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PROSPECTUS Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(B)(3)
Registration No. 333-76541
[LOGO OF NATIONAL STEEL APPEARS HERE]
National Steel Corporation
Offer to Exchange Our
First Mortgage Bonds, 9 7/8% Series D due 2009
for any or all of our
First Mortgage Bonds, 9 7/8% Series A due 2009
and
First Mortgage Bonds, 9 7/8% Series C due 2009
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The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m. New York time, on June 16, 1999
unless extended.
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Terms of the exchange offer:
. We will exchange all original bonds that are validly tendered and not
withdrawn prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.
. You may withdraw tendered original bonds at any time prior to the expiration
of the exchange offer.
. We believe that the exchange of original bonds will not be a taxable exchange
for United States federal income tax purposes, but you should see the section
entitled "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations" on page 56 for more
information.
. The terms of the exchange bonds to be issued are substantially identical to
the terms of the original bonds, except for certain transfer restrictions and
registration rights relating to the original bonds.
. We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer.
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Investing in the exchange bonds involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning
on page 7 for a discussion of the risks that you should consider prior to
tendering your original bonds for exchange.
------------
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the
adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.
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May 14, 1999.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 1
The Exchange Offer...................................................... 1
Summary Description of Exchange Bonds................................... 2
Summary of Our Business................................................. 4
Summary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data................ 5
RISK FACTORS.............................................................. 7
Risk Factors Relating to the Exchange Offer............................. 7
If you do not exchange your bonds in the exchange offer, you may not
be able to ever sell them............................................ 7
You cannot be sure that an active trading market will develop for
these bonds.......................................................... 7
Risk Factors Relating to the bonds...................................... 7
Not all of our property secures the bonds............................. 7
The value of the mortgaged property has not been independently
determined and cannot be guaranteed in the event of a liquidation.... 7
You may be limited in your rights to claim the mortgaged property by
bankruptcy law....................................................... 8
We may be inadequately insured to protect the value of the mortgaged
property............................................................. 8
You may not be able to direct the trustee to exercise the rights and
remedies under the indenture in the event of a default............... 8
Risk Factors Relating to National Steel................................. 9
We rely heavily on the automotive industry to purchase our products... 9
Our labor agreements expire this year, and we may not be able to
renegotiate new agreements on favorable terms........................ 9
We have substantial debt obligations, especially our pension and other
postretirement benefits obligations, which may impair our ability to
repay the bonds and our liquidity.................................... 9
The bonds are subordinate to the creditors of our subsidiaries........ 10
The restrictive covenants in our debt agreements may limit our
corporate activities................................................. 10
Our business requires substantial capital investment and maintenance
requirements which we may be unable to meet.......................... 10
We rely on certain pieces of steelmaking equipment which may not be
easily or readily replaced in the event of damage or maintenance..... 10
NKK has the ability to exercise control over our business............. 11
We are subject to stringent environmental regulation.................. 11
Our systems may not be completely Year 2000 compliant................. 12
Risk Factors Relating to the Steel Industry............................. 12
The steel industry is cyclical which may make our operating results
fluctuate............................................................ 12
There is excess world capacity in the steel industry which has
depressed prices..................................................... 12
Recent economic instability in a number of foreign economies has
resulted in increased steel exports to the United States at depressed
prices causing downward pricing pressure for our products............ 12
We compete with other producers of steel and steel substitutes which
may adversely effect demand for our products......................... 13
The forward looking statements we make in this prospectus may not be
realized............................................................. 13
USE OF PROCEEDS........................................................... 14
CAPITALIZATION............................................................ 14
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA................. 15
THE EXCHANGE OFFER........................................................ 17
Terms of the exchange offer; period for tendering original bonds........ 17
Procedures for tendering original bonds................................. 18
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Signature requirements.................................................. 18
Our interpretations are binding on you.................................. 19
Representation you make by tendering.................................... 19
Acceptance of original bonds for exchange; delivery of exchange bonds... 20
Book-entry transfer..................................................... 20
Guaranteed delivery procedures.......................................... 21
Withdrawal rights....................................................... 21
Conditions to the exchange offer........................................ 22
Exchange agent.......................................................... 22
Fees and expenses....................................................... 22
Transfer taxes.......................................................... 22
Holders, other than affiliates, may offer or sell the exchange bonds.... 22
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS......................................... 23
Receivables Facility.................................................... 23
Inventory Facilities.................................................... 24
Old Bonds............................................................... 24
USWA Lien............................................................... 24
Other Indebtedness and Operating Leases................................. 24
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE BONDS......................................... 25
Principal, maturity and interest........................................ 25
Transfer and exchange................................................... 26
Ranking................................................................. 26
Mortgaged Property...................................................... 26
We may issue more bonds................................................. 26
Optional Redemption..................................................... 27
Sinking Fund............................................................ 27
Repurchase at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control............ 27
Certain Covenants....................................................... 28
Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Property.............................. 37
SEC Reports............................................................. 37
Events of Default....................................................... 37
Amendments and Waivers.................................................. 39
Defeasance.............................................................. 40
Book-Entry System....................................................... 40
Second Mortgage......................................................... 42
Certain Bankruptcy Limitations.......................................... 42
Governing Law........................................................... 43
The Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar for the Bonds................... 43
Registration Rights..................................................... 43
Certain Definitions..................................................... 44
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS................................. 56
United States Holders and United States Alien Holders................... 57
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences to United States Holders.. 57
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences to United States Alien
Holders................................................................ 58
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION...................................................... 60
LEGAL MATTERS............................................................. 61
EXPERTS................................................................... 61
AVAILABLE INFORMATION..................................................... 61
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE..................................... 61
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary highlights selected information from this prospectus
and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. This
prospectus contains specific terms of the Series D bonds that we are offering.
Other important information regarding our business, results of operations and
financial condition is incorporated by reference from other documents filed
with the SEC. You are encouraged to read this prospectus and to refer to the
documents incorporated by reference.
The Exchange Offer
On March 8, 1999, we completed the private offering of $225.0 million of our
First Mortgage Bonds, 9 7/8% Series A due 2009. On March 31, 1999, we completed
the private offering of $75.0 million of our First Mortgage Bonds, 9 7/8%
Series C due 2009. We entered into a registration rights agreement with the
placement agents in each private offering in which we agreed to complete this
exchange offer. You should read the discussion under the headings "--Summary
Description of the Exchange Bonds" and "Description of the Bonds" for more
information about the registered exchange bonds. We refer to the original bonds
and the exchange bonds as "the bonds" in this prospectus.
We believe that the exchange bonds to be issued in the exchange offer may be
resold by you without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act, unless you are an affiliate of National Steel
or an underwriter or a broker dealer. You should read the discussion under the
heading "The Exchange Offer" for further information regarding the exchange
offer and resale of the exchange bonds.
Registration rights These agreements entitle holders of original
agreements.................... bonds to exchange their bonds for registered
bonds with identical economic terms.
The exchange offer............ We are offering to exchange up to $300.0
million of the exchange bonds for up to $225.0
million of the original Series A bonds and up
to $75.0 million of the original Series C
bonds. Original bonds may only be exchanged in
increments of $1,000. The economic terms of the
exchange bonds are identical to the original
bonds except that the principal amount of the
exchange bonds may be up to $300.0 million.
Tenders; expiration date; The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m.,
withdrawal.................... New York City time, on June 16, 1999, unless we
extend it. If you decide to exchange your
original bonds for exchange bonds, you must
acknowledge that you are not engaging in, and
do not intend to engage in, a distribution of
the exchange bonds. You may withdraw your
tender of original bonds at any time before
June 16, 1999. If we decide for any reason not
to accept your original bonds for exchange, we
will return them to you promptly and without
expense after the exchange offer expires or
terminates.
Conditions to the exchange We are not required to accept any original
offer......................... bonds in exchange for exchange bonds. We may
terminate or amend the exchange offer if we
determine that the exchange offer violates
applicable law or any applicable interpretation
of the SEC.
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Federal tax considerations.... We believe that the exchange of original bonds
for exchange bonds in the exchange offer will
not result in any gain or loss to you for
federal income tax purposes.
Use of proceeds............... We will receive no proceeds from the exchange
offer.
Exchange agent................ The Chase Manhattan Bank is the exchange agent
for the exchange offer. The address and
telephone number of the exchange agent are set
forth under the heading "The Exchange Offer--
Exchange agent."
Summary Description of Exchange Bonds
The terms of the exchange bonds are identical to the original bonds in all
material respects except:
. the transfer restrictions and registration rights relating to the
original bonds do not apply to the exchange bonds;
. if we do not complete the exchange offer by September 6, 1999, the
interest rate on such original bonds will increase by 0.25% for each 90
day period, with a maximum total increase of 1.00%, until we complete it;
and
. the exchange bonds are part of a single series of up to $300.0 million.
Bonds offered................. Up to $300.0 million total principal amount of
First Mortgage Bonds, 9 7/8% Series D due 2009,
which have been registered under the Securities
Act.
Maturity date................. March 1, 2009.
Interest payment dates........ March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning
on September 1, 1999.
Sinking fund.................. None.
Collateral.................... The bonds will be secured by a lien on our
Great Lakes, Granite City and Midwest
facilities, subject to some exceptions, and
some of our ore properties and related mining
facilities. The bonds rank equally with all
other mortgage bonds issued under the indenture
in their rights in the mortgaged property.
There is $375.0 million in total principal
amount of mortgage bonds outstanding under the
indenture.
Ranking....................... The bonds rank equally with our other senior
obligations. While the bonds also rank equally
with our unsecured indebtedness, holders of the
bonds, our First Mortgage Bonds, 8.375% Series
due 2006 and any additional series of bonds
that may be issued under the indenture in the
future may seek repayment out of the sale of
the mortgaged property.
At December 31, 1998, assuming the original
bonds were issued at that time, we would have
had total debt, including secured debt, pension
and other postretirement employee benefits
liabilities, of approximately $1,315 million,
excluding the unamortized portion of our
postretirement employee benefits transition
obligation of approximately $373 million at
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December 31, 1998. Of this amount, our
subsidiaries' total indebtedness of
approximately $30.6 million is senior to the
bonds. The $623.0 million of secured debt or
other secured obligations included in our total
debt ranks equally to the bonds and $375.0
million of this debt is secured by the
mortgaged property.
In addition, as of the same date, we and our
subsidiaries would have had approximately $79
million of outstanding secured letters of
credit and approximately $257 million of
available borrowing capacity under three
revolving credit facilities that are secured by
certain inventory and receivables. All of this
indebtedness ranks equally with the bonds,
except the credit facilities have priority as
to the inventory or receivables that secure
them.
Optional redemption........... We may redeem any of the bonds beginning on
March 1, 2004. The initial redemption price is
104.938% of their principal amount, plus
accrued interest. The redemption price will
decline each year after 2004 and will be 100%
of their principal amount, plus accrued
interest on March 1, 2007.
In addition, before March 1, 2002, we may
redeem up to 35% of the total principal amount
of the bonds at 109.875% of their principal
amount, plus accrued interest, with the
proceeds of a public equity offering. However,
at least 65% of the total principal amount of
the bonds originally issued must remain
outstanding after the redemption.
Change of control............. Upon a change of control, we must offer to
purchase the bonds for 101% of their principal
amount, plus accrued interest. However, we may
not have sufficient funds to repurchase the
bonds or we may be prohibited from doing so by
our other debt.
Certain covenants............. The indenture contains covenants that limit our
ability and that of our subsidiaries to:
.incur additional debt;
. pay dividends, prepay subordinated
indebtedness, repurchase capital stock and
make investments;
.create liens on mortgaged property;
.issue or sell capital stock of subsidiaries;
.sell or dispose of our property;
.restrict distributions from subsidiaries;
.engage in transactions with affiliates;
.engage in different lines of business; or
. in the case of National Steel, merge,
consolidate or sell all or substantially all
of our property.
These limitations are subject to a number of
important qualifications and exceptions.
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Summary of Our Business
We are the fourth largest integrated steel producer in the United States. We
manufacture and sell a wide variety of flat rolled carbon steel products. Our
products include:
. hot rolled steel,
. cold rolled steel,
. galvanized steel,
. tin and
. chrome plated steel.
Our annual effective raw steelmaking capacity is approximately 6.8 million
net tons, all of which is continuously cast. Our annual hot rolled band
production capacity is approximately 8.0 million tons. We target sales of high
value-added applications of flat rolled carbon steel to the automotive,
construction and container markets. In 1998, the automotive market accounted
for 29.5% of our sales, the construction market accounted for 26.6% of our
sales, and 11.3% of our sales were to the container market.
We operate three principal facilities:
. Granite City--an integrated steel plant located near St. Louis,
. Great Lakes--an integrated steel plant located near Detroit and
. Midwest--a finishing facility located near Chicago.
We also own and operate National Steel Pellet Company, an iron ore mine and
pelletizing facility in Keewatin, Minnesota. Our pellet facility has a current
annual pelletizing capacity of approximately 5.3 million gross tons and
reserves in excess of 350.0 million gross tons.
Granite City. Granite City is a fully integrated steelmaking facility with
annual hot rolled band production capacity of approximately 3.6 million tons.
Granite City also operates 800,000 tons of higher value-added processing
capacity, including three hot dip galvanizing lines. Granite City ships (1) hot
rolled, (2) hot dipped galvanized and Galvalume(R), (3) grain bin and (4) high
strength, low alloy steels. The construction market accounted for approximately
50% of the facility's 1998 sales. Approximately 10% of Granite City's hot band
production is transferred to Midwest for further value-added processing.
Great Lakes. Great Lakes is a fully integrated steelmaking facility with
annual hot rolled band production capacity of approximately 4.4 million tons.
Higher value-added processing capacity includes 1.2 million tons of cold
rolling and 400,000 tons of electrolytic galvanizing. Great Lakes ships (1) hot
rolled, (2) cold rolled, (3) galvanized and (4) high strength, low alloy
steels. Great Lakes primarily serves the automotive industry, which accounted
for approximately 70% of the facility's direct 1998 sales. Approximately 45% of
the facility's hot rolled band production is transferred to Midwest and to
joint venture coating operations for further value-added processing. We have
entered into a contract for the construction of a new 450,000 ton hot dip
galvanizing facility at Great Lakes. The new facility is scheduled to begin
operations in the first half of 2000 and will serve the automotive industry.
Midwest. Midwest finishes hot rolled bands produced at Great Lakes and
Granite City for use in the automotive, construction and container markets.
Facilities at Midwest have 2.0 million tons of cold rolling capacity,
approximately 1.0 million tons of galvanizing capacity and 600,000 tons of tin
mill capacity.
NKK Alliance. We have a strong alliance with our principal stockholder, NKK
Corporation. NKK is the second largest steel company in Japan and the ninth
largest in the world as measured by production. Since 1984, we have had access
to a wide range of NKK's steelmaking, processing and applications technology.
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Recent Developments
In the first quarter of 1999, we generated net sales of $657.9 million, a
7.1% decrease from the first quarter of 1998 due to a 29,000 ton decrease in
shipments and a $25 per ton decline in average selling prices, both of which
were primarily caused by high levels of low-priced imported steel and service
center inventories. We reported a net loss in the period of $24.1 million, or
$.58 per diluted common share down from our net income in the first quarter of
1998 of $5.9 million, or $.14 per diluted common share. We were able to hold
onto the cost reductions we achieved in the fourth quarter of 1998 and to
improve our product mix by continuing to focus on our cost reduction
initiatives and customer-focused strategies designed to improve operating
performance. However, the downward pricing pressure more than offset such
gains.
During the first quarter, we purchased the remaining outstanding 44% equity
interest in ProCoil Corporation, a steel processing facility which blanks,
slits and cuts steel coils to desired lengths to serve the automotive industry
and is also providing laser welding services. We purchased this remaining
equity interest for $7.7 million. This acquisition was in line with our overall
customer service initiatives for the automotive market.
Summary Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data
The following table presents our summary consolidated financial information
and other operating information for the periods indicated. The financial
information for the five years ended December 31, 1998 is derived from our
audited financial statements. The following financial information and operating
data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and the consolidated
financial statements and related notes, for each of the years ended
December 31, 1996 through 1998 and the other information included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
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Years Ended December 31,
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1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Statement of Operations: (dollars in millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales.................... $2,700 $2,954 $2,954 $3,140 $2,848
Gross margin................. 221 279 192 331 222
Income from operations....... 113 129 65 191 96
Financing costs, net......... 56 39 36 15 11
Net income................... 185 108 54 214 84
Net income applicable to
common stock................ 174 97 43 203 84
Other Data:
Shipments (net tons, in
thousands).................. 5,208 5,564 5,895 6,144 5,587
Raw steel production (net
tons, in thousands)......... 5,763 6,081 6,557 6,527 6,087
Effective capacity
utilization................. 96.1% 96.5% 93.7% 96.0% 92.2%
Number of employees at period
end......................... 9,711 9,474 9,579 9,417 9,230
Man hours per net ton
shipped..................... 3.71 3.41 3.24 3.06 3.31
Net cash provided by
operating activities........ $ 317 $ 265 $ 159 $ 332 $ 32
Net cash provided by (used
in) investing activities.... (136) (215) (121) 168 (166)
Net cash used in financing
activities.................. (24) (84) (57) (297) (40)
Depreciation................. $ 142 $ 146 $ 144 $ 135 $ 129
Capital investments.......... 138 215 129 152 171
EBITDA (1)................... 255 275 209 326 225
Adjusted EBITDA (2).......... 258 308 237 353 226
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges (3)................. 3.0x 2.2x 1.5x 5.2x 3.0x
EBITDA to gross interest
charges..................... 4.2x 5.4x 4.8x 9.6x 8.5x
Adjusted EBITDA to gross
interest charges............ 4.2 6.0 5.5 10.4 8.5
Total debt to EBITDA......... 2.8 2.0 2.4 1.1 1.4
Total debt to Adjusted
EBITDA...................... 2.7 1.7 2.1 1.0 1.4
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December 31,
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1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
Balance Sheet Data: ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
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Cash, cash equivalents and investments. $ 162 $ 128 $ 109 $ 338 $ 138
Working capital........................ 252 250 279 367 333
Net property, plant & equipment........ 1,394 1,469 1,456 1,229 1,271
Total assets........................... 2,500 2,669 2,558 2,453 2,484
Total debt............................. 707 538 508 343 323
Total pension and OPEB liabilities (4). 457 592 519 614 692
Redeemable preferred stock--Series B... 67 65 64 -- --
Stockholders' equity................... 401 600 645 837 850
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(1) EBITDA represents income from operations plus depreciation. EBITDA should
not be construed as a substitute for income from operations, net income or
cash flows from operating activities for the purpose of analyzing our
operating performance, financial position and cash flows. We have presented
EBITDA because it is commonly used by certain investors to analyze and
compare companies on the basis of operating performance and to determine a
company's ability to service debt. This definition of EBITDA differs from
the definition of EBITDA applicable to the covenants for the bonds and may
not be comparable to EBITDA as defined by other companies.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA includes the add back of the amortization of our OPEB
transition obligation, which results in a non-cash charge of approximately
$27 million per year, and unusual charges (credits).
(3) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is determined by dividing earnings
by fixed charges. Earnings is the sum of: (a) income before income taxes,
extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting change, (b)
amortization of capitalized interest less interest capitalized in the
current year, and (c) fixed charges. Fixed charges include interest both
expensed and capitalized during the year and a portion of rent expense
representative of interest.
(4) This amount excludes the unamortized portion of our other pension and
employee benefits transition obligation, which was approximately $373
million at December 31, 1998.
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RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus,
including the following risk factors and warnings, before deciding to exchange
your original bonds for exchange bonds. Except for the first risk factor below,
the risk factors generally apply to the original bonds as well as to the
exchange bonds.
Risk Factors Relating to the Exchange Offer
If you do not exchange your bonds in the exchange offer, you may not be able to
ever sell them.
It may be difficult for you to sell bonds that are not exchanged in the
exchange offer. Those bonds may not be offered or sold unless they are
registered or there are exemptions from the registration requirements under the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
If you do not tender your bonds or if we do not accept some of your bonds,
those bonds will continue to be subject to the transfer and exchange
restrictions in:
. the indenture,
. the legend on the original bonds, and
. the offering memorandum relating to the original bonds.
