<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED JUNE 4, 1998)
$100,000,000
THE CINCINNATI GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY
6.35% RESET PUT SECURITIES (REPS-SM-*) DUE 2038
---------------------
INTEREST PAYABLE JUNE 15 AND DECEMBER 15
---------------------
THE 6.35% RESET PUT SECURITIES(REPS-SM-) DUE 2038 (THE "OFFERED DEBENTURES")
WILL MATURE ON JUNE 15, 2038. THE OFFERED DEBENTURES WILL BEAR INTEREST AT THE
RATE OF 6.35% FROM JUNE 9, 1998 TO BUT EXCLUDING JUNE 15, 2003 (THE "FIRST
COUPON RESET DATE"), AND WILL THEREAFTER BEAR INTEREST AT THE APPLICABLE
INTEREST RATE (AS DEFINED BELOW) IN EFFECT FROM TIME TO TIME. THE FIRST COUPON
RESET DATE, JUNE 15, 2008, JUNE 15, 2013, JUNE 15, 2018, JUNE 15, 2023, JUNE 15,
2028 AND JUNE 15, 2033 ARE EACH REFERRED TO HEREIN AS A "COUPON RESET DATE." IF
THE COMPANY HAS NOT THERETOFORE PURCHASED THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE
OFFERED DEBENTURES, IN WHOLE, THE UPCOMING COUPON RESET DATE IS REFERRED TO AT
ANY TIME HEREIN AS THE "APPLICABLE COUPON RESET DATE." INTEREST ON THE OFFERED
DEBENTURES IS PAYABLE SEMIANNUALLY ON JUNE 15 AND DECEMBER 15 OF EACH YEAR,
COMMENCING DECEMBER 15, 1998 (EACH AN "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE").
THE OFFERED DEBENTURES WILL BE SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION FROM THE
EXISTING HOLDERS ON THE APPLICABLE COUPON RESET DATE, THROUGH EITHER (I) THE
EXERCISE OF THE CALL OPTION (AS DEFINED HEREIN) BY THE CALLHOLDER (AS DEFINED
HEREIN) OR (II) IN THE EVENT THE CALLHOLDER DOES NOT EXERCISE THE CALL OPTION OR
IS NOT REQUIRED TO OR FAILS TO PAY THE CALL PRICE TO THE TRUSTEE (AS DEFINED
HEREIN) WHEN DUE, THE AUTOMATIC EXERCISE OF THE PUT OPTION (AS DEFINED HEREIN)
BY THE TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE OFFERED DEBENTURES. IF MORGAN
STANLEY & CO. INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, OR ITS ASSIGNEE, AS CALLHOLDER (THE
"CALLHOLDER") ELECTS TO PURCHASE THE OFFERED DEBENTURES, THE OFFERED DEBENTURES
WILL BE ACQUIRED BY THE CALLHOLDER FROM THE HOLDERS OF THE OFFERED DEBENTURES ON
THE APPLICABLE COUPON RESET DATE AT 100% OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT THEREOF, WITH
INTEREST ACCRUED AND UNPAID ON THE OFFERED DEBENTURES TO SUCH DATE PAYABLE BY
THE COMPANY. SEE "CERTAIN TERMS OF THE OFFERED DEBENTURES-- CALL OPTION; PUT
OPTION." IF THE CALLHOLDER FOR ANY REASON DOES NOT ELECT TO EXERCISE ITS OPTION
TO PURCHASE THE OFFERED DEBENTURES ON THE APPLICABLE COUPON RESET DATE, OR IS
NOT REQUIRED TO PAY THE CALL PRICE UNDER THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED
HEREIN, THE COMPANY WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPURCHASE THE ENTIRE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
OF THE OFFERED DEBENTURES FROM THE HOLDERS OF THE OFFERED DEBENTURES THEREOF ON
THE APPLICABLE COUPON RESET DATE AT 100% OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT THEREOF PLUS
ACCRUED AND UNPAID INTEREST TO SUCH DATE PAYABLE BY THE COMPANY (THE "PUT
OPTION"). SEE "CERTAIN TERMS OF THE OFFERED DEBENTURES--CALL OPTION; PUT
OPTION." IF THE CALLHOLDER HAS ELECTED TO EXERCISE THE CALL OPTION, THE INTEREST
RATE ON THE OFFERED DEBENTURES WILL BE RESET BY THE CALCULATION AGENT (AS
DEFINED HEREIN) EFFECTIVE ON THE APPLICABLE COUPON RESET DATE (FOR ANY DATE, THE
"APPLICABLE INTEREST RATE") PURSUANT TO THE COUPON RESET PROCESS (AS DEFINED
HEREIN). THE OFFERED DEBENTURES WILL BE REPRESENTED BY A GLOBAL DEBENTURE
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, NEW YORK,
NEW YORK, AS DEPOSITARY (THE "DEPOSITARY"), AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
IN DENOMINATIONS OF $1,000 AND ANY INTEGRAL MULTIPLE THEREOF. BENEFICIAL
INTERESTS IN THE OFFERED DEBENTURES WILL BE SHOWN ON, AND TRANSFERS THEREOF WILL
BE EFFECTED THROUGH, RECORDS MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY AND ITS PARTICIPANTS.
EXCEPT AS DESCRIBED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS, OFFERED DEBENTURES IN
CERTIFICATED FORM WILL NOT BE ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR THE GLOBAL DEBENTURE. SEE
"CERTAIN TERMS OF THE OFFERED DEBENTURES" HEREIN.
---------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
-------------------
PRICE 100% AND ACCRUED INTEREST, IF ANY
-------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNDERWRITING
PRICE TO DISCOUNTS AND PROCEEDS TO
PUBLIC (1) COMMISSIONS (2) COMPANY (1) (3) (4)
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
PER DEBENTURE...................................... 100.00% .60% 99.40%
TOTAL.............................................. $100,000,000 $600,000 $99,400,000
</TABLE>
- ----------------
(1) PLUS ACCRUED INTEREST, IF ANY, FROM JUNE 9, 1998.
(2) THE COMPANY HAS AGREED TO INDEMNIFY THE UNDERWRITERS AGAINST CERTAIN
LIABILITIES, INCLUDING LIABILITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED. SEE "UNDERWRITING" HEREIN.
(3) BEFORE DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES PAYABLE BY THE COMPANY, ESTIMATED AT $175,000.
(4) SEE "UNDERWRITING" HEREIN FOR CONSIDERATION PAID BY THE CALLHOLDER TO THE
COMPANY FOR THE CALL OPTION.
------------------------
*REPS IS A SERVICE MARK OF MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER & CO.
-------------------
THE OFFERED DEBENTURES ARE OFFERED, SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE, WHEN, AS AND IF
ISSUED BY THE COMPANY AND ACCEPTED BY THE UNDERWRITERS, AND SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
OF CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS BY DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL, COUNSEL FOR THE UNDERWRITERS.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DELIVERY OF THE OFFERED DEBENTURES WILL BE MADE ON OR ABOUT
JUNE 9, 1998 (THE "SETTLEMENT DATE") THROUGH THE BOOK-ENTRY FACILITIES OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY AGAINST PAYMENT THEREFOR IN IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE
FUNDS.
---------------------
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER LEHMAN BROTHERS
JUNE 4, 1998
<PAGE>
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE OFFERED
DEBENTURES. SPECIFICALLY, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFERING, AND MAY BID FOR AND PURCHASE THE OFFERED DEBENTURES IN THE OPEN
MARKET. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
SUMMARY INFORMATION
THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE INFORMATION AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN THE DOCUMENTS
AND INFORMATION INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
THE COMPANY
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Company........................... The Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company (an Ohio
corporation) ("CG&E" or the "Company") is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Cinergy Corp., a registered holding
company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act
of 1935.
Business.......................... Electric and gas utility serving approximately 738,000
electric customers and approximately 457,000 gas
customers.
Service Area...................... 3,000 square miles in the southwestern portion of Ohio
and adjacent areas in Kentucky and Indiana having an
estimated population of 2 million.
Electric Generation Fuel.......... 99% Coal and 1% Other.
