Edgar Filing: BELDEN INC.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

S-3ASR

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2016.

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

BELDEN INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware

36-3601505

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1 North Brentwood Boulevard

15th Floor

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

(314) 854-8000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Brian E. Anderson

Senior Vice President, Legal, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Belden Inc.

1 North Brentwood Boulevard

15th Floor

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

(314) 854-8000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

With a copy to:

W. Brinkley Dickerson, Jr.

Troutman Sanders LLP

Bank of America Plaza, Suite 5200

600 Peachtree Street NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30308

(404) 885-3000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered		Amount to be registered/Proposed maximum offering price per unit/Proposed maximum offering price / Amount of registration fee (1)
Debt Securities
Warrants
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, including the associated junior participating preferred stock Series A purchase rights (5)(6)
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (5)
Depositary Shares		(2)
Purchase Contracts		(3)
Units		(4)

(1)

An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee.

(2)

In the event that the Company elects to offer to the public fractional interests in shares of Preferred Stock registered hereunder, Depositary Shares, evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to a deposit agreement, will be distributed to those persons purchasing such fractional interests, and the shares of Preferred Stock will be issued to the depositary under any such agreement.

(3)	Purchase Contracts issued hereunder may require the holder thereof to purchase or sell Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants or Common Stock of the Company.

(4)	Any Units to be offered hereunder will consist of one or more securities registered hereunder.

(5)	Shares of Preferred Stock and/or Common Stock may be issued in primary offerings or upon exercise, conversion or exchange of Debt Securities, Warrants or Preferred Stock registered hereby.

(6)

This registration statement also covers the associated junior participating preferred stock Series A purchase rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of December 11, 1996, as amended. Until the occurrence of certain events, the rights will not be exercisable for or evidenced separately from shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

PROSPECTUS

BELDEN INC.

DEBT SECURITIES

WARRANTS

COMMON STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK

DEPOSITARY SHARES

PURCHASE CONTRACTS

UNITS

We may offer and sell, from time to time, one or any combination of the securities we describe in this prospectus. This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. When we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement describing the terms of the specific issue of securities including the offering price of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. In addition, we may supplement, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus by incorporating information by reference in this prospectus.

You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement relating to a specific issue of securities, as well as any information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” carefully before you invest. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The prospectus supplement for each offering will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering and will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the offering and any applicable fees, commissions or discount arrangements.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BDC.” If we decide to list or seek a quotation for any other securities we may offer and sell from time to time, the prospectus supplement relating to those securities will disclose the exchange or market on which those securities will be listed or quoted.

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE RISKS DESCRIBED UNDER “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 3 OF THIS PROSPECTUS, AS WELL AS THE OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, BEFORE MAKING A DECISION TO INVEST IN OUR SECURITIES.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is May 31, 2016.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			1

RISK FACTORS			3

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			3

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE			4

OUR COMPANY			5

USE OF PROCEEDS			6

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES			6

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES			7

DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS			16

DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON STOCK			18

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED STOCK			21

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES			23

DESCRIPTION OF THE PURCHASE CONTRACTS			25

DESCRIPTION OF THE UNITS			26

HEDGING IN CONNECTION WITH DISTRIBUTIONS			28

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			28

VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES			28

EXPERTS			29

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an automatically effective registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“the SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer to sell any of the securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information incorporated by reference into this prospectus as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” and the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” in deciding whether or not to invest in the securities we may offer.

We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus supplement. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is delivered or securities are sold on a later date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

Wherever references are made in this prospectus to information that will be included in a prospectus supplement, to the extent permitted by applicable law, rules or regulations, we may instead include such information or add, update or change the information contained in this prospectus by means of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, through filings we make with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or by any other method as may then be permitted under applicable law, rules or regulations.

In this prospectus, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “Belden” refer to Belden Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, as the context requires.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We make forward-looking statements in this prospectus, in other materials we file with the SEC or otherwise release to the public, and on our website. In addition, our senior management might make forward-looking statements orally to investors, analysts, the media, and others. Statements concerning our future operations, prospects, strategies, financial condition, future economic performance (including growth and earnings) and demand for our products and services, and other statements of our plans, beliefs, or expectations, including the statements contained in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 3, 2016, incorporated herein by reference,

that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. In some cases these statements are identifiable through the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “guide,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements we make are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to various assumptions, risks, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements.

These factors include, among others, those set forth in the following section and in the other documents that we file with the SEC. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before acquiring any securities, investors should carefully consider, among other things, the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the matters discussed under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein, the risk factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement and any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC, pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, before making an investment decision. Each of the risks described in these documents could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and could result in partial or complete loss of your investment. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy this information at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our filings are also available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC covering the securities that may be sold under this prospectus. For further information on us and the securities, you should refer to our registration statement and its exhibits. This prospectus summarizes material provisions of contracts and other documents that we refer you to. Because the prospectus may not contain all the information that you may find important, you should review the full text of these documents.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus information contained in documents that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We also specifically incorporate by reference the following documents, which we have already filed with the SEC:

(i)

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (File No. 001-12561);

(ii)

our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed on April 6, 2016 (File No. 001-12561);

(iii)

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 3, 2016 (File No. 001-12561);

(iv)

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2016 (File No. 001-12561);

(v)

the description of our capital stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on December 23, 1996 (File No. 001-12561), as updated by the description of our capital stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (File No. 333-113875), under the captions “Description of CDT Capital Stock” and “Comparison of Rights of Belden Stockholders and CDT Stockholders,” including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

(vi)

the description of our junior participating preferred stock Series A purchase rights contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on December 11, 1996 and amended on December 23, 1996 (File No. 001-12561), as updated by the description of our junior participating preferred stock Series A purchase rights contained in our Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (File No. 333-113875), under the captions “Description of CDT Capital Stock” and “Comparison of Rights of Belden Stockholders and CDT Stockholders,” including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

In addition, we also incorporate by reference additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this prospectus and until the termination of this offering. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements. Nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished but not filed with the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 (or corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit) of Form 8-K.