The restrictions on transfer of the original bonds arise because we issued
the original bonds pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. In general, you may
only offer or sell the original bonds if they are registered under the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or offered and sold
pursuant to an exemption from such requirements. We do not intend to register
the original bonds under the Securities Act. To the extent original bonds are
tendered and accepted in the exchange offer, the trading market, if any, for
the original bonds would be adversely affected.
Holders of Series A bonds may elect to exchange their original bonds for
Series B bonds, which are also registered under the Securities Act, instead of
exchange bonds. The aggregate principal amount of Series B bonds is limited to
$225.0 million. It is uncertain if any of the Series A bonds will be exchanged
for Series B bonds and, as a result, the market for the Series B bonds may be
substantially less liquid then the exchange bonds.
You cannot be sure that an active trading market will develop for these bonds.
The exchange bonds are being offered to the holders of the original bonds
only. The original bonds, and the exchange bonds when issued, will be eligible
for trading on the PORTAL Market. However, there is no public market for the
exchange bonds. The placement agents have informed us that they currently
intend to make a market in the exchange bonds, but they are not required to do
so and may stop their market making at any time. The exchange bonds could trade
at prices that may be higher or lower than the initial offering price of the
original bonds. The liquidity of the trading market in these bonds, and the
market price quoted for these bonds, may be adversely affected by changes in
the overall market for similar securities, existing interest rates and by our
operating results.
Risk Factors Relating to the Bonds
Not all of our property secures the bonds.
The mortgaged property securing the bonds does not include some significant
assets, including inventory and receivables and other plant assets and
processing lines at our three facilities. We do not own some assets that
service our facilities, including the coke battery at Great Lakes, that are
therefore, not subject to the lien. A complete description of the assets that
are subject to the lien and those that are excluded can be found under the
caption "Description of the Bonds--Mortgaged Property."
The value of the mortgaged property has not been independently determined and
cannot be guaranteed in the event of a liquidation.
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The proceeds of any sale of the mortgaged property following an event of
default may not be sufficient to satisfy the amounts due on the bonds issued
under the indenture. If the proceeds of any sale of the mortgaged property are
insufficient to repay all amounts due on any of the bonds outstanding under the
indenture, the holders of the bonds would have only an unsecured claim against
the remaining assets of National Steel for any amount not repaid by such sale.
Factors which could affect the value of the mortgaged property in the event of
a liquidation include:
. market and economic conditions;
. some assets necessary to operate our steelmaking or finishing facilities
are not mortgaged property;
. some of the mortgaged property is illiquid and has no readily
ascertainable market value; and
. liens, rights and easements granted to third parties encumber assets
located on property owned by us or constitute subordinate liens on the
mortgaged property, and such third parties have or may exercise rights
and remedies that could diminish the value of the mortgaged property and
the ability of the trustee or the holders of the bonds to foreclose on
such mortgaged property.
In addition, the indenture permits the release of mortgaged property without
the substitution of additional collateral if the value of the remaining
collateral is sufficient to secure the bonds.
You may be limited in your rights to claim the mortgaged property by bankruptcy
law.
The right of the trustee to repossess and dispose of the mortgaged property
if an event of default occurs is likely to be significantly impaired by
applicable bankruptcy law if a bankruptcy case were to be commenced by or
against National Steel prior to, or after, the trustee having repossessed and
disposed of the mortgaged property. Under the bankruptcy code, a secured
creditor such as the trustee may be prohibited from repossessing or disposing
of its security from a debtor in a bankruptcy case, and any action allowed to
be taken by the trustee to recover its security may be significantly delayed.
During any such delay the value of the mortgaged property may be diminished.
We may be inadequately insured to protect the value of the mortgaged property.
We must properly insure the mortgaged property against loss or damage by fire
or other hazards to the extent typically insured by corporations operating
similar properties. The proceeds of insurance from each loss in excess of one
million dollars will be made payable to the trustee. However, we may suffer
losses which are either uninsurable or not economically insurable. And, the
amounts for which we are insured or the proceeds of such insurance may not
compensate us fully for our losses. If we have a total or partial loss of any
of the mortgaged property, the insurance proceeds received may not be
sufficient to satisfy all bonds outstanding. We may also be unable to replace
the mortgaged property, or to replace it without significant delay, because of
the large size and extended period necessary to manufacture such equipment.
Additionally, we are not required to, and we do not currently, maintain any
title insurance with regard to our title to any of the real property or
improvements which constitute mortgaged property. If a loss occurs arising from
a title defect with respect to any mortgaged property, we may not be able to
replace such mortgaged property with collateral of equal value.
You may not be able to direct the trustee to exercise the rights and remedies
under the indenture in the event of a default.
The holders of a majority in total principal amount of all series of
outstanding bonds under the indenture 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. The outstanding
bonds may not constitute a majority of the outstanding principal amount of all
bonds of all series. In such case, the holders of the bonds will not have any
ability to direct the trustee independently of any other series of bonds.
Further, the holders of other series of bonds may have sufficient voting power
to direct the actions of the trustee or cause the acceleration of the bonds
without your consent.
8
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Risk Factors Relating to National Steel
We rely heavily on the automotive industry to purchase our products.
Our sales are heavily concentrated in the automotive industry. Demand for our
steel products is affected by, among other things, the strength or weakness of
the domestic automotive industry. The North American automotive industry has
historically experienced significant fluctuations in demand, based on such
factors as:
. general economic conditions,
. interest rates,
. consumer confidence, and
. significant fluctuations in production due to strikes, lock-outs,
work stoppages or other production interruptions in the automotive
industry.
Any material reduction in the sale of automobiles could have a material
adverse impact on our results of operations.
We also have a concentrated customer base within the automotive industry.
Combined direct sales to Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company and General
Motors Corporation accounted for 21.2% of net sales in 1998, 14.6% in 1997, and
16.3% in 1996. We may not continue to sell to these companies at these historic
levels, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our labor agreements expire this year, and we may not be able to renegotiate
new agreements on favorable terms.
Our 1993 labor agreement with the United Steel Workers of America, covering
approximately 7,500 employees, or approximately 82% of our total employees,
expires on July 31, 1999. If we are unable to negotiate a new agreement when
the existing agreement expires, our operations could be impacted by a strike or
work stoppage. Our negotiations with the USWA may be more difficult because the
USWA's labor agreements with other domestic integrated steel producers also
expire on July 31, 1999. In addition, work stoppages may occur in the future in
connection with contract negotiations or otherwise. A prolonged general work
stoppage would have an adverse effect on our results of operations and
financial condition. Also, our profitability could be adversely affected if
increased costs associated with any future contract are not recoverable through
productivity improvements or price increases.
We have substantial debt obligations, especially our pension and other
postretirement benefits obligations, which may impair our ability to repay the
bonds and our liquidity.
We have substantial financial obligations related to our employee
postretirement benefit plans for pensions, other postretirement employee
benefit liabilities (also known as OPEB liabilities) and other obligations,
including debt. As of December 31, 1998, after giving pro forma effect to the
offerings, the total consolidated debt including secured debt, pension and OPEB
liabilities would have been approximately $1,315 million, excluding the
unamortized portion of our OPEB transition obligation, which was approximately
$373 million at December 31, 1998. Our substantial debt and corresponding
required payments may adversely affect our ability to:
. make capital investments,
. take advantage of business opportunities, including making joint venture
investments, or
. obtain additional financing.
At December 31, 1998, our liabilities for pensions were approximately $284
million and for OPEB were approximately $408 million, excluding the unamortized
portion of National Steel's OPEB transition obligation. We amortize our OPEB
transition obligation over a 20 year period resulting in a non-cash charge of
9
<PAGE>
approximately $27 million per year. The recording of these charges could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations
because of the resulting increase in recorded liabilities, decrease in
stockholders' equity and increases in required contributions to the pension
fund. Our obligations could increase substantially if:
. the actual retirement of active employees is significantly earlier than
projected because of plant closings or for other reasons,
. the plans are modified after August 1999 because of contractual changes
with the USWA,
. events occur differently than assumed, or
. assumptions change as a result of such events or otherwise.
The bonds are subordinate to the creditors of our subsidiaries.
The bonds are effectively subordinated to all creditors of our subsidiaries
to the extent of the assets of each such subsidiary, including the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation, trade creditors, unsecured creditors and
preferred stockholders, if any. The amount of subsidiary indebtedness could be
substantial and could impair your ability to recover your investment from us.
The bonds contain no limitations on our subsidiaries' ability to incur trade
credit or other obligations. Further, our subsidiaries may become jointly and
severally liable for our pension liabilities. The indenture does not limit such
liabilities, and under some circumstances the amount of such pension
liabilities for which our subsidiaries are liable could be substantial.
The restrictive covenants in our debt agreements may limit our corporate
activities.
We are subject to operating and financial restrictions based on the terms of
the receivables facility, inventory facilities, the indenture and the other
agreements governing our indebtedness. These restrictions could limit our
ability to plan for or react to market conditions or meet extraordinary capital
needs or otherwise restrict our corporate activities. Such restrictions limit
our ability and that of our subsidiaries to:
. incur additional indebtedness,
. create liens,
. sell assets, or
. engage in mergers or acquisitions.
Our business requires substantial capital investment and maintenance
requirements which we may be unable to meet.
Our integrated steel operations are capital intensive. In order to maintain
production capacity, reduce costs, improve productivity, upgrade selected
facilities to meet competitive requirements and maintain compliance with
environmental laws and regulations, including the Clean Air Act of 1990, we are
required to make substantial capital investments. We anticipate making capital
investments of approximately $300 million in the year ended December 31, 1999.
We may not have adequate funds to make all capital investments deemed necessary
or the amount of future capital investments may not be adequate to preserve our
competitive position or to comply with environmental regulations.
We rely on certain pieces of steelmaking equipment which may not be easily or
readily replaced in the event of damage or maintenance.
We depend upon critical pieces of steelmaking equipment, such as our blast
furnaces and continuous casters. These pieces of equipment on occasion may be
out of service due to routine scheduled maintenance or
10
<PAGE>
as the result of equipment failures or casualties, including explosions, fire
and severe weather conditions. Interruptions in our production capabilities
could result in fluctuations in quarterly sales and income. Using purchased
steel to offset lost production may adversely affect our profitability if we
must purchase at higher prices than our cost.
Although we have experienced no equipment failures or scheduled maintenance
outages resulting in the complete shutdown of a major portion of our
steelmaking production for a significant period of time, a material shutdown
could occur in the future.
NKK has the ability to exercise control over our business.
Approximately 70% of the combined voting power of our outstanding capital
stock is held indirectly by NKK, Japan's second largest steel company. As a
result, NKK has the ability to exercise control over our business by virtue of
its ability to elect all the members of our board of directors and its majority
voting power for actions requiring stockholder approval. If NKK no longer owned
a majority of the combined voting power of our outstanding capital stock, or,
in some cases, a majority economic interest in us, an event of default would
occur under some of our joint venture and financing arrangements. We may be
unable to replace or renegotiate these arrangements in such event.
In connection with our relationship with NKK, NKK has provided financial
assistance to us in the form of investments, loans and introductions to
Japanese financial institutions and trading companies. NKK may not continue to
provide financial support in the future or continue to do so at historical
levels.
There is the potential for conflicts of interest between our two companies.
NKK may not make available to us corporate opportunities discovered by NKK
which would benefit us. Our certificate of incorporation expressly provides
that NKK would not be liable to us if they do not make such opportunities
available to us.
We are subject to stringent environmental regulation.
We are subject to numerous laws and regulations relating to the protection of
human health and the environment. Because these environmental laws and
regulations are quite stringent and are generally becoming more stringent, we
have expended, and expect to expend in the future, substantial amounts for
compliance with these laws and regulations. Due to the possibility of future
changes in circumstances or regulatory requirements, the amount and timing of
environmental expenditures could vary from those currently anticipated and
could adversely effect our financial results. In addition, any of the following
occurrences could also negatively impact our operating performance:
. we may be required to remediate or reclaim any contamination that may be
present at sites at which we have been conducting operations for over 60
years under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980, as amended, and similar state statutes;
. we and some of our subsidiaries are involved as potentially responsible
parties at a number of off-site CERCLA and other environmental cleanup
proceedings and as these matters progress or we become aware of
additional matters, we may be required to accrue substantial charges and
charges in excess of those previously accrued;
. we will need to make substantial capital expenditures in connection with
matters relating to environmental compliance, estimated to be $63.0
million in each of 1999 and 2000; and
. we will need to make capital expenditures relating to environmental
control, estimated to be $8.0 million in 1999 and $20.3 million in 2000.
These costs for environmental compliance may place us at a competitive
disadvantage with respect to foreign steel producers and domestic mini mills as
well as manufacturers of steel substitutes, which are subject to less stringent
environmental requirements.
11
<PAGE>
Our systems may not be completely Year 2000 compliant.
As is the case with most other companies using computers in their operations,
we are continuing to address the Year 2000 problem this year. This problem
results from the past practice of using only two digits in computer software to
designate the calendar year with the assumption being the first two digits
would be "19." If not corrected, this practice may result in incorrect results
when computer software programs perform arithmetic operations, comparisons or
data field sorting involving years later than 1999.
We are currently engaged in a comprehensive project to upgrade our computer
software in our information technology, manufacturing and facilities systems to
programs which will be Year 2000 compliant. We expect to be able to modify or
replace our affected systems in a manner that will minimize any detrimental
effects on our operations. To date, we have spent approximately $9.3 million on
Year 2000 projects. We estimate that we will spend an additional $10.6 million
to complete our Year 2000 compliance effort. We cannot be sure that the actual
costs required to become Year 2000 compliant will not exceed our estimates. We
also cannot be sure that our customers, vendors, suppliers and other third
parties conducting business with us will be Year 2000 compliant. If National
Steel and/or our customers, vendors, suppliers or other third parties
conducting business with us fail to complete the Year 2000 compliance work it
could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Risk Factors Relating to the Steel Industry
The steel industry is cyclical which may make our operating results fluctuate.
The domestic steel industry is highly cyclical in nature due to the
cyclicality of the automotive and construction industries, the principal
markets it serves, as well as to changes in total industry demand. Our results
of operations are substantially affected by small variations in the realized
prices of our products. Such realized prices are significantly influenced by
prevailing prices for steel and demand for particular products.
There is excess world capacity in the steel industry which has depressed
prices.
There is excess world capacity for many of our products. This has resulted in
intense competition and lower prices for our products, which we expect will
continue in the foreseeable future. Currently, the economic slowdown in a
number of areas of the world, including Russia, Eastern Europe, Brazil, Japan
and The Republic of Korea, as well as favorable exchange rates, has caused a
substantial increase in steel exports to the United States at depressed prices.
In addition, overcapacity has been perpetuated by the continued operation,
modernization and upgrading of marginal domestic facilities through bankruptcy
reorganization proceedings and by the sale of marginal domestic facilities to
new owners, which operate such facilities with lower cost structures. Also,
some foreign steel producers are owned, controlled or subsidized by foreign
governments. Decisions by these foreign producers to continue marginal
facilities may be influenced to a greater degree by political and economic
policy considerations than by prevailing market conditions and may further
contribute to excess world capacity.
Recent economic instability in a number of foreign economies has resulted in
increased steel exports to the United States at depressed prices, causing
downward pricing pressure for our products.
A number of foreign economies, particularly those in Asia, Eastern Europe and
Latin America, have experienced difficulties in recent months. These
difficulties have included one or several of the following factors: (1) decline
in the value of the local currency versus the U.S. dollar, (2) decline in gross
domestic product, (3) decline in corporate earnings, (4) political turmoil and
(5) stock market volatility. The slowdown in these foreign economies has
resulted in significantly lower global demand for steel products and caused an
increase in steel exports to the United States at depressed prices.
Consequently, to the extent that such economic difficulties continue, there
could be continued downward pricing pressures for our products that could have
a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
12
<PAGE>
In 1998, we joined a number of other U.S. steel producers in filing certain
unfair trade petitions before the Department of Commerce and the International
Trade Commission. These unfair trade petitions were filed against foreign steel
companies in Brazil, Japan and Russia, alleging widespread dumping of imported
steel products and, in the case of Brazil, substantial subsidization of those
products. We joined as a petitioner in these cases, except the case involving
Japan. Over the past few months the ITC and the Commerce Department have each
made preliminary determinations favorable to domestic producers. These
determinations found reasonable indications of "dumping" of foreign steel
products in the U.S. market, threatening domestic producers. If these
preliminary findings are affirmed by final dumping or countervailing duty
determinations, then the foreign producers will be subject to additional
duties. This would make their products more expensive and would enable domestic
producers to more effectively compete with such foreign products. If these
findings are not made, then the current situation of excess capacity and
intense downward price pressure for steel products could continue which would
have an adverse effect on our operations.
We compete with other producers of steel and steel substitutes which may
adversely effect demand for our products.
We directly compete with domestic and foreign flat rolled carbon steel
producers and producers of plastics, aluminum and other materials which can be
used in place of flat rolled carbon steel in manufactured products. Mini-mills
provide significant competition in hot rolled and cold rolled products, which
represented 52.8% of our total shipments in 1998. If this competition continues
it could negatively impact our results of operation. Mini-mills are relatively
efficient, low-cost producers, have lower employment and environmental costs
and target regional markets. Technological advances have also enabled them to
produce a wider range of products that were historically only provided by
traditional steel producers. Some companies have announced plans for, or have
indicated that they are currently considering, additional mini-mill plants for
sheet products in the United States.
The forward looking statements we make in this prospectus may not be realized.
Statements we make in this prospectus or documents that are incorporated by
reference that are not historical facts constitute "forward looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward looking statements, by their nature, involve risk and uncertainty. A
variety of factors could cause business conditions and our actual results and
experience to differ materially from those expected by us or expressed in our
forward looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the
following:
. changes in market prices and market demand for our products;
. changes in the costs or availability of the raw materials and other
supplies used by us in the manufacture of our products;
. equipment failures or outages at our steelmaking and processing
facilities;
. loss of customers;
. changes in the levels of our operating costs and expenses;
. collective bargaining agreement negotiations, strikes, labor stoppages or
other labor difficulties;
. actions by our competitors;
. changes in industry capacity;
. changes in economic conditions in the United States and other major
international economies, including rates of economic growth and
inflation;
. worldwide changes in trade, monetary or fiscal policies, including
changes in interest rates;
. changes in legal and regulatory requirements; and
. the effects of extreme weather conditions.
13
<PAGE>
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange of the original bonds for
the exchange bonds.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table presents our historical capitalization as of December 31,
1998 and, as adjusted, to give effect to the Series A and Series C offerings.
This table should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial
Statements and related notes.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of December
31, 1998
----------------
As
Actual Adjusted
------ --------
(dollars in
millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents..................................... $ 138 $ 436
====== ======
Long-term debt:
First mortgage bonds, 8.375% series due 2006................ $ 75 $ 75
Other loans, 7.726% to 10.336% due 2000 to 2007............. 187 187
Bonds offered hereby........................................ -- 300
Capitalized lease obligations and other..................... 61 61
------ ------
Total long-term debt.......................................... 323 623
Total pension benefit liabilities............................. 284 284
Total postretirement benefits other than pensions(1).......... 408 408
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, additional paid-in-capital, and retained
earnings................................................... 909 909
Minimum pension liability................................... (51) (51)
Treasury stock.............................................. (8) (8)
------ ------
Total stockholders' equity................................ 850 850
------ ------
Total capitalization...................................... $1,865 $2,165
====== ======
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) This amount excludes the unamortized portion of our OPEB transition
obligation, which was approximately $373 million at December 31, 1998.