</TABLE>
SELECTED INCOME INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
12 MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
--------- --------- --------- --------- -------------
THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31,
1998
----------------
(UNAUDITED) (THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating Revenues............... $ 766,767 $2,451,876 $1,976,049 $1,848,075 $1,788,185 $1,751,741
Operating Income................. $ 96,647 $ 327,851 $ 352,290 $ 360,032 $ 291,336 $ 319,500
Allowance for Borrowed and Equity
Funds Used During
Construction.................... $ 1,374 $ 4,731 $ 5,084 $ 5,644 $ 4,948 $ 6,740
Post-In-Service Carrying Costs
and Phase-In Deferred Return.... $ 1,811 $ 8,008 $ 8,372 $ 8,537 $ 15,351 $ 47,434
Net Income (Loss)................ $ 71,192 $ 239,153 $ 227,180 $ 236,201 $ 158,311(a) $ (8,724)(b)
Preferred Dividend Requirement... 215 868 10,643 17,673 22,377 25,160
Costs of Reacquisition of
Preferred Stock................. -- -- 18,391 -- -- --
-------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------------
Net Income (Loss) Applicable to
Common Stock.................... $ 70,977 $ 238,285 $ 198,146 $ 218,528 $ 135,934(a) $ (33,884 )(b)
-------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------------
-------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------------
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges......................... 4.78 3.99 3.77 3.40 2.60 1.48 (b)
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
(a) Includes charges to earnings of approximately $64 million ($46 million, net
of taxes) primarily for certain costs related to the merger of CG&E and PSI
Resources, Inc., and other costs which CG&E does not expect to recover from
customers due to rate settlements related to securing support for the
merger.
(b) Includes the write-off of a portion of the Wm. H. Zimmer Generating Station
amounting to approximately $223 million, net of taxes.
CAPITALIZATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OUTSTANDING MARCH 31, 1998
-----------------------------
% OF
AMOUNT CAPITALIZATION
------------ ---------------
(UNAUDITED)
(THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Long-term debt............................................................... $1,105,476 40.0%
Cumulative preferred stock
Not subject to mandatory redemption........................................ 20,779 0.8
Common stock equity.......................................................... 1,638,814 59.2
------------ -----
Total Capitalization..................................................... $2,765,069 100.0%
------------ -----
------------ -----
</TABLE>
S-2
<PAGE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds after underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated
expenses from the sale of the Offered Debentures are expected to be $99,225,000.
The Company will use the proceeds to repay short-term indebtedness (estimated to
be approximately $60 million at the time the proceeds are received) incurred in
connection with the retirement in May 1998 of $50 million principal amount of
its First Mortgage Bonds, 7 3/8% Series due 1999 and for general corporate
purposes.
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE OFFERED DEBENTURES
The following description of the particular terms of the Offered Debentures
supplements the description of the general terms and provisions of the Offered
Debentures set forth in the accompanying Prospectus under the caption
"Description of Debt Securities".
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, INTEREST RATE AND INTEREST PAYMENT DATES
The Offered Debentures will be issued under the Indenture dated as of May
15, 1995 between CG&E and The Fifth Third Bank, Trustee, as proposed to be
supplemented by a Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 9, 1998 (as
supplemented, the "Indenture").
The Offered Debentures will be designated as specified on the cover of this
Prospectus Supplement and will be limited to a total of $100,000,000 aggregate
principal amount.
The Offered Debentures will bear interest at the rate of 6.35% from June 9,
1998 to but excluding June 15, 2003 (the "First Coupon Reset Date"). The First
Coupon Reset Date, June 15, 2008, June 15, 2013, June 15, 2018, June 15, 2023,
June 15, 2028 and June 15, 2033, are each referred to herein as a "Coupon Reset
Date." If the Company has not theretofore purchased the aggregate principal
amount of the Offered Debentures, in whole, the upcoming Coupon Reset Date at
any time is referred to herein as the "Applicable Coupon Reset Date." Interest
on the Offered Debentures is payable semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of
each year, commencing December 15, 1998 (each an "Interest Payment Date").
Interest will be calculated based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day
months. On each Interest Payment Date, interest shall be payable to the holders
in whose name the Offered Debentures are registered on the books of the Trustee
on the Business Day immediately preceding the related Interest Payment Date
(each a "Record Date"). "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, a
Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are
authorized or required by law or regulation to be closed.
Principal of and interest on the Offered Debentures will initially be
payable and the Offered Debentures will be transferable at the corporate trust
office of the Trustee in the City of Cincinnati, located at 38 Fountain Square
Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263, provided that payment of interest may be made, at
the option of the Company, by checks mailed to the registered holders of the
Offered Debentures.
The Offered Debentures will not be secured and will rank equally with any
other indebtedness which is issued under the Indenture and not specifically
subordinated to the Offered Debentures.
If the Callholder (as defined below) elects to purchase the principal amount
of Offered Debentures pursuant to its Call Option (as defined below), the
Calculation Agent (as defined below) will reset the interest rate effective on
the Applicable Coupon Reset Date for the Offered Debentures, pursuant to the
Coupon Reset Process described below. In such circumstance, (i) the principal
amount of Offered Debentures will be purchased by the Callholder at 100% of the
principal amount thereof on the Applicable Coupon Reset Date, on the terms and
subject to the conditions described herein (interest accrued to but excluding
the Applicable Coupon Reset Date will be paid by the Company on such date to the
holders of the Offered Debentures on the most recent Record Date), and (ii) on
and after the Applicable Coupon Reset Date, the Offered Debentures will bear
interest at the rate determined by the Calculation Agent in accordance with the
procedures set forth under "Coupon Reset Process if Offered Debentures are
Called" below.
S-3
<PAGE>
MATURITY DATE
The Offered Debentures will mature on June 15, 2038 (the "Maturity Date").
On the Applicable Coupon Reset Date, however, holders of the Offered Debentures
will be entitled to receive 100% of the principal amount thereof either from (i)
the Callholder, if the Callholder purchases the Offered Debentures, in whole but
not in part, pursuant to its Call Option or (ii) the Company, by the exercise of
the Put Option (as defined below) by the Trustee for and on behalf of the
holders of the Offered Debentures, if the Callholder does not purchase the
Offered Debentures pursuant to the Call Option. If the Call Option is not
exercised or if the Call Option otherwise terminates, the Trustee is required to
exercise the Put Option without the consent of, or notice to, the holders of the
Offered Debentures. See "Call Option; Put Option" below.
FOR PERSONS HOLDING THE OFFERED DEBENTURES (OR AN INTEREST THEREIN) ON THE
APPLICABLE COUPON RESET DATE, THE EFFECT OF THE OPERATION OF THE CALL OPTION AND
PUT OPTION WILL BE THAT SUCH HOLDERS WILL RECEIVE 100% OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
OF SUCH OFFERED DEBENTURES ON THE APPLICABLE COUPON RESET DATE.
CALL OPTION; PUT OPTION
(I) CALL OPTION. In connection with the original issuance of the Offered
Debentures, the "Callholder" will be Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited.
As described below, while the Offered Debentures are outstanding, the
Callholder, by giving notice to the Trustee (the "Call Notice"), has the right
to purchase the aggregate principal amount of Offered Debentures, in whole but
not in part (the "Call Option"), on the Applicable Coupon Reset Date, at a price
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (the "Call Price") (interest
accrued to but excluding the Applicable Coupon Reset Date to be paid by the
Company on such date to the holders of the Offered Debentures on the most recent
Record Date). The Call Notice shall be given to the Trustee, in writing, prior
to 4:00 p.m., New York time, no later than fifteen calendar days prior to the
Applicable Coupon Reset Date.
In the event the Callholder exercises its rights under the Call Option,
unless terminated in accordance with its terms, then (i) not later than 2:00
p.m., New York time on the Business Day prior to the Applicable Coupon Reset
Date, the Callholder shall deliver the Call Price in immediately available funds
to the Trustee for payment of the Call Price on the Applicable Coupon Reset Date
and (ii) the holders of the Offered Debentures will be required to deliver and
will be deemed to have delivered the Offered Debentures to the Callholder
against payment therefor on the Applicable Coupon Reset Date through the
facilities of the Depositary. The Callholder is not required to exercise the
Call Option, and no holder of any Offered Debentures or any interest therein
shall have any right or claim against the Callholder as a result of the
Callholder's decision whether or not to exercise the Call Option or performance
or non-performance of its obligations with respect thereto.
