FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES INC /DE/
S-3/A, 1999-05-11
DEPARTMENT STORES
Previous: CANDELA CORP /DE/, 10-Q, 1999-05-11
Next: FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES INC /DE/, S-4/A, 1999-05-11



<PAGE>   1
 
   
      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 11, 1999
    
 
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-76789
    
                          POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT TO REGISTRATION NO. 333-34321
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
    
   
                                       TO
    
                                    FORM S-3
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
 
                       FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
                             ---------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>                            <C>
           DELAWARE                  151 WEST 34TH STREET                13-3324058
   (State of Incorporation)        NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001           (I.R.S. Employer
                                        (212) 494-1601              Identification No.)
                                             AND
                                    7 WEST SEVENTH STREET
                                    CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202
                                        (513) 579-7000
                                (Principal Executive Offices)
</TABLE>
 
                           DENNIS J. BRODERICK, ESQ.
              SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                       FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
                             7 WEST SEVENTH STREET
                             CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202
                                 (513) 579-7000
                              (Agent for Service)
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                    Copy to:
 
                              MARK E. BETZEN, ESQ.
                           JONES, DAY, REAVIS & POGUE
                           2300 TRAMMELL CROW CENTER
                                2001 ROSS AVENUE
                              DALLAS, TEXAS 75201
                                 (214) 220-3939
                             ---------------------
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the effective date of the registration statement, as determined by
market conditions and other factors.
 
     If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. 
[ ]
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  [X]
 
     If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
 
     If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]
 
   
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [X]
    
 
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
     THE PROSPECTUS CONTAINED HEREIN ALSO RELATES TO UP TO $350,000,000 OF
SECURITIES OF THE REGISTRANT COVERED BY REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-34321.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
   
PROSPECTUS
    
 
                       FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
 
                                 $1,350,000,000
 
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                                  COMMON STOCK
                                PREFERRED STOCK
                                    WARRANTS
 
                             ---------------------
 
     Federated may offer up to $1,350,000,000 of these securities from time to
time separately or in any combination. Federated will determine the type and
amount of securities offered and the price and other terms of any offering on
the basis of market conditions and other factors existing at the time of the
offering. Federated will disclose the specific terms of any offering in a
supplement to this prospectus.
 
     The terms of each offering of these securities will be set forth in a
prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
 
     Federated's common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol "FD."
 
                             ---------------------
 
     Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined whether
this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
 
                             ---------------------
 
   
                     This prospectus is dated May 11, 1999.
    
<PAGE>   3
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS.......................................    3
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION.........................    3
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.....................    3
FEDERATED...................................................    4
USE OF PROCEEDS.............................................    4
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES..........................    4
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING
  STATEMENTS................................................    5
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES..............................    5
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK................................   13
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS.....................................   20
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION........................................   20
VALIDITY OF SECURITIES......................................   21
EXPERTS.....................................................   21
</TABLE>
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                             ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
     This prospectus is part of two registration statements that Federated filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register the distribution of the
securities described in this prospectus under the Securities Act of 1933.
Federated may from time to time sell the securities in one or more offerings up
to a total dollar amount of $1,350,000,000 or the equivalent of this amount in
foreign currencies or foreign currency units.
 
     This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities.
Each time Federated offers the securities, Federated will provide a prospectus
supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that
offering. The prospectus supplement may also supplement, modify, or supersede
other information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this
prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the information
incorporated by reference as described below under the heading "Incorporation of
Documents by Reference."
 
     You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and in
any prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference.
Federated has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information.
Federated is not offering the securities in any state where the offer is not
permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, or any
supplement to this prospectus, is accurate at any date other than the date
indicated on the cover page of these documents.
 
                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
 
     Federated files reports, proxy statements, and other documents with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Federated's SEC filings are available to the
public over the Internet at the Commission's web site at http://www.sec.gov. You
may also read and copy any document Federated files at the Commission's Public
Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain
information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the
Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, you may read reports, proxy
statements, and other documents relating to Federated at the offices of the New
York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
     Additional information regarding Federated and the securities offered
hereby is contained in the registration statements of which this prospectus is a
part, including the exhibits thereto. The statements contained in this
prospectus regarding the provisions of any other document are not necessarily
complete. Accordingly, each such statement is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the registration
statements or otherwise filed with the Commission.
 
                    INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The documents specified below, which have been or are to be filed by
Federated with the Commission,
are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The information contained in
those documents is considered to be part of this prospectus, except that the
information contained in later-dated documents will supplement, modify, or
supersede, as applicable, the information contained in earlier-dated documents.
 
     Federated incorporates by reference into this prospectus the documents
listed below and all documents filed by Federated with the Commission under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after
the date of this prospectus and prior to the time that the offering made hereby
is completed.
 
     - Federated's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January
       30, 1999;
 
     - Federated's current report on Form 8-K dated March 18, 1999.
 
     You may obtain without charge a copy of any of the documents incorporated
by reference herein, except for any exhibits to those documents that are not
expressly incorporated by reference in those documents, by writing or
telephoning Federated Department Stores, Inc., 7 West Seventh Street,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, Attention: Investor Relations (telephone: (513)
579-7780).
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
                                   FEDERATED
 
     Federated is one of the leading operators of full-line department stores in
the United States with over 400 department stores in 33 states as of January 30,
1999. Federated's department stores sell a wide range of merchandise, including
men's, women's, and children's apparel and accessories, cosmetics, home
furnishings, and other consumer goods. Federated's department stores are
diversified by size of store, merchandising character, and character of
community served. Federated's department stores are located at urban or suburban
sites, principally in densely populated areas across the United States.
Federated operates its department stores under the names "Macy's,"
"Bloomingdale's," "The Bon Marche," "Burdines," "Goldsmith's," "Lazarus,"
"Rich's," and "Stern's." Federated also operates direct mail catalog businesses
under the names "Bloomingdale's By Mail" and "Macy's By Mail" and an electronic
commerce catalog business under the name "macys.com."
 
     On March 18, 1999, Federated acquired Fingerhut Companies, Inc. Fingerhut
is a leading database marketing company that sells a broad range of products and
services through catalogs, direct marketing, and the Internet. In addition to
the core Fingerhut catalog business, Fingerhut owns:
 
     - Figi's, a specialty food and gift catalog business;
 
     - Arizona Mail Order and Bedford Fair, both apparel catalog businesses; and
 
     - Popular Club, a membership-based general merchandise catalog business.
 
     Fingerhut also offers a broad range of business services to third parties,
including telemarketing, direct marketing, information management, warehousing,
product fulfillment and distribution, order and returns processing, and customer
service, and has investments in several providers of Internet-based merchandise
and services.
 