We encourage you to read our periodic and current reports. We think these reports provide additional information about our company which prudent investors find important. You may request a copy of these filings as well as any future filings incorporated by reference, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at our principal executive offices at the following address:

Belden Inc.

1 North Brentwood Boulevard

15th Floor

St. Louis, Missouri 63105


Attention:		Corporate Secretary
		(314) 854-8000

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.

OUR COMPANY

We are an innovative signal transmission solutions company built around five global business platforms – Broadcast Solutions, Enterprise Connectivity Solutions, Industrial Connectivity Solutions, Industrial IT Solutions, and Network Security Solutions. Our comprehensive portfolio of signal transmission solutions provides industry leading secure and reliable transmission of data, sound, and video for mission critical applications. We sell our products to distributors, end-users, installers, and directly to original equipment manufacturers.

We are a Delaware corporation, incorporated in 1988. Our principal executive offices are located at 1 North Brentwood Boulevard, 15th Floor, St. Louis, Missouri 63105, and our telephone number is (314) 854-8000. We maintain a website at http://www.belden.com where general information about us is available. The contents of our website are not incorporated into this prospectus.

To find more information about us, please see the sections entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include but are not limited to the purchase of derivative securities (to hedge the conversion feature, currency or interest rate of other securities), the repayment of debt, investments in or extensions of credit to our subsidiaries or the financing of possible acquisitions, capital expenditures or business expansion. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges shows the coverage of earnings before income taxes to fixed charges, which consist primarily of interest expense. Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated is as follows:


	Quarter Ended April 3, 2016	Year Ended December 31,
	Quarter Ended April 3, 2016	2015		2014		2013		2012		2011
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges	1.6		1.4		1.9		2.6		1.1		3.3

We compute the ratio of earnings to fixed charges by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For purposes of this computation, fixed charges consist of interest expense, capitalized interest, amortization of debt discount and financing costs and the estimated interest portion of rental expense. Earnings are defined as consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes, plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest), amortization of capitalized interest and distributed earnings of investees accounted for under the equity method, less earnings (losses) of equity method investees and pretax noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries with no fixed charges.

We compute the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends by dividing earnings by the sum of fixed charges and dividends on the Company’s preferred stock. Preferred stock dividends are defined as earnings before tax required to pay the dividends on outstanding preferred stock. No preferred stock was outstanding for any period presented in the table above and, accordingly, our ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is the same as our ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

We may offer debt securities which may be senior or subordinated. We refer to the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities collectively as debt securities. The following description summarizes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities. We will describe the specific terms of the debt securities and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions summarized below apply to any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the series and any applicable free writing prospectus that we authorize to be delivered. When we refer to “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” in this section, we mean Belden Inc., a Delaware corporation, excluding, unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated, our subsidiaries.

We may issue senior debt securities from time to time, in one or more series under a senior indenture to be entered into between us and a senior trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the senior trustee. We may issue subordinated debt securities from time to time, in one or more series under a subordinated indenture to be entered into between us and a subordinated trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the subordinated trustee. The forms of senior indenture and subordinated indenture are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are referred to as the indentures and, together, the senior trustee and the subordinated trustee are referred to as the trustees. This prospectus briefly outlines some of the provisions of the indentures. The following summary of the material provisions of the indentures is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the indentures, including definitions of certain terms used in the indentures. Wherever we refer to particular sections or defined terms of the indentures, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. You should review the indentures that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part for additional information.

None of the indentures will limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. The applicable indenture will provide that debt securities may be issued up to an aggregate principal amount authorized from time to time by us and may be payable in any currency or currency unit designated by us or in amounts determined by reference to an index.

General

The senior debt securities will constitute our unsecured and unsubordinated general obligations and will rank pari passu with our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The subordinated debt securities will constitute our unsecured and subordinated general obligations and will be junior in right of payment to our senior indebtedness (including senior debt securities), as described under the heading “—Certain Terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities—Subordination.”

The debt securities will be our unsecured obligations. Any secured debt or other secured obligations will be effectively senior to the debt securities of any series to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt or other obligations.

The applicable prospectus supplement and/or free writing prospectus will include any additional or different terms of the debt securities being offered, including the following terms:

•

the title and type of the debt securities;

•

whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated debt securities, and, with respect to debt securities issued under the subordinated indenture, the terms on which they are subordinated;

•

the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

•

the price or prices at which we will sell the debt securities;

•

the maturity date or dates of the debt securities and the right, if any, to extend such date or dates;

•

the rate or rates, if any, per year, at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates;

•

the date or dates from which such interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such interest payment dates and the related record dates;

•

the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of that extension;

•

the manner of paying principal and interest and the place or places where principal and interest will be payable;

•

provisions for a sinking fund, purchase fund or other analogous fund, if any;

•

any redemption dates, prices, obligations and restrictions on the debt securities;

•

the currency, currencies or currency units in which the debt securities will be denominated and the currency, currencies or currency units in which principal and interest, if any, on the debt securities may be payable;

•

any conversion or exchange features of the debt securities;

•

whether and upon what terms the debt securities may be defeased;

•

any events of default or covenants in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in the indenture;

•

whether the debt securities will be issued in definitive or global form or in definitive form only upon satisfaction of certain conditions;

•

whether the debt securities will be guaranteed as to payment or performance;

•

a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

•

any other material terms of the debt securities.

When we refer to “principal” in this section with reference to the debt securities, we are also referring to “premium, if any.”

We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of any series of debt securities, create and issue further debt securities of any such series ranking equally with the debt securities of such series in all respects (or in all respects other than (1) the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such further debt securities or (2) the first payment of interest following the issue date of such further debt securities). Such further debt securities may be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of such series and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the debt securities of such series.

A holder may present debt securities for exchange and may present debt securities for transfer in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the debt securities and the applicable prospectus supplement. We will provide those services to the holders without charge, although the holder may have to pay any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any exchange or transfer, as set forth in the indenture.