14
<PAGE>
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
The following table presents our selected consolidated financial information
and other operating data for the periods indicated. The financial information
for the five years ended December 31, 1998 is derived from our audited
financial statements. The following financial information and operating data
should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and the consolidated financial
statements for each of the years ended December 31, 1996 through 1998 and the
other information in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
(dollars in millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statement of Operations:
Net sales.............................. $2,700 $2,954 $2,954 $3,140 $2,848
Cost of products sold.................. 2,337 2,529 2,618 2,674 2,497
Depreciation........................... 142 146 144 135 129
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Gross margin.......................... 221 279 192 331 222
Selling, general and administrative
expense............................... 138 154 137 141 154
Equity (income) of affiliates.......... (5) (9) (10) (1) (1)
Unusual charges (credits).............. (25) 5 -- -- (27)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income from operations................. 113 129 65 191 96
Interest income........................ (5) (12) (7) (19) (16)
Interest expense....................... 61 51 43 34 27
Net gain on disposal of non-core assets
and other related activities.......... -- -- (3) (59) (3)
Proceeds from settlement of a lawsuit.. (111) -- -- -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total other (income) expense........... (55) 39 33 (44) 8
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income before income taxes,
extraordinary items and cumulative
effect of accounting change........... 169 90 32 235 88
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income taxes (credit).................. (16) (12) (11) 16 4
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income before extraordinary items and
cumulative effect of accounting
change................................ 185 102 43 219 84
Extraordinary items, net............... -- 6 -- (5) --
Cumulative effect of accounting change. -- -- 11 -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net income ............................ 185 108 54 214 84
Preferred stock dividends.............. 11 11 11 11 --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net income applicable to common stock.. $ 174 $ 97 $ 43 $ 203 $ 84
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Diluted earnings per share:
Income before extraordinary items and
cumulative effect of accounting
change................................ $ 4.70 $ 2.10 $ 0.74 $ 4.76 $ 1.94
Net income applicable to common stock.. $ 4.70 $ 2.22 $ 0.99 $ 4.64 $ 1.94
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
(dollars in millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Other Data:
Shipments (net tons, in thousands)..... 5,208 5,564 5,895 6,144 5,587
Raw steel production (net tons, in
thousands)............................ 5,763 6,081 6,557 6,527 6,087
Effective capacity utilization......... 96.1% 96.5% 93.7% 96.0% 92.2%
Number of employees at period end...... 9,711 9,474 9,579 9,417 9,230
Man hours per net ton shipped.......... 3.71 3.41 3.24 3.06 3.31
Net cash provided by operating
activities............................ $ 317 $ 265 $ 159 $ 332 $ 32
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities.................. (136) (215) (121) 168 (166)
Net cash used in financing activities.. (24) (84) (57) (297) (40)
Capital investments.................... $ 138 $ 215 $ 129 $ 152 $ 171
EBITDA (1)............................. 255 275 209 326 225
Adjusted EBITDA (2).................... 258 308 237 353 226
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (3). 3.0x 2.2x 1.5x 5.2x 3.0x
EBITDA to gross interest charges....... 4.2x 5.4x 4.8x 9.6x 8.5x
Adjusted EBITDA to gross interest
charges............................... 4.2 6.0 5.5 10.4 8.5
Total debt to EBITDA................... 2.8 2.0 2.4 1.1 1.4
Total debt to Adjusted EBITDA.......... 2.7 1.7 2.1 1.0 1.4
<CAPTION>
December 31,
--------------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash, cash equivalents and investments. $ 162 $ 128 $ 109 $ 338 $ 138
Working capital........................ 252 250 279 367 333
Net property, plant & equipment........ 1,394 1,469 1,456 1,229 1,271
Total assets........................... 2,500 2,669 2,558 2,453 2,484
Total debt............................. 707 538 508 343 323
Total pension and OPEB liabilities (4). 457 592 519 614 692
Redeemable preferred stock--Series B... 67 65 64 -- --
Stockholders' equity................... 401 600 645 837 850
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) EBITDA represents income from operations plus depreciation. EBITDA should
not be construed as a substitute for income from operations, net income or
cash flows from operating activities for the purpose of analyzing our
operating performance, financial position and cash flows. We have presented
EBITDA because it is commonly used by certain investors to analyze and
compare companies on the basis of operating performance and to determine a
company's ability to service debt. This definition of EBITDA differs from
the definition of EBITDA applicable to the covenants for the bonds and may
not be comparable to EBITDA as defined by other companies.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA includes the add back of the amortization of our OPEB
transition obligation, which results in a non-cash charge of approximately
$27 million per year, and unusual charges (credits).
(3) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is determined by dividing earnings
by fixed charges. Earnings is the sum of: (a) income before income taxes,
extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting change, (b)
amortization of capitalized interest less interest capitalized in the
current year, and (c) fixed charges. Fixed charges include interest both
expensed and capitalized during the year and a portion of rent expense
representative of interest.
(4) This amount excludes the unamortized portion of our other pension and
employee benefits transition obligation, which was approximately $373
million at December 31, 1998.
16
<PAGE>
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Terms of the exchange offer; period for tendering original bonds
Subject to the terms and conditions described in this prospectus and in the
accompanying letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange original bonds
that are properly tendered on or before the expiration date and not withdrawn
as permitted below. As used in this prospectus, expiration date means 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on June 16, 1999, or such later date and time to
which we, in our sole discretion, extend the exchange offer.
The form and terms of the bonds being issued in the exchange offer are the
same as the form and terms of the original bonds except that:
. the bonds being issued in the exchange offer will not be subject to
increased interest related to completing an exchange offer;
. the bonds being issued in the exchange offer will have been registered
under the Securities Act so that their transfer will not be restricted
pursuant to the Securities Act;
. the bonds being issued in the exchange offer will not contain the
registration rights contained in the original bonds; and
. following the exchange offer, there may be up to $300.0 million aggregate
principal amount of Series D bonds outstanding.
Holders of Series A bonds may elect to exchange their bonds for Series B
bonds instead of Series D bonds. The aggregate principal amount of Series B
bonds issued will not exceed $225.0 million. We cannot predict whether any of
the holders of Series A bonds will make such election and, therefore, the
aggregate principal amount of such series may be substantially less than $225.0
million following the exchange offer.
This prospectus and the letter of transmittal are first being sent on or
about May 17, 1999, to all holders of original bonds known to us. Our
obligation to accept original bonds for exchange pursuant to the exchange offer
is subject to certain conditions as set forth below under "--Conditions to the
exchange offer."
Bonds tendered in the exchange offer must be in denominations of principal
amount of $1,000 and any whole number multiple of $1,000.
We expressly reserve the right, at any time or from time to time, to extend
the period of time during which the exchange offer is open. This would delay
acceptance for exchange of any original bonds. We may do so by giving oral or
written notice of such extension to the holders of original bonds as described
below. During any such extension, all original bonds previously tendered will
remain subject to the exchange offer and may be accepted for exchange by us. We
will return, at no expense to the holder, any original bonds not accepted for
exchange as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the
exchange offer.
If any of the events specified in "--Conditions to the exchange offer" should
occur, we may amend or terminate the exchange offer, and not accept for
exchange any original bonds not previously accepted for exchange. We will give
oral or written notice of any extension, amendment, nonacceptance or
termination to holders of original bonds as promptly as practicable. In the
case of an extension, we will issue a press release or other public
announcement no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business
day after the previously scheduled expiration date.
Following completion of the exchange offer, we may begin one or more
additional exchange offers to those holders of original bonds who did not
exchange their original bonds for exchange bonds on terms which may differ from
those contained in the registration rights agreement. We may use this
prospectus, as amended or supplemented from time to time, in connection with
additional exchange offers. Such additional exchange offers will take place
from time to time until all outstanding original bonds have been exchanged for
exchange bonds.
17
<PAGE>
Procedures for tendering original bonds
The tendering of original bonds by the holder, and our mutual acceptance of
the original bonds, will constitute a binding agreement between us and the
holder on the terms and subject to the conditions described in this prospectus
and in the accompanying letter of transmittal. Except as set forth below, to
tender in the exchange offer, a holder must transmit to The Chase Manhattan
Bank, the exchange agent, at the address set forth under "--Exchange agent" on
or before the expiration date either:
. a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, including
all other documents required by such letter of transmittal, or
. if the original bonds are tendered pursuant to the book-entry procedures
set forth below, an agent's message instead of a letter of transmittal.
In addition, on or prior to the expiration date, either:
. the exchange agent must receive the certificates for the original bonds
along with the letter of transmittal; or
. the exchange agent must receive a timely confirmation of a book-entry
transfer of such original bonds into the exchange agent's account at The
Depository Trust Company (DTC) according to the procedure for book-entry
transfer described below, along with a letter of transmittal or an
agent's message instead of a letter of transmittal; or
. the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described
below.
The term "agent's message" means a message, transmitted by DTC and received by
the exchange agent and forming a part of the book-entry confirmation, which
states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the tendering
holder that such holder has received and agrees to be bound by the letter of
transmittal and that we may enforce the letter of transmittal against the
holder.
The method of delivery of original bonds, letters of transmittal or agent's
messages and all other required documents is at the election and risk of the
holders. If delivery is by mail, we recommend registered mail, properly
insured, with return receipt requested. In all cases, you should allow
sufficient time to guarantee timely delivery. Do not send letters of
transmittal, agent's messages or bonds to us.
Signature requirements
Signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case
may be, must be guaranteed unless the bonds surrendered for exchange are
tendered:
. by a registered holder of original bonds who has not completed the box
entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special Delivery
Instructions" on the letter of transmittal, or
. for the account of an eligible institution.
An "eligible institution" is a member of a registered national securities
exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or
a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the
United States.
If signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal are
required to be guaranteed, the guarantor must be an eligible institution. If
original bonds are registered in the name of a person other than a signer of
the letter of transmittal, the original bonds surrendered for exchange must be
endorsed, or be accompanied, by a written instrument or instruments of transfer
or exchange, in satisfactory form as determined by us in our sole discretion,
duly executed by the registered holder with the holder's signature guaranteed
by an eligible institution.
18
<PAGE>
If a person or persons other than the registered holder or holders of
original bonds signs the letter of transmittal, such original bonds must be
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate powers of attorney, in either case
signed exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or holders that
appear on the original bonds.
If trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity sign the letter of transmittal or any original bonds or powers of
attorney, those persons should indicate their capacity when signing, and must
submit proper evidence satisfactory to us of their authority to sign unless we
waive this requirement.
Our interpretations are binding on you
We will determine all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility,
including time of receipt, and acceptance of original bonds tendered for
exchange in our sole discretion. Our determination will be final and binding.
We reserve the absolute right to:
. reject any and all tenders of any original bond not properly tendered,
. refuse acceptance of any original bond if, in our judgment or the
judgment of our counsel, acceptance of the original bond might be
unlawful, and
. Waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of the exchange offer
as to any original bond either before or after the expiration date. This
includes the right to waive the ineligibility of any holder who seeks to
tender original bonds in the exchange offer.
Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer as to
any particular original bonds either before or after the expiration date,
including the letter of transmittal and the instructions to it, will be final
and binding on all parties. Holders must cure any defects or irregularities in
connection with tenders of original bonds for exchange within such reasonable
period of time as we will determine, unless we waive such defects or
irregularities. Neither we, the exchange agent, nor any other person shall have
the duty to notify anyone of any defect or irregularity regarding any tender of
original bonds for exchange, nor shall any of us incur any liability for
failing to notify any person.
Representation you make by tendering
By tendering your original bonds, you represent to us that, among other
things,
. the person receiving the exchange bonds in the exchange offer is
obtaining them in the ordinary course of its business, whether or not
such person is the holder, and
. neither you nor such other person receiving the exchange bonds has any
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of the exchange bonds issued in the exchange offer, and
. if you are not a broker-dealer, that you are not engaged in, or intend to
be engaged in, a distribution of exchange bonds.
If you or any person receiving the exchange bonds is an "affiliate," as
defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, of National Steel, or is
engaged in or intends to engage in or has an arrangement or understanding with
any person to participate in a distribution of the exchange bonds to be
acquired pursuant to the exchange offer, you or any such other person receiving
the bonds may not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the
SEC. In this event you or any such other person must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale transaction.
Each broker-dealer that receives exchange bonds for its own account in
exchange for original bonds, where such original bonds were acquired by it as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
the exchange bonds. See
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"Plan of Distribution." The letter of transmittal states that by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" under the Securities Act.
Acceptance of original bonds for exchange; delivery of exchange bonds
Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the exchange offer,
we will accept, promptly after the expiration date, all original bonds properly
tendered and will issue the exchange bonds promptly after acceptance of the
original bonds. For purposes of the exchange offer, we will be deemed to have
accepted properly tendered original bonds for exchange when, as and if we have
given oral or written notice to the exchange agent, with written confirmation
of any oral notice to be given promptly thereafter.
For each original bond accepted for exchange, the original bond holder will
receive an exchange bond having a principal amount of maturity equal to that of
the surrendered bond. Interest on the exchange bonds will accrue from March 8,
1999, the original issue date of the original bonds. If the exchange offer is
not consummated by September 6, 1999, the interest rate on the original bonds,
from and including such date until but excluding the date of completion of the
exchange offer, will increase by 0.25% every 90 days until a maximum total
1.00% is reached. We will pay such interest, if any, on original bonds in
exchange for which exchange bonds were issued to the persons who, at the close
of business on February 15 or August 15 immediately preceding the interest
payment date, are registered holders of such original bonds if such record date
occurs prior to such exchange, or are registered holders of the exchange bonds
if such record date occurs on or after the date of such exchange, even if bonds
are cancelled after the record date and on or before the interest payment date.
In all cases, we will issue exchange bonds in the exchange offer for original
bonds that are accepted for exchange only after the exchange agent timely
receives either:
. certificates for such original bonds or a timely book-entry confirmation
of such original bonds into the exchange agent's account at DTC, and
. a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal or, in the
case of a book-entry confirmation, an agent's message, and all other
required documents.
If tendered original bonds are not accepted for any reason set forth in the
terms and conditions of the exchange offer or if a holder submits original
bonds for a greater principal amount than the holder desired to exchange, we
will return such unaccepted or non-exchanged original bonds without expense to
the tendering holder as promptly as practicable after the expiration or
termination of the exchange offer. In the case of original bonds tendered by
book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at DTC, such unaccepted
or non-exchanged original bonds will be credited to an account maintained with
DTC as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the
exchange offer.
Book-entry transfer
The exchange agent will request to establish an account for the original
bonds at DTC for the exchange offer within two business days after the date of
this prospectus. Any financial institution that is a participant in DTC's
systems may make book-entry delivery of original bonds by causing DTC to
transfer such original bonds into the exchange agent's account at DTC in
accordance with DTC's procedures for transfer in accordance with DTC's
Automated Tender Offer Procedures ("ATOP"). However, although delivery of
original bonds may be effected through book-entry transfer at DTC, unless such
delivery is effected through the DTC ATOP procedures, the letter of transmittal
or facsimile thereof, with any required signature guarantees, or an agent's
message in lieu of such letter of transmittal, and any other required
documents, must, in any case, be transmitted to and received by the exchange
agent at one of the addresses set forth below under "--Exchange agent" on or
prior to the expiration date or the guaranteed delivery procedures described
below must be complied with.
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Guaranteed delivery procedures
If a registered holder of the original bonds desires to tender such original
bonds and the original bonds are not immediately available, or time will not
permit such holder's original bonds or other required documents 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 tender is made through an eligible institution;
. before the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from such
eligible institution a properly completed and duly executed letter of
transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, (unless effected through the DTC
ATOP system, in which case it is not necessary to submit the letter of
transmittal) and notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially in the form
provided by us, by telegram, telex, facsimile transmission, mail or hand
delivery, setting forth the name and address of the holder of original
bonds and the amount of original bonds tendered. Such communication must
state that the tender is being made thereby and guarantee that within
three New York Stock Exchange, Inc. trading days after the date of
execution of the notice of guaranteed delivery, the certificates for all
physically tendered original bonds, in proper form for transfer, or a
book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, and any other documents
required by the letter of transmittal will be deposited by the eligible
institution with the exchange agent; and
. the exchange agent receives the certificates for all physically tendered
original bonds, in proper form for transfer, or a book-entry
confirmation, as the case may be, and all other documents required by the
letter of transmittal, within three New York Stock Exchange, Inc. trading
days after the date of execution of the notice of guaranteed delivery.
Withdrawal rights
You may withdraw tenders of original bonds at any time before the expiration
date.
For a withdrawal to be effective, you must send a written notice of
withdrawal to the exchange agent at one of the addresses set forth below under
"--Exchange agent." Any such notice of withdrawal must:
. specify the name of the person having tendered the original bonds to be
withdrawn,
. identify the original bonds to be withdrawn, including the principal
amount of such original bonds, and
. if you have transmitted certificates for original bonds, specify the name
in which such original bonds are registered, if different from that of
the withdrawing holder.
If certificates for original bonds have been delivered or otherwise
identified to the exchange agent, then, before the release of such
certificates, the withdrawing holder must also submit the serial numbers of the
particular certificates to be withdrawn and a signed notice of withdrawal with
signatures guaranteed by an eligible institution unless such holder is an
eligible institution.
If original bonds have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry
transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and
number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn original bonds
and otherwise comply with the procedures of such facility.
We will determine all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility,
including time of receipt, of such notices. Our determination will be final and
binding on all parties.
Any original bonds so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly
tendered for exchange for purposes of the exchange offer. Any original bonds
which have been tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged for any
reason will be returned to the holder without cost to such holder. In the case
of original bonds tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's
account at DTC pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures described above,
such original bonds will be credited to an account maintained with DTC for the
original bonds. Any return or credit will occur as soon as practicable after
withdrawal, rejection of
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<PAGE>
tender or termination of the exchange offer. Properly withdrawn original bonds
may be retendered by following one of the procedures described under "--
Procedures for tendering original bonds" above at any time on or before the
expiration date.
Conditions to the exchange offer
We are not required to accept for exchange, or to issue exchange bonds in
exchange for, any original bonds. We may terminate or amend the exchange offer
if, at any time before the acceptance of such original bonds for exchange or
the exchange of the exchange bonds for such original bonds, we determine in our
sole and absolute discretion, that the exchange offer violates applicable law
or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC.
Exchange agent
The Chase Manhattan Bank has been appointed as the exchange agent for the
exchange offer. All executed letters of transmittal should be directed to the
exchange agent at one of the addresses set forth below. 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 the exchange agent addressed as follows:
Delivery to: The Chase Manhattan Bank, Exchange Agent
By Hand/Overnight Delivery: Registered or Certified Mail:
55 Water Street--Room 55 Water Street--Room 234
234 North Building
North Building New York, New York 10041
New York, New York
10041
By Facsimile: (212) 638-7380/7381
Confirm by Telephone: (212) 638-0828
Delivery of the letter of transmittal to an address other than as set forth
above or transmission of instructions via facsimile other than as set forth
above is not valid delivery of such letter of transmittal.
Fees and expenses
We will not pay any brokers, dealers, or others soliciting acceptances of the
exchange offer.
We will pay the estimated cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the
exchange offer, which are estimated to total $7,000.
Transfer taxes
Holders who tender their original bonds for exchange will not be obligated to
pay any transfer taxes in connection with the exchange. However, holders who
instruct us to register exchange bonds in the name of, or request that original
bonds not tendered or not accepted in the exchange offer be returned to, a
person other than the registered tendering holder will be responsible for the
paying of any applicable transfer tax.
Holders, other than affiliates, may offer or sell the exchange bonds
Based on interpretations by the SEC staff, as set forth in no-action letters
issued to third parties, we believe that exchange bonds issued in the exchange
offer for original bonds may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise
transferred by the holders of such exchange bonds, other than any such holder
that is an "affiliate" of National Steel within the meaning of Rule 405 under
the Securities Act. Such exchange bonds may be offered for resale, resold or
otherwise transferred without compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act if:
. such exchange bonds issued in the exchange offer are acquired in the
ordinary course of such holder's business, and
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<PAGE>
. such holders have no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of such exchange bonds issued in the
exchange offer.
Each holder, other than a broker-dealer, must acknowledge that it is not
engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of exchange bonds
and has no arrangement or understanding to participate in a distribution of
exchange bonds.
However, we do not intend to request the SEC to consider, and the SEC has not
considered, the exchange offer in the context of a no-action letter. We cannot
guarantee that the SEC staff would make a similar determination with respect to
the exchange offer as in other circumstances.
If any holder is an "affiliate" of ours, as defined in Rule 405 under the
Securities Act of 1933, is engaged in or intends to engage in or has any
arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the exchange
bonds to be acquired pursuant to the exchange offer such holder:
. could not rely on the applicable interpretations of the SEC staff, and
. must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.
Each broker-dealer that receives exchange bonds for its own account in
exchange for original bonds, where such original bonds were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such exchange bonds.
