As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 1999
Registration No. 333-81391
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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COMCAST CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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Pennsylvania 23-170902
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(State or jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
See Table of Additional Registrants
1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-2148
(215) 665-1700
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
John R. Alchin, Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Comcast Corporation
1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-2148
(215) 665-1700
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)
-----------------------
Copies of communications to:
Bruce K. Dallas, Esquire
Davis Polk & Wardwell
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(212) 450-4000
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Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the Public: From
time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box. [ ]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered
on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), other than securities offered only
in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box [X]
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the
same offering. [ ]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
-----------------------
Pursuant to Rule 429 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, the
Prospectus which forms a part of this Registration Statement
also relates to the remaining $295,774,064 initial offering price of
Securities registered under the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-3, File No. 333-74289, which was declared effective on March 11, 1999.
-----------------------
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
===============================================================================
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
Additional Registrants
<S> <C> <C>
Comcast Corporation Trust I Delaware To be applied for
Comcast Corporation Trust II Delaware To be applied for
Comcast Corporation Trust III Delaware To be applied for
(Exact name of registrant as Specified in (State of Other Jurisdiction or (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
its Charter) Incorporation or Organization)
</TABLE>
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THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY
NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN
OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND WE ARE NOT SOLICITING OFFERS TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER IS NOT PERMITTED.
PROSPECTUS Subject to Completion
Issued August 6, 1999
Comcast Corporation
COMCAST CORPORATION TRUST I
$3,000,000,000 COMCAST CORPORATION TRUST II
COMCAST CORPORATION TRUST III
1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-2148
(215) 665-1700
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The following are types of securities that we may offer and sell under this
prospectus:
o Class A common stock o Class A special common stock
o Preferred stock o Purchase contracts
o Unsecured senior debt securities o Depositary shares
o Unsecured subordinated debt
securities
o Warrants
o Units
In addition, we, in conjunction with our newly created trust subsidiaries,
may offer and sell:
o Guaranteed trust preferred securities and guarantees thereof
We will describe in a prospectus supplement, which must accompany this
prospectus, the securities we are offering and selling, as well as the
specific terms of the securities. Those terms may include:
o Maturity o Redemption terms
o Interest rate o Listing on a securities exchange
o Sinking fund terms o Amount payable at maturity
o Currency of payments o Conversion or exchange rights
o Dividends o Liquidation amount
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Investing in the securities involves risks that are described under the
caption "Risk Factors" beginning on page 3.
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The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have
not approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this prospectus
is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
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We may offer the securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined
at the time of offering. We and our trust subsidiaries may sell the securities
directly to you, through agents we select, or through underwriters and dealers
we select. If we use agents, underwriters or dealers to sell the securities,
we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement.
August ___, 1999.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Risk Factors..................................................................3
Comcast Corporation...........................................................6
Trust Subsidiaries............................................................7
Use of Proceeds...............................................................7
Dividend Policy...............................................................8
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and to Combined Fixed Charges and
Preferred Stock Dividends................................................8
Description of the Senior Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities....8
Description of Warrants......................................................19
Description of Purchase Contracts............................................20
Description of Units.........................................................20
Description of the Guaranteed Trust Preferred Securities.....................20
Description of the Guaranteed Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees..........22
Global Securities............................................................25
Description of Preferred Stock...............................................26
Description of Depositary Shares.............................................27
Description of Common Stock..................................................29
Plan of Distribution.........................................................31
Legal Matters................................................................31
Experts......................................................................32
Available Information........................................................32
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference..............................33
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We are a Pennsylvania corporation and have an office at 1500 Market
Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-2148. Our telephone number is (215)
665-1700. We also have a world wide web site at http://www.comcast.com. The
information posted at our web site is not incorporated into this prospectus.
Each trust subsidiary has the sole obligation to make payments to you on
the guaranteed trust preferred securities. However, our obligations to each
trust subsidiary and our guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee are
equivalent to our full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis of
each trust subsidiary's payments to you on the guaranteed trust preferred
securities. We have the sole obligation to make payments to you on all other
securities.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, in
the accompanying prospectus supplement and in material we file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. We have not authorized anyone to provide
you with information that is different. We are offering to sell, and seeking
offers to buy, the securities described in the prospectus only where offers
and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus, the
prospectus supplement and our filings with the SEC is accurate only as of its
date, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus and the prospectus
supplement or of any sale of the securities.
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RISK FACTORS
You should carefully review the information contained in this Prospectus,
but should particularly consider the following matters.
Our Ability to Successfully Integrate Our New Cable Communications Operations
Will Affect Our Future Results
We recently have entered into a series of transactions which will
substantially increase the size and scope of our cable operations over the
next several years. These transactions will result in an increase in the
number of subscribers we serve from approximately 5.6 million, as of April 30,
1999, to in excess of 8 million. We will be acquiring systems in new
communities in which we do not have established relationships with the local
franchising authority, community leaders and cable subscribers. Further, a
substantial number of new employees must be integrated into our business
practices and operations. Our results of operations may be significantly
affected by our ability to efficiently and effectively manage these changes.
We cannot provide assurances that we will be able to successfully integrate
those new systems and employees into our existing operations.
Our Ability to Pay Our Obligations, Including Our Obligation to Pay
Holders of Our Securities, is Dependent Upon Payments That We Receive
from Our Subsidiaries.
We are a holding company, which means that we conduct substantially all
of our operations through subsidiaries. Our ability to pay our obligations,
including our obligation to make payments on the securities we are offering,
depends upon our subsidiaries:
o paying us management fees under the terms of our management
agreements with the subsidiaries;
o paying us for programming on a basis which generally approximates the
amount each such subsidiary would be charged if it purchased such programming
directly from the supplier and did not benefit from our consolidated
operations;
o repaying investments and advances we have made to them; or
o earnings and their distributing those earnings to us.
Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no
obligation whatsoever to pay any amounts due on the securities we are offering
or to make funds available to us. Our subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends
or make other payments or advances to us will depend upon their operating
results and will be subject to applicable laws and contractual restrictions.
Some of our subsidiaries' loan agreements require them to maintain certain
financial ratios and restrict their ability to make dividends, pay management
fees and advance funds to affiliated entities, including us.
Our debt securities and our trust subsidiaries' guaranteed trust
preferred securities will be effectively subordinated to all our subsidiaries'
liabilities, including their trade payables and the liquidation value of their
preferred stock. This means that our subsidiaries must pay their trade
creditors and preferred stockholders in full before their assets are available
to us to pay you. In addition, even if we are a creditor of one of our
subsidiaries, our claim would be subordinated to any security interest in its
assets and to any of its indebtedness.
We Face a Wide Range of Competition in Areas Served by Our Cable Systems
Our cable communications systems compete with a number of different
sources which provide news, information and entertainment programming to
consumers, including:
o local television broadcast stations that provide off-air programming
which can be received using a roof-top antenna and television set;
o program distributors that transmit satellite signals containing video
programming, data and other information to receiving dishes of varying sizes
located on the subscriber's premises, commonly known as DBS;
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o other cable operators who build and operate cable systems in the same
communities that we serve, commonly known as broadband/ wireline competitors;
o satellite master antenna television systems, commonly known as SMATV,
which generally serve condominiums, apartment and office complexes and
residential developments;
o multichannel, multipoint distribution service operators, commonly
known as MMDS or wireless cable operators, which use low-power microwave
frequencies to transmit video programming and other information over-the-air
to subscribers;
o interactive online computer services including Internet service
providers, commonly known as ISPs;
o newspapers, magazines and book stores;
o movie theaters;
o live concerts and sporting events; and
o home video products, including videotape cassette recorders.
In addition, federal law now allows local telephone companies to provide
directly to subscribers a wide variety of services that are competitive with
our cable communications services. Some local telephone companies:
o provide video services within and outside their telephone service
areas through a variety of methods, including broadband cable networks,
satellite program distribution and wireless transmission facilities; or
o have announced plans to construct and operate cable communications
systems in various states.
Recently, a number of companies, including telephone companies and ISPs
have requested local authorities and the FCC to require cable operators to
provide open access to cable's broadband infrastructure so that these
companies may deliver Internet services directly to customers over cable
facilities. In response, several local jurisdictions attempted to impose open
access obligations on several cable operators. Various cable companies,
including Comcast, have initiated litigation challenging municipal open access
requirements. Franchise renewals, transfers, and cable system operations could
become more difficult if the open access issue is not resolved in favor of
cable operators.
The deployment of Digital Subscriber Line technology, known as DSL, will
allow Internet access to subscribers at data transmission speeds equal to or
greater than that of modems over conventional telephone lines. Several
telephone companies are introducing DSL service. The FCC initiated an
administrative proceeding to consider its authority and rules to facilitate
the deployment of advanced communications services, including high-speed
broadband services and interactive online services. We are unable to predict
the ultimate outcome of any FCC proceeding, the likelihood of success of the
online services offered by our competitors or the impact on our business and
operations of these competitive ventures.
We expect advances in communications technology, as well as changes in
the marketplace and the regulatory and legislative environment to occur in the
future. Other new technologies and services may develop and may compete with
services that our cable communications systems offer. Consequently, we are
unable to predict the effect that ongoing or future developments might have on
our business and operations.
Our Cost of Providing Programming May Increase in the Future
We generally pay either a monthly fee per subscriber per channel or a
percentage of certain revenues for programming. Our programming costs are
increased by:
o increases in the number of subscribers;
o expansion of the number of channels provided to customers; and
o increases in contract rates from programming suppliers.
Our programming contracts are generally for a fixed period of time and
are subject to negotiated renewal. We anticipate that future contract renewals
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will result in programming costs that are higher than our costs today,
particularly for sports programming.
We Face Competition in Electronic Retailing from the Retail Industry
and Other Satellite-Transmitted Programs
QVC, our electronic retailing subsidiary, is a domestic and international
electronic media general merchandise retailer which produces and distributes
merchandise-focused television programs, via satellite, to affiliated video
program providers for retransmission to subscribers.
QVC operates in a highly competitive environment. As a general
merchandise retailer, QVC competes for consumer expenditures and interest with
the entire retail industry, including department, discount, warehouse and
specialty stores, mail order, Internet and other direct sellers, shopping
center and mall tenants and conventional retail stores. On television, QVC
competes with other satellite- transmitted programs for channel space and
viewer loyalty. Many systems have limited channel capacity and therefore may
be precluded from carrying the QVC program.
The QVC Program May Experience Transmission Failures Which Could
Significantly Impact QVC's Financial Results
A transponder on a communications satellite transmits the QVC domestic
signal. QVC subleases transponders for the transmission of its signals to the
UK and Germany. QVC has made arrangements for redundant coverage through other
satellites in case of a failure. We cannot offer assurances that there will
not be an interruption or termination of satellite transmission due to
transponder failure. Interruption or termination could have a material adverse
effect on QVC.
Our Capital Structure Includes a Substantial Amount of Debt
As of March 31, 1999, our consolidated indebtedness was $6.291 billion,
of which $2.490 billion constituted "Senior Indebtedness" under the
subordinated indenture dated as of June 15, 1999 between us and Bankers Trust
Company, as trustee. As of March 31, 1999, our consolidated stockholders'
equity was $5.029 billion. The indentures that govern the terms of our debt do
not restrict our ability or our subsidiaries' ability to incur additional
indebtedness. The degree to which we incur additional debt could have
important consequences to holders of the securities, including:
o limiting our ability to obtain any necessary financing in the future
for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements or other
purposes;
o requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows from
operations to the payment of indebtedness and not for other purposes, such as
working capital and capital expenditures;
o limiting our flexibility to plan for, or react to, changes in our
businesses;
o making us more indebted than some of our competitors, which may place
us at a competitive disadvantage; and
o making us more vulnerable to a downturn in our businesses.
