts the book-entry notes are credited, which may or may not
be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for
keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by the depositary to
direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and
by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will
be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or
regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Neither the depositary nor Cede & Co. will consent or vote with
respect to the global securities representing the book-entry notes. Under
its usual procedures, the depositary mails an omnibus proxy to us as soon
as possible after the applicable record date. The omnibus proxy assigns
Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to
whose accounts the book-entry notes are credited on the applicable record
date.
Principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payments on the
global securities representing the book-entry notes will be made in
immediately available funds to the depositary. The depositary's practice is
to credit direct participants' accounts on the applicable payment date in
accordance with their respective holdings shown on the depositary's records
unless the depositary has reason to believe that it will not receive
payment on such date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case
with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or
registered in "street name", and will be the responsibility of such
participant and not of the depositary, the trustee or us, subject to any
statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, to the
depositary is our responsibility and that of the trustee, disbursement of
such payments to direct participants shall be the responsibility of the
depositary, and disbursement of those payments to the beneficial owners
shall be the responsibility of direct participants and indirect
participants.
If applicable, redemption notices shall be sent to Cede & Co. If less
than all of the book-entry notes of like tenor and terms are being
redeemed, the depositary's practice is to determine by lot the amount of
the interest of each direct participant in the issue to be redeemed.
A beneficial owner shall give notice of any option to elect to have
its book-entry notes repaid by us, through its participant, to the trustee,
and shall effect delivery of such book-entry notes by causing the direct
participant to transfer the participant's interest in the global security
or securities representing such book-entry notes, on the depositary's
records, to the trustee. The requirement for physical delivery of
book-entry notes in connection with a demand for repayment will be deemed
satisfied when the ownership rights in the global security or securities
representing such book-entry notes are transferred by direct participants
on the depositary's records.
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The depositary may discontinue providing its services as securities
depository with respect to the book-entry notes at any time by giving us
and the trustee reasonable notice. Under these circumstances, in the event
that a successor securities depository is not obtained, certificated notes
are required to be printed and delivered.
We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers
through the depositary, or a successor securities depository. In that
event, certificated notes will be printed and delivered.
According to the depositary, the foregoing information with respect to the
depositary has been provided to the financial community for informational
purposes only and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty, or
contract modification of any kind.
The information in this section concerning the depositary and the
depositary's system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be
reliable, but neither we nor any agent takes any responsibility for the accuracy
of the information.
MULTI-CURRENCY AND INDEXED NOTES
If we denominate any note in a currency other than in U.S. dollars, certain
provisions will be set forth in a foreign currency prospectus supplement (a
"multi-currency and indexed note prospectus supplement") and related pricing
supplement, which will specify the currency or currencies, including composite
currencies and the euro, in which the principal, premium, if any, and interest,
if any, with respect to the note are to be paid, along with any other terms
relating to the non-U.S. dollar denomination.
We may also issue the notes with the principal amount payable at maturity
to be determined with reference to the exchange rate of a specified currency
relative to an indexed currency, each as set forth in the multi-currency and
indexed note prospectus supplement and an applicable pricing supplement. Holders
of these notes may receive a principal amount at maturity, or upon redemption or
repayment, if applicable, that is greater than or less than the face amount of
the note depending on the relative value at maturity of the specified currency
compared to the indexed currency. Information as to the method for determining
the principal amount payable at maturity, or upon redemption or repayment, if
applicable, the relative value of the specified currency compared to the
applicable indexed currency and certain additional risks and tax considerations
associated with investment in indexed notes will be set forth in the
multi-currency and indexed note prospectus supplement.
REMARKETED NOTES
If we issue notes with remarketing features, an applicable pricing or
prospectus supplement will describe the terms for the notes including:
o interest rate,
o record date,
o remarketing provisions,
o our right to redeem notes,
o the holders' right to tender notes, and
o any other provisions.
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following summary of certain United States federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes is based
upon laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are
subject to change (including changes in effective dates) or possible differing
interpretations. It deals only with notes held as capital assets and does not
purport to deal with persons in special tax situations, such as financial
institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, dealers in
securities or currencies, traders who
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elect to mark to market, persons holding notes as a hedge, as a position in a
"straddle" or as part of an integrated transaction for tax purposes, or persons
whose functional currency is not the United States dollar. It also does not deal
with holders other than original purchasers (except where otherwise specifically
noted). Persons considering the purchase of the notes should consult their own
tax advisors concerning the application of United States federal income tax laws
to their particular situations as well as any consequences of the purchase,
ownership and disposition of the notes arising under the laws of any other
taxing jurisdiction.
As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a note
that is for United States federal income tax purposes
o a citizen or resident of the United States;
o a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws
of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia
(other than a partnership that is not treated as a United States
person under any applicable treasury regulations);
o an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax
regardless of its source;
o a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise
primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or
more United States persons have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust; or
o any other person whose income or gain in respect of a note is
effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or
business. Notwithstanding the preceding clause, to the extent provided
in regulations, certain trusts in existence on August 20, 1996 and
treated as United States persons prior to such date that elect to
continue to be so treated also shall be considered U.S. Holders.
As used herein, the term "non-U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a
note that is not a U.S. Holder.
U.S. HOLDERS
PAYMENTS OF INTEREST. Except as provided below, payments of interest on a
note generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at
the time those payments are accrued or are received (in accordance with the U.S.
Holder's method of tax accounting for interest).
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT NOTES. The following summary is a general
discussion of the United States federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders
of the purchase, ownership and disposition of notes issued with original issue
discount. Original issue discount notes generally will include notes issued at a
discount other than those with a fixed maturity of one year or less and,
depending on their maturity dates and payment terms, may include fixed rate
notes, amortizing notes and remarketed notes. The following summary is based
upon treasury regulations ("OID Regulations") under the original issue discount
provisions of the Code as in effect on the date of this prospectus supplement.
For United States federal income tax purposes, original issue discount is
the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of a note over its issue
price, if such excess equals or exceeds a de minimis amount (generally 1/4 of 1%
of the note's stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of
complete years to its maturity from its issue date or, in the case of a note
providing for the payment of any amount other than qualified stated interest (as
defined below) prior to maturity, multiplied by the weighted average maturity of
such note). Unless issued at a discount, remarketed notes will not be considered
original issue discount notes. For purposes of determining whether remarketed
notes are issued with original issue discount that exceeds the de minimis
amount, although the matter is not free from doubt, we intend to treat
remarketed notes as maturing at the end of the initial interest rate period. The
"issue price" of each note in an issue of notes equals the first price at which
a substantial
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amount of such notes has been sold to the public for money, ignoring sales to
bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity
of underwriters, placement agents, or wholesalers. The "stated redemption price
at maturity" of a note is the sum of all payments provided by the note other
than "qualified stated interest" payments. The term "qualified stated interest"
generally means stated interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or
property (other than debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually at a
single fixed rate that appropriately takes into account the length of the
interval between payments. In addition, under the OID Regulations, if a note
bears interest for one or more accrual periods at a rate below the rate
applicable for the remaining term of the note (e.g., notes with teaser rates or
interest holidays), and if the greater of either the resulting foregone interest
on such note or any "true" discount on such note (i.e., the excess of the note's
stated principal amount over its issue price) equals or exceeds a specified de
minimis amount, then the stated interest on the note would be treated as
original issue discount rather than qualified stated interest.
Payments of qualified stated interest on a note are taxable to a U.S.
holder as ordinary interest income at the time such payments are accrued or are
received (in accordance with the U.S. Holder's method of tax accounting for
interest). A U.S. Holder of an original issue discount note, other than notes
with a fixed maturity of one year or less, must include original issue discount
in income as ordinary interest for United States federal income tax purposes as
it accrues under a constant yield method in advance of receipt of the cash
payments attributable to such income, regardless of such U.S. Holder's method of
tax accounting. In general, the amount of original issue discount included in
income by the initial U.S. Holder of an original issue discount note is the sum
of the daily portions of original issue discount with respect to such original
issue discount note for each day during the taxable year, or portion of the
taxable year, on which the U.S. Holder held the original issue discount note.
