<PAGE>
This filing is made pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
under the Securities Act of 1933
in connection with Registration No. 33-64987
$36,000,000
KENTUCKY UTILITIES COMPANY
FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS, SERIES S, 5.99%, DUE JANUARY 15, 2006
The First Mortgage Bonds, Series S, 5.99%, due January 15, 2006 (the
"Bonds") are being offered by Kentucky Utilities Company. The Bonds will
mature on January 15, 2006. Interest on the Bonds is payable semi-annually on
January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 1996. The Bonds are
not subject to redemption prior to maturity.
The Bonds will be represented by a single Global Security registered in the
name of a nominee of The Depository Trust Company, as depository. Interests in
the Global Security will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected
only through, records maintained by the Depository and its participants. See
"Book-Entry System."
----------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INITIAL PUBLIC UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
OFFERING PRICE(1) COMMISSION(2) COMPANY(1)(3)
----------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Bond.......................... 100% .650% 99.35%
Total............................. $36,000,000 $234,000 $35,766,000
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Plus accrued interest from January 15, 1996.
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company, estimated at $190,000.
----------------
The Bonds are offered severally by the Underwriters, as specified herein,
subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their right to reject
any order in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of the Bonds will
be made in book-entry form only through the facilities of DTC in New York, New
York, on or about January 24, 1996.
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. J.J.B. HILLIARD, W.L. LYONS, INC.
----------------
The date of this Prospectus is January 18, 1996.
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company 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 the Company may be inspected and copied, at prescribed rates, at the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at its regional offices located at 500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center,
New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549 at
prescribed rates. In addition, reports, proxy statements and other information
concerning the Company may be inspected at the office of the Philadelphia
Stock Exchange, 1900 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. The
Company is not required to, and does not, provide annual reports to holders of
its debt securities unless specifically requested by a holder.
The Company has filed a Registration Statement with the Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the
Bonds. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in
such Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the Commission. Reference is made to such
Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto for further information with
respect to the Company and the Bonds.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1994 (the "1994 Form 10-K"), Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters
ended March 31, 1995, June 30, 1995 and September 30, 1995 (as amended by Form
10-QA dated December 19, 1995) and Current Report on Form 8-K dated January
18, 1996, filed by the Company with the Commission are incorporated in this
Prospectus by reference and are made a part hereof. All documents subsequently
filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination
of the offering made by this Prospectus, shall be deemed to be incorporated in
this Prospectus by reference and to be a part hereof from the respective dates
of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement in
this Prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or
is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not
be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral
request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents that have been
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference, other than exhibits to such
documents that have not been specifically incorporated by reference herein or
therein. Requests should be directed to O.M. Goodlett, Senior Vice President,
Kentucky Utilities Company, One Quality Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40507,
606/255-2100.
----------------
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE BONDS OFFERED
HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET.
SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
2
<PAGE>
SELECTED INFORMATION
The following information is qualified in its entirety by the detailed
information and the financial statements and notes appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus or in the documents incorporated in this Prospectus by reference.
