<PAGE> 1
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE
CHANGED. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING 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 OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT ISSUED OCTOBER 12, 1999 (SUBJECT TO COMPLETION)
- --------------------------------
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED SEPTEMBER 24, 1999)
$2,000,000,000
[DUPONT LOGO](R)
E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
$ % NOTES DUE OCTOBER , 2004
$ % NOTES DUE OCTOBER , 2009
------------------------
We will pay interest on the notes (collectively, the "Notes") on and
of each year, beginning . We may redeem the Notes prior to
maturity, in whole or in part, as described in this prospectus supplement.
------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PUBLIC UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS BEFORE
OFFERING PRICE(1) DISCOUNT EXPENSES
----------------- ------------ ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per % Note............................................ % % %
Total.................................................... $ $ $
Per % Note............................................ % % %
Total.................................................... $ $ $
</TABLE>
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from .
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
We have applied to have the Notes listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
The Notes will be ready for delivery in book-entry form only through The
Depository Trust Company, Cedelbank or the Euroclear System, as the case may be,
on or about .
------------------------
JOINT BOOKRUNNERS
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
------------------------
CO-MANAGERS
------------------------
The date of this prospectus supplement is .
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
About DuPont.......................... S-3
Recent Developments................... S-3
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges... S-3
Use of Proceeds....................... S-3
Capitalization........................ S-4
Selected Financial Information........ S-5
Management............................ S-6
Description of Notes.................. S-7
United States Federal Taxation........ S-14
Underwriting.......................... S-18
Notice to Canadian Residents.......... S-20
Legal Opinions........................ S-21
General Information................... S-22
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS
About this Prospectus................. 1
Where You Can Find More Information... 1
Forward Looking Information........... 2
About DuPont.......................... 3
Use of Proceeds....................... 3
Ratio Of Earnings To Fixed Charges.... 4
Description of Debt Securities........ 4
Plan of Distribution.................. 12
Legal Opinion......................... 13
Experts............................... 13
</TABLE>
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to
provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We are offering to sell Notes and
making offers to buy Notes only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are
permitted. The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus,
regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus or any sale of the notes. In this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus, the "Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to
DuPont.
If we use a capitalized term in this prospectus supplement and do not
define the term in this document, it is defined in the prospectus.
------------------------
The Notes are offered globally for sale in those jurisdictions in the
United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and elsewhere where it is lawful to make
such offers. See "Underwriting."
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include
particulars given in compliance with the rules governing the listing of
securities on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange for the purpose of giving
information with regard to the Company. The Company accepts full responsibility
for the accuracy of the information contained in this prospectus supplement and
the accompanying prospectus and confirms, having made all reasonable inquiries,
that to the best of its knowledge and belief there are no other facts the
omission of which would make any statement herein or in the prospectus
misleading in any material respect.
We cannot guarantee that listing will be obtained on the Luxembourg Stock
Exchange. Inquiries regarding our listing status on the Luxembourg Stock
Exchange should be directed to our Luxembourg listing agent, Bankers Trust
Luxembourg S.A., 14, Boulevard F.D. Roosevelt, L-2450 Luxembourg.
The distribution of this prospectus supplement and prospectus and the
offering of the Notes in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons
into whose possession this prospectus supplement and the prospectus come should
inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. This prospectus
supplement and the prospectus do not constitute, and may not be used in
connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which
such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such
offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is
unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. See "Underwriting."
References herein to "$" and "dollars" are to the currency of the United
States.
S-2
<PAGE> 3
ABOUT DUPONT
We were founded in 1802 and incorporated in Delaware in 1915. We have been
in continuous operation for 196 years. Our principal offices are at 1007 Market
Street in Wilmington, Delaware.
We are a science company, delivering science-based solutions that make a
difference in people's lives in food and nutrition; healthcare; apparel; home
and construction; electronics; and transportation. We have a portfolio of 2,000
trademarks and brands, including such well-known consumer brands as Lycra(R),
Teflon(R), Stainmaster(R), Kevlar(R), Nomex(R), Tyvek(R), Dacron(R), Cordura(R),
Corian(R), SilverStone(R) and Mylar(R). We operate in 65 countries worldwide.
Our strategic business units have been aggregated into eight reportable
segments -- Agriculture & Nutrition, Nylon Enterprise, Performance Coatings &
Polymers, Pharmaceuticals, Pigments & Chemicals, Polyester Enterprise, Specialty
Fibers and Specialty Polymers.
About 42% of our sales are derived outside the United States, based on
location of the customer. We have about 97,000 employees.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On October 5, 1999, we announced an agreement to acquire CombiChem, Inc.
for $6.75 per share in cash, or approximately $95 million. See DuPont's Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on October 8, 1999 for more information.
On October 1, 1999, we completed our acquisition of the approximately 80%
of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. that the Company did not already own. The
transaction is valued at approximately $7.7 billion. Pioneer's shareholders
received $40.00 per share. In the aggregate, 45 percent of the consideration
will be paid in cash and 55 percent in the form of approximately 68,612,135
shares of DuPont common stock. See DuPont's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
October 8, 1999 for more information.
On September 15, 1999, we announced the intent of DuPont Nylon to reduce
its growth objectives in the Asia Pacific region and to exit from selected nylon
ventures and postpone or cancel more than $600 million in anticipated capital
projects for the region. We expect to take a one-time noncash after-tax charge
in the third quarter of up to 35 cents per diluted share of common stock. This
charge results from the planned exit from the ventures noted above and also
includes a writedown of our adipic acid plant in Singapore. See DuPont's Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on September 15, 1999 for more information.
On August 7, 1999, we completed our divestiture of Conoco, Inc. by
exchanging 436,543,573 shares of Conoco Class B common stock held by DuPont for
147,980,872 shares of DuPont common stock. In connection with this exchange
offer, we purchased 8,000,000 shares of DuPont common stock from several
non-U.S. shareholders. See DuPont's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on August
9, 1999 and August 16, 1999 for more information.
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
ENDED --------------------------------
JUNE 30, 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.................... 5.9 3.3 5.2 5.8 5.4 5.3
Pro Forma:
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges on a continuing
operations basis excluding interest and debt expense
allocated to or incurred by Conoco, Inc., which is
reported as discontinued operations................. 8.3 4.5 7.8 9.1 8.4 7.6
</TABLE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes for general
corporate purposes. These purposes may include repayment and refinancing of
debt, acquisitions, including our acquisition of Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
Inc., working capital, capital expenditures and repurchases and redemptions of
securities. Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in
short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term
indebtedness.
S-3
<PAGE> 4
CAPITALIZATION
Set forth is the capitalization of the Company and its consolidated
subsidiaries at June 30, 1999. Except as described under "Recent Developments",
as of the date of this prospectus supplement there has been no material change
to the capitalization of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries since
June 30, 1999. The data presented under the heading "June 30, 1999" below have
been extracted from the consolidated financial statements of the Company, which
have not been audited.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JUNE 30, 1999
---------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C>
DEBT: (a)
Short-term borrowings and capital lease obligations.... $ 3,536
-------
Long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations..... 4,934
-------
Minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries............. 474
-------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, without par value -- cumulative 23,000,000
shares authorized; issued at June 30, 1999:
$4.50 series -- 1,672,594 shares (callable at $120)....... 167
$3.50 series -- 700,000 shares (callable at $102)......... 70
Common stock, $0.30 par value, 1,800,000,000 shares
authorized:
issued at June 30, 1999 -- 1,139,154,154.................. 342
Additional paid-in capital.................................. 7,917
Reinvested earnings......................................... 7,453
Accumulated other comprehensive loss........................ (523)
Common stock held in trust for unearned employee
compensation and benefits (Flexitrust), at market (shares
at 30th June, 1999 -- 10,050,727)......................... (686)
-------
Total stockholders' equity............................. 14,740
-------
Total capitalization........................................ $23,684
=======
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Substantially all debt of the Company is unsecured.
S-4
<PAGE> 5
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following table sets forth certain financial data of the Company
selected from the unaudited consolidated financial statements appearing in the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three-month period ended June
30, 1999 and from the audited consolidated financial statements appearing in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, each
of which is incorporated by reference herein. This information should be read in
conjunction with the other details of financial information concerning the
Company included in the aforementioned documents.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS YEAR ENDED
ENDED JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
-------------------- --------------------
1999 1998 1998 1997
-------- -------- -------- --------
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Sales............................................... $13,289 $12,626 $24,767 $24,089
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income
Taxes and Minority Interests...................... 2,360 2,285 2,613 2,829
Income from Continuing Operations................... 1,474 1,431 1,648 1,432
Income from and Gain on Disposal of Discontinued
Operations........................................ 106 434 3,033 973
Net Income.......................................... 1,580 1,865 4,681(a) 2,405
PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK:
Basic Earnings Per Share of Common Stock
Income from Continuing Operations................... 1.30 1.26 1.45 1.26
Income from Discontinued Operations................. .10 .39 2.69 0.86
Net Income.......................................... 1.40 1.65 4.14(a) 2.12
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK:
Income from Continuing Operations................... 1.29 1.24 1.43 1.24
Income from Discontinued Operations................. .09 .38 2.65 0.84
Net Income.......................................... 1.38 1.62 4.08(a) 2.08
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working Capital..................................... $ 2,223 $(2,314) $(2,374) $(2,110)
Total Assets........................................ 37,315 41,790 38,536 36,689
BORROWINGS AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS:
Short-Term.......................................... 3,536 9,938 6,629 6,152
Long-Term........................................... 4,934 6,077 4,495 5,897
Stockholders' Equity................................ 14,740 12,398 13,954 11,270
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Before extraordinary item incurred in connection with the early redemption
of certain of the Company's public indebtedness.
