Filed pursuant to 424B1
File number 033-59417
575,000 Shares
E'TOWN CORPORATION
Common Stock
(Without Par Value)
---------------
The common stock of the Company (the "Common Stock") is traded on the
New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "ETW". On June 9, 1995, the
last sale price for the Company's Common Stock on the NYSE was $27.25 per share.
------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMIS-
SION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=============================================================================================================================
Underwriting
Price to Discounts and Proceeds to
Public Commissions<F1> Company<F2>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share............................ $26.875 $1.14 $25.735
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total<F3>............................ $15,453,125 $655,500 $14,797,625
=============================================================================================================================
<FN>
<F1> The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
See "Underwriting".
<F2> Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated to be
$122,625.
<F3> The Company has granted to the Underwriters a 30-day option to
purchase up to 85,000 additional shares of Common Stock to cover
over-allotments, if any. See "Underwriting". If such option is
exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts
and Commissions, and Proceeds to Company will be $17,737,500, $752,400
and $16,985,100, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>
---------------------
The shares of Common Stock are offered by the Underwriters named below,
subject to receipt and acceptance by them and their right to reject any order in
whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of the shares will be made on or
about June 15, 1995.
---------------------
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Legg Mason Wood Walker
Incorporated
The date of this Prospectus is June 12, 1995.
<PAGE>
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR
EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE
COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE
PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW
YORK STOCK EXCHANGE OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
--------------
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
E'town Corporation ("E'town" or the "Company") is subject to the
informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act") and, in accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such
reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company can be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549; Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60604; and in the Public Reference Room, 14th Floor, Seven
World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such materials can be
obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at its principal
office at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
In addition, material filed by the Company can be inspected at the offices of
the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on
Form S-3 with respect to the offering made hereby. This Prospectus does not
contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the
exhibits thereto. Copies of the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto
may be inspected without charge at offices of the Commission, and copies of all
or any portion thereof may be obtained from the Commission upon payment of the
prescribed fees.
--------------
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and made a part hereof as of
their respective dates:
1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1994 (excluding the Board of Directors'
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation and
the Performance Graph contained on pages 8-10 of the
definitive Proxy Statement of the Company dated March 29, 1995
incorporated in such Form 10-K by reference).
2. The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 1995.
3. The description of the Company's common stock purchase rights
contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A,
dated February 4, 1991.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents. All of the documents described above are hereinafter referred to as
"Incorporated Documents." Any statement contained in an Incorporated Document
shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to
the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
Incorporated Document modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement
so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The information relating to the Company contained in this Prospectus
summarizes, is based upon, or refers to, information and financial statements
contained in one or more of the Incorporated Documents; accordingly, such
information contained herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
Incorporated Documents and should be read in conjunction therewith.
The Company undertakes to provide without charge to each person to whom
a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, on the written or oral request of
any such person, a copy of any of the documents referred to above which have
been incorporated in this Prospectus by reference other than exhibits to such
document (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into
such document). Requests for such copies should be directed to: Andrew M.
Chapman, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, E'town Corporation, 600 South
Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07091-0788; Telephone: (908) 654-1234.
-2-
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
more detailed information and financial statements which appear elsewhere in
this Prospectus or in the Incorporated Documents. Unless the context otherwise
requires, the information contained in this Prospectus assumes that the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is not exercised.
The Company
E'town is a holding company whose principal subsidiary is Elizabethtown
Water Company ("Elizabethtown"), a regulated public utility providing water
service in central New Jersey. Elizabethtown serves a retail franchise area with
a population of approximately 570,000 and also provides, on a wholesale basis, a
portion of the water requirements of eight municipal systems and three
investor-owned water companies under long-term contracts. At December 31, 1993,
Elizabethtown, together with its subsidiary, The Mount Holly Water Company
("Mount Holly"), was the seventh largest investor-owned water utility in the
United States, based on gallons of water pumped annually. Real estate parcels
owned by E'town and another subsidiary, E'town Properties, Inc. ("Properties"),
totalling approximately 740 acres, are either held for sale or are in the
process of being zoned and permitted with the intent of offering these
properties for future sale. Through a majority-owned joint venture, Applied
Watershed Management, L.L.C. ("AWM"), E'town is pursuing non-regulated
opportunities related to water and wastewater management primarily in New
Jersey.