The Call Option provides for certain circumstances under which the Call
Option may be terminated. If the Call Option is terminated, notice of such
termination shall be immediately given in writing to the Trustee by the
Callholder or the Company, as the case may be. If the Call Option is not
exercised or if the Call Option otherwise terminates, the Trustee is required to
exercise the Put Option described below.
(II) PUT OPTION. If the Call Option is not exercised or if the Call Option
otherwise terminates, the Trustee is required to exercise the right of the
holders of the Offered Debentures to require the Company to purchase the
aggregate principal amount of Offered Debentures, in whole but not in part (the
"Put Option"), on the Applicable Coupon Reset Date at a price equal to 100% of
the principal amount thereof (the "Put Price"), plus accrued but unpaid interest
to but excluding such Applicable Coupon Reset Date, in each case, to be paid by
the Company to such holders on the Applicable Coupon Reset Date. If the Trustee
exercises the Put Option then the Company shall deliver the Put Price in
immediately available funds to the Trustee by no later than 12:00 p.m. New York
time on the Applicable Coupon Reset Date and the holders of the Offered
Debentures will be required to deliver and will be deemed to have delivered the
Offered Debentures to the Company against payment therefor on the Applicable
Coupon Reset Date through the facilities of the Depositary. By its purchase of
Offered Debentures, each holder irrevocably agrees that the
S-4
<PAGE>
Trustee shall exercise the Put Option relating to such Offered Debentures for or
on behalf of each holder of such Offered Debentures as provided herein. No
holder of any Offered Debentures or of any interest therein has the right to
consent or object to the exercise of the Trustee's duties under the Put Option.
The transactions described above will be executed on the Applicable Coupon
Reset Date through the Depositary in accordance with the procedures of the
Depositary, and the accounts of participants will be debited and credited and
the Offered Debentures delivered by book-entry as necessary to effect the
purchases and sales thereof. For further information with respect to transfers
and settlement through the Depositary, see "Certain Terms of the Offered
Debentures--Global Securities."
NOTICE TO HOLDERS BY TRUSTEE
In anticipation of the exercise of the Call Option or the Put Option on the
Applicable Coupon Reset Date, the Trustee shall notify the holders of the
Offered Debentures, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the
Applicable Coupon Reset Date, that all Offered Debentures shall be delivered on
the Applicable Coupon Reset Date through the facilities of the Depositary
against payment of the Call Price by the Callholder under the Call Option or
payment of the Put Price by the Company under the Put Option.
COUPON RESET PROCESS IF OFFERED DEBENTURES ARE CALLED
The following discussion describes the steps to be taken in order to
determine the interest rate to be paid on the Offered Debentures on and after
the Applicable Coupon Reset Date in the event the Call Option has been exercised
with respect to the Offered Debentures.
Under the Offered Debentures and pursuant to a calculation agency agreement,
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated has been appointed the calculation agent for
the Offered Debentures in connection with the Call Option (in such capacity as
calculation agent, the "Calculation Agent"). If the Callholder has exercised the
Call Option as set forth above under "Call Option; Put Option", then the
following steps (the "Coupon Reset Process") shall be taken in order to
determine the interest rate to be paid on such Offered Debentures from and
including the Applicable Coupon Reset Date to but excluding the next succeeding
Coupon Reset Date or, if there are no more Coupon Reset Dates after the
Applicable Coupon Reset Date, the Maturity Date. The Company and the Calculation
Agent shall use reasonable efforts to cause the actions contemplated below to be
completed in as timely a manner as possible.
(a) The Company shall provide the Calculation Agent with (i) a list (the
"Dealer List"), no later than five Business Days prior to each Coupon Reset
Date (unless the Call Option has been terminated prior to such Coupon Reset
Date), containing the names and addresses of three dealers, one of which
shall be Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, from which the Company desires
the Calculation Agent to obtain the Bids (as defined below) for the purchase
of the Offered Debentures and (ii) a copy of any other material reasonably
requested by the Calculation Agent to facilitate a successful Coupon Reset
Process.
(b) Within one Business Day following receipt by the Calculation Agent
of the Dealer List, the Calculation Agent shall provide to each dealer
("Dealer") on the Dealer List (i) a copy of the Prospectus Supplement dated
June 4, 1998 and Prospectus dated June 4, 1998, relating to the offering of
the Offered Debentures (collectively, the "Prospectus"), (ii) a copy of the
form of Offered Debentures and (iii) a written request that each such dealer
submit a Bid to the Calculation Agent no later than 3:00 p.m., New York
time, on the third Business Day prior to the Applicable Coupon Reset Date
(the "Bid Date"). "Bid" shall mean an irrevocable written offer given by a
Dealer for the purchase of all of the Offered Debentures, settling on the
Applicable Coupon Reset Date, and shall be quoted by such Dealer as a stated
yield to maturity on the Offered Debentures ("Yield to Maturity"). Each
Dealer shall also be provided with (i) the name of the Company, (ii) an
estimate of the Purchase Price (which shall
S-5
<PAGE>
be stated as a US Dollar amount and be calculated by the Calculation Agent
in accordance with clause (c) below), (iii) the principal amount and
Maturity Date of the Offered Debentures and (iv) the method by which
interest will be calculated on the Offered Debentures.
(c) The purchase price to be paid by any Dealer for the Offered
Debentures in connection with the exercise of the Call Option (the "Purchase
Price") shall be equal to the sum of (i) the principal amount of the Offered
Debentures, and (ii) an amount (the "Offered Debentures Difference") which
shall be equal to the difference, if any, of (A) the discounted present
value to the Applicable Coupon Reset Date of a debenture with a maturity of
five years from the Applicable Coupon Reset Date which has an interest rate
of 5.65%, semi-annual interest payments on each June 15th and December 15th,
commencing the December 15 following the Applicable Coupon Reset Date, and a
principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Offered Debentures,
and assuming a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate minus (B) such
principal amount of Offered Debentures. The "Treasury Rate" means the per
annum rate equal to the offer side yield to maturity of the current
on-the-run 5-year United States Treasury security per Telerate page 500, or
any successor page, no later than 3:00 p.m., New York time, on the Bid Date
(or such other date and time that may be agreed upon by the Company and the
Calculation Agent) or, if such rate does not appear on Telerate page 500, or
any successor page, at such time, the rates on GovPx End-of-Day Pricing at
3:00 p.m., New York time, on the Bid Date (or such other date and time that
may be agreed upon by the Company and the Calculation Agent).
(d) The Calculation Agent shall provide written notice to the Company as
soon as practicable on the Bid Date, setting forth (i) the names of each of
the Dealers from whom the Calculation Agent received Bids on the Bid Date,
(ii) the Bid submitted by each such Dealer and (iii) the Purchase Price as
determined pursuant to paragraph (c) hereof. Except as provided below, the
Calculation Agent shall thereafter select from the Bids received the Bid
with the lowest Yield to Maturity (the "Selected Bid"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that if the Calculation Agent has not received a timely Bid from a Dealer on
or before the Bid Date, the Selected Bid shall be the lowest of all Bids
received by such time; PROVIDED FURTHER that if any two or more of the
lowest Bids submitted are equivalent, the Company shall in its sole
discretion select any of such equivalent Bids (and such selected Bid shall
be the Selected Bid). The Calculation Agent shall set the Coupon Reset Rate
equal to the interest rate which would amortize the Offered Debentures
Difference fully over the term of the Offered Debentures at the Yield to
Maturity indicated by the Selected Bid (the "Coupon Reset Rate").
(e) Immediately after calculating the Coupon Reset Rate for the Offered
Debentures, the Calculation Agent shall provide written notice to the
Company and the Trustee, setting forth such Coupon Reset Rate. At the
request of the holders, the Calculation Agent will provide to the holders
the Coupon Reset Rate. The Coupon Reset Rate for such Offered Debentures
will be effective from and including the Applicable Coupon Reset Date to but
excluding the next succeeding Coupon Reset Date or, if there are no more
Coupon Reset Dates after the Applicable Coupon Reset Date, the Maturity
Date.