S-5
<PAGE> 6
MANAGEMENT
The members of the Board of Directors of the Company and their principal
occupations are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- ---- --------------------
<S> <C>
Charles O. Holliday, Jr. ................. Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Curtis J. Crawford........................ President and Chief Executive Officer, ZiLOG Inc.
Louisa C. Duemling........................ Director
Edward B. du Pont......................... Director
Lois D. Juliber........................... Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations,
Developed Markets, Colgate-Palmolive Company
Goran Lindahl............................. President and Chief Executive Officer, ABB Asea Brown
Boveri, Ltd.
William K. Reilly......................... President and Chief Executive Officer, Aqua
International Partners LP
H. Rodney Sharp, III...................... Director
Charles M. Vest........................... President, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Sanford I. Weill.......................... Chairman and co-Chief Executive Officer, Citigroup Inc.
Edgar S. Woolard, Jr. .................... Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
</TABLE>
The business address of each director is 1007 Market Street, Wilmington,
Delaware 19898.
S-6
<PAGE> 7
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
The following description of the particular terms of the % Notes due
October , 2004 (the " % Notes") and the % Notes due October ,
2009 (the " % Notes") offered hereby (referred to in the prospectus as the
"Debt Securities") supplements the description of the general terms and
provisions of the Debt Securities included in the prospectus. The % Notes
and the % Notes are collectively referred to in this prospectus supplement
as the "Notes". The following summary of the Notes is qualified in its entirety
by reference in the prospectus to the description of the indenture dated as of
June 1, 1992, between the Company and Bankers Trust Company, as trustee.
GENERAL
The % Notes will mature at par on October , 2004. The % Notes
will mature at par on October , 2009. The Notes will constitute part of the
senior debt of the Company and will rank pari passu with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Notes will be issued in fully
registered form only, in denominations of $1,000 and multiples thereof.
Principal of and interest on the Notes will be payable, and the transfer of
Notes will be registerable, through the Depositary as described below.
Each % Note will bear interest from October , 1999 at the annual
rate of %. Each % Note will bear interest from October , 1999, at
the annual rate of %. Interest on the Notes will be payable semiannually on
and , commencing , to the person in
whose name such Note is registered at the close of business on the preceding
or . Interest payable at the maturity of the Notes
will be payable to the registered holder of the Note to whom principal is
payable. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months.
If any interest payment date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the
interest payment will be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day, and
no interest on such payment will accrue for the period from and after such
interest payment date. If the maturity date of the Notes falls on a day that is
not a Business Day, the payment of interest and principal may be made on the
next succeeding Business Day, and no interest on such payment will accrue for
the period from and after the maturity date.
Interest payments for the Notes will include accrued interest from and
including the date of issue or from and including the last date in respect of
which interest has been paid, as the case may be, to, but excluding, the
interest payment date or the date of maturity, as the case may be.
The % Notes and the % Notes will each constitute a separate
series of Debt Securities under the Indenture.
The Company may, without the consent of the holders of Notes, issue
additional notes having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity
and other terms as the applicable Notes. Any additional notes having such
similar terms, together with the applicable Notes, will constitute a single
series of notes under the indenture. No additional notes may be issued if an
Event of Default has occurred with respect to the applicable series of Notes.
As used in this prospectus supplement, "Business Day" means any day, other
than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which
banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close in
The City of New York.
The Company has appointed Bankers Trust Luxembourg S.A., as paying agent
and transfer agent in Luxembourg with respect to the Notes in definitive form.
As long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, the Company
will maintain a paying and transfer agent in Luxembourg, and any change in the
Luxembourg paying agent and transfer agent will be published in Luxembourg. See
"-- Notices" below.
S-7
<PAGE> 8
BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
The Notes will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered Global
Notes (the "Global Notes") which will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The
Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (the "Depositary" or "DTC") and
registered in the name of the Cede & Co., the Depositary's nominee. Beneficial
interests in the Global Notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of
financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and
indirect participants in the Depositary. Investors may elect to hold interests
in the Global Notes through the Depositary, Cedelbank or Morgan Guaranty Trust
Company of New York, Brussels Office, as operator of the Euroclear System
("Euroclear") if they are participants of such systems, or indirectly through
organizations which are participants in such systems. Cedelbank and Euroclear
will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers'
securities accounts in Cedelbank's and Euroclear's names on the books of their
respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers'
securities accounts in the depositaries' names on the books of the Depositary.
Citibank, N.A. will act as depositary for Cedelbank and The Chase Manhattan Bank
will act as depositary for Euroclear (in such capacities, the "U.S.
Depositaries"). Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred,
in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a
successor of the Depositary or its nominee.
The Depositary has advised the Company as follows: the Depositary is a
limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a
"banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member
of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of
the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency" registered
pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The Depositary
holds securities deposited with it by its participants and facilitates the
settlement of transactions among its participants in such securities through
electronic computerized book-entry changes in accounts of the participants,
thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates.
The Depositary's participants include securities brokers and dealers (including
the Underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain
other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own the
Depositary. Access to the Depositary book-entry system is also available to
others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or
indirectly.
The Depositary's management is aware that some computer applications,
systems, and the like for processing data ("Systems") that are dependent upon
calendar dates, including dates before, on and after January 1, 2000, may
encounter "Year 2000 problems." The Depositary has informed participants and
other members of the financial community that it has developed and is
implementing a program so that its Systems, as the same relate to the timely
payment of distributions (including principal and income payments) to
securityholders, book-entry deliveries, and settlement of trades within DTC
("DTC Services"), continue to function appropriately. This program includes a
technical assessment and a remediation plan, each of which is complete.
Additionally, the Depositary's plan includes a testing phase, which is expected
to be completed within appropriate time frames. However, the Depositary's
ability to perform its services properly is also dependent upon other parties,
including but not limited to issuers and their agents, as well as third party
vendors from whom the Depositary licenses software and hardware, and third party
vendors on whom the Depositary relies for information or the provision of
services, including telecommunication and electrical utility service providers,
among others. The Depositary has informed the financial community that it is
contacting, and will continue to contact, third party vendors from whom the
Depositary acquires services to impress upon them the importance of such
services being Year 2000 compliant, and to determine the extent of their efforts
for Year 2000 remediation and, as appropriate, testing of their services. In
addition, DTC is in the process of developing such contingency plans as it deems
appropriate.
According to the Depositary, the foregoing information with respect to the
Depositary has been provided to the financial community for informational
purposes only and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty or
contract modification of any kind. The Company makes no representation as to the
accuracy or completeness of such information.
S-8
<PAGE> 9
Cedelbank advises that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a
bank. Cedelbank holds securities for its customers ("Cedelbank Customers") and
facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between
Cedelbank Customers through electronic book-entry transfers between their
accounts. Cedelbank provides to Cedelbank Customers, among other things,
services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of
internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing.
Cedelbank interfaces with domestic securities markets in over 30 countries
through established depository and custodial relationships. As a bank, Cedelbank
is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the
Financial Sector (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). Cedelbank
Customers are recognized financial institutions around the world, including
underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. Cedelbank's U.S. customers are
limited to securities brokers and dealers and banks. Indirect access to
Cedelbank is also available to other institutions such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Cedelbank Customer.
Distributions with respect to the Notes held through Cedelbank will be
credited to cash accounts of Cedelbank Customers in accordance with its rules
and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for Cedelbank.
Euroclear advises that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for its
participants ("Euroclear Participants") and to clear and settle transactions
between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry
delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and
cash. Euroclear provides various other services, including securities lending
and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries.
Euroclear is operated by the Brussels, Belgium office of Morgan Guaranty Trust
Company of New York (the "Euroclear Operator"), under contract with Euroclear
Clearance Systems, S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the "Cooperative").
All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear
securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the
Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for
Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include
banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other
professional financial intermediaries and may include the Underwriters. Indirect
access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly
or indirectly.
The Euroclear Operator is the Belgian branch of a New York banking
corporation which is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. As such, it is
regulated and examined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
and the New York State Banking Department, as well as the Belgian Banking
Commission.
Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator
are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the
related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law
(collectively, the "Terms and Conditions"). The Terms and Conditions govern
transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and
cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in
Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without
attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts.
The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of
Euroclear Participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding
through Euroclear Participants.
Distributions with respect to the Notes held beneficially through Euroclear
will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance
with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. Depositary for
Euroclear.
Euroclear further advises that investors that acquire, hold and transfer
interests in the Notes by book-entry through accounts with the Euroclear
Operator or any other securities intermediary are subject to the laws and
contractual provisions governing their relationship with their intermediary, as
well as the laws and
S-9
<PAGE> 10
contractual provisions governing the relationship between such an intermediary
and each other intermediary, if any, standing between themselves and the Global
Notes.
The Euroclear Operator advises as follows: Under Belgian law, investors
that are credited with securities on the records of the Euroclear Operator have
a co-property right in the fungible pool of interests in securities on deposit
with the Euroclear Operator in an amount equal to the amount of interests in
securities credited to their accounts. In the event of the insolvency of the
Euroclear Operator, Euroclear Participants would have a right under Belgian law
to the return of the amount and type of interests in securities credited to
their accounts with the Euroclear Operator. If the Euroclear Operator did not
have a sufficient amount of interests in securities on deposit of a particular
type to cover the claims of all Participants credited with such interests in
securities on the Euroclear Operator's records, all Participants having an
amount of interests in securities of such type credited to their accounts with
the Euroclear Operator would have the right under Belgian law to the return of
their pro rata share of the amount of interests in securities actually on
deposit.