     Federated's principal executive offices are located at 151 West 34th
Street, New York, New York 10001, and 7 West Seventh Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
45202. Federated's telephone numbers at its offices are (212) 494-1601 and (513)
579-7000, respectively.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement,
Federated will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered
hereby for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of
indebtedness outstanding from time to time, acquisitions, new store
construction, store expansions, and further investments in technology.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     Federated's ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods set
forth below has been computed on a consolidated basis and should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, including the notes
thereto, and other information set forth in the reports filed by Federated with
the Commission.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        FISCAL YEAR   FISCAL YEAR   FISCAL YEAR   FISCAL YEAR   FISCAL YEAR
                                           ENDED         ENDED         ENDED         ENDED         ENDED
                                        JANUARY 30,   JANUARY 31,   FEBRUARY 1,   FEBRUARY 3,   JANUARY 28,
                                           1999          1998          1997          1996          1995
                                        -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Consolidated ratio of earnings to
  fixed charges (unaudited)...........     3.8x          2.8x          1.7x          1.3x          2.0x
</TABLE>
 
     For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings
consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes and
extraordinary items plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest). Fixed
charges consist of interest incurred on indebtedness, amortization of debt
expense, and the portion of rental expense under operating leases deemed to be
the equivalent of interest.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
          CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     This prospectus contains and incorporates by reference, and the
accompanying prospectus supplement may contain, forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based upon the beliefs and assumptions of, and on
information available to, the management of Federated.
 
     Forward-looking statements include statements regarding possible future
results of operations, competitive position, and growth opportunities of
Federated. In addition, the following statements are or may constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995: (1) statements preceded by, followed by or that
include the words "may," "will," "could," "should," "believe," "expect,"
"future," "potential," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," or "continue"
or the negative or other variations thereof and (2) other statements regarding
matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are subject to
various risks and uncertainties, including the following:
 
     - risks and uncertainties relating to the possible invalidity of the
       underlying beliefs and assumptions;
 
     - possible changes or developments in social, economic, business, industry,
       market, legal, and regulatory circumstances and conditions; and
 
     - actions taken or omitted to be taken by third parties, including
       customers, suppliers, business partners, competitors, and legislative,
       regulatory, judicial, and other governmental authorities and officials.
 
     In addition to the foregoing and any risks and uncertainties specifically
identified in the text surrounding forward-looking statements, any statements in
this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement, or the reports, proxy
statements, and other documents referred to in "Where You Can Find More
Information" that warn of risks or uncertainties associated with future results,
events, or circumstances may identify important factors that could cause actual
results, events, and circumstances to differ materially from those reflected in
forward-looking statements.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
GENERAL
 
     The debt securities that may be offered by this prospectus consist of
unsecured notes, debentures, or other evidences of indebtedness of Federated.
Federated may issue the debt securities, in one or more series, under an
indenture, dated as of September 10, 1997, between Federated and Citibank, N.A.,
as trustee. A copy of the indenture is set forth as Exhibit 4.4 to each of the
registration statements and incorporated herein by reference. Except as
otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein have the meanings given
to them in the indenture.
 
     The provisions of the indenture will generally be applicable to all of the
debt securities. Selected provisions of the indenture are described in this
prospectus. Additional or different provisions that are applicable to a
particular series of debt securities will, if material, be described in a
prospectus supplement relating to the offering of debt securities of that
series. These provisions may include, among other things and to the extent
applicable, the following:
 
     - the title of the debt securities;
 
     - any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;
 
     - the persons to whom any interest on the debt securities will be payable,
       if other than the registered holders thereof on the regular record date
       therefor;
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
     - the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be
       payable;
 
     - the rate or rates at which the debt securities will bear interest, if
       any, and the date or dates from which interest will accrue;
 
     - the dates on which interest will be payable and the regular record dates
       for interest payment dates;
 
     - the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest
       on the debt securities will be payable;
 
     - the period or periods, if any, within which, and the price or prices at
       which, the debt securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the
       option of Federated;
 
     - the obligation, if any, of Federated to redeem or purchase the debt
       securities pursuant to sinking fund or analogous provisions and the terms
       and conditions of any such redemption or purchase;
 
     - the denominations in which the debt securities will be issuable, if other
       than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;
 
     - the currency or currencies or currency units, if other than currency of
       the United States of America, in which payment of the principal of and
       any premium or interest on the debt securities will be payable, and the
       terms and conditions of any elections that may be made available with
       respect thereto;
 
     - any index or formula used to determine the amount of payments of
       principal of and any premium or interest on the debt securities;
 
     - whether the debt securities are to be issued in whole or in part in the
       form of one or more global securities and, if so, the identity of the
       depositary, if any, for the global securities;
 
     - the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the debt securities
       are convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other securities
       of Federated or any other person;
 
     - the principal amount (or any portion of the principal amount) of the debt
       securities which will be payable upon any declaration of acceleration of
       the maturity of the debt securities pursuant to an event of default; and
 
     - the applicability to the debt securities of the provisions described in
       "-- Defeasance" below.
 
     Federated may issue debt securities at a discount from their stated
principal amount. Federal income tax considerations and other special
considerations applicable to any debt security issued with original issue
discount (an "original issue discount security") may be described in an
applicable prospectus supplement.
 
     If the purchase price of any series of the debt securities is payable in a
foreign currency or currency unit or if the principal of or any premium or
interest on any series of the debt securities is payable in a foreign currency
or currency unit, the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations,
specific terms, and other information with respect to the debt securities and
the applicable foreign currency or currency unit will be set forth in an
applicable prospectus supplement.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement:
 
     - the debt securities will be issued only in fully registered form (without
       coupons) in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof; and
 
     - payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt
       securities will be payable, and the exchange, conversion, and transfer of
       debt securities will be registerable, at the office or agency of
       Federated maintained for those purposes and at any other office or agency
       maintained for those purposes. No service charge will be made for any
       registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but
       Federated may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
       other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
     The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf
of, a depositary or its nominee identified in an applicable prospectus
supplement. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt
securities in registered form, a global security may not be registered for
transfer or exchange:
 
     - by the depositary to a nominee of the depositary;
 
     - by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of
       the depositary;
 
     - by the depositary or any nominee of the depositary to a successor
       depositary or a nominee of the successor depositary; or
 
     - in any other circumstances described in an applicable prospectus
       supplement.
 
     The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any
portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by a global security
will be described in an applicable prospectus supplement. Federated expects that
the following provisions will apply to depositary arrangements.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, any
global security that represents debt securities will be registered in the name
of the depositary or its nominee. Upon the deposit of a global security with or
on behalf of the depositary for the global security, the depositary will credit,
on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal
amounts of the debt securities represented by the global security to the
accounts of institutions that are participants in such system. The accounts to
be credited will be designated by the underwriters or agents of the debt
securities or by Federated, if the debt securities are offered and sold directly
by Federated.
 
     Ownership of beneficial interests in debt securities represented by a
global security will be limited to participants in the book-entry registration
and transfer system of the applicable depositary or persons that may hold
interests through such participants. Ownership of such beneficial interests by
such participants will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership will be
effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or its nominee for
such global security. Ownership of such beneficial interests by persons that
hold through such participants will be shown on, and the transfer of such
ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by such
participants. The laws of some jurisdictions require that specified purchasers
of securities take physical delivery of their securities in definitive form.
These laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global
security.
 
