SCHEDULE 13E-4
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
ISSUER TENDER OFFER STATEMENT
(PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(E)(1) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934)
FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
(Name of Issuer)
FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
(Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)
$2.00 NO PAR PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES A
(INVOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION VALUE $25 PER SHARE)
(Title of Class of Securities)
341081 81 8
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
DENNIS P. COYLE JEFFREY I. MULLENS, P.A. ROBERT J. REGER, JR.,ESQ.
General Counsel and Steel Hector & Davis Reid & Priest LLP
Secretary 1900 Phillips Point West 40 West 57th Street
Florida Power & 777 South Flagler Drive New York, New York
Light Company West Palm Beach, Florida 10019
700 Universe 33401 (212) 603-2000
Boulevard (407) 650-7257
Juno Beach, Florida
33408
(407) 694-4644
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices
and Communications on Behalf of the Person(s) Filing Statement)
October 10, 1995
(Date Tender Offer First Published, Sent or Given to Security Holders)
Calculation of Filing Fee
Transaction Amount of Filing Fee
Valuation
[X] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-
11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was
previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
Amount Previously Paid: $45,151
Form or Registration No.: Registration Statement No. 33-59429 on Form S-4
Filing Party: Florida Power & Light Company
Date Filed: May 18, 1995
<PAGE>
ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER.
The information required by this Item 1 may be found on the Facing Page of
registration statement no. 33-59429 (the "Registration Statement"), on the
Outside Front Cover Page of the related Prospectus (the "Prospectus") and
under the following headings in the Prospectus: "Prospectus Summary"; "The
Exchange Offer"; "Comparison of QUIDS and $2.00 Preferred Stock"; and
"Listing and Trading of QUIDS and $2.00 Preferred Stock." Such information
is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 1.
ITEM 2. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.
The information required by this Item 2 may be found under the heading,
"The Exchange Offer," in the Prospectus. Such information is hereby
incorporated by reference into this Item 2.
ITEM 3. PURPOSE OF THE TENDER OFFER AND PLANS OR PROPOSALS OF THE ISSUER
OR AFFILIATE.
The information required by this Item 3 may be found under the following
headings in the Prospectus: "Prospectus Summary"; "The Exchange Offer
Purpose of the Exchange Offer"; " Acceptance of Shares; Delivery of
QUIDS"; and "Listing and Trading of QUIDS and $2.00 Preferred Stock." Such
information is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 3.
ITEM 4. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.
Not Applicable
ITEM 5. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH
RESPECT TO THE ISSUER'S SECURITIES.
Not Applicable
ITEM 6. PERSONS RETAINED, EMPLOYED OR TO BE COMPENSATED.
The information required by this Item 6 may be found under the following
headings in the Prospectus: "The Exchange Offer"; and "Fees and Expenses;
Transfer Taxes." Such information is hereby incorporated by reference into
this Item 6.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
The information required by this Item 7 may be found under the heading,
"Selected Financial Information," in the Prospectus. Such information is
hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 7.
ITEM 8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Not Applicable
ITEM 9. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.
1 -- Prospectus filed in connection with the Registration Statement.
2 -- Form of Letter of Transmittal (filed as Exhibit 4(n) to Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement and incorporated by reference
herein).
3 -- Tax Opinion of Reid & Priest LLP (filed as Exhibit 8 to the
Registration Statement and incorporated by reference herein).
4 -- Form of Exchange Agent Agreement (filed as Exhibit 99(a) to the
Registration Statement and incorporated by reference herein).
5 -- Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust
Companies and Other Nominees (filed as Exhibit 99(b) to the
Registration Statement and incorporated by reference herein).
6 -- Form of Letter from Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust
Companies and Other Nominees to their clients (filed as
Exhibit 99(c) to the Registration Statement and incorporated by
reference herein).
7 -- Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (filed as Exhibit 99(d) to
the Registration Statement and incorporated by reference herein).
8 -- Form of Letter to Shareholders of $2.00 Preferred Stock (filed as
Exhibit 99(e) to the Registration Statement and incorporated by
reference herein).
9 -- Form of Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification
Number on Substitute Form W-9 (filed as Exhibit 99(f) to the
Registration Statement and incorporated by reference herein).
10 -- Form of Questions and Answers Booklet (filed as Exhibit 99(g) to
Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement and incorporated by
reference herein).
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete
and correct.
Dated: October 9, 1995 Florida Power & Light Company
By: /s/ Dilek Samil
---------------------------
Dilek Samil
Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Page
------- ----
1 Prospectus filed in connection with
the Registration Statement
Exhibit 1
FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
8.75% Quarterly Income Debt Securities (QUIDSSM)
(Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, Due 2025)
for
$2.00 No Par Preferred Stock, Series A
(Involuntary Liquidation Value $25 Per Share)
------------------------------------
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME
ON NOVEMBER 7, 1995, UNLESS THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS EXTENDED
Florida Power & Light Company ("FPL" or the "Company") hereby offers,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus
and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal",
which, together with this Prospectus, constitutes the "Exchange Offer"), to
exchange its 8.75% Quarterly Income Debt Securities (Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures, Due 2025) (the "QUIDS") for its 5,000,000
outstanding shares of $2.00 No Par Preferred Stock, Series A (Involuntary
Liquidation Value $25 Per Share) (the "$2.00 Preferred Stock"). The QUIDS
are offered in minimum denominations of $25 and integral multiples thereof,
and the $2.00 Preferred Stock has an involuntary liquidation preference of
$25 per share. Consequently, exchanges will be made on the basis of $25
principal amount of QUIDS for each share of $2.00 Preferred Stock validly
tendered and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer. In addition, as
part of the Exchange Offer, Holders (as defined herein) of $2.00 Preferred
Stock accepted for exchange will be entitled to receive cash equal to the
accrued and unpaid dividends on such shares accumulating after August 31,
1995 to the Closing Date (as defined herein) in lieu of such dividends on
their shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock accepted for exchange, such amount,
without interest (the "Payment in Lieu of Accumulated Dividends"), to be
payable on the Closing Date.
Holders of $2.00 Preferred Stock may participate in the Exchange Offer
by properly completing and signing the Letter of Transmittal and tendering
their shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock in accordance with the instructions
contained in "The Exchange Offer - Procedures for Tendering" herein and in
the Letter of Transmittal prior to the Expiration Date (as defined herein).
Tenders of shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer
may be withdrawn from the Exchange Offer at any time prior to the
Expiration Date, and, unless FPL has accepted such shares of $2.00
Preferred Stock for exchange, at any time after 40 Business Days (as
defined herein) from the date of this Prospectus. A Holder of shares of
$2.00 Preferred Stock who desires to tender such shares and whose
certificates for such shares are not immediately available, or who cannot
comply in a timely manner with the procedure for book-entry transfer, may
tender such shares by following procedures for guaranteed delivery set
forth in "The Exchange Offer - Procedures for Tendering - Guaranteed
Delivery."
For a description of the other terms of the Exchange Offer, see "The
Exchange Offer - Terms of the Exchange Offer"; " - Expiration Date;
Extensions; Amendments; Termination"; " - Withdrawal of Tenders"; and the
Letter of Transmittal. FPL expressly reserves the right to extend, amend or
modify the terms of the Exchange Offer, and not to accept for exchange any
shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock, at any time prior to the Expiration Date
for any reason, including, without limitation, if fewer than 1,250,000
shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock are tendered (which condition may be waived
by FPL). Any extension of the Exchange Offer will terminate on a date to be
designated by the Company at the time notice of such extension is given to
the Exchange Agent. The Company has not set a date beyond which the
Exchange Offer will not be extended. See "The Exchange Offer - Expiration
Date; Extensions; Amendments; Termination."
See "Risk Factors" for certain information relevant to the Exchange
Offer and an investment in the QUIDS, including the period and
circumstances during and under which payment of interest on the QUIDS may
be deferred and certain related federal income tax consequences.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR BY ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR
HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
(Cover continued on following page)
_______________
SMQUIDS is a service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
------------------------------------
The Dealer Managers for the Exchange Offer are:
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. LEHMAN BROTHERS SMITH BARNEY INC.
------------------------------------
The date of this Prospectus is October 10, 1995.
<PAGE>
The QUIDS will mature on November 1, 2025. Interest on the QUIDS is
payable in equal quarterly installments, in arrears, on March 31, June 30,
September 30, and December 31 of each year (each an "Interest Payment
Date"), commencing December 31, 1995, to the persons in whose name the
QUIDS are registered at the close of business 15 calendar days prior to the
relevant Interest Payment Dates (each a "Regular Record Date"); provided
that, so long as an Event of Default (as defined herein) has not occurred
and is not continuing, FPL will have the right to extend the interest
payment period at any time and from time to time on the QUIDS to a period
not exceeding 20 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods and, as a
consequence, the quarterly interest payments on the QUIDS would be deferred
(but, to the extent allowed by law, would continue to accrue with interest
thereon compounded quarterly at the rate of interest on the QUIDS) during
any such extended interest payment period (each an "Extension Period"); and
all interest will be due and payable on the last Business Day of the
Extension Period. In the event that FPL exercises this right, FPL may not
declare or pay dividends on, or redeem, purchase or acquire, any of its
Capital Stock (as defined herein) during such Extension Period, except that
FPL may make mandatory sinking fund payments with respect to its 6.84%
Preferred Stock, Series Q and 8.625% Preferred Stock, Series R. During any
such Extension Period, FPL may continue to extend the interest payment
period, provided that the aggregate interest payment period, as extended,
may not exceed 20 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods or extend
beyond the maturity of the QUIDS. Upon the termination of any Extension
Period and the payment of all amounts then due, FPL may elect a new
Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. Based upon FPL's
current financial condition and, in light of the restriction on payment of
dividends during an Extension Period, FPL believes that an extension of an
interest payment period on the QUIDS is currently unlikely and has no
current intention to extend such an interest payment period. See
"Description of the QUIDS - Option to Extend Interest Payment Period."
The QUIDS will be redeemable on or prior to February 28, 1997 at the
option of FPL, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60
days' notice, at 108% of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, and thereafter at 100% of
the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to
the redemption date; provided, however, that none of the QUIDS shall be
redeemed prior to March 1, 1997, if such redemption is for the purpose, or
in anticipation, of refunding such QUIDS through the use, directly or
indirectly, of funds borrowed by FPL at an effective interest cost to FPL
(calculated in accordance with acceptable financial practice) of less than
8.2102% per annum. The obligations of FPL under the QUIDS are subordinate
and junior in the right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as defined
herein) of FPL. As of June 30, 1995, outstanding Senior Indebtedness of
FPL aggregated approximately $3.7 billion. The Indenture (as defined
herein) does not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness that FPL may
issue, and the covenants contained in the Indenture would not afford
Holders of QUIDS protection in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction
or change of control involving FPL. See "Description of the QUIDS"; also,
for a comparison of the redemption terms of the QUIDS and the $2.00
Preferred Stock, see "Prospectus Summary - Comparison of QUIDS and $2.00
Preferred Stock."
For United States federal income tax purposes, the exchange of QUIDS
for $2.00 Preferred Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be a taxable
transaction, and the QUIDS will be treated as having been issued with
original issue discount ("OID"). The OID rules may accelerate the timing
of a Holder's recognition of interest income during an Extension Period.
For a discussion of these and other United States federal income tax
considerations relevant to the Exchange Offer, see "Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Consequences."
Application will be made to have the QUIDS listed on the New York
Stock Exchange (the "NYSE").
The $2.00 Preferred Stock is listed and principally traded on the
NYSE. On October 9, 1995, the last full day of trading prior to the first
public announcement of the Exchange Offer, the closing sales price of the
$2.00 Preferred Stock on the NYSE as reported on the composite tape was $27
per share. Holders of the $2.00 Preferred Stock are urged to obtain
current market quotations for the $2.00 Preferred Stock. To the extent that
a certain number of shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock is tendered and
accepted in the Exchange Offer and/or the number of Holders of $2.00
Preferred Stock is reduced to below certain levels, FPL would be required
to delist the $2.00 Preferred Stock from the NYSE pursuant to NYSE rules
and regulations and the trading market for untendered $2.00 Preferred Stock
could be adversely affected. See "Listing and Trading of QUIDS and $2.00
Preferred Stock."
The QUIDS constitute a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. While FPL will apply to have the QUIDS listed on the
NYSE, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for the
QUIDS will develop or be sustained in the future.
Goldman, Sachs & Co., Lehman Brothers and Smith Barney Inc. have been
retained as Dealer Managers to solicit exchanges of QUIDS for $2.00
Preferred Stock. The Dealer Managers will receive a combined total fee of
$0.1875 per $25 principal amount of QUIDS issued in the Exchange Offer.
See "The Exchange Offer - Dealer Managers." The Dealer Managers may
receive additional compensation if they also perform services as a
Soliciting Dealer (as defined herein). See next paragraph and "Fees and
Expenses; Transfer Taxes."
Subject to the receipt of a properly completed and duly executed
Notice of Solicited Tenders as described herein, the Company will pay to
any Soliciting Dealer (as defined herein) a solicitation fee of $0.50 per
$25 principal amount of QUIDS issued in respect of shares of $2.00
Preferred Stock solicited by such Soliciting Dealer and accepted in the
Exchange Offer. See "Fees and Expenses; Transfer Taxes."
