<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED JANUARY 23, 1996)
$500,000,000
NEWELL CO.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES A,
DUE NINE MONTHS OR MORE FROM DATE OF ISSUE
------------------
Newell Co. (the "Company") may offer from time to time up to $500,000,000
aggregate initial offering price, or the equivalent thereof in one or more
foreign or composite currencies, of its Medium-Term Notes, Series A, Due Nine
Months or More From Date of Issue (the "Notes"). Such aggregate initial offering
price is subject to reduction as a result of the sale by the Company of other
Securities described in the accompanying Prospectus. Each Note will mature on
any day nine months or more from the date of issue, as specified in the
applicable pricing supplement hereto (each, a "Pricing Supplement"), and may be
subject to redemption at the option of the Company or repayment at the option of
the Holder thereof, in each case, in whole or in part, prior to its Stated
Maturity Date, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. In addition,
each Note may be denominated and/or payable in United States dollars or a
foreign or composite currency, as specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement. The Notes, other than Foreign Currency Notes, will be issued in
minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof, unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, while Foreign Currency Notes
will be issued in the minimum denominations specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, Notes will
bear interest at fixed rates ("Fixed Rate Notes") or at floating rates
("Floating Rate Notes"). The applicable Pricing Supplement will specify whether
a Floating Rate Note is a Regular Floating Rate Note, a Floating Rate/Fixed Rate
Note or an Inverse Floating Rate Note and whether the rate of interest thereon
is determined by reference to one or more of the CD Rate, the CMT Rate, the
Commercial Paper Rate, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, the Federal
Funds Rate, LIBOR, the Prime Rate or the Treasury Rate (each, an "Interest Rate
Basis"), or any other interest rate basis or formula, as adjusted by any Spread
and/or Spread Multiplier. Interest on each Floating Rate Note will accrue from
its date of issue and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, will be payable monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually in
arrears, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, and on the Maturity
Date. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the rate
of interest on each Floating Rate Note will be reset daily, weekly, monthly,
quarterly, semiannually or annually, as specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement. Interest on each Fixed Rate Note will accrue from its date of issue
and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, will be
payable semiannually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year and on the
Maturity Date. Notes may also be issued that do not bear any interest currently
or that bear interest at a below market rate. See "Description of Notes."
The interest rate, or formula for the determination of the interest rate, if
any, applicable to each Note and the other variable terms thereof will be
established by the Company on the date of issue of such Note and will be
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Interest rates or formulas and
other terms of Notes are subject to change by the Company, but no change will
affect any Note already issued or as to which an offer to purchase has been
accepted by the Company.
Each Note will be issued in fully registered book-entry form (a "Book-Entry
Note") or in certificated form (a "Certificated Note"), as specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement. Each Book-Entry Note will be represented by one
or more fully registered global securities (the "Global Securities") deposited
with or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary") and
registered in the name of the Depositary or the Depositary's nominee. Interests
in the Global Securities will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be
effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to its
participants) and the Depositary's participants (with respect to beneficial
owners).
--------------------------
SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE S-1 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISKS THAT SHOULD
BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES OFFERED HEREBY.
--------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE PROSPECTUS OR ANY
SUPPLEMENT HERETO. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRICE TO PUBLIC AGENT'S DISCOUNTS AND
(1) COMMISSIONS (1)(2) PROCEEDS TO COMPANY (1)(3)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Note.............................. 100% .125% - .750% 99.875%-99.250%
Total (4)............................. $500,000,000 $625,000-$3,750,000 $499,375,000-$496,250,000
</TABLE>
(1) Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,
Chase Securities, Inc. or Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (each, an
"Agent," and collectively, the "Agents"), may purchase Notes, as principal,
from the Company, for resale to investors and other purchasers at varying
prices relating to prevailing market prices at the time of resale as
determined by the applicable Agent, or, if so specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, for resale at a fixed offering price. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, any Note sold to an Agent as
principal will be purchased by such Agent at a price equal to 100% of the
principal amount thereof less a percentage of the principal amount equal to
the commission applicable to an agency sale (as described below) of a Note
of identical maturity. If agreed to by the Company and an Agent, such Agent
may utilize its reasonable efforts on an agency basis to solicit offers to
purchase the Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. The Company will pay a
commission to an Agent, ranging from .125% to .750% of the principal amount
of a Note, depending upon its stated maturity, sold through such Agent.
Commissions with respect to Notes with stated maturities in excess of 30
years that are sold through an Agent will be negotiated between the Company
and such Agent at the time of such sale. See "Plan of Distribution."
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Agents against, and to provide
contribution with respect to, certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Plan of Distribution."
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $635,000.
(4) Or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign or composite currencies.
--------------------------
The Notes are being offered on a continuous basis by the Company to or
through the Agents. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, the Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange and there
can be no assurance that the Notes offered hereby will be sold or that there
will be a secondary market for the Notes. The Company reserves the right to
cancel or modify the offer made hereby without notice. The Company or an Agent,
if it solicits the offer on an agency basis, may reject any offer to purchase
Notes in whole or in part. See "Plan of Distribution."
--------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
CHASE SECURITIES, INC.
MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
INCORPORATED
------------------------------
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS MAY 15, 1996.
<PAGE>
IN CONNECTION WITH AN OFFERING OF NOTES PURCHASED BY AN AGENT AS PRINCIPAL
ON A FIXED OFFERING PRICE BASIS, SUCH AGENT MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF SUCH NOTES AT A
LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
------------------------
RISK FACTORS
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DOES NOT DESCRIBE ALL OF THE RISKS OF AN
INVESTMENT IN NOTES THAT RESULT FROM SUCH NOTES BEING DENOMINATED OR PAYABLE IN
OR DETERMINED BY REFERENCE TO A CURRENCY OR COMPOSITE CURRENCY OTHER THAN UNITED
STATES DOLLARS OR TO ONE OR MORE INTEREST RATE, CURRENCY OR OTHER INDICES OR
FORMULAS. THE COMPANY AND THE AGENTS DISCLAIM ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVISE
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS OF SUCH RISKS AS THEY EXIST AT THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT OR AS THEY CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD
CONSULT THEIR OWN FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ADVISORS AS TO THE RISKS ENTAILED BY AN
INVESTMENT IN SUCH NOTES. SUCH NOTES ARE NOT AN APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT FOR
INVESTORS WHO ARE UNSOPHISTICATED WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
OR TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE APPLICABLE INTEREST RATE INDEX OR CURRENCY INDEX
OR OTHER INDICES OR FORMULAS.
STRUCTURE RISKS
An investment in Notes indexed, as to principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest, if any, to one or more currencies or composite currencies (including
exchange rates and swap indices between currencies or composite currencies),
commodities, interest rates or other indices or formulas, either directly or
inversely, entails significant risks that are not associated with similar
investments in a conventional fixed rate or floating rate debt security. Such
risks include, without limitation, the possibility that such indices or formulas
may be subject to significant changes, that the resulting interest rate will be
less than that payable on a conventional fixed rate or floating rate debt
security issued by the Company at the same time, that the repayment of principal
and/or premium, if any, can occur at times other than that expected by the
investor, and that the investor could lose all or a substantial portion of
principal and/or premium, if any, payable on the Maturity Date (as defined under
"Description of Notes -- General"). Such risks depend on a number of
interrelated factors, including economic, financial and political events, over
which the Company has no control. Additionally, if the formula used to determine
the amount of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payable with
respect to such Notes contains a multiplier or leverage factor, the effect of
any change in the applicable index or indices or formula or formulas will be
magnified. In recent years, values of certain indices and formulas have been
highly volatile and such volatility may be expected to continue in the future.
Fluctuations in the value of any particular index or formula that have occurred
in the past are not necessarily indicative, however, of fluctuations that may
occur in the future.
Any optional redemption feature of Notes might affect the market value of
such Notes. Since the Company may be expected to redeem such Notes when
prevailing interest rates are relatively low, an investor might not be able to
reinvest the redemption proceeds at an effective interest rate as high as the
interest rate on such Notes.
The Notes will not have an established trading market when issued, and there
can be no assurance of a secondary market for the Notes or the continued
liquidity of such market if one develops. See "Plan of Distribution."
The secondary market for such Notes will be affected by a number of factors
independent of the creditworthiness of the Company and the value of the
applicable index or indices or formula or formulas, including the complexity and
volatility of each such index or formula, the method of calculating the
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, in respect of such Notes,
the time remaining to the maturity of such Notes, the outstanding amount of such
Notes, any redemption features of such Notes, the amount of other debt
securities linked to such index or formula and the level, direction and
volatility of market interest rates generally. Such factors also will affect the
market value of such Notes. In addition, certain Notes may be designed for
specific investment objectives or strategies and, therefore, may have a more
limited secondary market and experience more price volatility than conventional
debt securities. Investors may not be able to
S-1
<PAGE>
sell such Notes readily or at prices that will enable investors to realize their
anticipated yield. No investor should purchase Notes unless such investor
understands and is able to bear the risk that such Notes may not be readily
saleable, that the value of such Notes will fluctuate over time and that such
fluctuations may be significant.
EXCHANGE RATES AND EXCHANGE CONTROLS
An investment in Foreign Currency Notes (as defined under "Description of
Notes -- General") entails significant risks that are not associated with a
similar investment in a debt security denominated and payable in United States
dollars. Such risks include, without limitation, the possibility of significant
changes in the rate of exchange between the United States dollar and the
applicable foreign currency or composite currency and the possibility of the
imposition or modification of exchange controls by the applicable governments or
monetary authorities. Such risks generally depend on factors over which the
Company has no control, such as economic, financial and political events and the
supply and demand for the applicable currencies or composite currencies. In
addition, if the formula used to determine the amount of principal, premium, if
any, and/or interest, if any, payable with respect to Foreign Currency Notes
contains a multiplier or leverage factor, the effect of any change in the
applicable currencies or composite currencies will be magnified. In recent
years, rates of exchange between the United States dollar and foreign currencies
or composite currencies have been highly volatile and such volatility may be
expected in the future. Fluctuations in any particular exchange rate that have
occurred in the past are not necessarily indicative, however, of fluctuations
that may occur in the future. Depreciation of the foreign currency or composite
currency in which a Foreign Currency Note is payable against the United States
dollar would result in a decrease in the United States dollar-equivalent yield
of such Foreign Currency Note, in the United States dollar-equivalent value of
the principal and premium, if any, payable on the Maturity Date of such Foreign
Currency Note, and, generally, in the United States dollar-equivalent market
value of such Foreign Currency Note.
Governments or monetary authorities have imposed from time to time, and may
in the future impose or revise, exchange controls at or prior to the date on
which any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on,
a Foreign Currency Note is due, which could affect exchange rates as well as the
availability of the foreign currency or composite currency in which such payment
is to be made on such date. Even if there are no exchange controls, it is
possible that the foreign currency or composite currency in which a payment in
respect of any particular Foreign Currency Note is to be made would not be
available on the applicable payment date due to other circumstances beyond the
control of the Company. In such cases, the Company will be entitled to satisfy
its obligations in respect of such Foreign Currency Note in United States
dollars. See "Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes -- Payment
Currency."
CREDIT RATINGS
Any credit ratings assigned to the Company's medium-term note program may
not reflect the potential impact of all risks related to structure and other
factors on the market value of the Notes. Accordingly, prospective investors
should consult their own financial and legal advisors as to the risks entailed
by an investment in the Notes and the suitability of such Notes in light of
their particular circumstances.
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
The Notes will be issued as a series of Debt Securities under an Indenture,
dated as of November 1, 1995, as amended or supplemented from time to time (the
"Indenture"), between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National
Association), as trustee (the "Trustee"). The Indenture is subject to, and
governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The following summary
of certain provisions of the Notes and the Indenture does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual provisions
of the Notes and the Indenture. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
shall have the meanings given to them in the accompanying Prospectus, the Notes
or the Indenture, as the case may be. The term "Debt Securities," as used in
this Prospectus Supplement, refers to all debt securities, including the Notes,
issued and issuable from time to time under the Indenture. The following
description of Notes will apply to each Note offered hereby unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
S-2
<PAGE>
GENERAL
The Indenture does not limit the aggregate initial offering price of Debt
Securities that may be issued thereunder and Debt Securities may be issued
thereunder from time to time in one or more series up to the aggregate initial
offering price from time to time authorized by the Company for each series. The
Company may, from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes,
provide for the issuance of Notes or other Debt Securities under the Indenture
in addition to the $500,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of Notes
offered hereby.