THE OFFERING
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Securities Offered................. $36,000,000 of First Mortgage Bonds, Series
S, 5.99%, due January 15, 2006
Maturity Date...................... January 15, 2006
Interest Payment Dates............. January 15 and July 15
Mandatory Redemption............... None
Optional Redemption................ None
Use of Proceeds.................... To retire (through redemption, purchase or
otherwise) the Company's $35,500,000 First
Mortgage Bonds, Series K, 7 3/8%, due
December 1, 2002 (the "Prior Bonds")
THE COMPANY
Business........................... Electric utility
Service area....................... Central, southeastern and western Kentucky
and southwestern Virginia
Estimated Population of Service
Area.............................. Approximately 1,000,000
Customers.......................... Approximately 454,100
Sources of KWH Generation for year
ended December 31, 1995........... 99% coal and 1% other
Estimated 1996-2000 Construction
Expenditures (including
Environmental Compliance
Expenditures of approximately $10
million).......................... $541 million
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE>
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
12 MONTHS
ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------- 1995
1992 1993 1994 (UNAUDITED)
-------- -------- -------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECTED INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Operating Revenues.................... $575,821 $606,588 $636,652 $686,430
Income Before Interest Charges........ $117,213 $114,000 $111,579 $116,849
Net Income............................ $ 76,298 $ 81,286 $ 77,512 $ 76,842
</TABLE>
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (UNAUDITED):
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing earnings by
fixed charges. Earnings consist of net income plus fixed charges, current
income taxes, deferred income taxes-net and deferred investment tax credit-net
and excludes undistributed earnings of an equity investment. Fixed charges
consist of interest on long-term debt (net of amortization and debt discount,
premium and expense) and other interest charges.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
12 MONTHS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED
------------------------ DECEMBER 31,
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges.......................... 4.27 4.38 3.80 4.82 4.46 3.94
</TABLE>
CAPITALIZATION (UNAUDITED):
Capitalization of the Company as of December 31, 1995, as adjusted, gives
effect to the sale of the Bonds and the use of the estimated net proceeds
thereof to retire the Prior Bonds.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1995
--------------------- % OF
AS CAPITALIZATION
ACTUAL ADJUSTED AS ADJUSTED
---------- ---------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Long-Term Debt, including
unamortized premium............... $ 546,001 $ 546,501 47.0
Preferred Stock.................... 40,000 40,000 3.4
Common Stock Equity................ 576,537 576,537 49.6
---------- ---------- -----
Total Capitalization........... $1,162,538 $1,163,038 100.0%
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
THE COMPANY
Kentucky Utilities Company, a Kentucky and Virginia corporation (the
"Company"), is a public utility engaged in producing and selling electric
energy. The Company provides electric service to about 425,500 customers in 77
counties in Kentucky and about 28,600 customers in five counties in
southwestern Virginia. The largest city served is Lexington, Kentucky. The
territory served includes most of the Blue Grass Region in central Kentucky
and parts of the coal mining areas in southeastern and western Kentucky and
southwestern Virginia. Lexington is the center of the Blue Grass Region, in
which thoroughbred horse, burley tobacco and bourbon whiskey distilling
industries are located. KU Energy Corporation, a publicly owned holding
company, is the owner of all of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company.
The Company's executive offices are located at One Quality Street, Lexington,
Kentucky 40507, and its telephone number is 606/255-2100.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Bonds will be used to
retire (through redemption, purchase or otherwise) the Prior Bonds. Any Prior
Bonds purchased will be purchased at a price not in excess of the then-current
redemption price applicable to the Prior Bonds. In case of the redemption or
purchase of Prior Bonds, proceeds of the Bonds may be applied to pay any
redemption premium or purchase price in excess of the principal amount.
DESCRIPTION OF BONDS
GENERAL
The Bonds will be issued as an additional series under, and secured by, the
Indenture of Trust dated May 1, 1947, as amended and supplemented, and as to
be further amended by a supplemental indenture to be entered into in
connection with the Bonds (the "New Supplemental Indenture"), between the
Company and First Trust of Illinois, National Association, Chicago, Illinois,
as successor to Bank of America Illinois (the "Trustee"), and an individual
successor Co-Trustee (collectively, the "Trustees"). The Indenture of Trust
and the New Supplemental Indenture, copies of which are filed as exhibits to
the Registration Statement, are herein called the "Indenture."
The Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and is
incorporated herein by reference. The following statements, unless the context
otherwise indicates, are brief summaries of the substance or general effect of
certain provisions of the Indenture. The statements make use of defined terms
and are not complete; they are subject to all the provisions of the Indenture
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Indenture.
The Bonds will be limited to $36,000,000 in aggregate principal amount. The
Bonds will mature on January 15, 2006 and bear interest at the rate of 5.99%
per annum. Interest on the Bonds will accrue from January 15, 1996, and will
be payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15, commencing July 15, 1996.
Subject to certain exceptions, the New Supplemental Indenture provides for the
payment of interest on each interest payment date only to persons in whose
names the Bonds are registered on the applicable record date (the immediately
preceding January 1 or July 1). See "Book-Entry System."