Georgeson & Company Inc. has been retained to act as Information Agent
and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association) has been retained to
act as Exchange Agent to assist with the Exchange Offer.
Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Dealer
Managers or the Information Agent as set forth on the back cover of this
Prospectus. Requests for additional copies of this Prospectus, the Letter
of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be directed to
the Information Agent.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
Available Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Prospectus Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
The Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Selected Financial Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
The Exchange Offer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Listing and Trading of QUIDS and $2.00 Preferred Stock . . . . . . . . 22
Fees and Expenses; Transfer Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Description of the QUIDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Description of Certain Terms of the $2.00 Preferred Stock . . . . . . . 32
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences . . . . . . . . . 33
Legal Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
____________________
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER, OTHER THAN THOSE
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATION MAY NOT BE CALLED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
COMPANY. THE COMPANY IS NOT AWARE OF ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE MAKING
OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW. IF THE
COMPANY BECOMES AWARE OF ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE MAKING OF THE
EXCHANGE OFFER WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW, THE COMPANY
WILL MAKE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO COMPLY WITH SUCH LAW. IF, AFTER SUCH GOOD
FAITH EFFORT, THE COMPANY CANNOT COMPLY WITH ANY SUCH LAW, THE EXCHANGE
OFFER WILL NOT BE MADE TO (NOR WILL TENDERS BE ACCEPTED FROM OR ON BEHALF
OF) HOLDERS RESIDING IN SUCH JURISDICTIONS. IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE
SECURITIES, BLUE SKY OR OTHER LAWS REQUIRE THE EXCHANGE OFFER TO BE MADE BY
OR THROUGH A LICENSED BROKER OR DEALER, THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS BEING MADE ON
BEHALF OF THE COMPANY BY THE DEALER MANAGERS OR ONE OR MORE REGISTERED
BROKERS OR DEALERS LICENSED UNDER THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER
THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY EXCHANGE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT
THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
FPL is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy statements and
other information filed by FPL with the Commission can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549
and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: New York Regional
Office, 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and
Chicago Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street, 14th Floor, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such material can also be obtained at
prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Such reports, proxy statements
and other information can also be inspected at the offices of The New York
Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 on which
the $2.00 Preferred Stock is listed.
This Prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form
S-4 (together with all amendments and exhibits, the "Registration
Statement") filed by FPL with the Commission under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This Prospectus does not contain
all of the information contained in the Registration Statement, certain
parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of
the Commission. Statements contained herein concerning the provisions of
any document should be read in conjunction with such document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the
Commission. Each such statement is subject to and qualified by reference
to such document. Reference is made to such Registration Statement and to
the exhibits relating thereto for further information with respect to FPL
and the securities offered hereby.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents, which are on file with the Commission under
the Exchange Act, are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and made
a part hereof:
(a) FPL's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1994; and
(b) FPL's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March
31, 1995 and June 30, 1995.
All other documents filed by FPL with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the
date of this Prospectus and prior to the Closing Date shall be deemed to be
incorporated herein by reference. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a
part of this Prospectus.
THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE WHICH ARE NOT
PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. FPL WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO
EACH PERSON, INCLUDING ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, TO WHOM A COPY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS HAS BEEN DELIVERED, ON THE WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF ANY SUCH
PERSON, A COPY OF ANY OR ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO ABOVE WHICH HAVE
BEEN OR MAY BE INCORPORATED IN THIS PROSPECTUS BY REFERENCE, OTHER THAN
EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS (UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO SUCH DOCUMENTS). FPL WILL RESPOND TO SUCH
REQUESTS WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY OF RECEIPT THEREOF AND WILL SEND SUCH
DOCUMENTS BY FIRST CLASS MAIL OR OTHER EQUALLY PROMPT MEANS. REQUESTS
SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, 700 UNIVERSE BOULEVARD, JUNO
BEACH, FLORIDA 33408, TELEPHONE (407) 694-4692 OR (800) 222-4511. IN ORDER
TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY A
DATE AT LEAST FIVE BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
RISK FACTORS
Holders of $2.00 Preferred Stock should carefully consider the
following risk factors:
EXCHANGE IS TAXABLE EVENT
The exchange of $2.00 Preferred Stock for QUIDS pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be a taxable event. Accordingly, gain or loss will be
recognized in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market
value of the QUIDS received in the exchange plus the Payment in Lieu of
Accumulated Dividends and the exchanging shareholder's tax basis in the
shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock surrendered. See "Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Consequences." Exchanging Holders who have a taxable
gain could have a tax liability without the receipt of cash from the
exchange sufficient to cover such liability. All Holders of $2.00
Preferred Stock are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the
federal, state, local and other tax consequences of the exchange of QUIDS
for $2.00 Preferred Stock.
UNSECURED OBLIGATIONS SUBORDINATED TO ALL PRESENT AND FUTURE SENIOR
INDEBTEDNESS OF FPL
The QUIDS are unsecured obligations of FPL and will be, and the shares
of $2.00 Preferred Stock are, subordinate in right of payment to all
existing and future Senior Indebtedness of FPL. As of June 30, 1995,
Senior Indebtedness of FPL aggregated approximately $3.7 billion. The
terms of the QUIDS do not limit FPL's ability to incur additional
indebtedness, including indebtedness that ranks senior to or pari passu
with the QUIDS. The covenants contained in the Indenture would not offer
Holders of QUIDS protection in the event of a highly- leveraged transaction
or change of control involving FPL. A default with respect to, or the
acceleration of, any other indebtedness of FPL will not constitute an Event
of Default with respect to the QUIDS. See "Description of the QUIDS
Subordination" and "Prospectus Summary - Comparison of QUIDS and $2.00
Preferred Stock."
FPL'S RIGHT TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
FPL has the right under the Indenture to extend the interest payment
period from time to time on the QUIDS, so long as an event of default has
not occurred and is not continuing, for an Extension Period not exceeding
20 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods, during which no interest
shall be due and payable until the last Business Day of such Extension
Period. If FPL exercises the right to extend an interest payment period,
FPL may not during such Extension Period declare or pay dividends on, or
purchase, acquire or make a distribution or liquidation payment with
respect to, any of its Capital Stock; provided that it may make mandatory
sinking fund payments on its 6.84% Preferred Stock, Series Q and
8.625% Preferred Stock, Series R.
Prior to the expiration of any Extension Period, FPL may further
extend such Extension Period, provided that such Extension Period together
with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20
consecutive quarterly interest payment periods. Upon the expiration of any
Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, FPL may select a
new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. Consequently,
there could be multiple Extension Periods of varying lengths throughout the
term of the QUIDS. See "Description of the QUIDS - Option to Extend
Interest Payment Period."
In the event that FPL determines to extend an interest payment period,
or in the event that FPL thereafter extends an Extension Period, the market
price of the QUIDS is likely to be adversely affected. In addition, as a
result of FPL's right to extend the interest payment period, the market
price of the QUIDS may be more volatile than other debt instruments with
OID which do not have such right.
Because FPL has the right to extend the interest payment period, the
QUIDS will be treated as having been issued with OID for United States
federal income tax purposes. As a result, during an Extension Period,
Holders of QUIDS that are subject to United States federal income tax would
be required to continue to include in gross income interest accruing on the
QUIDS for United States federal income tax purposes in advance of the
receipt of cash. See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences - Original Issue Discount, Market Discount and Acquisition
Premium." A Holder that disposes of its QUIDS prior to the record date for
the payment of interest at the end of an Extension Period will not receive
cash from the Company related to such interest because such interest will
be paid to the Holder of record on such record date, regardless of who the
Holder of record may have been on other dates during the Extension Period.
ACCRUALS OF INTEREST ON QUIDS FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX
PURPOSES.
Holders of QUIDS will be required to include in their gross income
interest from the QUIDS as it accrues, rather than when it is paid,
regardless of the Holders' regular method of accounting. Such interest
will generally be equal to the amount of stated interest payable on the
QUIDS each year. See "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences - Original Issue Discount, Market Discount and Acquisition
Premium".
In addition, if the fair market value of the QUIDS at the time of
their issuance is less than their stated principal amount, the difference
will be additional OID included in the income of the Holders over the term
of such QUIDS.
NO ESTABLISHED TRADING MARKET FOR QUIDS
The QUIDS constitute a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. While FPL will apply to list the QUIDS on the NYSE, there
can be no assurance that an active market for the QUIDS will develop or be
sustained in the future. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the
liquidity of, or trading markets for, the QUIDS or whether the sales price
of the QUIDS on the NYSE at the time of issuance thereof (or at any time
thereafter) will be greater than or less than either the stated principal
amount thereof or the closing sales price of the $2.00 Preferred Stock on
the NYSE on the Expiration Date. See "Listing and Trading of QUIDS and
$2.00 Preferred Stock."
$2.00 PREFERRED STOCK MAY BE DELISTED; MARKET FOR $2.00 PREFERRED
STOCK MAY BECOME ILLIQUID
To the extent that more than 4,900,000 shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock
are tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer or that the market value of
publicly-held shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock is less than $2,000,000, FPL
would be required to delist the $2.00 Preferred Stock from the NYSE
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the NYSE, and the trading market
for shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock which are not tendered and accepted
could be adversely affected. See"Listing and Trading of QUIDS and $2.00
Preferred Stock."
QUIDS HAVE NO VOTING RIGHTS
The QUIDS will not have any of the voting rights of the $2.00
Preferred Stock. See "Description of Certain Terms of the $2.00
Preferred Stock - Voting Rights."
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain information contained herein and
should be read in conjunction with such information contained elsewhere in
this Prospectus and is subject to and qualified by reference to such
information. Capitalized terms used herein have the respective meanings
ascribed to them elsewhere in this Prospectus.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION RELEVANT TO THE EXCHANGE
OFFER AND AN INVESTMENT IN THE QUIDS.
THE COMPANY
FPL was incorporated under the laws of Florida in 1925 and is engaged
in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electric energy.
The principal executive office of FPL is located at 700 Universe Boulevard,
Juno Beach, Florida 33408, telephone (407) 694-4647, and the mailing
address is P.O. Box 14000, Juno Beach, Florida 33408-0420.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The purpose of the Exchange Offer is to refinance the $2.00 Preferred
Stock with the QUIDS and to achieve certain tax efficiencies for FPL while
preserving FPL's flexibility with respect to future financings. This
refinancing will permit FPL to deduct interest payable on the QUIDS for
United States federal income tax purposes. Dividends payable on the $2.00
Preferred Stock are not tax deductible by FPL. See "The Exchange Offer
Purpose of the Exchange Offer." While dividends on the $2.00 Preferred
Stock are eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporate
Holders, interest on the QUIDS will not be eligible for the dividends
received deduction for corporate Holders. The dividends received deduction
is not available to individual, non-corporate Holders of either QUIDS or
$2.00 Preferred Stock. See "- Comparison of QUIDS and $2.00 Preferred
Stock."
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in
the Letter of Transmittal, FPL hereby offers to exchange its 8.75%
Quarterly Income Debt Securities (Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures, Due 2025) for its 5,000,000 outstanding shares of $2.00
Preferred Stock. Exchanges will be made on the basis of $25 principal
amount of QUIDS for each share of $2.00 Preferred Stock validly tendered
and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer. In addition, as part of
the Exchange Offer, Holders of $2.00 Preferred Stock accepted for exchange
will be entitled to receive the Payment in Lieu of Accumulated Dividends,
payable on the Closing Date. See "The Exchange Offer - Terms of the
Exchange Offer."
EXPIRATION DATE; WITHDRAWALS
Upon the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, FPL intends to
accept for exchange any of the 5,000,000 shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock
validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on November 7, 1995, or if the Exchange Offer is extended by FPL, in its
sole discretion, the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer has
been extended (the "Expiration Date"). Tenders of $2.00 Preferred Stock
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the
Expiration Date and, unless accepted for exchange by FPL, may be withdrawn
at any time after 40 Business Days (as defined herein) from the date of
this Prospectus. A "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a day on
which banking institutions in the City of New York are authorized or
required by law to close. See "The Exchange Offer - Withdrawal of
Tenders"; " - Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments; Termination."
EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS; TERMINATION
FPL expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to (i)
extend, amend or modify the terms of the Exchange Offer in any manner and
(ii) withdraw or terminate the Exchange Offer and not accept for exchange
any $2.00 Preferred Stock, at any time prior to the Expiration Date for any
reason, including (without limitation) if fewer than 1,250,000 shares of
$2.00 Preferred Stock are tendered (which condition may be waived by FPL).
Any extension of the Exchange Offer will terminate on a date to be
designated by the Company at the time notice of such extension is given to
the Exchange Agent. The Company has not set a date beyond which the
Exchange Offer will not be extended. See "The Exchange Offer - Expiration
Date; Extensions; Amendments; Termination.