Under Belgian law, the Euroclear Operator is required to pass on the
benefits of ownership in any interests in securities on deposit with it (such as
dividends, voting rights and other entitlements) to any person credited with
such interests in securities on its records.
Individual certificates in respect of the Notes will not be issued in
exchange for the Global Notes, except in very limited circumstances. If DTC
notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing
system in connection with the Global Notes or ceases to be a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor clearing system is not
appointed by the Company within 90 days after receiving such notice from DTC or
upon becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered, the Company will issue
or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration
of transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in the Notes
represented by such Global Notes upon delivery of such Global Notes for
cancellation. In the event that individual certificates are issued, holders of
the Notes will be able to receive payments (including principal and interest) on
the Notes and effect transfer of the Notes at the offices of the Company's
paying and transfer agent in Luxembourg, Chase Manhattan Bank Luxembourg S.A.
Title to book-entry interests in the Notes will pass by book-entry
registration of the transfer within the records of Cedelbank, Euroclear or DTC,
as the case may be, in accordance with their respective procedures. Book-entry
interests in the Notes may be transferred within Cedelbank and within Euroclear
and between Cedelbank and Euroclear in accordance with procedures established
for these purposes by Cedelbank and Euroclear. Book-entry interests in the Notes
may be transferred within DTC in accordance with procedures established for this
purpose by DTC. Transfers of book-entry interests in the Notes among Cedelbank
and Euroclear and DTC may be effected in accordance with procedures established
for this purpose by Cedelbank, Euroclear and DTC.
A further description of the Depositary's procedures with respect to the
Global Notes is set forth in the prospectus under "Global Securities." The
Depositary has confirmed to the Company, the Underwriters and the Trustee that
it intends to follow such procedures.
GLOBAL CLEARANCE AND SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES
Initial settlement for the Notes will be made in immediately available
funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the
ordinary way in accordance with the Depositary's rules and will be settled in
immediately available funds using the Depositary's Same-Day Funds Settlement
System. Secondary market trading between Cedelbank Customers and/or Euroclear
Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable
rules and operating procedures of Cedelbank and Euroclear and will be settled
using the procedures applicable to conventional Eurobonds in immediately
available funds.
Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly
through the Depositary on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through
Cedelbank Customers or Euroclear Participants, on the other,
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will be effected in the Depositary in accordance with the Depositary's rules on
behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S.
Depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of
instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the
counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and
within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European
international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement
requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. Depositary to take action to
effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering interests in the Notes to or
receiving interests in the Notes from the Depositary, and making or receiving
payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement
applicable to the Depositary. Cedelbank Customers and Euroclear Participants may
not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. Depositaries.
Because of time-zone differences, credits of interests in the Notes
received in Cedelbank or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC
participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and
dated the business day following the Depositary settlement date. Such credits or
any transactions involving interests in such Notes settled during such
processing will be reported to the relevant Cedelbank Customers or Euroclear
Participants on such business day. Cash received in Cedelbank or Euroclear as a
result of sales of interests in the Notes by or through a Cedelbank Customer or
a Euroclear Participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the
Depositary settlement date but will be available in the relevant Cedelbank or
Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in the
Depositary.
Although the Depositary, Cedelbank and Euroclear have agreed to the
foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the Notes
among participants of the Depositary, Cedelbank and Euroclear, they are under no
obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures
may be changed or discontinued at any time.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The % Notes will be redeemable as a whole at any time or in part from
time to time, at the option of the Company, at a redemption price equal to the
greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the % Notes or (ii) the sum
of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and
interest thereon from the redemption date to the applicable maturity date
(exclusive of any accrued interest) discounted, in each case, to the redemption
date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day
months) at the Treasury Rate plus basis points, plus any interest accrued but
not paid to the date of redemption.
The % Notes will be redeemable as a whole at any time or in part from
time to time, at the option of the Company, at a redemption price equal to the
greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the % Notes or (ii) the sum
of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and
interest thereon from the redemption date to the applicable maturity date
(exclusive of any accrued interest) discounted, in each case, to the redemption
date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day
months) at the Treasury Rate plus basis points, plus any interest accrued but
not paid to the date of redemption.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date for the Notes
(i) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the
immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical
release designated "H.15(519)" or any successor publication which is published
weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which
establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted
to constant maturity under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities," for the
maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is
within three months before or after the maturity date for the Notes, yields for
the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable
Treasury Issue shall be determined and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated
or extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the
nearest month) or (ii) if that release (or any successor release) is not
published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain
such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent
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yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for
the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal
amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that redemption date. The
Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third business day preceding the
redemption date.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to
the remaining term of the Notes, as the case may be, to be redeemed that would
be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial
practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable
maturity to the remaining term of such Securities. "Independent Investment
Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the trustee
after consultation with the Company.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means with respect to any redemption date for
the Notes (i) the average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for that
redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury
Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if the trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means each of Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and two other primary U.S.
Government securities dealers in New York City (each, a "Primary Treasury
Dealer") appointed by the trustee in consultation with the Company; provided,
however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury
Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by
the trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the trustee by that Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. (New York
City time) on the third business day preceding that redemption date.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but no more than
60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed. In
addition, so long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and
the rules of such exchange so require, notice of any redemption will be
published in a newspaper having a general circulation in Luxembourg (which is
expected to be the Luxemburger Wort).
Unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and
after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions
thereof called for redemption.
TAX REDEMPTION
The Notes may be redeemed as a whole, at the option of the Company at any
time prior to maturity, upon the giving of a notice of redemption as described
below, if the Company determines that, as a result of any change in or amendment
to the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of the United
States or of any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein,
or any change in official position regarding the application or interpretation
of such laws, regulations or rulings, which change or amendment becomes
effective on or after the date of this prospectus supplement, the Company has or
will become obligated to pay Additional Amounts (as defined below) with respect
to such Notes for reasons outside its control and after taking reasonable
measures to avoid such obligation. The Notes will be redeemed at a redemption
price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued
interest to the date fixed for redemption. Prior to the giving of any notice of
redemption pursuant to this paragraph, the Company will deliver to the Trustee
(i) a certificate stating that the Company is entitled to effect such redemption
and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to
the right of the Company to so redeem have occurred and (ii) an opinion of
independent counsel satisfactory to such Trustee to the effect that the Company
has or will become obligated to pay Additional Amounts for the reasons described
above; provided that no such notice of redemption shall be given earlier than
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60 days prior to the earliest date on which the Company would be obligated to
pay such Additional Amounts if a payment in respect of the Note were then due.
Notice of redemption will be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days
prior to the date fixed for redemption, which date and the applicable redemption
price will be specified in the notice. Such notice will be given in accordance
with "Notices" below.
PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS
The Company will, subject to certain exceptions and limitations set forth
below, pay such additional amounts ("Additional Amounts") to the beneficial
owner of any Note who is a United States Alien as may be necessary in order that
every net payment of principal of and interest on such Note and any other
amounts payable on such Note, after withholding for or on account of any present
or future tax, assessment or governmental charge imposed upon or as a result of
such payment by the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing
authority thereof or therein), will not be less than the amount provided for in
such Note to be then due and payable. The Company will not, however, be required
to make any payment of Additional Amounts to any beneficial owner for or on
account of:
(a) any such tax, assessment or other governmental charge that would
not have been so imposed but for the existence of any present or former
connection between such beneficial owner (or between a fiduciary, settlor,
beneficiary, member or shareholder of such beneficial owner, if such
beneficial owner is an estate, a trust, a partnership or a corporation) and
the United States and its possessions, including, without limitation, such
beneficial owner (or such fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or
shareholder) being or having been a citizen or resident thereof or being or
having been engaged in a trade or business or present therein or having, or
having had, a permanent establishment therein;
(b) any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer or personal
property tax or any similar tax, assessment or governmental charge;
(c) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by reason
of such beneficial owner's past or present status as a personal holding
company or foreign personal holding company or controlled foreign
corporation or passive foreign investment company with respect to the
United States or as a corporation that accumulates earnings to avoid United
States federal income tax;
(d) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is payable
otherwise than by withholding from payments on or in respect of any Note;
(e) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that would not
have been imposed but for the failure to comply with certification,
information or other reporting requirements concerning the nationality,
residence or identity of the beneficial owner of such Note, if such
compliance is required by statute or by regulation of the United States or
of any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein as a
precondition to relief or exemption from such tax, assessment or other
governmental charge;
(f) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by reason
of such beneficial owner's past or present status as the actual or
constructive owner of 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock entitled to vote of the Company or as a controlled foreign
corporation that is related directly or indirectly to the Company through
stock ownership; or
(g) any combination of items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f);
nor shall Additional Amounts be paid with respect to any payment on a Note to a
United States Alien who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole
beneficial owner of such payment to the extent such payment would be required by
the laws of the United States (or any political subdivision thereof) to be
included in the income, for tax purposes, of a beneficiary or settlor with
respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner
who would not have been entitled to the Additional Amounts had such beneficiary,
settlor, member or beneficial owner held its interest in the Note directly.
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<PAGE> 14
The term "United States Alien" means any person that is, for United States
federal income tax purposes, a foreign corporation, a nonresident alien
individual, a nonresident alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust, or a
foreign partnership to the extent that one or more of its members is a foreign
corporation, a nonresident alien individual or a nonresident alien fiduciary of
a foreign estate or trust.
NOTICES
Notices to holders of the Notes will be sent by mail to the registered
holders and will be published, whether the Notes are in global or definitive
form, and so long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, in a
daily newspaper of general circulation in Luxembourg. It is expected that
publication will be made in Luxembourg in the Luxemburger Wort. Any such notice
shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such publication or, if
published more than once, on the date of the first such publication. So long as
the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, any appointment of or
change in the Luxembourg paying agent and transfer agent will be published in
Luxembourg in the manner set forth above.