The holders of the outstanding first mortgage bonds do not have the right to
tender such first mortgage bonds to the Company for repurchase upon the
Company or KU Energy Corporation becoming involved in a highly leveraged or
change in control transaction. The Indenture does not have any provision which
is designed specifically in response to highly leveraged or change in control
transactions. However, bondholders would have the security afforded by the
first mortgage lien on substantially all the Company's property as described
under "Security" below. In addition, any change in control transaction and any
incurrence of additional indebtedness (as first mortgage bonds or
5
<PAGE>
otherwise) by the Company in such a transaction would require approval of
state utility regulatory authorities and, possibly, of federal utility
regulatory authorities. Management believes that such approvals would be
unlikely in any transaction which would result in the Company, or a successor
to the Company, having a highly leveraged capital structure.
Except as otherwise provided below under "Book-Entry System," principal and
interest on the Bonds will be payable in Chicago, Illinois, or New York, New
York and interest will be payable, at the option of the Company, by check
mailed to the registered owners of the Bonds and the Bonds will be issued only
in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 each or
any integral multiple thereof. Transfers and exchanges of Bonds for other
registered Bonds will be made without charge other than for any taxes or other
governmental charges. The Company will not be required to transfer, exchange
or register Bonds during the 10 days next preceding an interest payment date
applicable to such Bonds. See "Book-Entry System."
At December 31, 1995, the Company had outstanding $542,630,000 in principal
amount of first mortgage bonds issued under the Indenture. Bonds may be
authenticated against an equal principal amount of first mortgage bonds which
have been retired and/or in an amount equal to 60% of net expenditures for
bondable property not theretofore bonded. At December 31, 1995, the principal
amount of retired first mortgage bonds available as a basis for authenticating
additional first mortgage bonds aggregated $36,700,000 and unbonded net
expenditures for bondable property aggregated not less than $390,600,000. See
"Issuance of Additional Bonds" below. For the five year period ended December
31, 1995, gross additions to the utility properties of the Company aggregated
about $649,443,000. Gross retirements for such period were about $55,747,000.
DEBT RETIREMENT
Neither the Bonds nor any series of first mortgage bonds to be outstanding
upon retirement of the Prior Bonds are entitled to any covenant providing for
the retirement or amortization of bonds outstanding or for the certification
of expenditures for bondable property in lieu of such retirement.
REDEMPTION
The Bonds are not subject to redemption prior to maturity for any purpose.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
With respect to the Company's first mortgage bonds of all prior series
issued under the Indenture (other than pollution control series Nos. 7, 8, 1B,
2B, 3B, 4B, 9 and 10), the Indenture provides that so long as such first
mortgage bonds are outstanding, and the New Supplemental Indenture will
provide that, so long as the Bonds are outstanding, the Company will expend
during each calendar year, and certify to the Trustees, an amount equal to 15%
of its utility operating revenues for such year, after deducting from such
revenues the cost of electricity, gas and water purchased for exchange or
resale, for (1) the maintenance and repair of its utility properties, (2)
bondable property on which the Indenture is a first mortgage lien, and/or (3)
the retirement of the Company's first mortgage bonds of any series heretofore
or hereafter issued under the Indenture. In lieu of such requirement, the
Company may pay to the Trustees, in cash, any deficiency in the amount
required to be so expended, after deducting any unapplied excess expenditures
previously made for any of such purposes. Any such cash may be applied to the
retirement, through purchase, payment or redemption, of the Company's first
mortgage bonds (such retirement by redemption to be only if such first
mortgage bonds are otherwise redeemable) or be withdrawn by the Company to the
extent of 100% of either gross or net expenditures for bondable property on
which the Indenture is a first mortgage lien. There is no requirement under
the Indenture that future series of the Company's first mortgage bonds be
entitled to a maintenance or repair covenant.
6
<PAGE>
The Indenture also provides that (i) the Company shall maintain the
mortgaged properties in good repair and working order, (ii) the Trustee may,
and if requested by holders of a majority in principal amount of all
outstanding first mortgage bonds of the Company and furnished with the
necessary funds therefor shall, cause such properties to be inspected by an
independent engineer (not more often than at five-year intervals) to determine
whether they have been so maintained and whether any property, not retired on
the Company's books, should be so classified for the purpose of computing net
expenditures for bondable property or otherwise, and (iii) the Company shall
make good any deficiency in maintenance disclosed by such engineer's report as
rendered or as modified by arbitration.