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
Each Holder of $2.00 Preferred Stock wishing to participate in the
Exchange Offer must (i) properly complete and sign the Letter of
Transmittal or a facsimile thereof (all references in this Prospectus to
the Letter of Transmittal shall be deemed to include a facsimile thereof)
in accordance with the instructions contained herein and in the Letter of
Transmittal, together with any required signature guarantees, and deliver
the same to The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), as Exchange
Agent, prior to the Expiration Date and either (a) certificates for the
$2.00 Preferred Stock must be received by the Exchange Agent at such
address or (b) book-entry transfer described herein and a confirmation of
such book-entry transfer must be received by the Exchange Agent, in each
case prior to the Expiration Date or (ii) comply with the guaranteed
delivery procedures described herein. See "The Exchange Offer - Procedures
for Tendering."
LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL, CERTIFICATES FOR $2.00 PREFERRED STOCK AND ANY
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE SENT ONLY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT; NOT TO
FPL, THE DEALER MANAGERS OR THE INFORMATION AGENT.
SPECIAL PROCEDURE FOR BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Any beneficial owner whose $2.00 Preferred Stock is registered in the
name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee
and who wishes to tender such $2.00 Preferred Stock should contact such
registered Holder promptly and instruct such registered Holder to tender on
such beneficial owner's behalf. If, however, such beneficial owner wishes
to tender on its own behalf, such owner must, prior to completing and
executing a Letter of Transmittal and delivering its $2.00 Preferred Stock,
either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the $2.00
Preferred Stock in such owner's name or obtain a properly completed stock
power from the registered Holder. The transfer of registered ownership may
take considerable time and may not be able to be completed prior to the
Expiration Date. See "The Exchange Offer - Procedures for Tendering."
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
If a Holder desires to accept the Exchange Offer and time will not
permit a Letter of Transmittal or certificates for $2.00 Preferred Stock to
reach the Exchange Agent before the Expiration Date or the procedure for
book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis, a tender may be
effected in accordance with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in
"The Exchange Offer - Procedures for Tendering - Guaranteed Delivery."
ACCEPTANCE OF SHARES
FPL expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to delay
acceptance for exchange of $2.00 Preferred Stock tendered under the
Exchange Offer and the delivery of the QUIDS with respect to the $2.00
Preferred Stock accepted for exchange (subject to Rules 13e-4 and 14e-1
under the Exchange Act, which require that FPL consummate the Exchange
Offer or return the $2.00 Preferred Stock deposited by or on behalf of the
Holders thereof promptly after the termination or withdrawal of the
Exchange Offer) at any time prior to the Expiration Date for any reason
including (without limitation) if fewer than 1,250,000 shares of the $2.00
Preferred Stock are tendered (which condition may be waived by FPL). See
"The Exchange Offer - Acceptance of Shares; Delivery of QUIDS" and
" - Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments; Termination."
All shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock not accepted pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be returned to the tendering Holders at FPL's expense
as promptly as practicable following the Expiration Date.
All shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock accepted pursuant to the Exchange
Offer will be retired and canceled.
DELIVERY OF QUIDS
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the QUIDS
will be issued on a single settlement date (the "Closing Date") three
Business Days following the Expiration Date and the physical delivery of
the QUIDS will occur as promptly as practicable thereafter. See "The
Exchange Offer - Acceptance of Shares; Delivery of QUIDS" and " -
Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments; Termination."
UNTENDERED SHARES
Holders of $2.00 Preferred Stock who do not tender their $2.00
Preferred Stock in the Exchange Offer or whose $2.00 Preferred Stock is not
accepted for exchange will continue to hold such $2.00 Preferred Stock and
will be entitled to all the rights and preferences, and will be subject to
all of the limitations, applicable thereto. See "Listing and Trading of
QUIDS and $2.00 Preferred Stock."
EXCHANGE AGENT AND INFORMATION AGENT
The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association) has been appointed as
Exchange Agent in connection with the Exchange Offer. Questions and
requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this Prospectus
or of the Letter of Transmittal and requests for Notices of Guaranteed
Delivery should be directed to Georgeson & Company Inc., which has been
retained by FPL to act as Information Agent for the Exchange Offer. The
addresses and telephone numbers of the Exchange Agent and the Information
Agent are set forth in "The Exchange Offer - Exchange Agent and Information
Agent" and on the outside back cover of this Prospectus.
DEALER MANAGERS
Goldman, Sachs & Co., Lehman Brothers and Smith Barney Inc. have been
retained as Dealer Managers in connection with the Exchange Offer.
Questions with respect to the Exchange Offer may be directed to Goldman,
Sachs & Co. at (800) 828-3182, to Lehman Brothers at (800) 438-3242 and to
Smith Barney Inc. at (800) 813-3754.
DESCRIPTION OF QUIDS
The QUIDS will be unsecured subordinated debt securities issued under
an Indenture dated as of November 1, 1995, between FPL and The Chase
Manhattan Bank (National Association), as Trustee, hereinafter referred to
as the "Indenture." The Indenture permits the issuance of unsecured
subordinated debt securities in series, the first of which series is the
QUIDS. "Debt Securities", as used herein, shall mean any series of such
unsecured subordinated debt securities issued from time to time and
outstanding under the Indenture, including the QUIDS as the first series
thereof. The QUIDS will be subordinate to all Senior Indebtedness of FPL
but are senior to all Capital Stock of FPL. "Capital Stock", as used
herein, shall mean any shares of preferred stock (regardless of par value),
preference stock or common stock of FPL from time to time outstanding.
The QUIDS will mature on November 1, 2025 and will bear interest at
the rate per annum shown in the title thereof payable in equal quarterly
installments, in arrears, on the Interest Payment Dates, commencing
December 31, 1995, to the persons in whose names the QUIDS are registered
at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Dates. Interest
will originally accrue from, and including, the Closing Date to, and
including, the first Interest Payment Date, and thereafter will accrue
from, and excluding, the last Interest Payment Date through which interest
has been paid. No interest will accrue on the QUIDS with respect to the
day on which the QUIDS mature. In the event that any date on which
interest is payable on the QUIDS is not a Business Day, then payment of the
interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which
is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of
any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next
succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if
made on such date.
No Sinking Fund will be established for the benefit of the QUIDS.
The QUIDS will be redeemable on or prior to February 28, 1997 at the
option of FPL, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more 60 days'
notice, at 108% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the redemption date, and thereafter at 100% of the
principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
redemption date; provided, however, that none of the QUIDS shall be
redeemed prior to March 1, 1997, if such redemption is for the purpose, or
in anticipation, of refunding such QUIDS through the use, directly or
indirectly, of funds borrowed by FPL at an effective interest cost to FPL
(calculated in accordance with acceptable financial practice) of less than
8.2102% per annum.
FPL shall have the right at any time and from time to time during the
term of the QUIDS, so long as an Event of Default has not occurred and is
not continuing, to elect an Extension Period, on the last Business Day of
which Extension Period, FPL shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid
(together with interest thereon at the rate specified for the QUIDS to the
extent permitted by applicable law); provided, that, during any such
Extension Period, FPL shall not declare or pay any dividend on, or redeem,
purchase, acquire or make a distribution or liquidation payment with
respect to, any of its Capital Stock, except that FPL may make mandatory
sinking fund payments with respect to its 6.84% Preferred Stock, Series Q
and 8.625% Preferred Stock, Series R. FPL may prepay at any time all or
any portion of the interest accrued during an Extension Period. Based upon
FPL's current financial condition and, in light of the restriction on
payment of dividends during an Extension Period, FPL believes that an
extension of an interest payment period on the QUIDS is currently unlikely
and has no current intention to extend such an interest payment period.
Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, FPL may further
extend the interest payment period, provided that such Extension Period,
together with all such previous and further extensions thereof, may not
exceed 20 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods or extend beyond
the maturity of the QUIDS. Upon the termination of any Extension Period
and the payment of all amounts then due, FPL may elect another Extension
Period. FPL shall give the Holders of the QUIDS notice of its election of
an Extension Period prior to the earlier of (i) two Business Days prior to
the Regular Record Date for the next Interest Payment Date which would
occur but for such election or (ii) the date FPL is required to give notice
to the NYSE or other applicable self-regulatory organization of the Regular
Record Date or Interest Payment Date.
The provisions described in this Prospectus under the caption
"Description of the QUIDS Defeasance" are applicable to the QUIDS.
COMPARISON OF QUIDS AND $2.00 PREFERRED STOCK
The following is a brief summary of certain terms of the QUIDS and
$2.00 Preferred Stock. For a more complete description of the QUIDS, see
"Description of the QUIDS"; and for additional information about the $2.00
Preferred Stock, see "Description of Certain Terms of the $2.00 Preferred
Stock."
QUIDS $2.00 PREFERRED STOCK
----- ---------------------
Issuer.............. FPL FPL
Interest/Dividend
Rate.............. 8.75% per annum interest $2.00 per annum dividend
payable in equal (nominal annual dividend
quarterly installments, rate of 8%) payable on
in arrears, on each the first calendar day of
Interest Payment Date March, June, September
and accruing and December of each
originally from, and year, out of funds
including, the legally available
date of issuance thereof therefor, when, as and if
to, and including, the declared by FPL's Board
first Interest Payment of Directors. Dividends
Date, and thereafter from, are cumulative.
and excluding, the last Accumulated unpaid
Interest Payment Date dividends do not bear
through which interest interest.
has been paid, subject
to FPL's right to elect,
from time to time,
Extension Periods, each
of which may not exceed
20 consecutive quarterly
interest payment periods.
During any Extension
Period (to the extent
permitted by law),
interest would continue
to accrue, compounded
quarterly and would be
due and payable on the
last Business Day of the
Extension Period.
Optional
Redemption......... The QUIDS will be Redeemable at the option of
redeemable on or prior FPL, in whole or in part at
to February 28, 1997 at anytime, on not less than
the option of FPL, in 30 days' notice, at $27.00
whole or in part, upon per share on or before
not less than 30 nor February 28, 1997, and
more than 60 days' thereafter at $25.00 per
notice, at 108% of the share, plus, in each case,
principal amount re- accrued and unpaid
deemed plus accrued and dividends, if any, to the
unpaid interest, if any, redemption date; except
to the redemption date; that prior to March 1,
and thereafter at 100% 1997, the $2.00 Preferred
of the principal amount Stock shall not be redeem-
redeemed plus accrued able if such redemption
and unpaid interest, if is for the purpose, or
any, to the redemption in anticipation, of
date, provided, however, refunding such $2.00
that none of the QUIDS Preferred Stock through the
shall be redeemed prior use, directly or indirect-
to March 1, 1997, if ly, of funds borrowed by
such redemption is for FPL at an effective
the purpose, or in interest cost to FPL
anticipation, of (calculated in accordance
refunding such QUIDS with acceptable financial
through the use, practice) of less than
directly or indirectly, 8.2102% per annum.
of funds borrowed by
FPL at an effective
interest cost to FPL
(calculated in
accordance with
acceptable financial
practice) of less than
8.2102% per annum.
Maturity/Mandatory
Redemption......... The QUIDS mature on No maturity date and not
November 1, 2025 and are subject to mandatory
not subject to mandatory redemption.
redemption prior to that
date.
Sinking Fund....... No sinking fund will be Not subject to sinking fund
established for the requirements.
benefit of the QUIDS.
Subordination...... Subordinated to all Subordinated to claims of
existing and future creditors of FPL, including
Senior Indebtedness of Holders of FPL's outstand-
FPL and senior to ing Senior Indebtedness and
Capital Stock of FPL, other Debt Securities and
including the $2.00 the QUIDS, but senior
Preferred Stock. As of to the common stock of FPL.
June 30, 1995,
approximately $3.7
billion of such Senior
Indebtedness was
outstanding.
Listing............ Application will be made The $2.00 Preferred Stock
to list the QUIDS on the is listed on the NYSE.
NYSE. However, see "Listing and
Trading of QUIDS and $2.00
Preferred Stock."
Dividends Received
Deduction........... Interest is not eligible Dividends are eligible for
for the dividends the dividends received
received deduction for deduction for corporate
any Holders. Holders. The dividends
received deduction is not
available to individual,
non-corporate Holders.
Voting Rights/
Enforcement........ Subject to FPL's right If any four full quarterly
to extend payment as dividends on any class of
described under FPL's preferred stocks,
"Interest/Dividend including the $2.00
Rate," Holders have the Preferred Stock, are in
right to receive default, the Holders of
interest and principal all preferred stock,
payments as and when including the Holders of
due, but do not have the $2.00 Preferred Stock,
any voting rights. become entitled, as one
class, to elect a majority
of the Board of Directors.
When entitled to vote, each
Holder of $2.00 Preferred
Stock shall have one
quarter (1/4) of one vote
for each share held of
record by such Holder.
THE COMPANY
FPL was incorporated under the laws of Florida in 1925 and is engaged
in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electric energy.
The principal executive office of FPL is located at 700 Universe Boulevard,
Juno Beach, Florida 33408, telephone (407) 694-4647, and the mailing
address is P.O. Box 14000, Juno Beach, Florida 33408-0420. FPL supplies
electric service throughout most of the east and lower west coasts of
Florida. This service territory contains about 27,650 square miles with a
population of approximately 6.5 million. During 1994, FPL served
approximately 3.4 million customer accounts. All of the shares of common
stock of FPL are owned by FPL Group, Inc.