Debt securities may bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate. Debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate (original issue discount securities) may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to any such discounted debt securities or to certain debt securities issued at par that are treated as having been issued at a discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We may issue debt securities with the principal amount payable on any principal payment date, or the amount of interest payable on any interest payment date, to be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, securities or baskets of securities, commodity prices or indices. The holder may receive a payment of principal on any principal payment date, or a payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending on the value on such dates of the applicable currency, security or basket of securities, commodity or index. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest payable on any date, the currencies, securities or baskets of securities, commodities or indices to which the amount payable on such date is linked and certain related tax considerations will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Certain Terms of the Senior Debt Securities

Covenants. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will not contain any financial or restrictive covenants, including covenants restricting either us or any of our subsidiaries from incurring, issuing, assuming or guaranteeing any indebtedness secured by a lien on any of our or our subsidiaries’ property or capital stock, or restricting either us or any of our subsidiaries from entering into sale and leaseback transactions.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, in either case, unless:

•

the successor entity, if any, is a U.S. corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust (subject to certain exceptions provided for in the senior indenture);

•

the successor entity assumes our obligations on the senior debt securities and under the senior indenture;

•

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

•

certain other conditions are met.

No Protection in the Event of a Change in Control. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the senior debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the senior debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control).

Events of Default. The following are events of default under the senior indenture for any series of senior debt securities:

•

failure to pay interest on any senior debt securities of such series when due and payable, if that default continues for a period of 90 days (or such other period as may be specified for such series);

•

failure to pay principal on the senior debt securities of such series when due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise (and, if specified for such series, the continuance of such failure for a specified period);

•

default in the performance of or breach of any of our covenants or agreements in the senior indenture applicable to senior debt securities of such series, other than a covenant breach which is specifically dealt with elsewhere in the senior indenture, and that default or breach continues for a period of 90 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or from the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the senior debt securities of such series;

•

certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, whether or not voluntary, and, in the case of an order or decree in an involuntary proceeding, such order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 days; and

•

any other event of default provided for in such series of senior debt securities as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The default by us under any other debt, including any other series of debt securities, is not a default under the senior indenture.

If an event of default other than an event of default specified in the fourth bullet point immediately above occurs with respect to a series of senior debt securities and is continuing under the senior indenture, then, and in each such case, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of such series then outstanding under the senior indenture (each such series voting as a separate class) by written notice to us and to the trustee, if such notice is given by the holders, may, and the trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare the principal amount of and accrued interest on such series of senior debt securities to be immediately due and payable, and upon this declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.

If an event of default specified in the fourth bullet point immediately above occurs and is continuing, the entire principal amount of and accrued interest on each series of senior debt securities then outstanding shall become immediately due and payable.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of senior debt securities originally issued at a discount, the amount due upon acceleration shall include only the original issue price of the senior debt securities, the amount of original issue discount accrued to the date of acceleration and accrued interest, if any.

Upon certain conditions, declarations of acceleration may be rescinded and annulled and past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the senior debt securities of such series affected by the default, each series voting as a separate class. Furthermore, prior to a declaration of acceleration and subject to various provisions in the senior indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of a series of senior debt securities, by notice to the trustee, may waive an existing default or event of default with respect to such senior debt securities and its consequences, except a default in the payment of principal of or interest on such senior debt securities or in respect of a covenant or provision of the senior indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each such senior debt security. Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any event of default with respect to such senior debt securities shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of the senior indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or event of default or impair any right consequent thereto.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of a series of senior debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to such senior debt securities. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the senior indenture, that may involve the trustee in personal liability or that the trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of holders of such series of senior debt securities not joining in the giving of such direction and may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from holders of such series of senior debt securities. A holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to the senior indenture or any series of senior debt securities unless:

•

the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;

•

the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of such series of senior debt securities make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy in respect of such event of default;

•

the requesting holder or holders offer the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any costs, liability or expense;

•

the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

•

during such 60-day period, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of senior debt securities do not give the trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request.

These limitations, however, do not apply to the right of any holder of a senior debt security to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such senior debt security in accordance with the terms of such debt security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment in accordance with the terms of such debt security, on or after the due date for the senior debt securities, which right shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the holder.

The senior indenture requires certain of our officers to certify, on or before a fixed date in each year in which any senior debt security is outstanding, as to their knowledge of our compliance with all covenants, agreements and conditions under the senior indenture.

Satisfaction and Discharge. We can satisfy and discharge our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities if:

•

we pay or cause to be paid, as and when due and payable, the principal of and any interest on all senior debt securities of such series outstanding under the senior indenture;

•

we deliver to the trustee for cancellation all debt securities of any series theretofore authenticated (other than securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen); or

•

all senior debt securities of such series have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or are to be called for redemption within one year) and we deposit in trust a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates.

Defeasance. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following discussion of legal defeasance and discharge and covenant defeasance will apply to any series of debt securities issued under the indentures.

Legal Defeasance. We can legally release ourselves from any payment or other obligations on the debt securities of any series (called “legal defeasance”) if certain conditions are met, including the following:

•

We deposit in trust for the benefit of all direct holders of the debt securities of the same series a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates.

•

We deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming there was a change in current U.S. federal income tax law or an IRS ruling that lets us make the above deposit without causing the holder to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and instead paid the amounts due on the debt securities as and when due.

If we ever did accomplish legal defeasance, as described above, holders would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. The holders could not look to us for repayment in the event of any shortfall.

Covenant Defeasance. Without any change of current U.S. federal tax law, we can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from some of the covenants in the debt securities (called “covenant defeasance”). In that event, the holder would lose the protection of those covenants but would gain the protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the debt securities. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following (among other things):

•

We must deposit in trust for the benefit of all direct holders of the debt securities of the same series a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates.

•

We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that under current U.S. federal income tax law we may make the above deposit without causing the holder to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and instead paid the amounts due on the debt securities as and when due.