In addition, to comply with state securities laws, the exchange bonds may not
be offered or sold in any state unless they have been registered or qualified
for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is
available and is complied with. The offer and sale of the exchange bonds to
"qualified institutional buyers," as that term is defined under Rule 144A of
the Securities Act, is generally exempt from registration or qualification
under the state securities laws. We currently do not intend to register or
qualify the sale of the exchange bonds in any state where an exemption from
registration or qualification is required and not available.
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
Receivables Facility
The Receivables Purchase Agreement is an agreement dated as of May 16, 1994
among National Steel Funding Corporation ("Funding"), a bankruptcy-remote,
special purchase subsidiary of National Steel, the lenders party thereto and
J.P. Morgan Delaware, as Structuring and Collateral Agent. Under the
receivables purchase agreement we may cause letters of credit to be issued and
receive revolving loans until September 30, 2002, subject to extension, unless
earlier terminated. Letters of credit in a total face amount, together with
unreimbursed drawings, may be issued for up to $150.0 million. Revolving loans
in a total principal amount, together with the total amount of letter of credit
obligations at such time, may be made for up to $200.0 million. The maximum
amount which may be issued for either letters of credit or revolving loans may
be a lesser amount equal to the then current base amount. The base amount is an
amount equal to net eligible receivables, less a reserve of not less than the
greater of either 17% or a dynamic reserve percentage calculated based on
historic losses and dilution.
Funding borrows on the revolving loans or causes letters of credit to be
issued to purchase accounts receivable from National Steel pursuant to a
purchase and sale agreement entered into by Funding and us at the same time as
the receivables purchase agreement. Additional amounts needed to finance
Funding's purchases of accounts receivables from us are obtained through loans
made to Funding by us, equity contributions by us and retained earnings of
Funding. Under the purchase and sale agreement, we have limited obligations to
indemnify Funding if the accounts receivable did not satisfy some of the
eligibility criteria when sold and in other limited cases not relating to the
collectability of receivables sold. The sales of receivables to Funding are
intended to be true sales, and Funding, and not us or our other subsidiaries,
owns the receivables.
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Funding has granted to the receivables lenders a security interest in the
accounts receivable purchased by Funding and all of Funding's related rights
and its various bank accounts.
The receivables purchase agreement contains customary covenants by Funding,
including covenants that, among other things:
(1) limit Funding's ability to engage in any activities except as
necessary to perform its obligations under the receivables purchase
agreement and related documents,
(2) limit Funding's ability to incur or suffer to exist indebtedness,
contingent obligations and liens,
(3) limit Funding's ability to enter into leases, make or own
Investments, or make capital expenditures, and
(4) limit Funding's ability to amend or waive any provision of other
agreements and conduct business with affiliates.
Termination events include customary events of default, impairment of the
receivables lenders' rights to pledged collateral, change of control of
Funding, and failure of Funding to maintain stockholder's equity of at least
$40.0 million. Upon the occurrence of a termination event the receivables
lenders may terminate the commitments, accelerate the revolving loans or
require cash collateralization of letters of credit. A termination event will
also occur if we are in default with respect to debt obligations in excess of
$5.0 million.
Inventory Facilities
We are also party to two revolving credit facilities, all of the lenders
under which are Japanese banks. These inventory facilities together total
$150.0 million and are available for revolving loans and letters of credit. The
$100.0 million facility expires on May 31, 2000 and the $50.0 million facility
expires on July 18, 1999 provided that it will be automatically renewed through
May 31, 2000 unless we are given prior notice by the lender. The inventory
facilities are secured by a lien on our steel and raw materials inventory.
Interest rates and letter of credit fees with respect to the $100.0 million
facility increase if NKK ceases to hold greater than 50% of the combined voting
power of all of our stock. The inventory facilities require that we maintain a
specified minimum stockholder's equity and a ratio of cash flow from operations
to net financing costs of not less than 1.5 to 1. Events of default include,
among other things, a default with respect to our other indebtedness in excess
of $10.0 million.
Old Bonds
We have outstanding $75.0 million in total principal amount of our 8.375%
First Mortgage Bonds Series due 2006. These old bonds bear interest at 8.375%
per year. These bonds were issued under the indenture. They are secured by
substantially all of the property which secures the original and exchange
bonds.
We may redeem these bonds at a redemption price of 101.005% of the total
principal amount outstanding. This redemption price will decrease to 100% of
the total principal amount in 2001.
USWA Lien
Pursuant to the 1993 settlement agreement, we have agreed to grant a second
mortgage on the Great Lakes facility to secure payment of certain retiree
health benefits to salaried and hourly employees and retirees. This security
interest is subordinate to the security interest granted to the holders of the
bonds.
Other Indebtedness and Operating Leases
Our vacuum degassing facility and pickle line at Great Lakes and a continuous
caster facility at Granite City are each subject to mortgages, securing total
indebtedness incurred to construct these facilities. The debt related to these
facilities currently totals $187.3 million.
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These mortgages contain customary default provisions and also provide that
the failure of NKK to own at least a majority of the combined voting power of
all classes of our stock also constitutes an event of default.
The No. 2 caster and related ladle metallurgy station and electrolytic
galvanizing line at Great Lakes as well as a portion of the coke oven battery
at Granite City are owned by third parties and leased to us pursuant to
leveraged operating leases. The present value of all such lease obligations as
of December 31, 1998 was approximately $190 million. A 1,000 foot Great Lakes
ore boat, the M/V George A. Stinson, is indirectly leased to us through an
unrelated corporation through a single investor lease. Most of the other mobile
equipment we use is leased pursuant to operating leases.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS
We will issue the exchange bonds, under the provisions of the Indenture of
Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated May 1, 1952 from National Steel and Great
Lakes Steel Corporation, a former wholly owned subsidiary which in 1966 was
merged into National Steel, to City Bank Farmers Trust Company and Ralph E.
Morton, as trustees, as supplemented by all supplemental instruments, including
the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 31, 1999, between
National Steel and The Chase Manhattan Bank and Frank J. Grippo as trustees.
The terms of the bonds include those stated in the indenture and those made
part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. For
purposes of this section, references to "National Steel" or "we," "us" or "our"
means only National Steel Corporation and not our subsidiaries.
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the
indenture. It does not restate it in its entirety. We urge you to read the
indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as holders
of these bonds. Some of the terms used in this description are defined under
the heading "Certain Definitions."
Principal, maturity and interest
The original bonds are, and the exchange bonds will be:
(1) our senior obligations;
(2) secured by a first mortgage lien on most of our facilities, our ore
properties and related mining facilities and stock of some of our
Subsidiaries; and
(3) equal in right of payment to all of our other Senior Debt.
As of the date of the eleventh supplemental indenture, all of our
Subsidiaries are Restricted Subsidiaries. However, under the circumstances
described below under the subheading "Certain Covenants--Designation of
Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries," we will be permitted to designate
other of our Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Unrestricted
Subsidiaries will not be subject to many of the restrictive covenants in the
indenture.
The bonds mature on March 1, 2009. The trustee authenticated and delivered
two separates series of original bonds for original issue in a total principal
amount of $225.0 million on March 8, 1999 and $75.0 million on March 31, 1999.
The exchange bonds will be treated as a continuation of the original bonds but
will constitute a single series of up to $300.0 million principal amount. We
cannot predict what amount, if any of either series of original bonds will be
exchanged for exchange bonds.
The bonds bear interest at a rate of 9 7/8% per year. Interest is payable
semiannually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on September 1,
1999. Interest is payable to the persons who are registered holders of the
bonds at the close of business on the February 15 or August 15, immediately
preceding the interest payment date.
We will make all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the
bonds in immediately available funds. The bonds will be exchangeable and
transferable at our office or agency, one of which will be maintained for such
purpose in New York City, which initially will be the corporate trust office of
the trustee.
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Transfer and exchange
The bonds will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof. No service charge
will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of bonds, except for
any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with a
transfer.
Ranking
The bonds are senior secured obligations. They rank equally in right of
payment with our other senior obligations. As of December 31, 1998, after
giving effect to the issuance of the bonds, the total principal amount of our
outstanding indebtedness would be approximately $623 million, all of which
constitutes senior obligations. While unsecured indebtedness ranks equally with
the bonds in right of payment, the holders of the bonds and all other bonds
issued under the indenture may, to the exclusion of unsecured creditors, seek
repayment for the sale of the Mortgaged Property in the event of a Default.
The bonds are effectively subordinated to all creditors to the extent of the
assets of such subsidiaries, including the PBGC, trade creditors and unsecured
creditors, and preferred stockholders, if any, of our Subsidiaries. These
creditors will be entitled to receive payment in full of their obligations
before holders of the bonds may be paid from cash generated by our
Subsidiaries, in the event of a distribution of assets to our creditors due to
dissolution, liquidation, bankruptcy or other similar events. As of December
31, 1998, the total outstanding indebtedness of our Subsidiaries totaled
approximately $30.6 million. Although our Subsidiaries are restricted from
Incurring indebtedness by the bonds, the amount of indebtedness which is
permitted could be substantial. Our Subsidiaries are not restricted from
Incurring trade credit or other obligations. Under some circumstances, our
Subsidiaries may become jointly and severally liable for our pension
liabilities. The amount of these pension liabilities could be substantial and
they may be secured.
Mortgaged Property
The bonds are secured by the lien of the indenture equally with all other
bonds issued under the indenture. This lien is a first lien on: (1) our plants
at Granite City, Great Lakes and Midwest, with some exceptions, (2) some of our
ore properties and related mining facilities and (3) all of the outstanding
Capital Stock of the Hanna Furnace Corporation, NS Land Company and National
Mines Corporation.
The Mortgaged Property does not include, among other things:
(1) inventory and accounts receivable and related books and records, most
of which will be pledged to secure the obligations under the inventory
facilities and receivables facility,
(2) our interest in Double G, DNN and other joint ventures and
Subsidiaries,
(3) a continuous caster and related ladle metallurgy facility servicing
Great Lakes,
(4) an electrolytic galvanizing line servicing Great Lakes,
(5) a portion of the coke battery servicing Granite City,
(6) a vacuum degassing facility and pickle line which service Great
Lakes, and
(7) a continuous caster servicing Granite City.
We use other assets to service our facilities, including the coke battery
which services Great Lakes, that we do not own and, therefore, these assets are
not subject to the lien of the indenture.
We may issue more bonds
We may issue more bonds of other series from time to time under the
indenture. The total principal amount of these bonds is limited to:
(1) 66 2/3% of the net bondable value of our property additions,
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(2) 66 2/3% of our cost or fair value, whichever is less, of bondable
obligations,
(3) 66 2/3% of our cost or fair value, whichever is less, of bondable
stock,
(4) the total principal amount of refundable Bonds, and
(5) the amount of cash deposited with the trustee.
We may not issue additional bonds on the basis of bondable obligations,
bondable stock or refundable bonds originally issued on the basis of bondable
obligations or bondable stock, if, as a result, more than 25% of all the bonds
then outstanding under the indenture would be bonds issued on such bases.
The original bonds were issued under the provisions of the indenture relating
to the issuance of bonds for property additions and refundable Bonds. As of
February 28, 1999, approximately $21 million in principal amount of bonds was
issuable under the various provisions of the indenture, after deducting the
$300.0 million principal amount of original bonds.
We have agreed under our settlement with the USWA that, as long as the 1993
Settlement Agreement is in existence, we will not issue additional bonds in
excess of 90% of the amount of bonds that could otherwise be issued under the
indenture.
Optional Redemption
On or after March 1, 2004, we may redeem all or part of the bonds upon not
less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice. The redemption prices,
expressed as percentages of principal amount, are set forth below, plus accrued
interest, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month
period beginning on March 1 of the years set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Redemption Price
---- ----------------
<S> <C>
2004..................................................... 104.938%
2005..................................................... 103.292%
2006..................................................... 101.646%
2007 and thereafter...................................... 100.000%
</TABLE>
At any time before March 1, 2002, we may redeem up to a maximum of 35% of the
total principal amount of the bonds with the proceeds of one or more public
equity offerings. If we redeem bonds in this manner, we will pay a redemption
price equal to 109.875% of the principal amount of the bonds, plus accrued
interest; provided that:
(1)at least 65% of the original total principal amount of the bonds remains
outstanding,
(2)the redemption is made within 90 days of the public equity offering, and
(3)notice of the redemption is mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60
days before the redemption.
Sinking Fund
There are no sinking fund payments for the bonds.
Repurchase at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control
We are required to commence, within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of
Control, an offer to repurchase the bonds at a purchase price equal to 101% of
the principal amount, plus accrued interest. We must send a notice of the
Change of Control offer to repurchase at least once to the Dow Jones News
Service or similar business news service in the United States. We must also
mail to the trustee and to each holder of bonds, at such holder's address
appearing in the bond register, a notice describing the transaction which
constitutes the Change of Control, and our offer to repurchase the bonds.
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The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale,
assignment, lease, conveyance, disposition or transfer of "all or substantially
all" of our assets. Although there is a developing body of case law
interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established
definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a
holder of bonds to require us to repurchase such bonds as a result of a sale,
assignment, lease, conveyance, disposition or transfer of less than all of our
the assets may be uncertain.
Our receivables facility and inventory facilities prohibit some events that
constitute a Change of Control under the indenture. If such events occur, there
would also occur a liquidation event or an event of default under these
agreements. Any future Debt may contain prohibitions of these events or require
such Debt to be repurchased upon a Change of Control. Also, if the holders of
bonds require us to repurchase bonds we could be in Default under existing or
future Debt, even if the Change of Control itself does not cause a Default, due
to the financial effect of such repurchase.
In addition, we may not have sufficient funds available to make any required
repurchases. Our failure to repurchase the bonds in connection with a Change of
Control would result in a Default under the indenture which could, in turn,
constitute a Default under our existing or future Debt. Our obligation to make
an offer to repurchase the bonds as a result of a Change of Control may be
waived or modified at any time prior to the occurrence of such Change of
Control with the written consent of the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the bonds.
Certain Covenants
Covenant Suspension. For so long as we reach and maintain Investment Grade
Status, we and our Restricted Subsidiaries are released from our obligations to
comply with all of the covenants described below, except for the covenants
described under:
(1) "Limation on Liens"
(2) "Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions,"
(3) "Limitation on Pledged Subsidiaries to Incur Indebtedness or Issue
Capital Stock,"
(4) "Limitation on Sale of Capital Stock and Indebtedness of Pledged
Subsidiaries,"
(5) "Limitation on Sale of Mortgaged Property,"
(6) "Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries" (other than
clause (x) of the third paragraph (and such clause (x) as referred to in
the second paragraph) thereunder),
(7) "Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Property" (other than clauses (5)
and (6) of the first and second paragraphs thereunder), and
(8) "Repurchase at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control."
If we later cease to have an Investment Grade Rating from either or both of
the Rating Agencies, the following restrictive covenants will once again apply
to us and our Restricted Subsidiaries.
Limitation on Debt and Restricted Subsidiary Preferred Stock. We may not, and
may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, Incur any
Debt, which includes preferred stock of Restricted Subsidiaries; provided,
however, that:
(1) we and our Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur Debt if (a) after giving
effect to the application of the proceeds of such Debt, no Default or Event
of Default would occur as a consequence of such Incurrence or be continuing
following such Incurrence and (b) after giving effect to the Incurrence of
such Debt and the application of the proceeds thereof, the Consolidated
Interest Coverage Ratio would be greater than 2.50 to 1.00, and
(2) we and our Restricted Subsidiaries may also Incur Permitted Debt.
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Permitted Debt includes the following:
(1) the bonds;
(2) our Debt or that of any Restricted Subsidiary under the Credit
Facilities, provided that the total principal amount of all such Debt at
any one time outstanding may not exceed the greater of:
(a) $350.0 million less the total amount of all required payments of
principal applied to reduce the maximum amount available to be borrowed
as a result of an Asset Sale and as described below in "--Limitation on
Sale of Assets other than Mortgaged Property," and
(b) the sum of (x) 60% of the book value of our inventory and that of
the Restricted Subsidiaries and (y) 85% of the book value of our
accounts receivable and those of the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each
case as of the most recently ended quarter prior to such Incurrence for
which financial statements have been provided to the holders of bonds;
(3) Capital Expenditure Debt of National Steel or any Restricted
Subsidiary, provided that (a) the total principal amount of such Debt does
not exceed the Fair Market Value on the date of the Incurrence of the
Property acquired, constructed or leased and (b) the total principal amount
of all such Capital Expenditure Debt Incurred and then outstanding,
together with all permitted refinancing Debt Incurred and then outstanding
in respect of such Capital Expenditure Debt previously Incurred, does not
exceed $175.0 million;
(4) Debt of National Steel owing to and held by any Wholly Owned
Subsidiary and Debt, including preferred stock, of a Restricted Subsidiary
owing to and held by National Steel or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary;
provided, however, that any subsequent issue or transfer of Capital Stock
or other event that results in any such Wholly Owned Subsidiary ceasing to
be a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of any such Debt,
except to National Steel or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, will be deemed to be
the Incurrence of such Debt by National Steel or such Restricted
Subsidiary;
(5) Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred and outstanding on or prior
to the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by us or
otherwise became a Restricted Subsidiary, other than Debt Incurred in our
acquisition of the Subsidiary; provided that at the time such Restricted
Subsidiary was acquired or otherwise became a Restricted Subsidiary and
after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of such Debt, we would have
been able to Incur $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to clause (1) of the
immediately preceding paragraph;
(6) Debt under Interest Rate Agreements entered into by us or a
Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk in the
ordinary course of our financial management and not for speculative
purposes; provided that the obligations under such agreements are directly
related to payment obligations on Debt otherwise permitted by the terms of
this covenant;
(7) Debt under Currency Exchange Protection Agreements entered into by us
or a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of limiting currency exchange
rate risk in the ordinary course of our financial management and not for
speculative purposes;
(8) Debt under Commodity Price Protection Agreements entered into by us
or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of our financial
management, including cost control, and not for speculative purposes;
(9) Debt in connection with one or more standby letters of credit or
performance bonds issued by National Steel or a Restricted Subsidiary in
the ordinary course of business or pursuant to self-insurance obligations
and not in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of
advances or credit;
(10) Debt outstanding on the Series A Issue Date not otherwise described
in clauses (1) through (9) above;
(11) Debt of National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than Debt
permitted by the immediately preceding paragraph or the other clauses of
this paragraph, in a total principal amount outstanding at any one time not
to exceed $75.0 million; and
(12) Permitted Refinancing Debt Incurred in respect of Debt Incurred:
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(a) pursuant to the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio test
described in clause (1) of the immediately preceding paragraph,
(b) the bonds,
(c) Capital Expenditure Debt, subject to the limitations described in
clause 3 of this paragraph,
(d) the acquisition of a Restricted Subsidiary, subject to the
requirement that $1.00 of additional Debt may be Incurred without
causing an Event of Default, and
(e) other Debt outstanding on the Series A Issue Date.
Limitation on Pledged Subsidiaries to Incur Indebtedness or Issue Capital
Stock. As long as bonds are outstanding, we may not permit any Wholly Owned
Subsidiary whose stock is pledged under the indenture to:
(1) Incur any indebtedness, except owed to us, and its extension, renewal
or refunding and except current liabilities other than for borrowed money,
and
(2) issue any Capital Stock except to us.
However, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary may acquire Property subject to an
existing lien or create a lien on it at the time of its acquisition up to 66
2/3% of the cost of such Property, subject to some limitations. We may not
assign any indebtedness of a pledged Wholly Owned Subsidiary, except to the
trustee or, after assignment to the trustee, unless all indebtedness and
Capital Stock of the Wholly Owned Subsidiary has been or at the same time is
sold or disposed of.