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR RATIOS)
Years Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991
---------- ---------- --------- ---------
Income Statement
Data:
Operating
Revenues....... $5,342,656 $5,224,299 $5,100,463 $5,158,766
Net Income
Available
to FPL
Group, Inc..... $ 528,515 $ 425,297(1) $ 470,899 $ 376,261(2)
1990
----------
Income Statement
Data:
Operating
Revenues....... $4,987,690
Net Income
Available
to FPL
Group, Inc..... $ 381,204
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,(3)
(UNAUDITED)
------------------------------
1995 1994
---------- ----------
Income Statement Data:
Operating Revenues.......... $2,602,472 $2,574,362
Net Income Available to
FPL Group, Inc........... $ 252,054 $ 231,734
AS OF JUNE 30, 1995 AS OF JUNE 30, 1995
(UNAUDITED) AS ADJUSTED (UNAUDITED)
------------------- --------------------------------
ASSUMING ASSUMING
50% 75%
ACTUAl RATIO EXCHANGE RATIO EXCHANGE RATIO
------ ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Total Assets $11,838,789
Obligations
Under
Capital
Leases..... $ 176,494
Capitalization:
Long-term
Debt(4).... $ 3,181,148 40.2% $ 3,181,148 40.2% $3,181,148 40.2%
Subordinated
Debentures - - 62,500 0.8% 93,750 1.2%
Preferred Stock
Without Sinking
Fund Require-
ments...... 451,250 5.7% 388,750 4.9% 357,500 4.5%
Preferred Stock
With Sinking
Fund Require-
ments(5)... 50,000 0.6% 50,000 0.6% 50,000 0.6%
Common Shareholder's
Equity..... 4,234,180 53.5% 4,234,180 53.5% 4,234,180 53.5%
--------- ---- --------- ---- --------- ----
Total Capitali-
zation..... $ 7,916,578 100.0% $ 7,916,578 100.0% $7,916,578 100.0%
=========== ===== =========== ===== ========= =====
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Ratio of Earnings to
Fixed Charges.......... 3.86x 3.03x(1) 3.30x 2.84x(2) 2.94x
Ratio of Earnings to
Combined Fixed Charges
and Preferred Stock
Dividend Requirements.. 3.22x 2.56x(1) 2.76x 2.40x(2) 2.45x
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,(3)
(UNAUDITED)
----------------------------
1995 1994
---- ----
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges....................... 3.88x 3.50x
Ratio of Earnings to Combined
Fixed Charges and Preferred
Stock Dividend Requirements... 3.17x 2.92x
------------------
(1) Includes the effect of an $85 million after-tax cost reduction
program charge recognized in September 1993.
(2) Includes the effect of a $56 million after-tax restructuring charge
recognized in June 1991.
(3) The results of operations for an interim period may not give a true
indication of results for the year.
(4) Excludes short-term debt and current maturities.
(5) Excludes current maturities.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The purpose of the Exchange Offer is to refinance the $2.00 Preferred
Stock with the QUIDS and to achieve certain tax efficiencies for FPL while
preserving FPL's flexibility with respect to future financings. This
refinancing will permit FPL to deduct interest payable on the QUIDS for
United States federal income tax purposes. Dividends payable on the $2.00
Preferred Stock are not tax deductible to FPL.
GENERAL
Participation in the Exchange Offer is voluntary, and Holders of $2.00
Preferred Stock should carefully consider whether to accept. Neither the
Company nor its Board of Directors makes any recommendation to Holders of
$2.00 Preferred Stock as to whether to tender all or any shares of $2.00
Preferred Stock in the Exchange Offer. Holders of $2.00 Preferred Stock
are urged to consult their financial and tax advisors in making their
decisions on what action to take in light of their own particular
circumstances.
Participation in the Exchange Offer is open to officers, directors and
affiliates of FPL who own shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock.
Unless the context requires otherwise, the term "Holder" (a) with
respect to the $2.00 Preferred Stock, means (i) any person in whose name
any shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock are registered on the books of The
First National Bank of Boston or (ii) any other person who has obtained a
properly completed stock power from the registered Holder or (iii) any
person whose beneficially owned shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock are held of
record by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined herein) who desires to
deliver such $2.00 Preferred Stock by book-entry transfer at a Book-Entry
Transfer Facility, and (b) with respect to any other security, means the
person in whose name such security is registered on the books of the
security registrar with respect thereto.
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in
the Letter of Transmittal, FPL will exchange QUIDS for its 5,000,000
outstanding shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock. The Exchange Offer will be
effected on a basis of $25 principal amount of QUIDS for each share of
$2.00 Preferred Stock validly tendered and accepted for exchange. See "
Procedures for Tendering." In addition, as part of its Exchange Offer,
Holders of $2.00 Preferred Stock accepted for exchange will be entitled to
receive the Payment in Lieu of Accumulated Dividends. Under the terms of
the Exchange Offer, FPL intends to accept any of the 5,000,000 shares of
$2.00 Preferred Stock validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the
Expiration Date and, unless the Exchange Offer has been withdrawn or
terminated, FPL will deliver QUIDS in exchange therefor on the Closing Date
to the tendering Holders of $2.00 Preferred Stock, subject to the right of
FPL to extend, terminate or amend the Exchange Offer. FPL expressly
reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to delay acceptance for
exchange of $2.00 Preferred Stock tendered under the Exchange Offer and the
delivery of the QUIDS with respect to the $2.00 Preferred Stock accepted
for exchange (subject to Rules 13e-4 and 14e-1 under the Exchange Act,
which require that FPL consummate the Exchange Offer or return the $2.00
Preferred Stock deposited by or on behalf of the Holders thereof promptly
after the termination or withdrawal of the Exchange Offer) at any time
prior to the Expiration Date for any reason including (without limitation)
if fewer than 1,250,000 shares of the $2.00 Preferred Stock are tendered
(which condition may be waived by FPL).
In all cases, except to the extent waived by FPL, delivery of QUIDS
issued with respect to the $2.00 Preferred Stock accepted for exchange
pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt by
the Exchange Agent of $2.00 Preferred Stock (or confirmation of book-entry
transfer thereof), a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal, and any other documents required thereby.
As of the date hereof, there were 5,000,000 shares of $2.00 Preferred
Stock outstanding. This Prospectus, together with the Letter of
Transmittal, is being sent to all registered Holders as of October
10, 1995.
FPL shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered $2.00 Preferred
Stock (or $2.00 Preferred Stock which FPL has, in its sole discretion,
determined to be defectively tendered, with respect to which FPL has waived
such defect) when, as and if FPL has given oral or written notice thereof
to the Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will act as agent for the
tendering Holders for the purpose of receiving the QUIDS from FPL and
remitting such QUIDS to tendering Holders who are participating in the
Exchange Offer. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Exchange Offer, delivery of QUIDS will be made as promptly as practicable
after the Closing Date.
</R
If any tendered shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock are not accepted for
exchange because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other
events set forth herein or otherwise, unless otherwise requested by the
Holder under "Special Delivery Instructions" in the Letter of Transmittal,
such shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock will be returned, without expense, to
the tendering Holder thereof (or in the case of shares of $2.00 Preferred
Stock tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at
The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), such shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock
will be credited to an account maintained at DTC designated by the
participant therein who so delivered such $2.00 Preferred Stock), as
promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date or the withdrawal or
termination of the Exchange Offer.
Holders of $2.00 Preferred Stock will not have any appraisal or
dissenters' rights under the Florida Business Corporation Act in connection
with the Exchange Offer. FPL intends to conduct the Exchange Offer in
accordance with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Tendering Holders will not be obligated to pay brokerage commissions
or fees to the Dealer Managers, as such, the Exchange Agent, the
Information Agent or FPL, or, subject to the instructions in the Letter of
Transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of $2.00 Preferred
Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer. See "Fees and Expenses; Transfer
Taxes."
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS; TERMINATION
The Exchange Offer will expire on the Expiration Date. FPL reserves
the right to extend the Exchange Offer in its sole discretion at any time
and from time to time by giving oral or written notice to the Exchange
Agent and by timely public announcement communicated, unless another means
is required by applicable law or regulation, by making a release to the Dow
Jones News Service. During any extension of the Exchange Offer, all $2.00
Preferred Stock previously tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and not
withdrawn will remain subject to the Exchange Offer. Any extension of the
Exchange Offer will terminate on a date to be designated by FPL at the time
notice of such extension is given to the Exchange Agent. FPL has not
established a date beyond which the Exchange Offer may not be extended.
FPL expressly reserves the right to (i) extend, amend or modify the
terms of the Exchange Offer in any manner and (ii) withdraw or terminate
the Exchange Offer and not accept for exchange any $2.00 Preferred Stock,
at any time prior to the Expiration Date for any reason, including (without
limitation) if fewer than 1,250,000 shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock are
tendered in the Exchange Offer (which condition may be waived by FPL). Any
withdrawal or termination of the Exchange Offer will be followed as
promptly as practicable by public announcement thereof through the Dow
Jones News Service. If FPL withdraws or terminates the Exchange Offer, it
will give immediate notice to the Exchange Agent, and all $2.00 Preferred
Stock theretofore tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be returned
promptly to the tendering Holders thereof. See " - Withdrawal of Tenders."
If FPL makes a material change in the terms of the Exchange Offer or
if it waives a material condition of the Exchange Offer, FPL will extend
the Exchange Offer. The minimum period for which the Exchange Offer will
be extended following a material change or waiver will depend upon the
facts and circumstances, including the relative materiality of the change
or waiver. With respect to a change in the amount of $2.00 Preferred Stock
sought, a change in the consideration offered or a change in the fee to be
paid to Soliciting Dealers, the Exchange Offer will be extended for a
minimum of 10 Business Days following the date that notice of such change
is first published, sent or given to Holders of $2.00 Preferred Stock.
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
The tender of $2.00 Preferred Stock by a Holder thereof pursuant to
one of the procedures set forth below will constitute an agreement between
such Holder and FPL in accordance with the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth herein and in the Letter of Transmittal.
Each Holder of the $2.00 Preferred Stock wishing to participate in the
Exchange Offer must (i) properly complete and sign the Letter of
Transmittal in accordance with the instructions contained herein and in the
Letter of Transmittal, together with any required signature guarantees, and
deliver the same to the Exchange Agent, at one of its addresses set forth
in " - Exchange Agent and Information Agent" prior to the Expiration Date
and either (a) certificates for the $2.00 Preferred Stock must be received
by the Exchange Agent at such address or (b) such $2.00 Preferred Stock
must be transferred pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer
described below and a confirmation of such book-entry transfer must be
received by the Exchange Agent, in each case prior to the Expiration Date
or (ii) comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.
In order to participate in the Exchange Offer, Holders of $2.00
Preferred Stock must submit a Letter of Transmittal and comply with the
other procedures for tendering in accordance with the instructions
contained herein and in the Letter of Transmittal prior to the Expiration
Date. Except as otherwise noted herein, after the Expiration Date,
tendering Holders of $2.00 Preferred Stock may not withdraw tendered shares
from the Exchange Offer.
LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL, CERTIFICATES FOR $2.00 PREFERRED STOCK AND ANY
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE SENT ONLY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT; NOT TO
FPL, THE DEALER MANAGERS OR THE INFORMATION AGENT.
Signature Guarantees. If tendered $2.00 Preferred Stock is registered
in the name of the signer of the Letter of Transmittal and beneficial
ownership of the QUIDS to be issued in exchange therefor is to be issued
(and any untendered $2.00 Preferred Stock is to be reissued) in the name of
the registered Holder (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall
include any participant in DTC whose name appears on a security listing as
the owner of $2.00 Preferred Stock), the signature of such signer need not
be guaranteed. If the tendered $2.00 Preferred Stock is registered in the
name of someone other than the signer of the Letter of Transmittal, such
tendered $2.00 Preferred Stock must be endorsed or accompanied by written
instruments of transfer in a form satisfactory to FPL and duly executed by
the registered Holder, and the signature on the endorsement or instrument
of transfer must be guaranteed by a financial institution (including most
banks, savings and loans associations and brokerage houses) that is a
participant in the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program or the Stock
Exchange Medallion Program (any of the foregoing hereinafter referred to as
an "Eligible Institution"). If the QUIDS and/or the $2.00 Preferred Stock
not exchanged are to be delivered to an address other than that of the
registered Holder appearing on the register for the $2.00 Preferred Stock,
the signature in the Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.
Book-Entry Transfer. As used herein, a "Book-Entry Transfer Facility"
shall mean any of DTC, Midwest Securities Trust Company or Philadelphia
Depository Trust Company. FPL understands that the Exchange Agent will
make a request promptly after the date of this Prospectus to establish an
account with respect to the $2.00 Preferred Stock at each Book-Entry
Transfer Facility for the purpose of facilitating the Exchange Offer, and
subject to the establishment thereof, any financial institution that is a
participant in a Book-Entry Transfer Facility's system may make book-entry
delivery of $2.00 Preferred Stock by causing such Book-Entry Transfer
Facility to transfer such $2.00 Preferred Stock in accordance with such
Book-Entry Transfer Facility's Automated Tender Offer Program or other
similar procedures ("ATOP") for such book-entry transfers. However, the
exchange for the $2.00 Preferred Stock so tendered will only be made after
timely confirmation (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of such book-entry
transfer of $2.00 Preferred Stock into the Exchange Agent's account, and
timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of an Agent's Message (as such term is
defined in the next sentence) the Letter of Transmittal and any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal. The term "Agent's Message"
means a message, transmitted by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility and received
by the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a Book-Entry Confirmation,
which states that such Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an express
acknowledgment from a participant tendering $2.00 Preferred Stock that is
the subject of such Book-Entry Confirmation that such participant has
received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal,
and that FPL may enforce such agreement against such participant.