(f) The Callholder shall sell the Offered Debentures to the Dealer that
made the Selected Bid at the Purchase Price, such sale to be settled on the
Applicable Coupon Reset Date in immediately available funds.
(g) In the event that the Call Option is terminated in accordance with
its terms, the Coupon Reset Process shall also terminate.
Except as otherwise specified in clause (a) below, the Call Option will
automatically and immediately terminate, no payment will be due from the
Callholder and the Coupon Reset Process will terminate, if any of the following
occurs: (a) at any time prior to the sale of the Offered Debentures on the Bid
Date, (i) an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is
continuing under Sections 501(1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) under the Indenture, (ii)
a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however
described) in respect of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has occurred
under one or more agreements
S-6
<PAGE>
or instruments relating to indebtedness of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries (individually or collectively) in an aggregate amount of not less
than $25,000,000, which has resulted in such indebtedness becoming due and
payable, under such agreements or instruments, before it would otherwise have
been due and payable, or (iii) the Company or any of its subsidiaries has
defaulted in making one or more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate
amount of not less than $25,000,000 under such agreements or instruments (after
giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period)(in any such
event, termination is at Callholder's option) or an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing under Sections 501(5) or (6) under the Indenture (in
any such event, termination is automatic), (b) if following the Call Notice,
less than two Dealers have submitted Bids in a timely manner substantially as
provided in the Offered Debentures, (c) if, following the Call Notice, the
Callholder fails to pay the Call Price by 2:00 p.m., New York time, on the
Business Day prior to the Applicable Coupon Reset Date due to the occurrence of
a Market Disruption Event (d) if the Company elects to have Section 1302
(Defeasance and Discharge) or Section 1303 (Covenant Defeasance) under the
Indenture applied to any of its Securities (as defined in the Indenture) or any
series of its Securities or (e) if the Company exercises the Optional Redemption
(as defined herein). "Market Disruption Event" shall mean any of the following
events, if such events occur or are continuing on any day from, and including,
15 calendar days prior to the upcoming Coupon Reset Date to, and including, the
Bid Date in the judgment of the Calculation Agent: (A) a suspension or material
limitation in trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange or
the establishment of minimum prices on such exchange; (B) a general moratorium
on commercial banking activities declared by either federal or New York State
authorities; (C) any material adverse change in the existing financial,
political or economic conditions in the United States of America; (D) an
outbreak or escalation of major hostilities involving the United States of
America or the declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States
of America; or (E) any material disruption of the U.S. Treasury securities
market, U.S. corporate bond market or U.S. federal wire system; provided, in
each case, that in the judgment of the Calculation Agent the effect of the
foregoing makes it impractical to conduct the Coupon Reset Process.
The calculation agency agreement provides that the Calculation Agent for the
Offered Debentures may resign at any time as Calculation Agent, such resignation
to be effective ten Business Days after the delivery to the Company and the
Trustee of notice of such resignation. If the Calculation Agent resigns, the
Company shall appoint a successor Calculation Agent for the Offered Debentures.
The Calculation Agent, in its individual capacity, may buy, sell, hold and
deal in the Offered Debentures and may exercise any vote or join in any action
which any holder of the Offered Debentures may be entitled to exercise or take
as if it were not the Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent, in its
individual capacity, may also engage in any transaction with the Company as if
it were not the Calculation Agent.
REDEMPTION
Subject to the terms of the Indenture, the Company shall have the right to
redeem the Offered Debentures, in whole but not in part, from time to time and
at any time (such redemption, an "Optional Redemption", and the date thereof,
the "Optional Redemption Date") upon not less than 30 days' notice to the
holders, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (A) the greater of (i) 100%
of the principal amount of the Offered Debentures to be redeemed or (ii) the sum
of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments thereon discounted to
the Optional Redemption Date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year
consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 10 basis points,
less the Applicable Accrued Interest Amount plus (B) the Applicable Accrued
Interest Amount.
"Applicable Accrued Interest Amount" means, at the Optional Redemption Date,
the amount of interest accrued and unpaid from the prior interest payment date
to the Optional Redemption Date on the Offered Debentures subject to the
Optional Redemption determined at the rate per annum shown in the title thereof,
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
S-7
<PAGE>
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity that would be
utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial
practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable
maturity to the remaining term of the Offered Debentures to be redeemed pursuant
to the Optional Redemption. "Independent Investment Banker" means one of the
Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Trustee after consultation with the
Company.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to the Optional Redemption
Date, the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Optional
Redemption Date.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means each of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated,
Lehman Brothers Inc., and their respective successors; provided, however, that
if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities
dealer in New York City (a "Primary Treasury Dealer") the Company will
substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer. "Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any
redemption date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked
prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage
of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference
Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. on the third Business Day preceding such redemption
date.
"Remaining Scheduled Payments" means, with respect to any Offered Debenture,
the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof to be redeemed and
interest thereon that would be due after the Optional Redemption Date but for
the Optional Redemption.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to the Optional Redemption Date (if
any), the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of
the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury
Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the
Comparable Treasury Price for such Optional Redemption Date.
The Offered Debentures will not be subject to any sinking fund.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
The Offered Debentures will be represented by a Global Debenture or
Debentures that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust
Company, New York, New York, as Depositary (the "Depositary"), and will be
available for purchase in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple
thereof.
The Depositary has advised the Company and the Underwriters as follows: 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 Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. The Depositary was created to hold securities of its participating
organizations ("participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, among its participants
in such securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in
accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement
of securities certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers
(including the Underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and
certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own the
Depositary. Access to the Depositary's book-entry system is also available to
others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or
indirectly. Persons who are not participants may beneficially own securities
held by the Depositary only through participants.
A further description of the Depositary's procedures with respect to the
Offered Debentures is set forth under "Description of Debt Securities--Global
Debt Securities" in the accompanying Prospectus.
S-8
<PAGE>
DEFEASANCE
The Offered Debentures will be subject to defeasance and covenant defeasance
as provided under the caption "Description of Debt Securities--Defeasance and
Covenant Defeasance" in the accompanying Prospectus.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
The following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax
consequences of ownership and disposition of Offered Debentures to initial
holders purchasing Offered Debentures at the "issue price." The "issue price" of
an Offered Debenture will equal the first price to the public (not including
bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity
of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers) at which a substantial amount
of Offered Debentures is sold for money. This summary is based on the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and Treasury regulations, revenue
rulings, administrative interpretations and judicial decisions, all as currently
in effect, any of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
Moreover, it deals only with purchasers who hold Offered Debentures as "capital
assets" within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, and does not purport to
deal with persons in special tax situations, such as financial institutions,
regulated investment companies, dealers in securities or currencies, persons
holding Offered Debentures as a hedge against currency risk or as a position in
a "straddle," "conversion" or another integrated transaction for tax purposes,
or U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S.
dollar. In addition, this discussion only addresses the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of ownership of the Offered Debentures until the First Coupon Reset
Date.
As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of an
Offered Debenture that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (i) a citizen
or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation created or organized in or
under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof, or
(iii) an estate or trust whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax
regardless of its source. As used herein, the term "non-U.S. Holder" means a
beneficial owner of an Offered Debenture that is, for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, (i) a nonresident alien individual, (ii) a foreign corporation, (iii)
a nonresident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust or (iv) a foreign
partnership one or more of the members of which is, for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, a nonresident alien individual, a foreign corporation or a nonresident
alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.
Because the Offered Debentures are subject to mandatory delivery to the
Callholder or repurchase by the Company on the First Coupon Reset Date, the
Company intends to treat the Offered Debentures as maturing on the First Coupon
Reset Date for U.S. federal income tax purposes and as being reissued on the
First Coupon Reset Date should the Callholder purchase and resell the Offered
Debentures. By purchasing the Offered Debentures, a holder agrees (in the
absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary)
to follow such treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Because no debt
instrument closely comparable to the Offered Debentures has been the subject of
any Treasury regulation, revenue ruling or judicial decision, the U.S. federal
income tax treatment of the Offered Debentures is not certain. No ruling on any
of the issues discussed below will be sought from the Internal Revenue Service
("IRS"). Accordingly, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of an investment in the Offered Debentures are uncertain, and no
assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with the
characterization described above. PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO
CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISERS REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
AN INVESTMENT IN THE OFFERED DEBENTURES (INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE CHARACTERIZATIONS
OF THE OFFERED DEBENTURES). EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED TO THE CONTRARY, THE
FOLLOWING DISCUSSION ASSUMES THAT THE COMPANY'S TREATMENT OF THE OFFERED
DEBENTURES WILL BE RESPECTED FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. PROSPECTIVE
PURCHASERS SHOULD ALSO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISERS WITH RESPECT TO ANY TAX
CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAXING
JURISDICTION.
S-9
<PAGE>
TREATMENT OF U.S. HOLDERS
Assuming the characterization of the Offered Debentures set forth above, the
following U.S. federal income tax consequences would result with respect to U.S.
Holders.
PAYMENTS OF INTEREST. Interest on an Offered Debenture would generally be
taxable as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes when received or
accrued by a U.S. Holder in accordance with its method of accounting. The
Company does not anticipate that the initial issuance of the Offered Debentures
would result in original issue discount ("OID"), generally defined as the excess
of the stated redemption price at the First Coupon Reset Date of an Offered
Debenture over its issue price. However, if an Offered Debenture is issued with
OID, or is deemed by the IRS to have been issued with OID and such OID is
greater than the statutory de minimis amount (generally, 1/4 of one percent of
the Offered Debenture's stated redemption price at the First Coupon Reset Date
multiplied by the number of complete years to the First Coupon Reset Date from
the issue date), the holder of an Offered Debenture will be required to
recognize as ordinary income the amount of OID on the Offered Debenture as such
discount accrues, in accordance with a constant yield method.
SALE, EXCHANGE OR REDEMPTION. When an Offered Debenture is sold or
redeemed, the U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference
between the amount realized on the sale or redemption (excluding any amount
attributable to accrued interest not previously included in income) and the
adjusted basis in its Offered Debenture. The adjusted basis of an Offered
Debenture generally would equal the U.S. Holder's cost, increased by any OID
previously includible in the U.S. Holder's income with respect to the Offered
Debenture. Gain or loss on sale or redemption of an Offered Debenture generally
would be capital gain or loss.
Capital gains of individuals derived with respect to capital assets held for
more than one year are eligible for reduced rates of taxation depending upon the
holding period of such capital assets. The deductibility of capital losses is
subject to certain limitations.
ALTERNATIVE CHARACTERIZATION
There can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with, or that a court will
uphold, the Company's treatment of the Offered Debentures as maturing on the
First Coupon Reset Date and as thereafter being reissued should the Offered
Debentures be purchased by the Callholder and resold, and it is possible that
the IRS could assert another characterization. In particular, the IRS could seek
to treat the Offered Debentures as maturing on the Maturity Date and possibly
also to treat the issue price of the Offered Debentures as including the value
of the amount paid by the Callholder for the Call Option. Because of the
possible reset pursuant to the Coupon Reset Process, if the Offered Debentures
were treated as maturing on the Maturity Date, Treasury regulations relating to
contingent payment debt obligations (the "Contingent Payment Debt Regulations")
would apply. In such case, the timing and character of income on the Offered
Debentures would be significantly affected. Among other things, U.S. Holders,
regardless of their usual method of tax accounting, would be required to accrue
income annually as OID, subject to the adjustments described below, at a
"comparable yield" on the adjusted issue price, which could be higher than the
actual cash payments received on the Offered Debentures in a taxable year. In
this regard, the Contingent Payment Debt Regulations require that a projected
payment schedule be determined, and that adjustments to income accruals be made
to account for differences between actual payments and projected payments.
Furthermore, any gain realized with respect to the Offered Debentures would
generally be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized would generally
be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the U.S. Holder's ordinary income
inclusions with respect to the Offered Debentures. Any remaining loss generally
would be treated as capital loss. In addition, upon the sale of an Offered
Debenture (other than through exercise of the Call Option), the IRS could take
the position that the gain or loss with respect to the Call Option and the gain
or loss with respect to the debt obligation must be separately determined, in
which case any deemed loss with respect to the Call Option would be treated as
capital loss, and a corresponding amount of additional
S-10
<PAGE>
ordinary income would need to be recognized by the U.S. Holder with respect to
the sale of the debt obligation. The ability to use capital losses to offset
ordinary income in determining taxable income is generally limited. The Company
does not intend to treat the transaction as described in this paragraph and,
therefore, will not provide the holders of Offered Debentures with a projected
payment schedule for purposes of determining income under the Contingent Payment
Debt Regulations.
Prospective purchasers are strongly urged to consult their tax advisers
regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the
Offered Debentures.
TREATMENT OF NON-U.S. HOLDERS
A non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding
tax on payments of principal, premium (if any) or interest (including OID and
accruals under the Contingent Payment Debt Regulations, if any) on an Offered
Debenture, unless such non-U.S. Holder owns actually or constructively 10% or
more of the total combined voting power of the Company or is a controlled
foreign corporation related to the Company through stock ownership. Sections
871(h) and 881(c) of the Code, and applicable Treasury regulations, require
that, in order to obtain the exemption from withholding tax described above,
either the beneficial owner of an Offered Debenture, or a securities clearing
organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers'
securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a "Financial
Institution") and that is holding an Offered Debenture on behalf of such
beneficial owner, file a statement with the withholding agent to the effect that
the beneficial owner of the Offered Debenture is not a U.S. person. In general,
such requirement will be fulfilled if the beneficial owner of an Offered
Debenture certifies on IRS Form W-8, under penalties of perjury, that it is not
a U.S. person and provides its name and address, and any Financial Institution
holding an Offered Debenture on behalf of the beneficial owner files a statement
with the withholding agent to the effect that it has received such statement
from the Holder (and furnishes the withholding agent with a copy thereof).
Generally, a non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax
on any amount which constitutes gain upon retirement or disposition of an
Offered Debenture, 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.
Certain other exceptions may be applicable, and a non-U.S. Holder should consult
its tax adviser in this regard.
If a non-U.S. Holder of an Offered Debenture is engaged in a trade or
business in the United States, and if interest (including OID, if any) or gain
on the Offered Debenture is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade
or business, the non-U.S. Holder, although exempt from the withholding tax
discussed above, will generally be subject to regular U.S. income tax on
interest and on any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of
an Offered Debenture in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder. In lieu of
the statement described above, such Holder will be required to provide to the
Company a properly executed Form 4224 (or successor form) in order to claim an
exemption from withholding tax. In addition, if such non-U.S. Holder is a
foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or
such lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) of its effectively connected
earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments. For
purposes of the branch profits tax, interest on and any gain recognized on the
sale, exchange or other disposition of an Offered Debenture will be included in
the effectively connected earnings and profits of such non-U.S. Holder if such
interest or gain, as the case may be, is effectively connected with the conduct
by the non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States.
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING
A holder may be subject to backup withholding at the rate of 31% of the
interest and other "reportable payments" (including, under certain
circumstances, principal payments and sales proceeds) paid with respect to the
Offered Debenture if, in general, the holder fails to comply with certain
certification procedures and is not an exempt recipient under applicable
provisions of the Code.
On October 6, 1997, the Treasury Department issued new regulations (the "New
Regulations") which make modifications to the withholding, backup withholding
and information reporting rules described above. The New Regulations will
generally be effective for payments made after December 31, 1999, subject to
certain transition rules. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own
tax advisers regarding the New Regulations.
S-11
<PAGE>
UNDERWRITING
Under the terms of and subject to the conditions contained in an
Underwriting Agreement dated the date hereof, the Underwriters named below (the
"Underwriters") have agreed to purchase, and the Company has agreed to sell to
them, severally, the respective principal amounts of the Offered Debentures set
forth opposite the names of the Underwriters below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
NAME AMOUNT
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------
<S> <C>
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated....................................................... $ 50,000,000
Lehman Brothers Inc..................................................................... 50,000,000
--------------
Total............................................................................. $ 100,000,000
--------------
--------------
</TABLE>
In addition, in consideration for the assignment of the Call Option, as
described above, the Callholder will pay to the Company, on the Settlement Date,
an amount equal to 4.26% of the principal amount of the Offered Debentures.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters
to pay for and accept delivery of the Offered Debentures are subject to the
approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other
conditions. The Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the
Offered Debentures if any are taken.