     So long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of the global security, the depositary or the nominee, as the
case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities
represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Unless
otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial
interests in the global security will not be entitled to have any of the debt
securities represented by the global security registered in their names, will
not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such debt
securities in certificated form, and will not be considered the owners or
holders of such debt securities for any purpose under the indenture.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in debt securities
represented by a global security must rely on the procedures of the applicable
depositary and, if the person is not a participant in the book-entry
registration and transfer system of the applicable depositary, on the procedures
of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any
rights of an owner or holder of debt securities under the indenture.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
     Federated understands that, under existing industry practices, if an owner
of a beneficial interest in debt securities represented by a global security
desires to give any notice or take any action that an owner or holder of debt
securities is entitled to give or take under indenture:
 
     - the applicable depositary would authorize its participants to give the
       notice or take the action; and
 
     - the participants would authorize persons owning the beneficial interests
       through the participants to give the notice or take the action or would
       otherwise act upon the instructions of the persons owning the beneficial
       interests.
 
     Principal of and any premium and interest on debt securities represented by
a global security will be payable in the manner described in an applicable
prospectus supplement. Payment of principal of, and any premium or interest on,
such debt securities will be made to the applicable depository or its nominee,
as the case may be, as the registered owner or the holder of the global security
representing such debt securities. None of Federated, the trustee, any paying
agent, or the registrar for such debt securities will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account
of beneficial ownership interests in debt securities represented by a global
security or for maintaining, supervising, or reviewing any records relating to
such beneficial ownership interests.
 
COVENANTS OF FEDERATED
 
     Maintenance of Office or Agency. Federated will be required to maintain an
office or agency in each place of payment for each series of debt securities for
notice and demand purposes and for the purposes of presenting or surrendering
debt securities for payment, registration of transfer, or exchange.
 
     Paying Agents, Etc. If Federated acts as its own paying agent with respect
to any series of debt securities, on or before each due date of the principal of
or interest on any of the debt securities of that series, it will be required to
segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the persons entitled to payment a
sum sufficient to pay the amount due and to notify the trustee promptly of its
action or failure to act. If Federated has one or more paying agents for any
series of debt securities, prior to each due date of the principal of or
interest on any debt securities of that series, it will be required to deposit
with a paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the amount due and, unless the
paying agent is the trustee, to promptly notify the trustee of its action or
failure to act. All moneys paid by Federated to a paying agent for the payment
of principal of or interest on any debt securities that remain unclaimed for two
years after such principal or interest has become due and payable may be repaid
to Federated, and thereafter the holder of such debt securities may look only to
Federated for payment thereof.
 
     Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. Federated will be required to pay and
discharge, before the same become delinquent:
 
     - all taxes, assessments, and governmental charges levied or imposed upon
       Federated or any subsidiary of Federated or their properties; and
 
     - all claims that if unpaid would result in a lien on their property and
       have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial
       condition, or results of operations of Federated and its subsidiaries,
       taken as a whole (a "Material Adverse Effect");
 
unless, in either case, the same are being contested by proper proceedings.
 
     Maintenance of Properties. Federated will be required to cause all
properties used in the business of Federated or any subsidiary of Federated to
be maintained and kept in good condition, repair, and working order and to make
any necessary renewals, replacements, and improvements to such properties,
except to the extent that the failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse
Effect.
 
     Existence. Federated will be required to, and will be required to cause its
subsidiaries to, preserve and keep in full force and effect their existence,
charter rights, statutory rights, and franchises, except to the extent that the
failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
     Compliance with Laws. Federated will be required to, and will be required
to cause its subsidiaries to, comply with all applicable laws to the extent that
the failure to do so would have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
     Restrictive Covenants. Any restrictive covenants applicable to any series
of debt securities will be described in an applicable prospectus supplement.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     The following are Events of Default under the indenture with respect to
debt securities of any series:
 
          (1) failure to pay principal of or premium, if any, on any debt
     security of that series when due;
 
          (2) failure to pay any interest on any debt security of that series
     when due, which failure continues for 30 calendar days;
 
          (3) failure to make any sinking fund payment when and as due by the
     terms of any debt security of that series;
 
          (4) failure to perform, or breach of, any other covenant of Federated
     in the indenture (other than a covenant included in the indenture solely
     for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series),
     which failure or breach continues for 60 calendar days after written notice
     thereof has been given to Federated as provided in the indenture;
 
          (5) any nonpayment at maturity or other default (beyond any applicable
     grace period) under any agreement or instrument relating to any other
     Indebtedness of Federated, the unpaid principal amount of which is not less
     than $100.0 million, which default results in the acceleration of the
     maturity of such Indebtedness prior to its stated maturity or occurs at the
     final maturity thereof;
 
          (6) specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization
     involving Federated; and
 
          (7) any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt
     securities of that series.
 
     Pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee is required, within 90
calendar days after the occurrence of a default in respect of any series of debt
securities, to give to the holders of the debt securities of that series notice
of all such uncured defaults known to it, except that:
 
     - in the case of a default in the performance of any covenant of the
       character contemplated in clause (4) above, no notice will be given until
       at least 30 calendar days after the occurrence of such default; and
 
     - other than in the case of a default of the character contemplated in
       clause (1), (2), or (3) above, the trustee may withhold notice if and so
       long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of notice is in
       the interests of the holders of the debt securities of that series.
 
     If an Event of Default described in clause (6) above occurs, the principal
of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the debt securities of that series
will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on
the part of the trustee of any holder of the debt securities of that series. If
any other Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs
and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the debt securities of that series may declare the principal
amount of all debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately.
However, at any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt
securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree based on
such acceleration has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the debt securities of that series may, under specified circumstances,
rescind and annul such acceleration. See "-- Modification and Waiver" below.
 
     Subject to the duty of the trustee to act with the required standard of
care during an Event of Default, the trustee will have no obligation to exercise
any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of
the holders of debt securities, unless such holders shall have offered to the
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
trustee reasonable security or indemnity. Subject to the provisions of the
indenture, including those requiring security or indemnification of the trustee,
the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any
series will have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting
any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust
or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that
series.
 
     No holder of a debt security of any series will have any right to institute
any proceeding with respect to the indenture or for any remedy thereunder
unless:
 
     - the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a
       continuing Event of Default;
 
     - the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
       outstanding debt securities of the same series have requested the trustee
       to institute a proceeding in respect of such Event of Default;
 
     - the holder or holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee to
       institute the proceeding as trustee;
 
     - the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in principal
       amount of the outstanding debt securities of the same series a direction
       inconsistent with such request; and
 
     - the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding within 60 calendar
       days.
 
     However, the limitations described above do not apply to a suit instituted
by a holder of a debt security for enforcement of payment of the principal of
and interest on such debt security on or after the applicable due dates for such
principal and interest.
 
     Federated is required to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to
the performance by Federated of its obligations under the indenture and as to
any default in such performance.
 
     Any additional Events of Default with respect to any series of debt
securities, and any variations from the foregoing Events of Default applicable
to any series of debt securities, will be described in an applicable prospectus
supplement.
 
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
     In general, modifications and amendments of the indenture may be made by
Federated and the trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the debt securities of each series affected
thereby. However, no modification or amendment of the indenture may, without the
consent of the holder of each debt security affected thereby:
 
     - change the stated maturity of, or any installment of principal of, or
       interest on, any debt security;
 
     - reduce the principal amount of, the rate of interest on, or the premium,
       if any, payable upon the redemption of, any debt security;
 
     - reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security
       payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;
 
     - change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or premium, if
       any, or interest on any debt security;
 
     - impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on
       or with respect to any debt security on or after the stated maturity or
       prepayment date thereof; or
 
     - reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities of any
       series required for modification or amendment of the indenture or for
       waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or for
       waiver of certain defaults.
 