Guaranteed Delivery. If a Holder desires to participate in the
Exchange Offer and time will not permit a Letter of Transmittal or
certificates for $2.00 Preferred Stock to reach the Exchange Agent before
the Expiration Date or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be
completed on a timely basis, a tender may be effected if the Exchange Agent
has received at its office on or prior to the Expiration Date, a letter,
telegram or facsimile transmission from an Eligible Institution setting
forth the name and address of the tendering Holder, the name(s) in which
the $2.00 Preferred Stock is registered and, if the $2.00 Preferred Stock
is held in certificated form, the certificate numbers of the $2.00
Preferred Stock to be tendered, and stating that the tender is being made
thereby and guaranteeing that within five NYSE trading days after the date
of execution of such letter, telegram or facsimile transmission by the
Eligible Institution, the $2.00 Preferred Stock in proper form for transfer
together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal
(and any other required documents), or a confirmation of book-entry
transfer of such $2.00 Preferred Stock into the Exchange Agent's account at
a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, will be delivered by such Eligible
Institution. Unless the $2.00 Preferred Stock being tendered by the above-
described method is deposited with the Exchange Agent within the time
period set forth above (accompanied or preceded by a properly completed
Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents) or a confirmation
of book-entry transfer of such $2.00 Preferred Stock into the Exchange
Agent's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility in accordance with such
Book-Entry Transfer Facility's ATOP procedures is received, FPL may, at its
option, reject the tender. In addition to the copy being transmitted
herewith, copies of a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery which may be used by
Eligible Institutions for the purposes described in this paragraph are
available from the Exchange Agent and the Information Agent.
Miscellaneous. All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility
(including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of
$2.00 Preferred Stock will be determined by FPL, in its sole discretion,
and which determination will be final and binding. FPL reserves the
absolute right to reject any or all tenders that it determines are not in
proper form or the acceptance for exchange of which may, in the opinion of
FPL's counsel, be unlawful. FPL also reserves the absolute right to waive
any defect or irregularity in the tender of any $2.00 Preferred Stock, and
FPL's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer
(including the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal) will be final and
binding. None of FPL, the Exchange Agent, the Dealer Managers, the
Information Agent or any other person will be under any duty to give
notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders or incur any
liability for failure to give any such notification.
Tenders of $2.00 Preferred Stock involving any irregularities will not
be deemed to have been made until such irregularities have been cured or
waived. $2.00 Preferred Stock received by the Exchange Agent that is not
validly tendered and as to which the irregularities have not been cured or
waived will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the tendering Holder (or
in the case of $2.00 Preferred Stock tendered by book-entry transfer into
the Exchange Agent's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, such $2.00
Preferred Stock will be credited to an account maintained at such Book-
Entry Transfer Facility designated by the participant therein who so
delivered such $2.00 Preferred Stock), unless otherwise requested by the
Holder in the Letter of Transmittal, as promptly as practicable after the
Expiration Date or the withdrawal or termination of the Exchange Offer.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
The Letter of Transmittal contains, among other things, the following
terms and conditions, which are part of the Exchange Offer:
The party tendering $2.00 Preferred Stock for exchange (the
"Transferor") exchanges, assigns and transfers the $2.00 Preferred Stock to
FPL and irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as the
Transferor's agent and attorney-in-fact to cause the $2.00 Preferred Stock
to be assigned, transferred and exchanged. The Transferor represents and
warrants that it has full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign
and transfer the $2.00 Preferred Stock and to acquire beneficial ownership
of QUIDS issuable upon the exchange of such tendered $2.00 Preferred Stock,
and that, when such Transferor's shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock are
accepted for exchange, FPL will acquire good and unencumbered title to such
shares of tendered $2.00 Preferred Stock free and clear of all liens,
restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse
claim. The Transferor also represents that it will, upon request, execute
and deliver any additional documents deemed by FPL to be necessary or
desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the tendered
$2.00 Preferred Stock or transfer ownership of such $2.00 Preferred Stock
on the account books maintained by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility. All
authority conferred by the Transferor will survive the death, bankruptcy or
incapacity of the Transferor and every obligation of the Transferor shall
be binding upon the heirs, legal representative, successors, assigns,
executors and administrators of such Transferor.
WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
Tenders of $2.00 Preferred Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be
withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date and, unless accepted for
exchange by FPL, may be withdrawn at any time after 40 Business Days from
the date of this Prospectus.
To be effective, a written notice of withdrawal delivered by mail,
hand delivery or facsimile transmission must be timely received by the
Exchange Agent at the appropriate address set forth below under "
Exchange Agent and Information Agent." The method of notification is at
the risk and election of the Holder. Any such notice of withdrawal must
specify (i) the Holder named in the Letter of Transmittal as having
tendered $2.00 Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, (ii) if the $2.00 Preferred
Stock is held in certificated form, the certificate numbers of the $2.00
Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, (iii) that such Holder is withdrawing his
election to have such $2.00 Preferred Stock exchanged and (iv) the name of
the registered Holder of such $2.00 Preferred Stock, and must be signed by
the Holder in the same manner as the original signature on the Letter of
Transmittal (including any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied
by evidence satisfactory to FPL that the person withdrawing the tender has
succeeded to the beneficial ownership of the $2.00 Preferred Stock being
withdrawn. The Exchange Agent will return the properly withdrawn $2.00
Preferred Stock promptly following receipt of notice of withdrawal. If
$2.00 Preferred Stock has been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-
entry transfer, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number
of the account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be credited with the
withdrawn $2.00 Preferred Stock and otherwise comply with such Book-Entry
Transfer Facility's procedures. All questions as to the validity of notice
of withdrawal, including time of receipt, will be determined by FPL, in its
sole discretion, and such determination will be final and binding on all
parties. Properly withdrawn $2.00 Preferred Stock, however, may be
retendered by following the procedures therefor described elsewhere herein
at any time prior to the Expiration Date. See " - Procedures for
Tendering."
ACCEPTANCE OF SHARES; DELIVERY OF QUIDS
FPL expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to delay
acceptance for exchange of $2.00 Preferred Stock tendered under the
Exchange Offer and the delivery of the QUIDS with respect to the $2.00
Preferred Stock accepted for exchange (subject to Rules 13e-4 and 14e-1
under the Exchange Act, which require that FPL consummate the Exchange
Offer or return the $2.00 Preferred Stock deposited by or on behalf of the
Holders thereof promptly after the termination or withdrawal of the
Exchange Offer) at any time prior to the Expiration Date for any reason
including (without limitation) if fewer than 1,250,000 shares of the $2.00
Preferred Stock are tendered (which condition may be waived by FPL).
All shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock not accepted pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be returned to the tendering Holders at FPL's expense
as promptly as practicable following the Expiration Date.
All shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock accepted pursuant to the Exchange
Offer will be retired and canceled.
EXCHANGE AGENT AND INFORMATION AGENT
The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association) has been appointed as
Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer.
The Exchange Agent is:
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)
BY HAND: BY OVERNIGHT COURIER:
Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. c/o Chase Securities Processing Corp.
(New York City Time) Ft. Lee Executive Park
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza (Floor 1-B) 1 Executive Drive (6th Floor)
Nassau and Liberty Streets Ft. Lee, New Jersey 07024
New York, New York 10081
BY MAIL:
Box 3032
4 Chase MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, New York 11245
Facsimile Transmission
(201) 592-4372
(For Eligible Institutions Only)
Confirm Receipt of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery by Telephone:
(201) 592-4370
Shareholder Inquiries:
(800) 355-2663 (Toll Free)
Georgeson & Company Inc. has been retained by FPL as the Information
Agent to assist in connection with the Exchange Offer. Questions and
requests for assistance regarding the Exchange Offer, requests for
additional copies of this Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal and
requests for Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be directed to Georgeson &
Company Inc. at Wall Street Plaza, New York, New York 10005. Banks and
brokers call collect (212) 440-9800. All others call toll free (800)
223-2064.
FPL will pay the Exchange Agent and Information Agent reasonable and
customary fees for their services and will reimburse them for all their
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.
DEALER MANAGERS
Goldman, Sachs & Co., Lehman Brothers and Smith Barney Inc. are acting
as Dealer Managers for the Exchange Offer under a Dealer Managers Agreement
dated October 9, 1995 (the "Dealer Managers Agreement"). Pursuant to the
Dealer Managers Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay to the Dealer
Managers, in addition to any solicitation fee as described under "Fees and
Expenses; Transfer Taxes," a combined total fee of $0.1875 per $25
principal amount of QUIDS issued in the Exchange Offer. In addition, the
Company has agreed to reimburse the Dealer Managers for their reasonable
out of pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of their
legal counsel.
The Dealer Managers will perform those services in connection with the
Exchange Offer as are customarily performed by investment banking concerns
acting as dealer managers in connection with offers of like nature,
including, but not limited to, soliciting tenders of $2.00 Preferred Stock
pursuant to the Exchange Offer and communicating generally, and responding
to requests for information and material, regarding the Exchange Offer and
the QUIDS with brokers, dealers, commercial banks and trust companies and
other persons, including the Holders of the $2.00 Preferred Stock.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Dealer Managers against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities
laws.
Each of Goldman, Sachs & Co., Lehman Brothers and Smith Barney Inc.
engages in transactions with, and from time to time has performed services
for, FPL.
LISTING AND TRADING OF QUIDS AND $2.00 PREFERRED STOCK
The QUIDS constitute a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. While FPL will apply to list the QUIDS on the NYSE, there
can be no assurance that an active market for the QUIDS will develop or be
sustained in the future. Listing of the QUIDS will depend upon the
satisfaction of the NYSE's listing requirements with respect to the QUIDS.
Although the Dealer Managers have indicated to FPL that they intend to make
a market in the QUIDS as permitted by applicable laws and regulations
following the completion of the Exchange Offer, and may buy and sell the
QUIDS on a "when and if issued" basis prior to the completion of the
Exchange Offer, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any
such activities at any time without notice. Accordingly, no assurance can
be given as to the liquidity of, or trading markets for, the QUIDS.
The $2.00 Preferred Stock is currently listed on the NYSE. The
following table sets forth for the calendar quarters indicated the high and
low sale prices as reported by the NYSE.
High Low
---- ---
1993:
First Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . 28 26 1/2
Second Quarter . . . . . . . . . . 28 3/8 27 1/2
Third Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . 28 5/8 27 5/8
Fourth Quarter . . . . . . . . . . 28 5/8 27
1994:
First Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . 28 26
Second Quarter . . . . . . . . . . 26 5/8 24 1/2
Third Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . 26 24 3/4
Fourth Quarter . . . . . . . . . . 25 3/4 23 1/2
1995:
First Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . 26 1/2 24 1/4
Second Quarter . . . . . . . . . . 26 7/8 25 5/8
Third Quarter . . . . . . . . . . 27 1/2 26 1/4
Fourth Quarter (through October 9, 1995) 27 1/4 26 3/4
Holders of $2.00 Preferred Stock who do not tender their $2.00
Preferred Stock in the Exchange Offer or whose $2.00 Preferred Stock is not
accepted for exchange will continue to hold such $2.00 Preferred Stock and
will be entitled to all the rights and preferences, and will be subject to
all of the limitations, applicable thereto. To the extent that a certain
number of shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock is tendered and accepted in the
Exchange Offer and/or the number of Holders of $2.00 Preferred Stock is
reduced to below certain levels, FPL, pursuant to NYSE rules and
regulations, would be required to delist the $2.00 Preferred Stock from the
NYSE, and the trading market for untendered $2.00 Preferred Stock could be
adversely affected. FPL does not believe that the Exchange Offer has a
reasonable likelihood of causing the $2.00 Preferred Stock to be delisted
from the NYSE.
FEES AND EXPENSES; TRANSFER TAXES
The expenses of soliciting tenders of the $2.00 Preferred Stock will
be borne by FPL. For compensation to be paid to the Dealer Managers, see
"The Exchange Offer Dealer Managers." The total cash expenditures to be
incurred by FPL, other than fees payable to the Dealer Managers, but
including the expenses of the Dealer Managers, printing, accounting and
legal fees, and the fees and expenses of the Exchange Agent, the
Information Agent and the Trustee under the Indenture, are estimated to be
approximately $755,000.