REPLACEMENT NOTES
In case of mutilation, destruction, loss or theft of any definitive Note,
application for replacement is to be made at the office of the Trustee. Any such
definitive Note will be replaced by the Trustee in compliance with such
procedures, and on such terms as to evidence and indemnity, as the Company and
the Trustee may require and subject to applicable laws and regulations of the
Luxembourg Stock Exchange. All costs incurred in connection with the replacement
of any definitive Note will be borne by the holder of the Note. Mutilated or
defaced definitive Notes must be surrendered before new ones will be issued.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAXATION
The following summary describes the material United States federal income
and certain estate tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the Notes.
This summary provides general information only and is directed solely to
original beneficial owners purchasing Notes at the "issue price," that is, the
first price at which a substantial amount of Notes is sold to the public
(excluding sales to bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations
acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers). This
summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to the date
hereof (the "Code"), existing administrative pronouncements and judicial
decisions, existing and proposed Treasury Regulations currently in effect, and
interpretations of the foregoing, changes to any of which subsequent to the date
of this prospectus supplement may affect the tax consequences described herein,
possibly with retroactive effect. This summary deals only with Notes held as
capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. This summary does
not discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a beneficial
owner in light of his particular circumstances or to beneficial owners subject
to special rules, such as certain financial institutions, insurance companies,
dealers in securities, persons holding Notes in connection with a hedging
transaction, "straddle," conversion transaction or other integrated transaction
or persons who have ceased to be United States citizens or to be taxed as
resident aliens. Persons considering the purchase of Notes should consult their
own tax advisors with regard to the application of the United States federal
income and estate tax laws to their particular situations, as well as any tax
consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing
jurisdiction.
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO UNITED STATES PERSONS
For purposes of the following discussion, "United States person" means a
beneficial owner of a Note that is, for United States federal income tax
purposes, (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation or
other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax
purposes created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any
State or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is
subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or
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(iv) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary
supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States
persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
Partnerships are subject to special tax rules and should contact their own tax
advisors.
PAYMENTS OF INTEREST
Interest on a Note will generally be taxable to a United States person as
ordinary interest income at the time it is accrued or is received in accordance
with the United States person's method of accounting for tax purposes.
SALE, EXCHANGE OR RETIREMENT OF THE NOTES
Upon the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note, a United States person
will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount
realized on the sale, exchange or retirement and the United States person's
adjusted tax basis in the Note. For these purposes, the amount realized does not
include any amount attributable to accrued interest on the Note. Amounts
attributable to accrued interest are treated as interest as described under
"Payments of Interest" above. A United States person's adjusted tax basis in a
Note generally will equal the cost of the Note to the United States person.
In general, gain or loss realized on the sale, exchange or redemption of a
Note will be capital gain or loss. Prospective investors should consult their
own tax advisors regarding the treatment of capital gains (which may be taxed at
lower rates than ordinary income for taxpayers who are individuals, trusts or
estates) and losses (the deductibility of which is subject to limitations).
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
Backup withholding and information reporting requirements may apply to
certain payments of principal, premium and interest on a Note, and to payments
of proceeds of the sale or redemption of a Note, to certain non-corporate United
States persons. The Company, its agent, a broker, or any paying agent, as the
case may be, will be required to withhold from any payment a tax equal to 31
percent of such payment if the United States person fails to furnish or certify
its correct taxpayer identification number to the payor in the manner required,
fails to certify that such United States person is not subject to backup
withholding, or otherwise fails to comply with the applicable requirements of
the backup withholding rules. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding
rules from a payment to a United States person may be credited against such
United States person's United States federal income tax and may entitle such
United States person to a refund, provided that the required information is
furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-UNITED STATES PERSONS
As used herein, the term "non-United States person" means a beneficial
owner of a Note that is, for United States federal income tax purposes, (i) a
nonresident alien individual, (ii) a foreign corporation or (iii) a nonresident
alien fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.
INCOME AND WITHHOLDING TAX
Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below:
(a) payments of principal and interest on a Note that is beneficially
owned by a non-United States person will not be subject to United States
federal withholding tax; provided, that in the case of interest, (1)(i) the
beneficial owner does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled
to vote, (ii) the beneficial
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owner is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related, directly or
indirectly, to the Company through stock ownership, and (iii) either (A)
the beneficial owner of the Note provides an IRS Form W-8 or W-8 BEN
certifying to the person otherwise required to withhold United States
federal income tax from such interest, under penalties of perjury, that it
is not a United States person and provides its name and address or (B) a
securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that
holds customers' securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business
(a "financial institution") and holds an interest in the Note certifies to
the person otherwise required to withhold United States federal income tax
from such interest, under penalties of perjury, that such statement has
been received from the beneficial owner by it or by a financial institution
between it and the beneficial owner and furnishes the payor with a copy
thereof; (2) the beneficial owner is entitled to the benefits of an income
tax treaty under which the interest is exempt from United States federal
withholding tax and the beneficial owner of the Note or such owner's agent
provides an IRS Form 1001 or W-8 BEN claiming the exemption; or (3) the
beneficial owner conducts a trade or business in the United States to which
the interest is effectively connected and the beneficial owner of the Note
or such owner's agent provides an IRS Form 4224 or W-8 ECI; provided that
in each such case, the relevant certification or IRS Form is delivered
pursuant to applicable procedures and is properly transmitted to the person
otherwise required to withhold United States federal income tax, and none
of the persons receiving the relevant certification or IRS Form has actual
knowledge that the certification or any statement on the IRS Form is false.
Some of these procedures may change after December 31, 2000.
(b) a non-United States person will not be subject to United States
federal withholding tax on any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other
disposition of a Note unless the gain is effectively connected with the
beneficial owner's trade or business in the United States or, in the case
of an individual, the beneficial owner is present in the United States for
183 days or more in the taxable year in which the sale, exchange or other
disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met; and
(c) a Note owned by an individual who at the time of death is not, for
United States estate tax purposes, a citizen or resident of the United
States generally will not be subject to United States federal estate tax as
a result of such individual's death if the individual does not actually or
constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power or all
classes of stock of the Company entitled to vote and, at the time of such
individual's death the income on the Note would not have been effectively
connected with a United States trade or business of the individual.
If a non-United States person owning a Note is engaged in a trade or
business in the United States, and if interest on the Note (or gain realized on
its sale, exchange or other disposition) is effectively connected with the
conduct of such trade or business, such owner, although exempt from the
withholding tax discussed in the preceding paragraphs, will generally be subject
to regular United States income tax on such effectively connected income in the
same manner as if it were a United States person. In addition, if such owner is
a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax (unless
reduced or eliminated by an applicable treaty) of its effectively connected
earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments. For
purposes of the branch profits tax, interest on, and any gain recognized on the
sale, exchange or other disposition of, a Note will be included in the
effectively connected earnings and profits of such owner if such interest or
gain, as the case may be, is effectively connected with the conduct by such
owner of a trade or business in the United States.
Each owner of a Note should be aware that if it does not properly provide
the required IRS form, or if the IRS form (or, if permissible, a copy of such
form) is not properly transmitted to and received by the United States person
otherwise required to withhold United States federal income tax, interest on the
Note may be subject to United States withholding tax at a 30% rate, and the
owner will not be entitled to any Additional Amounts from the Company described
under the heading "Description of Notes -- Payment of Additional Amounts" with
respect to such tax. Such tax, however, may in certain circumstances be allowed
as a refund or as a credit against such owner's United States federal income
tax. The foregoing does not deal with all aspects of federal income tax
withholding that may be relevant to
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foreign owners of the Notes. Investors are advised to consult their own tax
advisors for specific advice concerning the ownership and disposition of Notes.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
Under current Treasury Regulations, backup withholding (imposed at the rate
of 31 percent) will not apply to payments made by the Company or a Paying Agent
to an owner in respect of a Note if the certifications described above are
received, provided in each case that the Company or the Paying Agent, as the
case may be, does not have actual knowledge that the payee is a United States
person.
Under current Treasury Regulations, payments of the proceeds from the sale,
exchange or other disposition of a Note made to or through a foreign office of a
broker (including a custodian, nominee or other agent acting on behalf of the
beneficial owner of a Note) generally will not be subject to information
reporting or backup withholding. However, if such broker is a United States
person, a controlled foreign corporation for United States federal income tax
purposes or a foreign person with certain connections with the United States,
then information reporting will be required unless the broker has in its records
documentary evidence that the beneficial owner is not a United States person and
certain other conditions are met or the beneficial owner otherwise establishes
an exemption. Backup withholding may apply to any payment that such broker is
required to report if such broker has actual knowledge that the payee is a
United States person. Payments to or through the United States office of a
broker are subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the
beneficial owner certifies, under penalties of perjury that it is a non-United
States person and that it satisfies certain other conditions or otherwise
establishes an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding.
New Treasury Regulations, which generally apply to payments made after
December 31, 2000, modify the foregoing rules in certain respects. Non-United
States persons owning Notes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the
application of information reporting and backup withholding in their particular
situations, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedure for
obtaining such an exemption, both under current Treasury Regulations and the new
Treasury Regulations. Backup withholding is not a separate tax, but is allowed
as a refund or credit against the owner's United States federal income tax,
provided the necessary information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
Interest on a Note that is beneficially owned by a non-United States person
will be reported annually on IRS Form 1042S, which must be filed with the
Internal Revenue Service and furnished to such beneficial owner.