Limitation on Restricted Payments. We may not make, and may not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment
if at the time of, and after giving effect to, such proposed Restricted
Payment:
(1) a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
(2) we could not Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to the
covenant described under "Limitation on Debt and Restricted Subsidiary
Preferred Stock" or
(3) the total amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted
Payments declared or made since the Series A Issue Date, measured by cash
amount paid or Fair Market Value if a non-cash payment, would exceed an
amount equal to the sum of:
(a) 50% of the total amount of Consolidated Net Income accrued during
the period, treated as one accounting period, from and after the first
day of the fiscal quarter following the end of the most recent fiscal
quarter ended immediately prior to the Series A Issue Date to the end
of the most recent fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days prior to the
date of such Restricted Payment, or if the total amount of Consolidated
Net Income for such period shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such
deficit;
(b) Capital Stock Sale Proceeds;
(c) the amount by which our Debt, other than Subordinated Obligations
issued or sold prior to the Series A Issue Date, is reduced on our
balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange, other than by a
Subsidiary, subsequent to the Series A Issue Date of any of our Debt
convertible or exchangeable for our Capital Stock, other than
Disqualified Stock, less the amount of any cash or other Property
distributed by us or any Restricted Subsidiary upon such conversion or
exchange; and
(d) to the extent not otherwise included in our Consolidated Net
Income, an amount equal to (x) the net reduction in Investments in any
person, other than reductions in Permitted Investments, resulting from
the payment in cash of interest on Debt, dividends, repayments of loans
or advances, or other transfers of assets, in each case to us or any
Restricted Subsidiary after the Series A Issue Date from such person
and (y) the portion, proportionate to our equity interest in such
Subsidiary, of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any
Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is
designated a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that in the case
of (x) or (y) the sum shall not exceed the amount of Investments
previously made, and treated as a Restricted Payment, by us or any
Restricted Subsidiary in such person or Unrestricted Subsidiary.
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Notwithstanding the preceding limitation, we may:
(a) pay dividends on our Capital Stock within 60 days of their
declaration if, on such date, such dividends could have been paid in
compliance with the indenture; provided, however, that at the time of
payment of such dividend, no other Default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing or would result; provided further, however, that such
dividend will be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted
Payments;
(b) purchase, repurchase, redeem, legally defease, acquire or retire for
value our Capital Stock or Subordinated Obligations in exchange for, or out
of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, our Capital Stock,
other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold
to a Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by
National Steel or any of our Subsidiaries for the benefit of our employees;
provided, however, that (1) such payment will be excluded in the
calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments and (2) the net cash
proceeds from such exchange or sale will be excluded from the calculation
of the amount of Capital Stock Sale Proceeds;
(c) purchase, repurchase, redeem, legally defease, acquire or retire for
value any Subordinated Obligations in exchange for, or out of the proceeds
of the substantially concurrent sale of, Permitted Refinancing Debt;
provided, however, that such payment will be excluded in the calculation of
the amount of Restricted Payments;
(d) expend up to $5.0 million in any fiscal year to repurchase our common
stock (1) to distribute to current or former employees, officers and
directors of National Steel and our Subsidiaries, including upon the
exercise of stock options, (2) from such current or former employees,
officers or directors or (3) otherwise in order to distribute as employee
compensation; provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving pro
forma effect to, any such expenditure no other Default or Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing; provided further, however, that such
repurchase will be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted
Payments;
(e) repurchase up to 700,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the
stock repurchase approved by our board of directors on August 26, 1998;
provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any
such expenditure no other Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing; provided further, however, that such repurchase will be
included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; and
(f) expend up to $50.0 million for Restricted Payments in addition to
amounts permitted by clauses (a) through (e) above; provided, however, that
at the time of, and after giving effect to, any such expenditure, no other
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; provided
further, however, that such expenditures will be included in the
calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments.
Limitation on Liens. If we create any mortgage on, or pledge of, the then
Mortgaged Property or any part of it, it must be subordinate to the prior lien
of the indenture for the security of all bonds issued under the indenture
whether currently outstanding or issued in the future. The lien of the
indenture may be subordinate to permitted liens, including:
(1) undetermined or inchoate liens incidental to construction of current
operations,
(2) tax liens for the then current year,
(3) the liens of taxes, assessments or governmental charges not at the
time delinquent or which are being contested in good faith and
(4) liens based on workmen's compensation which are not due and payable
or which are being contested in good faith.
Limitation on Sale of Capital Stock and Indebtedness of Pledged Subsidiaries.
We will not sell or otherwise dispose of any indebtedness or Capital Stock of
any Wholly Owned Subsidiary whose Capital Stock is pledged under the indenture,
unless all indebtedness and Capital Stock of such Wholly Owned Subsidiary has
been or is at the same time sold or disposed of.
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Limitation on Sale of Mortgaged Property. We will not sell or otherwise
dispose of less than substantially all, of the Mortgaged Property except,
subject to exceptions, upon its release as provided in the indenture. We will
not consolidate or merge with or into, or transfer or convey all or
substantially all the Mortgaged Property as an entirety to, any other
corporation or permit any other corporation to merge into us, except as
provided in the indenture.
We may, subject to the limitations described above under "Limitation of Sale
of Capital Stock and Indebtedness of Pledged Subsidiaries," from time to time
sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of Mortgaged Property, other than shares of
stock, and such Mortgaged Property shall be released from the lien of the
indenture upon receipt by the trustee of:
(1) A certified resolution requesting such release.
(2) An engineer's certificate stating in substance:
(a) A description in reasonable detail of the Property to be
released;
(b) A description in reasonable detail of the consideration for
the Property to be released, which may consist of cash and/or
purchase money obligations given in payment of the purchase price of
the Property to be released;
(c) The then fair value of the Property to be released, which may
not more than the amount of the consideration received or to be
received from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the
Property to be released; and
(d) That such release will not impair the security under the
indenture in contravention of the provisions of the indenture and is
desirable in the proper conduct of our business, or is otherwise in
our best interests.
If the fair value of such Property to be released, and of all other Property
or securities released from the lien of the indenture since the beginning of
the then current calendar year, is ten percent (10%) or more of the total
principal amount of all the outstanding bonds under the indenture, the
certificate must be made by an independent engineer. However, the certificate
need not be made by an independent engineer if the fair value of the Property
to be released is less than $25,000 or less than one percent (1%) of the total
principal amount of all the outstanding bonds.
(c) If the consideration for the Property to be released includes
purchase money obligations, an officers' certificate stating that such
obligations were given in payment of part of the purchase price of the
Property to be released and are secured by a purchase money mortgage on the
Property to be released maturing not more than ten years after the date of
deposit with the trustee. Such purchase money obligations may not exceed in
principal amount (1) 66 2/3% of the fair value of the Property covered by
such purchase money mortgage and (2) together with the total principal
amount of all such obligations received for Property released and held by
the trustee, ten percent of the total principal amount of all bonds then
outstanding.
(d) We must deposit with the trustee any cash or purchase money
obligations stated in the engineer's certificate to be consideration for
the Property to be released. We may elect to reduce the cash required to be
deposited by an amount equivalent to the amount of cash which could at the
time be withdrawn pursuant to the indenture on the same conditions as
additional bonds are issued, described above under "Issuance of Additional
Bonds;" provided that the amount of cash required to be deposited may not
be reduced by the amount of cash that could at the time be withdrawn on the
basis of bondable obligations or bondable stock, and that the amount of
cash to be deposited may not be reduced by the amount of cash which could
at the time be withdrawn on the basis of bondable stock.
(e) In addition, subject to the limitations stated above under
"Limitation on Sale of Capital Stock and Indebtedness of Pledged
Subsidiaries," we may sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of any Mortgaged
Property, other than shares of stock or other securities or indebtedness of
any corporation pledged under the indenture or any of our rights and
interests with respect to the contract between the Corporation and
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Iron Ore Company of Canada as described in the indenture. The trustee must
release this Mortgaged Property from the lien of the indenture, without
compliance with any of the provisions described in clauses (a) through (d)
above and without the deposit of cash with the trustee, upon receipt by the
trustee of:
(1). A request evidenced by an officer's certificate; and
(2). An engineer's certificate, stating in substance:
(a) A description in reasonable detail of the Property to be
released;
(b) A description in reasonable detail of the consideration, if
any, for the Property to be released;
(c) The then fair value of the Property to be released, which fair
value may not exceed $100,000;
(d) That neither (A) the total fair value of all Property released
under this paragraph (e) in the calendar year in which the Property
described in the certificate is to be released nor (B) the total
consideration received by us for all Property so released for such
calendar year, exceeds $250,000; and
(e) That such Property is not useful or necessary in the conduct of
our business and that such release will not impair the security under
the indenture in contravention of the provisions of the indenture and
is desirable in the proper conduct of our business or is otherwise in
our best interests. No Property may be released under this provision in
any calendar year after either (A) the total fair value of all Property
released under this provision for such calendar year, or (B) the total
consideration received for such Property for such calendar year,
exceeds $250,000.
Limitation on Sale of Assets other than Mortgaged Property. We may not, and
may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, complete
any Asset Sale, which does not include sales or other dispositions of Mortgaged
Property made in compliance with the covenant described above under the heading
"Limitation on Sale of Mortgaged Property," unless (1) consideration received
at the time of such Asset Sale or, in the case of a lease that is an Asset
Sale, is to be received over the term of such lease, is at least equal to the
Fair Market Value of the Property sold; (2) at least 75% of the consideration
paid in such Asset Sale is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents, additional
assets or the assumption by the purchaser of liabilities of National Steel or
any Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms
subordinated to the bonds, as a result of which National Steel and the
Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer obligated for such liabilities; and (3)
we deliver an officers' certificate to the trustee certifying compliance with
clauses (1) and (2).
The Net Available Cash from Asset Sales may be applied, to the extent we or
such Restricted Subsidiary elects, or is required by the terms of any Debt:
(a) to prepay, repay, legally defease or purchase our Senior Debt or Debt
of any other Restricted Subsidiary, excluding, in any such case, Debt owed
to National Steel or an affiliate;
(b) to permanently fund our pension or OPEB obligations; or
(c) to reinvest in additional assets, including by means of an Investment
in additional assets by a Restricted Subsidiary with Net Available Cash
received by National Steel or another Restricted Subsidiary, or to commit
to reinvest in additional assets, such commitments to include amounts
anticipated to be expended pursuant to our capital Investment plan.
We must file an officer's certificate with the trustee stating that the total
amount of the Net Available Cash from such Asset Sale, after giving effect to
the prior application of any portion pursuant to clause (a) or (b) of this
paragraph, is less than the total amount contemplated to be expended pursuant
to such capital Investment
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plan within 24 months of the completion of such Asset Sale. However, in
connection with any prepayment, repayment, legal defeasance or purchase of Debt
pursuant to clause (a) above, we, or our Restricted Subsidiary, must retire
such Debt and cause any related loan commitment to be permanently reduced by an
equal amount.
Any Net Available Cash from an Asset Sale not applied in accordance with the
preceding provisions within twelve months after its receipt or not committed to
be reinvested and actually reinvested within twenty-four months after its
receipt, shall constitute "excess proceeds." When the total amount of excess
proceeds exceeds $5.0 million, including income earned on such excess proceeds,
we must make an offer to purchase the bonds. This prepayment offer must be:
(1) in the amount of the excess proceeds,
(2) made on a pro rata basis according to principal amount,
(3) made at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus
accrued interest to the Purchase Date and
(4) made in accordance with the procedures provided in the eleventh
supplemental indenture.
If any portion of Net Available Cash remains after such application and after
all holders of bonds have been given the opportunity to tender their bonds, we
or such Restricted Subsidiary may use any remaining amount for any purpose
permitted by the indenture and the amount of excess proceeds will be reset to
zero.
The prepayment offer must be made within five business days after we become
obligated to make it. We must mail a written notice to holders, accompanied by
information regarding us and our Subsidiaries as we in good faith believe will
enable such holders to make an informed decision regarding our prepayment
offer. We must state the purchase price and the purchase date, which must be,
unless otherwise required by applicable law, a business day no earlier than 30
days nor later than 60 days from the date the notice is mailed. We will comply
with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other
securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of bonds
pursuant to the prepayment offer.
Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries. We
may not, and may not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or
indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist any restriction on the
right of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on or in respect of its
Capital Stock, or pay any Debt or other obligation owed, to National Steel
or any other Restricted Subsidiary,
(2) make any loans or advances to National Steel or any other Restricted
Subsidiary,
(3) transfer any of its Property to National Steel or any other
Restricted Subsidiary or
(4) Guarantee any Debt of National Steel or any other Restricted
Subsidiary.
These limitations will not apply to restrictions :
(1) in effect on the Series A Issue Date,
(2) relating to Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary and existing at the time
it became a Restricted Subsidiary if such restriction was not created in
connection with or in anticipation of the transaction in which it became a
Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired,
(3) which result from the refinancing of Debt Incurred pursuant to an
agreement referred to in the immediately preceding clauses (1) or (2),
provided that such restriction is no less favorable to the holders of bonds
than those under such agreement,
(4) on Funding or any other bankruptcy-remote special-purpose Subsidiary
or any Restricted Subsidiary that purchases or sells accounts receivable or
inventory pursuant to the Credit Facilities,
(5) arising out of or agreed to in a joint venture agreement entered into
by us or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business that do
not, individually or in total, (a) detract from the value
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of our Property or assets or those of any Restricted Subsidiary in any
material manner or (b) materially adversely affect our ability to make
principal or interest payments on the bonds, and
(6) with respect to clause (3) only, to restrictions:
(A) relating to Debt that is permitted to be Incurred and secured
pursuant to the covenants described under "Limitation on Debt and
Restricted Subsidiary Preferred Stock" and "Limitation on Liens" that
limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the Property securing such
Debt,
(B) encumbering Property at the time such Property was acquired by us
or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such restriction relates
solely to the Property acquired and was not created in connection with
or in anticipation of such acquisition,
(C) which result from the refinancing of Debt Incurred pursuant to an
agreement referred to in clauses (A) or (B),
(D) resulting from customary provisions restricting subletting or
assignment of leases or customary provisions in other agreements that
restrict assignment of such agreements or rights, or
(E) customary restrictions contained in Asset Sale agreements
limiting the transfer of such Property pending the closing of such
sale.
Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates. We may not, and may not permit
any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, conduct any business or
enter into or suffer to exist any transaction or transactions, including the
purchase, sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or exchange of any
Property or the rendering of any service, with, or for the benefit of, any
affiliate of National Steel, unless:
(1) the terms of such affiliate transaction are (a) set forth in writing
and (b) no less favorable than those that could be obtained in a comparable
arm's-length transaction with a non-affiliate,
(2) if such affiliate transaction involves total payments or value in
excess of $10.0 million, the board of directors, including a majority of
its disinterested members, approves the affiliate transaction and in its
good faith judgment believes that such affiliate transaction complies with
clause (1) and
(3) if such affiliate transaction involves total payments or value in
excess of $20.0 million, we obtain a written opinion from an Independent
Financial Advisor to the effect that such affiliate transaction is fair,
from a financial point of view, to National Steel or such Restricted
Subsidiary.
Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, National Steel or any Restricted
Subsidiary may enter into or suffer to exist the following:
(1) any transaction or series of transactions between us and one or more
Restricted Subsidiaries or between Restricted Subsidiaries, provided that
no more than 5% of the total voting power of the voting stock of any such
Restricted Subsidiary is owned by an affiliate other than a Restricted
Subsidiary;
(2) any Restricted Payment permitted to be made pursuant to the covenant
described under "Limitation on Restricted Payments;"
(3) any issuance of securities or other payments, awards or grants in
securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment
arrangements, pension or other benefit plans, stock options and stock
ownership plans and other compensatory arrangements approved by the board
of directors;
(4) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of National Steel or such
Restricted Subsidiary who are not employees of them;
(5) loans and advances to employees made in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practices, provided that such outstanding
loans and advances do not exceed $5.0 million in total at any one time;
(6) any payments for the purchase of steel products from NKK or any of
its affiliates or the provision of services by NKK or any of its
affiliates, including the construction by NKK or an affiliate of NKK of the
new hot dip galvanizing facility at the Great Lakes Division; provided,
that, in each case, the terms of
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such payments are determined on an arm's length basis and are approved by
the disinterested members of the board of directors; and
(7) any affiliate transactions between National Steel or any Restricted
Subsidiary and one or more Affiliate Joint Ventures that (a) are on terms
no less favorable than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm's
length transaction with a non-affiliate of National Steel and (b) if such
affiliate transactions involve total payments or value in excess of $10.0
million, the board of directors, including a majority of its disinterested
members, approves such affiliate transaction and in its good faith judgment
believes that it complies with this provision.
Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. We may not, and may not permit
any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction
with respect to any Property unless:
(1) we would be entitled to (a) Incur Debt in an amount equal to the
Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction
pursuant to the covenant described under "Limitation on Debt and Restricted
Subsidiary Preferred Stock" and (b) create a Lien on the Property securing
such Attributable Debt pursuant to the covenant described under "Limitation
on Liens" and
(2) such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is effected in compliance with
the covenant described under "Limitation on Sale of Assets other than
Mortgaged Property" or the covenant described under "Limitation on Sale of
Mortgaged Property," as applicable.
Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries. National Steel's
board of directors may designate any Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted
Subsidiary if:
(1) such Subsidiary does not own any Capital Stock or Debt of, or own or
hold any Lien on any Property of, National Steel or any other Restricted
Subsidiary,
(2) such Subsidiary is not obligated under any Debt, Lien or other
obligation that, if in Default, would result in a Default on any of our
Debt or Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary, and
(3) either (a) such Subsidiary has total assets of $1,000 or less or (b)
such designation is effective immediately upon such entity becoming our
Subsidiary or a Subsidiary of any Restricted Subsidiary.
Unless designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, any person that becomes a
Subsidiary of National Steel or of any Wholly Owned Subsidiary will be
classified as a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that (x) we could Incur at
least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to the covenant described under
"Limitation on Debt and Restricted Subsidiary Preferred Stock" and (y) no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result
after giving effect to such classification. Any person that does not meet the
preceding requirements will be automatically classified as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary. Except as provided in the first sentence of this paragraph, no
Restricted Subsidiary may be redesignated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The board of directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a
Restricted Subsidiary if, immediately after giving effect to such designation,
(x) we could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to the covenant
described under "Limitation on Debt and Restricted Subsidiary Preferred Stock"
and (y) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would
result.
Limitation on Lines of Business. We may not, nor may any of our Restricted
Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, engage to any substantial extent in any
line or lines of business activity other than those businesses, and reasonably
related businesses, that we were engaged in as of the Series A Issue Date.
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Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Property
We will not merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into any other person,
other than a merger of a Wholly Owned Subsidiary into us, or sell, transfer,
assign, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all our
Property in any one transaction or series of transactions unless:
(1) National Steel is the surviving person or the surviving person, if
other than National Steel, formed by, or to which such sale or other
disposition is made, is a corporation organized and existing under the laws
of the United States of America, any State or the District of Columbia;
(2) the surviving person, if other than National Steel, expressly
assumes, in accordance with the provisions of the indenture, the due and
punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on,
all the bonds, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual
performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions to be
performed by National Steel and confirms in writing the lien of the
indenture, including the after-acquired Property clauses;
(3) in the case of a sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or
other disposition of all or substantially all of our Property, such
Property has been transferred as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to
one person;
(4) immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction or
transactions and treating, for purposes of this clause (4) and clauses (5)
and (6) below, any Debt which becomes, or is anticipated to become, an
obligation of the surviving person or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result
of such transaction or transactions as having been Incurred at the time of
such transaction or series of transactions, no Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing;
(5) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of
transactions, National Steel or the surviving person would be able to Incur
at least $1.00 of additional Debt under the covenant described under
"Certain Covenants--Limitation on Debt and Restricted Subsidiary Preferred
Stock;"
(6) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of
transactions, the surviving person has a Consolidated Net Worth in an
amount which is not less than the Consolidated Net Worth of National Steel
immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions; and
(7) National Steel delivers, or causes to be delivered, to the trustee an
officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such
transaction and any supplemental indenture with respect to it comply with
this covenant and that all conditions precedent relating to such
transaction have been satisfied.
SEC Reports
Whether or not we are then required to file reports with the SEC, we will
file all such reports and other information as would be required by Sections 13
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act if we were subject to the Exchange Act. We also
must supply, within 15 days after the required filing time of such reports and
other information, to the trustee and each holder or to the trustee to be
forwarded to each holder, without cost to the holder, copies of such reports
and other information. If the SEC does not permit the filing of such reports
and other information, we will supply copies of such reports and other
information to any holder of bonds upon their written request.
Events of Default
Events of Default. The following events are defined as "Events of Default" in
the indenture and apply to all bonds issued under the indenture:
(1) default in payment of any installment of interest on any bond issued
under the indenture continued for ninety days;
(2) default in payment of any principal on any bond issued under the
indenture when due;
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(3) default in meeting any sinking fund requirement on any bond issued
under the indenture;
(4) default for ninety days after written notice in the observance or
performance of any other covenant or agreement in the indenture; or
(5) specific events of bankruptcy or insolvency.