The Company will pay a solicitation fee of $0.50 per $25 principal
amount of QUIDS issued in respect of shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock
tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer, covered
by a Letter of Transmittal which designates, in the box captioned "Notice
of Solicited Tenders," as having solicited and obtained the tender, the
name of (i) any broker or dealer in the security, including any of the
Dealer Managers in its capacity as dealers or brokers, which is a member of
any national securities exchange or of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"), (ii) any foreign broker or dealer
not eligible for membership in the NASD which agrees to conform to the
NASD's Rules of Fair Practice in soliciting tenders outside the United
States to the same extent as though it were an NASD member, or (iii) any
bank or trust company (each of which is referred to herein as a "Soliciting
Dealer"). No such fee shall be payable to a Soliciting Dealer if such
Soliciting Dealer is required for any reason to transfer the amount of such
fee to a depositing Holder (other than itself). No such fee shall be
payable to a Soliciting Dealer with respect to shares of $2.00 Preferred
Stock tendered for such Soliciting Dealer's own account. In order for a
Soliciting Dealer to receive a solicitation fee with respect to the tender
of shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock, the Exchange Agent must have received a
Letter of Transmittal with a portion thereof entitled "Notice of Solicited
Tenders" properly completed and duly executed or, in the case of guaranteed
delivery, a Notice of Solicited Tenders properly completed and duly
executed by such Soliciting Dealer.
The Dealer Managers may not, until the Expiration Date, buy, sell,
deal or trade in the $2.00 Preferred Stock for their own account. No
broker, dealer, bank, trust company or fiduciary shall be deemed to be the
agent of the Company, the Dealer Managers, the Exchange Agent or the
Information Agent for purposes of the Exchange Offer except that, in any
jurisdiction where the securities, blue sky, or other laws require the
Exchange Offer to be made by or through a licensed broker or dealer, the
Exchange Offer is being made on behalf of the Company by the Dealer Mangers
or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the law of such
jurisdiction.
FPL will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of
$2.00 Preferred Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however,
beneficial ownership of QUIDS or shares of $2.00 Preferred Stock not
tendered or accepted for exchange, are to be issued in the name of, or are
to be delivered to, any person other than the registered Holder of the
$2.00 Preferred Stock tendered or if a transfer tax is imposed for any
reason other than the exchange of $2.00 Preferred Stock pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed
on the registered Holder or any other persons) will be payable by the
tendering Holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or
exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the
amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering
Holder. Tendering Holders will not be obligated to pay brokerage
commissions or fees to the Dealer Managers, as such, the Exchange Agent,
the Information Agent or FPL.
DESCRIPTION OF THE QUIDS
GENERAL
The following description of specific terms of the QUIDS should be
read in conjunction with the information contained elsewhere in this
Prospectus and in the Indenture, dated as of November 1, 1995, between FPL
and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), as Trustee (the
"Indenture") which is an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and is
subject to and qualified by reference to such information. Such
description makes use of the terms defined in the Indenture.
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, INTEREST AND MATURITY
The QUIDS will be issued as Debt Securities. The Indenture permits
the issuance of an unlimited principal amount of Debt Securities in series,
the first of which series is the QUIDS. The QUIDS will be unsecured,
subordinated obligations of FPL and will be limited in aggregate principal
amount to $125 million.
The QUIDS will mature on November 1, 2025 and will bear interest at
the rate per annum shown in the title thereof payable in equal quarterly
installments, in arrears, on the Interest Payment Dates, commencing
December 31, 1995, to the persons in whose names the QUIDS are registered
at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Dates. Interest
will originally accrue from, and including, the Closing Date to, and
including, the first Interest Payment Date, and thereafter will accrue
from, and excluding, the last Interest Payment Date through which interest
has been paid. No interest will accrue on the QUIDS with respect to the
day on which the QUIDS mature. In the event that any date on which
interest is payable on the QUIDS is not a Business Day, then payment of the
interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which
is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of
any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next
succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day in each case with the same force and effect as if
made on such date.
Payments in respect of the QUIDS will be made at the office or agency
of the Company maintained for that purpose in The City of New York (which,
unless changed, shall be a corporate trust office or agency of the
Trustee). However, at the option of the Company, payments on the QUIDS may
be made (i) by checks mailed by the Trustee to the Holders entitled thereto
at their registered addresses or (ii) by wire transfers to accounts
maintained by the Holders entitled thereto as specified in the Register for
the QUIDS, provided that, in either case, the payment of principal with
respect to any QUIDS will be made only upon surrender of such QUIDS to the
Trustee. Interest payable on any QUIDS that is not punctually paid or duly
provided for on any Interest Payment Date will forthwith cease to be
payable to the person in whose name such QUIDS is registered on the
relevant Regular Record Date, and such defaulted interest will instead be
payable to the person in whose name such QUIDS is registered on the special
record date determined in accordance with the Indenture; provided, however,
that interest shall not be considered payable by the Company on any
Interest Payment Date falling within an Extension Period unless the Company
has elected to make a full or partial payment of interest accrued on the
QUIDS on such Interest Payment Date.
REDEMPTION
The QUIDS will be redeemable on or prior to February 28, 1997 at the
option of FPL, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more 60 days'
notice, at 108% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the redemption date, and thereafter at 100% of the
principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
redemption date; provided, however, that none of the QUIDS shall be
redeemed prior to March 1, 1997, if such redemption is for the purpose, or
in anticipation, of refunding such QUIDS through the use, directly or
indirectly, of funds borrowed by FPL at an effective interest cost to FPL
(calculated in accordance with acceptable financial practice) of less than
8.2102% per annum.
If less than all the QUIDS are to be redeemed, the particular QUIDS to
be redeemed will be selected by lot or by such other method of random
selection as the Security Registrar deems fair and appropriate.
Any notice of redemption shall state that such redemption will be
conditional upon receipt by the Paying Agent or Agents, on or prior to the
dated fixed for such redemption, of money sufficient to pay the principal
of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the QUIDS and that if such
money has not been so received, such notice will be of no force and effect
and FPL will not be required to redeem the QUIDS.
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD
FPL shall have the right at any time and from time to time during the
term of the QUIDS, so long as an Event of Default has not occurred and is
not continuing, to elect an Extension Period on the last Business Day of
which Extension Period FPL shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid
(together with interest thereon at the rate specified for the QUIDS to the
extent permitted by applicable law); provided, that, during any such
Extension Period, FPL shall not declare or pay any dividend on, or redeem,
purchase, acquire or make a distribution or liquidation payment with
respect to, any of its Capital Stock, except that FPL may make mandatory
sinking fund payments with respect to its 6.84% Preferred Stock, Series Q
and 8.625% Preferred Stock, Series R. FPL may prepay at any time all or
any portion of the interest accrued during an Extension Period. Based upon
FPL's current financial condition and, in light of the restriction on
payment of dividends during an Extension Period, FPL believes that an
extension of an interest payment period on the QUIDS is currently unlikely
and has no current intention to extend such an interest payment period.
Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, FPL may further
extend the interest payment period, provided that such Extension Period,
together with all such previous and further extensions thereof, may not
exceed 20 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods or extend beyond
the maturity of the QUIDS. Upon the termination of any Extension Period
and the payment of all amounts then due, FPL may elect another Extension
Period. During an Extension Period, interest will be due and payable only
on the last day thereof. FPL shall give the Holders of the QUIDS notice of
its election of an Extension Period prior to the earlier of (i) two
Business Days prior to the Regular Record Date for the next Interest
Payment Date which would occur but for such election or (ii) the date FPL
is required to give notice to the NYSE or other applicable self-regulatory
organization of the Regular Record Date or Interest Payment Date.
SUBORDINATION
The QUIDS will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
Senior Indebtedness of FPL.
No payment of principal of (including redemption payments), premium,
if any, or interest on, the QUIDS may be made (i) upon certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, (ii) if any Senior Indebtedness
is not paid when due, (iii) if any other default has occurred permitting
the Holders of Senior Indebtedness to accelerate the maturity thereof and,
in such case, any applicable grace period with respect to such default has
ended, and either 90 days shall not have elapsed after the expiration of
such grace period or the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness shall have
been accelerated because of such default and such acceleration shall not
have been rescinded or annulled, and, with respect to (ii) and (iii) above,
such default has not been cured or waived, or (iv) if the maturity of Debt
Securities of any series has been accelerated because of an Event of
Default. Upon any distribution of assets of FPL to creditors upon any
dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary
or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other
proceedings, all principal of, and premium, if any, and interest due or to
become due on, all Senior Indebtedness must be paid in full before the
Holders of the QUIDS are entitled to receive or retain any payment. Upon
payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the QUIDS will
be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of Senior Indebtedness to
receive further payments or distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness
until all amounts owing on the QUIDS are paid in full.
The term "Senior Indebtedness" is defined in the Indenture to mean
obligations (other than non-recourse obligations and the indebtedness
issued under the Indenture) of, or guaranteed or assumed by, FPL for
borrowed money, including both senior and subordinated indebtedness for
borrowed money (other than Debt Securities including the QUIDS), or for the
payment of money relating to any lease which is capitalized on the
consolidated balance sheet of FPL and its subsidiaries in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time, or
indebtedness evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar
instruments, and in each case, amendments, renewals, extensions,
modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness or obligations,
whether existing as of the date of the Indenture or subsequently incurred
by FPL.
An Event of Default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness may not
necessarily constitute an Event of Default with respect to the QUIDS.
The Indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of Senior
Indebtedness that FPL may issue and the covenants contained in the
Indenture would not afford Holders of QUIDS protection in the event of a
highly-leveraged transaction or change of control involving FPL. As of
June 30, 1995, outstanding Senior Indebtedness of FPL aggregated
approximately $3.7 billion.
FORM, EXCHANGE, AND TRANSFER
The QUIDS will be issuable only in fully registered form without
coupons and in denominations of $25 and any integral multiple thereof.
At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the Indenture and
the limitations applicable to global securities, QUIDS will be exchangeable
for other QUIDS of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of
like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the Indenture and the limitations applicable
to global securities, QUIDS may be presented for exchange as provided above
or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or accompanied by a duly
executed instrument of transfer) at the office of the Security Registrar or
at the office of any transfer agent designated by FPL for such purpose.
FPL may designate itself the Security Registrar. No service charge will be
made for any registration of transfer or exchange of QUIDS, but FPL may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge payable in connection therewith. Such transfer or exchange will be
effected upon the Security Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case
may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the
person making the request. FPL may at any time designate additional
transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve
a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that
FPL will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment
for the QUIDS.
FPL will not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of, or
exchange any QUIDS during a period beginning at the opening of business 15
calendar days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any
QUIDS called for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day
of such mailing or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any QUIDS so
selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion
of any such QUIDS being redeemed in part.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Payment of interest on the QUIDS on any Interest Payment Date will be
made to the person in whose name such QUIDS (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) are registered at the close of business on the Regular Record
Date for such interest payment.
The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association) will initially act as
Paying Agent and Registrar of the QUIDS. Principal of and any premium and
interest on the QUIDS will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or
Paying Agents as FPL may designate for such purpose from time to time. FPL
may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the
designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through
which any Paying Agent acts, except that FPL will be required to maintain a
Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of a
particular series.
All moneys paid by FPL to a Paying Agent for the payment of the
principal of or any premium or interest on the QUIDS which remain unclaimed
at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has
become due and payable will be repaid to FPL, and the Holder of such QUIDS
thereafter may look only to FPL for payment thereof.
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, AND SALE OF ASSETS
FPL may not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety to any Person, unless (i) the corporation formed by such
consolidation or into which FPL is merged or the Person which acquires by
conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the property and assets of FPL
substantially as an entirety shall be a Person organized and validly
existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and such Person
expressly assumes FPL's obligations on the Debt Securities and under the
Indenture, (ii) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no
Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or
both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be
continuing, and (iii) FPL shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as provided in the Indenture.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the
Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of any series: (a) failure
to pay any interest on the Debt Securities of such series within 60 days
after the same becomes due and payable; (b) failure to pay principal or
premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of such series within three
Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; (c) failure to
perform or breach of any other covenant or warranty of FPL in the Indenture
(other than a covenant or warranty of FPL in the Indenture solely for the
benefit of one or more series of Debt Securities other than such series)
for 60 days after written notice to FPL by the Trustee, or to FPL and the
Trustee by the Holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the Debt
Securities of such series outstanding under the Indenture as provided in
the Indenture; (d) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises
of (1) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an
involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (2) a decree
or order adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as
properly filed a petition by one or more Persons other than the Company
seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in
respect of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or
appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee,
sequestrator or other similar official for the Company or for any
substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation
of its affairs, and any such decree or order for relief or any such other
decree or order shall have remained unstayed and in effect for a period of
90 consecutive days; (e) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary
case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or
proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it
to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in a
case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of
any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding under any applicable
Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition
or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the
Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of
an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in
writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or
the authorization of such action by the Board of Directors; or (f) any
other Event of Default specified with regard to Debt Securities of such
series.
An Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of a
particular series may not necessarily constitute an Event of Default with
respect to Debt Securities of any other series issued under the
Indenture.
If an Event of Default with respect to any series of Debt Securities
occurs and is continuing, then either the Trustee or the Holders of not
less than 33% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of
such series may declare the principal amount of all of the Debt Securities
of such series to be due and payable immediately; provided, however, that
if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to more than
one series of Debt Securities under the Indenture, the Trustee or the
Holders of not less than 33% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of all such series, considered as one class
(and not the Holders of the Debt Securities of any one of such series), may
make such declaration of acceleration.