The "daily portion" of original issue discount on any original issue discount
note is determined by allocating to each day in any accrual period a ratable
portion of the original issue discount allocable to that accrual period. An
"accrual period" may be of any length and the accrual periods may vary in length
over the term of the original issue discount note, provided that each accrual
period is no longer than one year and each scheduled payment of principal or
interest occurs either on the final day of an accrual period or on the first day
of an accrual period. The amount of original issue discount allocable to each
accrual period is generally equal to the difference between
o the product of the original issue discount note's adjusted issue price
at the beginning of the accrual period and its yield to maturity which
is to be determined on the basis of compounding at the close of each
accrual period and appropriately adjusted to take into account the
length of the particular accrual period; and
o the amount of any qualified stated interest payments allocable to that
accrual period.
The "adjusted issue price" of an original issue discount note at the
beginning of any accrual period is the sum of the issue price of the original
issue discount note plus the amount of original issue discount allocable to all
prior accrual periods (disregarding any reduction on account of acquisition
premium, described below) minus the amount of any prior payments on the original
issue discount note that were not qualified stated interest payments. The "yield
to maturity" of an original issue discount note is the interest rate that, when
used in computing the present value of all payments to be made on such note,
produces an amount equal to the issue price of the original issue discount note.
Solely for purposes of calculating the accrual of original issue discount,
remarketed notes will be treated as maturing on the last day of the initial
interest rate period for an amount equal to the reset value and reissued on the
following day for an amount equal to the reset value. Under these rules, U.S.
Holders generally will have to include in income increasingly greater amounts of
original issue discount in successive accrual periods.
A U.S. Holder who purchases an original issue discount note for an amount
that is greater than its adjusted issue price as of the purchase date and less
than or equal to the sum of all amounts payable on the original issue discount
note after the purchase date other than payments of qualified stated interest,
will be considered to have purchased the original issue discount note at an
"acquisition premium." Under the acquisition premium rules, the amount of
original issue discount which such U.S. holder must include in its gross income
with respect to such original issue discount note for any taxable year, or
portion thereof in which the U.S. Holder holds the original issue
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discount note, will be reduced (but not below zero) by the portion of the
acquisition premium properly allocable to the period.
VARIABLE NOTES. Under the OID Regulations, floating rate notes and indexed
notes ("variable notes") are subject to special rules whereby any such note will
qualify as a "variable rate debt instrument" if (a) its issue price does not
exceed the total noncontingent principal payments due under the variable note by
more than a specified minimum amount and (b) it provides for stated interest,
paid or compounded at least annually, at current values of:
o one or more qualified floating rates;
o a single fixed rate and one or more qualified floating rates;
o a single objective rate; or
o a single fixed rate and a single objective rate that is a qualified
inverse floating rate.
A "qualified floating rate" is any variable rate where variations in the
value of such rate can reasonably be expected to measure contemporaneous
variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency in which the
variable note is denominated. Although a multiple of a qualified floating rate
will generally not itself constitute a qualified floating rate, a variable rate
equal to the product of a qualified floating rate and a fixed multiple that is
greater than .65 but not more than 1.35 will constitute a qualified floating
rate. A variable rate equal to the product of a qualified floating rate and a
fixed multiple that is greater than .65 but not more than 1.35, increased or
decreased by a fixed rate, will also constitute a qualified floating rate. In
addition, under the OID Regulations, two or more qualified floating rates that
can reasonably be expected to have approximately the same values throughout the
term of the variable note (e.g., two or more qualified floating rates with
values within 25 basis points of each other as determined on the variable note's
issue date) will be treated as a single qualified floating rate. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a variable rate that would otherwise constitute a qualified
floating rate but is subject to one or more restrictions such as a maximum
stated interest rate (i.e., a cap) or a minimum stated interest rate (i.e., a
floor) may, under certain circumstances, fail to be treated as a qualified
floating rate under the OID Regulations unless such cap or floor is fixed
throughout the term of the note or certain other exceptions are satisfied. An
"objective rate" is a rate that is not itself a qualified floating rate but is
determined using a single fixed formula and that is based on objective financial
or economic information. A rate will not qualify as an objective rate if it is
based on information that is within the control of the issuer (or a related
party) or that is unique to the circumstances of the issuer (or a related
party), such as dividends, profits, or the value of the issuer's stock (although
a rate does not fail to be an objective rate merely because it is based on the
credit quality of the issuer). A "qualified inverse floating rate" is any
objective rate where such rate is equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified
floating rate, as long as variations in the rate can reasonably be expected to
inversely reflect contemporaneous variations in the qualified floating rate. The
OID Regulations also provide that if a variable note provides for stated
interest at a fixed rate for an initial period of one year or less followed by a
variable rate that is either a qualified floating rate or an objective rate and
if the variable rate on the variable note's issue date is intended to
approximate the fixed rate (e.g., the value of the variable rate on the issue
date does not differ from the value of the fixed rate by more than 25 basis
points), then the fixed rate and the variable rate together will constitute
either a single qualified floating rate or objective rate, as the case may be.
If a variable note that provides for stated interest at either a single
qualified floating rate or a single objective rate throughout the term of the
note qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument" under the OID Regulations
and if the interest on that note is unconditionally payable in cash or property
(other than debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually, then all stated
interest on the note will constitute qualified stated interest and will be taxed
accordingly. Thus, a variable note that provides for stated interest at either a
single qualified floating rate or a single objective rate throughout the term
thereof and that qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument" under the OID
Regulations will generally not be treated as having been issued with original
issue discount unless the variable note is issued at a "true" discount (i.e., at
a price below the note's stated principal amount) in excess of a specified
minimum amount. The amount of qualified stated interest and the amount of
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original issue discount, if any, that accrues during an accrual period on such a
variable note is determined under the rules applicable to fixed rate debt
instruments by assuming that the variable rate is a fixed rate equal to:
o in the case of a qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating
rate, the value, as of the issue date, of the qualified floating rate
or qualified inverse floating rate; or
o in the case of an objective rate, other than a qualified inverse
floating rates, a fixed rate that reflects the yield that is
reasonably expected for the variable note. The qualified stated
interest allocable to an accrual period is increased or decreased if
the interest actually paid during an accrual period exceeds or is less
than the interest assumed to be paid during the accrual period
pursuant to the foregoing rules.
In general, any other variable note that qualifies as a "variable rate debt
instrument" will be converted into an "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument
for purposes of determining the amount and accrual of original issue discount
and qualified stated interest on the variable note. The OID Regulations
generally require that such a variable note be converted into an "equivalent"
fixed rate debt instrument by substituting any qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate provided for under the terms of the variable
note with a fixed rate equal to the value of the qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate, as the case may be, as of the variable note's
issue date. Any objective rate, other than a qualified inverse floating rate,
provided for under the terms of the variable note is converted into a fixed rate
that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the variable note. In
the case of a variable note that qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument"
and provides for stated interest at a fixed rate in addition to either one or
more qualified floating rates or a qualified inverse floating rate, the fixed
rate is initially converted into a qualified floating rate, or a qualified
inverse floating rate, if the variable note provides for a qualified inverse
floating rate. Under such circumstances, the qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate that replaces the fixed rate must be such that
the fair market value of the variable note as of the variable note's issue date
is approximately the same as the fair market value of an otherwise identical
debt instrument that provides for either the qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate rather than the fixed rate. Subsequent to
converting the fixed rate into either a qualified floating rate or a qualified
inverse floating rate, the variable note is then converted into an "equivalent"
fixed rate debt instrument in the manner described above.
Once the variable note is converted into an "equivalent" fixed rate debt
instrument pursuant to the foregoing rules, the amount of original issue
discount and qualified stated interest, if any, are determined for the
"equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument by applying the general original issue
discount rules to the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument and a U.S. Holder
of the variable note will account for such original issue discount and qualified
stated interest as if the U.S. Holder held the "equivalent" fixed rate debt
instrument. Each accrual period appropriate adjustments will be made to the
amount of qualified stated interest or original issue discount assumed to have
been accrued or paid with respect to the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument
in the event that such amounts differ from the actual amount of interest accrued
or paid on the variable note during the accrual period.