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, the holders can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit. In fact, if one of the Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities become immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on the events causing the default, the holders may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

Modification and Waiver. We and the trustee may amend or supplement the senior indenture or the senior debt securities without the consent of any holder:

•

to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any assets as security for the senior debt securities of one or more series;

•

to evidence the succession of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust to us, and the assumption by such successor of our covenants, agreements and obligations under the senior indenture;

•

to add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default;

•

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the senior indenture or in any supplemental indenture or to conform the senior indenture or the senior debt securities to the description of senior debt securities of such series set forth in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement;

•

to provide for or add guarantors with respect to the senior debt securities of any series;

•

to establish the form or forms or terms of the senior debt securities as permitted by the senior indenture;

•

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the senior indenture by a successor trustee, or to make such changes as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts in the senior indenture by more than one trustee;

•

to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of any series of senior debt securities;

•

to make any change to the senior debt securities of any series so long as no senior debt securities of such series are outstanding; or

•

to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect.

Other amendments and modifications of the senior indenture or the senior debt securities issued may be made, and our compliance with any provision of the senior indenture with respect to any series of senior debt

securities may be waived, with the consent of the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of all series affected by the amendment or modification (voting together as a single class); provided, however, that each affected holder must consent to any modification, amendment or waiver that:

•

extends the final maturity of any senior debt securities of such series;

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reduces the principal amount of on any senior debt securities of such series;

•

reduces the rate or extends the time of payment of interest on any senior debt securities of such series;

•

reduces the amount payable upon the redemption of any senior debt securities of such series;

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changes the currency of payment of principal of or interest on any senior debt securities of such series;

•

reduces the principal amount of original issue discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity or the amount provable in bankruptcy;

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waives a default in the payment of principal of or interest on the senior debt securities;

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changes the provisions relating to the waiver of past defaults or changes or impairs the right of holders to receive payment or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment or conversion of any senior debt securities of such series on or after the due date therefor;

•

modifies any of the provisions of these restrictions on amendments and modifications, except to increase any required percentage or to provide that certain other provisions cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each senior debt security of such series affected by the modification; or

•

reduces the above-stated percentage of outstanding senior debt securities of such series whose holders must consent to a supplemental indenture or to modify or amend or to waive certain provisions of or defaults under the senior indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the holders to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if the holders’ consent approves the substance thereof. After an amendment, supplement or waiver of the senior indenture in accordance with the provisions described in this section becomes effective, the trustee must give to the holders affected thereby certain notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure by the trustee to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver.

No Personal Liability of Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers, Directors. The senior indenture provides that no recourse shall be had under any obligation, covenant or agreement of ours in the senior indenture or any supplemental indenture, or in any of the senior debt securities or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, against any of our incorporators, shareholders, officers or directors, past, present or future, or of any predecessor or successor entity thereof under any law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise. Each holder, by accepting the senior debt securities, waives and releases all such liability.

Concerning the Trustee. The senior indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will not be liable except for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth in the senior indenture. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the senior indenture and will use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

The senior indenture and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the trustee thereunder, should it become a creditor of ours or any of our subsidiaries, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect

of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions, provided that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

We may have normal banking relationships with the senior trustee in the ordinary course of business.

Unclaimed Funds. All funds deposited with the trustee or any paying agent for the payment of principal, premium, interest or additional amounts in respect of the senior debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such principal, premium or interest became due and payable will be repaid to us. Thereafter, any right of any holder of senior debt securities to such funds shall be enforceable only against us, and the trustee and paying agents will have no liability therefor.

Governing Law. The senior indenture and the senior debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.

Certain Terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities

Other than the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt securities relating to subordination or otherwise as described in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of subordinated debt securities, the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt securities are identical in all material respects to the terms of the senior indenture and senior debt securities.

Additional or different subordination terms may be specified in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series.

Subordination. The indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities is subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness, as defined in the subordinated indenture.

During the continuance beyond any applicable grace period of any default in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any of our senior indebtedness, we may not make any payment of principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities (except for certain sinking fund payments). In addition, upon any payment or distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of and interest on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all our senior indebtedness. Because of this subordination, if we dissolve or otherwise liquidate, holders of our subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than holders of our senior indebtedness. The subordination provisions do not prevent the occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated indenture.

The term “senior indebtedness” of a person means with respect to such person the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following, whether outstanding on the date of the subordinated indenture or incurred by that person in the future:

•

all of the indebtedness of that person for money borrowed;

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all of the indebtedness of that person evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other securities sold by that person for money;

•

all of the lease obligations that are capitalized on the books of that person in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

•

all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the first two bullet points immediately above and all lease obligations of others of the kind described in the third bullet point immediately above that the person, in any manner, assumes or guarantees or that the person in effect guarantees through an agreement to purchase, whether that agreement is contingent or otherwise; and

•

all renewals, extensions or refundings of indebtedness of the kinds described in the first, second or fourth bullet points immediately above and all renewals or extensions of leases of the kinds described in the third or fourth bullet points immediately above;

unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding, the instrument creating or evidencing it or the assumption or guarantee relating to it expressly provides that such indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities. Our senior debt securities constitute senior indebtedness for purposes of the subordinated debt indenture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS

General

The following is a summary of material provisions of the warrants that we may issue pursuant to one or more separate warrant agreements, either independently or together with other securities. This summary does not include all of the provisions of the warrants. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. We urge you to read the form of warrant agreement filed in connection with the applicable prospectus supplement. Provisions of the forms of warrant agreements or terms defined in the forms of warrant agreements summarized below are incorporated into this prospectus by reference.

We may issue warrants for the purchase of other securities, including debt securities, preferred stock or common stock.

The warrants may be issued in one or more series. Please refer to the prospectus supplement relating to particular series of warrants for specific terms of the warrants, including the following terms:

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the type and number of warrants;

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the name, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants may be exercised;

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if applicable, the name and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security;

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the expiration date of the warrants;

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the period during which warrants may be exercised;

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the exercise price of the warrants;

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the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

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any mandatory or optional call provisions;

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the identity of the warrant agent;

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a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

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any other terms of the warrants offered thereunder.