At any time after the declaration of acceleration with respect to the
Debt Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree
for payment of the money due has been obtained, the Event or Events of
Default giving rise to such declaration of acceleration will, without
further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its
consequences will, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded
and annulled, if
(a) FPL has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to
pay
(1) all overdue interest on all Debt Securities of such series;
(2) the principal of and premium, if any, on any Debt Securities
of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of
acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor
in such Debt Securities;
(3) interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates
prescribed therefor in such Debt Securities, to the extent that payment of
such interest is lawful; and
(4) all amounts due to the Trustee under the Indenture;
(b) any other Event or Events of Default with respect to Debt
Securities of such series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of
the Debt Securities of such series which has become due solely by such
declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the
Indenture.
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of
the Trustee in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the
Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders,
unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity.
If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, subject to such
provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any
series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the
Debt Securities of such series.
No Holder of Debt Securities of any series will have any right to
institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or for the
appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder,
unless (i) such Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice
of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of
such series, (ii) the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series have
made written request to the Trustee, and such Holder or Holders have
offered reasonable indemnity to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as
trustee and (iii) the Trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and
has not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series a direction
inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice, request
and offer. However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by
a Holder of a Debt Security for the enforcement of payment of the principal
of or any premium or interest on such Debt Security on or after the
applicable due date specified in such Debt Security.
FPL will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement by
an appropriate officer as to such officer's knowledge of FPL's compliance
with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture, such compliance to
be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of
notice under the Indenture.
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
Without the consent of any Holder of Debt Securities, FPL and the
Trustee may enter into one or more supplemental indentures for any of the
following purposes: (a) to evidence the assumption by any permitted
successor to FPL of the covenants of FPL in the Indenture and in the Debt
Securities; or (b) to add one or more covenants of FPL or other provisions
for the benefit of the Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities or to
surrender any right or power conferred upon FPL by the Indenture; or (c) to
add any additional Events of Default with respect to Outstanding Debt
Securities; or (d) to change or eliminate any provision of the Indenture or
to add any new provision to the Indenture, provided that if such change,
elimination or addition will adversely affect the interests of the Holders
of Debt Securities of any series in any material respect, such change,
elimination or addition will become effective with respect to such series
only when (1) the consent of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series
has been obtained in accordance with the Indenture, or (2) no Debt
Securities of such series remain Outstanding under the Indenture; or (e) to
provide collateral security for all but not part of the Debt Securities; or
(f) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any other series
as permitted by the Indenture; or (g) to provide for the authentication and
delivery of bearer securities and coupons appertaining thereto representing
interest, if any, thereon and for the procedures for the registration,
exchange and replacement thereof and for the giving of notice to, and the
solicitation of the vote or consent of, the Holders thereof, and for any
and all other matters incidental thereto; or (h) to evidence and provide
for the acceptance of appointment of a successor Trustee under the
Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series and to
add to or change any of the provisions of the Indenture as shall be
necessary to provide for or to facilitate the administration of the trusts
under the Indenture by more than one trustee; or (i) to provide for the
procedures required to permit the utilization of a noncertificated system
of registration for the Debt Securities of any series; or (j) to change any
place where (1) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any,
on any Debt Securities shall be payable, (2) any Debt Securities may be
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and (3) notices and
demands to or upon FPL in respect of Debt Securities and the Indenture may
be served; or (k) to cure any ambiguity or inconsistency or to make or
change any other provisions with respect to matters and questions arising
under the Indenture, provided such changes or additions shall not adversely
affect the interests of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series in any
material respect.
The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Debt Securities of all series then Outstanding may waive compliance
by FPL with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. The Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any
series may waive any past default under the Indenture, except a default in
the payment of principal, premium, or interest and certain covenants and
provisions of the Indenture that cannot be modified or be amended without
the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series
affected.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), is amended
after the date of the Indenture in such a way as to require changes to the
Indenture or the incorporation therein of additional provisions or so as to
permit changes to, or the elimination of, provisions which, at the date of
the Indenture or at any time thereafter, were required by the Trust
Indenture Act to be contained in the Indenture, the Indenture will be
deemed to have been amended so as to conform to such amendment or to effect
such changes or elimination, and FPL and the Trustee may, without the
consent of any Holders, enter into one or more supplemental indentures to
evidence or effect such amendment.
Except as provided above, the consent of the Holders of not less than
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of all
series then Outstanding, considered as one class, is required for the
purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner, or
eliminating any of the provisions of, the Indenture pursuant to one or more
supplemental indentures; provided, however, that if less than all of the
series of Debt Securities Outstanding are directly affected by a proposed
supplemental indenture, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of all series
so directly affected, considered as one class, will be required; and
provided, further, that if the Debt Securities of any series have been
issued in more than one Tranche and if the proposed supplemental indenture
directly affects the rights of the Holders of one or more, but less than
all, such Tranches, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of all
Tranches so directly affected, considered as one class, will be required;
and provided further, that no such amendment or modification may (a) change
the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of
or interest on, any Debt Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof
or the rate of interest thereon (or the amount of any installment of
interest thereon) or change the method of calculating such rate or reduce
any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of
the principal of any Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of Maturity or change the coin or currency (or
other property) in which any Debt Security or any premium or the interest
thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity of any Debt
Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date)
without, in any such case, the consent of the Holder of such Debt Security,
(b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Security of any series, or any Tranche thereof, the consent of the Holders
of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of
the Holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with any
provision of the Indenture or any default thereunder and its consequences,
or reduce the requirements for quorum or voting, without, in any such case,
the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series
or Tranche, or (c) modify certain of the provisions of the Indenture
relating to supplemental indentures, waivers of certain covenants and
waivers of past defaults with respect to the Debt Security of any series,
or any Tranche thereof, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby. A supplemental indenture which
changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of the Indenture
which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more
particular series of Debt Securities or one or more Tranches thereof, or
modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series or
Tranches with respect to such covenant or other provision, will be deemed
not to affect the rights under the Indenture of the Holders of the Debt
Securities of any other series or Tranche.
The Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities have given or
taken any direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other action under the
Indenture as of any date, (i) Debt Securities owned by FPL or any other
obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of FPL or of such other
obligor (unless FPL, such Affiliate or such obligor owns all Debt
Securities Outstanding under this Indenture, determined without regard to
this clause (i)) shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding;
(ii) the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be
Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof
that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof as provided in the
Indenture; and (iii) the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in
one or more foreign currencies or a composite currency that will be deemed
to be Outstanding will be the Dollar equivalent, determined as of such date
in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security, of the principal amount of
such Debt Security (or, in the case of a Debt Security described in clause
(ii) above, of the amount described in such clause).
If FPL shall solicit from Holders any request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act, FPL may, at its
option, by Company Order, fix in advance a record date for the
determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act,
but FPL shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed,
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election,
waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only
the Holders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be
deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the
requisite proportion of the Outstanding Debt Securities have authorized or
agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding
Debt Securities shall be computed as of the record date. Any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or
other Act of a Holder shall bind every future Holder of the same Debt
Security and the Holder of every Debt Security issued upon the registration
of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect
of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or FPL in
reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such
Debt Security.
DEFEASANCE
The QUIDS, or any portion of the principal amount thereof, will be
deemed to have been paid for purposes of the Indenture, and, at FPL's
election, the entire indebtedness of FPL in respect thereof will be deemed
to have been satisfied and discharged, if there has been irrevocably
deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than FPL), in trust:
(a) money in an amount which will be sufficient, or (b) Eligible
Obligations (as described below), which do not contain provisions
permitting the redemption or other prepayment thereof at the option of the
issuer thereof, the principal of and the interest on which when due,
without any regard to reinvestment thereof, will provide monies which,
together with money, if any, deposited with or held by the Trustee or such
Paying Agent, will be sufficient, or (c) a combination of (a) and (b) which
will be sufficient, to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any,
and interest, if any, due and to become due on the QUIDS or portions
thereof. For this purpose, Eligible Obligations include direct obligations
of, or obligations unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States,
entitled to the benefit of the full faith and credit thereof, and
certificates, depositary receipts or other instruments which evidence a
direct ownership interest in such obligations or in any specific interest
or principal payments due in respect thereof.
Under existing case law and regulations, a defeasance which is deemed
to satisfy and discharge the entire indebtedness of FPL with respect to the
QUIDS might be treated as a significant modification of the obligations in
respect of the QUIDS which for United States federal income tax purposes
may be treated as a taxable exchange. If the defeasance were a taxable
exchange, Holders would recognize gain or loss in the amount by which the
fair market value of the QUIDS after the defeasance was greater or less
than the Holder's basis in the QUIDS prior to the defeasance. Such gain or
loss, generally, would be capital to Holders for whom the QUIDS are held as
capital assets. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax
advisors as to the specific consequences to them of such deposit.
RESIGNATION OF TRUSTEE
The Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to
FPL or may be removed at any time by Act of the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of all series of Debt Securities then Outstanding
delivered to the Trustee and FPL. No resignation or removal of the Trustee
and no appointment of a successor trustee will become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee in accordance with the
requirements of the Indenture. So long as no Event of Default or event
which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing and except with respect to a Trustee
appointed by Act of the Holders, if FPL has delivered to the Trustee a
resolution of its Board of Directors appointing a successor trustee and
such successor has accepted such appointment in accordance with the terms
of the Indenture, the Trustee will be deemed to have resigned and the
successor will be deemed to have been appointed as trustee in accordance
with the Indenture.
NOTICES
Notices to Holders of QUIDS will be given by mail to the addresses of
such Holders as they may appear in the Security Register.
TITLE
FPL, the Trustee, and any agent of FPL or the Trustee, may treat the
Person in whose name QUIDS are registered as the absolute owner thereof
(whether or not such QUIDS may be overdue) for the purpose of making
payments and for all other purposes irrespective of notice to the contrary.
GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture and the QUIDS will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
REGARDING THE TRUSTEE
The Trustee under the Indenture is The Chase Manhattan Bank (National
Association). In addition to acting as Trustee under the Indenture and
Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer, The Chase Manhattan Bank (National
Association) supports all credit lines, provides a general purpose
commercial paper backup line of credit and acts as agent for an insurance
facility for FPL.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN TERMS OF THE $2.00 PREFERRED STOCK
In addition to terms described above under "Prospectus
Summary - Comparison of QUIDS and $2.00 Preferred Stock", the following
terms apply to the $2.00 Preferred Stock:
VOTING RIGHTS
FPL Group, Inc., as the only Holder of common stock of FPL, has sole
voting power, except as indicated below or as otherwise required by law.
If any four full quarterly dividends on any of the 4 1/2% Preferred Stock,
4 1/2% Preferred Stock Series A, Serial Preferred Stock or No Par
Preferred Stock (which includes the $2.00 Preferred Stock) (collectively,
the "Preferred Stocks") of FPL are in default (no dividends are currently
in default), the Holders of shares of any class of the Preferred Stock
become entitled, as one class, to elect a majority of the Board of
Directors, which right does not terminate until full dividends have
been provided for all past periods. When entitled to vote, the Holders
of the Preferred Stocks (other than the No Par Preferred Stock)
shall have one vote for each share held and the Holders of No Par
Preferred Stock shall have one vote for every $100 liquidation value
established by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, provided
that amounts less than $100 shall be afforded their proportional
fractional vote.
So long as any shares of the No Par Preferred Stock are outstanding,
FPL shall not, without the consent of at least two-thirds of the total
number of votes attributable to the outstanding shares of each class of
Preferred Stock voting together as one class, (1) create or authorize any
new stock ranking prior to the No Par Preferred Stock or any security
convertible into shares of such prior ranking stock; or (2) amend, alter or
repeal any of the rights, preferences or powers of any series of the No Par
Preferred Stock so as to alter materially any such rights, preferences or
power, provided that with respect to (2) above, (i) the Preferred Stocks
other than the No Par Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote as a member
of such voting class only if the same right, preference or power of such
Preferred Stocks other than the No Par Preferred Stock are proposed to be
materially amended, altered or repealed in such manner, and (ii) if any
amendment, alteration or repeal would alter materially the rights,
preferences or powers of less than all the series of the Preferred Stocks,
the consent of only the Holders of at least two-thirds of the total number
of votes attributable to the outstanding shares of all series so affected,
voting as a class, shall be required.