The United States federal income tax discussion set forth above is included
for general information only and may not be applicable depending upon an owner's
particular situation. Owners should consult their own tax advisors with respect
to the tax consequences to them of the ownership and disposition of the Notes,
including the tax consequences under state, local, foreign and other tax laws
and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.
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UNDERWRITING
Under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Underwriting
Agreement, dated October , 1999 (the "Underwriting Agreement"), the
underwriters named below (the "Underwriters") have severally agreed to purchase,
and the Company has agreed to sell to them, severally, the respective principal
amount of the Notes set forth opposite their respective names below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF
NAME % NOTES % NOTES
- ---- -------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation........ $ $
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.............
-------------- --------------
Total............................... $ $
============== ==============
</TABLE>
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the several
Underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the Notes are subject to, among
other things, the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and certain
other conditions. The Underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all the
Notes if any are taken.
The Underwriters propose initially to offer part of the Notes to the public
at the public offering prices set forth on the cover page hereof and in part to
certain dealers at prices that represent a concession not in excess of % of
the principal amount of the % Notes and % of the principal amount of
the % Notes. Any Underwriter may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a
concession not in excess of % of the principal amount of the % Notes
and % of the principal amount of the % Notes to certain other dealers.
After the initial offering of the Notes, the offering price and other selling
terms may from time to time be varied by the Underwriters.
In order to facilitate the offering of the Notes, the Underwriters may
engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of
the Notes. Specifically, the Underwriters may over-allot in connection with this
offering, creating short positions in the Notes for their own account. In
addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of the Notes, the
Underwriters may bid for, and purchase, Notes in the open market. Finally, the
Underwriters may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or dealer
for distributing Notes in this offering, if the Underwriters repurchase
previously distributed Notes in transactions that cover syndicate short
positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities
may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Notes above independent market
levels. The Underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may
end any of these activities at any time.
Certain of the Underwriters and their affiliates engage in transactions
with, and perform services for, the Company in the ordinary course of business
and have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial banking and
investment transactions with the Company.
The Notes are offered for sale in those jurisdictions in the United States,
Canada, Europe, Asia and elsewhere where it is lawful to make such offers.
Each of the Underwriters has represented and agreed that it has not and
will not offer, sell or deliver any of the Notes directly or indirectly, or
distribute this prospectus supplement or the prospectus or any other offering
material relating to the Notes, in or from any jurisdiction except under
circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable laws and
regulations thereof and that will not impose any obligations on the Company
except as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
In particular, each Underwriter has represented and agreed that:
(i) it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any Notes to
persons in the United Kingdom prior to the expiry of the period of six
months from the issue date of the Notes except to persons whose ordinary
activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of
investments (as principal or agent) for the purpose of their businesses or
otherwise in circumstances
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which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the public in
the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Public Offers of Securities
Regulations 1995;
(ii) it has only issued or passed on and will only issue or pass on in
the United Kingdom any document received by it in connection with the issue
of the Notes to a person who is of a kind described in Article 11(3) of the
Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order
1996 (as amended) or is a person to whom such document may otherwise
lawfully be issued or passed on;
(iii) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions
of the Financial Services Act 1986 with respect to anything done by it in
relation to any Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom;
and
(iv) it will not offer or sell any Notes directly or indirectly in
Japan or to, or for the benefit of any Japanese person or to others, for
re-offering or re-sale directly or indirectly in Japan or to any Japanese
person except under circumstances which will result in compliance with all
applicable laws, regulations and guidelines promulgated by the relevant
governmental and regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For
purposes of this paragraph, "Japanese person" shall mean any person
resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized
under the laws of Japan.
Although application has been made to list the Notes on the Luxembourg
Stock Exchange, the Notes are a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading
markets for, the Notes. Purchasers of the Notes may be required to pay stamp
taxes and other charges in accordance with the laws and practices of the country
of purchase in addition to the issue prices set forth on the cover page hereof.
The Company has been advised by the Underwriters for the Notes that they intend
to make a market in the Notes, but they are not obligated to do so and may
discontinue such market-making at any time without notice.
Expenses associated with this offering, to be paid by the Company, are
estimated to be $ .
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
It is expected that delivery of the Notes will be made against payment
therefor on or about October , 1999, which is the fifth business day following
the date of this prospectus supplement (such settlement cycle being referred to
in this prospectus supplement as "T+5"). The ability to settle secondary market
trades of the Notes effected on the date of pricing and the succeeding business
day may be affected by T+5 settlement.
S-19
<PAGE> 20
NOTICE TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS
RESALE RESTRICTIONS
The distribution of the Notes in Canada is being made only on a private
placement basis exempt from the requirement that we prepare and file a
prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province where
trades of the Notes are effected. Accordingly, any resale of the Notes in Canada
must be made in accordance with applicable securities laws which will vary
depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made
in accordance with available statutory exemptions or pursuant to a discretionary
exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authority.
Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of the Notes.
REPRESENTATIONS OF PURCHASERS
Each purchaser of Notes in Canada who receives a purchase confirmation will
be deemed to represent to us and the dealer from whom such purchase confirmation
is received that (i) such purchaser is entitled under applicable provincial
securities laws to purchase such Notes without the benefit of a prospectus
qualified under such securities laws, (ii) where required by law, such purchaser
is purchasing as principal and not as agent, and (iii) such purchaser has
reviewed the text above under "Resale Restrictions."
RIGHTS OF ACTION (ONTARIO PURCHASERS)
The securities being offered are those of foreign issuer and Ontario
purchasers will not receive the contractual right of action prescribed by
Ontario securities law. As a result, Ontario purchasers must rely on other
remedies that may be available, including common law rights of action for
damages or rescission or rights of action under the civil liability provisions
of the U.S. federal securities laws.
ENFORCEMENT OF LEGAL RIGHTS
All of the issuer's directors and officers as well as the experts named
herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible
for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon the
issuer or such persons. All or a substantial portion of the assets of the issuer
and such persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not
be possible to satisfy a judgment against the issuer or such persons in Canada
or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against the issuer or such
persons outside of Canada.
NOTICE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA RESIDENTS
A purchaser of Notes to whom the Securities Act (British Columbia) applies
is advised that such purchaser is required to file with the British Columbia
Securities Commission a report within ten days of the sale of any Notes acquired
by such purchaser pursuant to this offering. Such report must be in the form
attached to British Columbia Securities Commission Blanket Order BOR No. 95/17,
a copy of which may be obtained from us. Only one such report must be filed in
respect of Notes acquired on the same date and under the same prospectus
exemption.
TAXATION AND ELIGIBILITY FOR INVESTMENT
Canadian purchasers of Notes should consult their own legal and tax
advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the Notes in
their particular circumstances and with respect to the eligibility of the Notes
for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian legislation.
S-20
<PAGE> 21
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the Notes offered hereby will be passed on for the Company
by Howard J. Rudge, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the
Company, and for the Underwriters by Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Mr. Rudge
beneficially owned as of September 30, 1999, 63,201 shares of the Common Stock
of the Company, plus 251,294 shares of which he has the right to acquire
beneficial ownership within 60 days through the exercise of stock options
awarded under the Company's Stock Option Plan. Cravath, Swaine & Moore has
performed legal services for the Company from time to time.
S-21
<PAGE> 22
GENERAL INFORMATION
LISTING
Application has been made to list the % Notes and the % Notes on
the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. In connection with the listing application, the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Company and a legal
notice relating to the issuance of the Notes have been deposited prior to
listing with Greffier en Chef du Tribunal d'Arrondissement de et a Luxembourg,
where copies thereof may be obtained upon request. Copies of the above documents
together with this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the
indenture and the Company's current Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as all such future
reports, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, will be made available for
inspection at the main office of Bankers Trust Luxembourg S.A., in Luxembourg.
Bankers Trust Luxembourg S.A. will act as intermediary between the Luxembourg
Stock Exchange and the Company and the holders of the Notes. In addition, copies
of the above reports of the Company may be obtained free of charge at such
office. The Underwriting Agreement will be available for inspection at Bankers
Trust Luxembourg S.A. Bankers Trust Luxembourg S.A. will act as intermediary
between the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the Company and the holders of the
Notes so long as the Notes are in global form.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Independent Accountants of the Company are PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
MATERIAL CHANGE
Other than as disclosed or contemplated herein or in the documents
incorporated herein by reference, there has been no material adverse change in
the financial position of the Company since December 31, 1998.
LITIGATION
Other than as disclosed or contemplated in the documents incorporated
herein by reference, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is involved
in litigation, arbitration, or administrative proceedings relating to claims or
amounts that are material in the context of the issue of the Notes and the
Company is not aware of any such litigation, arbitration, or administrative
proceedings pending or threatened.
AUTHORIZATION
Resolutions relating to the issue and sale of the Notes were adopted by the
Board of Directors of the Company on April 29, 1992.
GOVERNING LAW
The Notes, the indenture and the Underwriting Agreement are governed by,
and shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York,
United States of America, applicable to agreements made and to be performed
wholly within such jurisdiction.
IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
The Notes have been accepted for clearing through Euroclear and Cedel. The
% Notes have been assigned Euroclear and Cedel Common Code No. ,
International Security Identification Number (ISIN) No. US and
CUSIP No. . The % Notes have been assigned Euroclear and Cedel
Common Code No. , International Security Identification Number (ISIN)
No. US and CUSIP No. .
S-22
<PAGE> 23
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE COMPANY
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
1007 Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19898
TRUSTEE AND PRINCIPAL PAYING AGENT
Bankers Trust Company
4 Albany Street
New York, New York 10006
PAYING AGENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY BANKERS TRUST LUXEMBOURG S.A.