The Securities We Are Offering May Not Develop an Active Public Market
The securities we are offering, other than our class A common stock and
class A special common stock, will be new issues of securities for which there
is currently no trading market. We cannot predict whether an active trading
market for the securities will develop or be sustained. If an active trading
market were to develop, the securities could trade at prices that may be lower
than the initial offering price of the securities.
In addition, the guaranteed trust preferred securities may trade at a
price that does not fully reflect the value of accrued but unpaid interest on
the underlying subordinated debt securities. This could have adverse tax
consequences to you if you dispose of your guaranteed trust preferred
securities between record dates for payments. See any accompanying prospectus
supplement relating to guaranteed trust preferred securities for more
information on the tax implications of your purchase of guaranteed trust
preferred securities.
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Our Future Operations May Be Affected by a Variety of Other Factors
The cable communications industry and the provision of programming
content may be affected by, among other things:
o changes in laws and regulations;
o judicial and administrative decisions;
o changes in the competitive environment;
o changes in technology;
o franchise related matters;
o market conditions that may adversely affect the availability of debt
and equity financing for working capital, capital expenditures or
other purposes;
o demand for the programming content we distribute or the willingness
of other video program distributors to carry our content; and
o general economic conditions.
In this Prospectus we state our beliefs of future events and our future
financial performance. In some cases, you can identify those so-called
"forward- looking statements" by words such as "may," "will," "should,"
"expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts,"
"potential," or "continue" or the negative of those words and other comparable
words. You should be aware that those statements are only our predictions.
Actual events or results may differ materially. In evaluating those
statements, you should specifically consider various factors, including the
risks outlined above. Those factors may cause our actual results to differ
materially from any of our forward-looking statements.
COMCAST CORPORATION
We are principally engaged both in developing, managing and operating
hybrid fiber-coaxial broadband cable communications networks and in providing
programming content, primarily through QVC. We are currently the third-largest
cable communications system operator in the United States and are in the
process of implementing high-speed Internet access service and digital video
applications to enhance the products available on our cable networks.
Our consolidated cable operations served approximately 5.6 million
subscribers and passed approximately 9.4 million homes in the United States as
of April 30, 1999. We own interests in other cable communications companies
serving more than 238,000 subscribers as of April 30, 1999. In May of 1999, we
entered into a series of transactions with AT&T Corp. whereby we will acquire,
subject to receipt of necessary regulatory and other approvals, approximately
2 million cable subscribers from AT&T in a series of transactions over the
next three years. Upon completion of the AT&T transactions and other pending
transactions, we will serve in excess of 8 million subscribers.
We provide programming content through our majority-owned subsidiaries,
QVC, Inc. and E! Entertainment Television, Inc., and through other programming
investments, including Comcast SportsNet, The Golf Channel, Speedvision and
Outdoor Life. Through QVC, we market a wide variety of products directly to
consumers primarily on merchandise-focused television programs. QVC is
available, on a full and part-time basis, to over 72.2 million homes in the
United States, over 7.6 million homes in the United Kingdom and Ireland and
over 14.9 million homes in Germany.
We are a Pennsylvania corporation that was organized in 1969. We have our
principal executive offices at 1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19102-2148. Our telephone number is (215) 665-1700. We also have a world wide
web site at http://www.comcast.com. The information posted
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on our web site is not incorporated into this Prospectus.
TRUST SUBSIDIARIES
Comcast Corporation Trust I, Comcast Corporation Trust II and Comcast
Corporation Trust III are statutory business trusts formed under Delaware law
under separate declarations of trust on June 16, 1999. We executed, as sponsor
for each trust, together with the relevant trustees, declarations of trust
with respect to each trust subsidiary and will execute together with the
relevant trustees and institutional trustee, an amended and restated
declaration of trust that provides for the issuance of guaranteed trust
preferred securities, when we issue them. Any reference to the "declaration"
means the original declaration prior to such issuance, and the amended and
restated declaration following issuance, unless otherwise indicated.
Each of our trust subsidiaries exists for the exclusive purposes of:
o issuing the guaranteed trust preferred securities and common
securities representing undivided beneficial interests in its assets;
o investing the gross proceeds of the guaranteed trust preferred
securities and common securities in our subordinated debt securities; and
o engaging in only those other activities necessary or incidental to the
first two purposes.
We will directly or indirectly own all of the common securities of each of our
trust subsidiaries. The common securities will have an aggregate liquidation
amount equal to no less than 3 percent of the total capital of each trust
subsidiary. The common securities will rank equally with, and each trust
subsidiary will make payments on the common securities in proportion to, the
guaranteed trust preferred securities, except that if an event of default
occurs under the declaration, our rights as holder of the common securities to
payments will be subordinated to your rights as holder of the guaranteed trust
preferred securities. Each of our trust subsidiaries has a term of 55 years,
but may terminate earlier as provided in its declaration. Each trust
subsidiary's business and affairs will be conducted by the trustees we
appoint, as the direct or indirect holder of all the common securities. We, as
holder of the common securities, are entitled to appoint, remove or replace
any of, or increase or decrease the number of, the trustees of each trust
subsidiary. The trustees' duties and obligations are governed by the trust
subsidiaries' declarations. Prior to the issuance of any guaranteed trust
preferred securities, we will ensure that a majority of each trust
subsidiary's trustees are persons who are our employees or officers or
affiliates and that one trustee of each trust subsidiary is a financial
institution that is not an affiliate of ours. The unaffiliated financial
institution will act as institutional trustee and as indenture trustee for
purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, pursuant to the terms set forth
in a prospectus supplement. In addition, unless the institutional trustee
maintains a principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and
otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, one trustee of each trust
subsidiary will have its principal place of business or reside in the State of
Delaware. We will pay each trust subsidiary's fees and expenses, including
those relating to any offering of guaranteed trust preferred securities. In
addition, we guarantee payments on the guaranteed trust preferred securities
to the extent our trust subsidiaries can themselves make payments on the
guaranteed trust preferred securities.
Each trust subsidiary's principal place of business is c/o Comcast
Corporation, 1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-2148.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for
working capital and general corporate purposes. We may also invest the
proceeds in certificates of deposit, United States government securities or
certain other interest bearing securities. If we decide to use the net
proceeds from a particular offering of securities for a specific purpose, we
will describe that in a prospectus supplement. Each of our trust subsidiaries
will use all proceeds received from the sale of the guaranteed trust preferred
securities to purchase subordinated debt securities from us.
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DIVIDEND POLICY
We paid quarterly dividends on our common stock of $0.012 per share in
1997 and 1998 and in March 1999. We do not intend to pay dividends on our
common stock for the foreseeable future.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES
AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
The following table sets forth our historical ratio of earnings to fixed
charges and to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends from
continuing operations. Earnings consist of income (loss) from continuing
operations before income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effect of
accounting changes, equity in net losses of affiliates and fixed charges.
Fixed charges consist of interest expense and capitalized interest. Combined
fixed charges and preferred stock dividends consist of fixed charges, as
defined above, and the amount of pre-tax earnings required to pay the
dividends on our preferred stock.
Three Months
Ended
March 31, Year Ended December 31,
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1999 1998 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges................... 2.69x 1.56x 5.54x 1.45x 1.45x 1.48x --(1)
Ratio of earnings to combined
fixed charges and
preferred stock
dividends................. 2.44x 1.43x 5.05x 1.38x 1.44x 1.48x --(1)
- -------------------
(1) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges and combined fixed
charges and preferred stock dividends by $6.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 1994.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES AND
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
Our debt securities, consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences
of indebtedness, may be issued from time to time in one or more series:
o in the case of senior debt securities, under a senior indenture to be
dated as of June 15, 1999 between us and Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as
trustee; and
o in the case of subordinated debt securities, under a subordinated
indenture to be dated as of June 15, 1999 between us and Bankers Trust
Company, as trustee.
The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are included as
exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Because the following is only a summary of the indentures and the debt
securities, it does not contain all information that you may find useful. For
further information about the indentures and the debt securities, you should
read the indentures. As used in this Section of the Prospectus and under
captions "Description of Debt Warrants," "Description of Common Stock,"
"Description of Purchase Contracts" and "Description of Units," the terms we,
us and our mean Comcast Corporation only, and not subsidiaries of Comcast
Corporation.
General
The senior debt securities will constitute unsecured and unsubordinated
obligations of ours and the subordinated debt securities will constitute
unsecured and subordinated obligations of ours. A detailed description of the
subordination provisions is provided below under the caption "Certain Terms of
the subordinated debt securities -- Subordination". In general, however, if we
declare bankruptcy the senior debt securities will be paid in full before the
subordinated debt securities will receive anything.
We are a holding company and conduct all of our
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operations through subsidiaries. Consequently, our ability to pay our
obligations, including our obligation to pay principal or interest on the debt
securities, to pay the debt securities at maturity or upon redemption or to
buy the debt securities will depend upon our subsidiaries paying us management
fees under the terms of our management agreements with them, paying us for
programming and repaying investments and advances we have made to them, and
upon our subsidiaries' earnings and their distributing those earnings to us.
Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no
obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due on the debt
securities or to make funds available to us to do so. Our subsidiaries'
ability to pay dividends or make other payments or advances to us will depend
upon their operating results and will be subject to applicable laws and
contractual restrictions. In addition, some of our subsidiaries' loan
agreements require them to maintain financial ratios and cash flow levels and
contain restrictions on their ability to make dividend payments, pay
management fees and make advances to affiliated entities, including us. The
indentures will not limit our subsidiaries' ability to enter into other
agreements that prohibit or restrict dividends or other payments or advances
to us.
You should look in the prospectus supplement for the following terms of
the debt securities being offered:
o the debt securities' designation;
o the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;
o the percentage of their principal amount (i.e price) at which the
debt securities will be issued;
o the date or dates on which the debt securities will mature and the
right, if any, to extend such date or dates;
o the rate or rates, if any, per year, at which the debt securities
will bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates;
o the date or dates from which such interest will accrue, the interest
payment dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of
determination of such interest payment dates and the record dates for the
determination of holders to whom interest is payable on any interest payment
dates;
o the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the
duration of that extension;
o provisions for a sinking fund purchase or other analogous fund, if
any;
o the period or periods, if any, within which, the price or prices of
which, and the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities may be
redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option or at your option
o the form of the debt securities;
o any provisions for payment of additional amounts for taxes and any
provision for redemption, if we must pay such additional amounts in respect of
any debt security;
o the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we may have to repay the
debt securities early at your option and the price or prices in the currency
or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable;
o the currency, currencies or currency units for which you may purchase
the debt securities and the currency, currencies or currency units in which
principal and interest, if any, on the debt securities may be payable;
o the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the debt
securities may be converted or exchanged for the cash value of other
securities issued by us or by a third party; and
o any other terms of the debt securities, including any additional
events of default or covenants provided for with respect to the debt
securities, and any terms which may be required by or advisable under
applicable laws or regulations.
You may present debt securities for exchange and you may present debt
securities for transfer in the manner, at the places and subject to the
restrictions set forth in the debt securities and the prospectus supplement.
We will provide you those services without charge, although you may have to
pay any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any
exchange or transfer, as set forth in the indenture.