SECURITY
The Bonds will be secured by the lien of the Indenture and will rank equally
with all the Company's first mortgage bonds at any time outstanding under and
secured by the Indenture, except as to differences between series permitted by
the Indenture and not affecting the rank of the lien thereof. In the opinion
of Ogden Newell & Welch, Louisville, Kentucky, counsel for the Company, the
Indenture constitutes a first mortgage lien, subject only to permitted
encumbrances and liens and prepaid liens, on all or substantially all the
permanent fixed properties now owned by the Company. One small hydroelectric
generating station is located on land owned by the United States and is
operated under an annually renewable license; a few small substations are
maintained on land over which the Company holds easements; and certain of the
electric transmission lines and distribution lines are installed on public
streets, alleys and highways or are located on easements or rights-of-way.
With respect to property located in Virginia, no examination of underlying
titles as to easements or rights-of-way for transmission or distribution lines
has been made, but, should the rights of the Company in this respect be
questioned, valid easements and rights-of-way in Virginia may, in the opinion
of counsel, be acquired from private property owners by condemnation
proceedings. The Indenture contains provisions subjecting after-acquired
property, other than excepted property, to the lien thereof. Such provisions
might not be effective (i) as to proceeds, products, rents, issues or profits
of property subject to the lien of the Indenture realized, and additional
property acquired, within 90 days prior and subsequent to the filing of a case
with respect to the Company under the United States Bankruptcy Code, state
insolvency laws or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights and (ii) with respect to property located in Virginia not so affixed to
other property as to become subject to the lien of the Indenture without
resort to the after-acquired property provisions, the lien may be defeated,
until recordation of a further supplemental indenture conveying such property
to the Trustees after its acquisition, (a) by the intervention of bankruptcy
proceedings or (b) by the attachment of a judgment lien or by sale to
purchasers for value without notice. The Indenture excepts or excludes from
the lien thereof all cash, securities, accounts and bills receivable, choses
in action and certain judgments not deposited or pledged with the Trustees,
certain personal property held for sale, lease, rental or consumption in the
ordinary course of business, the last day of each term under any lease of
property, all gas, oil and other minerals under any property subject thtereto,
and certain real estate described therein.
ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL BONDS
The Indenture does not fix an overall dollar limitation on the aggregate
principal amount of first mortgage bonds that may be issued or outstanding
thereunder. First mortgage bonds may be issued from time to time under the
Indenture in a principal amount equal to: (a) 60% of eligible net expenditures
made by the Company for bondable property constructed or acquired by it and on
which the Indenture is a first mortgage lien, subject only to permitted
encumbrances and liens and prepaid liens, (b) the principal amount of
previously authenticated first mortgage bonds which have been retired or for
the retirement of which the Trustee holds the necessary funds, other than
certain first mortgage bonds not usable for the purpose under the terms of the
Indenture, and (c) the amount of money deposited with the Trustee for the
purpose, which money may be applied to the retirement of the
7
<PAGE>
Company's first mortgage bonds or may be withdrawn in lieu of the
authentication of an equivalent principal amount of first mortgage bonds under
the Indenture provisions referred to in clauses (a) and (b). Net expenditures
for bondable property are determined as provided in the Indenture. In general,
bondable property means any utility plant, property or equipment owned by the
Company and used or useful in its utility business.
No additional first mortgage bonds may be authenticated under the Indenture
provisions referred to in clauses (a) and (c) above, or authenticated as
provided in clause (b) above, bearing a higher rate of interest than the first
mortgage bonds to be retired (unless such first mortgage bonds to be retired
would mature within five years), unless the Company's net earnings (as
described below) for a 12-month period ending within 90 days next preceding
such authentication were at least equal to twice the interest for one year on
(1) all first mortgage bonds to be outstanding under the Indenture immediately
after such authentication, other than first mortgage bonds for the retirement
of which the Trustee hold the necessary funds, and (2) all other indebtedness
then secured by a lien equal or prior to the Indenture on property of the
Company, with certain exceptions.