The warrants will be represented by warrant certificates. We will pay all stamp taxes and any other duties in the United States to which the original issuance of the warrant certificates may be subject.

Transfer and Exchange

Warrants may be transferred or exchanged pursuant to procedures outlined in the applicable warrant agreement. No service charge will be made for registration of transfer or exchange upon surrender of any warrant certificate at the office of the applicable warrant agent maintained for that purpose. We may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of warrant certificates.

No warrant or warrant certificate will entitle the holder thereof to any of the rights of a holder of the security for which the warrant may be exercised, including the right to receive payments of principal or interest on debt securities or to enforce any of the covenants in any indenture relating to debt securities or the right to receive dividends on common or preferred stock or vote with common or preferred stock.

Exercise of Warrants

In order to exercise warrants, the holder of the warrants will be required to surrender to the warrant agent the related warrant certificate and pay in full the exercise price for the securities to be subscribed for upon such exercise. The exercise price must be paid in cash or by certified or official bank check or by wire transfer to an account we designate for such purpose. The warrant agent then will deliver the applicable securities to the holder, and will issue a new warrant certificate for any warrants not exercised.

Amendment of Warrant Agreement

From time to time, we and the warrant agent under the relevant warrant agreement, may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for certain purposes without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder, including to cure defects or inconsistencies or make any change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any holder. Any amendment or supplement to a warrant agreement that has a material adverse effect on the interests of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder will require the written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding warrants issued thereunder.

The written consent of each holder of the warrants affected shall be required for any amendment that:

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increases the exercise price;

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shortens the period during which warrants may be exercised; or

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if the warrants may be redeemed at our option, reduces the price at which the warrants may be redeemed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON STOCK

We outline below a summary of material information relating to our common stock, including summaries of certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws. This summary does not include all of the provisions of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws. These statements do not purport to be complete, or to give full effect to the provisions of statutory or common laws, and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the terms and detailed provisions of the certificate of incorporation and of the bylaws. We urge you to read our full certificate of incorporation and bylaws.

We are incorporated in the State of Delaware, United States and operate in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). The rights of our stockholders are determined by the DGCL, the securities laws and regulations and other legislation of the United States, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws. Under our certificate of incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Our shares of common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Holders of our shares are entitled, subject to the prior rights, if any, of holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that the board of directors may establish, to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors if there are sufficient funds to legally pay a dividend.

Annual Meeting

Annual meetings of our stockholders are held on the date designated in accordance with our bylaws. Written notice must be mailed to each stockholder entitled to vote not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of our issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote at such meeting constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at meetings of the stockholders. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called for any purpose by the board of directors, the president, the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than fifty (50) percent of the votes at such meeting or by the holders of not less than fifty (50) percent of the outstanding shares of any class of our stock.

Voting Rights

The holders of our shares of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record and may vote by proxy. Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights.

Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding-Up

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of our shares of common stock are entitled to share ratably according to the number of shares held by them in all remaining assets available for distribution to the holders of our shares after discharge of outstanding liabilities and payment of such liquidation preference, if any, of any series of preferred stock that our board of directors may establish.

Certain Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaw Provisions

Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control in connection with certain extraordinary corporate transactions. The certificate of incorporation and the bylaws require advance notice of, and a specified procedure for, shareholder nominations for director, and allow the filling of vacancies on the board by remaining directors, though less than a quorum. Such provisions of the certificate of incorporation and the bylaws may make it more difficult for a person or entity to acquire and exercise control of the company and remove incumbent directors and officers. We also have adopted a stockholder rights plan, described below.

Our bylaws provide that the number of directors will be fixed from time to time exclusively by the board of directors. The bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting

of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the actions so taken, is executed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes (generally a simple majority of the outstanding common stock) that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.

We have elected not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL. Section 203 contains certain limitations on business combinations with interested stockholders, and an election not to be governed by Section 203 has the effect of eliminating these limitations.

Stockholders Rights Plan

We have adopted a stockholders rights plan pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of December 11, 1996 (as amended, the “Rights Agreement”). Set forth below is a summary of the material provisions of the Rights Agreement. The summary does not include a complete description of all of the terms of the Rights Agreement. All Belden stockholders are urged to read carefully the relevant provisions of the Rights Agreement.

Exercisability of Rights. Under the Rights Agreement, one right attaches to each share of our common stock outstanding and, when exercisable, entitles the registered holder to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of Junior Participating Preferred Stock Series A, at an initial purchase price of $150.00, which is subject to adjustment (a “Belden right”).

The Belden rights become exercisable upon the earlier of:

•

the day after the first date of public disclosure by us or an acquiring person that a person or group of people beneficially owns 20% or more of our common stock; or

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10 business days (or longer if the board so determines) following the commencement of or public disclosure of an intention to commence a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person or group beneficially owning 20% or more of such outstanding shares of common stock.

“Flip In” Feature. In the event a person becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of our common stock outstanding, each holder of a right, except for that person, will have the right to acquire, upon exercise of the Belden right, instead of one one-thousandth of a share of Junior Participating Preferred Stock Series A, shares of our common stock having a value equal to twice the exercise price of the Belden right. For example, if we assume that the initial purchase price of $150 is in effect on the date that the flip-in feature of the Belden rights is exercised, any holder of a Belden right, except for the person that has become the beneficial owner of 20% or more of our common stock then outstanding, may exercise his or her Belden right by paying to us $150 in order to receive from us shares of our common stock having a value equal to $300.

“Flip Over” Feature. In the event a person becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of our common stock outstanding and:

•

We are involved in a merger or other transaction where we are not the surviving corporation;

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We are involved in a transaction in which we are the surviving corporation and in connection with such transaction, our common stock is changed or exchanged for securities of another company or person, cash or any other property; or

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Our common stock is changed or exchanged in a transaction in which 50% or more of our consolidated assets or earning power are sold;

then each holder of a Belden right, except for a person that is the beneficial owner of 20% or more of our common stock then outstanding, will have the right to receive, upon exercise of the Belden right, the number of

shares of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction would have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Belden right.