4 Albany Street 14 Boulevard F.D. Roosevelt
New York, New York 10006 L-2450 Luxembourg
LEGAL ADVISORS TO THE COMPANY LEGAL ADVISORS TO THE UNDERWRITERS
CALISSA W. BROWN CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE
Senior Counsel 825 Eighth Avenue
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company New York, New York 10019
1007 Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19898
As to United States Taxation
DAVID S. POSTON
Senior Tax Counsel
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
1007 Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware, 19898
</TABLE>
LISTING AGENT
BANKERS TRUST LUXEMBOURG S.A.
14 Boulevard F.D. Roosevelt
L-2450 Luxembourg
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS TO THE COMPANY
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
30 South 17th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
<PAGE> 24
[DUPONT LOGO](R)
E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS
AND COMPANY
1007 MARKET STREET
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19898
(302) 774-1000
$4,000,000,000
DEBT SECURITIES
------------------------
We will provide the specific terms of the securities in supplements to this
prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before
you invest.
------------------------
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined whether
this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is September 24, 1999
<PAGE> 25
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
About This Prospectus....................................... 1
Where You Can Find More Information......................... 1
Forward-Looking Information................................. 2
About DuPont................................................ 3
Use Of Proceeds............................................. 3
Ratio Of Earnings To Fixed Charges.......................... 4
Description of Debt Securities.............................. 4
Plan of Distribution........................................ 12
Legal Opinion............................................... 13
Experts..................................................... 13
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE> 26
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission using a "shelf" registration process.
Using this process, we may offer the securities described in this prospectus in
one or more offerings with a total initial offering price of up to
$4,000,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the
securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a
supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will describe the
specific terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update
or change the information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read
this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, in addition to the information
contained in the documents we refer you to under the heading "Where You Can Find
More Information."
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You can read and copy any materials we file with the
SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549 and at the SEC's regional offices located at Seven World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048, and at 500 West Madison Street, Chicago,
Illinois 60661. You can obtain information about the operation of the SEC's
Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also
maintains a web site that contains information we file electronically with the
SEC, which you can access over the internet at http://www.sec.gov. You can
obtain information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20
Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 or by visiting our web site at
http://www.dupont.com.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the
SEC relating to the debt securities. As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus
does not contain all of the information we have included in the registration
statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the SEC. You
may refer to the registration statement, the exhibits and schedules for more
information about us and the debt securities. The registration statement,
exhibits and schedules are available at the SEC's Public Reference Room or
through its web site.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The information we incorporate by reference is
an important part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with
the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate
by reference the documents listed below, and any future filings we make with the
SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 until we sell all the debt securities. The documents we incorporate by
reference are:
- our annual report on Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 1 for the year ended
December 31, 1998;
- our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended March 31,
1999, and on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999; and
- our current report(s) on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on January 27,
1999; February 1, 1999; February 4, 1999; March 1, 1999; March 10, 1999;
March 12, 1999; March 15, 1999; March 15, 1999; April 16, 1999; April 27,
1999; June 14, 1999; July 2, 1999; July 12, 1999; July 14, 1999; July 28,
1999; August 2, 1999; August 9, 1999; August 11, 1999; August 16, 1999;
September 1, 1999; and September 15, 1999.
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<PAGE> 27
You may request a copy of these filings (other than an exhibit to these
filings unless we have specifically incorporated that exhibit by reference into
the filing), at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
DuPont
1007 Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19898
Attention: Treasury
Telephone: (302) 774-1000
You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any incorporated
document. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different
information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any
prospectus supplement, or any incorporated document is accurate as of any date
other than the date on its cover.
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
This document contains forward-looking statements, which may be identified
by the use of words like "plans," "expects," "will," "anticipates," "intends,"
"projects," "estimates" or other words of similar meaning. All statements that
address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about
our strategy for growth, product development, market position, expenditures,
financial results and our efforts to remediate Year 2000 issues, are
forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and
expectations of future events. We cannot guarantee that these assumptions and
expectations are accurate or will be realized. The following are some of the
important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from
those projected in any such forward-looking statements:
- We operate in approximately 65 countries worldwide and derive about half
of our revenues from sales outside the United States. Changes in the laws
or policies of other governmental and quasi-governmental entities that
relate to our activities in the countries in which we operate could
affect our business in those countries and our results of operations. In
addition, economic factors, including inflation and fluctuations in
interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, and competitive
factors, such as greater price competition or a decline in U.S. or
European industry sales from slowing economic growth in those countries
could affect our revenues, expenses and results.
- Our growth objectives largely depend on our ability to renew our pipeline
of new products and to bring those products to market. This ability may
be adversely affected by difficulties or delays in product development
such as the inability to:
- identify viable new products;
- successfully complete clinical trials of new pharmaceuticals;
- obtain relevant regulatory approvals, which may include approval from
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration;
- obtain adequate intellectual property protection; or
- gain market acceptance of the new products.
- As part of our strategy for growth, we have made and may continue to make
acquisitions, divestitures and alliances. There can be no assurance that
these will be completed or beneficial to us.
2
<PAGE> 28
- We have undertaken and may continue to undertake productivity
initiatives, including organizational restructurings, to improve
performance and generate cost savings. There can be no assurance that
these will be completed or beneficial to us. Also, there can be no
assurance that any estimated cost savings from such activities will be
realized.
- Our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
Forms 10-Q and 10-K explain our timetable and assessment of costs to
become Year 2000-capable. Our failure or that of third parties with which
we conduct business to become Year 2000-capable could adversely affect
our financial condition, results of operation and liquidity.
- Our facilities are subject to a broad array of environmental laws and
regulations. The costs of complying with complex environmental laws and
regulations, as well as internal voluntary programs, are significant and
will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. Our accruals for such
costs and liabilities may not be adequate. The estimates on which the
accruals are based depend on a number of factors including:
- the nature of the allegation;
- the complexity of the site;
- the nature of the remedy;
- the outcome of discussions with regulatory agencies and other
potentially responsible parties at multi-party sites; and
- the number and financial viability of other potentially responsible
parties.
- Our results of operations could be affected by significant litigation
adverse to us including product liability claims, patent infringement
claims and antitrust claims.
This list of important factors does not include all factors, and may not be in
order of importance.
ABOUT DUPONT
We were founded in 1802 and incorporated in Delaware in 1915. We have been
in continuous operation for 196 years. Our principal offices are at 1007 Market
Street in Wilmington, Delaware.
We are a science company, delivering science-based solutions that make a
difference in people's lives in food and nutrition; healthcare; apparel; home
and construction; electronics; and transportation. We have a portfolio of 2,000
trademarks and brands, including such well-known consumer brands as Lycra(R),
Teflon(R) Stainmaster(R), Kevlar(R), Nomex(R), Tyvek(R), Dacron(R) Cordura(R),
Corian(R), SilverStone(R) and Mylar(R) We operate in 65 countries worldwide.
Our strategic business units have been aggregated into eight reportable
segments -- Agriculture & Nutrition, Nylon Enterprise, Performance Coatings &
Polymers, Pharmaceuticals, Pigments & Chemicals, Polyester Enterprise, Specialty
Fibers and Specialty Polymers.
About 47% of our sales are derived outside the United States, based on
location of the customer. We have about 92,000 employees.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will use the
net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities for general corporate
purposes. These purposes may include repayment and refinancing of debt,
acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and repurchases and
redemptions of securities. Pending any specific application, we may initially
invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction
of short-term indebtedness.
3
<PAGE> 29
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
ENDED --------------------------------
JUNE 30, 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.................... 5.9 3.3 5.2 5.8 5.4 5.3
Pro Forma
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges on a continuing
operations basis excluding interest and debt expense
allocated to or incurred by Conoco, Inc., which is
reported as discontinued operations................. 8.3 4.5 7.8 9.1 8.4 7.6
</TABLE>
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We will issue the debt securities under one of two indentures:
- an indenture dated as of June 1, 1992 between us and Bankers Trust
Company, as trustee; or
- an indenture dated as of June 1, 1992 between us and The Chase Manhattan
Bank, formerly Chemical Bank, as trustee.
Each indenture is incorporated into or filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part. The trustee will be
designated in the prospectus supplement for each offering of debt securities.
All references to the "trustee" mean the trustee identified in the prospectus
supplement. The following summaries of certain provisions of the indentures are
not complete. We encourage you to read the indentures.
GENERAL
The indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that we may
issue. Each provides that debt securities may be issued up to the aggregate
principal amount that we authorize from time to time. The debt securities will
be unsecured and will rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness.
The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will
describe the terms of that series, including, where applicable:
- the designation, aggregate principal amount, currency or currencies and
denominations of the debt securities;
- whether the debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for
other securities;
- the price or prices, expressed as a percentage of aggregate principal
amount, at which the debt securities will be issued;
- the date or dates on which the debt securities will mature;
- the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are being sold
and in which the principal of and any interest on the debt securities
will be payable and whether the holder of the debt securities may elect
the currency in which payments are to be made, and, if so, the manner of
such election;
- the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt
securities will bear interest, if any;
- the date from which interest on the debt securities will accrue, the
dates on which interest will be payable and the date on which payment of
interest will commence;
- the dates on which and the price or prices at which the debt securities
will, under any mandatory sinking fund provision, or may, under any
optional redemption or required repayment provisions, be
4
<PAGE> 30
redeemed or repaid and the other terms and provisions of any mandatory
sinking fund, optional redemption or required repayment;
- whether the debt securities are to be issuable as registered securities,
bearer securities or both and the terms upon which any bearer securities
of a series may be exchanged for registered securities of that series;
- whether the debt securities are to be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities and, if so, the identity of the
depositary or depositaries for the global security or securities;
- any special provisions for the payment of additional amounts on the debt
securities;
- if a temporary global security is to be issued for a series, the
requirements for certification of ownership by non-United States persons
that will apply before (a) the issuance of a definitive bearer security
or (b) the payment of interest on an interest payment date that occurs
before the issuance of a definitive bearer security;
- if a temporary global security is to be issued with respect to the
series, the terms upon which interests in the temporary global security
may be exchanged for interests in a definitive global security or for
definitive debt securities of the series and the terms upon which
interests in a definitive global security, if any, may be exchanged for
definitive debt securities of the series;
- any additional restrictive covenants included for the benefit of holders
of the debt securities;
- additional events of default provided with respect to the debt
securities;
- if the debt securities of the series are subject to defeasance at our
option, the provisions, Federal income tax consequences and other
considerations applicable thereto; and
- the designated trustee for the debt securities. (Section 301)
Debt securities of a series may be issuable in whole or in part in the form
of one or more global securities, as described below under "Global Securities".