If a variable note does not qualify as a "variable rate debt instrument"
under the OID Regulations, then the variable note would be treated as a
contingent payment debt obligation. Final regulations concerning the proper
United States federal income tax treatment of contingent payment debt
instruments (the "CPDI Regulations") generally require a U.S. Holder of such an
instrument to include future contingent and noncontingent interest payments in
income as such interest accrues based upon a projected payment schedule, whether
or not the amount of any payment is fixed or determinable in the taxable year.
If the amount of a contingent interest payment is not equal to the projected
amount, an adjustment to income at the time of the payment must be made to
reflect the difference. Moreover, in general, under the CPDI Regulations, any
gain recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange, or retirement of
contingent payment debt instruments that have contingent payments remaining on
their projected payment schedule will be treated as ordinary interest income and
all or a portion of any loss realized could be treated as ordinary loss as
opposed to capital loss (depending upon the circumstances). The proper United
States federal income tax treatment of variable notes that are treated as
contingent payment debt obligations will be more fully described in the
applicable pricing supplement.
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SHORT-TERM NOTES
Short-Term notes are notes with a fixed maturity of one year or less.
Short-Term notes will be treated as having been issued with original issued
discount. A U.S. Holder of a Short-Term note that uses the cash method of
accounting generally is not required to accrue original issue discount for
United States federal income tax purposes unless the holder elects to do so for
all Short-Term notes acquired on or after the first day of the first tax year to
which such election applies. U.S. Holders who make such an election, U.S.
Holders who report income for United States federal income tax purposes on an
accrual method and certain other U.S. Holders, including banks and dealers in
securities, are required to include original issue discount in income on
Short-Term notes as it accrues on a straightline basis, unless an election is
made with respect to a particular obligation to accrue the original issue
discount according to a constant yield method based on daily compounding. In the
case of such a taxpayer, original issue discount is determined by including all
payments due on the instrument, including payments of stated interest, in the
stated redemption price at maturity.
In the case of a U.S. Holder who is not required, and does not elect, to
include the original issue discount in income currently, stated interest
generally will be taxable at the time it is received and any gain realized on
the sale, exchange or retirement of the Short-Term note will be ordinary income
to the extent of the original issue discount accrued on a straightline basis
(or, if elected, according to a constant yield method based on daily
compounding) through the date of sale, exchange or retirement. In addition, such
holders will be required to defer deductions for all or a portion of any
interest paid on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry
Short-Term notes in an amount not exceeding the sum of the accrued original
issue discount not previously included in income and the amount of any interest
not included in original issue discount that accrues during the tax year while
the taxpayer held the obligation but that is not included in the taxpayer's
income by reason of the taxpayer's method of accounting.
MARKET DISCOUNT. If a U.S. Holder purchases a note, other than an original
issue discount note, for an amount that is less than its issue price (or, in the
case of a subsequent purchaser, its stated redemption price at maturity) or, in
the case of an original issue discount note, for an amount that is less than its
adjusted issue price as of the purchase date, such U.S. Holder will be treated
as having purchased such note at a "market discount," unless such market
discount is less than a specified minimum amount.
Under the market discount rules, a U.S. Holder will be required to treat
any partial principal payment (or, in the case of an original issue discount
note, any payment that does not constitute qualified stated interest) on, or any
gain realized on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a note
as ordinary income to the extent of the lesser of:
o the amount of such payment or realized gain; or
o the market discount which has not previously been included in income
and is treated as having accrued on the note at the time of the
payment or disposition. Market discount will be considered to accrue
ratably during the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity
date of the note, unless the U.S. holder elects to accrue market
discount on the basis of a constant interest rate.
A U.S. Holder may be required to defer the deduction of all or a portion of
the interest paid or accrued on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to
purchase or carry a note with market discount until the maturity of the note or
certain earlier dispositions, because a current deduction is only allowed to the
extent the interest expense exceeds an allocable portion of market discount. A
U.S. Holder may elect to include market discount in income currently as it
accrues, on either a ratable or constant interest rate basis, in which case the
rules described above regarding the treatment as ordinary income of gain upon
the disposition of the note and upon the receipt of certain cash payments and
regarding the deferral of interest deductions will not apply. Generally, such
currently included market discount is treated as ordinary interest for United
States federal income tax purposes. Such an election will apply to all debt
instruments acquired by the U.S. Holder on or after the first day of the first
taxable year to which such election applies and may be revoked only with the
consent of the IRS.
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PREMIUM. If a U.S. Holder purchases a note for an amount that is greater
than the sum of all amounts payable on the note after the purchase date other
than payments of qualified stated interest, such U.S. Holder will be considered
to have purchased the note with "amortizable bond premium" equal in amount to
such excess. A U.S. Holder may elect to amortize such premium using a constant
yield method over the remaining term of the note and may offset interest
otherwise required to be included in respect of the note during any taxable year
by the amortized amount of such excess for the taxable year. However, if the
note may be optionally redeemed after the U.S. Holder acquires it at a price in
excess of its stated redemption price at maturity, special rules would apply
which could result in a deferral of the amortization of some bond premium until
later in the term of the note. Any election to amortize bond premium applies to
all taxable debt instruments acquired by the U.S. Holder on or after the first
day of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may be revoked
only with the consent of the IRS.
DISPOSITION OF A NOTE. Except as discussed above, upon the sale, exchange
or retirement of a note, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or
loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange
or retirement (other than amounts representing accrued and unpaid interest) and
such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax
basis in a note generally will equal such U.S. Holder's initial investment in
the note increased by any original issue discount included in income (and
accrued market discount, if any, if the U.S. Holder has included such market
discount in income) and decreased by the amount of any payments, other than
qualified stated interest payments, received and amortizable note premium taken
with respect to such note. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital
gain or loss if the note is held for more than twelve months. Non-corporate
taxpayers are subject to reduced maximum rates on long-term capital gains and
are generally subject to tax at ordinary income rates on short-term capital
gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning these tax
law provisions.
Certain notes may be redeemable at our option prior to their stated
maturity (a "call option") and/or may be repayable at the option of the holder
prior to their stated maturity (a "put option"). Notes containing these features
may be subject to rules that differ from the general rules discussed above.
Investors intending to purchase notes with such features should consult their
own tax advisors, since the original issue discount consequences will depend, in
part, on the particular terms and features of the purchased notes.
Holders of remarketed notes who tender their notes automatically on an
interest rate adjustment date and who repurchase their notes in the remarketing
should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the
tender and the repurchase.
U.S. Holders may generally, upon election, include in income all interest
(including stated interest, acquisition discount, original issue discount, de
minimis original issue discount, market discount, de minimis market discount,
and unstated interest, as adjusted by any amortizable note premium or
acquisition premium) that accrues on a debt instrument by using the constant
yield method applicable to original issue discount, subject to certain
limitations and exceptions.
Any other special United States federal income tax considerations, not
otherwise discussed herein, which are applicable to any particular issue of
notes will be discussed in the applicable pricing supplement.
NON-U.S. HOLDERS
A non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal
income taxes on payments of principal, premium (if any) or interest, including
original issue discount, if any, on a note, unless such non-U.S. Holder is a
direct or indirect 10% or greater shareholder of Centex, a controlled foreign
corporation related to us or a bank receiving interest described in Section
881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code. To qualify for the exemption from
taxation, the last United States payor in the chain of payment prior to payment
to a non-U.S. Holder (the "withholding agent") must have received in the year in
which a payment of interest or principal occurs, or in either of the two
preceding calendar years, a statement that:
S-25
<PAGE> 29
o is signed by the beneficial owner of the note under penalties of
perjury;
o certifies that such owner is not a U.S. Holder; and
o provides the name and address of the beneficial owner.
The statement should be made on an IRS Form W-8 BEN or a substantially
similar form, and the beneficial owner must inform the withholding agent of any
change in the information on the statement within 30 days of such change. If a
note is held through a securities clearing organization or certain other
financial institutions, the organization or institution may provide a signed
statement to the withholding agent. However, in such case, the signed statement
must be accompanied by a copy of the IRS Form W-8 BEN or the substitute form
provided by the beneficial owner to the organization or institution.
A non-U.S. Holder that is not exempt from tax under these rules will be
subject to United States federal income tax withholding at a rate of 30%, or a
reduced rate under an applicable treaty, unless the interest is effectively
connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business, in which case
the interest will be subject to the United States federal income tax on net
income that applies to United States persons generally. Effectively connected
interest received by a corporate non-U.S. Holder may also, under certain
circumstances, be subject to an additional "branch profits tax" at a 30% rate,
or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate. Such effectively connected interest is
not subject to withholding tax if the non-U.S. Holder delivers to the payor a
withholding certificate stating that the income is effectively connected with a
U.S. trade or business.