Redemption, Prior to an announcement of a beneficial owner of 20% or more of our common stock then outstanding, we may redeem the Belden rights in whole at a price of $.01 per Belden right.

Amendment. Prior to an announcement of the existence of a beneficial owner of more than 20% of our common stock, a majority of the board may amend the Rights Agreement. After such announcement, a majority of the board may amend the Rights Agreement only in order to:

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cure any ambiguity;

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to correct or supplement any provision which may be defective or inconsistent; or

•

change or supplement the Rights Agreement in a manner which will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the rights certificates.

Termination. If not previously exercised, the Belden rights will expire on December 9, 2016, unless we redeem the Belden rights or extend the expiration date. In connection with any extension, we may amend the purchase price and other terms and provides under the Belden rights and the Rights Agreement.

Anti-Takeover Effects. The Belden rights have anti-takeover effects. Once the Belden rights have become exercisable, in most cases the Belden rights will cause substantial dilution to a person that attempts to acquire or merge with us. Accordingly, the existence of the Belden rights may deter potential acquirers from making a takeover proposal or a tender offer. The Belden rights should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by our board of directors because we may redeem the Belden rights and because our board of directors can amend the Rights Agreement so that a transaction approved by our board of directors would not cause the Belden rights to become exercisable.

Other Rights

Holders of our shares of common stock have no preemption, redemption, conversion or other subscription rights, other than under the Rights Agreement described above.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

As of the date of this prospectus, the transfer agent and registrar of our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. It may be contacted at (800) 937-5449.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED STOCK

General

The following description sets forth certain general terms of the preferred stock and any related depositary shares that we may issue. The terms of any series of the preferred stock and any related depositary shares will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the preferred stock and any related depositary shares being offered. The description set forth below and in any prospectus supplement is not complete, and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our certificate of incorporation, and the certificate of designations relating to each particular series of the preferred stock and any related depositary shares, which was or will be filed with the SEC at or before the issuance of the series of preferred stock.

Terms of the Preferred Stock

Under our certificate of incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Our board of directors has the authority, without approval of the stockholders, to issue all of the shares of preferred stock which are currently authorized in one or more series and to fix the number of shares and the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations of each series. No preferred stock is currently outstanding. However, the board’s ability to issue preferred stock may discourage third parties from attempting to acquire us. In addition, we have authorized for issuance shares of Junior Participating Preferred Stock Series A under the Rights Agreement described above.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of each new series of preferred stock, including, where applicable, the following:

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the designation, stated value, liquidation preference and number of shares offered;

•

the offering price or prices;

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the dividend rate or rates, or method of calculation, the dividend periods, the dates on which dividends shall be payable and whether dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends begin to cumulate;

•

any redemption or sinking fund provisions;

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any conversion or exchange provisions;

•

any voting rights;

•

whether the preferred stock will be issued in certificated or book-entry form;

•

whether the preferred stock will be listed on a national securities exchange;

•

information with respect to any book-entry procedures; and

•

any additional rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions of the preferred stock which are not inconsistent with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.

The preferred stock will be, when issued against payment, fully paid and non-assessable. Holders will have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities which we may issue. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the shares of each series of preferred stock will rank equally with all other outstanding series of preferred stock issued by us as to payment of dividends, other than with respect to cumulation of dividends, and as to the distribution of our assets upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up. Each series of preferred stock will rank senior to the common stock, and any other stock of ours that is expressly made junior to that series of preferred stock.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company will be the transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar for the shares of the preferred stock. It may be contacted at (800) 937-5449.

Dividends and Distributions

Holders of shares of the preferred stock will be entitled to receive, as, if and when declared by our board of directors, or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cash dividends at the rate set forth in, or calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the preferred stock being offered.

Dividends on the preferred stock may be cumulative or non-cumulative as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dividends on the cumulative preferred stock will accumulate from the date of original issue and will be payable in arrears on the dates specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any date so specified as a dividend payment date is not a business day, declared dividends on the preferred stock will be paid on the immediately succeeding business day, without interest. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the applicable dividend period with respect to a dividend payment date and the method of payment of such dividends.

Liquidation Preference

Any preference or priority of the preferred stock over our common stock and any other class of our stock ranking junior to the preferred stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, for payments out of or distributions of our assets or proceeds from any liquidation, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Redemption

Any rights of the Company to redeem a series of preferred stock, and the related redemption prices and dates, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Any restriction on the repurchase or redemption by us of our preferred stock while we are in arrears in the payment of dividends or sinking fund installments will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Voting Rights

Holders of a series of preferred stock will have such voting rights as are described in the applicable prospectus supplement, and are as required by law.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

The prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock that is convertible or exchangeable will state the terms on which shares of that series are convertible or exchangeable into common stock, another series of preferred stock or debt securities.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may choose to offer fractional shares or some multiple of shares of our preferred stock, rather than whole individual shares. If we decide to do so, we will issue the preferred stock in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share would represent a fraction or multiple of a share of the preferred stock and would be evidenced by a depositary receipt. We will issue depositary shares under a deposit agreement between a depositary, which we will appoint at our discretion, and us.

Deposit Agreement

We will deposit the shares of preferred stock to be represented by depositary shares under a deposit agreement. The parties to the deposit agreement will be:

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Belden Inc.;

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a bank or other financial institution selected by us and named in the applicable prospectus supplement, as preferred stock depositary; and

•

the holders from time to time of depositary receipts issued under that depositary agreement.

Each holder of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the underlying preferred stock, including, where applicable, dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights, in proportion to the applicable fraction or multiple of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement. The depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional or multiple shares of preferred stock. A depositary receipt may evidence any number of whole depositary shares.