Without the consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the
outstanding shares of each of the 4 1/2% Preferred Stock and 4 1/2%
Preferred Stock Series A and a majority of the outstanding shares
of each series of the Serial Preferred Stock, and so long as any
shares of the No Par Preferred Stock are outstanding, without the
consent of the Holders of atleast a majority of the total number of
votes attributable to the outstanding Preferred Stocks, voting
together as a class, FPL shall not (1) merge or consolidate
into any other corporation or dispose of substantially all of
the assets of FPL unless the merger, consolidation or disposition or
the exchange, issuance or assumption of all issued or assumed securities
have the approval of governmental regulatory bodies; (2) issue or assume
(except for refunding purposes) any unsecured indebtedness in the event the
total amount of all unsecured indebtedness would exceed 20% of the sum of
the secured indebtedness of FPL plus capital and surplus of FPL; (3) issue
any shares of the Preferred Stocks, or of any other class of stock ranking
prior to or on a parity with the Preferred Stocks as to dividends or
distributions, unless (a) net income (after depreciation and taxes) for a
period of twelve consecutive months within the fifteen months immediately
preceding the issuance of such shares is at least equal to twice the annual
dividend requirements on all outstanding shares of Preferred Stocks, and on
all other prior or parity stock, including the shares proposed to be
issued, and (b) gross income (after depreciation and taxes) for such period
shall have been 1.5 times the sum of annual interest charges on all
indebtedness and annual dividend requirements on the Preferred Stocks,
including the shares proposed to be issued, and on all other prior or
parity stock; or (4) issue any shares of the Preferred Stocks or of any
prior or parity stock unless the aggregate of common stock capital and
surplus shall be not less than the aggregate amount payable on the
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of FPL in respect of all
Preferred Stocks to be outstanding immediately thereafter and on all other
prior or parity stock.
LIQUIDATION RIGHTS
In the event of any voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of FPL, the $2.00 Preferred Stock, pari passu with all classes of Preferred
Stocks then outstanding, shall have a preference over each series of FPL's
Subordinated Preferred Stock (none of which has been issued or is
outstanding) and common stock until an amount equal to the then current
redemption price shall have been paid. In the event of any involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of FPL, the $2.00 Preferred Stock,
pari passu with all classes of Preferred Stocks then outstanding, shall
also have a preference over each series of FPL's Subordinated Preferred
Stock and common stock until the full involuntary liquidation value thereof
($25 per share) plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon shall
have been paid.
MISCELLANEOUS
The $2.00 Preferred Stock has no subscription rights, conversion
rights or preemptive rights.
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following summary describes certain United States federal income
tax consequences of the ownership of QUIDS as of the date hereof and
represents the opinion of Reid & Priest LLP, counsel to FPL, insofar as it
relates to matters of law or legal conclusions. Except where noted, it
deals only with QUIDS held as capital assets and acquired pursuant to the
Exchange Offer and does not deal with special situations, such as those of
dealers in securities or currencies, financial institutions, life insurance
companies, persons holding QUIDS as a part of a hedging or conversion
transaction or a straddle, United States Holders (as defined herein) whose
"functional currency" is not the U.S. dollar, or Non-United States Holders
(as defined herein) who own (actually or constructively) ten percent or
more of the combined voting power of all classes of voting stock of FPL,
who are present in the United States or who have any other special status
with respect to the United States. Furthermore, the discussion below is
based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as
of the date hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked or
modified so as to result in federal income tax consequences different from
those discussed below.
ALL HOLDERS OF $2.00 PREFERRED STOCK ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR
TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
EXCHANGE OF QUIDS FOR $2.00 PREFERRED STOCK AND OF THE OWNERSHIP AND
DISPOSITION OF QUIDS IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, AS WELL AS
THE EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
UNITED STATES HOLDERS
As used herein, a "United States Holder" means a Holder that is a
citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or
other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States
or any political subdivision thereof, or an estate or trust the income of
which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its
source. A "Non-United States Holder" is a Holder that is not a United
States Holder.
EXCHANGE OF QUIDS FOR $2.00 PREFERRED STOCK
The exchange of QUIDS for $2.00 Preferred Stock pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be a taxable transaction. In the case of a United
States Holder who owns (actually or constructively) solely $2.00 Preferred
Stock, or not more than one percent of the $2.00 Preferred Stock
outstanding and not more than one percent of any other class of FPL Capital
Stock, gain or loss will be recognized in an amount equal to the difference
between the fair market value of the QUIDS at the time of the exchange plus
the Payment in Lieu of Accumulated Dividends, and the exchanging Holder's
tax basis in the $2.00 Preferred Stock exchanged therefor and will be long-
term capital gain or loss if the $2.00 Preferred Stock has been held for
more than one year as of such date. A United States Holder's aggregate tax
basis in the QUIDS will be equal to the fair market value of the QUIDS at
the time of the exchange.
Holders of the $2.00 Preferred Stock owning (actually or
constructively) more than one percent of any class of FPL's stock are
advised to consult their own tax advisors as to the income tax consequences
of exchanging QUIDS for $2.00 Preferred Stock.
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, MARKET DISCOUNT AND ACQUISITION PREMIUM
Under the terms of the QUIDS, FPL has the option to defer payments of
interest for up to 20 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods and to
pay as a lump sum at the end of such period all of the interest that has
accrued during such period. Because of this option to extend the interest
payment periods, all of the stated interest payments on the QUIDS will be
treated as OID. As a result, United States Holders will be required to
accrue interest income even if they use the cash method of tax accounting.
In the event that the interest payment period is extended, a United States
Holder will be required to continue to include OID in income on an economic
accrual basis notwithstanding that FPL will not make any interest payments
on the QUIDS. In addition, the amount of OID will be increased or
decreased if the "issue price" of the QUIDS (fair market value at the time
of the exchange, which will not include the Payment in Lieu of Accumulated
Dividends ) is less than or greater than their stated principal amount.
It is anticipated that the issue price of the QUIDS will equal or
exceed their stated principal amount. In the event that the issue price of
the QUIDS is less than their stated principal amount, however, the Treasury
Regulations may be read to require a recalculation of the amount of OID for
each period that FPL does not exercise its right to extend the interest
payment. This recalculation could result in minor adjustments to the
amount of OID taxable to the Holders for such period.
To the extent a subsequent United States Holder acquires QUIDS at a
price that is less than their adjusted issue price (the fair market value
of the QUIDS at the time of the exchange, which does not include the
Payment in Lieu of Accumulated Dividends, adjusted for the accrual of OID
and interest payments), the Holder will have purchased such QUIDS at a
market discount. Under the market discount rules, a United States Holder
will be required to treat any principal payment on, or any gain on the
sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, QUIDS as ordinary
income to the extent of the market discount which has not previously been
included in income and is treated as having accrued on such QUIDS at the
time of such payment or disposition. Market discount accrues ratably, or,
at the election of the Holder, under a constant yield method over the
remaining term of the QUIDS. In addition, the United States Holder may be
required to defer, until the maturity of the QUIDS or their earlier
disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of all or a portion of
the interest expense on any indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase
or carry such QUIDS. In lieu of the foregoing, a Holder may elect to
include market discount in income currently as it accrues on all market
discount instruments acquired by such Holder in the taxable year of the
election or thereafter, in which case the interest deferral rule will not
apply.
A subsequent United States Holder that purchases QUIDS for an amount
that is greater than their adjusted issue price will be able to offset a
portion of such acquisition premium properly allocable to a taxable year
against the accrual of income on such QUIDS.
SALE, EXCHANGE AND RETIREMENT OF THE QUIDS
Upon the sale, exchange or retirement of QUIDS, a United States Holder
will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount
realized upon the sale, exchange or retirement and the adjusted tax basis
of the QUIDS. A United States Holder's adjusted tax basis in QUIDS will,
in general, be the United States Holder's initial basis therefor, increased
by OID or market discount previously included in income by the United
States Holder and reduced by any amortized premium and any cash payments on
the QUIDS. Except as described above with respect to market discount, such
gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital
gain or loss if at the time of sale, exchange or retirement, the QUIDS have
been held for more than one year. Under current law, net capital gains of
individuals are, under certain circumstances, taxed at lower rates than
items of ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject
to limitations.
NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS
Under present United States federal income and estate tax law, and
subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding:
(a) no withholding of United States federal income tax will be
required with respect to a Non-United States Holder upon the exchange of
the QUIDS for $2.00 Preferred Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer provided
such Holder proves, in a manner and under arrangements satisfactory to FPL
or its agents, that such Holder owns (actually or constructively) solely
$2.00 Preferred Stock, or not more than one percent of the $2.00 Preferred
Stock outstanding and not more than one percent of any other class of FPL's
stock, or that the exchange of QUIDS for $2.00 Preferred Stock otherwise
qualifies as a sale or exchange for United States federal income tax
purposes. If a non-United States Holder does not provide the proof
described in the preceding sentence, FPL will withhold federal income tax
at a rate of 30% of the gross proceeds paid to such Holder pursuant to the
Exchange Offer;
(b) no withholding of United States federal income tax will be
required with respect to the payment by FPL or any paying agent of
principal or interest (which for purposes of this discussion includes OID)
on QUIDS owned by a Non-United States Holder, provided (i) the beneficial
owner is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to FPL
through stock ownership and (ii) either (y) the beneficial owner certifies
to FPL or its agent, under the penalties of perjury, that it is not a U.S.
person, citizen or resident and provides its name and address or (z) a
financial institution holding the QUIDS on behalf of the beneficial owner
certifies, under penalties of perjury, that such statement has been
received by it and furnishes FPL or its agent with a copy thereof;
(c) no withholding of United States federal income tax will be
required with respect to any gain or income realized by a Non-United States
Holder upon the sale, exchange or retirement of QUIDS; and
(d) QUIDS beneficially owned by an individual who at the time of
death is a Non-United States Holder will not be subject to United States
federal estate tax as a result of such individual's death, provided that
the interest payments with respect to such QUIDS would not have been, if
received at the time of such individual's death, effectively connected with
the conduct of a trade or business by such individual in the United States
as provided under the Treasury Regulations.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to (i)
certain payments of principal, interest and OID paid on the QUIDS, (ii) the
gross proceeds from the exchange of the QUIDS for the $2.00 Preferred Stock
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, and (iii) the proceeds of sale of the QUIDS
made to United States Holders other than certain exempt recipients (such as
corporations). A 31% backup withholding tax will apply to payments
described in the preceding sentence if the United States Holder fails to
provide a taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status
or fails to report in full dividend and interest income.
No information reporting or backup withholding will be required with
respect to payments made by FPL or any paying agent to Non-United States
Holders if a statement described in (b) (ii) under "Non-United States
Holders" has been received and the payor does not have actual knowledge
that the beneficial owner is a United States person.
Payments of the proceeds from the sale by a Non-United States Holder
of QUIDS and the gross proceeds from the exchange of the QUIDS for the
$2.00 Preferred Stock pursuant to the Exchange Offer made to or through a
foreign office of a broker will not be subject to information reporting or
backup withholding, except that if the broker is, for federal income tax
purposes, a United States person, a controlled foreign corporation or a
foreign person that derives 50% or more of its gross income for certain
periods from the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, such
payments will not be subject to backup withholding but may be subject to
information reporting. Such payment of the proceeds of the sale of QUIDS
and the exchange of the QUIDS for $2.00 Preferred Stock to or through the
United States office of a broker is subject to information reporting and
backup withholding unless the Non-United States Holder or the beneficial
owner certifies as to its non-United States status or otherwise establishes
an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be
allowed as a refund or a credit against such Holder's United States federal
income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the
IRS.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the QUIDS will be passed upon for FPL by Steel Hector
& Davis, West Palm Beach, Florida, and Reid & Priest LLP, New York, New
York, co-counsel to FPL. Reid & Priest LLP may rely as to all matters of
Florida law on Steel Hector & Davis. Steel Hector & Davis may rely as to
all matters of New York law on Reid & Priest LLP. Statements as to U.S.
taxation in this Prospectus under the caption "Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Consequences" have been passed upon for FPL by Reid &
Priest LLP, counsel to FPL, and are stated herein on their authority.
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Dealer Managers by
Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus
by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1994 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Deloitte &
Touche LLP, independent auditors, given on the authority of said firm as
experts in auditing and accounting.
Facsimile copies of the Letter of Transmittal will be accepted.
Letters of Transmittal, certificates representing shares of $2.00 Preferred
Stock, Notices of Guaranteed Delivery and any other required documents,
should be sent by each shareholder or his broker, dealer, commercial bank,
trust company or other nominee to the Exchange Agent at one of the
addresses as set forth below:
The Exchange Agent is:
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)
BY HAND: BY OVERNIGHT COURIER:
Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. c/o Chase Securities Processing Corp.
(New York City Time) Ft. Lee Executive Park
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza (Floor 1-B) 1 Executive Drive (6th Floor)
Nassau and Liberty Streets Ft. Lee, New Jersey 07024
New York, New York 10081
BY MAIL:
Box 3032
4 Chase MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, New York 11245
Facsimile Transmission
(201) 592-4372
(For Eligible Institutions Only)
Confirm Receipt of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery by Telephone:
(201) 592-4370
Shareholder Inquiries:
(800) 355-2663 (Toll Free)
Any questions or requests for assistance or additional copies of this
Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
may be directed to the Information Agent or the Dealer Managers at their
respective telephone numbers and locations set forth below. You may also
contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company or other
nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange Offer.
The Information Agent is:
GEORGESON
& COMPANY INC.
Wall Street Plaza
New York, New York 10005
Banks and Brokers call collect:
(212) 440-9800
All others call toll-free:
(800) 223-2064
The Dealer Managers for the Exchange Offer are:
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. LEHMAN BROTHERS
85 Broad Street 3 World Financial Center
New York, New York 10004 New York, New York 10285
(800) 828-3182 (Toll Free) (800) 438-3242 (Toll Free)
SMITH BARNEY INC.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
(800) 813-3754 (Toll Free)