Net earnings of the Company for any period are determined under the
Indenture by deducting from the total gross earnings and income of the Company
for the period, all its operating expenses for the period, including current
maintenance and repairs, rentals, insurance, taxes other than income taxes,
and all charges or provisions for depreciation, retirements, renewals and
replacements, but not amortization, computed as provided in the Indenture. The
Indenture presently provides that in computing net earnings, the amounts to be
deducted for maintenance and repairs, and for charges or provisions for
depreciation, retirements, renewals and replacements, shall aggregate not less
than 15% of the Company's utility operating revenues for the period, after
deducting from such revenues the cost of electricity, gas and water purchased
for resale. By a supplemental indenture dated May 1, 1991, the Indenture was
amended to provide in effect that, upon the effectiveness of the amendment as
described below, in computing net earnings for any period, the amounts to be
deducted for charges or provisions for maintenance and repairs, and for
depreciation, retirements, renewals and replacements, shall aggregate not less
than an amount equal to 2 1/4% of the arithmetical average of the amount of
depreciable bondable property (as defined in the Indenture) at the beginning
and at the end of such period. Until the foregoing amendment is effective,
upon the retirement or with the consent of the holders of the Prior Bonds and
all the Company's first mortgage bonds, pollution control series No. 7, the
Company will be required to comply with the Indenture requirements as to the
method of computing net earnings, without regard to such amendment. Holders of
the Bonds, holders of the Company's first mortgage bonds, series P, Q and R
and pollution control series Nos. 8, 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 9 and 10 and holders of
the Company's first mortgage bonds of subsequent series will be bound by the
foregoing amendment when it becomes effective as described.
ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY SUBJECT TO A PRIOR LIEN
The Indenture presently provides in effect that the Company will not acquire
any property of a value in excess of $500,000 which at the time of acquisition
is subject to a lien equal or prior to the Indenture (other than permitted
encumbrances and liens and prepaid liens) unless, at that time, (a) the
principal amount of all outstanding obligations secured by such equal or prior
lien shall not exceed 60% of the fair value of any bondable property so
acquired and (b) the net earnings of such property during a 12-month period
ending within 90 days next preceding such acquisition were at least equal to
twice the annual interest charge on such obligations, except any of such
obligations owed by the Company or for the retirement of which the necessary
funds are deposited under such lien or with the Trustee. By supplemental
indenture dated May 15, 1992, the Indenture was amended to provide that, upon
the effectiveness of such amendment as described below, the dollar amount
referred to above shall be the lesser of (i) $25,000,000 or (ii) 10 percent of
utility plant less accumulated depreciation of the Company at the time of
acquisition, but in no event less than $500,000. Such amendment will be
effective upon
8
<PAGE>
the retirement or with the consent of the holders of the Prior Bonds and all
the Company's first mortgage bonds, pollution control series Nos. 7 and 8. The
foregoing covenant, as amended as described above, will be extended to the
Bonds. Holders of the Bonds, holders of the Company's first mortgage bonds,
series P, Q and R and pollution control series Nos. 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 9 and 10
and holders of first mortgage bonds of subsequent series will be bound by the
foregoing amendment when it becomes effective as described.
LIMITATIONS ON COMMON STOCK DIVIDENDS
The Bonds are not entitled to any covenant restricting payment of dividends
on the Company's common stock. However, the Indenture provides in effect that,
so long as the Prior Bonds and any first mortgage bonds, pollution control
series No. 7 are outstanding thereunder, the Company will not declare or pay
any dividends on its common stock (other than in stock), or make any other
distribution on or purchase any of its common stock, unless, for the period
beginning May 1, 1947 to the date of such payment, distribution or purchase,
the total amount expended by the Company for maintenance and repairs and
provided for depreciation of properties subject to the lien of the Indenture,
plus the earned surplus (retained earnings) of the Company earned during such
period and remaining after any such payment, distribution or purchase, shall
aggregate not less than 15% of the Company's total utility operating revenues
for the period, after deducting from such revenues the cost of electricity,
gas and water purchased for exchange or resale. For the period May 1, 1947 to
December 31, 1995, the total of the amounts so expended and provided by the
Company for such maintenance, repairs and depreciation, plus the undistributed
earned surplus accumulated during the period, aggregated about 21% of such
revenues and, exclusive of such earned surplus, aggregated about 18% of such
revenues. The Company's first mortgage bonds, series P, Q and R and pollution
control series Nos. 8, 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 9 and 10 are not entitled to the
benefit of any covenant restricting the payment of dividends on the Company's
common stock. First mortgage bonds of the Company may be issued in the future
which are entitled to the benefits of more stringent or less stringent
covenants with respect to payments of dividends by the Company, or may be
entitled to no such covenants.
MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE
The terms and provisions of the Indenture may be modified or amended from
time to time by a supplemental indenture executed by the Company and the
Trustees and without the consent of bondholders, for any one or more of the
purposes provided in the Indenture. Such purposes include, among others, (1)
any change or modification of any of the terms or conditions of the Indenture,
provided that such change or modification would not adversely affect the first
mortgage bonds then outstanding under the Indenture and is made effective only
with respect to first mortgage bonds authenticated under the Indenture after
the execution of such supplemental indenture and (2) any other change or
modification of such terms or conditions which is not inconsistent with the
terms, and which shall not impair the security, of the Indenture.
By supplemental indenture dated August 1, 1979, the Indenture was amended to
provide that upon the effectiveness of such amendment as described below the
Indenture may be amended in any respect with the consent of the holders of not
less than 66 2/3% in principal amount of all of the Company's first mortgage
bonds of all series then outstanding under the Indenture that would be
affected thereby, except that, without the consent of the holder of each
outstanding first mortgage bond affected thereby, no such amendment shall,
among other things, (i) extend the time or times or otherwise affect the terms
of payment of the principal, interest or premium in respect of any first
mortgage bond, or reduce the principal amount of any first mortgage bond or
any premium thereon or the rate of interest thereon, (ii) impair the right of
any bondholder to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment in
respect of his first mortgage bonds, (iii) permit the creation of any lien
ranking prior to, or on a parity with, the lien of the Indenture, other than
permitted encumbrances and liens or
9
<PAGE>
prepaid liens, (iv) deprive any nonassenting bondholder of a lien on the
mortgaged property for the security of his first mortgage bonds or (v) reduce
the percentage in principal amount of first mortgage bonds, the consent of the
holders of which is required for any such amendment. Such amendment will be
effective upon the retirement or with the consent of the holders of the Prior
Bonds. The foregoing amendment is binding upon holders of the Bonds, holders
of the first mortgage bonds, series P, Q and R and pollution control series
Nos. 7, 8, 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 9 and 10 and holders of first mortgage bonds of
subsequent series.
By supplemental indenture dated May 15, 1992, the Indenture was further
amended to provide that upon the effectiveness of such amendment as described
below the percentage of bondholders necessary to consent to amendments shall
be 51% (instead of 66 2/3% as described above). Such amendment will be
effective upon (i) the effectiveness of the amendment included in the
supplemental indenture of August 1, 1979 described above and (ii) the
retirement or with the consent of the holders of all the Company's first
mortgage bonds, pollution control series Nos. 7 and 8. Holders of the Bonds
and holders of first mortgage bonds, series P, Q and R and pollution control
series Nos. 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 9 and 10 and holders of first mortgage bonds of
subsequent series will be bound by the foregoing amendment when it becomes
effective as described.
OTHER INDENTURE PROVISIONS
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the first mortgage bonds
secured by the Indenture have the right to direct the time, method and place
of conducting proceedings for remedies available to, or exercising any trust
or power of, the Trustees. However, the Trustees may decline to follow such
directions in certain circumstances specified in the Indenture; the Trustees
are not required to exercise powers of entry or sale under the Indenture; and
the Trustees are entitled to be indemnified against expenditures incurred in
connection with taking any directed action or proceeding.
A "default" or an "event of default" under the Indenture means: (a) failure
to pay the principal of any first mortgage bond of the Company when due at
maturity or otherwise; (b) failure to pay first mortgage bond interest within
60 days after its due date; (c) failure to pay the principal of, or interest
on, any prior lien bond, continued beyond the grace period (if any) specified
in the lien securing such bond and also continued beyond 30 days after written
notice to the Company of such failure; (d) failure of the Company for 90 days
after written demand to comply with any other covenant or condition in the
Indenture or in any first mortgage bond or any prior lien bond or lien; or (e)
certain events relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, assignment or receivership.
The Trustees are required to give notice to bondholders of defaults known to
the Trustees, within 90 days after the occurrence thereof; provided that the
Trustees may withhold giving notice to bondholders of defaults (other than any
default in payment of interest, principal or sinking or purchase fund
installment in respect of any first mortgage bond secured by the Indenture) if
the Trustees determine in good faith that such withholding is in the interest
of the bondholders. Upon default, the Trustees may, among other remedies, and
upon written notice from the holders of a majority in principal amount of
first mortgage bonds then outstanding under the Indenture shall, declare the
principal of all first mortgage bonds to be immediately due and payable. Upon
certain terms and conditions, the declaration of acceleration may be rescinded
and waived.
The Company is required to furnish to the Trustees certificates of officers
and engineers and, in certain cases, of accountants in connection with the
authentication of first mortgage bonds, withdrawal of money, release of
property and other matters, and opinions of counsel as to the lien of the
Indenture and other matters. The Company also is required to furnish the
Trustee, not less frequently than annually, a certificate as to the Company's
compliance with the terms of the Indenture, including the satisfaction of the
maintenance and renewal and the debt retirement provisions of the Indenture,
and an opinion of counsel with respect to the lien of the Indenture.
10
<PAGE>
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
The Bonds, as issued initially, will be represented by one fully-registered
global security (the "Global Security"). The Global Security will be deposited
with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), or its successor
as depository (the "Depository"), and registered in the name of the Depository
or a nominee of the Depository.
So long as the Depository, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the
Global Security, such Depository or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the owner of such Global Security for all purposes, including any
notices and voting. Except in the circumstances described below, the owners of
beneficial interests in the Global Security will not be entitled to have any
individual Bonds registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of any such Bonds and will not be considered the
owners of Bonds under the Indenture. Accordingly, each person holding a
beneficial interest in the Global Security must rely on the procedures of the
Depository and, if such person is not a Direct Participant (as herein
defined), on procedures of the Direct Participant through which such person
holds its interest, to exercise any of the rights of a registered owner of
such Bond.
If the Depository is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as
depository and a successor depository is not appointed, the Company will issue
individual securities in certificated form ("Certificated Securities") in
exchange for the Global Security or Global Securities representing the
corresponding book-entry Bonds represented by one or more Global Securities
and, in such event, will issue Certificated Securities in exchange for the
Global Securities representing the corresponding book-entry Bonds. Further, in
such event, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security
representing book-entry Bonds may, on terms acceptable to the Company and the
Depository for such Global Security, receive such book-entry Bonds as
Certificated Securities. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial
interest in a Global Security representing book-entry Bonds will be entitled
to physical delivery of individual Certificated Securities equal in principal
amount to such beneficial interest and to have such Certificated Securities
registered in the name of such owner. Certificated Securities will be issued
as registered Bonds in denominations of $1,000. See "Description of Bonds--
General."
The following is based solely on information furnished by DTC:
DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking
Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law,
a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds securities that its participants
("Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among
Participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in
deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in
Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
securities certificates.
Direct Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is
owned by a number of its Direct Participants and by the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to
others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks, and trust companies that
clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant,
either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable
to DTC and its Participants are on file with the Commission.
Purchases of Global Securities under the DTC system must be made by or
through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for such purchases of
Global Securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual
purchaser of each Global Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to
11
<PAGE>
be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial
Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but
Beneficial Owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing
details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings,
from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner
entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the Global
Securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Participants
acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive
certificates representing their ownership interests in the Global Securities,
except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the Global
Securities is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Global Securities deposited by
Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's partnership nominee,
Cede & Co. The deposit of Global Securities with DTC and their registration in
the name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no
knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Global Securities; DTC's
records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts
such Global Securities are credited which may or may not be the Beneficial
Owners. The Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their
holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed
by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
If the Global Securities are redeemable, redemption notices shall be sent to
Cede & Co. If less than all of the Global Securities are being redeemed, DTC's
practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct
Participant in such issue to be redeemed.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will consent or vote with respect to the Global
Securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy to the
Company as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns
Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants whose
accounts the Global Securities are credited on the record date (identified in
a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).
Principal and interest payments on the Global Securities will be made to
DTC. DTC's practice is to credit Direct Participants' accounts on the date on
which interest is payable in accordance with the respective holdings shown on
DTC's records, unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive
payment on such date. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with
securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in
"street name," and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of
DTC, the Trustee, or the Company, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal and
interest on Bonds represented by Global Securities to DTC is the
responsibility of the Company and the Trustee. Disbursement of such payments
to Direct Participants shall be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of
such payments to the Beneficial Owners shall be the responsibility of Direct
and Indirect Participants.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with
respect to the Global Securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to
the Company and the Trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a
successor securities depository is not obtained, Bonds in certificated form
are required to be printed and delivered. The Company may decide to
discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a
successor securities depository). In that event, Bonds in certificated form
are required to be printed and delivered.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources (including DTC) that the Company believes to be
reliable, but the Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
12
<PAGE>
The Underwriters are Direct Participants of DTC.
NONE OF THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE, OR ANY AGENT FOR PAYMENT ON OR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE OF ANY GLOBAL SECURITY WILL HAVE ANY
RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ASPECT OF THE RECORDS RELATING TO OR
PAYMENTS MADE ON ACCOUNT OF BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN SUCH GLOBAL SECURITY OR
FOR MAINTAINING, SUPERVISING OR REVIEWING ANY RECORDS RELATING TO SUCH
BENEFICIAL INTERESTS.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the Bonds will be passed upon for the Company by Jones, Day,
Reavis & Pogue, 77 West Wacker, Chicago, Illinois 60601-1692, and Ogden Newell
& Welch, 1200 One Riverfront Plaza, Louisville, Kentucky 40202. Certain legal
matters will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Cravath, Swaine & Moore,
825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10019.
The Company is advised that as of September 30, 1995 members of Ogden Newell
& Welch owned 13,987 shares of common stock of KU Energy Corporation.
The statements as to matters of law or legal conclusions with respect to the
jurisdiction of certain federal regulatory commissions expressed under Item 1,
Business--Regulation in the 1994 Form 10-K have been prepared or reviewed by
Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue. The statements as to matters of law or legal
conclusions (a) relating to the jurisdiction of certain state regulatory
commissions, expressed under Item 1, Business--Regulation in the 1994 Form 10-
K, (b) relating to the Company's compliance with environmental standards and
regulations expressed under Item 1, Business--Environmental Matters in the
1994 Form 10-K and (c) expressed under "Description of Bonds--Security" in
this Prospectus, have been prepared or reviewed by Ogden Newell & Welch. Such
statements are made upon the authority of such counsel, who have given their
opinions that such statements as to such matters are correct.
EXPERTS
The audited financial statements and financial statement schedule of the
Company included in the 1994 Form 10-K and incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement, have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
report with respect thereto, and are incorporated by reference herein in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said report.
13
<PAGE>
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement,
the Company has agreed to sell to each of the Underwriters named below, and
each of the Underwriters has severally agreed to purchase, the principal
amount of the Bonds set forth opposite its name below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT OF
UNDERWRITER BONDS
----------- -----------
<S> <C>
Goldman, Sachs & Co.......................................... $24,000,000
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc............................. 12,000,000
-----------
Total.................................................... $36,000,000
===========
</TABLE>
Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the Bonds, if any are
taken.
The Underwriters propose to offer the Bonds in part directly to the public
at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus and in part to certain securities dealers at such price less a
concession of .400% of the principal amount of the Bonds. The Underwriters may
allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not to exceed .250% of the
principal amount of the Bonds to certain brokers and dealers. After the Bonds
are released for sale to the public, the offering price and other selling
terms may from time to time be varied by the Underwriters.
The Bonds are a new issue of securities with no established trading market.
The Bonds will not be listed on any national securities exchange. The Company
has been advised by the Underwriters that the Underwriters intend to make a
market in the Bonds but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market
making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the
liquidity of the trading market for the Bonds.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
14
<PAGE>
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NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESEN-
TATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AU-
THORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICI-
TATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN
THIS PROSPECTUS OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH
SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAW-
FUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL,
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE OF SUCH INFORMATION.
-----------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Available Information...................................................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.......................... 2
Selected Information....................................................... 3
The Company................................................................ 5
Use of Proceeds............................................................ 5
Description of Bonds....................................................... 5
Book-Entry System.......................................................... 11
Legal Opinions............................................................. 13
Experts.................................................................... 13
Underwriting............................................................... 14
</TABLE>
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$36,000,000
KENTUCKY UTILITIES COMPANY
FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS,
SERIES S, 5.99%,
DUE JANUARY 15, 2006
-----------
PROSPECTUS
-----------
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
J.J.B. HILLIARD,
W.L. LYONS, INC.
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