The deposit agreement will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, and we will file the deposit agreement, including the form of depositary receipt, with the SEC, either as an exhibit to an amendment to the registration statements of which this prospectus forms a part or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K or a periodic report on Form 10-K or 10-Q. See “Where You Can Find More Information” above for information on how to obtain a copy of the form of deposit agreement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The preferred stock depositary will distribute any cash dividends, other cash distributions or other property received in respect of the deposited preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the underlying preferred stock in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders and in the method described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Redemption of Preferred Stock

The terms of redemption of depositary shares in the event of a redemption by the Company of the underlying preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

The withdrawal rights of the holders of depository shares to withdraw the share of preferred stock corresponding to such depository shares will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Voting Deposited Preferred Stock

The method of voting for holders of any series of deposited preferred stock entitled to vote will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion of Preferred Stock

If the prospectus supplement relating to the depositary shares says that the deposited preferred stock is convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock, preferred stock of another series or other securities of Belden Inc., the terms of such conversion will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Charges of Preferred Stock Depositary; Taxes and Other Governmental Charges

We will pay the fees, charges and expenses of the preferred stock depositary provided in the deposit agreement to be payable by us. Holders of depositary receipts will pay any taxes and governmental charges and any charges provided in the deposit agreement to be payable by them, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts. If the preferred stock depositary incurs fees, charges or expenses for which it is not otherwise liable at the election of a holder of a depositary receipt or other person, that holder or other person will be liable for those fees, charges and expenses.

Form of Preferred Stock and Depositary Shares

We may issue preferred stock in book-entry form. Preferred stock in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the shares of preferred stock represented by the global security. Those who own beneficial interests in shares of preferred stock will do so through participants in the depositary’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PURCHASE CONTRACTS

General

We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of, or whose cash value is determined by reference or linked to the performance, level or value of, our common or preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares or other securities described in this prospectus.

We refer to each property described above as a “purchase contract property”. Each purchase contract will obligate:

•

the holder to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, one or more purchase contract properties at a specified price or prices; or

•

the holder or us to settle the purchase contract by reference to the value, performance or level of one or more purchase contract properties, on specified dates and at a specified price or prices.

Some purchase contracts may include multiple obligations to purchase or sell different purchase contract properties, and both we and the holder may be sellers or buyers under the same purchase contract. No holder of a purchase contract will have any rights of a holder of the purchase contract property purchasable under the contract, including any right to receive payments on that property.

Terms of the Purchase Contracts

Your prospectus supplement may contain, where applicable, the following information about your purchase contract:

•

whether the purchase contract obligates the holder to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, one or more purchase contract properties and the nature and amount of each of those properties, or the method of determining those amounts;

•

whether the purchase contract is to be prepaid or not and the governing document for the contract;

•

whether the purchase contract is to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance or level of, the purchase contract properties;

•

any acceleration, cancellation, termination or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contract;

•

whether the purchase contract will be issued as part of a unit and, if so, the other securities comprising the unit and whether any unit securities will be subject to a security interest in our favor as described below;

•

whether the purchase contract will be issued in fully registered or bearer form and in global or non-global form; and

•

any other terms of the purchase contract offered thereunder.

If we issue a purchase contract as part of a unit, the accompanying prospectus supplement will state whether the contract will be separable from the other securities in the unit before the contract settlement date.

DESCRIPTION OF THE UNITS

General

We may issue units comprised of one or more debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts, shares of preferred stock and depositary shares in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

The applicable prospectus supplement may describe:

•

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

•

any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described here;

•

any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and

•

any other terms of the units offered thereunder.

General Provisions of a Unit Agreement

Enforcement of Rights

The unit agent under a unit agreement will act solely as our agent in connection with the units issued under that agreement. The unit agent will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of those units or of the securities comprising those units. The unit agent will not be obligated to take any action on behalf of those holders to enforce or protect their rights under the units or the included securities.

Generally, except as described in the next paragraph, a holder of a unit may, without the consent of the unit agent or any other holder, enforce its rights as holder under any security included in the unit, in accordance with the terms of that security and the indenture, warrant agreement, unit agreement or trust agreement under which that security is issued. Those specific terms will be described elsewhere in the applicable prospectus supplement under the sections relating to debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts and capital securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a unit agreement may limit or otherwise affect the ability of a holder of units issued under that agreement to enforce its rights, including any right to bring a legal action, with respect to those units or any securities, other than debt securities, prepaid purchase contracts, warrants issued under the warrant indenture and capital securities, that are included in those units. Limitations of this kind will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Modification Without Consent of Holders

We and the applicable unit agent may amend any unit or unit agreement without the consent of any holder (i) to cure any ambiguity, (ii) to correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision or (iii) to make any other change that we believe is necessary or desirable and will not adversely affect the interests of the affected holders in any material respect.

We will not need any approval to make changes that affect only units to be issued after the changes take effect. We may also make changes that do not adversely affect a particular unit in any material respect, even if they adversely affect other units in a material respect. In those cases, we do not need to obtain the approval of the holder of the unaffected unit; we need only obtain any required approvals from the holders of the affected units.

Modification With Consent of Holders

We generally may not amend any particular unit or a unit agreement with respect to any particular unit unless we obtain the consent of the holder of that unit, if the amendment would (i) impair any right of the holder to exercise or enforce any right under a security included in the unit if the terms of that security require the consent of the holder to any changes that would impair the exercise or enforcement of that right, (ii) impair the right of the holder to purchase or sell, as the case may be, the purchase contract property under any non-prepaid purchase contract issued under the unit agreement, or to require delivery of or payment for that property when due or (iii) reduce the percentage of outstanding units of any series or class the consent of whose holders is required to amend that series or class, or the applicable unit agreement with respect to that series or class.

Any other change to a particular unit agreement and the units issued under that agreement would require the following approval:

•

If the change affects only the units of a particular series issued under that agreement, the change must be approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding units of that series.

•

If the change affects the units of more than one series issued under that agreement, it must be approved by the holders of a majority of all outstanding units of all series affected by the change, with the units of all the affected series voting together as one class for this purpose.