Elizabethtown and Mount Holly expect to invest approximately $171
million in their core utility businesses during the years 1995-1997. This amount
includes $66 million for construction of Elizabethtown's Canal Road Water
Treatment Plant (the "Plant"). The Plant, which is scheduled to be completed in
1996 at a total estimated cost of approximately $100 million, excluding AFUDC
(as defined herein), is necessary to replace groundwater supplies withdrawn from
service and to meet customer demand. In August 1993, the New Jersey Board of
Public Utilities (the "BPU") approved an agreement (the "1993 Plant
Stipulation") among the principal participants in Elizabethtown's rate cases,
affirming that the Plant is necessary and that Elizabethtown's initial estimates
(included in the 1993 Plant Stipulation) of the Plant's cost and construction
period were reasonable. The 1993 Plant Stipulation also allows Elizabethtown,
under certain circumstances, to levy a rate surcharge during the Plant's
construction period. See "Construction Program and Regulatory Issues".
Elizabethtown has executed a revolving credit agreement (the
"Agreement") with six banks to provide $60 million in short-term financing.
Management expects that financing available under the Agreement, together with
internal funds, proceeds of future issuances of debt and preferred stock, and
capital contributions from E'town, will be sufficient to finance Elizabethtown's
and Mount Holly's capital needs through 1997, including the Plant. In large part
due to Elizabethtown's ongoing capital program, Elizabethtown has applied for,
and received, base rate relief five times over the last six years, aggregating
$31.2 million, including a $5.3 million rate increase effective February 1,
1995. Primarily to recover the costs of the Plant, Elizabethtown expects to file
for an estimated 30% rate increase in late 1995. (Management estimates that the
bill for a typical residential customer of Elizabethtown is currently
approximately $20 per month.) Similarly, Mount Holly is planning a water supply,
treatment and transmission construction project at an estimated cost of $16.5
million which will require a significant increase in its rates. Elizabethtown
and Mount Holly expect that upon the completion, and successful reflection in
rates, of their respective new utility plant projects, their capital
requirements for utility plant should decrease, thereby reducing the need for
future rate increases and external financing.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The Offering
<S> <C>
Issuer.................................................... E'town Corporation
Securities Offered........................................ 575,000 shares of Common Stock, without par value<F1>
Shares to be Outstanding after the Offering
(as of June 9, 1995).................................... 7,266,951 shares<F1><F2>
NYSE Symbol............................................... ETW
Latest 12-Month Closing Price Range (through
June 9, 1995)........................................... $23.75 per share to $27.875 per share
Annual Dividend per share of
Common Stock<F2>........................................ $2.04. See "Common Stock Price Range and Dividends".
Use of Proceeds........................................... To make an equity contribution of approximately
$14.7 million to Elizabethtown (which will be used to
repay a portion of its borrowings under the Agreement
incurred to finance the construction program). See "Use
of Proceeds".
- --------
<FN>
<F1> Includes associated common stock purchase rights as described under
"Description of Common Stock".
<F2> On May 18, 1995, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of
$.51 per share payable on June 30, 1995 to holders of record on June
26, 1995. Holders as of the record date of the shares of Common Stock
offered hereby will be entitled to receive this dividend.
</FN>
</TABLE>
-3-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Summary Consolidated Financial Information
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months
Year Ended December 31, Ended March 31,
------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
1992 1993<F1> 1994<F1> 1994<F2> 1995<F2>
---- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income Statement Data:
Operating Revenues.................................. $89,167 $99,996 $102,033 $24,657 $25,174
Operating Expenses.................................. 67,115 74,661 78,352 19,145 19,329
AFUDC and Capitalized Interest<F3>.................. 1,797 1,251 2,426 370 1,172
Net Income.......................................... 10,231 13,830 12,088 2,537 3,015
Earnings per Share of Common Stock:
Primary......................................... 2.21 2.59 1.95 .45 .45
Fully Diluted................................... 2.18 2.54 1.94 .45 .45
Dividends per Share of Common Stock................. $2.00 $2.01 $2.04 $.51 $.51
Average Primary Number of Shares of
Common Stock Outstanding (000).................... 4,628 5,338 6,210 5,683 6,636
Other Data (at end of period):
Common Equity as a Percentage of Total
Capitalization..................................... 37.2% 43.5% 44.7% 43.8% 43.4%
Book Value per Share of Common Stock................ $21.14 $22.76 $23.17 $22.77 $23.12
Meters In Service................................... 185,028 188,677 191,622 189,357 192,593
March 31, 1995
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actual As Adjusted<F4>
------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Outstanding Ratio Outstanding Ratio
----------------- --------------- ----------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Capitalization:
Short-term Debt<F5>................................. $ 35,042 9.9% $ 20,367 5.8%
Long-term Debt-net.................................. 153,901 43.3% 153,901 43.3%
Cumulative Preferred Stock.......................... 12,000 3.4% 12,000 3.4%
Common Shareholders' Equity......................... 153,967 43.4% 168,642 47.5%
------- ----- ------- -----
Total Capitalization.......................... $354,910 100.0% $354,910 100.0%
======== ====== ======== ======
- -----------------------------
<FN>
<F1> A return to more normal weather and water consumption patterns during 1994
compared to 1993, combined with a charge due to litigation of $.10 per
share in September 1994 and a gain on the sale of land of $.21 per share
in August 1993, all contributed to an overall decrease in earnings per
share in 1994 compared to 1993. Earnings per share were further affected
by a 16% increase in the average number of common shares outstanding in
1994.