The Underwriters initially propose to offer part of the Offered Debentures
directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page
hereof and part to dealers at a price which represents a concession of .35% of
the principal amount under the public offering price, and either Underwriter may
allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of .25% of the
principal amount to certain other dealers. After the initial offering of the
Offered Debentures, the offering price and other selling terms may, from time to
time, be varied by the Underwriters.
The Company does not intend to apply for listing of the Offered Debentures
on a national securities exchange, but has been advised by the Underwriters that
they presently intend to make a market in the Offered Debentures as permitted by
applicable laws and regulations. The Underwriters are not obligated, however, to
make a market in the Offered Debentures and any such market-making may be
discontinued at any time by the Underwriters at their sole discretion.
Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or trading market
for, the Offered Debentures.
In order to facilitate the offering of the Offered Debentures, the
Underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect the price of the Offered Debentures. Specifically, the Underwriters may
overallot in connection with the offering of the Offered Debentures, creating a
short position in the Offered Debentures for their own accounts. In addition, to
cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the Offered Debentures, the
Underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the Offered Debentures in the open
market. Finally, in the offering of the Offered Debentures, the underwriting
syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer
for distributing the Offered Debentures in the offering if the syndicate
repurchases previously distributed Offered Debentures in transactions to cover
syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of
these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Offered
Debentures above independent market levels. The Underwriters are not required to
engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
The Underwriters, and certain affiliates thereof, engage in transactions
with and perform services for the Company and its affiliates in the ordinary
course of business.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
S-12
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
THE CINCINNATI GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY
DEBT SECURITIES
-----------------
THE CINCINNATI GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY ("CG&E") INTENDS FROM TIME TO TIME TO
ISSUE UP TO $500,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF UNSECURED DEBT
SECURITIES ("DEBT SECURITIES") IN ONE OR MORE SERIES ON TERMS TO BE
DETERMINED AT THE TIME OR TIMES OF SALE. FOR EACH ISSUE OF THE DEBT
SECURITIES FOR WHICH THIS PROSPECTUS IS BEING DELIVERED ("OFFERED
SECURITIES") THERE WILL BE AN ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
("PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT") THAT SETS FORTH, WITHOUT LIMITATION AND TO
THE EXTENT APPLICABLE, THE SPECIFIC DESIGNATION, AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT, DENOMINATION, MATURITY, PREMIUM, IF ANY, RATE OF INTEREST
(WHICH MAY BE FIXED OR VARIABLE) OR METHOD OF CALCULATION THEREOF,
TIME OF PAYMENT OF INTEREST, ANY TERMS FOR REDEMPTION, ANY SINKING
FUND PROVISIONS, ANY SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS, THE INITIAL PUBLIC
OFFERING PRICE, THE NAMES OF ANY UNDERWRITERS OR AGENTS, THE
PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS, IF ANY, TO BE PURCHASED BY THE UNDERWRITERS,
THE COMPENSATION OF SUCH UNDERWRITERS OR AGENTS, AND
ANY OTHER SPECIAL TERMS OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES.
-------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
-------------------
CG&E MAY SELL THE DEBT SECURITIES THROUGH UNDERWRITERS, DEALERS OR AGENTS,
OR DIRECTLY TO ONE OR A LIMITED NUMBER OF PURCHASERS. THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
WILL SET FORTH THE NAMES OF UNDERWRITERS, DEALERS OR AGENTS, IF ANY, ANY
APPLICABLE COMMISSIONS OR DISCOUNTS AND THE NET PROCEEDS TO CG&E FROM THE SALE
OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES.
JUNE 4, 1998
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
CG&E IS SUBJECT TO THE INFORMATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 (THE "EXCHANGE ACT") AND ACCORDINGLY FILES REPORTS AND OTHER
INFORMATION WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ("COMMISSION").
INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS, THEIR REMUNERATION, AND ANY
MATERIAL INTEREST OF SUCH PERSONS IN TRANSACTIONS WITH CG&E, AS OF PARTICULAR
DATES, IS DISCLOSED IN CG&E'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FILED WITH THE
COMMISSION. SUCH REPORTS AND OTHER INFORMATION CAN BE INSPECTED AND COPIED AT
THE PUBLIC REFERENCE FACILITIES MAINTAINED BY THE COMMISSION AT ROOM 1024, 450
FIFTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C.; SUITE 1400, 500 WEST MADISON STREET,
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; AND SUITE 1300, SEVEN WORLD TRADE CENTER, NEW YORK, N.Y.
COPIES OF SUCH MATERIAL CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC REFERENCE SECTION
OF THE COMMISSION AT ITS PRINCIPAL OFFICE AT 450 FIFTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549 AT PRESCRIBED RATES, OR FROM THE COMMISSION'S INTERNET WEB SITE AT
HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. IN ADDITION, SUCH MATERIAL CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE
OFFICES OF THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE AND THE CINCINNATI STOCK EXCHANGE.
CG&E'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE AND BUSINESS OFFICE IS LOCATED AT 139 EAST FOURTH
STREET, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202 (TELEPHONE 513-421-9500).
-------------------
NO DEALER, SALESMAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF
GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS
HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CG&E OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY STATE TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH STATE. THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS
AT ANY TIME DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME
SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
-------------------
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
There is hereby incorporated in this Prospectus by reference the following
documents heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:
1. CG&E's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act.
2. CG&E's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
1998 filed pursuant to the Exchange Act.
All documents filed by CG&E pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination
of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any other subsequently filed document which is deemed to be incorporated
by reference herein or in the Prospectus Supplement modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
CG&E HEREBY UNDERTAKES TO PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM A
COPY OF THIS PROSPECTUS HAS BEEN DELIVERED, ON THE WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF
ANY SUCH PERSON, A COPY OF ANY OR ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO ABOVE WHICH
HAVE BEEN OR MAY BE INCORPORATED IN THIS PROSPECTUS BY REFERENCE, OTHER THAN
EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS. REQUESTS FOR SUCH COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO MR.
WILLIAM L. SHEAFER, VICE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER, THE CINCINNATI GAS & ELECTRIC
COMPANY, 139 EAST FOURTH STREET, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202 (TELEPHONE
513-421-9500).
2
<PAGE>
THE COMPANY
CG&E (incorporated in Ohio in 1837) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cinergy
Corp. ("Cinergy"), a registered holding company under the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935. CG&E is an electric and gas public utility company with
five wholly owned utility subsidiaries. CG&E and its utility subsidiaries are
primarily engaged in the production, transmission, distribution, and sale of
electric energy and the sale and transportation of natural gas in the
southwestern portion of Ohio and adjacent areas in Kentucky and Indiana. The
area served with electricity, gas, or both covers approximately 3,000 square
miles, has an estimated population of 2.0 million, and includes the cities of
Cincinnati and Middletown in Ohio, Covington and Newport in Kentucky, and
Lawrenceburg in Indiana.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as otherwise described in the Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds
of the Offered Securities will be applied primarily to the redemption,
repurchase, repayment, or retirement of outstanding indebtedness and preferred
stock.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the years ended December
31, 1993 through 1997 and the three months ended March 31, 1998 were 1.48, 2.60,
3.40, 3.77, 3.99 and 4.78, respectively.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
GENERAL
The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more new series under an
Indenture between the Company and The Fifth Third Bank, as Trustee (the
"Trustee"). The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject
in all respects to the provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, the Indenture and the Debt Securities, the forms of which are
filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a
part. Whenever particular provisions or defined terms in such documents are
referred to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, such provisions or terms are
incorporated by reference herein or therein, as the case may be.
The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to any particular
issue of Offered Securities for the following terms, among others: (1) the title
of such Debt Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of such
Debt Securities or the series of which they are a part; (3) the date or dates on
which the principal of any of such Debt Securities will be payable; (4) the rate
or rates at which any of such Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, the
date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment
Dates on which any such interest will be payable and the Regular Record Date for
any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date; (5) the right, if any,
to extend interest payment periods and the duration of such extension; (6) the
place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any of
such Debt Securities will be payable; (7) the period or periods within which,
the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any of such
Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the
Company; (8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any of
such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at
the option of the Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the
price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any of such Debt
Securities will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to any
such obligation; (9) the denominations in which any of such Debt Securities will
be issuable; (10) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on
any of such Debt Securities may be determined with reference to an index or
pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined; (11)
if applicable, that such Debt Securities, in whole or any specified part, are
defeasible pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture described under
"Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance";
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(12) whether any of such Debt Securities will be issuable in whole or in part in
the form of one or more Global Debt Securities and, if so, the respective
Depositaries for such Global Debt Securities, the form of any legend or legends
to be borne by any such Global Debt Security in addition to or in lieu of the
legend referred to under "Form, Exchange and Transfer--Global Debt Securities"
and, if different from those described under such caption, any circumstances
under which any such Global Debt Security may be exchanged in whole or in part
for Debt Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Debt Security in
whole or in part may be registered, in the names of Persons other than the
Depositary for such Global Debt Security or its nominee; (13) any addition to or
change in the Events of Default applicable to any of such Debt Securities and
any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal
amount of any of such Debt Securities due and payable; (14) any addition to or
change in the covenants in the Indenture; (15) the applicability of or any
change in the subordination provisions of the Indenture for a series of Debt
Securities; and (16) any other terms of such Debt Securities not inconsistent
with the provisions of the Indenture. (Section 301).
Except as otherwise described in the Prospectus Supplement, the covenants
contained in the Indenture would not afford holders of Debt Securities
protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction involving the Company.
SUBORDINATION OF CERTAIN DEBT SECURITIES
The Indenture provides that, pursuant to a supplemental indenture or a Board
Resolution, one or more series of Debt Securities (the "Junior Subordinated
Securities") may be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Debt of the Company, whether outstanding as of the
date of the Indenture or thereafter incurred. (Section 1401).
With respect to any Junior Subordinated Securities, no payment of principal
of (including redemption and sinking fund payments), premium, if any, or
interest on, the Junior Subordinated Securities may be made if any Senior Debt
is not paid when due, any applicable grace period with respect to such default
has ended and such default has not been cured or waived, or if the maturity of
any Senior Debt has been accelerated because of a default. (Section 1402). Upon
any distribution of assets of the Company to creditors upon any dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or
in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all principal of,
and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on, all Senior Debt must
be paid in full before the holders of the Junior Subordinated Securities are
entitled to receive or retain any payment. (Section 1403). The rights of the
holders of the Junior Subordinated Securities will be subrogated to the rights
of the holders of Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions applicable to
Senior Debt. (Section 1404).
The term "Senior Debt" shall mean the principal of, premium, if any,
interest on and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following, whether
outstanding at the date of execution of the Indenture or thereafter incurred,
created or assumed:
(a) all indebtedness of the Company evidenced by notes, debentures,
bonds, or other securities sold by the Company for money, excluding Junior
Subordinated Securities, but including all first mortgage bonds of the
Company outstanding from time to time;
(b) all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the preceding
clause (a) assumed by or guaranteed in any manner by the Company; and
(c) all renewals, extensions, or refundings of indebtedness of the kinds
described in any of the preceding clauses (a) and (b);
unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, renewal, extension or
refunding, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or
guarantee of the same expressly provides that such indebtedness, renewal,
extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to or is pari passu
with the Junior Subordinated Securities. (Section 101).
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The Indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of Senior Debt that the
Company may issue. As of December 31, 1997, outstanding Senior Debt of the
Company aggregated approximately $1.53 billion.
FORM, EXCHANGE, AND TRANSFER
The Debt Securities of each series will be issuable only in fully registered
form without coupons. (Section 302).
At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the Indenture and the
limitations applicable to Global Debt Securities, Debt Securities of any series
will be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series, of any
authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
(Section 305).
Subject to the terms of the Indenture and the limitations applicable to
Global Debt Securities, Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as
provided above or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form
of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Security
Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for
such purpose. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security
Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the
documents of title and identity of the person making the request. The Company
has appointed the Trustee as Security Registrar. Any transfer agent (in addition
to the Security Registrar) initially designated by the Company for any Debt
Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 305).
The Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the
designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through
which any transfer agent acts, except that the Company will be required to
maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of
each series. (Section 1002).
If the Debt Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor)
are to be redeemed in part, the Company will not be required to (i) issue,
register the transfer of, or exchange any Debt Security of that series (or of
that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning
at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of
redemption of any such Debt Security that may be selected for redemption and
ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or (ii) register the
transfer of or exchange any Debt Security so selected for redemption, in whole
or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any such Debt Security being
redeemed in part. (Section 305).
GLOBAL DEBT SECURITIES
Some or all of the Debt Securities of any series may be issued as Global
Debt Securities. Each Global Debt Security will be registered in the name of a
Depositary or a nominee thereof identified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, will be deposited with such Depositary or nominee or a custodian
therefor and will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and
registration of transfer thereof referred to below and any such other matters as
may be provided for pursuant to the Indenture.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Indenture or any Debt Security
described herein, no Global Debt Security may be exchanged in whole or in part
for Debt Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Debt Security in
whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the
Depositary for such Global Debt Security or any nominee of such Depositary
unless (i) the Depositary has notified the Company that it is unwilling or
unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Debt Security or has ceased to
be qualified to act as such as required by the Indenture, (ii) there shall have
occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such Global Debt
Security or (iii) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to
or in lieu of those described above as may be described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. All securities issued in exchange for a Global Debt
Security or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the
Depositary may direct. (Sections 204 and 305).
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As long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered Holder of a
Global Debt Security, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will
be considered the sole owner and Holder of such Global Debt Security for all
purposes under the Debt Securities and the Indenture. Except in the limited
circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Debt
Security will not be entitled to have such Global Debt Security or any portion
thereof registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive
physical delivery of certificated Debt Securities in exchange therefor and will
not be considered to be the owners or Holders of such Global Debt Security or
any portion thereof for any purpose under the Debt Securities or the Indenture.
All payments of principal of and any premium and interest on a Global Debt
Security will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as
the Holder thereof. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain
purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive
form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a
Global Debt Security.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Debt Security will be limited
to institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee
("participants") and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through
participants. In connection with the issuance of any Global Debt Security, the
Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
respective portion of the principal amounts of the Global Debt Security to the
accounts of its participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Debt
Security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests
will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with
respect to participants' interests) or any such participant (with respect to
interests of persons held by such participants on their behalf). Payments,
transfers, exchanges, and other matters relating to beneficial interests in a
Global Debt Security are subject to various policies and procedures adopted by
the Depositary from time to time. None of the Company, the Trustee or any agent
of the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the Depositary's or any participant's records relating to, or for
payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Debt Security, or
for maintaining, supervising, or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial interests.
Secondary trading in notes and debentures of corporate issuers is generally
settled in clearing-house or next-day funds. In contrast, beneficial interests
in a Global Debt Security, in some cases, will trade in the Depositary's
same-day funds settlement system in which secondary market trading activity in
those beneficial interests are required by the Depositary to settle in
immediately available funds. There is no assurance as to the effect, if any,
that settlement in immediately available funds would have on trading activity in
such beneficial interests. Also, settlement for purchases of beneficial
interests in a Global Debt Security upon the original issuance thereof may be
required to be made in immediately available funds.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of interest on a Debt Security on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the
Person in whose name such Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Debt
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest. (Section 307).
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of a particular
series will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as
the Company may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that at the
option of the Company payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the Security
Register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
the corporate trust office of the Trustee in the City of Cincinnati will be
designated as the Company's sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Debt
Securities of each series. Any other Paying Agents initially designated by the
Company for the Debt Securities of a particular series will be named in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company may at any time designate
additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or
approve a change in the office
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through which any Paying Agent acts, except that the Company will be required to
maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of a
particular series. (Section 1002).
All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remain
unclaimed at the end of 18 months after such principal, premium or interest has
become due and payable will be repaid to the Company, and the Holder of such
Debt Security thereafter may look only to the Company for payment thereof.
(Section 1003).
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, AND SALE OF ASSETS
The Indenture does not contain any covenant that restricts the Company's
ability to merge or consolidate with or into any other corporation, sell or
convey all or substantially all of its assets to any person, firm or corporation
or otherwise engage in restructuring transactions, provided that the successor
corporation assumes due and punctual payment of principal or premium, if any,
and interest on the Debt Securities. (Section 801).
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the
Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay
principal of or any premium on any Debt Security of that series when due; (b)
failure to pay any interest on any Debt Securities of that series when due,
continued for 30 days; (c) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when
due, in respect of any Debt Security of that series; (d) failure to perform any
other covenant of the Company in the Indenture (other than a covenant included
in the Indenture solely for the benefit of a series other than that series),
continued for 90 days after written notice has been given by the Trustee, or the
Holders of at least 35% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities
of that series, as provided in the Indenture; and (e) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. (Section 501).
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause
(e) above) with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding shall occur and be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of
at least 35% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
that series by notice as provided in the Indenture may declare the principal
amount of the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately.
If an Event of Default described in clause (e) above with respect to the Debt
Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall occur, the principal
amount of all the Debt Securities of that series will automatically, and without
any action by the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable.
After any such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on
acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, under certain circumstances,
rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the
non-payment of accelerated principal, have been cured or waived as provided in
the Indenture. (Section 502). For information as to waiver of defaults, see
"Modification and Waiver."
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the
Trustee in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee
will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders
shall have offered to the Trustee reasonably satisfactory indemnity. (Section
603). Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee, the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities
of that series. (Section 512).
No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute
any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a
receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless (i) such
Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event
of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of that series, (ii) the Holders
of at least 35% in aggregate principal
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amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series have made written
request, and such Holder or Holders have offered reasonably satisfactory
indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee and (iii) the
Trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60
days after such notice, request and offer. (Section 507). However, such
limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Debt Security for
the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on
such Debt Security on or after the applicable due date specified in such Debt
Security. (Section 508).
The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement
by certain of its officers as to whether or not the Company, to their knowledge,
is in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions
and conditions of the Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.
(Section 1004).
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company and
the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series
affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such
modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of
the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Debt
Security, (b) reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any
Debt Security, (c) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount
Security or any other Debt Security payable upon acceleration of the Maturity
thereof, (d) change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any
premium or interest on, any Debt Security, (e) affect the applicability of the
subordination provisions to any Debt Security, (f) impair the right to institute
suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security,
(g) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of
any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification or
amendment of the Indenture, reduce the percentage in principal amount of
Outstanding Debt Securities of any series necessary for waiver of compliance
with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults or
modify such provisions with respect to modification and waiver. (Section 902).
The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may waive compliance by the Company
with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. (Section 1007). The
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
any series may waive any past default under the Indenture, except a default in
the payment of principal, premium, or interest and certain covenants and
provisions of the Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the
Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series affected. (Section 513).
Except in certain limited circumstances, the Company will be entitled to set
any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of
Outstanding Debt Securities of any series entitled to give or take any
direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other action under the Indenture, in the
manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture. In certain
limited circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record date for
action by Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by Holders
of a particular series, such action may be taken only by persons who are Holders
of Outstanding Debt Securities of that series on the record date. To be
effective, such action must be taken by Holders of the requisite principal
amount of such Debt Securities within a specified period following the record
date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such other
shorter period as may be specified by the Company (or the Trustee, if it set the
record date), and may be shortened or lengthened (but not beyond 180 days) from
time to time. (Section 104).
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DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
If and to the extent indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have the provisions of Section
1302, relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness, or Section 1303,
relating to defeasance of certain restrictive covenants in the Indenture,
applied to the Debt Securities or to the Debt Securities of any series. (Section
1301).
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE. The Indenture provides that, upon the Company's
exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1302 applied to any Debt
Securities, the Company will be discharged from all its obligations with respect
to such Debt Securities (except for certain obligations to exchange or register
the transfer of Debt Securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt
Securities, to maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys for payment in trust)
upon the deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities
of money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of
principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium
and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such
defeasance or discharge may occur only if, among other things, the Company has
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Company
has received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal
Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in tax law, in either case
to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance,
and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in
the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
deposit, defeasance and discharge were not to occur. (Sections 1302 and 1304).
DEFEASANCE OF CERTAIN COVENANTS. The Indenture provides that, upon the
Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1303 applied to any
Debt Securities, the Company may omit to comply with certain restrictive
covenants that may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and the
occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described above in clause (d)
(with respect to such restrictive covenants) under "Events of Default" and any
that may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be deemed
not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such
Debt Securities. The Company, in order to exercise such option, will be required
to deposit, in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities,
money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of
principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium
and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture and such Debt Securities. The Company
will also be required, among other things, to deliver to the Trustee an Opinion
of Counsel to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize
gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and
defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject to federal income tax on
the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if such deposit and defeasance were not to occur. In the event the Company
exercised this option with respect to any Debt Securities and such Debt
Securities were declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event
of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations so deposited in
trust would be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time
of their respective Stated Maturities but may not be sufficient to pay amounts
due on such Debt Securities upon any acceleration resulting from such Event of
Default. In such case, the Company would remain liable for such payments.
(Sections 1303 and 1304).
TITLE
The Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may
treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute
owner thereof (whether or not such Debt Security may be overdue) for the purpose
of making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 308).
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GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the law of the State of New York. (Section 112).
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
The Fifth Third Bank is the Trustee under the Indenture. The Fifth Third
Bank also acts as the Trustee for certain unsecured debt securities of CG&E's
wholly owned subsidiary, The Union Light Heat and Power Company, and PSI Energy,
Inc. ("PSI"), an affiliate of CG&E, acts as the Trustee for certain pollution
control revenue bonds of CG&E and PSI, and acts as registrar for the common
stock of Cinergy and for the preferred stock of CG&E and PSI. The Fifth Third
Bank makes loans to, acts as depositary for, and, in the normal course of
business, also performs other services for CG&E and PSI.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
CG&E may sell the Debt Securities in any of three ways: (i) through
underwriters or dealers; (ii) directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a
single purchaser; or (iii) through agents. The Prospectus Supplement with
respect to the Offered Securities sets forth the terms of the offering of the
Offered Securities, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or
agents, the purchase price of such Offered Securities and the proceeds to CG&E
from such sale, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting
underwriters' compensation, any initial public offering price and any discounts
or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. Any initial public
offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
dealers may be changed from time to time.
If underwriters are used in the sale, the Debt Securities will be acquired
by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in
one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public
offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The
underwriters with respect to a particular Underwritten Offering of Offered
Securities will be named in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such offering
and, if an underwriting syndicate is used, the managing underwriter or
underwriters will be set forth on the cover page of such Prospectus Supplement.
In connection with the sale of Offered Securities, the underwriters may receive
compensation from CG&E or from purchasers in the form of discounts, concessions
or commissions. The underwriters will be, and any dealers participating in the
distribution of the Offered Securities may be, deemed to be underwriters within
the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933. CG&E has agreed to indemnify the
underwriters against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933. The underwriting agreement pursuant to which any Offered
Securities are to be sold will provide that the obligations of the underwriters
are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters will be
obligated to purchase all of the Offered Securities if any are purchased.
Offered Securities may be sold directly by CG&E or through agents designated
by CG&E from time to time. The Prospectus Supplement sets forth the name of any
agent involved in the offer or sale of the Offered Securities in respect of
which the Prospectus Supplement is delivered as well as any commissions payable
by CG&E to such agent. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement,
any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its
appointment.
If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, CG&E will authorize agents,
underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified institutions to
purchase Offered Securities from CG&E at the public offering price set forth in
the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for
payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be
subject to those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and the
Prospectus Supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of
such contracts.
The consolidated balance sheets of CG&E as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and
the related consolidated statements of income, changes in common stock equity
and cash flows for each of the three
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<PAGE>
years in the period ended December 31, 1997, included in CG&E's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their report with
respect thereto, and are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said
report.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The legality of the Debt Securities will be passed upon for CG&E by Taft,
Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Star Bank Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, and for
the Underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New
York 10017, who may rely as to matters of Ohio law on the opinion of Taft,
Stettinius & Hollister LLP.
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