These provisions regarding changes with majority approval also apply to changes affecting any securities issued under a unit agreement, as the governing document.

HEDGING IN CONNECTION WITH DISTRIBUTIONS

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or a post-effective amendment.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities through agents, underwriters or dealers, or directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.

We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment or to sell securities on a continuing basis.

If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own accounts. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if any of those securities are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and may be changed from time to time.

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The applicable prospectus supplement will identify any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation. We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than the common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered by the Company will be passed upon for the Company by Brian E. Anderson, General Counsel of the Company and Troutman Sanders LLP, Atlanta, Georgia, and for any underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Mr. Anderson is paid a salary by the Company, is a participant in various employee

benefit plans offered to the Company’s employees, and beneficially owns, or has rights to acquire, an aggregate of less than one percent of the shares of the Company’s common stock.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements and schedule included in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2016, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements and schedule are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The estimated fees and expenses (not including underwriting discounts and commissions) payable by the Registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby are set forth in the following table:


SEC registration fee	$	(1)
FINRA fees	$	(2)
Trustee’s fees	$	(2)
Printing expenses	$	(2)
Rating agency fees	$	(2)
Accounting fees and expenses	$	(2)
Legal fees and expenses	$	(2)
Blue Sky fees and expenses	$	(2)
Miscellaneous	$	(2)

Total	$	(2)

(1)	Deferred in reliance upon Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(2)	These fees and expenses are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly are not known at the time of filing this registration statement.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 145(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) provides, in general, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), because the person is or was a director or officer of the corporation. Such indemnity may be against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and if, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the person did not have reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor because the person is or was a director or officer of the corporation, against any expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Section 145(g) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation against any liability asserted against the person in any such capacity, or arising out of the person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the person against such liability under the provisions of

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the DGCL. The Company has obtained a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy, which insures the Company’s directors and officers against certain liabilities, including liabilities for which the Company may not be able to indemnify such persons. The Company has also entered into indemnification agreements with certain of its directors and executive officers, which provide for indemnification against expenses, judgments, fines and settlements in connection with threatened or pending litigation, inquiries or investigations that arise out of the director’s or officer’s acts or omissions in his capacity as a director or officer of the Company to the extent permitted by Delaware law.

Article Eight of the Company’s certificate of incorporation and Article V of the Company’s bylaws provide for indemnification and/or exculpation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL for any person who is or was a director or officer of the Company who is or was involved or threatened to be made so involved in any proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was serving as a director or officer of the Company or was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of any other enterprise.

The foregoing is only a general summary of certain aspects of Delaware law and the Company’s organizational documents dealing with indemnification of directors and officers, and does not purport to be complete. It is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of Section 145 of the DGCL, Article Eight of the Company’s certificate of incorporation and Article V of the Company’s bylaws.

Item 16. Exhibits.

The exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the exhibit index, which appears elsewhere herein and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities

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offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by a Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section (a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of a Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby further undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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(c) The undersigned Registrant hereby further undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Saint Louis, State of Missouri, on May 31, 2016.


BELDEN INC.

BY:		/s/ John S. Stroup
Name:		John S. Stroup
Title:		President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John S. Stroup, Henk Derksen or Brian E. Anderson or any of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement (including post-effective amendments) and any related registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and to perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


NAME	POSITION	DATE

/s/ John S. Stroup (John S. Stroup)	Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)	May 31, 2016

/s/ Henk Derksen (Henk Derksen)	Senior Vice President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)	May 31, 2016

/s/ Douglas R. Zink (Douglas R. Zink)	Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)	May 31, 2016

/s/ Bryan C. Cressey (Bryan C. Cressey)	Chairman of the Board and Director	May 31, 2016

/s/ David J. Aldrich (David J. Aldrich)	Director	May 31, 2016

/s/ Lance C. Balk (Lance C. Balk)	Director	May 31, 2016

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NAME	POSITION	DATE

/s/ Steven W. Berglund (Steven W. Berglund)	Director	May 31, 2016

/s/ Judy L. Brown (Judy L. Brown)	Director	May 31, 2016

/s/ Jonathan C. Klein (Jonathan C. Klein)	Director	May 31, 2016

/s/ George E. Minnich (George E. Minnich)	Director	May 31, 2016

/s/ John M. Monter (John M. Monter)	Director	May 31, 2016

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EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit	The filings referenced for incorporation by reference are Company (Belden Inc.) filings (File No. 001-12561)

1.1	Form of Underwriting Agreement*

3.1	Certificate of Incorporation, as amended	February 29, 2008 Form 10-K, Exhibit 3.1

3.2	Bylaws	May 31, 2016 Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1

4.1	Rights Agreement	December 11, 1996 Form 8-A, Exhibit 1.1

4.2	Amendment to Rights Agreement	November 15, 2004 Form 10-Q, Exhibit 4.1

4.3	Amendment to Rights Agreement	December 8, 2006 Form 8-A/A, Exhibit 4.2(a)

4.4	Form of Senior Indenture

4.5	Form of Subordinated Indenture

4.6	Form of Warrant Agreement*

4.7	Form of Depositary Agreement, including form of depositary receipt*

4.8	Form of Unit Agreement, including form of unit certificate*

4.9	Form of Prepaid Purchase Contract*

4.10	Form of Specimen Certificate of Preferred Stock*

5.1	Opinion of Brian E. Anderson

5.2	Opinion of Troutman Sanders LLP

12.1	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

23.1	Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

23.2	Consent of Brian E. Anderson (included in Exhibit 5.1)

23.3	Consent of Troutman Sanders LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2)

24.1	Power of Attorney (included in Part II of this Registration Statement)

25.1	Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 of the trustee under the Senior Indenture pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939**

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Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit	The filings referenced for incorporation by reference are Company (Belden Inc.) filings (File No. 001-12561)

25.2	Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 of the trustee under the Subordinated Indenture pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939**

*	To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference herein in connection with an offering of the offered securities.

**	To be filed by amendment or pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, if applicable.

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