All Debt Securities, including the Notes, issued and to be issued under the
Indenture will be unsecured general obligations of the Company and will rank
PARI PASSU with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the
Company from time to time outstanding. Since the Company is a holding company,
the right of the Company, and hence the right of creditors of the Company
(including the Holders), to participate in any distribution of the assets of any
subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is necessarily
subject to the prior claims of creditors of such subsidiary, except to the
extent that claims of the Company itself as a creditor of such subsidiary may be
recognized. The Indenture does not limit the amount of unsecured indebtedness
which the Company or its subsidiaries may incur. Substantially all of the
consolidated accounts payable represent obligations of the Company's
subsidiaries, and as of September 30, 1995, the aggregate principal amount of
money borrowed by the Company's subsidiaries was approximately $83.7 million
(the current portion of which was approximately $71.1 million).
The Notes are currently limited to up to $500,000,000 aggregate initial
offering price, or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign or composite
currencies. The Notes will be offered on a continuous basis and will mature on
any day nine months or more from their dates of issue (each, a "Stated Maturity
Date"), as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest-bearing Notes will
either be Fixed Rate Notes or Floating Rate Notes, as specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement. Notes may also be issued that do not bear any
interest currently or that bear interest at a below market rate.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes
will be denominated in, and payments of principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest, if any, will be made in, United States dollars. The Notes also may be
denominated in, and payments of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if
any, may be made in, one or more foreign currencies or composite currencies
("Foreign Currency Notes"). See "Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency
Notes -- Payments of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest, if any." The
currency or composite currency in which a Note is denominated, whether United
States dollars or otherwise, is herein referred to as the "Specified Currency."
References herein to "United States dollars", "U.S. dollars" or "$" are to the
lawful currency of the United States of America (the "United States").
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, purchasers
are required to pay for the Notes in the applicable Specified Currencies. At the
present time, there are limited facilities in the United States for the
conversion of United States dollars into foreign currencies or composite
currencies and vice versa, and commercial banks do not generally offer
non-United States dollar checking or savings account facilities in the United
States. The Agents are prepared to arrange for the conversion of United States
dollars into the Specified Currency in which the related Foreign Currency Note
is denominated in order to enable the purchaser to pay for such Foreign Currency
Note, provided that a request is made to the applicable Agent on or prior to the
fifth Business Day (as hereinafter defined) preceding the date of delivery of
such Foreign Currency Note, or by such other day as determined by such Agent.
Each such conversion will be made by an Agent on such terms and subject to such
conditions, limitations and charges as such Agent may from time to time
establish in accordance with its regular foreign exchange practices. All costs
of exchange will be borne by the purchaser of each such Foreign Currency Note.
See "Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency Notes."
Interest rates offered by the Company with respect to the Notes may differ
depending upon, among other things, the aggregate principal amount of Notes
purchased in any single transaction. Interest rates or
S-3
<PAGE>
formulas and other terms of Notes are subject to change by the Company from time
to time, but no such change will affect any Note already issued or as to which
an offer to purchase has been accepted by the Company.
Each Note will be issued in fully registered form as a Book-Entry Note or a
Certificated Note. The authorized denominations of each Note other than a
Foreign Currency Note will be $1,000 and integral multiples thereof, unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, while the authorized
denominations of each Foreign Currency Note will be specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement.
Payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on,
Book-Entry Notes will be made by the Company through the Trustee to the
Depositary. See "-- Book-Entry Notes." In the case of Certificated Notes,
payment of principal and premium, if any, due on the Stated Maturity Date or any
prior date on which the principal, or an installment of principal, of each
Certificated Note becomes due and payable, whether by the declaration of
acceleration, notice of redemption at the option of the Company, notice of the
Holder's option to elect repayment or otherwise (the Stated Maturity Date or
such prior date, as the case may be, is herein referred to as the "Maturity
Date" with respect to the principal repayable on such date) will be made in
immediately available funds upon presentation and surrender thereof at the
office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York (or, in the case of any repayment on an Optional
Repayment Date, upon presentation of such Certificated Note and a duly completed
election form in accordance with the provisions described below). Payment of
interest, if any, due on the Maturity Date of each Certificated Note will be
made to the person to whom payment of the principal and premium, if any, shall
be made. Payment of interest, if any, due on each Certificated Note on any
Interest Payment Date (as hereinafter defined) other than the Maturity Date will
be made at the office or agency of the Company referred to above maintained for
such purpose or, at the option of the Company, may be made by check mailed to
the address of the Holder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the
Security Register of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Holder of
$10,000,000 (or, if the applicable Specified Currency is other than United
States dollars, the equivalent thereof in such Specified Currency) or more in
aggregate principal amount of Notes (whether having identical or different terms
and provisions) will be entitled to receive interest payments, if any, on any
Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date by wire transfer of
immediately available funds if appropriate wire transfer instructions have been
received in writing by the Trustee not less than 15 days prior to such Interest
Payment Date. Any such wire transfer instructions received by the Trustee shall
remain in effect until revoked by such Holder. For special payment terms
applicable to Foreign Currency Notes, see "Special Provisions Relating to
Foreign Currency Notes -- Payments of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest,
if any."
As used herein, "Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or
Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions
are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in The
City of New York; provided, however, that, with respect to Foreign Currency
Notes the payment of which is to be made in a currency or composite currency
other than United States dollars, such day is also not a day on which banking
institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to
close in the Principal Financial Center (as hereinafter defined) of the country
issuing such currency or composite currency (or, in the case of European
Currency Units ("ECU"), is not a day that appears as an ECU non-settlement day
on the display designated as "ISDE" on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service
(or a day so designated by the ECU Banking Association) or, if ECU
non-settlement days do not appear on that page (and are not so designated), is
not a day on which payments in ECU cannot be settled in the international
interbank market); provided, further, that, with respect to Notes as to which
LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis, such day is also a London Business
Day (as hereinafter defined). "London Business Day" means (i) if the Index
Currency (as hereinafter defined) is other than ECU, any day on which dealings
in such Index Currency are transacted in the London interbank market or (ii) if
the Index Currency is ECU, any day that does not appear as an ECU non-settlement
day on the display designated as "ISDE" on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates
Service (or a day so designated by the ECU Banking Association) or, if ECU
non-settlement days do not appear on that page (and are not so designated), is
not a day on which payments in ECU cannot be settled in the international
interbank market.
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<PAGE>
"Principal Financial Center" means the capital city of the country issuing
the currency or composite currency in which any payment in respect of the
related Notes is to be made or, solely with respect to the calculation of LIBOR,
the Index Currency, except that with respect to United States dollars,
Australian dollars, Deutsche marks, Dutch guilders, Italian lire, Swiss francs
and ECUs, the Principal Financial Center shall be The City of New York, Sydney,
Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Milan, Zurich and Luxembourg, respectively.
Book-Entry Notes may be transferred or exchanged only through the
Depositary. See "-- Book-Entry Notes." Registration of transfer or exchange of
Certificated Notes will be made at the office or agency maintained by the
Company for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. No
service charge will be made by the Company or the Trustee for any such
registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but the Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that
may be imposed in connection therewith (other than exchanges pursuant to the
Indenture not involving any transfer).
REDEMPTION AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Notes
will not be subject to any sinking fund. The Notes will be redeemable at the
option of the Company prior to the Stated Maturity Date only if an Initial
Redemption Date is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. If so
specified, the Notes will be subject to redemption at the option of the Company
on any date on and after the applicable Initial Redemption Date in whole or from
time to time in part in increments of $1,000 or such other minimum denomination
specified in such Pricing Supplement (provided that any remaining principal
amount thereof shall be at least $1,000 or such minimum denomination), at the
applicable Redemption Price (as hereinafter defined), together with unpaid
interest accrued to the date of redemption, on notice given not more than 60 nor
less than 30 calendar days prior to the date of redemption and in accordance
with the provisions of the Indenture. "Redemption Price", with respect to a
Note, means an amount equal to the Initial Redemption Percentage specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement (as adjusted by the Annual Redemption
Percentage Reduction, if applicable) multiplied by the unpaid principal amount
to be redeemed. The Initial Redemption Percentage, if any, applicable to a Note
shall decline at each anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date by an amount
equal to the applicable Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if any, until
the Redemption Price is equal to 100% of the unpaid principal amount to be
redeemed. See also "-- Original Issue Discount Notes."
REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF THE HOLDER
The Notes will be repayable by the Company at the option of the Holders
thereof prior to the Stated Maturity Date only if one or more Optional Repayment
Dates are specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. If so specified, the
Notes will be subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof on any
Optional Repayment Date in whole or from time to time in part in increments of
$1,000 or such other minimum denomination specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement (provided that any remaining principal amount thereof shall be at
least $1,000 or such other minimum denomination), at a repayment price equal to
100% of the unpaid principal amount to be repaid, together with unpaid interest
accrued to the date of repayment. For any Note to be repaid, such Note must be
received, together with the form thereon entitled "Option to Elect Repayment"
duly completed, by the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office (or such other
address of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders) not
more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the date of repayment.
Exercise of such repayment option by the Holder will be irrevocable. See also
"-- Original Issue Discount Notes."
Only the Depositary may exercise the repayment option in respect of Global
Securities representing Book-Entry Notes. Accordingly, Beneficial Owners (as
hereinafter defined) of Global Securities that desire to have all or any portion
of the Book-Entry Notes represented by such Global Securities repaid must
instruct the Participant (as hereinafter defined) through which they own their
interest to direct the Depositary to exercise the repayment option on their
behalf by delivering the related Global Security and duly completed election
form to the Trustee as aforesaid. In order to ensure that such Global Security
and election form are received by the Trustee on a particular day, the
applicable Beneficial Owner must so instruct the Participant through which it
owns its interest before such Participant's deadline for accepting
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<PAGE>
instructions for that day. Different firms may have different deadlines for
accepting instructions from their customers. Accordingly, Beneficial Owners
should consult the Participants through which they own their interest for the
respective deadlines for such Participants. All instructions given to
Participants from Beneficial Owners of Global Securities relating to the option
to elect repayment shall be irrevocable. In addition, at the time such
instructions are given, each such Beneficial Owner shall cause the Participant
through which it owns its interest to transfer such Beneficial Owner's interest
in the Global Security or Securities representing the related Book-Entry Notes,
on the Depositary's records, to the Trustee. See "-- Book-Entry Notes."
If applicable, the Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and
any other securities laws or regulations in connection with any such repayment.
The Company may at any time purchase Notes at any price or prices in the
open market or otherwise. Notes so purchased by the Company may, at the
discretion of the Company, be held, resold or surrendered to the Trustee for
cancellation.
INTEREST
GENERAL
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, each
interest-bearing Note will bear interest from its date of issue at the rate per
annum, in the case of a Fixed Rate Note, or pursuant to the interest rate
formula, in the case of a Floating Rate Note, in each case as specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, until the principal thereof is paid or duly made
available for payment. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, interest payments in respect of Fixed Rate Notes and Floating Rate
Notes will equal the amount of interest accrued from and including the
immediately preceding Interest Payment Date in respect of which interest has
been paid or duly made available for payment (or from and including the date of
issue, if no interest has been paid or duly made available for payment) to but
excluding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case
may be (each, an "Interest Period").
Interest on Fixed Rate Notes and Floating Rate Notes will be payable in
arrears on each Interest Payment Date and on the Maturity Date. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the first payment of interest on
any such Note originally issued between a Record Date (as hereinafter defined)
and the related Interest Payment Date will be made on the Interest Payment Date
immediately following the next succeeding Record Date to the Holder on such next
succeeding Record Date. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, a "Record Date" shall be the fifteenth calendar day (whether or not
a Business Day) immediately preceding the related Interest Payment Date.
FIXED RATE NOTES
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest on
Fixed Rate Notes will be payable on January 1 and July 1 of each year (each, an
"Interest Payment Date") and on the Maturity Date. Unless otherwise specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest on Fixed Rate Notes will be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
If any Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date of a Fixed Rate Note falls
on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium,
if any, and/or interest will be made on the next succeeding Business Day as if
made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on such
payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or the Maturity
Date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding
Business Day.
FLOATING RATE NOTES
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, Floating
Rate Notes will be issued as described below. The applicable Pricing Supplement
will specify certain terms with respect to which each Floating Rate Note is
being delivered, including: whether such Floating Rate Note is a "Regular
Floating Rate Note," a "Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note" or an "Inverse Floating
Rate Note," the Fixed Rate
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Commencement Date, if applicable, Fixed Interest Rate, if applicable, Interest
Rate Basis or Bases, Initial Interest Rate, if any, Initial Interest Reset Date,
Interest Reset Period and Dates, Interest Payment Period and Dates, Index
Maturity, Maximum Interest Rate and/or Minimum Interest Rate, if any, and Spread
and/ or Spread Multiplier, if any, as such terms are defined below. If one or
more of the applicable Interest Rate Bases is LIBOR or the CMT Rate, the
applicable Pricing Supplement will also specify the Index Currency, if any, and
Designated LIBOR Page or the Designated CMT Maturity Index and Designated CMT
Telerate Page, respectively, as such terms are defined below.
The interest rate borne by the Floating Rate Notes will be determined as
follows:
(i) Unless such Floating Rate Note is designated as a "Floating Rate/Fixed
Rate Note" or an "Inverse Floating Rate Note" or as having an Addendum attached
or having "Other/Additional Provisions" apply, such Floating Rate Note will be
designated as a "Regular Floating Rate Note" and, except as described below or
in the applicable Pricing Supplement, will bear interest at the rate determined
by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a) plus or minus
the applicable Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the applicable Spread
Multiplier, if any. Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at
which interest on such Regular Floating Rate Note shall be payable shall be
reset as of each Interest Reset Date; provided, however, that the interest rate
in effect for the period, if any, from the date of issue to the Initial Interest
Reset Date will be the Initial Interest Rate.
(ii) If such Floating Rate Note is designated as a "Floating Rate/Fixed Rate
Note," then, except as described below or in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
such Floating Rate Note will bear interest at the rate determined by reference
to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a) plus or minus the applicable
Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the applicable Spread Multiplier, if
any. Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest
on such Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note shall be payable shall be reset as of each
Interest Reset Date; provided, however, that (y) the interest rate in effect for
the period, if any, from the date of issue to the Initial Interest Reset Date
will be the Initial Interest Rate and (z) the interest rate in effect for the
period commencing on the Fixed Rate Commencement Date to the Maturity Date shall
be the Fixed Interest Rate, if such rate is specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement or, if no such Fixed Interest Rate is specified, the interest rate in
effect thereon on the day immediately preceding the Fixed Rate Commencement
Date.
(iii) If such Floating Rate Note is designated as an "Inverse Floating Rate
Note," then, except as described below or in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
such Floating Rate Note will bear interest at the Fixed Interest Rate minus the
rate determined by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a)
plus or minus the applicable Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the
applicable Spread Multiplier, if any; provided, however, that, unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the interest rate thereon will
not be less than zero. Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate
at which interest on such Inverse Floating Rate Note shall be payable shall be
reset as of each Interest Reset Date; provided, however, that the interest rate
in effect for the period, if any, from the date of issue to the Initial Interest
Reset Date will be the Initial Interest Rate.
The "Spread" is the number of basis points to be added to or subtracted from
the related Interest Rate Basis or Bases applicable to such Floating Rate Note.
The "Spread Multiplier" is the percentage of the related Interest Rate Basis or
Bases applicable to such Floating Rate Note by which such Interest Rate Basis or
Bases will be multiplied to determine the applicable interest rate on such
Floating Rate Note. The "Index Maturity" is the period to maturity of the
instrument or obligation with respect to which the related Interest Rate Basis
or Bases will be calculated.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the
interest rate with respect to each Interest Rate Basis will be determined in
accordance with the applicable provisions below. Except as set forth above or in
the applicable Pricing Supplement, the interest rate in effect on each day shall
be (i) if such day is an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate determined as of
the Interest Determination Date (as hereinafter defined) immediately preceding
such Interest Reset Date or (ii) if such day is not an Interest Reset Date, the
interest rate determined as of the Interest Determination Date immediately
preceding the most recent Interest Reset Date.
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Interest on Floating Rate Notes will be determined by reference to the
applicable Interest Rate Basis or Interest Rate Bases, which may, as described
below, include (i) the CD Rate, (ii) the CMT Rate, (iii) the Commercial Paper
Rate, (iv) the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, (v) the Federal Funds Rate,
(vi) LIBOR, (vii) the Prime Rate, (viii) the Treasury Rate, or (ix) such other
Interest Rate Basis or interest rate formula as may be specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement; provided, however, that the interest rate in
effect on a Floating Rate Note for the period, if any, from the date of issue to
the Initial Interest Reset Date will be the Initial Interest Rate; provided,
further, that with respect to a Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note the interest rate
in effect for the period commencing on the Fixed Rate Commencement Date to the
Maturity Date shall be the Fixed Interest Rate, if such rate is specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement or, if no such Fixed Interest Rate is specified,
the interest rate in effect thereon on the day immediately preceding the Fixed
Rate Commencement Date.
The applicable Pricing Supplement will specify whether the rate of interest
on the related Floating Rate Note will be reset daily, weekly, monthly,
quarterly, semiannually or annually or on such other specified basis (each, an
"Interest Reset Period") and the dates on which such rate of interest will be
reset (each, an "Interest Reset Date"). Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, the Interest Reset Dates will be, in the case of
Floating Rate Notes which reset: (i) daily, each Business Day; (ii) weekly, the
Wednesday of each week (with the exception of weekly reset Floating Rate Notes
as to which the Treasury Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis, which will
reset the Tuesday of each week, except as described below); (iii) monthly, the
third Wednesday of each month (with the exception of monthly reset Floating Rate
Notes as to which the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate is an applicable
Interest Rate Basis, which will reset on the first calendar day of the month);
(iv) quarterly, the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of
each year, (v) semiannually, the third Wednesday of the two months specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement; and (vi) annually, the third Wednesday of the
month specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; provided however, that,
with respect to Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Notes, the rate of interest thereon
will not reset after the applicable Fixed Rate Commencement Date. If any
Interest Reset Date for any Floating Rate Note would otherwise be a day that is
not a Business Day, such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next
succeeding Business Day, except that in the case of a Floating Rate Note as to
which LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and such Business Day falls in
the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Reset Date will be the
immediately preceding Business Day. In addition, in the case of a Floating Rate
Note as to which the Treasury Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and the
Interest Determination Date would otherwise fall on an Interest Reset Date, then
such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day.
The interest rate applicable to each Interest Reset Period commencing on the
related Interest Reset Date will be the rate determined as of the applicable
Interest Determination Date on or prior to the Calculation Date (as hereinafter
defined). The "Interest Determination Date" with respect to the CD Rate, the CMT
Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the Federal Funds Rate and the Prime Rate will
be the second Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset
Date; the "Interest Determination Date" with respect to the Eleventh District
Cost of Funds Rate will be the last working day of the month immediately
preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date on which the Federal Home Loan Bank
of San Francisco (the "FHLB of San Francisco") publishes the Index (as
hereinafter defined); and the "Interest Determination Date" with respect to
LIBOR will be the second London Business Day immediately preceding the
applicable Interest Reset Date, unless the Index Currency is British pounds
sterling, in which case the "Interest Determination Date" will be the applicable
Interest Reset Date. With respect to the Treasury Rate, the "Interest
Determination Date" will be the day in the week in which the applicable Interest
Reset Date falls on which day Treasury Bills (as hereinafter defined) are
normally auctioned (Treasury Bills are normally sold at an auction held on
Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal holiday, in which case the
auction is normally held on the following Tuesday, except that such auction may
be held on the preceding Friday); provided, however, that if an auction is held
on the Friday of the week preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date, the
Interest Determination Date will be such preceding Friday. The "Interest
Determination Date" pertaining to a Floating Rate Note the interest rate of
which is determined by reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases will be the
most recent Business Day which is at least two Business Days prior to
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the applicable Interest Reset Date for such Floating Rate Note on which each
Interest Rate Basis is determinable. Each Interest Rate Basis will be determined
as of such date, and the applicable interest rate will take effect on the
applicable Interest Reset Date.
A Floating Rate Note may also have either or both of the following: (i) a
Maximum Interest Rate, or ceiling, that may accrue during any Interest Period
and (ii) a Minimum Interest Rate, or floor, that may accrue during any Interest
Period. In addition to any Maximum Interest Rate that may apply to any Floating
Rate Note, the interest rate on Floating Rate Notes will in no event be higher
than the maximum rate permitted by New York law, as the same may be modified by
United States law of general application.
Except as provided below or in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest
will be payable, in the case of Floating Rate Notes which reset: (i) daily,
weekly or monthly, on the third Wednesday of each month or on the third
Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each year, as specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement; (ii) quarterly, on the third Wednesday of
March, June, September and December of each year, (iii) semiannually, on the
third Wednesday of the two months of each year specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement; and (iv) annually, on the third Wednesday of the month of
each year specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement (each, an "Interest
Payment Date") and, in each case, on the Maturity Date. If any Interest Payment
Date other than the Maturity Date for any Floating Rate Note would otherwise be
a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date will be postponed
to the next succeeding Business Day, except that in the case of a Floating Rate
Note as to which LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and such Business
Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Payment Date will
be the immediately preceding Business Day. If the Maturity Date of a Floating
Rate Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of
principal, premium, if any, and interest will be made on the next succeeding
Business Day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will
accrue on such payment for the period from and after the Maturity Date to the
date of such payment on the next succeeding Business Day.
All percentages resulting from any calculation on Floating Rate Notes will
be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with
five-one millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards (e.g., 9.876545% (or
.09876545) would be rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655)), and all amounts used in
or resulting from such calculation on Floating Rate Notes will be rounded, in
the case of United States dollars, to the nearest cent or, in the case of a
foreign currency or composite currency, to the nearest unit (with one-half cent
or unit being rounded upwards).
With respect to each Floating Rate Note, accrued interest is calculated by
multiplying its principal amount by an accrued interest factor. Such accrued
interest factor is computed by adding the interest factor calculated for each
day in the applicable Interest Period. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, the interest factor for each such day will be
computed by dividing the interest rate applicable to such day by 360, in the
case of Floating Rate Notes for which an applicable Interest Rate Basis is the
CD Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate,
the Federal Funds Rate, LIBOR or the Prime Rate, or by the actual number of days
in the year in the case of Floating Rate Notes for which an applicable Interest
Rate Basis is the CMT Rate or the Treasury Rate. Unless otherwise specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement, the interest factor for Floating Rate Notes
for which the interest rate is calculated with reference to two or more Interest
Rate Bases will be calculated in each period in the same manner as if only one
of the applicable Interest Rate Bases applied as specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, The Chase
Manhattan Bank (National Association) will be the "Calculation Agent." Upon
request of the Holder of any Floating Rate Note, the Calculation Agent will
disclose the interest rate then in effect and, if determined, the interest rate
that will become effective as a result of a determination made for the next
succeeding Interest Reset Date with respect to such Floating Rate Note. Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the "Calculation
Date," if applicable, pertaining to any Interest Determination Date will be the
earlier of (i) the
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tenth calendar day after such Interest Determination Date, or, if such day is
not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day or (ii) the Business Day
immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date,
as the case may be.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the
Calculation Agent shall determine each Interest Rate Basis in accordance with
the following provisions.
CD RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
"CD Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a
Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with reference to
the CD Rate (a "CD Rate Interest Determination Date"), the rate on such date for
negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit having the Index
Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as published by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in "Statistical Release
H.15(519), Selected Interest Rates" or any successor publication ("H.15(519)")
under the heading "CDs (Secondary Market)," or, if not published by 3:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, the rate on such CD Rate
Interest Determination Date for negotiable United States dollar certificates of
deposit of the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as
published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in its daily statistical
release "Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or any
successor publication ("Composite Quotations") under the heading "Certificates
of Deposit." If such rate is not yet published in either H.15(519) or Composite
Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date,
then the CD Rate on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated
by the Calculation Agent and will be the arithmetic mean of the secondary market
offered rates as of 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on such CD Rate Interest
Determination Date, of three leading nonbank dealers in negotiable United States
dollar certificates of deposit in The City of New York (which may include the
Agents or their affiliates) selected by the Calculation Agent for negotiable
United States dollar certificates of deposit of major United States money market
banks for negotiable certificates of deposit with a remaining maturity closest
to the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement in an
amount that is representative for a single transaction in that market at that
time; provided, however, that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation
Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the CD Rate determined as
of such CD Rate Interest Determination Date will be the CD Rate in effect on
such CD Rate Interest Determination Date.
CMT RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
"CMT Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a
Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with reference to
the CMT Rate (a "CMT Rate Interest Determination Date"), the rate displayed on
the Designated CMT Telerate Page under the caption ". . . Treasury Constant
Maturities. . . Federal Reserve Board Release H.15. . . Mondays Approximately
3:45 P.M.," under the column for the Designated CMT Maturity Index for (i) if
the Designated CMT Telerate Page is 7055, the rate on such CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date and (ii) if the Designated CMT Telerate Page is 7052, the
weekly or monthly average, as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
for the week or the month as applicable, ended immediately preceding the week in
which the related CMT Rate Interest Determination Date occurs. If such rate is
no longer displayed on the relevant page or is not displayed by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate for such CMT
Rate Interest Determination Date will be such treasury constant maturity rate
for the Designated CMT Maturity Index as published in H.15(519). If such rate is
no longer published or is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate on such CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date will be such treasury constant maturity rate for the
Designated CMT Maturity Index (or other United States Treasury rate for the
Designated CMT Maturity Index) for the CMT Rate Interest Determination Date with
respect to such Interest Reset Date as may then be published by either the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the United States Department of
the Treasury that the Calculation Agent determines to be comparable to the rate
formerly displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate Page and published in
H.15(519). If such information is not provided by 3:00 P.M., New York City time,
on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate on the CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a
yield to maturity, based on the arithmetic mean of the secondary market closing
offer side prices as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such CMT
Rate Interest
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Determination Date reported, according to their written records, by three
leading primary United States government securities dealers (each, a "Reference
Dealer") in The City of New York (which may include the Agents or their
affiliates) selected by the Calculation Agent (from five such Reference Dealers
selected by the Calculation Agent and eliminating the highest quotation (or, in
the event of equality, one of the highest) and the lowest quotation (or, in the
event of equality, one of the lowest)), for the most recently issued direct
noncallable fixed rate obligations of the United States ("Treasury Notes") with
an original maturity of approximately the Designated CMT Maturity Index and a
remaining term to maturity of not less than such Designated CMT Maturity Index
minus one year. If the Calculation Agent is unable to obtain three such Treasury
Note quotations, the CMT Rate on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will
be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a yield to maturity based on
the arithmetic mean of the secondary market offer side prices as of
approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date of three Reference Dealers in The City of New York (from five
such Reference Dealers selected by the Calculation Agent and eliminating the
highest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the highest) and the
lowest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the lowest)), for
Treasury Notes with an original maturity of the number of years that is the next
highest to the Designated CMT Maturity Index and a remaining term to maturity
closest to the Designated CMT Maturity Index and in an amount of at least $100
million. If three or four (and not five) of such Reference Dealers are quoting
as described above, then the CMT Rate will be based on the arithmetic mean of
the offer prices obtained and neither the highest nor the lowest of such quotes
will be eliminated; provided however, that if fewer than three Reference Dealers
so selected by the Calculation Agent are quoting as mentioned herein, the CMT
Rate determined as of such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be the CMT
Rate in effect on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date. If two Treasury
Notes with an original maturity as described in the second preceding sentence
have remaining terms to maturity equally close to the Designated CMT Maturity
Index, the Calculation Agent will obtain from five Reference Dealers quotations
for the Treasury Note with the shorter remaining term to maturity.
"Designated CMT Telerate Page" means the display on the Dow Jones Telerate
Service on the page specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement (or any other
page as may replace such page on that service for the purpose of displaying
Treasury Constant Maturities as reported in H.15(519)) for the purpose of
displaying Treasury Constant Maturities as reported in H.15(519). If no such
page is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Designated CMT
Telerate Page shall be 7052 for the most recent week.
"Designated CMT Maturity Index" means the original period to maturity of the
U.S. Treasury securities (either 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20 or 30 years) specified in
the applicable Pricing Supplement with respect to which the CMT Rate will be
calculated. If no such maturity is specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, the Designated CMT Maturity Index shall be 2 years.
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, "Commercial Paper Rate" means, with respect to any Interest
Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate
is determined with reference to the Commercial Paper Rate (a "Commercial Paper
Rate Interest Determination Date"), the Money Market Yield (as hereinafter
defined) on such date of the rate for commercial paper having the Index Maturity
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as published in H.15(519) under
the heading "Commercial Paper." In the event that such rate is not published by
3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the
Commercial Paper Rate on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date
will be the Money Market Yield of the rate for commercial paper having the Index
Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as published in
Composite Quotations under the heading "Commercial Paper" (with an Index
Maturity of one month or three months being deemed to be equivalent to an Index
Maturity of 30 days or 90 days, respectively). If such rate is not yet published
in either H.15(519) or Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on
the related Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate on such Commercial
Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation
Agent and will be the Money Market Yield of the arithmetic mean of the offered
rates at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Commercial Paper
Rate Interest Determination Date of three leading dealers of commercial paper in
The City of New York (which may include the Agents or their affiliates) selected
by the Calculation Agent for commercial
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paper having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement
placed for an industrial issuer whose bond rating is "AA", or the equivalent,
from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization; provided, however,
that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as
mentioned in this sentence, the Commercial Paper Rate determined as of such
Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Commercial Paper
Rate in effect on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date.
"Money Market Yield" means a yield (expressed as a percentage) calculated in
accordance with the following formula:
D x 360
-------------
Money Market Yield = 360 - (D x M) X 100
where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for commercial paper quoted on
a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, and "M" refers to the actual
number of days in the Interest Period for which interest is being calculated.
ELEVENTH DISTRICT COST OF FUNDS RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, "Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate" means,
with respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note
for which the interest rate is determined with reference to the Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Rate (an "Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date"), the rate equal to the monthly weighted average cost of
funds for the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which such
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date falls, as set
forth under the caption "11th District" on Telerate Page 7058 as of 11:00 A.M.,
San Francisco time, on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date. If such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 7058 on such
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date, then the
Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds
Rate Interest Determination Date shall be the monthly weighted average cost of
funds paid by member institutions of the Eleventh Federal Home Loan Bank
District that was most recently announced (the "Index") by the FHLB of San
Francisco as such cost of funds for the calendar month immediately preceding
such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date. If the
FHLB of San Francisco fails to announce the Index on or prior to such Eleventh
District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date for the calendar month
immediately preceding such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate determined as of
such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date will be
the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate in effect on such Eleventh District
Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date.
FEDERAL FUNDS RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, "Federal Funds Rate" means, with respect to any Interest
Determination Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate
is determined with reference to the Federal Funds Rate (a "Federal Funds Rate
Interest Determination Date"), the rate on such date for United States dollar
federal funds as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Federal Funds
(Effective)" or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
related Calculation Date, the rate on such Federal Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date as published in Composite Quotations under the heading
"Federal Funds/Effective Rate." If such rate is not published in either
H.15(519) or Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
related Calculation Date, then the Federal Funds Rate on such Federal Funds Rate
Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will
be the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight United
States dollar federal funds arranged by three leading brokers of federal funds
transactions in The City of New York (which may include the Agents or their
affiliates) selected by the Calculation Agent prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City
time, on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date; provided, however
that if the brokers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as
mentioned in this sentence, the Federal Funds Rate determined as of such Federal
Funds Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Federal Funds Rate in effect
on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date.
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LIBOR. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
"LIBOR" means the rate determined in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) With respect to any Interest Determination Date relating to a
Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with reference
to LIBOR (a "LIBOR Interest Determination Date"), LIBOR will be either: (a)
if "LIBOR Reuters" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the
arithmetic mean of the offered rates (unless the Designated LIBOR Page by
its terms provides only for a single rate, in which case such single rate
shall be used) for deposits in the Index Currency having the Index Maturity
specified in such Pricing Supplement, commencing on the applicable Interest
Reset Date, that appear (or, if only a single rate is required as aforesaid,
appears) on the Designated LIBOR Page as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on such
LIBOR Interest Determination Date, or (b) if "LIBOR Telerate" is specified
in the applicable Pricing Supplement or if neither "LIBOR Reuters" nor
"LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement as the
method for calculating LIBOR, the rate for deposits in the Index Currency
having the Index Maturity specified in such Pricing Supplement, commencing
on such Interest Reset Date, that appears on the Designated LIBOR Page as of
11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date. If fewer
than two such offered rates appear, or if no such rate appears, as
applicable, LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be
determined in accordance with the provisions described in clause (ii) below.
(ii) With respect to a LIBOR Interest Determination Date on which fewer
than two offered rates appear, or no rate appears, as the case may be, on
the Designated LIBOR Page as specified in clause (i) above, the Calculation
Agent will request the principal London offices of each of four major
reference banks in the London interbank market, as selected by the
Calculation Agent, to provide the Calculation Agent with its offered
quotation for deposits in the Index Currency for the period of the Index
Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, commencing on the
applicable Interest Reset Date, to prime banks in the London interbank
market at approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest
Determination Date and in a principal amount that is representative for a
single transaction in such Index Currency in such market at such time. If at
least two such quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest
Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations. If fewer
than two such quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest
Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at
approximately 11:00 A.M., in the applicable Principal Financial Center, on
such LIBOR Interest Determination Date by three major banks in such
Principal Financial Center selected by the Calculation Agent for loans in
the Index Currency to leading European banks, having the Index Maturity
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement and in a principal amount
that is representative for a single transaction in such Index Currency in
such market at such time; provided, however, that if the banks so selected
by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence,
LIBOR determined as of such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be LIBOR
in effect on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date.
"Index Currency" means the currency or composite currency specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement as to which LIBOR shall be calculated. If no such
currency or composite currency is specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, the Index Currency shall be United States dollars.
"Designated LIBOR Page" means (a) if "LIBOR Reuters" is specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, the display on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates
Service (or any successor service) for the purpose of displaying the London
interbank rates of major banks for the applicable Index Currency, or (b) if
"LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement or neither
"LIBOR Reuters" nor "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement as the method for calculating LIBOR, the display on the Dow Jones
Telerate Service (or any successor service) for the purpose of displaying the
London interbank rates of major banks for the applicable Index Currency.
PRIME RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, "Prime Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination Date
relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined with
reference to the Prime Rate (a "Prime Rate Interest Determination Date"), the
rate on such date as such rate is published in H.15(519) under the heading "Bank
Prime Loan." If such rate is not
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published prior to 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation
Date, then the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic mean of the rates of interest
publicly announced by each bank that appears on the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page
(as hereinafter defined) as such bank's prime rate or base lending rate as in
effect for such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date. If fewer than four such
rates appear on the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page for such Prime Rate Interest
Determination Date, then the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic mean of the
prime rates quoted on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided
by a 360-day year as of the close of business on such Prime Rate Interest
Determination Date by four major money center banks in The City of New York
selected by the Calculation Agent. If fewer than four such quotations are so
provided, then the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic mean of four prime rates
quoted on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by a
360-day year as of the close of business on such Prime Rate Interest
Determination Date as furnished in The City of New York by the major money
center banks, if any, that have provided such quotations and by as many
substitute banks or trust companies as necessary in order to obtain four such
prime rate quotations, provided such substitute banks or trust companies are
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, or any State
thereof, each having total equity capital of at least $500 million and being
subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority, selected by
the Calculation Agent to provide such rate or rates; provided, however, that if
the banks or trust companies so selected by the Calculation Agent are not
quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Prime Rate determined as of such
Prime Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Prime Rate in effect on such
Prime Rate Interest Determination Date.
"Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page" means the display designated as page
"USPRIME1" on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other page as may
replace the USPRIME1 page on that service for the United States banks).
TREASURY RATE. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, "Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination
Date relating to a Floating Rate Note for which the interest rate is determined
by reference to the Treasury Rate (a "Treasury Rate Interest Determination
Date"), the rate from the auction held on such Treasury Rate Interest
Determination Date (the "Auction") of direct obligations of the United States
("Treasury Bills") having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, as such rate is published in H.15(519) under the heading "Treasury
Bills-auction average (investment)" or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York
City time, on the related Calculation Date, the auction average rate of such
Treasury Bills (expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or
366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) as otherwise announced by
the United States Department of the Treasury. In the event that the results of
the Auction of Treasury Bills having the Index Maturity specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement are not reported as provided by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related Calculation Date, or if no such Auction is held,
then the Treasury Rate will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a
yield to maturity (expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of a year of 365
or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) of the arithmetic mean
of the secondary market bid rates, as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City
time, on such Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date, of three leading
primary United States government securities dealers (which may include the
Agents or their affiliates) selected by the Calculation Agent, for the issue of
Treasury Bills with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity specified
in the applicable Pricing Supplement; provided, however, that if the dealers so
selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence,
the Treasury Rate determined as of such Treasury Rate Interest Determination
Date will be the Treasury Rate in effect on such Treasury Rate Interest
Determination Date.
OTHER/ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS; ADDENDUM
Any provisions with respect to the Notes, including the specification and
determination of one or more Interest Rate Bases, the calculation of the
interest rate applicable to a Floating Rate Note, the Interest Payment Dates,
the Maturity Date or any other term relating thereto, may be modified and/or
supplemented as specified under "Other/Additional Provisions" on the face
thereof or in an Addendum relating thereto, if so specified on the face thereof.
Such provisions will be described in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
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AMORTIZING NOTES
The Company may from time to time offer Amortizing Notes. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest on each Amortizing Note
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Payments with respect to Amortizing Notes will be applied first to interest due
and payable thereon and then to the reduction of the unpaid principal amount
thereof. Further information concerning additional terms and provisions of
Amortizing Notes will be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
including a table setting forth repayment information for such Amortizing Notes.
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT NOTES
The Company may offer Notes ("Original Issue Discount Notes") from time to
time that have an Issue Price (as specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement) that is less than 100% of the principal amount thereof (i.e. par).
Original Issue Discount Notes may not bear any interest currently or may bear
interest at a rate that is below market rates at the time of issuance. The
difference between the Issue Price of an Original Issue Discount Note and par is
referred to herein as the "Discount." In the event of redemption, repayment or
acceleration of maturity of an Original Issue Discount Note, the amount payable
to the Holder of such Original Issue Discount Note will be equal to the sum of
(i) the Issue Price (increased by any accruals of Discount) and, in the event of
any redemption of such Original Issue Discount Note (if applicable), multiplied
by the Initial Redemption Percentage specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement (as adjusted by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if
applicable) and (ii) any unpaid interest on such Original Issue Discount Note
accrued from the date of issue to the date of such redemption, repayment or
acceleration of maturity, as the case may be.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, for
purposes of determining the amount of Discount that has accrued as of any date
on which a redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity occurs for an
Original Issue Discount Note, such Discount will be accrued using a constant
yield method. The constant yield will be calculated using a 30-day month,
360-day year convention, a compounding period that, except for the Initial
Period (as hereinafter defined), corresponds to the shortest period between
Interest Payment Dates for the applicable Original Issue Discount Note (with
ratable accruals within a compounding period), a coupon rate equal to the
initial coupon rate applicable to such Original Issue Discount Note and an
assumption that the maturity of such Original Issue Discount Note will not be
accelerated. If the period from the date of issue to the initial Interest
Payment Date for an Original Issue Discount Note (the "Initial Period") is
shorter than the compounding period for such Original Issue Discount Note, a
proportionate amount of the yield for an entire compounding period will be
accrued. If the Initial Period is longer than the compounding period, then such
period will be divided into a regular compounding period and a short period with
the short period being treated as provided in the preceding sentence. The
accrual of the applicable Discount may differ from the accrual of original issue
discount for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), certain Original Issue Discount Notes may not be treated as having
original issue discount within the meaning of the Code, and Notes other than
Original Issue Discount Notes may be treated as issued with original issue
discount for federal income tax purposes. See "Certain United States Federal
Income Tax Considerations" herein.
INDEXED NOTES
Notes may be issued with the amount of principal, premium and/or interest
payable in respect thereof to be determined with reference to the price or
prices of specified commodities or stocks, to the exchange rate of one or more
specified currencies (including a composite currency such as the ECU) relative
to an indexed currency or to other price(s) or exchange rate(s) ("Indexed
Notes"), in each case as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. In
certain cases, Holders of Indexed Notes may receive a principal payment on the
Maturity Date that is greater than or less than the principal amount of such
Indexed Notes depending upon the relative value on the Maturity Date of the
specified indexed item. Information as to the method for determining the amount
of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payable in respect of
Indexed Notes, certain historical information with respect to the specified
indexed item and tax considerations associated with an investment in Indexed
Notes will be specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. See also "Risk
Factors."
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BOOK-ENTRY NOTES
The Company has established a depositary arrangement with The Depository
Trust Company with respect to the Book-Entry Notes, the terms of which are
summarized below. Any additional or differing terms of the depositary
arrangement with respect to the Book-Entry Notes will be described in the
applicable Pricing Supplement.
Upon issuance, all Book-Entry Notes up to $200,000,000 aggregate principal
amount bearing interest (if any) at the same rate or pursuant to the same
formula and having the same date of issue, currency of denomination and payment,
Interest Payment Dates (if any), Stated Maturity Date, redemption provisions (if
any), repayment provisions (if any) and other terms will be represented by a
single Global Security. Each Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes will
be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary and will be registered in the
name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. No Global Security may be
transferred except as a whole by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary
or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or such nominee to
a successor of the Depositary or a nominee of such successor.
So long as the Depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of a Global
Security, the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be the sole
Holder of the Book-Entry Notes represented thereby for all purposes under the
Indenture. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Beneficial Owners
of the Global Security or Securities representing Book-Entry Notes will not be
entitled to receive physical delivery of Certificated Notes and will not be
considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under the Indenture, and no
Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes shall be exchangeable or
transferrable. Accordingly, each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of
the Depositary and, if such Beneficial Owner is not a Participant, on the
procedures of the Participant through which such Beneficial Owner owns its
interest in order to exercise any rights of a Holder under such Global Security
or the Indenture. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers
of securities take physical delivery of such securities in certificated form.
Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial
interests in a Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, each Global
Security representing Book-Entry Notes will be exchangeable for Certificated
Notes of like tenor and terms and of differing authorized denominations
aggregating a like principal amount, only if (i) the Depositary is at any time
unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue in its capacity as Depositary and a
successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 60 days of the date
the Company is so informed in writing, (ii) the Company in its sole discretion
determines that the Global Securities shall be exchangeable for Certificated
Notes or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default
under the Indenture with respect to such Notes. Upon any such exchange, the
Certificated Notes shall be registered in the names of the Beneficial Owners of
the Global Security or Securities representing Book-Entry Notes, which names
shall be provided by the Depositary's relevant Participants (as identified by
the Depositary) to the Trustee.
The following is based on information furnished by the Depositary:
The Depositary will act as securities depository for the Book-Entry
Notes. The Book-Entry Notes will be issued as fully registered securities
registered in the name of Cede & Co. (the Depositary's partnership nominee).
One fully registered Global Security will be issued for each issue of
Book-Entry Notes, each in the aggregate principal amount of such issue, and
will be deposited with the Depositary. If, however, the aggregate principal
amount of any issue exceeds $200,000,000, one Global Security will be issued
with respect to each $200,000,000 of principal amount and an additional
Global Security will be issued with respect to any remaining principal
amount of such issue.
The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the
New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New
York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing
corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and
a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of
the Exchange Act. The Depositary holds securities that its participants
("Participants") deposit with the Depositary.
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The Depositary also facilitates the settlement among Participants of
securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited
securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in
Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement
of securities certificates. Direct Participants of the Depositary ("Direct
Participants") include securities brokers and dealers (including the
Agents), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. The Depositary is owned by a number of its Direct
Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock
Exchange, Inc., and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Access to the Depositary's system is also available to others such as
securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either
directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable to
the Depositary and its Participants are on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Purchases of Book-Entry Notes under the Depositary's system must be made
by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for such
Book-Entry Notes on the Depositary's records. The ownership interest of each
actual purchaser of each Book-Entry Note represented by a Global Security
("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect
Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written
confirmation from the Depositary of their purchase, but Beneficial Owners
are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the
transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the
Direct or Indirect Participants through which such Beneficial Owner entered
into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in a Global Security
representing Book-Entry Notes are to be accomplished by entries made on the
books of Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial
Owners of a Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes will not receive
Certificated Notes representing their ownership interests therein, except in
the event that use of the book-entry system for such Book-Entry Notes is
discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Global Securities representing
Book-Entry Notes which are deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary
are registered in the name of the Depositary's nominee, Cede & Co. The
deposit of Global Securities with, or on behalf of, the Depositary and their
registration in the name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial
ownership. The Depositary has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners
of the Global Securities representing the Book-Entry Notes; the Depositary's
records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose
accounts such Book-Entry Notes are credited, which may or may not be the
Beneficial Owners. The Participants will remain responsible for keeping
account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by the Depositary to
Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by
Direct and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will by governed by
arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements
as may be in effect from time to time.
Neither the Depositary nor Cede & Co. will consent or vote with respect
to the Global Securities representing the Book-Entry Notes. Under its usual
procedures, the Depositary mails an Omnibus Proxy to the Company as soon as
possible after the applicable record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede &
Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose
accounts the Book-Entry Notes are credited on the applicable record date
(identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
Principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payments on the
Global Securities representing the Book-Entry Notes will be made to the
Depositary. The Depositary's practice is to credit Direct Participants'
accounts on the applicable payment date in accordance with their respective
holdings shown on the Depositary's records unless the Depositary has reason
to believe that it will not receive payment on such date. Payments by
Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions
and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the
accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name", and
will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of the Depositary,
the Trustee or the Company, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal,
premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, to the
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Depositary is the responsibility of the Company or the Trustee, disbursement
of such payments to Direct Participants shall be the responsibility of the
Depositary, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners shall
be the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.
If applicable, redemption notices shall be sent to Cede & Co. If less
than all of the Book-Entry Notes within an issue are being redeemed, the
Depositary's practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of
each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.
A Beneficial Owner shall give notice of any option to elect to have its
Book-Entry Notes repaid by the Company, through its Participant, to the
Trustee, and shall effect delivery of such Book-Entry Notes by causing the
Direct Participant to transfer the Participant's interest in the Global
Security or Securities representing such Book-Entry Notes, on the
Depositary's records, to the Trustee. The requirement for physical delivery
of Book-Entry Notes in connection with a demand for repayment will be deemed
satisfied when the ownership rights in the Global Security or Securities
representing such Book-Entry Notes are transferred by Direct Participants on
the Depositary's records.
The Depositary may discontinue providing its services as securities
depository with respect to the Book-Entry Notes at any time by giving
reasonable notice to the Company or the Trustee. Under such circumstances,
in the event that a successor securities depository is not obtained,
Certificated Notes are required to be printed and delivered.
The Company may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry
transfers through the Depositary (or a successor securities depository). In
that event, Certificated Notes will be printed and delivered.
The information in this section concerning the Depositary and the
Depositary's system has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to
be reliable, but the Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES
GENERAL
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, Foreign
Currency Notes will not be sold in, or to residents of, the country issuing the
applicable currency. The information set forth in this Prospectus Supplement is
directed to prospective purchasers who are United States residents and, with
respect to Foreign Currency Notes, is by necessity incomplete. The Company
disclaims any responsibility to advise prospective purchasers who are residents
of countries other than the United States with respect to any matters that may
affect the purchase, holding or receipt of payments of principal of, and
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, the Foreign Currency Notes. Such
persons should consult their own financial and legal advisors with regard to
such matters. See "Risk Factors -- Exchange Rates and Exchange Controls."
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM, IF ANY, AND INTEREST, IF ANY
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Company
is obligated to make payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and
interest, if any, on, Foreign Currency Notes in the applicable Specified
Currency (or, if such Specified Currency is not at the time of such payment
legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, in such other coin or
currency of the country which issued such Specified Currency as at the time of
such payment is legal tender for the payment of such debts). Any such amounts
payable by the Company in a foreign currency or composite currency will, unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, be converted by the
Exchange Rate Agent named in the applicable Pricing Supplement into United
States dollars for payment to Holders. However, the Holder of a Foreign Currency
Note may elect to receive amounts payable in a foreign currency or composite
currency in such foreign currency or composite currency as hereinafter
described.
Any United States dollar amount to be received by a Holder of a Foreign
Currency Note will be based on the highest bid quotation in The City of New York
received by the Exchange Rate Agent at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City
time, on the second Business Day preceding the applicable payment date from
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three recognized foreign exchange dealers (one of whom may be the Exchange Rate
Agent) selected by the Exchange Rate Agent and approved by the Company for the
purchase by the quoting dealer of the applicable foreign currency or composite
currency for United States dollars for settlement on such payment date in the
aggregate amount of such currency or composite currency payable to all Holders
of Foreign Currency Notes scheduled to receive United States dollar payments and
at which the applicable dealer commits to execute a contract. All currency
exchange costs will be borne by the Holders of such Foreign Currency Notes by
deductions from such payments. If three such bid quotations are not available,
payments will be made in the applicable foreign currency or composite currency.
If the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, Foreign
Currency Notes are payable in a foreign currency or composite currency, Holders
of such Foreign Currency Notes may elect to receive all or a specified portion
of such payments in such foreign currency or composite currency by submitting a
written request for such payment to the Trustee at its corporate trust office in
The City of New York on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least
fifteen calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be. Such
written request may be mailed or hand delivered or sent by cable, telex or other
form of facsimile transmission. Holders of such Foreign Currency Notes may elect
to receive all or a specified portion of all future payments in the applicable
foreign currency or composite currency in respect of such principal, premium, if
any, and/or interest, if any, and need not file a separate election for each
payment. Such election will remain in effect until revoked by written notice to
the Trustee, but written notice of any such revocation must be received by the
Trustee on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least fifteen calendar
days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be. Holders of such Foreign
Currency Notes to be held in the name of a broker or nominee should contact such
broker or nominee to determine whether and how an election to receive payments
in the applicable foreign currency or composite currency may be made.
Payments of the principal of, and premium, if any, and/or interest, if any,
on, Foreign Currency Notes which are to be made in United States dollars will be
made in the manner specified herein with respect to Notes denominated in United
States dollars. See "Description of Notes -- General." Payments of interest, if
any, on Foreign Currency Notes which are to be made in the applicable foreign
currency or composite currency on an Interest Payment Date other than the
Maturity Date will be made by check mailed to the address of the Holders of such
Foreign Currency Notes as they appear in the Security Register, subject to the
right to receive such interest payments by wire transfer of immediately
available funds under the circumstances described under "Description of Notes --
General." Payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and/or interest, if
any, on, Foreign Currency Notes which are to be made in the applicable foreign
currency or composite currency on the Maturity Date will be made by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to an account with a bank designated at
least fifteen calendar days prior to the Maturity Date by each Holder thereof,
provided that such bank has appropriate facilities therefor and that the
applicable Foreign Currency Note is presented and surrendered at the principal
corporate trust office of the Trustee in time for the Trustee to make such
payments in such funds in accordance with its normal procedures.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, a
Beneficial Owner of a Global Security or Securities representing Book-Entry
Notes payable in a currency or composite currency other than United States
dollars which elects to receive payments of principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest, if any, in such currency or composite currency must notify the
Participant through which it owns its interest on or prior to the applicable
Record Date or at least fifteen calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the
case may be, of such Beneficial Owner's election. Such Participant must notify
the Depositary of such election on or prior to the third Business Day after such
Record Date or at least twelve calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the
case may be, and the Depositary will notify the Trustee of such election on or
prior to the fifth Business Day after such Record Date or at least ten calendar
days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be. If complete instructions
are received by the Participant from the Beneficial Owner and forwarded by the
Participant to the Depositary, and by the Depositary to the Trustee, on or prior
to such dates, then such Beneficial Owner will receive payments in the
applicable foreign currency or composite currency.
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PAYMENT CURRENCY
If the applicable composite currency (E.G., ECU) for a Foreign Currency Note
is not available for the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or
interest, if any, due to the imposition of exchange controls or other
circumstances beyond the control of the Company, the Company will be entitled to
satisfy its obligations to the Holder of such Foreign Currency Note by making
such payment in United States dollars on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate
on the second Business Day prior to such payment or, if such Market Exchange
Rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Market
Exchange Rate or as otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
If payment in respect of a Foreign Currency Note is required to be made in
any composite currency, and such composite currency is unavailable due to the
imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the
Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to the Holder
of such Foreign Currency Note by making such payment in United States dollars.
The amount of each payment in United States dollars shall be computed by the
Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the equivalent of the composite currency in
United States dollars. The component currencies of the composite currency for
this purpose (collectively, the "Component Currencies" and each, a "Component
Currency") shall be the currency amounts that were components of the composite
currency as of the last day on which the composite currency was used. The
equivalent of the composite currency in United States dollars shall be
calculated by aggregating the United States dollar equivalents of the Component
Currencies. The United States dollar equivalent of each of the Component
Currencies shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the
most recently available Market Exchange Rate for each such Component Currency,
or as otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
If the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of
combination or subdivision, the number of units of the currency as a Component
Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If two or more
Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the amounts of
those currencies as Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such
single currency equal to the sum of the amounts of the consolidated Component
Currencies expressed in such single currency. If any Component Currency is
divided into two or more currencies, the amount of the original Component
Currency shall be replaced by the amounts of such two or more currencies, the
sum of which shall be equal to the amount of the original Component Currency.
The "Market Exchange Rate" for a currency or composite currency other than
United States dollars means the noon dollar buying rate in The City of New York
for cable transfers for such currency or composite currency as certified for
customs purposes by (or if not so certified, as otherwise determined by) the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Any payment made in United States dollars
under such circumstances where the required payment is in a currency or
composite currency other than United States dollars will not constitute an Event
of Default under the Indenture with respect to the Notes.
All determinations referred to above made by the Exchange Rate Agent shall
be at its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be
conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Holders of the Foreign Currency
Notes.
GOVERNING LAW; JUDGMENTS
The Notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of New York. If an action based on Foreign Currency Notes were
commenced in a court of the United States, it is likely that such court would
grant judgment relating to such Foreign Currency Notes only in United States
dollars. It is not clear, however, whether, in granting such judgment, the rate
of conversion into United States dollars would be determined with reference to
the date of default, the date of entry of the judgment or some other date. Under
current New York law, a state court in the State of New York rendering such
judgment would be required to render such judgment in the applicable foreign
currency or composite currency, and such judgment would be converted into United
States dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of entry of the
judgment. Accordingly, Holders of Foreign Currency Notes would bear the risk of
exchange rate fluctuations between the time the amount of the judgement is
calculated and the time such amount is converted from United States dollars into
the applicable foreign currency or composite currency.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following summary of certain United States Federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes is based
upon laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are
subject to change (including changes in effective dates) or possible differing
interpretations. It deals only with Notes held as capital assets and does not
purport to deal with persons in special tax situations, such as financial
institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, dealers in
securities or currencies, persons holding Notes as a hedge against currency
risks or as a position in a "straddle" for tax purposes, or persons whose
functional currency is not the United States dollar. It also does not deal with
holders other than original purchasers (except where otherwise specifically
noted). Persons considering the purchase of the Notes should consult their own
tax advisors concerning the application of United States Federal income tax laws
to their particular situations as well as any consequences of the purchase,
ownership and disposition of the Notes arising under the laws of any other
taxing jurisdiction.
As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a Note
that is for United States Federal income tax purposes (i) a citizen or resident
of the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity created or
organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political
subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate or trust the income of which is subject to
United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) any other
person whose income or gain in respect of a Note is effectively connected with
the conduct of a United States trade or business. As used herein, the term
"non-U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a Note that is not a U.S. Holder.
U.S. HOLDERS
PAYMENTS OF INTEREST
Payments of interest on a Note generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as
ordinary interest income at the time such payments are accrued or are received
(in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method of tax accounting).
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
The following summary is a general discussion of the United States Federal
income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of Notes issued with original issue discount ("Discount Notes"). The
following summary is based upon final Treasury regulations (the "OID
Regulations") released by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") on January 27,
1994 under the original issue discount provisions of the Code.
For United States Federal income tax purposes, original issue discount is
the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of a Note over its issue
price, if such excess equals or exceeds a DE MINIMIS amount (generally 1/4 of 1%
of the Note's stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of
complete years to its maturity from its issue date or, in the case of a Note
providing for the payment of any amount other than qualified stated interest (as
hereinafter defined) prior to maturity, multiplied by the weighted average
maturity of such Note). The issue price of each Note in an issue of Notes equals
the first price at which a substantial amount of such Notes has been sold
(ignoring sales to bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations
acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents, or wholesalers). The
stated redemption price at maturity of a Note is the sum of all payments
provided by the Note other than "qualified stated interest" payments. The term
"qualified stated interest" generally means stated interest that is
unconditionally payable in cash or property (other than debt instruments of the
issuer) at least annually at a single fixed rate. In addition, under the OID
Regulations, if a Note bears interest for one or more accrual periods at a rate
below the rate applicable for the remaining term of such Note (E.G., Notes with
teaser rates or interest holidays), and if the greater of either the resulting
foregone interest on such Note or any "true" discount on such Note (I.E., the
excess of the Note's stated principal amount over its issue price) equals or
exceeds a specified DE MINIMIS amount, then the stated interest on the Note
would be treated as original issue discount rather than qualified stated
interest.
Payments of qualified stated interest on a Note are taxable to a U.S. Holder
as ordinary interest income at the time such payments are accrued or are
received (in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method
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of tax accounting). A U.S. Holder of a Discount Note must include original issue
discount in income as ordinary interest for United States Federal income tax
purposes as it accrues under a constant yield method in advance of receipt of
the cash payments attributable to such income, regardless of such U.S. Holder's
regular method of tax accounting. In general, the amount of original issue
discount included in income by the initial U.S. Holder of a Discount Note is the
sum of the daily portions of original issue discount with respect to such
Discount Note for each day during the taxable year (or portion of the taxable
year) on which such U.S. Holder held such Discount Note. The "daily portion" of
original issue discount on any Discount Note is determined by allocating to each
day in any accrual period a ratable portion of the original issue discount
allocable to that accrual period. An "accrual period" may be of any length and
the accrual periods may vary in length over the term of the Discount Note,
provided that each accrual period is no longer than one year and each scheduled
payment of principal or interest occurs either on the final day of an accrual
period or on the first day of an accrual period. The amount of original issue
discount allocable to each accrual period is generally equal to the difference
between (i) the product of the Discount Note's adjusted issue price at the
beginning of such accrual period and its yield to maturity (determined on the
basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and appropriately
adjusted to take into account the length of the particular accrual period) and
(ii) the amount of any qualified stated interest payments allocable to such
accrual period. The "adjusted issue price" of a Discount Note at the beginning
of any accrual period is the sum of the issue price of the Discount Note plus
the amount of original issue discount allocable to all prior accrual periods
minus the amount of any prior payments on the Discount Note that were not
qualified stated interest payments. Under these rules, U.S. Holders generally
will have to include in income increasingly greater amounts of original issue
discount in successive accrual periods.
A U.S. Holder who purchases a Discount Note for an amount that is greater
than its adjusted issue price as of the purchase date and less than or equal to
the sum of all amounts payable on the Discount Note after the purchase date
other than payments of qualified stated interest, will be considered to have
purchased the Discount Note at an "acquisition premium." Under the acquisition
premium rules, the amount of original issue discount which such U.S. Holder must
include in its gross income with respect to such Discount Note for any taxable
year (or portion thereof in which the U.S. Holder holds the Discount Note) will
be reduced (but not below zero) by the portion of the acquisition premium
properly allocable to the period.
Under the OID Regulations, Floating Rate Notes and Indexed Notes ("Variable
Notes") are subject to special rules whereby a Variable Note will qualify as a
"variable rate debt instrument" if (a) its issue price does not exceed the total
noncontingent principal payments due under the Variable Note by more than a
specified DE MINIMIS amount and (b) it provides for stated interest, paid or
compounded at least annually, at current values of (i) one or more qualified
floating rates, (ii) a single fixed rate and one or more qualified floating
rates, (iii) a single objective rate, or (iv) a single fixed rate and a single
objective rate that is a qualified inverse floating rate.
A "qualified floating rate" is any variable rate where variations in the
value of such rate can reasonably be expected to measure contemporaneous
variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency in which the
Variable Note is denominated. Although a multiple of a qualified floating rate
will generally not itself constitute a qualified floating rate, a variable rate
equal to the product of a qualified floating rate and a fixed multiple that is
greater than zero but not more than 1.35 will constitute a qualified floating
rate. A variable rate equal to the product of a qualified floating rate and a
fixed multiple that is greater than zero but not more than 1.35, increased or
decreased by a fixed rate, will also constitute a qualified floating rate. In
addition, under the OID Regulations, two or more qualified floating rates that
can reasonably be expected to have approximately the same values throughout the
term of the Variable Note (E.G., two or more qualified floating rates with
values within 25 basis points of each other as determined on the Variable Note's
issue date) will be treated as a single qualified floating rate. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a variable rate that would otherwise constitute a qualified
floating rate but which is subject to one or more restrictions such as a maximum
numerical limitation (I.E., a cap) or a minimum numerical limitation (I.E., a
floor) may, under certain circumstances, fail to be treated as a qualified
floating rate under the OID Regulations unless such cap or floor is fixed
throughout the term of the Note. An "objective rate" is a rate that is not
itself a qualified floating rate but which is determined using a single fixed
formula and which is based upon (i) one or more
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qualified floating rates, (ii) one or more rates where each rate would be a
qualified floating rate for a debt instrument denominated in a currency other
than the currency in which the Variable Note is denominated, (iii) either the
yield or changes in the price of one or more items of actively traded personal
property (other than stock or debt of the issuer or a related party) or (iv) a
combination of objective rates. The OID Regulations also provide that other
variable interest rates may be treated as objective rates if so designated by
the IRS in the future. Despite the foregoing, a variable rate of interest on a
Variable Note will not constitute an objective rate if it is reasonably expected
that the average value of such rate during the first half of the Variable Note's
term will be either significantly less than or significantly greater than the
average value of the rate during the final half of the Variable Note's term. A
"qualified inverse floating rate" is any objective rate where such rate is equal
to a fixed rate minus a qualified floating rate, as long as variations in the
rate can reasonably be expected to inversely reflect contemporaneous variations
in the cost of newly borrowed funds. The OID Regulations also provide that if a
Variable Note provides for stated interest at a fixed rate for an initial period
of less than one year followed by a variable rate that is either a qualified
floating rate or an objective rate and if the variable rate on the Variable
Note's issue date is intended to approximate the fixed rate (E.G., the value of
the variable rate on the issue date does not differ from the value of the fixed
rate by more than 25 basis points), then the fixed rate and the variable rate
together will constitute either a single qualified floating rate or objective
rate, as the case may be.
If a Variable Note that provides for stated interest at either a single
qualified floating rate or a single objective rate throughout the term thereof
qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument" under the OID Regulations, then
any stated interest on such Note which is unconditionally payable in cash or
property (other than debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually will
constitute qualified stated interest and will be taxed accordingly. Thus, a
Variable Note that provides for stated interest at either a single qualified
floating rate or a single objective rate throughout the term thereof and that
qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument" under the OID Regulations will
generally not be treated as having been issued with original issue discount
unless the Variable Note is issued at a "true" discount (I.E., at a price below
the Note's stated principal amount) in excess of a specified de minimis amount.
Original issue discount on such a Variable Note arising from "true" discount is
allocated to an accrual period using the constant yield method described above
by assuming that the variable rate is a fixed rate equal to (i) in the case of a
qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate, the value as of the
issue date, of the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate,
or (ii) in the case of an objective rate (other than a qualified inverse
floating rate), a fixed rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected
for the Variable Note.
In general, any other Variable Note that qualifies as a "variable rate debt
instrument" will be converted into an "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument
for purposes of determining the amount and accrual of original issue discount
and qualified stated interest on the Variable Note. The OID Regulations
generally require that such a Variable Note be converted into an "equivalent"
fixed rate debt instrument by substituting any qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate provided for under the terms of the Variable
Note with a fixed rate equal to the value of the qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate, as the case may be, as of the Variable Note's
issue date. Any objective rate (other than a qualified inverse floating rate)
provided for under the terms of the Variable Note is converted into a fixed rate
that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the Variable Note. In
the case of a Variable Note that qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument"
and provides for stated interest at a fixed rate in addition to either one or
more qualified floating rates or a qualified inverse floating rate, the fixed
rate is initially converted into a qualified floating rate (or a qualified
inverse floating rate, if the Variable Note provides for a qualified inverse
floating rate). Under such circumstances, the qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate that replaces the fixed rate must be such that
the fair market value of the Variable Note as of the Variable Note's issue date
is approximately the same as the fair market value of an otherwise identical
debt instrument that provides for either the qualified floating rate or
qualified inverse floating rate rather than the fixed rate. Subsequent to
converting the fixed rate into either a qualified floating rate or a qualified
inverse floating rate, the Variable Note is then converted into an "equivalent"
fixed rate debt instrument in the manner described above.
Once the Variable Note is converted into an "equivalent" fixed rate debt
instrument pursuant to the foregoing rules, the amount of original issue
discount and qualified stated interest, if any, are determined for
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the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument by applying the general original
issue discount rules to the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument and a U.S.
Holder of the Variable Note will account for such original issue discount and
qualified stated interest as if the U.S. Holder held the "equivalent" fixed rate
debt instrument. Each accrual period appropriate adjustments will be made to the
amount of qualified stated interest or original issue discount assumed to have
been accrued or paid with respect to the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument
in the event that such amounts differ from the actual amount of interest accrued
or paid on the Variable Note during the accrual period.
U.S. Holders should be aware that on December 15, 1994, the IRS released
proposed amendments to the OID Regulations which would broaden the definition of
an objective rate and would further clarify certain other provisions contained
in the OID Regulations. If ultimately adopted, these amendments to the OID
Regulations would be effective for debt instruments issued 60 days or more after
the date on which such proposed amendments are finalized.
If a Variable Note does not qualify as a "variable rate debt instrument"
under the OID Regulations, then the Variable Note would be treated as a
contingent payment debt obligation. It is not entirely clear under current law
how a Variable Note would be taxed if such Note were treated as a contingent
payment debt obligation. The proper United States Federal income tax treatment
of Variable Notes that are treated as contingent payment debt obligations will
be more fully described in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Furthermore, any
other special United States Federal income tax considerations, not otherwise
discussed herein, which are applicable to any particular issue of Notes will be
discussed in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
Certain of the Notes (i) may be redeemable at the option of the Company
prior to their stated maturity (a "call option") and/or (ii) may be repayable at
the option of the holder prior to their stated maturity (a "put option"). Notes
containing such features may be subject to rules that differ from the general
rules discussed above. Investors intending to purchase Notes with such features
should consult their own tax advisors, since the original issue discount
consequences will depend, in part, on the particular terms and features of the
purchased Notes.
U.S. Holders may generally, upon election, include in income all interest
(including stated interest, acquisition discount, original issue discount, DE
MINIMIS original issue discount, market discount, DE MINIMIS market discount,
and unstated interest, as adjusted by any amortizable bond premium or
acquisition premium) that accrues on a debt instrument by using the constant
yield method applicable to original issue discount, subject to certain
limitations and exceptions.
SHORT-TERM NOTES
Notes that have a fixed maturity of one year or less ("Short-Term Notes")
will be treated as having been issued with original issue discount. In general,
an individual or other cash method U.S. Holder is not required to accrue such
original issue discount unless the U.S. Holder elects to do so. If such an
election is not made, any gain recognized by the U.S. Holder on the sale,
exchange or maturity of the Short-Term Note will be ordinary income to the
extent of the original issue discount accrued on a straight-line basis, or upon
election under the constant yield method (based on daily compounding), through
the date of sale or maturity, and a portion of the deductions otherwise
allowable to the U.S. Holder for interest on borrowings allocable to the
Short-Term Note will be deferred until a corresponding amount of income is
realized. U.S. Holders who report income for United States Federal income tax
purposes under the accrual method, and certain other holders including banks and
dealers in securities, are required to accrue original issue discount on a
Short-Term Note on a straight-line basis unless an election is made to accrue
the original issue discount under a constant yield method (based on daily
compounding).
MARKET DISCOUNT
If a U.S. Holder purchases a Note, other than a Discount Note, for an amount
that is less than its issue price (or, in the case of a subsequent purchaser,
its stated redemption price at maturity) or, in the case of a
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Discount Note, for an amount that is less than its adjusted issue price as of
the purchase date, such U.S. Holder will be treated as having purchased such
Note at a "market discount," unless such market discount is less than a
specified DE MINIMIS amount.
Under the market discount rules, a U.S. Holder will be required to treat any
partial principal payment (or, in the case of a Discount Note, any payment that
does not constitute qualified stated interest) on, or any gain realized on the
sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a Note as ordinary income to
the extent of the lesser of (i) the amount of such payment or realized gain or
(ii) the market discount which has not previously been included in income and is
treated as having accrued on such Note at the time of such payment or
disposition. Market discount will be considered to accrue ratably during the
period from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of the Note, unless the
U.S. Holder elects to accrue market discount on the basis of semiannual
compounding.
A U.S. Holder may be required to defer the deduction of all or a portion of
the interest paid or accrued on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to
purchase or carry a Note with market discount until the maturity of the Note or
certain earlier dispositions, because a current deduction is only allowed to the
extent the interest expense exceeds an allocable portion of market discount. A
U.S. Holder may elect to include market discount in income currently as it
accrues (on either a ratable or semiannual compounding basis), in which case the
rules described above regarding the treatment as ordinary income of gain upon
the disposition of the Note and upon the receipt of certain cash payments and
regarding the deferral of interest deductions will not apply. Generally, such
currently included market discount is treated as ordinary interest for United
States Federal income tax purposes. Such an election will apply to all debt
instruments acquired by the U.S. Holder on or after the first day of the taxable
year to which such election applies and may be revoked only with the consent of
the IRS.
PREMIUM
If a U.S. Holder purchases a Note for an amount that is greater than the sum
of all amounts payable on the Note after the purchase date other than payments
of qualified stated interest, such U.S. Holder will be considered to have
purchased the Note with "amortizable bond premium" equal in amount to such
excess. A U.S. Holder may elect to amortize such premium using a constant yield
method over the remaining term of the Note and may offset interest otherwise
required to be included in respect of the Note during any taxable year by the
amortized amount of such excess for the taxable year. However, if the Note may
be optionally redeemed after the U.S. Holder acquires it at a price in excess of
its stated redemption price at maturity, special rules would apply which could
result in a deferral of the amortization of some bond premium until later in the
term of the Note. Any election to amortize bond premium applies to all taxable
debt obligations then owned and thereafter acquired by the U.S. Holder and may
be revoked only with the consent of the IRS.
DISPOSITION OF A NOTE
Except as discussed above, upon the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note,
a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or retirement
(other than amounts representing accrued and unpaid interest) and such U.S.
Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in a
Note generally will equal such U.S. Holder's initial investment in the Note
increased by any original issue discount included in income (and accrued market
discount, if any, if the U.S. Holder has included such market discount in
income) and decreased by the amount of any payments, other than qualified stated
interest payments, received and amortizable bond premium taken with respect to
such Note. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if
the Note were held for more than one year.
NOTES DENOMINATED, OR IN RESPECT OF WHICH INTEREST IS PAYABLE, IN A FOREIGN
CURRENCY
As used herein, "Foreign Currency" means a currency or currency unit other
than U.S. dollars.
PAYMENTS OF INTEREST IN A FOREIGN CURRENCY
CASH METHOD. A U.S. Holder who uses the cash method of accounting for
United States Federal income tax purposes and who receives a payment of interest
on a Note (other than original issue discount or
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market discount) will be required to include in income the U.S. dollar value of
the Foreign Currency payment (determined on the date such payment is received)
regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted to U.S. dollars at that
time, and such U.S. dollar value will be the U.S. Holder's tax basis in such
Foreign Currency.
ACCRUAL METHOD. A U.S. Holder who uses the accrual method of accounting for
United States Federal income tax purposes, or who otherwise is required to
accrue interest prior to receipt, will be required to include in income the U.S.
dollar value of the amount of interest income (including original issue discount
or market discount and reduced by amortizable bond premium to the extent
applicable) that has accrued and is otherwise required to be taken into account
with respect to a Note during an accrual period. The U.S. dollar value of such
accrued income will be determined by translating such income at the average rate
of exchange for the accrual period or, with respect to an accrual period that
spans two taxable years, at the average rate for the partial period within the
taxable year. A U.S. Holder may elect, however, to translate such accrued
interest income using the rate of exchange on the last day of the accrual period
or, with respect to an accrual period that spans two taxable years, using the
rate of exchange on the last day of the taxable year. If the last day of an
accrual period is within five business days of the date of receipt of the
accrued interest, a U.S. Holder may translate such interest using the rate of
exchange on the date of receipt. The above election will apply to other debt
obligations held by the U.S. Holder and may not be changed without the consent
of the IRS. A U.S. Holder should consult a tax advisor before making the above
election. A U.S. Holder will recognize exchange gain or loss (which will be
treated as ordinary income or loss) with respect to accrued interest income on
the date such income is received. The amount of ordinary income or loss
recognized will equal the difference, if any, between the U.S. dollar value of
the Foreign Currency payment received (determined on the date such payment is
received) in respect of such accrual period and the U.S. dollar value of
interest income that has accrued during such accrual period (as determined
above).
PURCHASE, SALE AND RETIREMENT OF NOTES
A U.S. Holder who purchases a Note with previously owned Foreign Currency
will recognize ordinary income or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if
any, between such U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Foreign Currency and the U.S.
dollar fair market value of the Foreign Currency used to purchase the Note,
determined on the date of purchase.
Except as discussed above with respect to Short-Term Notes, upon the sale,
exchange or retirement of a Note, a U.S. Holder will recognize taxable gain or
loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange
or retirement and such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. Such gain
or loss generally will be capital gain or loss (except to the extent of any
accrued market discount not previously included in the U.S. Holder's income) and
will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale, exchange or
retirement the Note has been held by such U.S. Holder for more than one year. To
the extent the amount realized represents accrued but unpaid interest, however,
such amounts must be taken into account as interest income, with exchange gain
or loss computed as described in "Payments of Interest in a Foreign Currency"
above. If a U.S. Holder receives Foreign Currency on such a sale, exchange or
retirement the amount realized will be based on the U.S. dollar value of the
Foreign Currency on the date the payment is received or the Note is disposed of
(or deemed disposed of in the case of a taxable exchange of the Note for a new
Note). In the case of a Note that is denominated in Foreign Currency and is
traded on an established securities market, a cash basis U.S. Holder (or, upon
election, an accrual basis U.S. Holder) will determine the U.S. dollar value of
the amount realized by translating the Foreign Currency payment at the spot rate
of exchange on the settlement date of the sale. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax
basis in a Note will equal the cost of the Note to such holder, increased by the
amounts of any market discount or original issue discount previously included in
income by the holder with respect to such Note and reduced by any amortized
acquisition or other premium and any principal payments received by the holder.
A U.S. Holder's tax basis in a Note, and the amount of any subsequent
adjustments to such holder's tax basis, will be the U.S. dollar value of the
Foreign Currency amount paid for such Note, or of the Foreign Currency amount of
the adjustment, determined on the date of such purchase or adjustment.
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Gain or loss realized upon the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note that
is attributable to fluctuations in currency exchange rates will be ordinary
income or loss which will not be treated as interest income or expense. Gain or
loss attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates will equal the difference
between the U.S. dollar value of the Foreign Currency principal amount of the
Note, determined on the date such payment is received or the Note is disposed
of, and the U.S. dollar value of the Foreign Currency principal amount of the
Note, determined on the date the U.S. Holder acquired the Note. Such Foreign
Currency gain or loss will be recognized only to the extent of the total gain or
loss realized by the U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or retirement of the
Note.
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
In the case of a Discount Note or Short-Term Note, (i) original issue
discount is determined in units of the Foreign Currency, (ii) accrued original
issue discount is translated into U.S. dollars as described in "Payments of
Interest in a Foreign Currency -- Accrual Method" above and (iii) the amount of
Foreign Currency gain or loss on the accrued original issue discount is
determined by comparing the amount of income received attributable to the
discount (either upon payment, maturity or an earlier disposition), as
translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange on the date of such
receipt, with the amount of original issue discount accrued, as translated
above.
PREMIUM AND MARKET DISCOUNT
In the case of a Note with market discount, (i) market discount is
determined in units of the Foreign Currency, (ii) accrued market discount taken
into account upon the receipt of any partial principal payment or upon the sale,
exchange, retirement or other disposition of the Note (other than accrued market
discount required to be taken into account currently) is translated into U.S.
dollars at the exchange rate on such disposition date (and no part of such
accrued market discount is treated as exchange gain or loss) and (iii) accrued
market discount currently includible in income by a U.S. Holder for any accrual
period is translated into U.S. dollars on the basis of the average exchange rate
in effect during such accrual period, and the exchange gain or loss is
determined upon the receipt of any partial principal payment or upon the sale,
exchange, retirement or other disposition of the Note in the manner described in
"Payments of Interest in a Foreign Currency -- Accrual Method" above with
respect to computation of exchange gain or loss on accrued interest.
With respect to a Note issued with amortizable bond premium, such premium is
determined in the relevant Foreign Currency and reduces interest income in units
of the Foreign Currency. Although not entirely clear, a U.S. Holder should
recognize exchange gain or loss equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar
value of the bond premium amortized with respect to a period, determined on the
date the interest attributable to such period is received, and the U.S. dollar
value of the bond premium determined on the date of the acquisition of the Note.
EXCHANGE OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES
A U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in any Foreign Currency received as
interest or on the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note equal to the U.S.
dollar value of such Foreign Currency, determined at the time the interest is
received or at the time of the sale, exchange or retirement. Any gain or loss
realized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition of Foreign Currency
(including its exchange for U.S. dollars or its use to purchase Notes) will be
ordinary income or loss.
NON-U.S. HOLDERS
A non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States Federal income taxes
on payments of principal, premium (if any) or interest (including original issue
discount, if any) on a Note, unless such non-U.S. Holder is a direct or indirect
10% or greater shareholder of the Company, a controlled foreign corporation
related to the Company or a bank receiving interest described in section
881(c)(3)(A) of the Code. To qualify for the exemption from taxation, the last
United States payor in the chain of payment prior to payment to a non-U.S.
Holder (the "Withholding Agent") must have received in the year in which a
payment of interest or principal occurs, or in either of the two preceding
calendar years, a statement that (i) is signed by the beneficial owner of the
Note under penalties of perjury, (ii) certifies that such owner is not a U.S.
Holder and
S-27
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(iii) provides the name and address of the beneficial owner. The statement may
be made on an IRS Form W-8 or a substantially similar form, and the beneficial
owner must inform the Withholding Agent of any change in the information on the
statement within 30 days of such change. If a Note is held through a securities
clearing organization or certain other financial institutions, the organization
or institution may provide a signed statement to the Withholding Agent. However,
in such case, the signed statement must be accompanied by a copy of the IRS Form
W-8 or the substitute form provided by the beneficial owner to the organization
or institution. The Treasury Department is considering implementation of further
certification requirements aimed at determining whether the issuer of a debt
obligation is related to holders thereof.
Generally, a non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to Federal income taxes on
any amount which constitutes capital gain upon retirement or disposition of a
Note, provided the gain is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business in the United States by the non-U.S. Holder. Certain other
exceptions may be applicable, and a non-U.S. Holder should consult its tax
advisor in this regard.
The Notes will not be includible in the estate of a non-U.S. Holder unless
the individual is a direct or indirect 10% or greater shareholder of the Company
or, at the time of such individual's death, payments in respect of the Notes
would have been effectively connected with the conduct by such individual of a
trade or business in the United States.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Backup withholding of United States Federal income tax at a rate of 31% may
apply to payments made in respect of the Notes to registered owners who are not
"exempt recipients" and who fail to provide certain identifying information
(such as the registered owner's taxpayer identification number) in the required
manner. Generally, individuals are not exempt recipients, whereas corporations
and certain other entities generally are exempt recipients. Payments made in
respect of the Notes to a U.S. Holder must be reported to the IRS, unless the
U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient or establishes an exemption. Compliance with
the identification procedures described in the preceding section would establish
an exemption from backup withholding for those non-U.S. Holders who are not
exempt recipients.
In addition, upon the sale of a Note to (or through) a broker, the broker
must withhold 31% of the entire purchase price, unless either (i) the broker
determines that the seller is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii)
the seller provides, in the required manner, certain identifying information
and, in the case of a non-U.S. Holder, certifies that such seller is a non-U.S.
Holder (and certain other conditions are met). Such a sale must also be reported
by the broker to the IRS, unless either (i) the broker determines that the
seller is an exempt recipient or (ii) the seller certifies its non-U.S. status
(and certain other conditions are met). Certification of the registered owner's
non-U.S. status would be made normally on an IRS Form W-8 under penalties of
perjury, although in certain cases it may be possible to submit other
documentary evidence.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
beneficial owner would be allowed as a refund or a credit against such
beneficial owner's United States Federal income tax provided the required
information is furnished to the IRS.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Notes are being offered on a continuous basis for sale by the Company to
or through the Agents. Each Agent may purchase Notes, as principal, from the
Company from time to time for resale to investors and other purchasers at
varying prices relating to prevailing market prices at the time of resale as
determined by such Agent, or, if so specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, for resale at a fixed offering price. If agreed to by the Company
and an Agent, such Agent may also utilize its reasonable efforts on an agency
basis to solicit offers to purchase the Notes at 100% of the principal amount
thereof, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. The
Company will pay a commission to an Agent, ranging from .125% to .750% of the
principal amount of each Note, depending upon its stated maturity, sold through
such Agent. Commissions with respect to Notes with stated maturities in excess
of 30 years that are sold through an Agent will be negotiated between the
Company and such Agent at the time of such sale. The
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<PAGE>
Company may also sell Notes directly to purchasers in those jurisdictions in
which it is permitted to do so, and may engage other agents to act on the same
terms as the Agents. No commission will be payable by the Company on Notes sold
directly by the Company.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, any Note
sold to an Agent as principal will be purchased by such Agent at a price equal
to 100% of the principal amount thereof less a percentage of the principal
amount equal to the commission applicable to an agency sale of a Note of
identical maturity. Each Agent may sell Notes it has purchased from the Company
as principal to other dealers for resale to investors and other purchasers, and
may allow any portion of the discount received in connection with such purchase
from the Company to such dealers. After the initial offering of Notes, the
offering price (in the case of Notes to be resold on a fixed offering price
basis), the concession and the discount may be changed.
The Company reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer made
hereby without notice and may reject offers in whole or in part (whether placed
directly with the Company or through any Agent). Each Agent will have the right,
in its discretion reasonably exercised, to reject in whole or in part any offer
to purchase Notes received by it on an agency basis.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, payment of
the purchase price of the Notes will be required to be made in immediately
available funds in the Specified Currency in The City of New York on the date of
settlement. See "Description of Notes--General."
Upon issuance, the Notes will not have an established trading market. The
Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Each Agent may from time to
time purchase and sell Notes in the secondary market, but no Agent is obligated
to do so, and there can be no assurance that there will be a secondary market
for the Notes or that there will be liquidity in the secondary market if one
develops. From time to time, an Agent may make a market in the Notes, but no
Agent is obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activity at
any time.
The Agents and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions
with or perform services for the Company in the ordinary course of business.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Agents and their affiliates have engaged and
may in the future engage in investment and commercial banking transactions with
the Company and certain of its affiliates. Chase Securities, Inc. is an
affiliate of the Trustee. See "Description of Debt Securities -- Information
Concerning the Trustee" in the Prospectus.
The Agents may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Company has
agreed to indemnify the Agents against certain liabilities (including
liabilities under the Securities Act), or to contribute to payments the Agents
may be required to make in respect thereof. The Company has agreed to reimburse
the Agents for certain other expenses.
Concurrently with the offering of Notes described herein, the Company may
issue and sell other Securities described in the accompanying Prospectus and
such sales shall reduce the aggregate initial offering price of the Notes
offered hereby.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the Notes offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company
by Schiff Hardin & Waite, Chicago, Illinois. See "Legal Opinion" in the
Prospectus. Certain legal matters relating to the Notes offered hereby will be
passed upon for the Agents by Brown & Wood, New York, New York.
S-29
<PAGE>
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NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRE-SENTATIONS OTHER THAN CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED
BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE APPLICABLE PRICING SUPPLEMENT OR
THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT,
THE APPLICABLE PRICING SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY OR THE AGENTS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT, THE APPLICABLE PRICING SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE
MADE HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE AN IMPLICATION
THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE
HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE APPLICABLE PRICING SUPPLEMENT AND THE
PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY STATE IN
WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING
SUCH OFFER IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
---------
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Risk Factors................................... S-1
Description of Notes........................... S-2
Special Provisions Relating to Foreign Currency
Notes......................................... S-18
Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations................................ S-21
Plan of Distribution........................... S-28
Legal Opinions................................. S-29
PROSPECTUS
Available Information.......................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents By
Reference..................................... 2
The Company.................................... 3
Use of Proceeds................................ 3
Description of Debt Securities................. 4
Particular Terms of the Senior Debt
Securities.................................... 12
Particular Terms of the Subordinated Debt
Securities.................................... 16
Description of Capital Stock................... 18
Plan of Distribution........................... 21
Legal Opinion.................................. 21
Experts........................................ 22
</TABLE>
$500,000,000
NEWELL CO.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES A,
DUE NINE MONTHS OR MORE
FROM DATE OF ISSUE
---------------------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
---------------------
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
CHASE SECURITIES, INC.
MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
INCORPORATED
May 15, 1995
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