     The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt
securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of
that series, waive compliance by Federated with specified
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
covenants of the indenture. The holders of at least a majority in principal
amount of the debt securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all
debt securities of that series, waive any past default under the indenture with
respect to that series, except:
 
     - a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or
       interest on, any debt security of that series; or
 
     - a default of a provision of the indenture that cannot be modified or
       amended without the consent of the holder of each debt security of that
       series.
 
DEFEASANCE
 
     Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement applicable to a
particular series of debt securities and except as described below, upon
compliance with the applicable requirements described below Federated:
 
          (1) will be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with
     respect to the debt securities of that series; or
 
          (2) will be released from its obligations to comply with the covenants
     described under "-- Covenants of Federated" above with respect to the debt
     securities of that series, and the occurrence of an event described in any
     of clauses (3), (4), and (5) under "-- Events of Default" above will no
     longer be an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that
     series
 
except to the limited extent described below.
 
     Following any defeasance described in clause (1) or (2) above, Federated
will continue to have specified obligations under the indenture, including
obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the
applicable series; replace destroyed, stolen, lost, or mutilated debt securities
of the applicable series; maintain an office or agency in respect of the debt
securities of the applicable series; and hold funds for payment to holders of
debt securities of the applicable series in trust. In the case of any defeasance
described in clause (2) above, any failure by Federated to comply with its
continuing obligations may constitute an Event of Default with respect to the
debt securities of the applicable series as described in clause (4) under
"-- Events of Defaults" above.
 
     In order to effect any defeasance described in clause (1) or (2) above,
Federated must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, money or
specified government obligations (or depositary receipts therefor) that through
the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay all of the principal and premium,
if any, and interest on the debt securities of such series on the dates such
payments are due in accordance with the terms of such debt securities. In
addition:
 
     - no Event of Default or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of
       time, or both, would become an Event of Default under the indenture shall
       have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;
 
     - no Event of Default described in clause (6) under "-- Events of Default"
       above or event that with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both,
       would become an Event of Default described in such clause (6) shall have
       occurred and be continuing at any time on or prior to the 90th calendar
       day following the date of deposit;
 
     - in the event of any defeasance described in clause (1) above, Federated
       shall have delivered an opinion of counsel, stating that (a) Federated
       has received from, or there has been published by, the IRS a ruling or
       (b) there has been a change in applicable federal law, in either case to
       the effect that, among other things, the holders of the debt securities
       of such series will not recognize gain or loss for United States federal
       income tax purposes as a result of such deposit or defeasance and will be
       subject to United States federal income tax in the same manner as if such
       defeasance had not occurred; and
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
     - in the event of any defeasance described in clause (2) above, Federated
       shall have delivered an opinion of counsel to the effect that, among
       other things, the holders of the debt securities of such series will not
       recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a
       result of such deposit or defeasance and will be subject to United States
       federal income tax in the same manner as if such defeasance had not
       occurred.
 
     If Federated fails to comply with its remaining obligations under the
indenture with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series following
a defeasance described in clause (2) above and the debt securities of such
series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any undefeased
Event of Default, the amount of money and government obligations on deposit with
the trustee may be insufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of
that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of
Default. However, Federated will remain liable in respect of such payments.
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
     Federated, at its option, may satisfy and discharge the indenture (except
for specified obligations of Federated and the trustee, including, among others,
the obligations to apply money held in trust) when:
 
     - either:
 
          (1) all debt securities of Federated previously authenticated and
     delivered under the indenture (subject to specified exceptions relating to
     debt securities that have otherwise been satisfied or provided for) have
     been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or
 
          (2) all debt securities of Federated not previously delivered to the
     trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, will become due and
     payable at their stated maturity within one year, or are to be called for
     redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee
     for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee, and Federated has
     deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds for
     such purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire
     indebtedness on such debt securities, for principal and any premium and
     interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of debt securities which
     have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date,
     as the case may be;
 
     - Federated has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable under the
       indenture by Federated; and
 
     - Federated has delivered to the trustee an officer's certificate and an
       opinion of counsel, each to the effect that all conditions precedent
       relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture have been
       satisfied.
 
LIMITATIONS ON MERGER AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
 
     Prior to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture, Federated may not
consolidate with or merge with or into any other person, or transfer all or
substantially all of its properties and assets to another person unless:
 
     - either
 
          (1) Federated is the continuing or surviving person in the
     consolidation or merger; or
 
          (2) the person (if other than Federated) formed by the consolidation
     or into which Federated is merged or to which all or substantially all of
     the properties and assets of Federated are transferred is a corporation
     organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any
     state thereof, or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes, by a
     supplemental indenture, all the obligations of Federated under the debt
     securities and the indenture;
 
     - immediately after the transaction and the incurrence or anticipated
       incurrence of any Indebtedness to be incurred in connection therewith, no
       Event of Default exists; and
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
     - an officer's certificate is delivered to the trustee to the effect that
       both of the conditions set forth above have been satisfied and an opinion
       of outside counsel has been delivered to the trustee to the effect that
       the first condition set forth above has been satisfied.
 
     The continuing, surviving, or successor person will succeed to and be
substituted for Federated with the same effect as if it had been named in the
indenture as a party thereto, and thereafter the predecessor person will be
relieved of all obligations and covenants under the indenture and the debt
securities.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The indenture and the debt securities will governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
 
REGARDING THE TRUSTEE
 
     The indenture contains specified limitations on the right of the trustee,
should it become a creditor of Federated within three months of, or subsequent
to, a default by Federated to make payment in full of principal of or interest
on any series of debt securities issued pursuant to the indenture when and as
the same becomes due and payable, to obtain payment of claims, or to realize for
its own account on property received in respect of any such claim as security or
otherwise, unless and until such default is cured. However, the trustee's rights
as a creditor of Federated will not be limited if the creditor relationship
arises from, among other things:
 
     - the ownership or acquisition of securities issued under any indenture or
       having a maturity of one year or more at the time of acquisition by the
       trustee;
 
     - specified advances authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of
       competent jurisdiction or by the indenture;
 
     - disbursements made in the ordinary course of business in its capacity as
       indenture trustee, transfer agent, registrar, custodian, or paying agent
       or in any other similar capacity;
 
     - indebtedness created as a result of goods or securities sold in a cash
       transaction or services rendered or premises rented; or
 
     - the acquisition, ownership, acceptance, or negotiation of specified
       drafts, bills of exchange, acceptances, or other obligations.
 