Debt securities will bear interest at a fixed rate or
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a floating rate. Debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate
that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate may be sold
at a discount below their stated principal amount. Special United States
federal income tax considerations applicable to any such discounted debt
securities or to certain debt securities issued at par which are treated as
having been issued at a discount for United States federal income tax purposes
will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement.
We may issue debt securities with the principal amount payable on any
principal payment date, or the amount of interest payable on any interest
payment date, to be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange
rates, securities or baskets of securities, commodity prices or indices. You
may receive a payment of principal on any principal payment date, or a payment
of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater than or less than
the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending
upon the value on such dates of the applicable currency, security or basket of
securities, commodity or index. Information as to the methods for determining
the amount of principal or interest payable on any date, the currencies,
securities or baskets of securities, commodities or indices to which the
amount payable on such date is linked and certain additional tax
considerations will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Certain Terms of the Senior Debt Securities
Certain Covenants
Financial Information. We will file with the trustee, within 15 days
after we are required to file the same under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other
reports to be filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. We intend to file all such reports, information and documents
with the SEC, whether or not required by Section 13 or 15(d), and will send
copies to the trustee within such 15 day period.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets. We may not consolidate with,
merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer, lease, or otherwise dispose of
all or substantially all of our property and assets as an entirety or
substantially an entirety in one transaction or a series of related
transactions to any person (other than a consolidation with or merger with or
into or a sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition to a
wholly-owned subsidiary with a positive net worth; provided that, in
connection with any merger of us and a wholly-owned subsidiary, no
consideration other than common stock in the surviving person or of ours shall
be issued or distributed to our stockholders) or permit any person to merge
with or into us unless:
o we are the continuing person or the person formed by such
consolidation or into which we are merged or that acquired or leased our
property and assets shall be a corporation or limited liability company
organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America
or any jurisdiction thereof and shall expressly assume, by a supplemental
indenture, executed and delivered to the trustee, all of our obligations on
all of the debt securities and under the indenture;
o immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or
event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
o we deliver to the trustee an officers' certificate and opinion of
counsel, in each case stating that such consolidation, merger, or transfer and
such supplemental indenture complies with this provision and that all
conditions precedent provided for in the indenture and the debt securities
relating to such transaction have been complied with; provided, however, that
the foregoing limitations will not apply if, in the good faith determination
of our board of directors, whose determination must be set forth in a board
resolution, the principal purpose of such transaction is to change our state
of incorporation; and provided further that any such transaction shall not
have as one of its purposes the evasion of the foregoing limitations.
Events of Default
An event of default for a series of senior debt securities is defined
under the senior indenture as being:
o our default in the payment of principal or premium on the senior debt
securities of such series when due and payable whether at maturity, upon
acceleration, redemption, or otherwise;
o our default in the payment of interest on any
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senior debt securities of such series when due and payable, if that default
continues for a period of 30 days;
o we default in the performance of or we breach any of our other
covenants or agreements in the senior indenture applicable to all the senior
debt securities or applicable to senior debt securities of such series and
that default or breach continues for a period of 90 consecutive days after we
receive written notice from the trustee or from the holders of 25% or more in
aggregate principal amount of the senior debt securities of such series;
o a court having jurisdiction enters a decree or order for:
o relief in respect of us in an involuntary case under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar law now or hereafter
in effect;
o appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
trustee, sequestrator, or similar official of us or for all or
substantially all of our property and assets; or
o the winding up or liquidation of our affairs and such decree or
order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 180 consecutive
days.
o we:
o commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent
to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such
law;
o consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator, or similar
official of ours or for all or substantially all of our property and
assets; or
o effect any general assignment for the benefit of creditors.
If an event of default other than an event of default specified in the
last two bullet points above occurs with respect to an issue of senior debt
securities and is continuing under the indenture, then, and in each and every
such case, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
principal amount of such senior debt securities then outstanding under the
indenture by written notice to us and to the trustee, if such notice is given
by the holders, may, and the trustee at the request of such holders shall,
declare the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, on such senior
debt securities to be immediately due and payable. Unless otherwise specified
in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities
originally issued at a discount, the amount due upon acceleration shall
include only the original issue price of the debt securities, the amount of
original issue discount accrued to the date of acceleration and accrued
interest, if any.
Upon a declaration of acceleration, such principal amount of and accrued
interest, if any, on such senior debt securities shall be immediately due and
payable. If an event of default specified in the last two bullet points above
occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if
any, on each issue of senior debt securities then outstanding shall be and
become immediately due and payable without any notice or other action on the
part of the trustee or any holder. Upon certain conditions such declarations
may be rescinded and annulled and past defaults may be waived by the holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of an issue of senior debt
securities that has been accelerated. Furthermore, subject to various
provisions in the senior indenture, the holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of an issue of senior debt securities by notice to
the trustee, may waive an existing default or event of default with respect to
such senior debt securities and its consequences, except a default in the
payment of principal of or interest on such senior debt securities or in
respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture which cannot be modified
or amended without the consent of the holders of each such senior debt
securities. Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any
event of default with respect to such senior debt securities shall be deemed
to have been cured, for every purpose of the senior indenture; but no such
waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or event of default or
impair any right consequent thereto. For information as to the waiver of
defaults, see "--Modification and Waiver."
The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of an
issue of senior debt securities may direct the time, method, and place of
conducting
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any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust
or power conferred on the trustee with respect to such senior debt securities.
However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with
law or the senior indenture, that may involve the trustee in personal
liability, or that the trustee determines in good faith may be unduly
prejudicial to the rights of holders of such issue of senior debt securities
not joining in the giving of such direction and may take any other action it
deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from
holders of such issue of senior debt securities. A holder may not pursue any
remedy with respect to the indenture or any series of senior debt securities
unless:
o the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of
default;
o the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of such
series of senior debt securities make a written request to the trustee to
pursue the remedy in respect of such event of default;
o the requesting holder or holders offer the trustee indemnity
satisfactory to the trustee against any costs, liability, or expense;
o the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after
receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and
o during such 60-day period, the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of such series of senior debt securities do not give the
trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request.
These limitations, however, do not apply to the right of any holder of a
debt security to receive payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on
such senior debt security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such
payment, on or after the due date for the senior debt securities, which right
shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the holder.
The senior indenture will require certain of our officers to certify, on
or before a date not more than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, as
to their knowledge of our compliance with all conditions and covenants under
the indenture, such compliance to be determined without regard to any period
of grace or requirement of notice provided under the indenture.
Discharge and Defeasance
The senior indenture provides that, except as otherwise provided in this
paragraph, we may discharge our obligations with respect to an issue of senior
debt securities and the indenture with respect to such series of senior debt
securities if:
o all senior debt securities of such series previously authenticated
and delivered with certain exceptions, have been delivered to the trustee for
cancellation and we have paid all sums payable by it under the indenture; or
o o the senior debt securities of such series mature within one year
or all of them are to be called for redemption within one year under
arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for giving the notice of
redemption;
o we irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee, as trust funds
solely for the benefit of the holders of the senior debt securities of
such series, for that purpose, money or U.S. government obligations or a
combination thereof sufficient (unless such funds consist solely of
money, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent
public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered
to the trustee), without consideration of any reinvestment and after
payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and
assessments in respect thereof payable by the trustee, to pay principal
of and interest on the senior debt securities of such series to maturity
or redemption, as the case may be, and to pay all other sums payable by
it under the senior indenture; and
o we deliver to the trustee an officers' certificate and an
opinion of counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent
provided for in the indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge
of the indenture with respect to the senior debt securities of such series
have been complied with.
With respect to the first bullet point, only our obligations to compensate
and indemnify the trustee and our right to recover excess money held by the
trustee under the indenture shall survive. With respect to the second bullet
point, only our obligations with respect to the issue of defeased senior debt
securities to
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execute and deliver such senior debt securities for authentication, to set the
terms of such senior debt securities, to maintain an office or agency in
respect of such senior debt securities, to have moneys held for payment in
trust, to register the transfer or exchange of such senior debt securities, to
deliver such senior debt securities for replacement or to be canceled, to
compensate and indemnify the trustee and to appoint a successor trustee, and
our right to recover excess money held by the trustee shall survive until such
senior debt securities are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only our
obligations to compensate and indemnify the trustee, and our right to recover
excess money held by the trustee shall survive.
The senior indenture also provides that, except as otherwise provided in
this paragraph, we:
o will be deemed to have paid and will be discharged from any and all
obligations in respect of a series of senior debt securities, and the
provisions of the senior indenture will no longer be in effect with respect to
such senior debt securities ("legal defeasance"); and
o may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition of the senior
indenture described above under "--Certain Covenants" and such omission shall
be deemed not to be an event of default under the third clause of the first
paragraph of "--events of default" with respect to such series of senior debt
securities ("covenant defeasance");
provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
o we have irrevocably deposited in trust with the trustee as trust
funds solely for the benefit of the holders of the senior debt securities
of such series, for payment of the principal of and interest on the
senior debt securities of such series, money or U.S. government
obligations or a combination thereof sufficient (unless such funds
consist solely of money, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm
of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification
thereof delivered to the trustee) without consideration of any
reinvestment and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or
other charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the trustee,
to pay and discharge the principal of and accrued interest on the senior
debt securities of such series to maturity or earlier redemption
(irrevocably provided for under arrangements satisfactory to the
trustee), as the case may be;
o such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default under, the indenture or any other material agreement
or instrument to which we are a party or by which we are bound;
o no default or event of default with respect to the senior debt
securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the
date of such deposit;
o we shall have delivered to the trustee:
(1) either an opinion of counsel
that the holders of the senior debt securities of such series
will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of our exercising our option under this
provision of the indenture and will be subject to federal
income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such deposit and
defeasance had not occurred (which opinion, in the case of a
legal defeasance, shall be based upon a change in law) or a
ruling directed to the trustee received from the Internal
Revenue Service to the same effect; and
(2) an opinion of counsel that the holders of the senior
debt securities of such series have a valid security interest
in the trust funds subject to no prior liens under the Uniform
Commercial Code; and
o we have delivered to the trustee an officers' certificate and an
opinion of counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent
provided for in the indenture relating to the defeasance contemplated of
the senior debt securities of such series have been complied with.
Subsequent to legal defeasance under the first bullet point above, our
obligations with respect to the issue of defeased senior debt securities to
execute and
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deliver such senior debt securities for authentication, to set the terms of
such senior debt securities, to maintain an office or agency in respect of
such senior debt securities, to have moneys held for payment in trust, to
register the transfer or exchange of such senior debt securities, to deliver
such debt securities for replacement or to be canceled, to compensate and
indemnify the trustee and to appoint a successor trustee, and its right to
recover excess money held by the trustee shall survive until such senior debt
securities are no longer outstanding. After such senior debt securities are no
longer outstanding, in the case of legal defeasance under the first bullet
point above, only our obligations to compensate and indemnify the trustee and
our right to recover excess money held by the trustee shall survive.
Modification and Waiver
We and the trustee may amend or supplement the senior indenture or the
senior debt securities without notice to or the consent of any holder:
o to cure any ambiguity, defect, or inconsistency in the senior
indenture; provided that such amendments or supplements shall not adversely
affect the interests of the holders in any material respect;
o to comply with the provisions described under "--Certain Covenants-
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets";
o to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the
qualification of the senior indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
o to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder
by a successor trustee;
o to establish the form or forms or terms of the senior debt securities
as permitted by the senior indenture;
o to provide for uncertificated senior debt securities and to make all
appropriate changes for such purpose;
o to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any
holder;
o to add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions
or provisions for the protection of the holders, and to make the occurrence, or
the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants,
restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default; or
o to make any change so long as no senior debt securities are
outstanding.
Subject to certain conditions, without prior notice to any holder of an
issue of senior debt securities, modifications and amendments of the senior
indenture may be made by us and the trustee with the written consent of the
holders of a majority in principal amount of such series of senior debt
securities, and compliance by us with any provision of the indenture with
respect to such series of senior debt securities may be waived by written
notice to the trustee by the holders of a majority in principal amount of such
series of senior debt securities outstanding; provided, however, that each
affected holder must consent to any modification, amendment or waiver that,
o changes the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment
of interest on, any senior debt securities of such series;
o reduces the principal amount of, or premium, if any, or interest on,
any senior debt securities of such series;
o changes the place or currency of payment of principal of, or premium,
if any, or interest on, any senior debt securities of such series;
o changes the provisions for calculating the optional redemption price,
including the definitions relating thereto;
o changes the provisions relating to the waiver of past defaults or
change or impair the right of holders to receive payment or to institute suit
for the enforcement of any payment of any senior debt securities of such
series on or after the due date therefor;
o reduces the above-stated percentage of outstanding senior debt
securities of such series the consent of whose holders is necessary to modify
or amend or to waive certain provisions of or defaults under the indenture;
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o alters or impairs the right to convert the senior debt security at
the rate and upon the terms provided in the indenture;
o waives a default in the payment of principal of or interest on the
senior debt securities;
o adversely affects the rights of such holder under any mandatory
redemption or repurchase provision or any right of redemption or repurchase at
the option of such holder; or
o modifies any of the provisions of this paragraph, except to increase
any required percentage or to provide that certain other provisions cannot be
modified or waived with the consent of the holder of each senior debt security
of such series affected by the modification.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the holders under this
section of the indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed
amendment, supplement, or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent
approves the substance thereof. After an amendment, supplement, or waiver
under this section of the indenture becomes effective, we must give to the
holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment,
supplement, or waiver. We will mail supplemental indentures to holders upon
request. Any failure by us to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall
not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such
supplemental indenture or waiver.
With respect to any issue of senior debt securities, neither we nor any
of our subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any
consideration, whether by way of interest, fee, or otherwise, to any holder of
any such senior debt securities for or as an inducement to any consent,
waiver, or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of such series of
senior debt securities or the indenture with respect to such series of senior
debt securities unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to
be paid to all holders of such senior debt securities of such series that
consent, waive, or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the
solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver, or agreement.
No Personal Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers, Directors,
or Employees
The senior indenture provides that no recourse shall be had under or upon
any obligation, covenant, or agreement of ours in the indenture or any
supplemental indenture, or in any of the senior debt securities or because of
the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, against any
incorporator, stockholder, officer, director, employee of ours or of any
successor person thereof under any law, statute or constitutional provision or
by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding
or otherwise. Each holder, by accepting the senior debt securities, waives and
releases all such liability.
Concerning the Trustee
The senior indenture provides that, except during the continuance of a
default, the trustee will not be liable, except for the performance of such
duties as are specifically set forth in the senior indenture. If an event of
default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will exercise such rights
and powers vested in it under the senior indenture and will use the same
degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise
under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
The Trustees
We may have normal banking relationships with the trustees under the
indentures in the ordinary course of business.
Certain Terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities
Other than the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt
securities relating to subordination, or otherwise as described in the
prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of subordinated debt
securities, the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt
securities are identical, in all material respects, to the terms of the senior
indenture and senior debt securities.
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Subordination
The indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities is
subordinate to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, as
defined in the subordinated indenture. During the continuance beyond any
applicable grace period of any default in the payment of principal, premium,
interest or any other payment due on any senior indebtedness, we may not make
any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the
subordinated debt securities. In addition, upon any distribution of our assets
upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment
of the principal of, or premium, if any, and interest on the subordinated debt
securities is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the subordinated
indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior
indebtedness. Because of this subordination, if we dissolve or otherwise
liquidate, holders of senior indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and
holders of our subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than
our other creditors. The subordination provisions do not prevent the
occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated indenture.
The term "Senior Indebtedness" means the principal of, premium, if any,
interest on, and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following,
whether outstanding today or incurred by us in the future:
o all of our indebtedness for money borrowed, including any
indebtedness secured by a mortgage or other lien which is (1) given to secure
all or part of the purchase price of property subject to the mortgage or lien,
whether given to the vendor of that property or to another lender, or (2)
existing on property at the time we acquire it;
o all of our indebtedness evidences by notes, debentures, bonds or
other securities sold by us for money;
o all of our lease obligations which are capitalized on our books in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
o all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the first two
bullet points above and all lease obligations of others of the kind described
in the third bullet point above that we, in any manner, assume or guarantee or
that we in effect guarantee through an agreement to purchase, whether that
agreement is contingent or otherwise; and
o all renewals, extensions or refundings of indebtedness of the kinds
described in the first, second or fourth bullet point above and all renewals
or extensions of leases of the kinds described in the third or fourth bullet
point above;
unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, lease, renewal,
extension or refunding, the instrument or lease creating or evidencing it or
the assumption or guarantee relating to it expressly provides that such
indebtedness, lease, renewal, extension or refunding is not superior in right
of payment to the subordinated debt securities. Our senior debt securities,
and any indebtedness outstanding under our senior subordinated debentures
Indenture dated as of October 17, 1991 between us and Morgan Guaranty Trust
Company of New York, as trustee, constitute Senior Indebtedness for purposes
of the subordinated debt indenture.
Special Terms Applicable to the Issuance of Subordinated Debt
Securities to one of our Trust Subsidiaries
If we issue subordinated debt securities to one of our trust subsidiaries
or a trustee of such trust in connection with its issuance of guaranteed trust
preferred securities, such subordinated debt securities subsequently may be
distributed pro rata to the holders of such guaranteed preferred trust
securities in connection with the dissolution of such trust subsidiary upon
the occurrence of certain events described in the prospectus supplement
relating to such guaranteed preferred trust securities. Only one series of
subordinated debt securities will be issued to a trust subsidiary or a trustee
of such trust in connection with the issuance of guaranteed preferred trust
securities by such trust subsidiary.
Certain Covenants
If we issue subordinated debt securities to a trust subsidiary or a
trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of guaranteed trust
preferred securities by such trust subsidiary and:
o there shall have occurred any event that would constitute an event of
default; or
o we are in default with respect to our payment of any obligations
under the related guaranteed trust
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preferred securities guarantee or common securities guarantee, then
o we shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any
distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation
payment with respect to, any of our capital stock (other than (1)
purchases or acquisitions of shares of our common stock in connection
with the satisfaction by us of our obligations under any employee benefit
plans, (2) as a result of a reclassification of our capital stock or the
exchange or conversion of one class or series of our capital stock for
another class or series of our capital stock or (3) the purchase of
fractional interests in shares of our capital stock pursuant to the
conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security
being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payments with respect
to the foregoing; and
o we shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium,
if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities, including
guarantees, issued by us which rank equally with or junior to such
subordinated debt securities; except in the case of debt securities that
rank equally with such subordinated debt securities, on a pro rata basis.
If (1) we issue subordinated debt securities to a trust subsidiary or a
trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of guaranteed trust
preferred securities by such trust subsidiary and we have exercised our right
to defer payments of interest on such subordinated debt securities by
extending the interest payment period of such subordinated debt securities as
provided in the supplemental indenture relating to such subordinated debt
securities and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, or
(2) there shall have occurred any event of default, as defined in the
subordinated indenture, then:
o we shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions
with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment
with respect to, any of our capital stock or make any guarantee payment with
respect thereto (other than (1) purchases or acquisitions of shares of our
common stock to satisfy our obligations under any employee benefit plans, (2)
as a result of a reclassification of our capital stock for another class or
series of our capital stock or (3) the purchase of fractional interests in
shares of our capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions
of such capital stock or security being converted or exchanged), or make any
guarantee payment with respect thereto; and
o we shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if
any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by us that
rank equally with or junior to such subordinated debt securities; except in
the case of debt securities that rank equally with such subordinated debt
securities, on a pro rata basis.
If we issue subordinated debt securities to a trust subsidiary or a
trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of guaranteed trust
preferred securities of such trust subsidiary, for so long as such guaranteed
trust preferred securities remain outstanding, we will:
o maintain 100 percent direct or indirect ownership of the common
securities of such trust subsidiary; provided, however, that any permitted
successor of ours under the subordinated indenture may succeed to our
ownership of such common securities;
o use our reasonable efforts to cause such trust subsidiary:
o to remain a statutory business trust, except in connection with
the distribution of subordinated debt securities, the redemption of all
of such guaranteed trust preferred securities of such trust subsidiary,
or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by
the declaration of such trust subsidiary; and
o to otherwise continue not to be treated as an association
taxable as a corporation or partnership for United States federal income
tax purposes; and
o to use our reasonable efforts to cause each holder of guaranteed
trust preferred securities to be treated as owning an individual
beneficial interest in the subordinated debt securities.
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Events of Default, Waiver and Notice
In addition to the events of default applicable to
all subordinated debt securities, if we issue subordinated debt securities to
one of our trust subsidiaries or a trustee of such trust in connection with
the issuance of guaranteed trust preferred securities by such trust
subsidiary, the following will also constitute an event of default:
the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of
such trust subsidiary, except in connection with the distribution of
subordinated debt securities to the holders of guaranteed trust preferred
securities in liquidation of such trust subsidiary, the redemption of all
of the guaranteed trust preferred securities of such trust subsidiary, or
certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by
the declaration of such trust subsidiary.
Convertible Debt Securities
The terms, if any, on which debt securities being offered may be
exchanged for or converted into other debt securities or shares of preferred
stock, class A common stock or class A special common stock or other
securities or rights of ours (including rights to receive payments in cash or
securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified
commodities, currencies or indices) or securities of other issuers or any
combination of the foregoing will be set forth in the prospectus supplement
for such debt securities being offered.
Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the following
provisions will apply to debt securities being offered that may be exchanged
for or converted into capital stock:
The holder of any debt securities convertible into capital stock will
have the right exercisable at any time during the time period specified in the
prospectus supplement, unless previously redeemed by us, to convert such debt
securities into shares of capital stock, which may include preferred stock,
class A common stock or class A special common stock, as specified in the
prospectus supplement, at the conversion rate for each $1,000 principal amount
of debt securities set forth in the prospectus supplement, subject to
adjustment.
The holder of a convertible debt security may convert a portion thereof
which is $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000. In the case of debt
securities called for redemption, conversion rights will expire at the close
of business on the business day prior to the date fixed for the redemption as
may be specified in the prospectus supplement, except that in the case of
redemption at the option of the debt security holder, if applicable, such
right will terminate upon receipt of written notice of the exercise of such
option.
Unless the terms of the specific debt securities being offered provide
otherwise, in certain events, the conversion rate will be subject to
adjustment as set forth in the indentures. Such events include:
o the issuance of shares of any class of capital stock of ours as a
dividend on the class of capital stock into which the debt securities of such
series are convertible;
o subdivisions, combinations and reclassifications of the class of
capital stock into which debt securities of such series are convertible;
o the issuance to all holders of the class of capital stock into which
debt securities of such series are convertible of rights or warrants entitling
the debt security holders (for a period not exceeding 45 days) to subscribe
for or purchase shares of such class of capital stock at a price per share
less than the current market price per share of such class of capital stock;
o the distribution to all holders of the class of capital stock into
which debt securities of such series are convertible of evidences of
indebtedness of ours or of assets or subscription rights or warrants (other
than those referred to above); and
o distributions of cash in excess of certain threshold amounts.
In the case of cash dividends in excess of threshold amounts, we may, at
our option, choose to set aside the amount of such distribution in cash for
distribution to the holder upon conversion rather than adjust the conversion
rate; we do not intend to pay interest on the cash set aside.
No adjustment of the conversion rate will be
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required unless an adjustment would require a cumulative increase or decrease
of at least 1% in such rate. Fractional shares of capital stock will not be
issued upon conversion but, in lieu thereof, we will pay a cash adjustment.
Convertible debt securities surrendered for conversion between the record date
for an interest payment, if any, and the interest payment date, except
convertible debt securities called for redemption on a redemption date during
such period, must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the interest
thereon which the registered holder is to receive.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
General
We may issue warrants to purchase securities or other securities or
rights of ours, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities
based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities,
currencies or indices, or securities of other issuers or any combination of
the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any
securities and may be attached to or separate from such securities. Each
series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be
entered into between us and a warrant agent. The following sets forth certain
general terms and provisions of the warrants offered hereby. Further terms of
the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement are set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of
any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
o the title of such warrants;
o the aggregate number of such warrants;
o the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;
o the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which
the price of such warrants may be payable;
o the securities or other securities or rights of ours, including
rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or
price of one or more specified commodities, currencies or indices, or
securities of other issuers or any combination of the foregoing purchasable
upon exercise of such warrants;
o the price at which and the currency or currencies, including
composite currencies, in which the securities purchasable upon exercise of
such warrants may be purchased;
o the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence
and the date on which such right shall expire;
o if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which
may be exercised at any one time;
o if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which
such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such
Security;
o if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the
related securities will be separately transferable;
o information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
o if applicable, a discussion of certain United States Federal income
tax considerations; and
o any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and
limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.
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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of:
o our securities or securities of an entity unaffiliated or affiliated
with us, a basket of such securities, an index or indices of such securities
or any combination of the above as specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement;
o currencies or composite currencies; or
o commodities.
Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or
sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, such
securities, currencies or commodities at a specified purchase price, all as
set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We must, however, satisfy
our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering
the cash value thereof or, in the case of underlying currencies, by delivering
the underlying currencies, as set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods
by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities, currencies or
commodities and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or
other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract.
Purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations
thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued. Our obligation to settle
such pre-paid purchase contracts on the relevant settlement date may
constitute indebtedness. Accordingly, the pre-paid purchase contracts will be
issued under one of the indentures.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, units will consist
of one or more purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, guaranteed trust
preferred securities, preferred stock, class A common stock or class A special
common stock or any combination thereof. Reference is made to the applicable
prospectus supplement for:
o all terms of the units and of the purchase contracts, warrants, debt
securities, guaranteed trust preferred securities, shares of preferred stock,
shares of class A common stock or shares of class A special common stock, or
any combination thereof, comprising the units, including whether and under
what circumstances the securities comprising the units may or may not be
traded separately;
o a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;
and
o a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer
or exchange of the units.
DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTEED TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
Each trust subsidiary may issue, from time to time, only one series of
guaranteed trust preferred securities along with common securities having
terms described in the prospectus supplement relating to the issuance. The
declaration of each trust subsidiary authorizes the regular trustees of such
trust subsidiary to issue on its behalf one series of guaranteed trust
preferred securities. The declaration will be qualified as an indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The guaranteed trust preferred securities
will have terms, including distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation
rights and other preferred, deferred or other special rights or such
restrictions as shall be set forth in the declaration or made part of the
declaration by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and which will mirror the terms
of the subordinated debt securities held by the trust subsidiary and described
in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should look in the prospectus
supplement for the specific terms of the guaranteed trust preferred
securities, including:
o the distinctive designation and number of the guaranteed trust
preferred securities;
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o the annual distribution rate or method of determining such rate for
the guaranteed trust preferred securities and the date or dates upon which
such distributions shall be payable; provided, however, that distributions on
the guaranteed trust preferred securities shall be payable on a periodic basis
to holders of such guaranteed trust preferred securities as of a record date
in each period during which such guaranteed trust preferred securities are
outstanding;
o whether distributions on the guaranteed trust preferred securities
will be cumulative, and, in the case of guaranteed trust preferred securities
having cumulative distribution rights, the date or dates or method of
determining the date or dates from which distributions on the guaranteed trust
preferred securities shall be cumulative;
o the amount or amounts which shall be paid out of the assets of our
trust subsidiary to the holders of its guaranteed trust preferred securities
upon its voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination;
o the obligation, if any, of our trust subsidiary to purchase or redeem
guaranteed trust preferred securities it issues and the price or prices at
which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon
which, it may purchase or redeem its guaranteed trust preferred securities in
whole or in part;
o the voting rights, if any, of our trust subsidiary's guaranteed trust
preferred securities in addition to those required by law, including the
number of votes per guaranteed trust preferred security and any requirement
for the approval by the holders of guaranteed trust preferred securities as a
condition to specified action or amendments to the declaration of our trust
subsidiary;
o the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the underlying
subordinated debt securities may be distributed to holders of guaranteed trust
preferred securities;
o if applicable, any securities exchange upon which the guaranteed
trust preferred securities shall be listed; and
o any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or
restrictions of guaranteed trust preferred securities not inconsistent with
the declaration of our trust subsidiary or with applicable law.
We will guarantee all guaranteed trust preferred securities offered by
this prospectus hereby to the extent described below under "Description of the
Guaranteed Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees." We will describe certain of
the United States federal income tax considerations applicable to any offering
of guaranteed trust preferred securities in an accompanying prospectus
supplement.
In connection with the issuance of guaranteed trust preferred securities,
our trust subsidiary will issue one series of its common securities. The
declaration of each of our trust subsidiaries authorizes its regular trustees
to issue on its behalf one series of common securities having terms including
distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation rights or restrictions as shall
be set forth in the declaration. The terms of the common securities issued by
one of our trust subsidiaries will be substantially identical to the terms of
its guaranteed trust preferred securities and the common securities will rank
equally, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the guaranteed trust
preferred securities except that, upon an event of default under the
declaration, the rights of the holders of the common securities to payment in
respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and
otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the guaranteed
trust preferred securities. Except in certain limited circumstances, the
common securities will also carry the right to vote to appoint, remove or
replace any of our trust subsidiaries' trustees. We will directly or
indirectly own all of the common securities of each of our trust subsidiaries.
Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Guaranteed
Trust Preferred Securities
If an event of default under the declaration of one of our trust
subsidiaries occurs and is continuing, then the holders of its guaranteed
trust preferred securities would have to rely on the institutional trustee
enforcing against us its rights as a holder of the subordinated debt
securities. In addition, the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of
the guaranteed trust preferred securities will have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the institutional trustee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power
conferred upon the
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institutional trustee under the applicable declaration, including the right to
direct the institutional trustee to exercise the remedies available to it as a
holder of the subordinated debt securities. If the institutional trustee fails
to enforce its rights under the subordinated debt securities, a holder of
guaranteed trust preferred securities may not institute a legal proceeding
directly against us to enforce the institutional trustee's rights under the
applicable series of subordinated debt securities. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if an event of default under the applicable declaration has
occurred and is continuing and that event is attributable to our failure to
pay interest or principal on the applicable series of subordinated debt
securities when due, then a holder of guaranteed trust preferred securities
may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such holder
of the principal of or interest on the applicable series of subordinated debt
securities having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount
of such holder's guaranteed trust preferred securities on or after the
respective due date for the applicable series of subordinated debt securities.
In connection with such a direct action brought by a holder, we will be
subrogated to the rights of such holder of guaranteed trust preferred
securities under the applicable declaration to the extent of any payment made
by us to such holder of preferred securities in such direct action.
DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTEED TRUST PREFERRED
SECURITIES GUARANTEES
Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the guaranteed
trust preferred securities guarantees that we will execute and deliver for the
benefit of the holders from time to time of the guaranteed trust preferred
securities. Each guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee will be
qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. We will name
the trustee who will act as indenture trustee under each guaranteed trust
preferred securities guarantee for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
in the prospectus supplement relating to such guaranteed trust preferred
securities. The terms of each guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee
will be those set forth in such guaranteed trust preferred securities
guarantee and those made part of such guaranteed trust preferred securities
guarantee by the trust indenture act. Because the following is only a summary
of the guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee, it does not contain
all information that you may find useful. For further information about the
guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee, you should read the
guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee. Each guaranteed trust
preferred securities guarantee will be held by the preferred guarantee trustee
for the benefit of the holders of the guaranteed trust preferred securities of
the relevant trust subsidiary.
General
Pursuant to each guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee, we will
irrevocably and unconditionally agree, to the extent set forth therein, to pay
in full, to the holders of the guaranteed trust preferred securities, the
guarantee payments described below (except to the extent paid by our trust
subsidiary), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or
counterclaim which such trust subsidiary may have or assert. The following
payments with respect to guaranteed trust preferred securities to the extent
not paid by such trust subsidiary, will be subject to the guaranteed trust
preferred securities guarantee thereon (without duplication):
o any accrued and unpaid distributions which are required to be paid on
such guaranteed trust preferred securities, to the extent the applicable trust
subsidiary has funds available for such payment;
o the redemption price, including all accrued and unpaid distributions,
to the extent the applicable trust subsidiary has funds available for such
payment with respect to any guaranteed trust preferred securities called for
redemption by such trust subsidiary; and
o upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or
termination of such trust subsidiary (other than in connection with the
distribution of subordinated debt securities to the holders of guaranteed
trust preferred securities or the redemption
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of all of the guaranteed trust preferred securities), the lesser of
o the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and
unpaid distributions on such guaranteed trust preferred securities to the
date of payment, to the extent such trust subsidiary has funds available
therefor; and
o the amount of assets of such trust subsidiary remaining
available for distribution to holders of such guaranteed trust preferred
securities in liquidation of such trust subsidiary.
The redemption price and liquidation amount will be fixed at the time the
guaranteed trust preferred securities are issued. Our obligation to make a
guarantee payment as described above may be satisfied by direct payment of the
required amounts by us to the holders of guaranteed trust preferred securities
or by our causing our trust subsidiary to pay such amounts to such holders.
No guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee will apply to any
payment of distributions except to the extent our trust subsidiary has funds
available for such payment. If we do not make interest payments on the
subordinated debt securities purchased by our trust subsidiary, it will not
pay distributions on its guaranteed trust preferred securities and will not
have funds available to make such payment. See "Description of the
Subordinated Debt Securities -- Certain Covenants." The guaranteed trust
preferred securities guarantee, when taken together with our obligations under
the subordinated debt securities, the subordinated debt security indenture and
the declaration, including our obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and
liabilities of our trust subsidiaries (other than with respect to the
guaranteed trust preferred securities and related common securities), is
equivalent to a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by us
of payments due on the guaranteed trust preferred securities.
Certain Covenants
In each guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee, we will covenant
that, so long as any guaranteed trust preferred securities issued by the
applicable trust subsidiary remain outstanding, if there shall have occurred
any event that would constitute an event of default under such guaranteed
trust preferred securities guarantee or under our trust subsidiary's
declaration, then:
o we may not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions
with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make liquidation payment with respect
to, any of our capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of
shares of our common stock in connection with the satisfaction of our
obligations under any employee benefit plans or the satisfaction of our
obligations pursuant to any contract or security requiring us to purchase
shares of our common stock, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of our
capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one our class or series of
capital stock for another of our class or series of capital stock or, (iii)
the purchase of fractional interests in shares of our capital stock pursuant
to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security
being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payments with respect to
the foregoing and
o we may not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any,
on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities, including guarantees,
issued by us which rank equally with or junior to such subordinated debt
securities; except in the case of debt securities that rank equally with such
subordinated debt securities, on a pro rata basis.
Modification of the Guaranteed Trust Preferred
Securities Guarantees; Assignment
Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the
rights of holders of guaranteed trust preferred securities (in which case no
vote will be required), each guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee
may be amended only with the prior approval of the holders of not less than a
majority in liquidation amount of the related guaranteed trust preferred
securities. The manner of obtaining any such approval of holders of such
guaranteed trust preferred securities will be set forth in an accompanying
prospectus supplement. All guarantees and agreements contained in a guaranteed
trust preferred securities guarantee shall bind our successors, assigns,
receivers, trustees and representatives and shall inure to the benefit of the
holders of the related guaranteed trust preferred securities.
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Termination
Each guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee will terminate as to
the guaranteed trust preferred securities issued by the applicable trust
subsidiary:
o upon full payment of the redemption price, including all accrued and
unpaid distributions, of all its guaranteed trust preferred securities;
o upon distribution of the subordinated debt securities held by it to
the holders of its guaranteed trust preferred securities; or
o upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with its
declaration upon its liquidation.
Each guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee will continue to be
effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder
of guaranteed trust preferred securities issued by the applicable trust
subsidiary must restore payment of any sums paid under such guaranteed trust
preferred securities or such guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee.
Events of Default
An event of default under a preferred securities guarantee will occur
upon our failure to perform any of our payment or other obligations under the
guarantee.
The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the guaranteed trust
preferred securities relating to such guaranteed trust preferred securities
guarantee have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting
any proceeding for any remedy available to the preferred guarantee trustee in
respect of the guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee or to direct
the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the preferred guarantee
trustee under such guaranteed trust preferred securities. If the preferred
guarantee trustee fails to enforce such guaranteed trust preferred securities
guarantee, any holder of guaranteed trust preferred securities relating to
such guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee may institute a legal
proceeding directly against us to enforce the preferred guarantee trustee's
rights under such guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee, without
first instituting a legal proceeding against the relevant trust subsidiary,
the preferred guarantee trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if we have failed to make a guarantee payment, a holder of
guaranteed trust preferred securities may directly institute a proceeding
against us for enforcement of the guaranteed trust preferred securities
guarantee for such payment. We waive any right or remedy to require that any
action be brought first against our trust subsidiary or any other person or
entity before proceeding directly against us.
The preferred guarantee trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default
with respect to a guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee, undertakes
to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in such guaranteed
trust preferred securities guarantee and, after default, shall exercise the
same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of
his or her own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the preferred guarantee
trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by a
guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee at the request of any holder
of guaranteed trust preferred securities, unless offered reasonable indemnity
against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred thereby.
Status of the Preferred Securities Guarantees
The guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantees will constitute
unsecured obligations of ours and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all of our other liabilities, (ii) equally with the most
senior preferred or preference stock now or in the future issued by us and
with any guarantee now or in the future entered into by us in respect of any
preferred or preference stock of any of our affiliates, and (iii) senior to
our common stock. The terms of the guaranteed trust preferred securities
provide that each holder of guaranteed trust preferred securities issued by
the applicable trust subsidiary by accepting the guaranteed trust preferred
securities agrees to the subordination provisions and other terms of the
guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee relating to the guaranteed
trust preferred securities.
The guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantees will constitute a
guarantee of payment and not of collection. In other words, the guaranteed
party may institute a legal proceeding directly against us, as guarantor, to
enforce its rights under the preferred securities guarantee without
instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity.
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Information Concerning the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
We and certain of our affiliates may maintain a banking relationship with
the preferred guarantee trustee.
Governing Law
The guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantees will be governed by,
and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
We may issue the debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts,
guaranteed trust preferred securities, guaranteed trust preferred securities
guarantee and units of any series in the form of one or more fully registered
global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or with a nominee
for a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to such
series and registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee. In that
case, one or more global securities will be issued in a denomination or
aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal or
face amount of outstanding registered securities of the series to be
represented by such global securities. Unless and until the depositary
exchanges a global security in whole for securities in definitive registered
form, the global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the
depositary to a nominee of the depositary or by a nominee of the depositary to
the depositary or another nominee of the depositary or by the depositary or
any of its nominees to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of such
successor.
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any
portion of a series of securities to be represented by a global security will
be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such series. We
anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary
arrangements.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to
persons that have accounts with the depositary for such global security known
as "participants" or persons that may hold interests through such
participants. Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary for such
global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer
system, the participants' accounts with the respective principal or face
amounts of the securities represented by such global security beneficially
owned by such participants. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by
any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of such
securities. Ownership of beneficial interests in such global security will be
shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only
through, records maintained by the depositary for such global security (with
respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with
respect to interests of persons holding through participants). The laws of
some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may
impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in global
securities.
So long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of such global security, such depositary or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the securities
represented by such global security for all purposes under the applicable
indenture, warrant agreement, purchase contract, declaration, guaranteed trust
preferred securities guarantee or unit agreement. Except as set forth below,
owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to
have the securities represented by such global security registered in their
names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of such
securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders
thereof under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement, purchase contract,
declaration, guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee or unit
agreement. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global
security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for such global
security and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the
participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any
rights of a holder under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement, purchase
contract, declaration, guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee or unit
agreement. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request
any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global
security
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desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take
under the applicable indenture, warrant agreement, purchase contract,
declaration, guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee or unit
agreement, the depositary for such global security would authorize the
participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take such
action, and such participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through
such participants to give or take such action or would otherwise act upon the
instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities, and
any payments to holders with respect to warrants, purchase contracts,
preferred securities, guaranteed trust preferred securities guarantee or
units, represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary
or its nominee will be made to such depositary or its nominee, as the case may
be, as the registered owner of such global security. None of us, the trustees,
the warrant agents, the unit agents or any of our other agents, agent of the
trustees or agent of the warrant agents or unit agents will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such global
security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to
such beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for any securities represented by a global
security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, interest or other
distribution of underlying securities or commodities to holders in respect of
such global security, will immediately credit participants' accounts in
amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in such global
security as shown on the records of such depositary. We also expect that
payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global
security held through such participants will be governed by standing customer
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities
held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street
name," and will be the responsibility of such participants.
If the depositary for any securities represented by a global security is
at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a
clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and we
do not appoint a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 within 90 days, we will issue such
securities in definitive form in exchange for such global security. In
addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have
any of the securities of a series represented by one or more global securities
and, in such event, will issue securities of such series in definitive form in
exchange for all of the global security or securities representing such
securities. Any securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a global
security will be registered in such name or names as the depositary shall
instruct the relevant trustee, warrant agent or other relevant agent of ours.
We expect that such instructions will be based upon directions received by the
depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests
in such global security.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
Our board of directors is authorized to issue in one or more series up to
a maximum of 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value. The
shares can be issued with such designations, preferences, qualifications,
privileges, limitations, restrictions, options, conversion or exchange rights
and other special or relative rights as the board of directors shall from time
to time fix by resolution. The dividend, voting, conversion, exchange,
repurchase and redemption rights, if applicable, the liquidation preference,
and other specific terms of each series of the preferred stock will be set
forth in the prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms to
the extent that they may apply to an issuance of preferred stock in respect of
which this prospectus is being delivered:
o the specific designation, number of shares, seniority and purchase
price;
o any liquidation preference per share;
o any date of maturity;
o any redemption, repayment or sinking fund provisions;
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o any dividend rate or rates and the dates on which any such dividends
will be payable (or the method by which such rates or dates will be
determined);
o any voting rights;
o if other than the currency of the United States of America, the
currency or currencies including composite currencies in which such preferred
stock is denominated and/or in which payments will or may be payable;
o the method by which amounts in respect of such preferred stock may be
calculated and any commodities, currencies or indices, or value, rate or
price, relevant to such calculation;
o whether the preferred stock is convertible or exchangeable and, if
so, the securities or rights into which such preferred stock is convertible or
exchangeable, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversions or
exchanges will be effected including the initial conversion or exchange prices
or rates, the conversion or exchange period and any other related provisions;
o the place or places where dividends and other payments on the
preferred stock will be payable; and
o any additional voting, dividend, liquidation, redemption and other
rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions.
As described under "Description of Depositary Shares," we may, at our
option, elect to offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts,
each representing an interest (to be specified in the prospectus supplement
relating to the particular series of the preferred stock) in a share of the
particular series of the preferred stock issued and deposited with a bank or
trust company selected by us as the depositary.
All shares of preferred stock offered hereby, or issuable upon
conversion, exchange or exercise of securities, will, when issued, be fully
paid and non-assessable. We have been advised that the preferred stock will be
exempt from existing Pennsylvania personal property tax.
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
The description set forth below and in any prospectus supplement of
certain provisions of the deposit agreement and of the depositary shares and
depositary receipts does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and
qualified in its entirety by reference to, the form of deposit agreement and
form of depositary receipts relating to each series of the preferred stock.
General
We may, at our option, elect to have shares of preferred stock be
represented by depositary shares. The shares of any series of the preferred
stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a separate
deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us as the
depositary. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of depositary
shares will set forth the name and address of the depositary. Subject to the
terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be
entitled, in proportion to the applicable interest in the number of shares of
preferred stock underlying such depositary share, to all the rights and
preferences of the preferred stock underlying such depositary share, including
dividend, voting, redemption, conversion, exchange and liquidation rights.
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued
pursuant to the deposit agreement, each of which will represent the applicable
interest in a number of shares of a particular series of the preferred stock
described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, a holder of
depositary shares is not entitled to receive the shares of preferred stock
underlying the depositary shares.
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Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash
distributions received in respect of the preferred stock to the record holders
of depositary shares representing such preferred stock in proportion to the
numbers of such depositary shares owned by such holders on the relevant record
date.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will
distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares
entitled thereto or the depositary may, with our approval, sell such property
and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.
The deposit agreement also contains provisions relating to the manner in
which any subscription or similar rights offered by us to holders of preferred
stock shall be made available to holders of depositary
shares.
Conversion and Exchange
If any preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to
provisions relating to its conversion or exchange as set forth in the
prospectus supplement relating thereto, each record holder of depositary
shares will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange such
depositary shares pursuant to the terms thereof.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to
redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received
by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of the
preferred stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary
share will be equal to the aggregate redemption price payable with respect to
the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares.
Whenever we redeem preferred stock from the depositary, the depositary will
redeem as of the same redemption date a proportionate number of depositary
shares representing the shares of preferred stock that were redeemed. If less
than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be
redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as may be determined by us.
After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares so called for
redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the
holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the
redemption price payable upon such redemption. Any funds deposited by us with
the depositary for any depositary shares which the holders thereof fail to
redeem shall be returned to us after a period of two years from the date such
funds are so deposited.
Voting
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting or action in lieu of any meeting at
which the holders of any shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary
shares are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information
contained in such notice to the record holders of the depositary shares
relating to such preferred stock. Each record holder of such depositary shares
on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the
preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the
exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred
stock underlying such holder's depositary shares. The depositary will
endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred
stock underlying such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions,
and we will agree to take all action which may be deemed necessary by the
depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so.
Amendment of the Deposit Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any
provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement
between us and the depositary, provided, however, that any amendment which
materially and adversely alters the rights of the existing holders of
depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been
approved by at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding.
Charges of Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges that
arise solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay
charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the
preferred stock and any exchange or redemption of the preferred stock. Holders
of depositary shares will pay all other transfer and other taxes and
governmental charges, and, in addition, such
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other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for
their accounts.
Miscellaneous
We, or at our option, the depositary, will forward to the holders of
depositary shares all reports and communications from us which we are required
to furnish to the holders of preferred stock.
Neither the depositary nor we will be liable if either of us is prevented
or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond our control in performing our
obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the
depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in good
faith of our duties thereunder and we and the depositary will not be obligated
to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary share
or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity has been furnished. We and
the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or
information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit,
holders of depositary shares or other persons believed to be competent and on
documents believed to be genuine.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary; Termination of the
Deposit Agreement
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its
election to do so, and we may at any time remove the depositary, any such
resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor
depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor depositary
will be appointed by us within 60 days after delivery of the notice of
resignation or removal. The deposit agreement may be terminated at our
direction or by the depositary if a period of 90 days shall have expired after
the depositary has delivered to us written notice of its election to resign
and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed. Upon termination of
the deposit agreement, the depositary will discontinue the transfer of
depositary receipts, will suspend the distribution of dividends to the holders
thereof, and will not give any further notices (other than notice of such
termination) or perform any further acts under the deposit agreement except
that the depositary will continue to deliver preferred stock certificates,
together with such dividends and distributions and the net proceeds of any
sales of rights, preferences, privileges or other property in exchange for
depositary receipts surrendered. Upon our request, the depositary shall
deliver all books, records, certificates evidencing preferred stock,
depositary receipts and other documents relating to the subject matter of the
depositary agreement to us.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
The statements made under this caption include summaries of certain
provisions contained in our articles of incorporation and by-laws. These
statements do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to such articles of incorporation and by-laws.
We have three classes of common stock outstanding: class A special common
stock, $1.00 par value per share; class A common stock, $1.00 par value per
share; and class B common stock, $1.00 par value per share. There are
currently 2,500,000,000 shares of class A special common stock, 200,000,000
shares of class A common stock and 50,000,000 shares of class B common stock
authorized. At the close of business on May 3, 1999, there were 699,622,625
shares of class A special common stock, 31,498,791 shares of class A common
stock and 9,444,375 shares of class B common stock outstanding.
Dividends
Subject to the preferential rights of any preferred stock then
outstanding, the holders of class A special common stock, class A common stock
and class B common stock are entitled to receive pro rata per share such cash
dividends as from time to time may be declared by our board of directors out
of funds legally available therefor. Each class of our common stock is to
receive dividends, as declared, on an equal basis per share.
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Stock dividends on, and stock splits of, any class of common stock shall
not be paid or issued unless paid or issued on all classes of common stock, in
which case they are to be paid or issued only in shares of that class or in
shares of either class common stock or class A special common stock.
Voting Rights
The holders of the class A special common stock are not entitled to vote
in the election of directors or otherwise, except where class voting is
required by applicable law or our articles of incorporation, in which case,
each holder of class A special common stock shall be entitled to one vote per
share. Each holder of class A common stock has one vote per share and each
holder of class B common stock has 15 votes per share. The articles of
incorporation provide that the class A special common stock, the class A
common stock and the class B common stock vote as separate classes on certain
amendments to the articles of incorporation regarding conversion rights of the
class B common stock and as required by applicable law. Under applicable law,
holders of class A special common stock have voting rights in the event of
certain amendments to the articles of incorporation and certain mergers and
other fundamental corporate changes. In all other instances, including the
election of directors, the class A common stock and the class B common stock
vote as one class. Neither the holders of class A common stock nor the holders
of class B common stock have cumulative voting rights.
Principal Shareholder
At June 30, 1999, Sural Corporation, a Delaware corporation, owned
8,786,250 shares of our outstanding class B common stock and 795,038 shares of
our outstanding class A common stock. Mr. Brian L. Roberts, our president,
owns stock representing substantially all of the voting power of all classes
of voting securities of Sural. Pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, Mr. Roberts is deemed to be the beneficial owner of the
shares of class B common stock and class A common stock owned by Sural, and he
is deemed to be the beneficial owner of an additional 4,061 shares of class A
common stock, including 1,356 shares owned by his wife, as to which he
disclaims beneficial ownership. Since each share of class B common stock is
entitled to fifteen votes, the shares of class A common stock and class B
common stock owned by Sural and Mr. Roberts constitute approximately 77% of
the voting power of the two classes of our voting common stock combined. The
class B common stock is convertible on a share-for-share basis into class A
common stock or class a special common stock. If Sural and Mr. Roberts were to
convert the class B common stock which they are deemed to beneficially own
into class A common stock, Mr. Roberts would beneficially own 9,585,349 shares
of class A common stock, which is approximately 24% of the class A common
stock.
Conversion of Class B Common Stock
The class B common stock is convertible share for share into either the
class A common stock or the class A special common stock.
Preference on liquidation
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up, either
voluntary or involuntary, of us, the holders of class A special common stock,
class A common stock and class B common Stock are entitled to receive, subject
to any liquidation preference of any preferred stock then outstanding, our
remaining assets, if any, in proportion to the number of shares held by them
without regard to class.
Miscellaneous
The holders of class A special common stock, class A common stock and
class B common stock do not have any preemptive rights, except that if the
right to subscribe to stock, options or warrants to purchase stock is offered
or granted to all holders of class A special common Stock or class A common
stock, parallel rights must be given to all holders of class B common stock.
All shares of class A special common stock, class A common stock and class B
common stock presently outstanding are, and all shares of the class A special
common stock and class A common stock offered hereby, or issuable upon
conversion, exchange or exercise of securities, will, when issued, be, fully
paid and non-assessable. We have been advised that the class A special common
stock and class A common stock are exempt from existing Pennsylvania personal
property tax.
The transfer agent and registrar for our class A special common stock and
class A common stock is The Bank of New York, One Wall Street, New York, New
York 10286.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We and/or our trust subsidiaries may sell the Securities being offered
hereby in four ways:
o directly to purchasers;
o through agents;
o through underwriters; and
o through dealers.
We and/or our trust subsidiaries may directly solicit offers to purchase
securities, or we and/or our trust subsidiaries may designate agents to
solicit such offers. We will, in the prospectus supplement relating to such
offering, name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the
Securities Act of 1933 and describe any commissions we or our trust
subsidiaries must pay. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis
for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable
prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. Agents, dealers and
underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform
services for us in the ordinary course of business.
If any underwriters are utilized in the sale of the securities in respect
of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting
agreement with them at the time of sale to them and we will set forth in the
prospectus supplement relating to such offering their names and the terms of
our agreement with them.
If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which
the prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as
principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying
prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.
Remarketing firms, agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under
agreements which they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services
for us in the ordinary course of business.
In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters
may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be
used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters
may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for
their own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the
price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may
bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open
market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of
underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions
allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the
offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities 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 securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters
are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these
activities at any time.
Any underwriter, agent or dealer utilized in the initial offering of
securities will not confirm sales to accounts over which it exercises
discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of its
customer.
LEGAL MATTERS
As to matters governed by Pennsylvania law, Arthur R. Block, Esquire,
Senior Deputy General Counsel of the Company, and as to matters governed by
New York law, Davis Polk & Wardwell, will pass upon the validity of the
securities on our behalf and on behalf of our trust subsidiaries, although we
may use other counsel, including our employees, to do so. Certain matters of
Delaware law relating to the validity of the guaranteed trust preferred
securities will be passed upon by Richards, Layton & Finger. Unless otherwise
indicated in the accompanying prospectus supplement, legal matters will be
passed upon for the underwriters or agents by Cahill Gordon & Reindel (a
partnership including a professional organization).
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EXPERTS
Our consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial
statement schedules in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1998 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
auditors, as set forth in their reports thereon and incorporated herein by
reference.
Such consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial
statement schedules have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance
upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of QVC, Inc. and subsidiaries, as of December
31, 1998 and 1997 and for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1998, have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors, as stated in
their report, which is included as an exhibit to our annual report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and incorporated herein by
reference in reliance upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We, along with our trust subsidiaries, have filed this prospectus as part
of a combine registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC. The registration
statement contains exhibits and other information that are not contained in
this prospectus. In particular, the registration statement includes as
exhibits forms of our underwriting agreements, copies of our senior indenture
and subordinated indenture, forms of our senior debt security and subordinated
debt security, the declaration of trust of each of our trust subsidiaries, a
form of amended and restated declaration of trust to be adopted in connection
with the issuance of any guaranteed trust preferred securities, a form of
trust preferred security, the certificate of trust of each of our trust
subsidiaries, a form of guarantee for the guaranteed trust preferred
securities, a form of unit agreement, a form of purchase contract agreement, a
form of pledge agreement, a form of warrant agreement for warrants sold alone,
a form of warrant for warrants sold alone, a form of warrant agreement for
warrants sold attached to securities, a form of warrant for warrants sold
attached to securities, a form of deposit agreement and a form of depository
share. Our descriptions in this prospectus of the provisions of documents
filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the
SEC are only summaries of the documents' material terms. If you want a
complete description of the content of the documents, you should obtain the
documents yourself by following the procedures described below.
We file annual, quarterly and special reports and other information with
the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public
reference room located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and at Seven
World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Please call the SEC
at 1-800- SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. You
may also read our SEC filings, including the complete registration statement
and all of the exhibits to it, through the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov.
Our trust subsidiaries have been created solely to issue guaranteed trust
preferred securities for our financing purposes. We do not plan to provide
separate financial statements for our trust subsidiaries because you will be
relying on our ability to make payments on our debt securities held by the
trust subsidiaries or on our guarantee, rather than the trust subsidiaries'
independent ability to make payments on the guaranteed trust preferred
securities. In addition, although our trust subsidiaries would normally be
required to file information with the SEC on an ongoing basis, we expect the
SEC to exempt the trust subsidiaries from this filing obligation for as long
as we continue to file our information with the SEC.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you directly to those documents. The information incorporated by
reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. In addition,
information we file with the SEC in the future will automatically update and
supersede information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying
prospectus Supplement. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below,
each of which is filed under SEC File No. 000-06983, and any future filings
made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 until we sell all of the securities we are offering:
o Our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998;
o Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March
31, 1999;
o Our current reports on Form 8-K dated July 7, 1999, May 26, 1999,
May 26, 1999, May 4, 1999, April 7, 1999, March 22, 1999, March 9,
1999, March 9, 1999 and January 20, 1999; and
o The description of our class A special common stock and class A
common stock contained in the first amendment to our registration
statement on Form 8-A/A dated July 16, 1996.
We will provide free copies of any of those documents, if you write or
telephone us at: 1500 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-2148,
(215) 665-1700.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
All of the expenses in connection with the offering are as follows:
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.............. $ 834,000
Legal fees and expenses.......................................... 50,000 *
Printing and engraving fees...................................... 75,000 *
Accountants' fees and expenses................................... 25,000 *
Miscellaneous.................................................... 16,000 *
-----------
Total....................................................... $ 1,000,000 *
===========
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* Estimated
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Sections 1741 through 1750 of Subchapter C, Chapter 17, of the
Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988 (the "BCL") contain provisions
for mandatory and discretionary indemnification of a corporation's directors,
officers and other personnel, and related matters.
Under Section 1741, subject to certain limitations, a corporation has the
power to indemnify directors and officers under certain prescribed
circumstances against expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection
with an action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, to which any of them is a party by reason of his being a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or serving at the
request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, if
he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not
opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any
criminal proceeding, has no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. Under Section 1743, indemnification is mandatory to the extent that
the director, officer, employee or agent has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action or proceeding relating to third-party or
derivative actions if the appropriate standards of conduct are met.
Section 1742 provides for indemnification in derivative actions except in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the person has been adjudged
to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the proper
court determines upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability
but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for the expense that the court deems proper.
Section 1744 provides that, unless ordered by a court, any indemnification
under Sections 1741 or 1742 shall be made by the corporation as authorized in
the specific case upon a determination that the representative met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in those sections and such
determination shall be made by the board of directors by majority vote of a
quorum of directors not parties to the action or proceeding; if a quorum is
not obtainable or if obtainable and a majority of disinterested directors so
directs, by independent legal counsel; or by the shareholders.
Section 1745 provides that expenses incurred by an officer, director,
employee or agent in defending a civil or criminal action or proceeding may be
paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action or
proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to
repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled
to be indemnified by the corporation.
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Section 1746 provides generally that except in any case where the act or
failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by
the court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness, the
indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Subchapter of the
BCL shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person
seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any
by-law, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in
another capacity while holding that office.
Section 1747 also grants a corporation the power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any director or officer against any liability incurred
by him in his capacity as officer or director, whether or not the corporation
would have the power to indemnify him against the liability under this
Subchapter of the BCL.
Sections 1748 and 1749 extend the indemnification and advancement of
expenses provisions contained in Sections 1741-1750 of the BCL to successor
corporations in fundamental changes and to representatives serving as
fiduciaries of employee benefit plans.
Section 1750 provides that the indemnification and advancement of
expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Sections 1741-1750 of the BCL
shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a
person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs and personal representative of such person.
For information regarding provisions under which a director or officer of
the Company may be insured or indemnified in any manner against any liability
which he may incur in his capacity as such, reference is made to Article VII
of the Company's By-Laws.
Item 16. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed as part of the Registration Statement:
Exhibit
Number Description
- ------- -----------
1.1** Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt Securities, Warrants,
Purchase Contracts and Units).
1.2** Form of Underwriting Agreement (Preferred Stock, Depositary
Shares, Common Stock).
1.3** Form of Underwriting Agreement (Preferred Securities).
3(ii) Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3(ii) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1993).
4.1** Senior Indenture to be dated as of June 15, 1999 between the
Company and Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as Trustee.
4.2** Subordinated Indenture to be dated as of June 15, 1999 between the
Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee.
4.3** Certificate of Trust of Comcast Corporation Trust I.
4.4** Certificate of Trust of Comcast Corporation Trust II.
4.5** Certificate of Trust of Comcast Corporation Trust III.
4.6** Declaration of Trust of Comcast Corporation Trust I.
4.7** Declaration of Trust of Comcast Corporation Trust II.
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4.8** Declaration of Trust of Comcast Corporation Trust III.
4.9** Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for each of
Comcast Corporation Trust I, Comcast Corporation Trust II and
Comcast Corporation Trust III.
4.10** Form of Senior Debt Security.
4.11** Form of Subordinated Debt Security.
4.12 Form of Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.9).
4.13** Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee with respect to Preferred
Securities.
4.14* Form of Purchase Contract Agreement relating to Purchase Contracts
(to be included in Exhibit 4.15).
4.15* Form of Unit Agreement.
4.16** Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants Sold Alone.
4.17 Form of Warrant for Warrants Sold Alone (included in Exhibit 4.16).
4.18** Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants Sold Attached to Securities.
4.19 Form of Warrant for Warrants Sold Attached to Securities (included
in Exhibit 4.18).
4.20** Form of Pledge Agreement.
4.21** Form of Deposit Agreement.
4.22 Form of Depositary Share (included in Exhibit 4.21).
5.1** Opinion of Arthur R. Block, Esquire.
5.2** Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell.
5.3** Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger.
12.1** Statement re: Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
and Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends.
23.1** Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.2** Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.3 Consent of Arthur R. Block, Esquire (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.4 Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell (included in Exhibit 5.2).
23.5 Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger (included in Exhibit 5.3).
24.1** Powers of Attorney.
25.1** Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, of Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as Trustee under the
Senior Indenture.
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25.2** Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, of Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee under the
Subordinated Indenture.
25.3* Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, of the Institutional Trustee for Comcast Corporation
Trust I.
25.4* Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, of the Institutional Trustee for Comcast Corporation
Trust II.
25.5* Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, of the Institutional Trustee for Comcast Corporation
Trust III.
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* To be filed with subsequent Current Report on Form 8-K.
** Originally filed on June 23, 1999.
Item 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
1. (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act");
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or
the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in
the information set forth in the Registration Statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect
to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
Registration Statement or any material change to such information in
the Registration Statement;
provided, however, that subparagraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) shall not apply
to the extent that information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those subparagraphs is contained in periodic
reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") that are
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
(b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
2. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement
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<PAGE>
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
3. If the securities to be registered are to be offered at competitive
bidding, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes (1) to use its best
efforts to distribute prior to the opening of bids, to prospective bidders,
underwriters, and dealers, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus which
at that time meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act,
and relating to the securities offered at competitive bidding, as contained in
the Registration Statement, together with any supplements thereto, and (2) to
file an amendment to the Registration Statement reflecting the results of
bidding, the terms of the reoffering and related matters to the extent
required by the applicable form, not later thin the first use, authorized by
the issuer after the opening of bids, of a prospectus relating to the
securities offered at competitive bidding, unless no further public offering
of such securities by the issuer and no reoffering of such securities by the
purchasers is proposed to be made.
4. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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<PAGE>
SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Comcast
Corporation certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Amendment No. 1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 6, 1999.
COMCAST CORPORATION
By: /s/ John R. Alchin
-----------------------------------
John R. Alchin, Senior Vice President
and Treasurer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
*
- -------------------------- Chairman of the Board of Directors
Ralph J. Roberts and Director August 6, 1999
*
- --------------------------
Julian A. Brodsky Vice Chairman and Director August 6, 1999
*
- -------------------------- President (Principal Executive
Brian L. Roberts Officer) and Director August 6, 1999
*
- -------------------------- Executive Vice President
Lawrence S. Smith (Principal Accounting Officer) August 6, 1999
/s/ John R. Alchin
- -------------------------- Senior Vice President and Treasurer
John R. Alchin (Principal Financial Officer) August 6, 1999
*
- -------------------------- Director August 6, 1999
Gustave G. Amsterdam
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<PAGE>
*
- -------------------------- Director August 6, 1999
Sheldon M. Bonovitz
*
- -------------------------- Director August 6, 1999
Joseph L. Castle II
*
- -------------------------- Director August 6, 1999
Bernard C. Watson
*
- -------------------------- Director August 6, 1999
Irving A. Wechsler
*
- -------------------------- Director August 6, 1999
Anne Wexler
By /s/ John R. Alchin
-----------------------
John R. Alchin
Attorney-in-fact
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<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Comcast
Corporation Trust I, Comcast Corporation Trust II and Comcast Corporation III
certify that they have reasonable grounds to believe that they meet all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and that they have duly caused this
Registration Statement or amendment thereto to be signed on their behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Newark, State of
Delaware, and the City of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania on August 6,
1999.
COMCAST CORPORATION TRUST I
By: /s/ Donald J. Puglisi
--------------------------------
Name: Donald J. Puglisi
Title: Trustee
By: /s/ William E. Dordelman
--------------------------------
Name: William E. Dordelman
Title: Trustee
COMCAST CORPORATION TRUST II
By: /s/ Donald J. Puglisi
--------------------------------
Name: Donald J. Puglisi
Title: Trustee
By: /s/ William E. Dordelman
--------------------------------
Name: William E. Dordelman
Title: Trustee
COMCAST CORPORATION TRUST III
By: /s/ Donald J. Puglisi
--------------------------------
Name: Donald J. Puglisi
Title: Trustee
By: /s/ William E. Dordelman
--------------------------------
Name: William E. Dordelman
Title: Trustee
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Description
------- -----------
1.1** Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt Securities, Warrants,
Purchase Contracts and Units).
1.2** Form of Underwriting Agreement (Preferred Stock, Depositary
Shares, Common Stock).
1.3** Form of Underwriting Agreement (Preferred Securities).
3(ii) Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3(ii) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1993).
4.1** Senior Indenture to be dated as of June 15, 1999 between the
Company and Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as Trustee.
4.2** Subordinated Indenture to be dated as of June 15, 1999 between the
Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee.
4.3** Certificate of Trust of Comcast Corporation Trust I.
4.4** Certificate of Trust of Comcast Corporation Trust II.
4.5** Certificate of Trust of Comcast Corporation Trust III.
4.6** Declaration of Trust of Comcast Corporation Trust I.
4.7** Declaration of Trust of Comcast Corporation Trust II.
4.8** Declaration of Trust of Comcast Corporation Trust III.
4.9** Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for each of
Comcast Corporation Trust I, Comcast Corporation Trust II and
Comcast Corporation Trust III.
4.10** Form of Senior Debt Security.
4.11** Form of Subordinated Debt Security.
4.12 Form of Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.9).
4.13** Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee with respect to Preferred
Securities.
4.14* Form of Purchase Contract Agreement relating to Purchase Contracts
(to be included in Exhibit 4.15).
4.15* Form of Unit Agreement.
4.16** Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants Sold Alone.
4.17 Form of Warrant for Warrants Sold Alone (included in Exhibit
4.16).
4.18** Form of Warrant Agreement for Warrants Sold Attached to
Securities.
4.19 Form of Warrant for Warrants Sold Attached to Securities (included
in Exhibit 4.18).
4.20** Form of Pledge Agreement.
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<PAGE>
4.21** Form of Deposit Agreement.
4.22 Form of Depositary Share (included in Exhibit 4.21).
5.1** Opinion of Arthur R. Block, Esquire.
5.2** Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell.
5.3** Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger.
12.1** Statement re: Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
and to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends.
23.1** Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.2** Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.3 Consent of Arthur R. Block, Esquire (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.4 Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell (included in Exhibit 5.2).
23.5 Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger (included in Exhibit 5.3).
24.1** Powers of Attorney.
25.1** Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, of Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as Trustee under the
Senior Indenture.
25.2** Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended, of Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee under
the Subordinated Indenture.
25.3* Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended, of the Institutional Trustee for Comcast
Corporation Trust I.
25.4* Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended, of the Institutional Trustee for Comcast
Corporation Trust II.
25.5* Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended, of the Institutional Trustee for Comcast
Corporation Trust III.
- -------------------
* To be filed with subsequent Current Report on Form 8-K.
** Originally filed on June 23, 1999.
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