Registered securities denominated in U.S. dollars will ordinarily be issued only
in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000. One or more
global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations
equal to the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the
series. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities
denominated in a foreign or composite currency will specify the allowable
denominations and any special U.S. Federal income tax and other considerations.
No service charge will be made for any tender or exchange of debt securities but
we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other
governmental charge. (Sections 302 and 305)
Debt securities may be presented for exchange, and registered securities
that are not in global form may be presented for transfer, with the form of
transfer endorsed thereon duly executed, at the office of any transfer agent or
at the office of the security registrar, without service charge and upon payment
of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the indenture.
Transfers or exchanges will be effected once the transfer agent or the security
registrar, as the case may be, is satisfied with the documents of title and
identity of the person making the request. (Section 305)
Debt securities may be issued under the indenture as original issue
discount securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount below their
stated principal amount. "Original issue discount securities" means any debt
securities that provide for an amount less than their principal amount to be due
and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of maturity upon the occurrence
and continuation of an event of default and any debt securities issued with
original issue discount for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. (Section 101) A
prospectus supplement will describe U.S. Federal income tax consequences and
other special considerations applicable to any original issue discount
securities.
5
<PAGE> 31
GLOBAL SECURITIES
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf
of, a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to that
series. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and
in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in
whole or in part for debt securities in definitive form, a 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 nominee to a successor of
the depositary or a nominee of that successor. (Sections 303 and 305)
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt
securities of a series will be described in the prospectus supplement relating
to that series. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all
depositary arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary will credit, on its
book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of
the debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of
"participants" that have accounts with the depositary. The accounts to be
credited shall be designated by the underwriters of debt securities, by certain
of our agents or by us if we sell debt securities directly. Ownership of
beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or
persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial
interests in a global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that
ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or
by participants or persons that hold through participants. The laws of some
states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of
securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair the ability to
transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
So long as the depositary or its nominee is the owner of a global security,
the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole
owner or holder of the debt securities represented by that global security for
all purposes under the indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of
beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have debt
securities of the series represented by that global security registered in their
names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt
securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders
of the debt securities under the indenture governing the debt securities.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must
rely on the procedures of the depositary and, if such person is not a
participant, on the procedures of the participant and, if applicable, the
indirect participant, through which such person owns its interest, to exercise
any right of a holder under the indenture.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities
registered in the name of or held by a depositary or its nominee will be made to
the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner or
the holder of the global security representing those debt securities. Neither
we, the trustee, any paying agent nor the security registrar will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global security
or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial
ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for debt securities of a series, upon receipt
of any payment of principal, premium or interest in respect of a definitive
global security, will credit immediately participants' accounts with payments in
amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal
amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also
expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a
global security held through those participants will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held
for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name", and
will be the responsibility of those participants.
If a depositary for debt securities of a series is at any time unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary and we do not appoint a successor depositary
within 90 days, we will issue debt securities of that series in definitive form
in exchange for the global security or securities representing the debt
6
<PAGE> 32
securities of that series. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole
discretion determine not to have any debt securities of a series represented by
one or more global securities. In that event, we will issue debt securities of
that series in definitive form in exchange for the global security or securities
representing those debt securities. An owner of a beneficial interest in a
global security representing debt securities of a series may, on terms
acceptable to us and the depositary for such global security, receive debt
securities of that series in definitive form. In any of these instances, an
owner of a beneficial interest in a global security will be entitled to physical
delivery in definitive form of debt securities of the series represented by that
global security equal in principal amount to that beneficial interest and to
have debt securities registered in its name if the debt securities of that
series are issuable as registered securities. Debt securities of that series
issued in definitive form will be issued only in authorized denominations.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Payment of principal of and any premium on registered securities will be
made in the designated currency against surrender of any registered securities
at the corporate trust office of the trustee in New York City. Payment of any
installment of interest on registered securities will ordinarily be made to the
person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on
the regular record date for that interest payment. Payments of interest will be
made at the corporate trust office of the trustee in New York City or by a check
in the designated currency mailed to each holder at the holder's registered
address. (Sections 307 and 1001)
The paying agents outside the United States that we initially appoint for a
series of debt securities will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may
terminate the appointment of any of the paying agents from time to time, except
that we will maintain at least one paying agent in New York City for payments on
registered securities. So long as any series of debt securities is listed on The
International Stock Exchange of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland
Limited or the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located
outside the United States and it is a requirement of that stock exchange, we
will maintain a paying agent in London or Luxembourg or any other required city
located outside the United States, as the case may be, for that series of debt
securities. (Section 1002)
All moneys that we pay to a paying agent for the payment of principal of or
any premium, or interest on any debt security that remains unclaimed at the end
of two years after it became due and payable will be repaid to us and the holder
of that debt security will thereafter look only to us for payment. (Section
1003)
CERTAIN COVENANTS
Liens. We covenant that, so long as any of the debt securities remain
outstanding, we will not, nor will we permit any Restricted Subsidiary (as
defined below, in "Definition of Certain Terms") to issue, assume, or guarantee
any debt for money borrowed if that debt is secured by a mortgage on any
Principal Property (as defined), or on any shares of stock or indebtedness of
any Restricted Subsidiary (whether the Principal Property, shares of stock, or
indebtedness are now owned or hereafter acquired) without in any such case
effectively providing that the debt securities shall be secured equally and
ratably with such debt. This restriction, however, shall not apply to:
- mortgages on property, shares of stock, or indebtedness of any
corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary;
- mortgages on property existing at the time that it is acquired, or to
secure debt incurred for the purpose of financing the purchase price of
such property or improvements or construction on the property, which debt
is incurred prior to, at the time of or within one year after such
acquisition, completion of such construction, or the commencement of
commercial operation of such property thereon;
- mortgages securing debt owing by any Restricted Subsidiary to us or
another Restricted Subsidiary;
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- mortgages on property of a corporation existing at the time that
corporation is merged into or consolidated with us or a Restricted
Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the
properties of a corporation as an entirety or substantially as an
entirety to us or a Restricted Subsidiary;
- mortgages on property of us or a Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the
United States of America or any State thereof, or any department, agency
or instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States of
America or any State thereof or in favor of any other country, or any
political subdivision thereof, to secure certain payments pursuant to any
contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the
purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of
construction of the property subject to such mortgages, including without
limitation mortgages incurred in connection with pollution control,
industrial revenue or similar financings;
- mortgages existing at the date of the indenture;
- mortgages on particular property, or any proceeds of the sale of that
property, to secure all or any part of the cost of exploration, drilling,
mining or development of that property, including construction of
facilities for field processing of minerals, intended to obtain or
materially increase the production and sale or other disposition of oil,
gas, coal, uranium, copper or other minerals of that property, or any
indebtedness created, issued, assumed or guaranteed to provide funds for
any or all such purposes; or
- any extension. renewal or replacement or successive extensions, renewals
or replacements, in whole or in part, of any mortgage referred to in the
clauses immediately above.
Notwithstanding the above, we and one or more of our Restricted
Subsidiaries may, without securing the debt securities, issue, assume, or
guarantee secured debt which would otherwise be subject to the above
restrictions, provided that the aggregate amount of that debt that would
then be outstanding, with certain exceptions does not at any one time
exceed 10% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (as defined) of us and
our consolidated subsidiaries. (Section 1004)
For the purposes of this covenant, the following types of transactions
shall not be deemed to create debt secured by a mortgage: the sale or other
transfer of
- oil, gas, coal, uranium, copper or other minerals in place for a period
of time until, or in an amount such that, the purchaser will realize
therefrom a specified amount of money (however determined) or a specified
amount of such minerals; or
- any other interest in property of the character commonly referred to as a
"production payment". (Section 1004)
Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Sale and leaseback transactions by us or
any Restricted Subsidiary of any Principal Property are prohibited unless (a) we
or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to issue, assume, or guarantee
debt secured by the property involved at least equal in amount to the
Attributable Debt (as defined) for that transaction without equally and ratably
securing the debt securities or (b) an amount equal to the Attributable Debt for
that transaction is applied to the retirement of our nonsubordinated debt or
that of a Restricted Subsidiary, which by its terms matures at or is extendible
or renewable at the option of the obligor to a date more than twelve months
after its creation. (Section 1005)
Consolidation or Merger. We will not consolidate or merge with or dispose
of all or substantially all of our property to any corporation unless the
surviving corporation, if other than us, shall assume our obligations under the
indenture and under the debt securities. (Section 801) If on any consolidation
or merger of us or any Restricted Subsidiary with or into any other corporation,
or on any sale, conveyance, or lease of substantially all our or a Restricted
Subsidiary's properties, any Principal Property or any shares of stock or
indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary would then become subject to any
mortgage, pledge, security interest, or other lien or encumbrance, we, prior to
such event, will secure the debt securities by a
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direct lien on that Principal Property, shares of stock or indebtedness, prior
to all liens other than any previously existing. (Section 802)
Except for the limitations on secured debt and sale and leaseback
transactions described above, the indenture and debt securities do not contain
any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the debt
securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving
us.