     The indenture does not prohibit the trustee from serving as trustee under
any other indenture to which Federated may be a party from time to time or from
engaging in other transactions with Federated. If the trustee acquires any
conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and
there is an Event of Default with respect to any series of debt securities, it
must eliminate the conflict or resign.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK
 
     Federated's certificate of incorporation provides that the authorized
capital stock of Federated consists of 500.0 million shares of common stock and
125.0 million shares of preferred stock.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     The holders of the common stock are entitled to one vote for each share
held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Subject to
preferential rights that may be applicable to any preferred stock, holders of
common stock are entitled to receive ratably any dividends as Federated's board
of directors may declare out of legally available funds. In the event of a
liquidation, dissolution, or winding up
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
of Federated, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all
assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preference of
any preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights and have
no rights to convert their common stock into any other securities. Federated
does not have any right or obligation to redeem the common stock. The common
stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The transfer agent and registrar
for the common stock is The Bank of New York.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Federated's board of directors has the authority, without any vote or
action by the stockholders, to issue up to 125 million shares of preferred stock
in one or more series. Federated's board of directors may fix the designations,
relative powers, preferences, limitations, and restrictions of all shares of
each such series, including dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights,
redemption and sinking fund provisions, liquidation preferences, and the number
of shares constituting each series. The issuance of preferred stock could:
 
     - decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to
       holders of common stock;
 
     - adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of the
       holders of common stock; or
 
     - delay, defer, or prevent a change in control of Federated.
 
     Federated's board of directors has not taken any action to designate or
issue any series of preferred stock, other than the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock described below. The applicable prospectus
supplement will describe the terms of any preferred stock offered and the
applicable certificate of designation. The prospectus supplement will also set
forth the transfer agent and registrar for the preferred stock.
 
PREFERRED SHARE PURCHASE RIGHTS
 
     General. Each outstanding share of common stock is accompanied by one right
(a "Right") issued pursuant to a share purchase rights agreement between
Federated and The Bank of New York, as rights agent. Each Right entitles its
registered holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Series A
Preferred Shares"), of Federated at a price of $62.50 per one one-hundredth of a
Series A Preferred Share. The type and amount of securities purchasable upon the
exercise of a Right, and the purchase price therefor, are subject to adjustment
as described below.
 
     The Rights will expire on December 19, 2004 unless earlier redeemed or
exchanged by Federated as described below. Until the Rights Distribution Date
(defined below), the Rights will not be exercisable, will not be evidenced
separately from the common stock, and will not be transferable separately from
the common stock. Until a Right is exercised, it will not entitle the holder
thereof to any rights as a stockholder of Federated.
 
     Until the Rights Distribution Date (or the earlier redemption or expiration
of the Rights):
 
     - any certificate evidencing shares of common stock issued upon the
       transfer or new issuance of common stock will contain a notation
       incorporating the share purchase rights agreement by reference; and
 
     - the surrender for transfer of any certificates evidencing common stock
       will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with those
       certificates.
 
     Rights Distribution Date. The "Rights Distribution Date" will be the
earliest of:
 
     - the close of business on the tenth business day (or a later date that is
       specified by the board of directors of Federated) following the first
       date on which Federated publicly announces that a person (other than
       Federated or a subsidiary or employee benefit or stock ownership plan of
       Federated),
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
       together with its affiliates and associates, has acquired, or obtained
       the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of Federated's
       outstanding common stock (any such person being an "Acquiring Person");
 
     - the close of business on the tenth business day (or a later date that is
       specified by the board of directors of Federated) following the
       commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer by a person (other than
       Federated or a subsidiary or employee benefit or stock ownership plan of
       Federated), the consummation of which would result in beneficial
       ownership by that person of 20% or more of Federated's outstanding common
       stock; and
 
     - the close of business on the tenth business day following the first date
       on which Federated publicly announces that a Flip-in Event or a Flip-over
       Event (as those terms are defined below) has occurred.
 
     As soon as practicable following the Rights Distribution Date, separate
certificates evidencing the Rights will be mailed to holders of record of common
stock as of the close of business on the Rights Distribution Date. Thereafter,
the separate Rights certificates alone will evidence the Rights.
 
     Flip-in Events and Flip-over Events. A "Flip-in Event" will occur if:
 
     - any person, together with its affiliates and associates, becomes the
       beneficial owner of 20% or more of the outstanding common stock;
 
     - any Acquiring Person merges into or combines with Federated and Federated
       is the surviving corporation or any Acquiring Person effects certain
       other transactions with Federated, as described in the Share Purchase
       Rights Agreement; or
 
     - during any time when there is an Acquiring Person, there is any
       reclassification of securities or recapitalization or reorganization of
       Federated which has the effect of increasing by more than 1% the
       proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity
       securities of Federated or any of its subsidiaries beneficially owned by
       the Acquiring Person.
 
     Upon the occurrence of a Flip-in Event, the Rights will no longer be
exercisable to purchase Series A Preferred Shares. Instead, the Rights (except
those held by an Acquiring Person) will thereafter be exercisable to purchase
that number of shares of Federated's common stock (or, under certain
circumstances, an economically equivalent security or securities of Federated)
that have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. From and
after the later of the Rights Distribution Date and the date of a Flip-in Event,
any Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person will be void.
 
     A "Flip-over Event" will occur if, after the first date on which Federated
publicly announces that a person has become an Acquiring Person:
 
     - Federated merges with or into any person and Federated is not the
       surviving corporation;
 
     - any person merges with or into Federated and Federated is the surviving
       corporation, but all or part of Federated's common stock is changed or
       exchanged; or
 
     - 50% or more of Federated's assets or earning power, including without
       limitation securities creating obligations of Federated, are sold.
 
     Upon the occurrence of a Flip-over Event, the Rights will no longer be
exercisable to purchase Series A Preferred Shares. Instead, the Rights will be
exercisable to purchase that number of shares of common stock (or, under certain
circumstances, an economically equivalent security or securities) of that other
person that have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
 
     A Rights Distribution Date resulting from the commencement of a tender
offer or exchange offer could result in the Rights becoming exercisable prior to
the occurrence of a Flip-in Event or Flip-over Event, and thus could result in
the Rights being exercisable to purchase Series A Preferred Shares.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
However, it may not be economic to exercise any Rights prior to the occurrence
of a Flip-in Event or a Flip-over Event.
 
     Following the occurrence of any Flip-in Event or Flip-over Event, Rights
(except those that have become void) may be exercised upon payment of the
exercise price or, at the option of the holder thereof, without the payment of
the exercise price that would otherwise be payable. If a holder of Rights elects
to exercise Rights without the payment of the exercise price that would
otherwise be payable, that holder will be entitled to receive securities having
a market value equal to the difference between the aggregate market value of the
securities issuable upon exercise of the Rights and the aggregate exercise price
of the Rights.
 
     Other Adjustments to Rights. If Federated declares a stock dividend on the
common stock that is payable in shares of common stock or subdivides, combines,
or reclassifies the common stock prior to the Rights Distribution Date,
Federated will be required to adjust the number of outstanding Rights and the
number of one one-hundredths of a Series A Preferred Share issuable upon
exercise of each Right.
 
     Federated will also be required to adjust the purchase price payable, and
the number of Series A Preferred Shares or other securities issuable, upon
exercise of the Rights to prevent dilution in the following circumstances:
 
     - in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination, or
       reclassification of, the Series A Preferred Shares;
 
     - upon the grant to holders of the Series A Preferred Shares of certain
       rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Series A Preferred Shares
       at a price, or securities convertible into Series A Preferred Shares with
       a conversion price, less than the then-current market price of the Series
       A Preferred Shares; or
 
     - upon the distribution to holders of the Series A Preferred Shares of
       evidences of indebtedness or cash (excluding regular periodic cash
       dividends), assets, or stock (excluding dividends payable in Series A
       Preferred Shares) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those
       referred to above).
 