<F2> Due to the seasonal and weather-related nature of Elizabethtown's
business, results of operations for the quarterly periods shown are not
necessarily indicative of full year results.
<F3> "AFUDC and Capitalized Interest" is comprised of (i) an Allowance for
Funds Used During Construction ("AFUDC"), which is capitalized by
Elizabethtown and Mount Holly as an appropriate cost of utility plant, and
represents the cost of financing major projects during construction
($2,045,234 for 1994 and $1,120,356 for the three months ended March 31,
1995), and (ii) capitalized interest for non-utility properties under
development ($380,565 for 1994 and $51,935 for the three months ended
March 31, 1995). AFUDC, a non-cash credit on the income statement, is
added to the construction cost of the project and included in rate base
for recovery in rates during the project's useful life.
<F4> As adjusted to reflect the sale of the Common Stock offered hereby for
estimated net proceeds of $14,675,000, as described under "Use of
Proceeds".
<F5> Includes current portion of long-term debt.
</FN>
</TABLE>
-4-
<PAGE>
MAP
[See narrative description of Map contained in Appendix A to registration
statement 033-59417 filed on May 17, 1995.]
-5-
<PAGE>
THE COMPANY
The Company, a New Jersey corporation, is a holding company whose
principal subsidiary, Elizabethtown, is a regulated water utility, one of whose
corporate predecessors was first incorporated in 1854. The Company was formed in
1985 to become the holding company for Elizabethtown pursuant to a
reorganization approved by Elizabethtown's stockholders and the BPU. E'town and
its non-regulated subsidiary, Properties, currently own approximately 740 acres
of land in New Jersey which are either held for sale or are in the process of
being zoned and permitted with the intent of offering these properties for
future sale. The Company has no plans to acquire additional real estate. In
March 1995, the Company formed AWM, a three-year joint venture, in which it has
a 65% ownership interest. AWM intends to design, finance, engineer, construct,
own, operate and/or sell water and wastewater facilities primarily in New
Jersey.
Elizabethtown and Mount Holly are engaged in the treatment and
distribution of water for domestic, commercial, industrial and fire protection
purposes and for resale to municipal systems and other investor-owned water
companies. Throughout their central and southern New Jersey service areas,
Elizabethtown and Mount Holly serve a population of approximately 570,000 at
retail and provide, on a wholesale basis, a portion of the water requirements of
eight municipal entities and three investor-owned water utilities. All of the
Company's consolidated revenues are currently contributed by the Company's water
utility business. At December 31, 1993, Elizabethtown, together with Mount
Holly, was the seventh largest investor-owned water utility in the United
States, based on gallons of water pumped annually.
Elizabethtown and Mount Holly are subject to regulation by the BPU with
respect to rates and service, the issuance and sale of securities,
classification of accounts, mergers, and other matters. Elizabethtown and Mount
Holly periodically seek rate relief to cover the cost of increased operating
expenses, increases in financing expenses due to additional investments in
utility plant, and other costs of doing business.
The Company's executive offices are located at 600 South Avenue,
Westfield, New Jersey 07091-0788. Its telephone number is (908) 654-1234.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Common Stock offered
hereby, estimated to be $14,675,000, will be used to fund an equity contribution
in the same amount to Elizabethtown. Elizabethtown will repay a portion of its
short-term borrowings under the Agreement incurred to finance the construction
program, primarily the Plant. At June 9, 1995, Elizabethtown had short-term
borrowings outstanding of $44 million under the Agreement at interest rates from
6.25% to 6.81%, at a weighted average interest rate of 6.33%.
CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM AND REGULATORY ISSUES
Capital expenditures, primarily for water utility plant, were $70.1
million for 1994 and $136.4 million for the three-year period ended December 31,
1994. Capital expenditures for the three-year period ending December 31, 1997
are estimated to be $171.5 million, of which $170.4 million is for water utility
plant ($149.5 million for Elizabethtown and $20.9 million for Mount Holly) and
$1.1 million is for real estate-related expenditures and AWM.
-6-
<PAGE>
A major portion of the utilities' capital outlays will occur in the first
18 months of the three-year projection period through 1997 as Elizabethtown and
Mount Holly invest in new water treatment and water supply facilities, each as
described below. After these projects are completed, the capital outlays for the
utilities are expected to decrease.
Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown's capital program includes the construction of the Plant
near Elizabethtown's existing plant. The Plant, which will have an initial rated
production capacity of 40 million gallons per day and can be expanded to 200
million gallons per day, is necessary to meet existing and anticipated customer
demands and to replace groundwater supplies withdrawn from service as a result
of more restrictive water quality regulations and groundwater contamination.
Expansion of the Plant's production capacity beyond 40 million gallons per day
is not expected to occur in the foreseeable future. Elizabethtown's capital
program also includes the construction of additional mains and storage
facilities necessary to serve existing and future customers.
In April 1994, following a competitive bidding process, Elizabethtown
executed a lump-sum contract for the construction of the Plant. The current
estimated cost of the Plant is approximately $100 million, excluding AFUDC. As
of March 31, 1995, the Company has expended $43.8 million on the Plant
(excluding AFUDC of $2.9 million). The project is proceeding on schedule, the
construction contract remains on budget, and the project is expected to be
completed in mid-1996.
In August 1993, the BPU approved the 1993 Plant Stipulation signed by the
Department of Ratepayer Advocate, the BPU staff and several of Elizabethtown's
major wholesale customers, all of whom typically participate in Elizabethtown's
rate cases. The 1993 Plant Stipulation states the Plant is necessary and that
Elizabethtown's estimate regarding the Plant's cost ($87 million at that time)
and construction period are reasonable. In April 1994, Elizabethtown notified
all parties to the 1993 Plant Stipulation that the estimated cost of the Plant
had increased. The 1993 Plant Stipulation authorizes Elizabethtown to levy a
rate surcharge during the Plant's construction period if Elizabethtown's pre-tax
interest coverage ratio for any twelve-month historical period drops below 2.0
times. The surcharge would equal 20% of Elizabethtown's gross interest expense
for the prior twelve months, adjusted for revenue taxes. The surcharge would go
into effect at the same time as Elizabethtown's next base rate increase after
the coverage ratio falls below 2.0 times. Also, the surcharge would remain in
effect for twelve months and could be extended by the BPU for up to six
additional months. The 1993 Plant Stipulation also provides that the rate of
return on common stockholder's equity used to calculate the rate for the equity
component of the AFUDC for the Plant will be 1.5% less than the rate of return
on common stockholder's equity established in Elizabethtown's most recent base
rate case. The authorized rate of return on common stockholder's equity is
currently 11.5%. Elizabethtown's pre-tax interest coverage ratio, calculated in
accordance with the 1993 Plant Stipulation, for the twelve months ended March
31, 1995 was 2.8 times. Based upon current conditions, Elizabethtown expects its
pre-tax interest coverage will remain above the 2.0 times trigger level through
the completion of the Plant's construction and that the surcharge will not be
required.
On January 24, 1995, the BPU approved a stipulation ("1995 Stipulation")
for a rate increase for Elizabethtown of $5.3 million, effective February 1,
1995. The 1995 Stipulation provides for an authorized rate of return on common
equity of 11.5%. It also provides for recovery of the current service cost
portion of the obligation accrued under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards 106, "Employer's Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than
Pensions," provided this amount is funded by Elizabethtown. The rate increase
will recover the financing costs associated with $62.0 million of construction
projects that were not reflected in the rates last established in March 1993.
The increase
-7-
<PAGE>
will offset costs for power, labor and benefits, primarily medical. The 1995
Stipulation also provides for an increase in depreciation rates resulting in an
increase in depreciation expense of approximately $.5 million. The 1995
Stipulation requires Elizabethtown to maintain an average ratio of common equity
to total capitalization of at least 45.1% for the twelve months ended January
31, 1996. If a lesser ratio is realized, the revenue requirement associated with
such lesser ratio will offset the overall revenue requirement in the next base
rate case. The Company expects to sustain an average ratio of common equity to
total capitalization in excess of 45.1% for the twelve month period.
A rate increase of approximately 30% in excess of current rates will be
requested by Elizabethtown in late 1995 to be effective in mid-1996, a major
portion of which will be needed to recover the expected costs of the Plant. In
light of the approval by the BPU of the 1993 Plant Stipulation and
Elizabethtown's experience in obtaining base rate relief, Elizabethtown expects
the BPU to grant timely and adequate rate relief for the Plant, but cannot
predict the ultimate outcome of any rate proceeding.
Mount Holly
To ensure an adequate supply of quality water from an aquifer serving
parts of southern New Jersey, State legislation is requiring Mount Holly, as
well as other suppliers obtaining water from designated portions of this
aquifer, to reduce pumpage from its wells. Mount Holly has received preliminary
approvals from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for its
conceptual plan to develop a new water supply, treatment and transmission system
necessary to obtain water outside the designated portion of the aquifer and to
treat and pump the water into the Mount Holly system. The project is currently
estimated to cost $16.5 million and is expected to be completed by the end of
1996. The land for the supply and treatment facilities has been purchased and
test wells have been drilled and evaluated. In the second quarter of 1995, Mount
Holly expects to petition the BPU for an increase in rates, to take place in two
phases, of more than 100% in excess of current rates. The first phase is
necessary to recover costs that were not reflected in rates last increased in
October 1986. The second phase would recover the costs of the new water supply,
treatment and transmission system discussed above. A decision by the BPU on
Mount Holly's petition is expected by the end of 1995. While management believes
that the water supply, treatment and transmission project planned for Mount
Holly is a cost-effective response to the State legislation affecting the area
and that the costs incurred by Mount Holly since rates were last increased are
appropriate, management cannot predict the ultimate outcome of any rate
proceeding at this time.
FUTURE FINANCING REQUIREMENTS
For the three-year period ending December 31, 1997, Elizabethtown,
including Mount Holly, estimates 30% of its capital expenditures will be
financed with internally generated funds (after payment of common stock
dividends). Management believes Elizabethtown will be able to finance the
balance with a combination of capital contributions from the proceeds of E'town
common stock sales, proceeds from the sale by Elizabethtown of preferred stock
and long-term debentures and from tax-exempt New Jersey Economic Development
Authority ("NJEDA") bonds, and short-term borrowings by Elizabethtown under its
revolving credit agreement discussed below. Under Elizabethtown's most
restrictive debenture indenture, at March 31, 1995, Elizabethtown had the
ability to issue $57 million of long-term debentures at an assumed interest rate
of 8.25%.
Elizabethtown has executed the Agreement with an agent bank and five
additional banks to replace its uncommitted lines of credit. The Agreement
allows Elizabethtown to borrow, repay and reborrow
-8-
<PAGE>
up to $60 million during the first three years, after which time Elizabethtown
may convert any outstanding balances to a five-year fully amortizing term loan.
The Agreement further provides that, among other covenants, Elizabethtown must
maintain a ratio of common and preferred equity to total capitalization of not
less than 35% and a pre-tax interest coverage ratio of at least 1.5 to 1. As of
March 31, 1995, the ratio of Elizabethtown's common and preferred equity to
total capitalization was 48%. For the twelve months ended March 31, 1995
Elizabethtown's pre-tax interest coverage ratio, calculated in accordance with
the Agreement, was 3.0 to 1.
COMMON STOCK PRICE RANGE AND DIVIDENDS
The Company's Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "ETW".
The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices per share of the
Company's Common Stock for the periods indicated, as reported by the NYSE. The
table also shows dividends paid per share on the Company's Common Stock for the
periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Closing Prices
--------------------
Dividends
High Low Paid
---------- ---------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1993: First Quarter........................... $30.88 $27.63 $.50
Second Quarter.......................... 31.13 29.50 .50
Third Quarter........................... 35.75 29.88 .50
Fourth Quarter.......................... 34.75 30.25 .51
1994: First Quarter........................... 32.00 29.75 .51
Second Quarter.......................... 29.75 26.50 .51
Third Quarter........................... 27.75 26.25 .51
Fourth Quarter.......................... 27.00 23.75 .51
1995: First Quarter .......................... 26.38 24.88 .51
Second Quarter (through
June 9, 1995)......................... 27.25 25.38 <F*>
- ---------------------------
<FN>
<F*> On May 18, 1995, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $.51
per share payable on June 30, 1995 to holders of record on June 26, 1995.
Holders as of the record date of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will
be entitled to receive this dividend.
</FN>
</TABLE>
On June 9, 1995, the last sale price for the Company's Common Stock, as
reported by the NYSE, was $27.25 per share. On December 31, 1994, there were
6,218 holders of record of the Company's Common Stock. Of the approximately 6.6
million shares outstanding as of that date, about 4.7 million shares were
registered in the name of only one holder, Cede & Co., which is a nominee of The
Depository Trust Company, a securities depositary for various banks and
brokerage firms.
The Company and its predecessors have paid cash dividends since 1880. The
annual dividend rate is currently $2.04 per share. The amount of future
dividends will depend upon the
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<PAGE>
Company's earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors,
including the timeliness and adequacy of rate relief granted to Elizabethtown
and Mount Holly.
The Company has a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the "DRP
Plan") under which participating shareholders may have cash dividends on all or
a portion of their shares of Common Stock automatically reinvested in additional
shares of Common Stock at 95% of market value as outlined in the DRP Plan, and
may invest up to an additional $2,000 per month on the same basis. No commission
or service charge is paid by participants in connection with their purchases
under the DRP Plan. In 1994, the Company received $7.1 million in proceeds from
sales of Common Stock under the DRP Plan. The Company reserves the right to
amend or modify the DRP Plan at any time.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
Certain provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
By-Laws and Elizabethtown's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
Elizabethtown's indentures are summarized or referred to below. The summaries
are merely an outline, do not purport to be complete, do not relate to or give
effect to the provisions of statutory or common law, and are qualified in their
entirety by express reference to such Certificates of Incorporation, By-Laws and
indentures.
The Company is authorized by its Certificate of Incorporation to issue
15,000,000 shares of Common Stock, without par value, of which 6,691,951 shares
were issued and outstanding as of June 9, 1995. As of March 31, 1995, the
Company has agreed to keep reserved for issuance 299,825 shares of Common Stock
to satisfy the privileges of the Company's subordinated debentures which are
convertible into Common Stock at a conversion price of $40.00 per share, subject
to adjustment.
The holders of Common Stock of the Company are entitled to receive
dividends as and when declared by the Board of Directors of the Company out of
funds legally available for dividends. Payment of common stock dividends by
Elizabethtown (which currently constitutes the predominant source of cash from
earnings available to the Company) is restricted by certain provisions of the
seven indentures under which debentures of Elizabethtown are outstanding. At
March 31, 1995, $7,800,513 of Elizabethtown's retained earnings were restricted
under the most restrictive of these indenture provisions. Therefore, $34,272,497
of E'town's consolidated retained earnings were unrestricted. In the event of
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of Common
Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of
liabilities. The holders of record of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for
each share of such stock held by them. The holders of Common Stock have no
cumulative voting, preemptive or conversion rights and are not subject to
further calls or assessments by the Company. There are no redemption or sinking
fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. The Common Stock currently
outstanding is, and the Common Stock offered pursuant to this Prospectus will
be, fully paid and non-assessable.
At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 6, 1991, holders of the
Company's Common Stock adopted an amendment to the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation which provided for, among other things, a classified Board of
Directors. Such amendment may only be amended or repealed by the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least 80% of the Company's Common Stock. Also in May
1991, the Board of Directors approved revisions to the Company's By-Laws which
provided for, among other things, certain notice requirements for business to be
properly brought by shareholders before an annual or special meeting of
shareholders, certain procedures for the nomination of directors by
shareholders, the fixing of record dates with respect to action to be taken by
shareholder vote or by written consent, and the calling of special meetings of
shareholders pursuant to a vote of the Board of Directors, action
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by the Chairman or a request of shareholders holding at least 40% of the capital
stock of the Company.
The outstanding Common Stock of the Company is traded on the NYSE. The
Bank of New York is the Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Common Stock of the
Company.
On January 24, 1991, pursuant to a shareholders' rights plan adopted by
the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a dividend of one
share purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of Common Stock (the
"Shares") of the Company. The dividend was paid on February 4, 1991 (the "Record
Date") to the shareholders of record on that date. Generally, each share of
Common Stock issued after the Record Date, including the shares of Common Stock
offered hereby, carries one Right. Each Right entitles the registered holder to
purchase from the Company 1/100th of one Share at a price of $.80 per 1/100th of
one Share, subject to adjustment. Until the occurrence of certain specified
events, including the acquisition by certain third parties of a large amount of
Common Stock or attempts to acquire the Company, the Rights are not exercisable,
have no dilutive effect, are evidenced by the certificates for the shares of the
Company's Common Stock and will be transferred only with such securities. A more
complete description of the Rights is set forth in the Company's Registration
Statement on Form 8-A, as amended, and the exhibits thereto, which description
has been incorporated by reference herein. See "Incorporation of Certain
Information by Reference."
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, a copy
of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part, the Company has agreed to sell to A.G. Edwards & Sons,
Inc. and Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated (the "Underwriters"), and the
Underwriters have severally agreed to purchase from the Company, 287,500 shares
and 287,500 shares of the Common Stock offered hereby, respectively.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the
Underwriters thereunder are subject to approval of certain legal matters by
counsel and to various other conditions. The nature of the Underwriters'
obligations is such that they are committed to take and pay for all the shares
of Common Stock offered hereby if any are taken.
The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that they propose to
offer the shares of Common Stock offered hereby to the public at the offering
price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus and may offer such shares
to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of $.65 per
share, and that the Underwriters and such dealers may reallow a discount not in
excess of $.10 per share to other dealers. The public offering price and the
concession and discount to dealers may be changed by the Underwriters after the
initial date of the public offering.
The Company has granted the Underwriters an option exercisable for 30 days
after the date of this Prospectus to purchase up to an aggregate of 85,000
additional shares of Common Stock. The Underwriters may exercise such option
only to cover over-allotments in connection with the sale of the shares of
Common Stock offered hereby.
The Company has agreed that it will not, without the prior written consent
of the Underwriters, file with the Commission a registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") relating to any issuance of its
Common Stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable for or any rights
to purchase or acquire Common Stock for a period of 180 days after the date of
this Prospectus,
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except for shares to be issued pursuant to the Company's DRP Plan or its
existing employee benefit plans.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters and their controlling
persons against certain civil liabilities, including certain civil liabilities
under the Securities Act.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters concerning the offering will be passed upon for the
Company by Walter M. Braswell, Esq., Secretary of the Company, and Winthrop,
Stimson, Putnam & Roberts, New York, New York, special counsel for the Company.
Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Underwriters by McCarter &
English, Newark, New Jersey. As of May 16, 1995, Mr. Braswell owned 11,214
shares (including stock options) of the Company's Common Stock.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and the related financial statement schedules
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 have been audited by Deloitte &
Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports, which are
incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon
the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
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No dealer, salesperson or any other person has
been authorized to give information or to make
any representations, other than those contained in
this Prospectus, in connection with the offer
contained in this Prospectus, and if given or made, 575,000 Shares
such information or representations must not be
relied upon as having been authorized by the
Company or by any of the Underwriters. This E'TOWN
Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a CORPORATION
solicitation of an offer to buy, securities other than
the securities offered hereby or an offer to sell, or
a solicitation of an offer to buy, any of the Common Stock
securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction to any (Without Par Value)
person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer
in such jurisdiction. Neither the delivery of this
Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall,
under any circumstances, create an implication
that there has been no change in the
affairs of the Company since the date hereof.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS --------------------
Page P R O S P E C T U S
----
Available Information.............................. --------------------
Incorporation of Certain
Information by Reference.........................
Prospectus Summary.................................
Map................................................ A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
The Company........................................
Use of Proceeds.................................... Legg Mason Wood Walker
Construction Program Incorporated
and Regulatory Issues............................
Future Financing Requirements......................
Common Stock Price Range
and Dividends.................................... June 12, 1995
Description of Common Stock........................
Underwriting.......................................
Legal Matters......................................
Experts............................................
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