DEFINITION OF CERTAIN TERMS
"Subsidiary" is defined to mean any corporation which is consolidated in
our accounts and any corporation of which at least a majority of the outstanding
stock having voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect a majority of
the board of directors of that corporation shall at the time be owned or
controlled by us or by us and one or more Subsidiaries or by one or more
Subsidiaries. (Section 101)
"Restricted Subsidiary" is defined to mean any wholly-owned subsidiary
- substantially all the property of which is located within the continental
United States of America,
- which owns a Principal Property, and
- in which our investment exceeds 1% of our consolidated assets as of the
end of the preceding year.
The term "Restricted Subsidiary" does not include any wholly-owned subsidiary
which is principally engaged in leasing or in financing installment receivables
or which is principally engaged in financing our operations outside the
continental United States. (Section 101)
"Principal Property" is defined as any manufacturing plant or facility or
any mineral producing property or any research facility located within the
continental United States owned by us or any Restricted Subsidiary, unless, in
the opinion of our Board or Directors, such plant facility, property or research
facility is not of material importance to the total business conducted by us and
our Restricted Subsidiaries. (Section 101)
"Attributable Debt" is defined as the present value, discounted as provided
in the indenture, of the obligation of a lessee for rental payments during the
remaining term of any lease. (Section 1005)
"Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount of assets less
applicable reserves and other properly deductible items after deducting (a) all
current liabilities excluding any thereof which are by their terms extendible or
renewable at the option of the obligor thereon to a time more than 12 months
after the time as of which the amount thereof is being computed, and (b) all
goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, purchased technology, unamortized
debt discount and other like intangible assets, all as set forth on our most
recent quarterly balance sheet and computed in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. (Section 101)
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
The indenture permits us and the trustee, with the consent of the holders
of not less than a majority in principal amount of the debt securities at the
time outstanding and affected, to execute a supplemental indenture modifying the
indenture or the rights of the holders of debt securities and any related
coupons. No modification shall, without the consent of the holder of each debt
security affected thereby,
- change the maturity of any debt security or coupon, or reduce its
principal amount, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment of
interest, or change any place of payment or change the coin or currency
in which a debt security or coupon is payable or impair the right of any
holder to institute suit for the enforcement of payment in accordance
with the foregoing, or
- reduce the percentage of debt securities, the consent of the holders of
which is required for any modification. (Section 902)
The indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of
debt securities of a series. (Section 1401) A meeting may be called at any time
by the trustee or upon our request or the request of
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holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities
of the series, upon notice given in accordance with the indenture. (Section
1402) Except as limited in the preceding paragraph, any resolution presented at
a meeting or adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present may be adopted by
the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. Except as limited in
the preceding paragraph, any resolution with respect to any demand, consent,
waiver or other action that may be made, given or taken by the holders of a
specified percentage, which is less than a majority in principal amount of
outstanding debt securities of a series, may be adopted at a meeting or
adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of the
holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of that series. (Section 1403)
Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of debt
securities of any series duly held in accordance with the indenture will be
binding on all holders of debt securities of that series and the related
coupons. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any
reconvened meeting, will be persons holding or representing not less than a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series.
(Section 1403)
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The indenture defines an event of default with respect to any series of
debt securities as any one of the following events and any other event that is
established for the debt securities of a particular series:
- default for 30 days in any payment of interest on the series;
- default in any payment of principal and premium, if any, on the series;
- default in the payment of any sinking fund installment;
- default for 60 days after appropriate notice in performance of any other
covenant in the indenture; or
- certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.
No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities
issued under the indenture necessarily constitutes an event of default with
respect to any other series of debt securities. (Section 501).
We are required to file with the trustee annually an officer's certificate
indicating whether we are in default under the indenture. (Section 1008)
The indenture provides that if an event of default shall occur and be
continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, either the trustee or
the holders of 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of the series (in
the case of defaults under the final two clauses listed above, the holders of
25% in principal amount of all the debt securities) then outstanding may declare
the principal, or in the case of original issue discount securities, that
portion of the principal amount as may be specified, of the debt securities of
the series or of all the debt securities, as the case may be to be due and
payable. (Section 502) In certain cases, the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series or in the case of
defaults under the final two clauses listed above, the holders of a majority in
principal amount of all the debt securities may on behalf of the holders of all
the debt securities of any such series or of all the debt securities, as the
case may be waive any past default or event of default except a default not
previously cured in payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest
on any of the debt securities of such series or of all the debt securities.
(Sections 502 and 513)
The indenture contains a provision entitling the trustee, subject to the
duty of the trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, to
be indemnified by the holders of the debt securities of any series before
exercising any right or power under the indenture at the request of the holders.
(Section 603) The indenture provides that no holder of any debt securities of
any series may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, to enforce the
indenture except, among other things, where the trustee has, for 60 days after
it is given notice of default, failed to act, and where there has been both a
request to
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enforce the indenture by the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and an offer of
reasonable indemnity to the trustee. (Section 507) This provision will not
prevent any holder of debt securities from enforcing payment of the principal
thereof and premium, if any, and interest thereon at their due dates. (Section
508) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt
securities of any series then outstanding may direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the trustee or
exercising any trust or power conferred on it for the debt securities of that
series. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts
with law or the indenture or which would be unjustly prejudicial to the other
holders. (Section 512)
The indenture provides that the trustee will, within 90 days after the
occurrence of a default on any series of debt securities known to it, give to
the holders of that series notice of the default if not cured or waived. Except
in the case of a default in the payment of principal of, any premium, or
interest on, any debt securities, the trustee shall be protected in withholding
such notice if it determines in good faith that doing so is in the holders'
interests. (Section 602)
DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE
The indenture provides that we may specify that, for debt securities of a
certain series, we will be discharged from any and all obligations regarding
those debt securities if we irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust,
money and/or U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest
and principal will provide enough money to pay any installment of principal, any
premium, and, any interest, on and any mandatory sinking fund payments of such
debt securities on their stated maturity in accordance with the terms of the
indenture and the debt securities. A trust may only be established if it would
not cause the debt securities of a series listed on any nationally recognized
securities exchange to be de-listed. Establishment of a trust may be conditioned
on our delivery to the trustee of an opinion of counsel, who may be our counsel,
to the effect that, based upon applicable U.S. Federal income tax law or a
ruling published by the United States Internal Revenue Service, a defeasance and
discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event to holders of the
debt securities. (Section 1301) Defeasance, however, will not end our
obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, to replace
stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and hold
monies for payment in trust and, if so specified for debt securities of a
certain series, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if
any, on those debt securities.
TRUSTEE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISSUER
The Chase Manhattan Bank acts as depositary for funds of, makes loans to,
and performs other services for us in the normal course of business. It also
acts as trustee for our Medium-Term Notes Series C, Euro Medium-Term Notes
Series C, Medium-Term Notes Series D, Euro Medium-Term Notes Series D,
Medium-Term Notes Series E, Euro Medium-Term Notes Series E, Medium-Term Notes
Series G, 9.15% Notes Due 2000, 8.50% Notes Due February 15, 2003, 8.125% Notes
Due March 15, 2004, 8.25% Notes Due September 15, 2006, and 8 1/4% Debentures
Due 2022.
Bankers Trust Company acts as depositary for funds of, makes loans to, and
performs other services for us in the normal course of business. It also acts as
trustee for our Medium-Term Notes Series F, 6 3/4% Notes Due 2002, 7.95%
Debentures Due 2023, and 7 1/2% Debenture Due 2033, 6 1/2% Notes Due 2002,
6 3/4% Notes Due 2007 and 6.50% Debentures Due 2028. It also acts as fiscal
agent for our 8% Notes Due 2002 and 5.875% Notes Due 2009.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the debt securities in and outside the United States (a)
through underwriters or dealers, (b) directly to purchasers or (c) through
agents. The prospectus supplement will include the following information:
- the terms of the offering
- the names of any underwriters or agents
- the purchase price from us of the securities
- the net proceeds to us from the sale of the securities
- any delayed delivery arrangements
- any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters'
compensation
- any initial public offering price
- any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers
If we use underwriters in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the debt
securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities
from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated
transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined
at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either
through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters
or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you
otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to
purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the
underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they
purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial
public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or
paid to dealers.
During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may
purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may
include over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover
syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The
underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed
to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for
their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if those offered securities are
repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These
activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the
offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise
prevail in the open market. If commenced, these activities may be discontinued
at any time.
If we use dealers in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to
them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at
varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include
in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the
transaction.
We may sell the securities directly. In that case, no underwriters or
agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents we
designate from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any
agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will
describe any commissions payable by us to the agent. Unless we inform you
otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its
reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others
who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of
1933 with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of
any such sales in the prospectus supplement.
If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents,
underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to
purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery
contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified
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date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions
described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe
the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.
We may have agreements with the agents, dealers and underwriters to
indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments that the agents,
dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Agents, dealers and
underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform
services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
LEGAL OPINION
Howard J. Rudge, our General Counsel, or another of our lawyers, will issue
an opinion about the legality of the offered securities for us. Any underwriters
will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by their own legal
counsel.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of DuPont incorporated in this
prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 1 for
the year ended December 31, 1998, have been so incorporated in reliance on the
report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
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