     Subject to certain exceptions, Federated is not required to adjust the
purchase price payable upon exercise of the Rights unless and until a cumulative
adjustment in the purchase price of at least 1% is required. Federated is not
required to issue fractional Series A Preferred Shares (other than fractions
that are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a Series A Preferred Share)
or fractional shares of common stock or other securities issuable upon the
exercise of Rights. In lieu of issuing such securities, Federated may make a
cash payment, as provided in the Share Purchase Rights Agreement. Federated may
also elect to cause fractions of Series A Preferred Shares in integral multiples
of one one-hundredth of a Series A Preferred Share to be evidenced by depositary
receipts.
 
     Redemption of Rights. Federated may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in
part, at a price of $0.03 per Right, subject to adjustment, at any time prior to
the close of business on the later of the Rights Distribution Date and the first
date on which Federated publicly announces that a person has become an Acquiring
Person. Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the
Rights will terminate and the holders will have only the right to receive the
redemption price at $0.03 per Right. If any loan agreements or indentures to
which Federated is a party prohibit Federated from paying the redemption price,
Federated may defer payment of the redemption price until Federated is no longer
prohibited from paying the redemption price.
 
     Exchange of Rights. At any time after the later of the Rights Distribution
Date and the first occurrence of a Flip-in Event or a Flip-over Event and prior
to the acquisition by any person or group of affiliated or associated persons of
50% or more of Federated's outstanding common stock, Federated may exchange the
Rights (other than any Rights which have become void), in whole or in part, at
an exchange ratio of one share of Federated common stock per Right (subject to
adjustment as provided in the share purchase right agreement).
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
     Series A Preferred Shares. Federated may not redeem the Series A Preferred
Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights. Each Series A Preferred Share will
be entitled to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment equal to the
greater of $1.00 per share and an amount equal to 100 times the aggregate
dividends declared per share of common stock during the related quarter. In the
event of any liquidation of Federated, the holders of the Series A Preferred
Shares will be entitled to a preferential liquidation payment equal to the
greater of $100 per share and an amount equal to 100 times the liquidation
payment made per share of common stock. Each Series A Preferred Share will
entitle the holder thereof to 100 votes, voting together with the common stock.
In the event of any merger, consolidation, or other transaction in which shares
of common stock are exchanged, each Series A Preferred Share will entitle the
holder thereof to receive 100 times the amount received per share of common
stock. These rights will be protected by customary antidilution provisions.
Because of the nature of the Series A Preferred Shares' dividend, voting and
liquidation rights, the value of the one one-hundredth interest in a Series A
Preferred Share purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the
value of one share of common stock.
 
     Amendment of Share Purchase Rights Agreement. Federated may amend the share
purchase rights agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights as
provided in the Share Purchase Rights Agreement, including amendments which add
other events requiring adjustment to the Purchase Price payable and the number
of Series A Preferred Shares or other securities issuable upon the exercise of
the Rights and amendments which modify procedures relating to the redemption of
the Rights. Federated may not, however, amend the Share Purchase Rights
Agreement to decrease the stated Redemption Price to an amount less than $0.01
per Right, decrease the period of time remaining until the expiration date of
the Rights, or modify a time period relating to when the Rights may be redeemed
if the Rights are not then redeemable.
 
CERTAIN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS
 
     Federated's certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide that the
directors of Federated are to be classified into three classes, with the
directors in each class serving for three-year terms and until their successors
are elected. Any additional person elected to the board of directors of
Federated will be added to a particular class of directors to be determined at
the time of election. The number of directors in each class will be identical or
as nearly identical as possible in light of the total number of directors then
in office.
 
     Federated's by-laws provide that nominations for election of directors by
the stockholders will be made by the board of directors of Federated or by any
stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors generally. Federated's
by-laws require that stockholders intending to nominate candidates for election
as directors deliver written notice thereof to the Secretary of Federated not
later than 60 calendar days in advance of the meeting of stockholders. However,
if Federated does not publicly announce the date of the meeting more than 75
calendar days prior to the meeting, the stockholder must deliver notice to the
Secretary of Federated not later than the close of business on the tenth day
following the date on which Federated announces the date of the meeting.
Federated's by-laws further require that the stockholder's notice set forth
certain information concerning the stockholder and the stockholder's nominees,
including the following:
 
     - their names and addresses;
 
     - a representation that the stockholder is entitled to vote at the meeting
       and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate
       the person or persons specified in the notice;
 
     - a description of all arrangements or understandings between the
       stockholders and each nominee;
 
     - other information that would be required to be included in a proxy
       statement soliciting proxies for the election of the nominees of the
       stockholder; and
 
     - the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of Federated if
       elected.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
     The chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any
person not made in compliance with these requirements.
 
     In addition to the provisions relating to the classification of Federated's
board of directors and the director nomination procedures described above,
Federated's certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide, in general, that:
 
     - the number of directors of Federated will be fixed, within a specified
       range, by a majority of the total number of Federated's directors
       (assuming no vacancies) or by the holders of at least 80% of Federated's
       voting stock;
 
     - the directors of Federated in office from time to time will fill any
       vacancy or newly created directorship on the board of directors of
       Federated;
 
     - directors of Federated may be removed only for cause and only by the
       holders of at least 80% of Federated's voting stock;
 
     - stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of
       stockholders and not by written consent in lieu of a meeting;
 
     - except as described below, special meetings of stockholders may be called
       only by Federated's Chief Executive Officer or by a majority of the total
       number of directors of Federated (assuming no vacancies) and the business
       permitted to be conducted at any special meeting is limited to that
       brought before the meeting by Federated's Chief Executive Officer or by a
       majority of the total number of directors of Federated (assuming no
       vacancies); and
 
     - subject to certain exceptions, the board of directors of Federated may
       postpone and reschedule any previously scheduled annual or special
       meeting of stockholders.
 
     Federated's by-laws also require that stockholders desiring to bring any
business before an annual meeting of stockholders deliver written notice thereof
to the Secretary of Federated not later than 60 calendar days in advance of the
meeting of stockholders. However, if Federated does not publicly announce the
date of the meeting at least 75 calendar days prior to the meeting, the
stockholder must deliver notice to the Secretary of Federated not later than the
close of business on the tenth calendar day following the day on which Federated
announces the date of the meeting. Federated's by-laws further require that the
notice by the stockholder set forth a description of the business to be brought
before the meeting, the reasons for conducting that business at the meeting, and
certain information concerning the stockholder proposing that business and the
beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, including the
following:
 
     - their names and addresses;
 
     - the class and number of shares of Federated that are owned beneficially
       and of record by each of them; and
 
     - any material interest of either of them in the business proposed to be
       brought before the meeting.
 