The trustee of the holders of 25% in principal amount of all bonds issued
under the indenture may declare the principal of all such bonds to be
immediately due and payable upon an event of default. However, the holders of a
majority in principal amount of all such bonds may waive the Default and
rescind any declaration if the Default is cured. The trustee is required to
take steps to enforce payment of the bonds and the lien of the indenture upon
the written request of the holders of at least than a majority in principal
amount of all the bonds issued under the indenture upon any event of default.
Supplemental Indenture Events of Default. In addition to the Events of
Default described in the preceding paragraph, the original and exchange bonds
have additional Events of Default which apply only to them. The following
events are, under the terms of the tenth and eleventh supplemental indentures,
referred to as "Supplemental Indenture Events of Default":
(1) Default in the payment of any interest on the bonds when it becomes
due and payable continued for a period of 30 days;
(2) Default in the payment of any principal or premium, if any, on any of
the bonds when it becomes due and payable under the eleventh supplemental
indenture;
(3) failure to comply with the covenant described above under "Merger,
Consolidation and Sale of Property;"
(4) failure to comply with any other covenant or agreement in the bonds
or in the indenture, other than a failure which is the subject of the
foregoing clause (1), (2) or (3), which continues for 30 days after written
notice is given to us as provided below;
(5) a Default under any Debt by us or any Restricted Subsidiary which
results in acceleration of the maturity of such Debt, or failure to pay any
such Debt at maturity, in an total amount greater than $10.0 million (the
"cross acceleration provisions");
(6) if any judgment or judgments for the payment of money in a total
amount in excess of $10.0 million is rendered against us or any Restricted
Subsidiary and is not waived, satisfied or discharged for any period of 60
consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement is not in effect; and
(7) specific events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of
us or any Significant Subsidiary.
The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the bonds of any Eleventh
Supplemental Indenture Default, except payment Defaults, if it is considered to
be in the best interest of the holders of the bonds to do so.
A Supplemental Indenture Default under clause (4) is not a Supplemental
Indenture Event of Default until the trustee or the holders of not less than
25% in outstanding principal amount of the bonds outstanding under the tenth or
eleventh supplemental indenture, as applicable, notify us of the Supplemental
Indenture Default and we do not cure it within the time period specified. Such
notice must specify the Supplemental Indenture Default, demand that it be
remedied and state that such notice is a "Notice of Default." We must notify
the trustee within 30 days after the occurrence of a Default or an Event of
Default.
If a Supplemental Indenture Event of Default continues, other than as a
result of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the trustee or the
registered holders of not less than 25% in total outstanding principal amount
of all bonds outstanding under the tenth or eleventh supplemental indenture, as
applicable, may declare the principal and accrued but unpaid interest of the
bonds immediately due and payable. If a Supplemental Indenture Event of Default
results from bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us or any Significant
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Subsidiary, the bonds shall be due and payable immediately without any
declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or the holders of the
bonds.
Subject to the right of the holders of 25% in principal amount of all bonds
issued under the tenth or eleventh supplemental indenture, as applicable, to
accelerate the maturity of all of such bonds as described above, the holders of
a majority in total outstanding principal amount of the bonds may rescind any
acceleration if it would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all
existing Supplemental Indenture Events of Default are cured. No such rescission
shall affect any subsequent Supplemental Indenture Default or impair any rights
related to such subsequent Default.
Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the
trustee, the trustee does not have to exercise any of its rights or powers in
the event of a Default unless holders of all bonds agree to reasonably
indemnify the trustee. If they do so agree, the holders of a majority in total
principal amount of all bonds issued under the indenture then outstanding have
the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
any available remedy or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee
with respect to all the bonds. The original or exchange bonds outstanding at
any time may not constitute a majority of the outstanding principal amount of
all bonds of all series. Thus, holders of these bonds may not have any ability
to direct the trustee independently of any other series of bonds. Further,
holders of series of bonds other than these bonds may have sufficient voting
power to direct the actions of the trustee or cause the acceleration of the
bonds without the consent of the holders of these bonds.
A holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the bonds
issued under the indenture, or take any action for the appointment of a
receiver or trustee, unless:
(1) the holder has given the trustee written notice of a continuing Event
of Default,
(2) the registered holders of at least 25% in total principal amount of
all the bonds issued under the indenture or the applicable supplemental
indenture then outstanding have made written request,
(3) the holder or holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnity against
any costs, liability or expense,
(4) the trustee has not received from the registered holders of a
majority in total outstanding principal amount of all the bonds issued
under the indenture a direction inconsistent with such request, and
(5) the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding within 30 days.
These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of any bonds
issued under the indenture for enforcement of payment on such bond on or after
the due dates expressed in such bond.
Amendments and Waivers
The indenture may be modified only with the consent of the holders of 66 2/3%
of the principal amount of all bonds issued under the indenture. However, no
modification may be made to:
(1) alter the dates fixed for the payment on all the bonds, or otherwise
modify the terms of payment,
(2) alter the amount of principal of, or rate of interest or premium on,
any of the bonds,
(3) affect the rights of the holders of less than all the bonds of any
series,
(4) affect the rights of the holders of less than all the series of bonds
except with the consent of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in
principal amount of the bonds of each of the series so affected, or
(5) reduce the percentage of bondholder consent required for any
modification.
In addition, the tenth and eleventh supplemental indentures may not be
amended without the consent of the registered holders of a majority of total
outstanding principal amount of the bonds under the applicable supplemental
indenture. They may also waive any past Default or compliance with any
provisions of the applicable supplemental indenture, except a Default in the
payment of principal, premium or interest and certain covenants and provisions
of the tenth or eleventh supplemental indenture which cannot be amended without
the consent of each holder of an outstanding bond.
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However, the tenth and eleventh supplemental indentures may not, without the
consent of each holder of an outstanding bond, be amended to:
(1) reduce the amount of bonds whose holders must consent to an amendment
or waiver,
(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any
bond,
(3) reduce the principal of or extend the stated maturity of any bond,
(4) make any bond payable in money other than that stated in the bond,
(5) impair the right of any holder of the bonds to receive payment on
such holder's bonds on or after the due dates or to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment on such holder's bonds,
(6) subordinate the bonds to any other obligation of National Steel,
(7) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption or repurchase of any
bond as described under "Optional Redemption" or "Repurchase at the Option
of Holders Upon a Change of Control," or
(8) at any time after a Change of Control has occurred, change the time
at which the related Change of Control offer must be made or at which the
bonds must be repurchased.
Defeasance
We may cancel the indenture and discharge the lien if we pay, or make
provision for the payment of, the principal, interest and premium, if any, on
all the bonds issued under the indenture at the times and in the manner
provided for in the indenture.
Any moneys deposited with the trustee for the payment or redemption of all
the bonds under the indenture and coupons, and remaining unclaimed by the
bondholders for six years after the date of maturity or the date fixed for
redemption of such bonds, shall be repaid to us and thereafter such bondholders
will be limited to a claim against us for payment.
Book-Entry System
The exchange bonds will initially be issued in the form of one or more
registered new bonds in global form without interest coupons registered in the
name of The Depository Trust Company or its nominee.
Upon the issuance of a global bond, DTC or its nominee will credit the
accounts of persons holding through it with the respective principal amounts of
the bonds represented by such global bond exchanged in the exchange offer.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global bond will be limited to persons
that have accounts with DTC who are "participants," or persons that may hold
interests through participants. Any person acquiring an interest in a global
bond through an offshore transaction in reliance on Regulation S under the
Securities Act may hold such interest through Cedel or Euroclear. Ownership of
beneficial interests in a global bond will be shown on, and the transfer of
that ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by
DTC, with respect to participants' interests, and such participants, with
respect to the owners of beneficial interests in such global bond other than
participants. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These
limits and laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a
global bond.
Payment of principal of and interest on bonds represented by a global bond
will be made in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as the case
may be, as the sole registered owner and the sole holder of the bonds
represented thereby for all purposes under the indenture. We have been advised
by DTC that upon receipt of any payment of principal of or interest on any
global bond, DTC will immediately credit, on its book-entry registration and
transfer system, the accounts of participants with payments in amounts
proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal or face
amount of such global bond as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global bond held through
such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices as is now the case with securities held for customer accounts
registered in "street name" and will be the sole responsibility of such
participants.
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A global bond may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC or a nominee of
DTC to a nominee of DTC or to DTC. A global bond is exchangeable for
certificated bonds only if:
(1) DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a
depositary for such global bond or if at any time DTC ceases to be a
clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act,
(2) we, in our discretion at any time determine not to have all the bonds
represented by such global bond or
(3) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or an Event of
Default with respect to the bonds represented by such global bond.
Any global bond that is exchangeable for certificated bonds pursuant to the
preceding sentence will be exchanged for certificated bonds in authorized
denominations and registered in such names as DTC or any successor depositary
holding such global bond may direct. Except as provided for in this paragraph,
a global bond is not exchangeable, except for a global bond of like
denomination to be registered in the name of DTC or any successor depositary or
its nominee.
In the event that a global bond becomes exchangeable for certificated bonds,
(1) certificated bonds will be issued only in fully registered form in
denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof, (2) payment of principal
of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the certificated bonds will be
payable, and the transfer of the certificated bonds will be registerable, at
our office or agency maintained for such purposes and (3) no service charge
will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the certificated
bonds, although we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
governmental charge imposed in connection with the exchange.
So long as DTC or any successor depositary for a global bond, or any nominee,
is the registered owner of such global bond, DTC or such successor or nominee,
will be considered the sole owner or holder of the bonds represented by such
global bond for all purposes under the indenture and the bonds. Except as set
forth above, owners of beneficial interests in a global bond will not be
entitled to have the bonds represented by such global bond registered in their
names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
certificated bonds in definitive form and will not be considered to be the
owners or holders of any bonds under such global bond. Accordingly, each person
owning a beneficial interest in a global bond must rely on the procedures of
DTC or any successor depositary, and, if not a participant, on the procedures
of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any
rights of a holder under the indenture.
We expect that under existing industry practices, in the event that we
request any action of holders or that an owner of a beneficial interest in a
global bond desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to
give or take under the indenture, DTC or any successor depositary would
authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interest to give or
take such action and such participants would authorize beneficial owners owning
through such participants to give or take such action or would otherwise act
upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
DTC has advised us that it is:
(1)a limited-purpose trust company organized under the Banking Law of the
State of New York,
(2)a member of the Federal Reserve System,
(3)a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code, and
(4)a "clearing agency" registered under the Exchange Act.
DTC was created to hold the securities of its participants and to facilitate
the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants
in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the
participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities
certificates. DTC's participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks,
trust companies, clearing corporations and
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certain other organizations some of whom, or their representatives, own DTC.
Access to DTC's book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks,
brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.
Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate
transfers of interests in global securities among participants of DTC, it is
under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such
procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither we nor the trustee will
have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants or
indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and
procedures governing their operations.
Second Mortgage
Under the terms of our collective bargaining agreement with the USWA,
effective August 1, 1993, we have agreed to grant a second mortgage to Mellon
Bank N.A., Trustee for National Steel Corporation Represented Retirees Benefit
Trust, an unincorporated voluntary employees' beneficiary association organized
under the laws of Pennsylvania. The second mortgage will cover all of the
current and future real estate and improvements located at Great Lakes that are
encumbered by the indenture for the purpose of securing our benefit liabilities
and those of our Subsidiaries for collectively bargained retiree health care
and insurance benefits for all of represented employees regardless of
particular union representation. The benefits liabilities to be secured exclude
retired employees covered under labor agreements with the United Mine Workers
of America and retired employees of the Delray Connecting Railroad Corporation.
We have calculated the benefit liabilities for such employees to be $406
million as of December 31, 1998. The rights to be granted pursuant to the
second mortgage will be subordinate and subject to the rights of the trustee
under the indenture as amended, modified and supplemented, including
amendments, modifications and supplements executed after the date that the
second mortgage is entered into. Under certain conditions, the second mortgage
will provide that it will be released and satisfied by the second mortgagee
trustee.
The second mortgage will be subject, in both lien and payment, to the
indenture, as amended or supplemented, and any additional bonds that may be
issued. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the second mortgage
and the terms of the indenture, the terms of the indenture will control.
The second mortgagee trustee, at one or more times at our request, will
consent, waive and agree, and will be deemed to have consented, waived and
agreed on the same basis and to the same extent that any form of consent,
waiver or agreement is granted by the trustee. The second mortgagee trust will
forebear from taking any action not taken by the trustee. Such undertakings by
the second mortgagee trustee will be declared to be a condition to the creation
of any rights in second mortgagee trust pursuant to the second mortgage. The
second mortgagee trustee will be required upon receipt of our written request
to release from the lien of the second mortgage any portion or all of the
Mortgaged Property that is released from the lien of the indenture.
Furthermore, we will not be restricted by the second mortgage from conveying
interests in the Mortgaged Property free of the lien of the second mortgage or
be required to obtain the consent of second mortgagee trustee in any case where
such conveyance free of the lien of the indenture is permitted by the terms of
the indenture and the consent of the trustee is not required.
In the event of a liquidation or foreclosure by the trustee, in any action
involving such liquidation or foreclosure, we will agree to use our best
efforts to support the enforcement of an appropriate equitable remedy for the
benefit of the second mortgagee Trust, including, but not limited to, a
marshaling of all of our assets.
Certain Bankruptcy Limitations
The right of the trustee to repossess and dispose of the Mortgaged Property,
or otherwise to exercise rights or remedies against the Mortgaged Property,
upon the occurrence of an Event of Default is likely to be significantly
impaired by applicable bankruptcy law if a bankruptcy proceeding were to be
begun by or against National Steel prior to the date when, or possibly even
after, the trustee has taken any such action. Under
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bankruptcy law, secured creditors such as the trustee on behalf of the holders
are prohibited from repossessing their security from a debtor in a bankruptcy
case, or from disposing of security repossessed from such debtor, without
bankruptcy court approval.
Bankruptcy law also permits the debtor to continue to keep and use collateral
even though the debtor is in default under the applicable debt instruments,
provided generally that the secured creditor is given "adequate protection."
The meaning of the term "adequate protection" may vary according to
circumstances, but it is intended in general to protect the value of the
secured creditor's interest in the collateral. Adequate protection may include
cash payments or the granting of additional security if the court determines it
appropriate for any diminution in the value of the collateral as a result of
the stay of repossession or disposition or any use of the collateral by the
debtor during the pendency of the bankruptcy case. Because of the lack of a
precise definition of the term "adequate protection" and the broad
discretionary powers of a bankruptcy court, it is impossible to predict how
long payments under the bonds could be delayed following commencement of a
bankruptcy case, whether or when the trustee could repossess or dispose of the
Mortgaged Property or whether or to what extent holders would be compensated
for any delay in payment or loss of value of the Mortgaged Property through the
requirement of "adequate protection."
In the event that the bankruptcy court determines the value of the Mortgaged
Property is not sufficient to repay all amounts due on the bonds, the holders
would hold "undersecured claims." Applicable federal bankruptcy laws do not
permit the payment and/or accrual of interest, costs and attorney's fees for
"undersecured claims" during the pendency of a debtor's bankruptcy case.
Governing Law
The indenture and the bonds are governed by the internal laws of the State of
New York without reference to principles of conflicts of law.
The Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar for the Bonds
The Chase Manhattan Bank is the trustee under the indenture and has been
appointed by National Steel as registrar and paying agent with regard to the
bonds.
During the continuance of an Event of Default, the trustee will perform only
such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the
existence of an Event of Default, the trustee will exercise such of the rights
and powers vested in it under the indenture and use the same degree of care and
skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the
circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs.
Registration Rights
National Steel entered into the registration rights agreements with the
placement agents, for the benefit of the holders of original bonds. Under these
agreements, we agreed to use our best efforts, at our cost, to file and cause
to become effective a registration statement with respect to a registered offer
to exchange original bonds for exchange bonds with terms identical to the
original bonds, except that the exchange bonds will not bear legends
restricting their transfer. The registration statement, of which this
prospectus is part, constitutes a registration statement for purposes of the
registration rights agreements. Upon the registration statement being declared
effective, we will offer the exchange bonds in return for surrender of the
exchange bonds. The exchange offer will remain open for not less than 30 days
after the date notice of the exchange offer is mailed to holders of the
original bonds. For each original bond surrendered to us under the exchange
offer, the holder of such original bond will receive an exchange bond of equal
principal amount. Interest on each exchange bond will accrue from the last
interest payment date on which interest was paid on the original bonds so
surrendered or, if no interest has been paid on such original bond, from March
8, 1999. If the applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC do not
permit us to effect the exchange offer, or under certain other circumstances,
we will, at our cost, use our best efforts:
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(1) to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement with
respect to resales of the original bonds, and
(2) to keep such shelf registration statement effective until the
expiration of the time period referred to in Rule 144(k) under the
Securities Act after March 31, 1999, or such shorter period that will
terminate when all original bonds covered by the shelf registration
statement have been sold pursuant to the shelf registration statement.
We will, in the event of such a shelf registration, provide to each holder
copies of the prospectus, notify each holder of original bonds when the shelf
registration statement for the original bonds has become effective and take
other actions as are required to permit resales of the original bonds. A holder
that sells its old bonds pursuant to the shelf registration statement
generally:
(1) will be required to be named as a selling security holder in the
related prospectus and to deliver a prospectus to purchasers,
(2) will be subject to certain of the civil liability provisions under the
Securities Act in connection with such sales, and
(3) will be bound by the provisions of the registrations rights agreement
that are applicable to such a holder, including indemnification
obligations.
If the exchange offer is not consummated and a shelf registration statement
is not declared effective on or before September 6, 1999, the annual interest
rate borne by the original bonds will be increased by 0.25% per 90 day period,
until reaching a maximum increase of 1.00%, until the exchange offer is
consummated or the shelf registration statement is declared effective.
If we effect the exchange offer, we will be entitled to close the exchange
offer 30 days after the commencement of it, provided that we have accepted all
original bonds previously validly surrendered in accordance with the terms of
the exchange offer. Original bonds not tendered in the exchange offer will bear
interest at 9 7/8% per year and be subject to all of the terms and conditions
specified in the indenture and to the transfer restrictions set forth in the
legend on the certificate for such original bonds.
This summary of provisions of the registration rights agreements does not
restate the agreements in their entirety. We urge you to read the applicable
registration rights agreement, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Certain Definitions
Set forth below is a summary of defined terms used in the indenture. You
should refer to the indenture for the full definition of all terms as well as
any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
"Additional Assets" means (1) any Property other than cash, Cash Equivalents
or securities to be owned by National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary; or
(2) Capital Stock of a person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result
of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by National Steel or another
Restricted Subsidiary from any person other than National Steel or an
affiliate.
"Affiliate" of any specified person means (1) any other person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified person or (2) any other person who is a director or
officer of (a) such specified person, (b) any Subsidiary of such specified
person or (c) any person described in clause (1) above.
For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any
person means the power to direct the management and policies of such person,
directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise. The terms "controlling" and "controlled" have consistent
meanings.
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For purposes of the covenants described under "Certain Covenants--Limitation
on Transactions with Affiliates," "Limitation on Sale of Assets other than
Mortgaged Property" and the definition of the term "additional assets" only,
"affiliate" also means any beneficial owner of shares representing 5% or more
of the total voting power of the voting stock on a fully diluted basis of
National Steel or of rights or warrants to purchase such voting stock whether
or not currently exercisable and any person who would be an affiliate of any
such beneficial owner.
"Affiliate Joint Venture" means a person, other than one of our Subsidiaries,
in which we or any Restricted Subsidiary has an Investment and which is an
affiliate only because we or such Restricted Subsidiary has the ability to
control such person, and for no other reason.