Final regulations dealing with withholding tax on income paid to foreign
persons and related matters (the "new withholding regulations") and providing
alternative methods for establishing exemptions from withholding on payments to
foreign persons were issued by the Treasury Department on October 6, 1997. The
new withholding regulations will generally be effective for payments made after
December 31, 2000 (as recently extended), subject to certain transition rules.
Prospective non-U.S. Holders are strongly urged to consult their own tax
advisors with respect to the new withholding regulations.
Generally, a non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to federal income taxes on
any amount which constitutes capital gain upon retirement or disposition of a
note, provided the gain is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business in the United States by the non-U.S. Holder or in the case of an
individual, such individual is not present in the United States for 183 days or
more. Certain other exceptions may be applicable, and a non-U.S. Holder should
consult its tax advisor in this regard.
The notes will not be includable in the estate of a non-U.S. Holder unless
the individual is a direct or indirect 10% or greater shareholder of Centex
Corporation or, at the time of such individual's death, payments in respect of
the notes would have been effectively connected with the conduct by such
individual of a trade or business in the United States.
Non-U.S. Holders should consult applicable income tax treaties, which may
include different rules, subject to compliance with certain requirements to
document entitlement to treaty benefits.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Backup withholding of United States federal income tax at a rate of 31% may
apply to payments made in respect of the notes to registered owners who are not
"exempt recipients" and who fail to provide certain identifying information
(such as the registered owner's taxpayer identification number) in the required
manner. Generally, individuals are not exempt recipients, whereas corporations
and certain other entities generally are exempt recipients. Payments made in
respect of the notes to a U.S. Holder must be reported to the IRS, unless the
U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient or establishes an exemption. Compliance with
the identification procedures described in the preceding section would establish
an exemption from backup withholding for those non-U.S. Holders who are not
exempt recipients.
S-26
<PAGE> 30
In addition, upon the sale of a note to, or through, a broker, the broker
must withhold 31% of the entire purchase price, unless either:
o the broker determines that the seller is a corporation or other exempt
recipient; or
o the seller provides, in the required manner, certain identifying
information and, in the case of a non-U.S. Holder, certifies that the
seller is a non-U.S. Holder and certain other conditions are met.
Such a sale must also be reported by the broker to the IRS, unless either:
o the broker determines that the seller is an exempt recipient; or
o the seller certifies its non-U.S. status and certain other conditions
are met.
Certification of the registered owner's non-U.S. status would be made normally
on an IRS Form W-8 BEN under penalties of perjury, although in certain cases it
may be possible to submit other documentary evidence.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
beneficial owner would be allowed as a refund or a credit against such
beneficial owner's United States federal income tax provided the required
information is furnished to the IRS.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We will offer the notes on a continuing basis for sale to or through the
following agents:
o Banc One Capital Markets, Inc.
o Banc of America Securities LLC
o Chase Securities Inc.
o Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
o Warburg Dillon Read LLC
The agents may purchase the notes, as principal, from us from time to time
for resale to investors and other purchasers at varying prices relating to
prevailing market prices at the time of resale as determined by the agents or,
if so specified in the applicable pricing supplement, for resale at a fixed
offering price. If agreed to by us and a particular agent, that agent may also
utilize its reasonable efforts on an agency basis to solicit offers to purchase
the notes at 100% of the principal amount, unless otherwise specified in a
pricing supplement. We will pay a commission to the agent, ranging from .125% to
.750% of the principal amount of each note, depending upon its stated maturity,
or initial interest rate period, in the case of remarketed notes, sold through
that agent. We will negotiate the commissions to be paid by us to the agents
with respect to notes with stated maturities, or an initial interest rate
period, in the case of remarketed notes, in excess of 30 years that the agents
sell on our behalf.
Unless otherwise stated in the applicable pricing supplement, any note we
sell to an agent as principal will be purchased by that agent at a price equal
to 100% of the principal amount of the note less a percentage of the principal
amount equal to the commission applicable to an agency sale of a note of
identical maturity. The agent may sell notes it purchases from us as principal
to certain dealers less a concession equal to all or any portion of the discount
received in connection with the purchase. The agent may allow, and the dealers
may reallow, a discount to other dealers. After the initial offering of the
notes, the offering price, in the case of the notes to be resold on a fixed
offering price basis, the concession and the reallowance may be changed.
We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer made hereby
without notice and we can reject offers in whole or in part, whether placed
directly with us or through an agent. The agent will have the right, in its
discretion reasonably exercised, to reject in whole or in part any offer to
purchase the notes received by it on an agency basis.
S-27
<PAGE> 31
Payment of the purchase price of the notes must be made in immediately
available funds in U.S. dollars in New York on the date of settlement. See
"Description of Notes--General."
After they are issued, there will not be an established trading market for
the notes. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. The agents
may from time to time purchase and sell the notes in the secondary market, but
the agents are not obligated to do so, and there can be no assurance that there
will be a secondary market for the notes or that there will be liquidity in the
secondary market if one develops. From time to time, the agents may make a
market in the notes, but the agents are not obligated to do so and may
discontinue any market-making activity at any time.
In connection with an offering of the notes purchased by an agent as
principal on a fixed offering price basis, the agent will be permitted to engage
in transactions that stabilize the price of the notes. These transactions may
consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining
the price of the notes. If the agent creates a short position in the notes,
i.e., if it sells the notes in an aggregate principal amount exceeding that set
forth in the applicable pricing supplement, the agent may reduce that short
position by purchasing the notes in the open market. In general, purchases of
the notes for the purpose of stabilizing or to reducing a short position could
cause the price of the notes to be higher than it might be in the absence of the
purchases.
Neither we nor any agent makes any representation or prediction as to the
direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described in the
immediately preceding paragraph may have on the price of our notes. In addition,
neither we nor any agent makes any representation that the agent will engage in
any of the above described transactions or that any of the above described
transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
The agents may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933. We have agreed to indemnify the agents against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to
payments the agents may be required to make in respect thereof. We have also
agreed to reimburse the agents for other expenses.
In the ordinary course of its business, the agents and their affiliates
have engaged and may in the future engage in investment and commercial banking
transactions with us and several of our affiliates. Banc One Capital Markets,
Inc. is an affiliate of Banc One, N.A. and Bank One, Texas N.A.; Banc of America
Securities LLC is an affiliate of Bank of America, N.A.; and Chase Securities
Inc. is an affiliate of several of our lenders. Each of these banking affiliates
has several credit facilities in place with us or our affiliates and may receive
their proportionate share of the proceeds from the sale of the notes should we
use the proceeds to repay these particular credit facilities. If more than 10%
of the net proceeds of any offering are used to repay affiliates of the agents
participating in that offering, then that offering will be made pursuant to Rule
2710(c)(8) of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. In addition to its lending relationships with us, Chase Bank of
Texas, National Association, an affiliate of Chase Securities Inc., is the
trustee, paying agent and registrar under the indentures.
From time to time, we may issue and sell other debt securities described in
the accompanying prospectus, and the amount of notes being offered is subject to
reduction as a result of those sales.
LEGAL OPINIONS
Raymond G. Smerge, Esq., our Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer
and Secretary, will issue an opinion about the legality of the offered
securities for us. Baker Botts L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, our special counsel, will
also issue an opinion about the legality of the offered securities and will pass
on, among other things, the enforceability of the indentures. Certain legal
matters in connection with the sale of the notes offered hereby will be passed
upon for the agents by Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, New York, New York.
S-28
<PAGE> 32
PROSPECTUS
[CENTEX LOGO]
$750,000,000
DEBT SECURITIES
CENTEX CORPORATION
2728 North Harwood Street
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 981-5000
------------------------------------
We may offer unsecured general obligations of our company in the form of
either senior or subordinated debt. Senior debt includes both our notes and
debt, and our guarantees of debt incurred by our subsidiaries, all of which are
for money borrowed and not subordinated to any of our other indebtedness.
Subordinated debt is entitled to interest and principal payments after senior
debt payments.
We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to
this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the supplements carefully
before you invest.
------------------------------------
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the
adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
------------------------------------
The date of this prospectus is January 24, 2000.
<PAGE> 33
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with
the SEC utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we
may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one
or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $750,000,000. This prospectus
provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each
time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will
contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus
supplement may also add or update information contained in this prospectus.
Together, this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement will set forth
all of the material information regarding any particular offering. However, in
order to get a complete picture of a particular offering, you should read both
this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with additional
information, such as the exhibits filed with this registration statement and
described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
CENTEX
Through its various subsidiaries, Centex Corporation is one of the
nation's largest home builders and general building contractors and also
provides retail mortgage lending services. We currently operate in five
principal business segments:
o Home Building;
o Investment Real Estate;
o Financial Services;
o Construction Products; and
o Contracting and Construction Services.
HOME BUILDING
The Home Building business has expanded to include both Conventional
Homes and Manufactured Homes.
The Conventional Homes operations currently involve the construction
and sale of single-family homes, town homes and low-rise condominiums and also
include the purchase and development of land.
In March 1997, we entered the Manufactured Homes business when we
acquired approximately 80% of the predecessor of Cavco Industries, LLC.
Manufactured Homes operations include the manufacture of residential and park
model homes and their sale through company-owned retail outlets and a network of
independent dealers.
INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE
Investment Real Estate operations involve the acquisition, development
and sale of land, and the development of industrial, office, retail and other
commercial projects and apartment complexes.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Through our Financial Services operations, we offer financing of
conventional and manufactured homes, home equity and sub-prime lending and the
sale of title and other insurance coverages. These activities include mortgage
origination and other related services for homes sold by our subsidiaries and by
others.
CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS
Through our Construction Products operations, we manufacture cement,
gypsum wallboard and ready-mix concrete for distribution and sale. In April
1994, our construction products subsidiary, Centex Construction Products, Inc.,
completed an initial public offering of 51% of its common stock. Principally as
a result of stock repurchases by Centex Construction Products, our ownership
interest in Centex Construction Products has increased to 63.2% as of December
31, 1999.
2
<PAGE> 34
CONTRACTING AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
Contracting and Construction Services activities involve the
construction of buildings for both private and government interests, including
office, commercial and industrial buildings, hospitals, hotels, museums,
libraries, airport facilities and educational facilities.
Our principal executive office is located at 2728 N. Harwood Street,
Dallas, Texas 75201, and our telephone number is (214) 981-5000.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and
other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at
the SEC's public reference rooms at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the SEC's Regional Offices at
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511, and at 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048.
Our SEC filings are also available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's
web site at http://www.sec.gov. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the public reference rooms.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is
an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with
the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate
by reference:
o our Joint Annual Report on Form 10-K of Centex Corporation, 3333
Holding Corporation and Centex Development Company, L.P. for the
year ended March 31, 1999;
o our Joint Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of Centex Corporation,
3333 Holding Corporation and Centex Development Company, L.P. for
the quarters ended June 30, 1999 and September 30, 1999; and
o our Current Reports on Form 8-K dated August 9, 1999 and August
27, 1999.
We also incorporate by reference any future filings made with the SEC
(File No. 1-06776) under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 until we sell all of the securities.
You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:
Corporate Secretary
Centex Corporation
2728 North Harwood Street
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 981-5000
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized
anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an
offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted.
A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements contained in this prospectus, including the documents that
are incorporated by reference, that are not historical facts are forward-looking
statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed
future results of our operations. Also, when we use any of the words "believes,"
"expects," "anticipates" or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking
statements. Many possible events or factors could affect the future financial
results and performance of our company. This could cause results or performance
to differ materially from those expressed in
3
<PAGE> 35
our forward-looking statements. You should consider these risks when you
purchase securities. These possible events or factors include the following:
o general economic conditions and interest rates;
o the cyclical and seasonal nature of our businesses;
o adverse weather;
o changes in property taxes and energy costs;
o changes in federal income tax laws and federal mortgage financing
programs;
o governmental regulation;
o changes in governmental and public policy;
o changes in economic conditions specific to any one or more of our
markets and businesses;
o competition;
o availability of raw materials; and
o unexpected operations difficulties.
We refer you to the documents identified above under "Where You Can
Find More Information" for a discussion of these factors and their effects on
our business.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as otherwise provided in the related prospectus supplement, we
will use the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities for general
corporate purposes. Initially, we will use substantially all of the proceeds to
repay short-term notes payable to banks and commercial paper borrowings and to
refinance outstanding medium term notes that are maturing.
SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
In the table below, we provide you with selected historical
consolidated financial data of Centex Corporation. We prepared this information
using the consolidated financial statements of Centex Corporation for each of
the fiscal years in the five-year period ended March 31, 1999, as well as for
the six-month periods ended September 30, 1999 and 1998. The financial
statements for each of the fiscal years in the five-year period ended March 31,
1999 have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants.
The financial statements for the six-month periods ended September 30, 1999 and
1998 have not been audited. Balance sheet information presented in the table
below is as of the end of the applicable period.
When you read this selected historical consolidated financial data,
you should also read the historical financial statements and accompanying notes
that Centex Corporation has included in its joint annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ended March 31, 1999 and its joint quarterly report on Form 10-Q for
the six months ended September 30, 1999. You can obtain these reports by
following the instructions we provide under "Where You Can Find More
Information" on page 2.
4
<PAGE> 36
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------
1999 1998
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues (1) ........................... $ 2,801,676 $ 2,353,688
Net earnings (2) ....................... 123,931 104,724
Total assets ........................... 4,605,441 3,946,437
Total long-term debt, consolidated ..... 564,581 209,097
Total debt, consolidated ............... 2,073,924 1,729,947
Total debt (with financial services
reflected on the equity method) ... 934,571 475,019
Deferred income tax (asset) liability .. (28,558) (109,643)
Debt as a percentage of capitalization
(3) Total debt, consolidated ...... 57.8% 57.0%
Total debt (with financial services
reflected on the equity method) 38.2% 26.7%
Stockholders' equity ................... 1,309,531 1,082,589
Per common share(2)
Earnings per share - Basic
Before Construction Products
IPO gain .................. $ 2.08 $ 1.76
Construction Products' IPO
gain ...................... -- --
----------- -----------
$ 2.08 $ 1.76
=========== ===========
Earnings per share - Diluted
Before Construction Products'
IPO gain .................. $ 2.02 $ 1.69
Construction Products' IPO gain -- --
----------- -----------
$ 2.02 $ 1.69
=========== ===========
Cash Dividends ......................... $ 0.08 $ 0.08
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues (1) ........................... $ 5,154,840 $ 3,975,450 $ 3,784,991 $ 3,102,987 $ 3,277,504
Net earnings (2) ....................... 231,962 144,806 106,563 53,365 92,248
Total assets ........................... 4,334,746 3,416,219 2,678,829 2,336,966 2,049,698
Total long-term debt, consolidated ..... 284,299 237,715 236,769 321,002 222,530
Total debt, consolidated ............... 1,910,899 1,390,588 864,287 983,269 798,790
Total debt (with financial services
reflected on the equity method) ... 587,955 311,538 283,769 408,253 427,381
Deferred income tax (asset) liability .. (49,107) (147,607) (197,413) 16,620 26,737
Debt as a percentage of capitalization
(3) Total debt, consolidated ...... 57.6% 53.1% 44.5% 57.1% 53.5%
Total debt (with financial services
reflected on the equity method) 29.5% 20.3% 20.9% 35.6% 38.1%
Stockholders' equity ................... 1,197,639 991,172 835,777 722,836 668,227
Per common share(2)
Earnings per share - Basic
Before Construction Products
IPO gain .................. $ 3.9 $ 2.45 $ 1.86 $ 0.9 $ 0.93
Construction Products' IPO
gain ...................... -- -- -- -- 0.63
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
$ 3.9 $ 2.45 $ 1.86 $ 0.94 1.56
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Earnings per share - Diluted
Before Construction Products'
IPO gain .................. $ 3.75 $ 2.36 $ 1.80 $ 0.91 $ 0.90
Construction Products' IPO gain -- -- -- -- 0.61
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
$ 3.75 $ 2.36 $ 1.80 $ 0.91 $ 1.51
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Cash Dividends ......................... $ 0.16 $ 0.135 $ 0.10 $ 0.10 $ 0.10
</TABLE>
(1) Primarily as a result of repurchases by Centex Construction
Products of its own stock, Centex's ownership interest in Centex
Construction Products increased to more than 50% as of June 30,
1996 (and was 62.6% as of September 30, 1999). Accordingly,
beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 1996, Centex
Construction Products' financial results have been consolidated
with those of Centex and are reflected in Centex's revenues and
earnings. If Centex Construction Products' revenues had been
consolidated for the years ended March 31, 1996 and 1995,
Centex's consolidated revenues for those years would have
increased by $222,594 and $194,313, respectively.
(2) Net earnings for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995 include a
nonrecurring gain of $37.5 million realized in connection with an
initial public offering of 51% of Centex Construction Products'
common stock.
(3) Capitalization is composed of total debt, deferred income tax
liability, negative goodwill, minority interest and stockholders'
equity.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, FISCAL YEARS ENDED MARCH 31,
----------------- -------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total enterprise............................... 4.43 4.06 4.31x 4.16x 3.71x 1.82x 2.99x
Centex (excluding financial services
and savings and loan operations).......... 7.22 7.30 7.42x 6.83x 5.22x 1.99x 4.16x
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE> 37
These computations include Centex Corporation, and except as otherwise
noted, our subsidiaries, and 50% or less owned companies. For these ratios,
fixed charges include:
o interest on all debt and amortization of debt discount and expense;
o interest capitalized; and
o an interest factor attributable to rentals.
Earnings include the following components:
o income from continuing operations before adjustment for minority
interests in consolidated subsidiaries or income or loss from equity
investments;
o fixed charges as defined above, but excluding capitalized interest;
and
o amortization of capitalized interest.
The computations that exclude the financial services and savings and loan
operations are included only to provide investors an alternative method of
measuring the ability of our earnings to cover our fixed charges due to the
following:
o the financial services subsidiaries operate in a distinctly different
financial environment that generally requires significantly less
equity to support their higher debt levels compared to the operations
of our other subsidiaries;
o the financial services subsidiaries have structured their financing
programs substantially on a stand-alone basis; and
o we have very limited obligations with respect to the indebtedness of
our financial services subsidiaries.
To calculate the ratio of earnings to fixed charges excluding the financial
services and savings and loan operations, the applicable interest expense was
deducted from the fixed charges and the applicable earnings were deducted from
the earnings amount.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Any debt securities that we offer will be our direct unsecured general
obligations. These debt securities will be either senior debt securities or
subordinated debt securities and will be issued under one or more separate
indentures between us and Chase Bank of Texas, National Association, as trustee,
which is the successor to Texas Commerce Bank, National Association. A debt
security is considered "senior" or "subordinated" depending on how it ranks in
relation to our other debts. Senior debt securities will generally rank equal to
other senior debt securities or unsubordinated debt. Holders of our subordinated
debt securities will only be entitled to payment after we pay our senior debts,
including our senior debt securities.
Any senior debt securities that we offer will be issued under a senior
indenture and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated
indenture. Unless specifically stated otherwise, all references below to an
article or section refer to that article or section in both indentures.
We have summarized the material provisions of the indentures in this
section, but this is only a summary. The senior indenture and the subordinated
indenture have been filed with the SEC and are incorporated by reference as
Exhibit 4.3 and Exhibit 4.5, respectively, to our registration statement that
contains this prospectus. You should read the indentures for provisions that may
be important to you. In the summary below, we have included references to
section numbers of the applicable indentures so that you can easily locate these
provisions. You
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should review the applicable indenture for additional information before you buy
any debt securities. Capitalized terms used in the following summary have the
meanings specified in the indentures unless otherwise defined below.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEBT SECURITIES
Because we are a holding company that conducts all of our operations
through our subsidiaries, holders of our debt securities and certain security
holders of our subsidiaries will generally have a junior position to claims of
creditors, including trade creditors, debtholders, secured creditors, taxing
authorities, guarantee holders and any preferred stockholders. All of our
operating subsidiaries have ongoing corporate debt programs used to finance
their business activities. As of September 30, 1999, our subsidiaries had
approximately $1.2 billion of outstanding debt. Moreover, our ability to pay
principal and interest on our debt securities is, to a large extent, dependent
upon our receiving dividends, interest or other amounts from our subsidiaries.
The indentures under which the debt securities are to be issued do not contain
any limitation on our ability to incur additional debt or on our subsidiaries'
ability to incur additional debt to us or to unaffiliated third parties. In
addition, we borrow funds from and lend funds to our subsidiaries from time to
time to manage our working capital needs. Our indebtedness to our subsidiaries
will rank equally in right of payment to our senior debt securities and senior
in right of payment to our subordinated debt securities.
A prospectus supplement and a supplemental indenture relating to any series
of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the
offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:
o the title, type and amount of the debt securities;
o the total principal amount and priority of the debt securities;
o the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities
will be issued and any payments due if the maturity of the debt
securities is accelerated;
o the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be
payable;
o the interest rate which the debt securities will bear and the interest
payment dates for the debt securities;
o any optional redemption periods;
o any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to
repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities;
o any provisions granting special rights to holders when a specified
event occurs;
o any changes to or additional events of default or covenants;
o any special tax implications of the debt securities, including
provisions for original issue discount securities, if offered; and
o any other terms of the debt securities.
None of the indentures limits the amount of debt securities that may be
issued. Each indenture allows debt securities to be issued up to the principal
amount that may be authorized by us and may be in any currency or currency unit
designated by us.
Debt securities of a series may be issued in registered, bearer, coupon or
global form.
COVENANTS INCLUDED IN THE INDENTURES
Under the indentures, we will:
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o pay the principal, interest and any premium on the debt securities
when due;
o maintain a place of payment;
o deliver a report to the trustee at the end of each fiscal year
reviewing our obligations under the indentures; and
o deposit sufficient funds with any paying agent on or before the due
date for any principal, interest or any premium.
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, INTEREST AND PREMIUM; TRANSFER OF SECURITIES
Unless we designate otherwise, we will pay principal, interest and any
premium on fully registered securities in Dallas, Texas. We will make payments
by check mailed to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered
on days specified in the indentures or any prospectus supplement. We will make
debt securities payments in other forms at a place we designate and specify in a
prospectus supplement. You may transfer or exchange fully registered securities
at the corporate trust office of the trustee or at any other office or agency
maintained by us for such purposes, without having to pay any service charge
except for any tax or governmental charge. (Sections 2.04, 2.06 and 5.02.)
SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES
Senior Debt Securities
Generally, our senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our
other senior debt and unsubordinated debt. All series of senior debt securities
issued under the senior indenture will rank equally in right of payment with
each other and with our other senior debt. Any additional senior debt securities
would rank equally in right of payment with the senior debt securities offered
and sold under this prospectus. Further, the senior indenture does not prohibit
us from issuing additional debt securities that may rank equally in right of
payment to the senior debt securities.
Any senior debt securities offered pursuant to the senior indenture will be
senior in right of payment to our subordinated debt securities. The following
table sets forth our senior and subordinated indebtedness as of September 30,
1999:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Senior debt:
6.40% Senior Notes due October 25, 2002..................... $ 14,948,000
Floating Rate Notes due April 28, 2000...................... 49,933,000
Floating Rate Notes due May 19, 2000........................ 9,994,000
Floating Rate Notes due August 25, 2000..................... 149,794,000
Floating Rate Notes due June 30, 2000....................... 54,942,000
Floating Rate Notes due July 27, 2000....................... 61,998,000
Debt to subsidiaries........................................ 204,700,000
Other senior notes.......................................... 369,990,000
---------------
Total senior debt...................................... $ 916,299,000
===============
Subordinated debt:
8.75% Subordinated Notes due March 1, 2007.................. $ 99,496,000
7.375% Subordinated Notes due June 1, 2005.................. 99,723,000
Convertible Subordinated Note due 2010...................... 2,100,000
---------------
Total subordinated debt................................ $ 201,319,000
===============
Total debt...................................... $ 1,117,618,000
===============
</TABLE>
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In addition to the amounts listed above, as of September 30, 1999 one of
our subsidiaries, CTX Mortgage, had $1.1 billion of outstanding senior
indebtedness, substantially all of which was secured by residential mortgage
loans receivable. Under two CTX Mortgage credit facilities, we had agreed that,
if CTX Mortgage did not replace ineligible mortgages in the facility, we would
purchase the ineligible mortgages up to a maximum of 10% of the maximum amount
of the facility. Under each of the two facilities, our maximum purchase
obligation was $30 million.
In October and November 1999, Centex Home Mortgage, LLC, a special purpose
Delaware limited liability company, issued and sold $500 million of senior debt
securities and $72 million of subordinated membership certificates. Centex Home
Mortgage will use the proceeds from these issuances to purchase mortgages on a
revolving basis from CTX Mortgage. Centex Home Mortgage has the capacity to sell
up to an additional $928 million of senior debt securities under the same
indenture under which the $500 million of debt securities were issued. As Centex
Home Mortgage purchases mortgages from CTX Mortgage, CTX Mortgage will, in turn,
repay its outstanding senior indebtedness and fund new mortgage originations. On
December 15, 1999, $530 million of the $1.63 billion available under CTX
Mortgage's senior secured credit facilities expired by its terms. As a result,
we no longer have the obligation to purchase ineligible mortgages under the CTX
Mortgage credit facilities. Because we do not guarantee any of CTX Mortgage's
indebtedness, it is neither senior nor subordinated debt to us.
"Senior debt" is defined to include all notes or other unsecured evidences
of indebtedness including guarantees of Centex for money borrowed by us, not
expressed to be subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other
indebtedness of Centex.
Subordinated Debt Securities
The subordinated debt securities that may be offered will have a junior
position to all of our senior debt. Under the subordinated indenture, payment of
the principal, interest and any premium on the subordinated debt securities will
generally be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in
full of all senior debt.
Except in certain circumstances, the subordinated indenture prohibits us
from making any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on, or
sinking fund requirements for, any subordinated debt securities:
o in the event we fail to pay the principal, interest, any premium or
any other amounts on any senior debt when due; or
o if there is any default relating to certain senior debt beyond the
period of grace, unless and until the default on the senior debt is
cured or waived. (Subordinated Indenture Section 3.02.)
The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of senior debt that we
may incur. The subordinated indenture provides that all series of subordinated
debt securities that may be offered are equal in priority to our subordinated
debt securities and will rank equally in right of payment to our subordinated
debt securities. (Subordinated Indenture Section 3.02.)
Except in certain circumstances, upon any distribution of our assets in
connection with any dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization,
bankruptcy or other similar proceeding relative to us, our creditors or our
property, the holders of all senior debt will first be entitled to receive
payment in full of the principal and premium, if any, and interest due on the
senior debt before the holders of any subordinated debt securities are entitled
to receive any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on
any subordinated debt securities. (Subordinated Indenture Section 3.02.) Because
of this subordination, if we become insolvent, our creditors who are not holders
of senior debt may recover less, ratably, than holders of senior debt.
GLOBAL CERTIFICATES
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global certificates that will be deposited with a depository
identified in a prospectus supplement.
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The specific terms of the depository arrangements with respect to any debt
securities of a series will be described in a prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, debt securities
issued in the form of a global certificate to be deposited with a depository
will be represented by a global certificate registered in the name of the
depository or its nominee. Upon the issuance of a global certificate in
registered form, the depository for the global certificate will credit, on its
book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of
the debt securities represented by the global certificate to the accounts of
institutions that have accounts with the depository or its nominee. The accounts
to be credited shall be designated by the underwriters or agents of the debt
securities or by us, if the debt securities are offered and sold directly by us.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global certificate will be limited to
participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership
of beneficial interests by participants in a global certificate will be shown
on, and the transfer of that ownership interest will be effected only through,
records maintained by the depository or its nominee for the global certificate.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global certificate by persons that hold
through participants will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership
interest within the participant will be effected only through, records
maintained by the participant. The laws of some jurisdictions require that
certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in
definitive form. These limits and laws may impair the ability to transfer
beneficial interests in a global certificate.
So long as the depository for a global certificate in registered form, or
its nominee, is the registered owner of the global certificate, the depository
or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder
of the debt securities of the series represented by the global certificate for
all purposes under the indentures. Generally, owners of beneficial interests in
a global certificate will not be entitled to have debt securities of the series
represented by the global certificate registered in their names, will not
receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in
definitive form, and will not be considered the owners or holders of the global
certificate under the applicable indenture.
Payment of principal of, premium, if any, and any interest on debt
securities of a series registered in the name of or held by a depository or its
nominee will be made to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as
the registered owner or the holder of a global certificate representing the debt
securities. None of Centex, the trustee, any paying agent, or the applicable
debt security registrar for the debt securities will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account
of beneficial ownership interests in a global certificate for the debt
securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to
those beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depository for debt securities of a series, upon receipt
of any payment of principal, premium or interest in respect of a permanent
global certificate, will credit immediately participants' accounts with payments
in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the
principal amount of the global certificate as shown on the records of the
depository. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial
interests in a global certificate held through the 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 the payments will be the responsibility of the participants.
However, we have no control over the practices of the depository and/or the
participants and there can be no assurance that these practices will not be
changed.
Unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in
definitive form, a global certificate may generally be transferred only as a
whole unless it is being transferred to certain nominees of the depository.
Unless otherwise stated in any prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust
Company, New York, New York will act as depository. Beneficial interests in
global certificates will be shown on, and transfers of global certificates will
be effected only through, records maintained by The Depository Trust Company and
its participants.
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EVENTS OF DEFAULT
"Event of default" with respect to a series of securities issued under an
indenture will mean that any of the following shall have occurred and be
continuing:
o failure to pay the principal or any premium on any debt security when
due;
o failure to deposit any sinking fund payment when due;
o failure to pay interest on any debt security when due, and the
continuance of such failure to pay for 30 days;
o failure to perform any other covenant in the indenture that continues
for 60 days after being given written notice;
o certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Centex;
or
o any other event of default included in any indenture or supplemental
indenture. (Section 7.01.)
An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not
necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt
securities issued under an indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the
holders of debt securities of any default, except in the payment of principal or
interest, if it considers such withholding of notice to be in the best interests
of the holders.
If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and
continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the total principal
amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of
that series due and payable immediately. (Section 7.01.) If this happens,
subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority of the aggregate
principal amount of the debt securities of that series can void the declaration.
(Section 7.01.) The trustee will not be charged with knowledge of any event of
default other than our failure to make principal and interest payments unless
actual written notice is received by the trustee. (Section 7.01.)
The indentures limit the right to institute legal proceedings. No holder of
any debt securities will have the right to bring a claim under an indenture
unless
o the holder has given written notice of default to the trustee;
o the holders of not less than 25% of the aggregate principal amount of
debt securities of a particular series shall have made a written
request to the trustee to bring the claim and furnished the trustee
reasonable indemnification as it may require;
o the trustee has not commenced an action within 60 days of receipt of
that notice and indemnification; and
o no direction inconsistent with the request has been given to the
trustee by the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate
principal amount of the debt securities of the series then
outstanding. Subject to applicable law and any applicable
subordination provisions, the holders of debt securities may enforce
payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on their
debt securities. No holder of debt securities of a particular series
has the right to prejudice the rights or obtain priority or preference
over the rights of any other holder of debt securities of that series.
(Section 7.04.)
The holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of any series
of debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any power
conferred on the trustee. The trustee, however, may decline to follow that
direction if, being advised by counsel, the trustee determines that the action
is not lawful. In addition, the trustee may refuse to act if it in good
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faith determines that the action would unduly prejudice the holders of the debt
securities not taking part in the action or would impose personal liability on
the trustee. (Section 7.06.)
Each indenture provides that, in case an event of default in respect of a
particular series of debt securities has occurred, the trustee is to use the
degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. (Section
8.01.) Subject to those provisions, the trustee is under no obligation to
exercise any of its rights or power under the indentures at the request of any
of the holders of the debt securities of a particular series unless they have
furnished to the trustee security or indemnity in reasonable amounts against the
costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by the trustee. (Section
8.02.)
We will be required to furnish to the trustee an annual statement as to the
fulfillment by Centex of all of our obligations under the relevant indenture.
(Section 5.06.)
DEFEASANCE OF DEBT SECURITIES
We will be discharged from our obligations on the debt securities of any
series at any time we deposit with the trustee sufficient cash or government
securities to pay the principal, interest, any premium and any other sums due to
the stated maturity date or a redemption date of the debt securities of the
series. If this happens, the holders of the debt securities of the series will
not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture except for registration of
transfer and exchange of debt securities and replacement of destroyed, lost,
stolen or mutilated debt securities. (Section 13.01.)
Under federal income tax law as of the date of this prospectus, a discharge
may be treated as an exchange of the related debt securities. Each holder might
be required to recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the
holder's cost or other tax basis for the debt securities and the value of the
holder's interest in the trust. Holders might be required to include as income a
different amount than would be includable without the discharge. We urge you to
consult your tax adviser as to the consequences of a discharge, including the
applicability and effect of tax laws other than the federal income tax law.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF CENTEX
Each indenture generally permits us to consolidate or merge with another
corporation. The indentures also permit us to sell all or substantially all of
our property and assets. If this happens, the remaining or acquiring corporation
will assume all of our responsibilities and liabilities under the indentures
including the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities of each series
outstanding and performance of the covenants in the indentures.
However, we will only consolidate or merge with or into any other
corporation or sell all or substantially all of our assets according to the
terms and conditions of the indentures. The remaining or acquiring corporation
will be substituted for us in the indentures with the same effect as if it had
been an original party to the indenture. Thereafter, the successor corporation
may exercise our rights and powers under any indenture, in our name or in its
own name. Any act or proceeding required or permitted to be done by our Board of
Directors or any of our officers may be done by the board or officers of the
successor corporation. (Article Twelve.)
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
Under each indenture we may modify rights and obligations and the rights of
the holders with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the
modification. We cannot, however, modify the principal or interest payment
terms, or reduce the percentage required for modification, against any holder
without its consent. We may also enter into supplemental indentures with the
trustee, without obtaining the consent of the holders of any series of debt
securities, to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision of
an indenture or any supplemental indenture which may be defective or
inconsistent with any other provision, to pledge any property to or with the
trustee or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under the indentures, provided that such action does not adversely
affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities. We may also enter
into supplemental indentures without the consent of holders of any series of
debt securities to set forth the terms of additional series of debt securities,
to
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evidence the succession of another person to our obligations under the indenture
or to add to our covenants. (Article Eleven.)
CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS TO BE FURNISHED TO TRUSTEE
Each indenture provides that, in addition to other certificates or opinions
that may be specifically required by other provisions of an indenture, every
time we ask the trustee to take action under such indenture, we must provide a
certificate of certain of our officers and an opinion of counsel, who may be our
counsel, stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent
to such action have been complied with. (Section 15.07.)
REPORT TO HOLDERS OF DEBT SECURITIES
We will provide audited financial statements annually to holders of debt
securities. (Section 6.03.) The trustee is required to submit an annual report
to the holders of the debt securities regarding, among other things, the
trustee's eligibility to serve as trustee, the priority of the trustee's claims
regarding certain advances made by it, and any action taken by the trustee
materially affecting the debt securities. (Section 6.04.)
THE TRUSTEE
Chase Bank of Texas, National Association, whose Corporate Trust Office is
located at 600 Travis Street, Suite 1150, Houston, Texas 77002, is the trustee
under the subordinated indenture and the senior indenture. Chase Bank of Texas,
National Association also serves as trustee with respect to our $100,000,000
8.75% subordinated notes due March 1, 2007 and our $100,000,000 7-3/8%
subordinated notes due June 1, 2005, all previously issued under the
subordinated indenture, as supplemented by a subordinated indenture supplement
dated as of March 12, 1987 and a subordinated indenture supplement dated as of
June 9, 1995, respectively. Chase Bank of Texas, National Association also
serves as trustee with respect to our $15,000,000 6.40% senior notes due October
25, 2002, our $50,000,000 floating rate senior notes due April 28, 2000, our
$10,000,000 floating rate senior notes due May 19, 2000, our $55,000,000
floating rate senior notes due June 30, 2000, our $62,000,000 floating rate
senior notes due July 27, 2000, our $150,000,000 floating rate senior notes due
August 25, 2000, our $30,500,000 floating rate senior notes due April 2, 2001,
our $8,000,000 floating rate senior notes due July 13, 2001 and our $69,500,000
floating rate senior notes due July 13, 2001, all previously issued under the
senior indenture, as supplemented by senior indenture supplements dated as of
October 1, 1998 and August 1, 1999, respectively.
Pursuant to the indentures and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, any uncured
event of default with respect to any series of debt securities will force the
trustee to resign as trustee under the applicable indenture. If the trustee
resigns, a successor trustee will be appointed in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the applicable indenture.
Centex and its affiliates maintain other banking relationships in the
ordinary course of business with the trustee and its affiliates.
The trustee may resign or be removed by us with respect to one or more
series of debt securities and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with
respect to any such series. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the debt securities of any series may remove the trustee with respect
to the debt securities of that series. (Section 8.10.)
Each indenture contains limitations on the right of the trustee, in the
event that the trustee becomes our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in
certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such
claim as security or otherwise. (Section 8.13.)
RATINGS OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES BY RATING AGENCIES
Particular series of debt securities may be rated by one or more nationally
recognized statistical rating agencies. The rating agency or agencies and rating
or ratings to be assigned with respect to a series of debt securities will be
specified in the prospectus supplement for the series of debt securities.
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METHOD FOR CALLING MEETINGS OF THE HOLDERS OF DEBT SECURITIES
Each indenture contains provisions describing how meetings of the holders
of debt securities of a series may be convened. A meeting may be called at any
time by the trustee, and also, upon request, by us or the holders of at least
10% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series. A notice
of the meeting must always be given in the manner described under "--Notices to
Holders of Debt Securities" below. Generally speaking, except for any consent
that must be given by all holders of a series as described under "--Modification
of the Indentures" above, any resolution presented at a meeting of the holders
of a series of debt securities may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of
that series, unless the indenture allows the action to be voted upon to be taken
with the approval of the holders of a different specific percentage of principal
amount of outstanding debt securities of a series. In that case, the holders of
outstanding debt securities of at least the specified percentage must vote in
favor of the action. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of
holders of debt securities of any series in accordance with the applicable
indenture will be binding on all holders of debt securities of that series and
any related coupons, unless, as discussed in "--Modification of the Indentures"
above, the action is only effective against holders that have approved it. The
quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened
meeting, will be holders holding or representing a majority in principal amount
of the outstanding debt securities of a series.
GOVERNING LAW
Each indenture and each series of debt securities will be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.
NOTICES TO HOLDERS OF DEBT SECURITIES
Notices to holders of debt securities will be mailed to the addresses of
the holders listed in the senior debt security register or the subordinated debt
security register, as applicable.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the offered securities (a) through agents; (b) through
underwriters or dealers; or (c) directly to one or more purchasers.
SALE OF DEBT SECURITIES BY AGENTS
Offered securities may be sold through agents designated by us. The agents
agree to use their reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period
of their appointment.
SALE OF DEBT SECURITIES BY UNDERWRITERS
If underwriters are used in the sale, the offered securities will be
acquired by the underwriters for their own account. The underwriters may resell
the securities 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 obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be
subject to certain conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase
all the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased.
Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or
re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
DIRECT SALES OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES
Offered securities may also be sold directly by us. In this case, no
underwriters or agents would be involved.
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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of
the offered securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of
1933, and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit
on the resale of the offered securities by them may be treated as underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any underwriters or agents
will be identified and their compensation described in a prospectus supplement.
We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to
indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments which the
underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make. If we enter into any
indemnification agreements of this nature, we will describe each of those
agreements in the prospectus supplement.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or
perform services for, us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their
businesses.
LEGAL OPINIONS
Raymond G. Smerge, Esq., our Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer
and Secretary, will issue an opinion about the legality of the offered
securities for us. We will describe in any prospectus supplement any additional
opinions to be given as determined through negotiations between us and any
underwriters. Any underwriters will be advised about other issues relating to
any offering by their own legal counsel.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and schedules incorporated by reference in this
prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
reports with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.
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