     Upon the written request of the holders of not less than 15% of Federated's
voting stock, the board of directors of Federated must call a meeting of
stockholders for the purpose specified in the written request and fix a record
date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at
the meeting. The record date may not be later than 60 calendar days after the
date of receipt of notice of the meeting. If the board of directors of Federated
calls an annual or special meeting of stockholders to be held not later than 90
calendar days after receipt of any written request, no separate special meeting
of stockholders will be required to be convened if the purposes of the meeting
called by the board of directors of Federated include the purposes specified in
the written request of the stockholders.
 
     Under Delaware corporation law, the approval of a company's board of
directors, in addition to stockholder approval, is required to adopt any
amendment to the company's certificate of incorporation. A
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
company's by-laws may be amended either by action of its stockholders or, if the
company's certificate of incorporation so provides, its board of directors.
Federated's certificate of incorporation provides that the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least 80% of Federated's voting stock, voting together as a
single class, is required to amend, or to adopt a provision inconsistent with,
the provisions of its certificate of incorporation or its by-laws relating to
the following:
 
     - the number and classification of Federated's board of directors,
 
     - the director nominating procedures,
 
     - the filling of vacancies on Federated's board of directors,
 
     - the removal of directors,
 
     - the calling of special meetings of the stockholders,
 
     - the procedures for stockholders to bring business before an annual
       meeting of stockholders, and
 
     - the requirement that stockholder action be taken at a meeting of
       stockholders rather than by a written consent in lieu of a meeting.
 
     However, if any other approvals required by law have been obtained and the
holders of a majority, but less than 80%, of Federated's voting stock approve
any such action (other than amendments to the provision requiring that
stockholder action be taken at a meeting of stockholders rather than by written
consent in lieu of a meeting), the action will be effective one year from the
date of adoption. Federated's certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide
that Federated's by-law provisions relating to the right of stockholders to
cause special meetings of stockholders to be called and to the composition of
certain directorate committees may not be amended by Federated's board of
directors without stockholder approval.
 
     Federated is subject to Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware, which restricts the consummation of certain business
combination transactions in certain circumstances. In addition, Federated's
certificate of incorporation contains provisions that are substantially similar
to those contained in Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware. In general, those provisions restrict business combination
transactions with any person or group that acquires beneficial ownership of 15%
or more of the voting stock of Federated.
 
     The foregoing provisions of Federated's certificate of incorporation, the
provisions of its by-laws relating to advance notice of stockholder nominations,
and the provisions of the share purchase rights agreement may discourage or make
it more difficult to acquire control of Federated by means of a tender offer,
open market purchase, proxy contest, or otherwise. These provisions are intended
to discourage, and may have the effect of discouraging certain types of coercive
takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. They are also intended to
encourage persons who want to acquire control of Federated to first negotiate
with Federated. Federated's management believes that the foregoing measures,
many of which are substantially similar to the takeover-related measures in
effect for many other publicly held companies, provide benefits by enhancing
Federated's potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly
or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure Federated. Federated believes
that these benefits outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals
because, among other things, negotiating the proposals could improve their
terms.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
     Federated may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, common
stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, or any combination thereof. Warrants
may be issued independently or together with any other securities offered by a
prospectus supplement. Warrants may be attached to or separate from such
securities. Warrants may be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into
between Federated and a warrant agent specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as an agent of Federated in
connection with the warrants of a particular series and will not assume any
obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or
beneficial owners of warrants.
 
     The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the
warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including,
where applicable, the following:
 
     - the title of the warrants;
 
     - the aggregate number of the warrants;
 
     - the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;
 
     - the designation, number and terms of the debt securities, common stock,
       preferred stock, and/or depositary shares purchasable upon exercise of
       the warrants;
 
     - the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the
       warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each security;
 
     - the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related
       underlying securities will be separately transferable;
 
     - the price at which each underlying security purchasable upon exercise of
       the warrants may be purchased;
 
     - the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and
       the date on which that right will expire;
 
     - the minimum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
 
     - information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
 
     - a discussion of any material federal income tax considerations; and
 
     - any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and
       limitations relating to the transferability, exchange, and exercise of
       the warrants.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     Federated may sell the securities in any one or more of the following ways:
 
     - through one or more underwriters;
 
     - through one or more dealers or agents; or
 
     - directly to one or more purchasers.
 
     Federated may effect the distribution of the securities from time to time
in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed
public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. In
connection with sales of the securities, underwriters, dealers, and agents may
receive compensation from Federated or from purchasers of the securities in the
form of discounts, concessions, or commissions. Underwriters, dealers, and
agents who participate in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be
underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them from Federated
and any profit on the resale of securities by them may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933. Any
underwriter, dealer, or agent will be identified and any
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
compensation received from Federated will be described in an applicable
prospectus supplement. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or
concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to
time.
 
     Under agreements which Federated may enter into, underwriters, dealers, and
agents who participate in the distribution of the securities may be entitled to
indemnification by Federated against certain liabilities, including under the
Securities Act of 1933, or contribution from Federated to payments which the
underwriters, dealers, or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. The
underwriters, dealers, and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, Federated in the ordinary course of business.
 
     All securities offered will be a new issue of securities with no
established trading market, other than the common stock, which is listed on the
New York Stock Exchange. Any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus
supplement will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official
notice of issuance. Any underwriters to whom Federated sells securities for
public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but the
underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market
making at any time without notice. Federated cannot give any assurance as to the
liquidity of the secondary market for any securities.
 
                             VALIDITY OF SECURITIES
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement relating
to the securities, the validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed
upon for Federated by Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements of Federated, from Federated's annual report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 1999 and Fingerhut, from
Federated's current report on Form 8-K, dated March 18, 1999, have been
incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP,
independent certified public accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and
upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the
securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions
(which will be described in an applicable prospectus supplement), are estimated
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.........  $278,000
Legal fees and expenses.....................................   150,000
Accounting fees and expenses................................    50,000
Printing and engraving expenses.............................   100,000
Trustee's fees and expenses.................................    20,000
Miscellaneous expenses(1)...................................   100,000
                                                              --------
          Total.............................................  $698,000
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Includes estimate of stock exchange listing fees, blue sky fees and
    expenses, and NASD filing fees.
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     Federated's certificate of incorporation provides, as do the charters of
many other publicly held companies, that the personal liability of directors of
Federated to Federated is eliminated to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware
law. Federated's certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide for the
indemnification of the directors, officers, employees, and agents of Federated
and its subsidiaries to the full extent permitted by Delaware law from time to
time and, in the case of the by-laws, for various procedures relating thereto.
Certain provisions of Federated's certificate of incorporation protect
Federated's directors against personal liability for monetary damages resulting
from breaches of their fiduciary duty of care. Federated's certificate of
incorporation absolves directors of liability for negligence in the performance
of their duties, including gross negligence. However, Federated's directors
remain liable for breaches of their duty of loyalty to Federated and its
stockholders, as well as for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law and transactions
from which a director derives improper personal benefit. Federated's certificate
of incorporation also does not absolve directors of liability under Section 174
of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, which makes directors
personally liable for unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or
redemptions in certain circumstances and expressly sets forth a negligence
standard with respect to such liability.
 