"Asset Sale" means any sale, lease, transfer, issuance or other disposition,
or series of such transactions, by National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary,
including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar
transaction, each referred to for the purposes of this definition as a
disposition, of:
(1) any shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary other than
directors' qualifying shares;
(2) all or substantially all the assets of any division or line of
business of National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary; or
(3) any other assets of National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary
outside of the ordinary course of business of either;
other than:
(a) in the case of preceding clauses (1), (2) and (3), any disposition by
a Restricted Subsidiary to National Steel or by National Steel or a
Restricted Subsidiary to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary,
(b) and in the case of the preceding clauses (1) and (2):
(A) any disposition of accounts receivable or inventory by or to
National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary to or from funding or any
other bankruptcy-remote, special-purpose Subsidiary in connection with
the Incurrence of Debt by such Subsidiary under the Credit Facilities,
or
(B) any disposition of Property having, together with other Property
disposed of pursuant to such clauses during the same fiscal year, a
total Fair Market Value of less than $25.0 million,
(c) in the case of clause (3) above, any disposition made in compliance
with the first paragraph of the covenant described under "Merger,
Consolidation and Sale of Property" and a disposition of obsolete assets in
the ordinary course of business, and
(d) in the case of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above, but only for purposes
of the covenant described under the heading "Limitation on Sale of Assets
other than Mortgaged Property", dispositions of Mortgaged Property made in
compliance with the covenant described under the heading "Limitation on
Sale of Mortgaged Property."
"Attributable Debt" in a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at any date of
determination:
(1) if it is a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Debt represented
by it according to the definition of the term "Capital Lease Obligation;"
and
(2) in all other instances, the present value, discounted at the actual
rate of interest implicit in such transaction, compounded annually, of the
total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining
term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction,
including any period for which such lease has been extended.
"Average Life" means, as of any date of determination, with respect to any
Debt or preferred stock, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the
product of the numbers of years, rounded to the nearest one-twelfth, from the
date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal
payment of such Debt or redemption or similar payment with respect to such
preferred stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by (2) the sum of all
such payments.
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"bondable obligations" means obligations acquired by National Steel
subsequent to December 31, 1951, (1) issued by a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, all
of whose stock is pledged under the indenture, and (2) secured by a direct
first lien, subject only to permitted liens, on Property acquired by such
Wholly Owned Subsidiary since December 31, 1951, which would have constituted
property additions if acquired by National Steel. The obligation may be for a
total principal amount up to 100% of the net amount of such Property.
"bondable stock" means:
(1) shares of Capital Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by National
Steel subsequent to May 1, 1952, issued by a Wholly Owned Subsidiary whose
outstanding Capital Stock is or will be subject to the lien of the
indenture, which is engaged in a business in which we may then be engaged
or in an affiliated business or one useful to such business and which does
not have outstanding any indebtedness except indebtedness to us and current
liabilities, other than for money borrowed, Incurred in the ordinary course
of business and payable not more than one year from the date of their
creation;
(2) shares of Capital Stock of Iron Ore Company of Canada acquired and
paid for by National Steel subsequent to December 31, 1951, and
(3) shares of stock of any other corporation, including evidences of
indebtedness, not exceeding in principal amount our share, based on our
stock interest, of the indebtedness of such corporation issued to its
stockholders, acquired and paid for by us subsequent to May 1, 1952,
provided:
(a) all the shares of stock of such corporation owned by National
Steel are, or will be, subject to the lien of the indenture,
(b) the company's principal assets consist of mining Property,
(c) we have the right to a share of the products mined or extracted
from such mining Property, and
(d) we assign our right to the trustee.
"Capital Expenditure Debt" means Debt Incurred by any person to finance a
capital expenditure so long as (1) such capital expenditure is or should be
included as an addition to "Property, Plant and Equipment" in accordance with
GAAP and (2) such Debt is Incurred within 180 days of the date such capital
expenditure is made.
"Capital Lease Obligations" means any obligation under a lease that is
required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with
GAAP. The amount of Debt represented by such obligation will be the capitalized
amount of such obligations determined in accordance with GAAP. The stated
maturity will be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due
under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be
terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty. For purposes of "Certain
Covenants--Limitation on Liens," a Capital Lease Obligation will be deemed
secured by a Lien on the Property being leased.
"Capital Stock" means any shares or other equivalents of corporate stock,
partnership interests or any other participations, rights, warrants, options or
other interests in the nature of an equity interest in any person, including
preferred stock, but excluding any Debt security convertible or exchangeable
into such equity interest.
"Capital Stock Sale Proceeds" means the total net cash proceeds received by
us from the issuance or sale, other than to a Subsidiary or an employee stock
ownership plan or trust established by us or any of our Subsidiaries for the
benefit of our employees, by us of any class of our Capital Stock, other than
Disqualified Stock, after the Series A Issue Date.
"Cash Equivalents" means
(1) any evidence of Debt with a maturity of 360 days or less issued or
directly and fully Guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any
agency or instrumentality, provided that the full faith and credit of the
United States of America is pledged in support,
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(2) certificates of deposit, Eurodollar time deposits, bankers' acceptances
and other similar unsubordinated Debt instruments with a maturity of 360 days
or less and overnight bank deposits of any bank, trust company, investment bank
or other financial institution, including any branch, that is organized or
regulated under the laws of the United States of America or any state, and
which has capital, surplus and undivided profits totaling in excess of US$1.0
billion and has outstanding unsecured Debt which is rated "A3" or higher by
Moody's or "A-" or higher by S&P; provided that up to $25.0 million of the
total amount of the Investments of the type described in this clause (2) may be
with banks or their branches of the type described above with outstanding
unsecured Debt that has an Investment Grade Rating or higher,
(3) commercial paper with a maturity of 360 days or less issued by a
corporation that is not an affiliate of National Steel and is organized under
the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and
rated at least A-2 by S&P or at least P-2 by Moody's,
(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for
underlying securities of the types described in clauses (1) and (2) above
entered into with a bank, trust company, investment bank or other financial
institution meeting the qualifications described in clause (2) above, or
(5) funds (including, without limitation, any fund for which the trustee or
any affiliate of the trustee serves as an administrator, shareholder servicing
agent and/or custodian or subcustodian), invested exclusively in cash and
Investments of the types described in clauses (1) through (4) above.
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) if any "person" or "group" as such terms are used in Sections 13(d)(3)
and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provisions,
including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding,
voting or disposing of securities within the meaning of Rule 13d-
5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, other than Permitted Holders, becomes
the "beneficial owner" as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act, except that a person will be deemed to have "beneficial
ownership" of all shares that any such person has the right to
acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
the passage of time, directly or indirectly, of 30% or more of the
total voting power of all classes of the voting stock of National
Steel; or
(2) the sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other
disposition, directly or indirectly, of all or substantially all the
assets of National Steel and the Restricted Subsidiaries, considered
as a whole (other than a disposition of such assets as an entirety or
virtually as an entirety to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary) has occurred,
or National Steel merges, consolidates or amalgamates with or into any
other person or any other person merges, consolidates or amalgamates
with or into us, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which
our outstanding voting stock is reclassified into or exchanged for
cash, securities or other Property, other than any such transaction
where: (a) our outstanding voting stock is reclassified into or
exchanged for voting stock of the surviving corporation and (b) the
holders of our voting stock immediately prior to such transaction own,
directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the voting stock
of the surviving corporation immediately after such transaction and in
substantially the same proportion as before the transaction; or
(3) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constituted the board of directors, together
with any new directors whose election or appointment by such board or
whose nomination for election by the shareholders was approved by a
vote of 66 2/3% of the directors then still in office who were either
directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or
nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any
reason to constitute a majority of the board of directors then in
office; or
(4) the shareholders shall have approved any plan of liquidation or
dissolution of National Steel.
"Commodity Price Protection Agreement" means any forward contract, commodity
swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar agreement or
arrangement designed to protect a person against fluctuations in commodity
prices.
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"Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio" means, as of any date of
determination, the ratio of (1) the total amount of EBITDA for the period of
the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending at least 45 days prior
to such determination date to (2) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four
fiscal quarters; provided, however, that:
(a) if National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any Debt
since the beginning of such period that remains outstanding or if the
transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Interest
Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Debt, or both, Consolidated Interest
Expense for such period will be calculated after giving effect on a pro
forma basis to such Debt as if such Debt had been Incurred, and the
discharge of any other Debt repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise
discharged with the proceeds of such new Debt as if such discharge had
occurred, on the first day of such period;
(b) if since the beginning of such period National Steel or any
Restricted Subsidiary has made any Asset Sale or if the transaction giving
rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is
an Asset Sale, or both, EBITDA for such period will be reduced by an amount
equal to the EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which
are the subject of such Asset Sale for such period, or increased by an
amount equal to the EBITDA (if negative) directly attributable thereto for
such period, in either case as if the Asset Sale had occurred on the first
day of such period and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will
be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense directly
attributable to any Debt of National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary
repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with respect to
National Steel and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection
with such Asset Sale for such period, as if such Asset Sale had occurred on
the first day of such period, or, if the Capital Stock of any Restricted
Subsidiary is sold, by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense
for such period directly attributable to the Debt of such Restricted
Subsidiary to the extent National Steel and its continuing Restricted
Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Debt after such sale;
(c) if since the beginning of such period National Steel or any
Restricted Subsidiary by merger or otherwise has made an Investment in any
Restricted Subsidiary or any person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary
or an acquisition of Property, including any acquisition of Property
occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be
made, which constitutes all or substantially all of an operating unit of a
business, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be
calculated after giving it pro forma effect, including the Incurrence of
any Debt, as if such Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of
such period; and
(d) if since the beginning of such period any person that subsequently
became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into National Steel or
any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period has made any
Asset Sale, Investment or acquisition of Property that would have required
an adjustment pursuant to clause (b) or (c) above if made by National Steel
or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period, EBITDA and Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving pro forma
effect thereto as if such Asset Sale, Investment or acquisition occurred on
the first day of such period.
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to
an acquisition of Property, the amount of income or earnings relating to it and
the amount of Consolidated Interest Expense associated with any Debt Incurred
in connection with it, the pro forma calculations will be determined in good
faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer and as further
contemplated by the definition of the term "pro forma." If any Debt bears a
floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest
expense on such Debt will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of
determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period, taking into
account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Debt if such Interest
Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total interest
expense of National Steel and our consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, plus,
to the extent not included in such total interest expense, and to
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the extent Incurred by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries:
(1) interest expense attributable to capital leases;
(2) amortization of Debt discount and Debt issuance cost;
(3) capitalized interest;
(4) non-cash interest expenses;
(5) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect
to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing;
(6) net costs associated with Hedging Obligations under Interest Rate
Agreements, including amortization of fees;
(7) Redeemable Dividends;
(8) preferred stock dividends on all preferred stock of Restricted
Subsidiaries held by persons other than National Steel or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary; and
(9) interest accruing on any Debt of any other person to the extent such
Debt is Guaranteed by National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income (loss) of
National Steel and our consolidated Subsidiaries; provided, however, that there
will not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:
(1) any net income (loss) of any person other than National Steel if such
person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that (a) subject to the
exclusion contained in clause (4) below, our equity in the net income of
any such person for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net
Income up to the total amount of cash distributed by such person during
such period to us or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other
distribution, subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a
Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (3) below,
and (b) our equity in a net loss of any such person, other than an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, for such period shall be included in determining
such Consolidated Net Income;
(2) any net income (loss) of any person acquired by National Steel or any
of our consolidated Subsidiaries in a pooling of interests transaction for
any period prior to the date of such acquisition;
(3) any net income (loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that
such Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or
indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions,
directly or indirectly, to us, except that (a) subject to the exclusion
contained in clause (4) below, our equity in the net income of any such
Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in such Consolidated
Net Income up to the total amount of cash distributed by such Restricted
Subsidiary during such period to us or another Restricted Subsidiary as a
dividend or other distribution, subject, in the case of a dividend or other
distribution to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained
in this clause, and (b) our equity in a net loss of any such Restricted
Subsidiary for such period will be included in determining such
Consolidated Net Income;
(4) any gain (but not loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition
of any Property of National Steel or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries,
including pursuant to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, which is not sold
or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business; and
(5) any extraordinary gain or loss.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means the total of the amounts shown on our
consolidated balance sheet as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter
ending at least 45 days prior to the taking of any action for the purpose of
which the determination is being made, as (1) the par or stated value of all of
our outstanding Capital Stock plus (2) paid-in capital or capital surplus
relating to such Capital Stock plus (3) any retained earnings or earned surplus
less (a) any accumulated deficit, (b) any amounts attributable to Disqualified
Stock and (c) any adjustments for pension liabilities.
"Credit Facilities" means the receivables purchase agreement and the
inventory facilities, in each case together with any extensions, revisions,
refinancings or replacements of them by a lender or syndicate of lenders,
including through the sale of accounts receivable or inventory to such lender
or lenders or to
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Funding or any other bankruptcy-remote special-purpose Subsidiary that
purchases such accounts receivable or inventory.
"Currency Exchange Protection Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract,
currency swap agreement, currency option or other similar agreement or
arrangement designed to protect a person against fluctuations in currency
exchange rates.
"Debt" means, with respect to any person on any date of determination
(without duplication):
(1) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of (a) Debt of such
person for money borrowed and (b) Debt evidenced by notes, debentures,
bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such person is
responsible or liable;
(2) all Capital Lease Obligations of such person and all Attributable
Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions entered into by such
person;
(3) all obligations of such person issued or assumed as the deferred
purchase price of Property, all conditional sale obligations of such person
and all obligations of such person under any title retention agreement,
excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of
business;
(4) all obligations of such person for the reimbursement of any obligor
on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or similar credit transaction,
other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing
obligations, other than obligations described in (1) through (3) above,
entered into in the ordinary course of business of such person to the
extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent
drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth business day
following receipt by such person of a demand for reimbursement following
payment on the letter of credit;
(5) the amount of all obligations of such person with respect to the
redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or,
with respect to any Subsidiary of such person, any preferred stock,
excluding any accrued dividends;
(6) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (5) of
other persons and all dividends of other persons for the payment of which,
in either case, such person is responsible or liable, directly or
indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any
Guarantee;
(7) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (6) of
other persons secured by any Lien on any Property or asset of such person,
whether or not such obligation is assumed by such person, the amount of
such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such Property
or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured;
(8) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, Hedging
Obligations of such person; and
(9) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, any
financing of accounts receivable or inventory of such person (whether or
not treated as a sale or Debt for accounting purposes); provided that such
accounts receivable or inventory shall be deemed to be on the consolidated
balance sheet of National Steel for purposes of clause (2)(b) of the
definition of "Permitted Debt". The amount of Debt of any person at any
date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional
obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon the
occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, of any
contingent obligations at such date.
"Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.
"Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any person, redeemable stock of
such person as to which the maturity, mandatory redemption, redemption at the
option of the holder thereof, conversion or exchange occurs, or may occur, on
or prior to the first anniversary of the stated maturity of the bonds;
provided, however, that redeemable stock of such person that would not
otherwise be characterized as Disqualified Stock under this definition shall
not constitute Disqualified Stock if such redeemable stock is convertible or
exchangeable into Debt solely at the option of the issuer thereof.
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"EBITDA" means, for any period, for National Steel and its consolidated
Restricted Subsidiaries, an amount equal to:
(1) the sum of Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus the
following to the extent reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period:
(a) the provision for taxes for such period based on income or
profits or utilized in computing net loss,
(b) Consolidated Interest Expense,
(c) depreciation and amortization of fixed and intangible assets and
(d) any other non-cash items (other than any such non-cash item to
the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash
expenditures in any future period, except amortization of any SFAS 106
transition obligation of National Steel), minus
(2) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period
(other than any such non-cash item to the extent that it will result in the
receipt of cash payments in any future period).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes based on the income or
profits of, and the depreciation and amortization of, a Restricted Subsidiary
shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent
and in the same proportion that the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary
was included in calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding
amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to us
by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior approval that has not been
obtained, pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments,
judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations
applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.
"Event of Default" means any "Event of Default" under the indenture or any
Supplemental Indenture Event of Default.
"Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any Property, the price or, in the
case of a lease, the rent which could be negotiated in an arm's-length free
market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller or lessor and a willing
buyer or lessee, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to
complete the transaction. Fair Market Value will be determined, except as
otherwise provided, (1) if such Property has a Fair Market Value equal to or
less than $10.0 million, by any officer or (2) if such Property has a Fair
Market Value in excess of $10.0 million, by a majority of the board of
directors and evidenced by a board resolution, dated within 30 days of the
relevant transaction, delivered to the trustee.
"GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in
effect on the Series A Issue Date, including those set forth (1) in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, (2) in the statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (3) in such other
statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the
accounting profession and (4) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing
the inclusion of financial statements, including pro forma financial
statements, in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of
the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting
bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC.
"Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any person
directly or indirectly Guaranteeing any Debt of any other person and any
obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such person (1) to
purchase or pay, or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of,
such Debt of such other person whether arising by virtue of partnership
arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods,
securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement
conditions or otherwise or (2) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any
other manner the obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);
provided, however, that the term "Guarantee" shall not include endorsements for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term "Guarantee"
used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. The term "Guarantor" shall mean any
person Guaranteeing any obligation.
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"Hedging Obligation" of any person means any obligation of such person
pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Exchange Protection
Agreement, Commodity Price Protection Agreement or any other similar agreement
or arrangement.
"Incur" means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any person, to
create, issue, Incur (by merger, conversion, exchange or otherwise), extend,
assume, Guarantee or become liable in respect of such Debt or other obligation
or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of any such Debt
or obligation on the balance sheet of such person and "Incurrence" and
"Incurred" shall have consistent meanings; provided, however, that a change in
GAAP that results in an obligation of such person that exists at such time, and
is not theretofore classified as Debt, becoming Debt shall not be deemed an
Incurrence of such Debt; provided further, however, that solely for purposes of
determining compliance with "--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Debt and
Restricted Subsidiary Preferred Stock," amortization of Debt discount shall not
be deemed to be the Incurrence of Debt, provided that in the case of Debt sold
at a discount, the amount of such Debt Incurred shall at all times be the total
principal amount at stated maturity.
"Independent Financial Advisor" means, an investment banking firm of national
standing or any third party appraiser of national standing, provided that such
firm or appraiser is not an affiliate of National Steel.
"Interest Rate Agreement" means, for any person, any interest rate swap
agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement or other
similar agreement designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates.
"Investment" by any person means any direct or indirect loan, other than
advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as
accounts receivable on the balance sheet of such person, advance or other
extension of credit or capital contribution by means of transfers of cash or
other Property to others or payments for Property or services for the account
or use of others, or otherwise to, or Incurrence of a Guarantee of any
obligation of, or purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, notes, bonds,
debentures or other securities or evidence of Debt issued by, any other person.
In determining the amount of any Investment made by transfer of any Property
other than cash, such Property shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the
time of such Investment.
"Investment Grade Rating" means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the
equivalent) by Moody's and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P.
"Investment Grade Status" shall be deemed to have been reached on the date
that the bonds have an Investment Grade Rating from both Rating Agencies.
"Lien" means, with respect to any Property of any person, any mortgage or
deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security
interest, lien, charge, easement (other than any easement not materially
impairing usefulness or marketability), encumbrance, preference, priority or
other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature
whatsoever on or with respect to such Property, including any Capital Lease
Obligation, conditional sale or other title retention agreement having
substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing or any Sale and
Leaseback Transaction, but excluding any operating lease (except Sale and
Leaseback Transactions) entered into in the ordinary course of such person's
business.
"Net Available Cash" from any Asset Sale means cash payments received
therefrom, including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of
principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only
as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the
form of assumption by the acquiring person of Debt or other obligations
relating to the Property that is the subject of such Asset Sale or received in
any other noncash form, in each case net of:
(1) all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other
fees and expenses incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and
local taxes required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a
consequence of such Asset Sale,
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(2) all payments made on any Debt which is secured by any Property
subject to such Asset Sale, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon
or other security agreement of any kind with respect to such Property, or
which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such
Asset Sale, or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such
Asset Sale,
(3) all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority
interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such
Asset Sale and
(4) the deduction of appropriate amounts provided by the seller as a
reserve, in accordance with the GAAP, against any liabilities associated
with the Property disposed in such Asset Sale and retained by National
Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Sale.
"Net Cash Proceeds" means, with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital
Stock, the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale, net of attorneys' fees,
accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees, discounts or
commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in
connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a
result thereof.
"Permitted Investments" means any Investment by National Steel or any
Restricted Subsidiary in any of the following:
(1)Cash Equivalents;
(2)National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(3) another person, if as a result of such Investment (a) such other person
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) such other person is merged or
consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially
all of its assets to, National Steel or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(4) loans or advances made to employees or directors of National Steel or
any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business in an
total amount not to exceed US$1 million at any one time outstanding;
(5)Hedging Obligations which constitute permitted Debt;
(6) Investments consisting of non-cash consideration received in the form
of securities, bonds or similar obligations in connection with an Asset
Sale permitted by the covenant described under "Limitation on Sale of
Assets other than Mortgaged Property," or the covenant described under
"Limitation on Sale of Mortgaged Property," as applicable, provided
that the total amount of such non-cash consideration received in
connection with any such Asset Sale shall not exceed the amount
permitted under the covenant described under the "Limitation on Sale of
Assets other than Mortgaged Property" or the covenant described under
"Limitation on Sale of Mortgaged Property," as applicable;
(7) the purchase by National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary in one or
more transactions of all or any portion of NKK's ownership interest in
DNN; and
(8) Investments in joint ventures engaged in the steel business or other
businesses reasonably related thereto in an total amount not to exceed
$20.0 million.
"Permitted Holders" means NKK U.S.A. Corporation and its affiliates.
"Permitted Refinancing Debt" means any Debt that refinances any other Debt,
including any successive refinancings, so long as:
(1) such Debt is in a total principal amount, or a total issue price, not
in excess of the sum of (a) the total principal amount or total
accreted value, then outstanding of the Debt being refinanced and (b)
an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums
and defeasance costs, related to such refinancing,
(2) the Average Life of such Debt is equal to or greater than the Average
Life of the Debt being refinanced,
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(3) the stated maturity of such Debt is no earlier than the stated maturity
of the Debt being refinanced and
(4) the new Debt shall not be senior in right of payment to the Debt that
is being refinanced;
provided, however, that Permitted Refinancing Debt will not include (a) Debt of
a Subsidiary that refinances Debt of National Steel or (b) Debt of National
Steel or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Debt of an Unrestricted
Subsidiary.
"Property" means, with respect to any person, any interest of such person in
any kind of Property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or
intangible, including Capital Stock in, and other securities of, any other
person. For purposes of any calculation required pursuant to the indenture, the
value of any Property shall be its Fair Market Value.
"property additions" includes any Property, including mining Property,
located within the continental United States which is:
(1) used or useful in our business,
(2) purchased, constructed or otherwise acquired subsequent to December 31,
1951,
(3) properly chargeable to plant account, and
(4) not subject to a prior lien, other than permitted liens.
Property additions do not include, among other things, (a) any Property not
subject to the lien of the indenture, (b) any good will or going concern value,
or (c) any plant or Property, other than mining Property, in which National
Steel has only a leasehold interest or, unless the same is movable physical
personal Property, any improvement or additions of, upon, or to any plant or
Property in which National Steel owns a leasehold interest.
"Rating Agencies" mean Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's
Rating Service.
"Redeemable Dividend" means, for any dividend with respect to redeemable
stock, the quotient of the dividend divided by the difference between one and
the maximum statutory federal income tax rate (expressed as a decimal number
between 1 and 0) then applicable to the issuer of such redeemable stock.
"Redeemable Stock" means, with respect to any person, any Capital Stock that
by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or
for which it is exchangeable, or otherwise (1) matures or is mandatorily
redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (2) is or may
become redeemable or repurchasable at the option of the holder thereof, in
whole or in part, or (3) is convertible or exchangeable for Debt or
Disqualified Stock.
"refundable Bonds" means, at any particular time, any bonds issued under the
indenture which were issued and paid at maturity or redeemed or purchased
otherwise than out of funds in the trust estate and surrendered to the trustee,
or otherwise surrendered to the trustee and which were not made the basis for
the authentication and delivery of additional bonds or the withdrawal of cash
or the reduction of the amount of cash required to be paid into the trust
estate, or paid or redeemed or purchased pursuant to, or used in anticipation
of, sinking fund requirements.
"Restricted Payment" means:
(1) any dividend or distribution whether made in cash, securities or
other Property declared or paid on or with respect to any shares of Capital
Stock of National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any payment
in connection with any merger or consolidation with or into National Steel
or any Restricted Subsidiary, except for any dividend or distribution which
is made solely to National Steel or a Restricted Subsidiary and, if such
Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, to the other
shareholders of such Restricted Subsidiary on a proportionate basis or any
dividend or distribution payable solely in shares of Capital Stock, other
than Redeemable Stock, of National Steel;
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(2) any payment made by National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary to
purchase, redeem, repurchase, acquire or retire for value any Capital Stock
of National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than (a) Capital
Stock of a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or (b) from all holders of
Capital Stock of a non-Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary on a pro rata
basis;
(3) any payment made by National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary to
purchase, redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for
value, prior to any scheduled maturity, scheduled sinking fund or mandatory
redemption payment, any Subordinated Obligation, other than the purchase,
repurchase, or other acquisition of any Subordinated Obligation purchased
in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal
installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date
of acquisition, or
(4) any Investment other than any Permitted Investment in any person,
including, without limitation, any Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means (1) any Subsidiary after the Series A Issue
Date unless such Subsidiary shall have been designated an Unrestricted
Subsidiary as permitted or required pursuant to "Certain Covenants--Designation
of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries" and (2) an Unrestricted Subsidiary
which is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary as permitted pursuant to
"Certain Covenants--Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries."
"Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any arrangement relating to Property
now owned or hereafter acquired whereby National Steel or a Restricted
Subsidiary transfers such Property to another person and then leases it from
such person, other than any such arrangement with respect to Property acquired
or placed into service by National Steel or any Restricted Subsidiary after the
Series A Issue Date to the extent entered into within 365 days after the date
of such acquisition or placement into service and not constituting a Capital
Lease Obligation.
"Senior Debt" of National Steel means:
(1) all obligations consisting of the principal, premium, if any, and
accrued interest in respect of (a) Debt for borrowed money and (b) Debt
evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments
permitted under the indenture for the payment of which we are responsible
or liable;
(2) all Capital Expenditure Debt;
(3) all obligations (a) for the reimbursement of any obligor on any
letter of credit, bankers' acceptance or similar credit transaction or (b)
under Hedging Obligations; and
(4) all obligations of other persons of the type referred to in clauses
(1) and (2) for the payment of which we are responsible or liable as
Guarantor; provided, however, that Senior Debt shall not include (a) Debt
that is by its terms subordinate in right of payment to the bonds; (b) any
Debt Incurred in violation of the provisions of the indenture; (c) accounts
payable or any other obligations to trade creditors created or assumed in
the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of
materials or services, including Guarantees thereof or instruments
evidencing such liabilities; (d) any liability for Federal, state, local or
other taxes owed or owing; (e) any obligation to any Subsidiary; or (f) any
obligations with respect to any Capital Stock.
"Series A Issue Date" means the date on which the Series A bonds were
initially issued, which was March 8, 1999.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a
"Significant Subsidiary" of National Steel within the meaning of Rule 1-02
under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.
"Subordinated Obligation" means any Debt of National Steel whether
outstanding on the Series A Issue Date or thereafter Incurred which is
subordinate or junior in right of payment to the bonds pursuant to a written
agreement to that effect.
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"Subsidiary" means, in respect of any specified person, any corporation,
company, partnership, joint venture, association or other business entity of
which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or
other interests, including partnership interests, entitled (without regard to
the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors,
managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by (1) such person, (2) such person and one or more Subsidiaries of
such person or (3) one or more Subsidiaries of such person.
"Supplemental Indenture Default" means any event which is, or after notice or
passage of time or both would be, a Supplemental Indenture Event of Default.
"Supplemental Indenture Event of Default" has the meaning set forth under
"Events of Default".
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (1) any Subsidiary in existence on the Series
A Issue Date that is not a Restricted Subsidiary; (2) any Subsidiary of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary; and (3) any Subsidiary that is designated after the
Series A Issue Date as an Unrestricted Subsidiary as permitted pursuant to the
covenant described under "Certain Covenants--Designation of Restricted and
Unrestricted Subsidiaries" and not thereafter redesignated as a Restricted
Subsidiary as permitted pursuant thereto.
"Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means, at any time, a corporation all the stock of
which, except directors' qualifying shares, where necessary, is at such time
owned, directly or indirectly, by National Steel or by one or more Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries or by National Steel and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following summary describes material United States federal income tax
considerations associated with the exchange of the original bonds for the
exchange bonds. This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, administrative pronouncements and rulings, judicial decisions and
Treasury Regulations, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this
prospectus may affect the tax consequences described (possibly on a retroactive
basis). This summary is limited to investors who hold and will hold the bonds
as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the tax code and does
not address holders that may be subject to special tax rules including, but not
limited to:
. financial institutions,
. insurance companies,
. dealers in securities,
. tax-exempt organizations,
. persons holding bonds as a hedge or as part of a straddle, or
. holders whose "functional currency" is not the U.S. dollar.
This summary is for general information only and does not address all aspects
of federal income taxation that may be relevant to holders of the bonds in
light of their particular circumstances. It does not address any tax
consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing
jurisdiction. Holders should consult their own tax advisors as to the
particular tax consequences of the exchange of original bonds for exchange
bonds and the ownership and disposition of the bonds, including the
applicability and effect of any United States federal, state, local and foreign
income and other tax laws.
As used herein, the term "United States holder" means a beneficial owner of a
bond that is for United States federal income tax purposes:
. 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 of any political subdivision
thereof,
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. an estate or trust described in Section 7701(a)(30) of the tax code, or
. a person whose worldwide income or gain is otherwise subject to United
States federal income taxation regardless of its source.
As used herein, the term "United States alien holder" means an owner of a bond
that is not a United States holder.
United States Holders and United States Alien Holders
There will be no United States federal income tax consequences to any one
exchanging an original bond for an exchange bond pursuant to the exchange
offer. Such holder will have the same adjusted basis and holding period in the
exchange bond as it had in the original bond immediately before the exchange.
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences to United States Holders
Payments of Interest
Interest on a bond will be taxable to a United States holder as ordinary
income at the time it is received or accrued, depending on the United States
holder's method of accounting for tax purposes.
Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the Bonds
Upon the sale, exchange or retirement of a bond, a United States holder will
generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the
amount realized not including any amounts attributable to accrued interest and
the United States holder's tax basis in the bond. A United States holder's tax
basis in a bond generally will be its cost. Such capital gain or loss will be
long-term if the United States holder had held the bond more than one year.
As described above, an exchange of original bonds for exchange bonds pursuant
to the exchange offer will not be treated as an exchange for United States
federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, holders who exchange their original
bonds for exchange bonds will not recognize income, gain or loss for United
States federal income tax purposes.
Market Discount
United States holders, other than original purchasers of the original bonds
in the offering, should be aware that the sale of the bonds may be affected by
the market discount provisions of the tax code.
The market discount rules generally provide that if a United States holder of
a bond
. purchased the bond, after the original offering, at a "market discount"
(i.e., at an amount less than the adjusted issue price of the bond as
determined on the date of such purchase) exceeding a statutorily-defined
de minimis amount, and
. thereafter recognizes gain upon a disposition, including a partial
redemption, of the exchange bond received in exchange for an original
bond,
the lesser of such gain or the portion of the market discount that accrued
while the exchange bond and original bond were held by such United States
holder will be treated as ordinary interest income at the time of disposition.
The rules also provide that a United States holder who acquires a bond at a
market discount may be required to defer a portion of any interest expense that
may otherwise be deductible on any indebtedness Incurred or maintained to
purchase or carry the bond until the United States holder disposes of such bond
in a taxable transaction. If a holder of such a bond elects to include market
discount in income currently, both of the preceding rules would not apply.
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United States Federal Income Tax Consequences to United States Alien Holders
Under present United States federal law and subject to the discussion below
concerning backup withholding:
(a) payments of principal and interest on the bonds by National Steel or
any paying agent to any United States alien holder will not be subject to
United States federal withholding tax, provided that, in the case of
interest, (1) such holder does not own, actually or constructively, 10% or
more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of National
Steel entitled to vote, is not a controlled foreign corporation related,
directly or indirectly, to National Steel through stock ownership, is not a
bank receiving interest described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the tax code,
and is not a foreign tax-exempt organization or a foreign private
foundation, and (2) the statement requirement set forth in Section 871(h)
or Section 881(c) of the tax code has been satisfied with respect to the
beneficial owner, as discussed below; and
(b) a United States alien holder of a bond will not be subject to United
States federal income tax on gain realized on the sale, exchange or other
disposition of such bond, unless (1) such holder is an individual who is
present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of
disposition, and either (A) such individual has a "tax home" (as defined in
tax code Section 911(d)(3)) in the United States (unless such gain is
attributable to a fixed place of business in a foreign country maintained
by such individual and has been subject to foreign tax of at least 10%) or
(B) the gain is attributable to an office or other fixed place of business
maintained by such individual in the United States or (2) such gain is
effectively connected with the conduct by such holder of a trade or
business in the United States or, if a tax treaty applies, the gain is
attributable to a United States permanent establishment of the United
States alien holder.
Sections 871(h) and 881(c) of the tax code require that, in order to qualify
for the portfolio interest exemption from withholding tax described in clause
(a) above, either the beneficial owner of the bond, or a securities clearing
organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers'
securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business and that is holding
the bond on behalf of such beneficial owner, must file a statement with the
withholding agent to the effect that the beneficial owner of the bond is not a
United States person. Such requirement will be fulfilled if the beneficial
owner of a bond certifies on IRS Form W-8 or a substantially similar substitute
form, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States person and
provides its name and address, and any financial institution holding the bond
on behalf of the beneficial owner files a statement with the withholding agent
to the effect that it has received such a statement from the holder (and
furnishes the withholding agent with a copy thereof).
With respect to bonds held by a foreign partnership, under current law, the
Form W-8 may be provided by the foreign partnership. However, for interest
(including original issue discount) and disposition proceeds paid with respect
to a bond after December 31, 1999, unless the foreign partnership has entered
into a withholding agreement with the IRS, a foreign partnership will be
required, in addition to providing a partnership withholding certificate on IRS
Form W-8, to attach an appropriate certification by each partner. Prospective
investors, including foreign partnerships and their partners, should consult
their tax advisors regarding possible additional reporting requirements.
A United States alien holder that does not qualify for exemption from
withholding generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax
at the rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) on payments of interest on
the bonds.
If a United States alien holder of a bond is engaged in a trade or business
in the United States and, if interest on the bond (or gain realized on its
sale, exchange or other disposition) is effectively connected with the conduct
of such trade or business, the United States alien holder will be exempt from
the withholding tax discussed in the preceding paragraph. Unless a tax treaty
provides otherwise, such United States alien holders will generally be subject
to regular United States income tax on interest and on any gain realized on the
sale,
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exchange or other disposition of a bond in the same manner as if it were a
United States holder. See "United States Federal Income Tax Consequences to
United States Holders" above. Such a holder will be required to provide to
National Steel a properly executed IRS Form 4224 (or after December 31, 1999 an
IRS Form W-8) in order to claim an exemption from withholding tax. In addition,
if such United States alien holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject
to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate provided by an
applicable treaty) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the
taxable year, subject to certain adjustments. For purposes of the branch
profits tax, interest on and any gain recognized on the sale, exchange or other
disposition of a bond will be included in the effectively connected earnings
and profits of such United States alien holder if such interest or gain, as the
case may be, is effectively connected with the conduct by the United States
alien holder of a trade or business in the United States.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, backup withholding at a rate of 31% will not apply to payments of
principal or interest made outside the United States by National Steel or any
paying agent thereof on a bond if the certifications required by Sections
871(h) and 881(c) of the tax code are received, provided that National Steel or
such paying agent, as the case may be, does not have actual knowledge that the
payee is a United States person.
Under current Treasury Regulations, payments on the sale, exchange or other
disposition of a bond made to or through a foreign office of a broker generally
will not be subject to backup withholding, absent actual knowledge that the
payee is a United States person. However, if such broker is: (1) a United
States person, or (2) a controlled foreign corporation for United States
federal income tax purposes or a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross
income is effectively connected with a United States trade or business for a
specified three-year period, or in the case of payments made after December 31,
1999, a foreign partnership with certain connections to the United States,
information reporting will be required unless the broker has in its records
documentary evidence that the beneficial owner is not a United States person
and certain other conditions are met or the beneficial owner otherwise
establishes an exemption. Payments to or through the United States office of a
broker will be subject to backup withholding and information reporting unless
the holder certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United
States person or otherwise establishes an exemption.
United States alien holders of bonds should consult their tax advisors
regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding in
their particular situations, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and
the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if available. Backup withholding
is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from a payment to a United
States alien holder under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a
credit against such holder's United States federal income tax liability and may
entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is
furnished to the IRS.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives exchange bonds for its own account pursuant
to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such exchange bonds. This prospectus, as it may
be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of exchange bonds received in exchange for original
bonds where such original bonds were acquired as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that for a period of one
year after the expiration date, we will make this prospectus, as amended or
supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any
such resale.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of exchange bonds by broker-
dealers. Exchange bonds received by broker-dealers for their own account
pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time:
. in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market,
. in negotiated transactions,
. through the writing of options on the exchange bonds, or
. a combination of such methods of resale.
Such bonds may be sold:
. at market prices prevailing at the time of resale,
. at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or
. at negotiated prices.
Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or
dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions
from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such exchange bonds.
Any broker-dealer that resells exchange bonds that were received by it for
its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that
participates in a distribution of such exchange bonds may be deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. Any profit on any such
resale of exchange bonds and any commissions or concessions received by any of
them may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act.
The letter of transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and
by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it
is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
For a period of one year after the expiration date, we will promptly send
additional copies of the prospectus and any amendment or supplement to the
prospectus to any broker-dealer requesting these copies in the letter of
transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer
other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will
indemnify the holders of the bonds, including any broker-dealers, against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Following consummation of the exchange offer, we may, in our sole discretion,
commence one or more additional exchange offers to holders of original bonds
who did not exchange their original bonds for exchange bonds in the exchange
offer on terms which may differ from those contained in the registration rights
agreement. We may use this prospectus, as it may be amended of supplemented
from time to time, in connection with any such additional exchange offers. Such
additional exchange offers will take place from time to time until all
outstanding original bonds have been exchanged for exchange bonds.
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LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the bonds offered hereby will be passed upon for National
Steel by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois).
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our consolidated
financial statements and schedule included in our Annual report on form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1998, as set forth in their report, which is
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration
statement. Our financial statements and schedule are incorporated by reference
in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's report, given on their authority as experts
in accounting and auditing.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and in
accordance with that act, we file reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You may inspect and copy such reports, proxy
statements and other information at the Public Reference Section of the SEC at
Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the SEC's
regional offices at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661 and Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New
York 10048. Copies may be obtained at prescribed rates. You may obtain
information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room by calling the
SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports,
proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants
that file documents with the SEC, including National Steel, and the address is
http://www.sec.gov. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Our periodic reports and proxy statements filed under the Exchange Act as well
as other information about us can be requested at the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information filed by
National Steel with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important
information to you by referring you to those documents. The information
incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and
information that we later file with the SEC will automatically update and
supersede this information. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus
the following documents or information filed with the SEC:
(1) Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998;
(2) Our Proxy Statement for the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders;
(3) Our Current Reports on Form 8-K dated April 30, 1999 and May 12,
1999; and
(4) All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the Registration Statement of
which this prospectus is a part and before the effectiveness of such
Registration Statement and prior to the termination of the exchange offer
made by this prospectus.
Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained in the 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 such statement so
modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this prospectus.
This prospectus incorporates by reference documents that are not presented in
or delivered with it. You may obtain copies of such documents without charge,
other than exhibits to such documents that are not specifically incorporated by
reference herein, by making written or oral request to: Director, Investor
Relations, National Steel Corporation, 4100 Edison Lakes Parkway, Mishawaka,
Indiana 46545-3440, telephone (219) 273-7158. In order to assure timely
delivery, you should make such request no later than June 10, 1999, which is
five business days before the expiration date of the exchange offer.
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$300,000,000
National Steel Corporation
Exchange Offer
First Mortgage Bonds, 9 7/8% Series D due 2009
[NATIONAL STEEL LOGO]
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PROSPECTUS
May 14, 1999
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