     Under Delaware law, directors, officers, employees, and other individuals
may be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
fines, and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions,
suits, or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative
(other than an action by or in the right of the corporation -- a "derivative
action") if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect
to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their
conduct was unlawful. A similar standard of conduct is applicable in the case of
a derivative action, except that indemnification only extends to expenses
(including attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with defense or settlement of
such an action and Delaware law requires court approval before there can be any
indemnification of expenses where the person seeking indemnification has been
found liable to the corporation.
 
     Federated's certificate of incorporation provides, among other things, that
each person who was or is made a party to, or is threatened to be made a party
to, or is involved in, any action, suit, or proceeding by reason of the fact
that he or she is or was a director or officer of Federated (or was serving at
the request of Federated as a director, officer, employee, or agent for another
entity), will be indemnified and held harmless by Federated to the full extent
authorized by Delaware law against all expense, liability, or loss
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   24
 
(including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties,
and amounts to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such person in
connection therewith. The rights conferred thereby will be deemed to be contract
rights and will include the right to be paid by Federated for the expenses
incurred in defending the proceedings specified above in advance of their final
disposition.
 
     Federated's by-laws provide for, among other things, (1) the
indemnification by Federated of its directors and officers to the extent
described above, (2) the advancement of attorneys' fees and other expenses, and
(3) the establishment, upon approval by the board of directors, of trusts or
other funding mechanisms to fund Federated's indemnification obligations.
 
     As authorized by its certificate of incorporation, Federated has entered
into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers. These
indemnification agreements provide for, among other things, (1) the
indemnification by Federated of the indemnitees thereunder to the extent
described above, (2) the advancement of attorneys' fees and other expenses, and
(3) the establishment, upon approval by Federated's board of directors, of
trusts or other funding mechanisms to fund Federated's indemnification
obligations thereunder.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT NO.                                DESCRIPTION
      -----------                                -----------
<C>                      <S>
           1.1           -- Underwriting Agreement (to be filed, as applicable to a
                            particular offering of Securities, as an exhibit to a
                            Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by
                            reference thereto)
           4.1           -- Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference
                            to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form
                            10-K (File No. 1-13536) for the fiscal year ended January
                            28, 1995 ("1994 Form 10-K"))
           4.2           -- By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
                            1994 Form 10-K)
           4.3           -- Rights Agreement, dated December 19, 1994, between the
                            Company and the Bank of New York, as rights agent
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the 1994
                            Form 10-K)
           4.4           -- Indenture, dated as of September 10, 1997, between the
                            Company and Citibank, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Registration Statement No.
                            333-34321)
           4.5           -- Supplemental Indenture (to be filed, as applicable to a
                            particular offering of debt securities, as an exhibit to
                            a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by
                            reference thereto)
           4.6           -- The form or forms of securities with respect to each
                            particular series of securities registered hereunder
                            will, if appropriate, be filed as an exhibit to a Current
                            Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference
                            thereto
           5.1           -- Opinion of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue*
          12.1           -- Statement re: Computation of Ratios*
          23.1           -- Consent of KPMG LLP
          23.2           -- Consent of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue (included in
                            Exhibit 5.1)
          24.1           -- Powers of Attorney*
          25.1           -- Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the
                            Trust Indenture Act of 1939 on Form T-1 of Citibank, N.A.
                            to act as trustee under the indenture*
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
   
* Previously filed.
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   25
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made
     of the securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this
     registration statement:
 
             (a) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933;
 
             (b) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
        increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
        maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
        with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
        changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
        maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
        Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
 
             (c) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
        distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or
        any material change to such information in this registration statement;
 
     provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (a) and
     (b) above shall not apply if the information required to be included in a
     post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
     reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
     the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in
     this registration statement.
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment will be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time will be deemed to
     be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities registered hereby which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.
 
          (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report
     pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
     of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
     annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement will
     be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
     offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time will be
     deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit, or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   26
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Cincinnati, State of Ohio on May 11, 1999.
    
 
                                     FEDERATED DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
 
                                     By:       /s/ DENNIS J. BRODERICK
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                                  Dennis J. Broderick
                                                 Senior Vice President
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on May 11, 1999.
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                            TITLE
                      ---------                                            -----
<C>                                                    <S>
 
                          *                            Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
- -----------------------------------------------------    Officer (principal executive officer)
                 James M. Zimmerman
 
                          *                            President and Chief Merchandising Officer and
- -----------------------------------------------------    Director
                  Terry J. Lundgren
 
                          *                            Vice Chairman and Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Ronald W. Tysoe
 
                          *                            Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
- -----------------------------------------------------    and Treasurer (principal financial officer)
                   Karen M. Hoguet
 
                          *                            Vice President and Controller (principal
- -----------------------------------------------------    accounting officer)
                   Joel A. Belsky
 
                          *                                               Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Meyer Feldberg
 
                          *                                               Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Earl G. Graves, Sr.
 
                          *                                               Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   George V. Grune
 
                          *                                               Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    Sara Levinson
 
                          *                                               Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Joseph Neubauer
 
                          *                                               Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Joseph A. Pichler
 
                          *                                               Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
               Karl M. von der Heyden
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   27
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                            TITLE
                      ---------                                            -----
<C>                                                    <S>
 
                                                                          Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Craig E. Weatherup
 
                          *                                               Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Marna C. Whittington
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
* The undersigned, by signing his name hereto, does sign and execute this
  registration statement pursuant to the Powers of Attorney executed by the
  above-named persons.
 
                                                 /s/ DENNIS J. BRODERICK
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                    Dennis J. Broderick
                                                      Attorney-in-Fact
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   28
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT NO.                                DESCRIPTION
      -----------                                -----------
<C>                      <S>
           1.1           -- Underwriting Agreement (to be filed, as applicable to a
                            particular offering of Securities, as an exhibit to a
                            Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by
                            reference thereto)
           4.1           -- Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference
                            to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form
                            10-K (File No. 1-13536) for the fiscal year ended January
                            28, 1995 ("1994 Form 10-K"))
           4.2           -- By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
                            1994 Form 10-K)
           4.3           -- Rights Agreement, dated December 19, 1994, between the
                            Company and the Bank of New York, as rights agent
                            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the 1994
                            Form 10-K)
           4.4           -- Indenture, dated as of September 10, 1997, between the
                            Company and Citibank, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by
                            reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Registration Statement No.
                            333-34321)
           4.5           -- Supplemental Indenture (to be filed, as applicable to a
                            particular offering of debt securities, as an exhibit to
                            a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by
                            reference thereto)
           4.6           -- The form or forms of securities with respect to each
                            particular series of securities registered hereunder
                            will, if appropriate, be filed as an exhibit to a Current
                            Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference
                            thereto
           5.1           -- Opinion of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue*
          12.1           -- Statement re: Computation of Ratios*
          23.1           -- Consent of KPMG LLP
          23.2           -- Consent of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue (included in
                            Exhibit 5.1)
          24.1           -- Powers of Attorney*
          25.1           -- Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the
                            Trust Indenture Act of 1939 on Form T-1 of Citibank, N.A.
                            to act as trustee under the indenture*
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
   
* Previously filed.
    

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
   
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
    
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Federated Department Stores, Inc.
 
     We consent to the use of our reports incorporated herein by reference and
to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration
statement.
 
                                            /s/ KPMG LLP
 
Cincinnati, Ohio
   
May 10, 1999
    


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission