Document
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 24, 2017
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
________________________________
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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TIFFANY & CO.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
13-3228013
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
727 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 755-8000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrant’s principal executive offices)
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Leigh M. Harlan, Esq.
Senior Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel
Tiffany & Co.
727 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 755-8000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
________________________________
Copy to:
Andrew L. Fabens, Esq.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
(212) 351-4000
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 Securities and Exchange 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, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer X | Accelerated filer ____ |
Non-accelerated filer ____ | Smaller reporting company ____ |
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Emerging growth company ____ |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered (1) | Amount to be Registered Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price Amount of Registration Fee(2) |
Debt Securities | |
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | |
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share | |
Warrants (3) | |
Depositary Shares (4) | |
Purchase Contracts | |
Units | |
Total | |
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(1) | Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. | |
(2) | Omitted pursuant to General Instructions II.E of Form S-3. An indeterminate aggregate offering price or number of securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered 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) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of the entire registration fee. |
(3) | The warrants covered by this registration statement may be warrants for common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. | |
(4) | Each depositary share will be issued under a deposit agreement and will be evidenced by a depositary receipt. | |
PROSPECTUS
TIFFANY & CO.
DEBT SECURITIES
COMMON STOCK
PREFERRED STOCK
WARRANTS
DEPOSITARY SHARES
PURCHASE CONTRACTS
UNITS
We may from time to time offer to sell our senior or subordinated debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, either separately or represented by warrants, depositary shares or purchase contracts, as well as units that include any of these securities (collectively referred to in this prospectus as the “securities”). The senior or subordinated debt securities may consist of debentures, notes or other types of debt. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the ticker symbol “TIF.” Each prospectus supplement to this prospectus will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange. The senior or subordinated debt securities, preferred stock, warrants and purchase contracts may be convertible or exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or other securities of ours.
We may offer and sell the securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in any applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. The securities also may be resold by security holders. We will provide specific terms of any securities to be offered in supplements to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
Our principal executive offices are located at 727 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Our telephone number is (212) 755-8000.
Investing in our securities involves certain risks. See the “Risk Factors” section of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable prospectus supplement. See “Risk Factors” on page 5.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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The date of this prospectus is August 24, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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About This Prospectus | 1 |
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Where You Can Find More Information | 1 |
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Incorporation by Reference | 2 |
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Special note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements | 3 |
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About The Registrant | 4 |
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Risk Factors | 5 |
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Use of Proceeds | 6 |
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges | 7 |
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Description of Debt Securities | 8 |
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Description of Common Stock | 22 |
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Description of Other Securities | 24 |
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Plan of Distribution | 25 |
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Validity of the Securities | 26 |
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Experts | 26 |
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ABOUT THE PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), utilizing a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell, at any time and from time to time in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, in any accompanying prospectus supplement or as expressly incorporated by reference herein or therein. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer 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 the document.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we may provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of that offering. That prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those securities. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
The registration statement containing this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus.
The exhibits to the registration statement contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus. You should review the full text of these documents because these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we offer. The registration statement, including the exhibits, can be read at the SEC’s website or at the SEC’s offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to the “Registrant,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Tiffany & Co. and its subsidiaries, collectively.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy and information statements and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). You may read and copy these materials at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding Tiffany & Co. and other companies that file materials with the SEC electronically. Copies of our periodic and current reports and proxy statements, may be obtained, free of charge, on our website at http://investor.tiffany.com/financials.cfm. This reference to our Internet address is for informational purposes only and shall not, under any circumstances, be deemed to incorporate the information available at or through such Internet address into this prospectus.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” certain information into this prospectus from certain documents that were filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. We hereby incorporate by reference the documents listed below. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and in some cases supersede this information. Specifically, we incorporate by reference the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):
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• | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on March 17, 2017 (including the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 7, 2017, incorporated by reference therein); |
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• | Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended April 30, 2017 and July 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on May 24, 2017 and August 24, 2017, respectively; |
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• | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K and Form 8-K/A, as applicable, filed with the SEC on February 6, 2017 (only with respect to Items 5.02 and 9.01), February 21, 2017 (only with respect to Items 1.01, 5.02 and 9.01), February 22, 2017, March 7, 2017, March 7, 2017, March 16, 2017, April 25, 2017, May 25, 2017, June 1, 2017, July 13, 2017 and July 26, 2017; |
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• | The description of our Common Stock contained in our Registration Statement filed with the SEC on Form 8-A, dated April 29, 1987; and |
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• | Future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of the offering of the securities made under this prospectus; provided, however, that we are not incorporating by reference any documents or information, including parts of documents that we file with the SEC, that are deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC. Unless specifically stated to the contrary, none of the information we disclose under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K that we may from time to time furnish to the SEC will be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included in, this prospectus. |
We will provide, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus has been delivered, including any beneficial owner, a copy of any and all of the documents referred to herein that are summarized and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, if such person makes a written or oral request directed to:
Tiffany & Co.
ATTN: Corporate Secretary
727 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212-755-8000
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IN MAKING YOUR DECISION WHETHER TO INVEST IN THE SECURITIES. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION THAT DIFFERS FROM THAT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. THIS PROSPECTUS IS DATED AUGUST 24, 2017. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THAT DATE, UNLESS WE OTHERWISE NOTE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including documents incorporated herein by reference, contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning our plans, assumptions, expectations, beliefs and objectives with respect to store openings and closings, product introductions, sales, sales growth, sales trends, store traffic, our strategy and initiatives and the pace of execution thereon, our objectives to compete in the global luxury market and to improve financial performance, retail prices, gross margin, operating margin, expenses, interest expense and financing costs, effective income tax rate, net earnings and net earnings per share, share count, inventories, capital expenditures, cash flow, liquidity, currency translation, macroeconomic conditions, growth opportunities, litigation outcomes and recovery related thereto, contributions to our pension plans, and certain ongoing or planned real estate, product, marketing, retail, customer experience, manufacturing, supply chain, information systems development, upgrades and replacement, and other operational and strategic initiatives. In addition, management makes other forward-looking statements from time to time concerning plans, assumptions, objectives and expectations. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that can be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “assumes,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “pursues,” “scheduled,” “continues,” “outlook,” “may,” “will,” “can,” “should” and variations of such words and similar expressions. One can also identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements are based upon the current views and plans of management, speak only as of the date on which they are made and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control. Actual results could therefore differ materially from the planned, assumed or expected results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. While we cannot predict all of the factors that could form the basis of such differences, key factors include, but are not limited to: global macroeconomic and geopolitical developments; changes in interest and foreign currency rates; changes in taxation policies and regulations; shifting tourism trends; regional instability; violence (including terrorist activities); political activities or events; weather conditions that may affect local and tourist consumer spending; changes in consumer confidence, preferences and shopping patterns, as well as our ability to accurately predict and timely respond to such changes; shifts in our product and geographic sales mix; variations in the cost and availability of diamonds, gemstones and precious metals; adverse publicity regarding us and our products, our third-party vendors or the diamond or jewelry industry more generally; any non-compliance by third-party vendors and suppliers with our sourcing and quality standards, codes of conduct, or contractual requirements as well as applicable laws and regulations; changes in our competitive landscape; disruptions impacting our business and operations; failure to successfully implement or make changes to our information systems; gains or losses in the trading value of our stock, which may impact the amount of stock repurchased; our ability to successfully control costs and execute on, and achieve the expected benefits from, the operational and strategic initiatives referenced above; and any adverse developments or delays that we encounter in securing work authorization for, or otherwise on-boarding, our next chief executive officer. Developments relating to these and other factors may also warrant changes to our operating and strategic plans, including with respect to store openings, closings and renovations, capital expenditures, information systems development, inventory management, and continuing execution on, or timing of, the aforementioned initiatives. Such changes could also cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Additional information about potential risks and uncertainties that could affect our business and financial results is included under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2017 and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 2017.
Although we believe that we have been prudent in our plans and the underlying assumptions, no assurance can be given that any goal or plan set forth in forward-looking statements can or will be achieved, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any of the forward-looking information included in this prospectus or any document we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in expectations or otherwise.
ABOUT THE REGISTRANT
Tiffany & Co. is a holding company that operates through its subsidiary companies. Tiffany & Co.’s principal subsidiary is Tiffany and Company (“Tiffany”). Charles Lewis Tiffany founded Tiffany’s business in 1837. He incorporated Tiffany in New York in 1868. Tiffany & Co. acquired Tiffany in 1984 and completed the initial public offering of its common stock in 1987. Tiffany & Co., through its subsidiaries, sells jewelry and other items that it manufactures or has made by others to its specifications.
Tiffany & Co. is a Delaware corporation. Its principal executive offices are located at 727 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Its telephone number is (212) 755-8000.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves risk. Before you decide whether to purchase any of our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in any prospectus supplement to this prospectus, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed subsequently to such Annual Report on Form 10-K, that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement in their entirety, as the same may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by our filings under the Exchange Act. For more information, see the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” You should also carefully consider the risks and other information, documents or reports included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise stated in any applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds of any offering for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of debt, repurchases of outstanding shares of common stock, acquisitions, investments, additions to working capital, investments in our subsidiaries and capital expenditures. Net proceeds may be temporarily invested prior to use.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our historical ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation By Reference.” |
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| Six Months Ended July 31, | Year Ended January 31, |
| 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges | 6.0x | 5.5x | 6.2x | 6.6x | 6.4x | 2.9x | 6.3x |
Earnings available for fixed charges represent income before income taxes and fixed charges before preferred stock dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries. Fixed charges represent interest expense (before interest is capitalized), amortization of deferred financing costs and an appropriate interest factor on operating leases. Interest expense does not include interest related to uncertain tax positions and other non-third party indebtedness.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a general description of the debt securities that we may offer from time to time. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions described below may apply to those securities will be described in such prospectus supplement. We also may sell hybrid securities that combine certain features of debt securities and other securities described in this prospectus. As you read this section, please remember that the specific terms of a debt security as described in any applicable prospectus supplement will supplement and may modify or replace the general terms described in this section. If there are any differences between any applicable prospectus supplement and this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement will control. As a result, the statements we make in this section may not apply to the debt security you purchase.
Tiffany & Co. is the issuer of the applicable series of debt securities and references to “we”, “our” and “us” in this description do not, unless the context otherwise indicates, include any of its subsidiaries. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this section have the respective meanings set forth in the applicable indenture.
General
The debt securities that we may offer will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Any senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture, dated as of September 25, 2014, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., which we refer to as the senior indenture. Any subordinated debt securities will be issued under a different indenture, which we refer to as the subordinated indenture, to be entered into between us and the trustee named in any applicable prospectus supplement. We refer to both the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture as the indentures, and to each of the trustees under the indentures as a trustee. The terms of each series of debt securities will be set forth in a resolution of our board of directors, an officers’ certificate or by a supplemental indenture. You should read the indentures, including any amendments or supplements thereto and any officers’ certificate setting forth the terms of any series of debt securities, carefully to fully understand the terms of the debt securities. The senior indenture and the form of the subordinated indenture have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indentures are subject to, are governed by, and will be qualified under, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).
Any senior debt securities that we may issue will be our unsubordinated obligations. They will rank equally with each other and all of our other unsubordinated debt, unless otherwise indicated in any applicable prospectus supplement. Any subordinated debt securities that we may issue will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of our senior debt. See “─Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities.” The subordinated debt securities will rank equally with each other, unless otherwise indicated in any applicable prospectus supplement. We will indicate in each applicable prospectus supplement, as of the most recent practicable date, the aggregate amount of our outstanding debt that would rank senior to the subordinated debt securities.
The indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that can be issued thereunder and provide that debt securities of any series may be issued thereunder up to the aggregate principal amount that we may authorize from time to time. Unless otherwise provided in any applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures do not limit the amount of other indebtedness or securities that we may issue. We may issue debt securities of the same series at more than one time and, unless prohibited by the terms of the applicable series, we may reopen a series for issuances of additional debt securities without the consent of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of that series. All debt securities issued as a series, including those issued pursuant to any reopening of a series, will vote together as a single class.
Reference is made to any prospectus supplement for the following and other possible terms of each series of the debt securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered:
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• | the title of the debt securities; |
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• | the principal amount of debt securities being offered and, if a series, any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series that may be authenticated and delivered under the applicable indenture, except for debt securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, other debt securities of that series; |
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• | the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of the debt securities of the series is payable; |
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• | the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities of the series shall bear interest or the manner of calculation of such rate or rates, if any, including any procedures to vary or reset such rate or rates, and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months; |
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• | the place or places where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series shall be payable, where the debt securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon us with respect to the debt securities of such series and the applicable indenture may be served, and the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means if other than as set forth in the applicable indenture; |
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• | the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such dates, and the record date for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable on any such dates; |
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• | any trustees, authenticating agents or paying agents with respect to such series, if different from those set forth in the applicable indenture; |
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• | the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods or defer the payment of interest and the duration of such extension or deferral; |
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• | the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which, debt securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option; |
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• | our obligation, if any, to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions, including payments made in cash in anticipation of future sinking fund obligations, or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, debt securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; |
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• | the form of the debt securities of the series including the form of the trustee’s certificate of authentication for such series; |
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• | if other than denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which the debt securities of the series shall be issuable; |
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• | the currency or currencies in which payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, debt securities of the series shall be payable; |
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• | if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of debt securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such stated maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the portion of the principal amount thereof that will be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or that will be deemed to be outstanding as of any such date, or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined; |
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• | the terms of any repurchase or remarketing rights; |
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• | if the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities, the type of global security to be issued; the terms and conditions, if different from those contained in the applicable indenture, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities in definitive registered form; the depositary for such global security or securities; and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such global security or securities in addition to or in lieu of the legends referred to in the applicable indenture; |
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• | whether the debt securities of the series will be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate or the method of calculation, how and when the conversion price or exchange ratio may be adjusted, whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, the conversion or exchange period, and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those described herein; |
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• | any additional restrictive covenants or events of default that will apply to the debt securities of the series, or any changes to the restrictive covenants set forth in the applicable indenture that will apply to the debt securities of the series, which may establish different terms or provisions from those set forth in the applicable indenture or eliminate any such restrictive covenant or event of default set forth in the applicable indenture with respect to the debt securities of the series; |
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• | any provisions granting special rights to holders when a specified event occurs; |
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• | if the amount of principal or any premium or interest on debt securities of a series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined; |
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• | any special tax implications of the debt securities, including provisions for original issue discount securities, if offered; |
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• | whether and upon what terms debt securities of a series may be defeased if different from the provisions set forth in the applicable indenture; |
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• | with regard to the debt securities of any series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the trustee; |
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• | whether the debt securities of the series will be issued as unrestricted securities or restricted securities, and, if issued as restricted securities, the rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act in reliance on which they will be sold; |
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• | any other restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment; |
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• | any guarantees on the debt securities, including the identity of the guarantors and the terms of such guarantees; |
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• | the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the debt securities of the series; |
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• | any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to debt securities of such series if other than those appointed in the applicable indenture; |
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• | if the debt securities are subordinated debt securities, the subordination terms of the debt securities; and |
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• | any and all additional, eliminated or changed terms that shall apply to the debt securities of the series, including any terms that may be required by or advisable under United States laws or regulations, including the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series. |
We will comply with Section 14(e) under the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable, and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable, in connection with any obligation to purchase debt securities at the option of the holders thereof. Any such obligation applicable to a series of debt securities will be described in any prospectus supplement relating thereto.
Unless otherwise described in any prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities, there are no covenants or provisions contained in the indentures that may afford the holders of debt securities protection in the event that we enter into a highly leveraged transaction.
The statements made hereunder relating to the indentures and any debt securities that we may issue are summaries of certain provisions thereof and are qualified in their entirety by reference to all provisions of the applicable indentures and debt securities and the descriptions thereof, if different, in any applicable prospectus supplement.
Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities
We will set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement the terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of subordinated debt securities is subordinated to any other series of debt securities issued pursuant to this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, or to our other indebtedness. The terms will include a description of:
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• | the debt securities and other indebtedness ranking senior to the debt securities being offered and any applicable limitations on the issuance of additional senior debt securities and/or other indebtedness; |
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• | the restrictions, if any, on payments to the holders of the debt securities being offered while a default with respect to the senior debt securities and/or other indebtedness is continuing; and |
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• | the provisions requiring holders of the debt securities being offered to remit some payments to the holders of senior debt securities and/or other indebtedness. |
Redemption
If specified in any applicable prospectus supplement, we may redeem the debt securities of any series, as a whole or in part, at our option on and after the dates and in accordance with the terms established for such series in such prospectus supplement. If we redeem the debt securities of any series, we also must pay accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption on such debt securities.
Selection and Notice
If less than all of the debt securities of a series are to be redeemed at any time, the trustee will select the debt securities of such series for redemption on a pro rata basis or, in the case of debt securities issued in global form as discussed under “Book-Entry, Delivery and Form,” based on the applicable procedures of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).
No debt securities in principal amount of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of debt securities of such series to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with the exercise of our defeasance option with respect to the debt securities of such series or a satisfaction and discharge of the indenture applicable thereto.
If any debt security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that debt security will state the portion of the principal amount of that debt security that is to be redeemed. A new debt security in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original debt security will be issued in the name of the holder of the original debt security upon cancellation of the original debt security. Debt securities called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the debt securities or portions of the debt securities called for redemption on the date fixed for redemption.
The trustee will not be liable for selections made by it as contemplated in this section. For any debt securities which are represented by global securities held on behalf of DTC, Euroclear Systems (“Euroclear”) or Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”), notices may be given by delivery of the relevant notices to DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream for communication to entitled account holders in substitution for the aforesaid mailing.
Reports
Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any debt securities are outstanding, we shall file with the trustee, within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and regulations, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the forgoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that we would be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. We shall be deemed to have complied with the previous sentence to the extent that such information, documents and reports are filed with the SEC via EDGAR, or any successor electronic delivery procedure. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the trustee is for informational purposes only, and the trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including our compliance with any covenants under the indenture (as to which the trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on officers’ certificates).
Events of Default
The following will be “Events of Default” under the indentures with respect to debt securities of a particular series, unless otherwise specified in any applicable prospectus supplement:
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• | failure to pay any interest on any of the debt securities of such series within 30 days after such interest becomes due and payable; |
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• | failure to pay principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the debt securities of such series at maturity, or if applicable, the redemption price, when the same becomes due and payable by the terms of the debt securities of such series; |
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• | failure to pay any sinking fund installment as and when the same shall become due and payable by the terms of the debt securities of such series; |
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• | failure to comply with (or obtain a waiver with respect to) any of the covenants or agreements in any of the debt securities of such series or the applicable indenture (other than an agreement or covenant that has been expressly included in the indenture solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of securities) for 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the trustee or to us by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities affected by that failure a written notice specifying such failure and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “notice of default” under the applicable indenture; |
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• | certain events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and |
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• | any other Event of Default provided in the supplemental indenture, officers’ certificate or resolution of our board of directors under which such series of debt securities is issued or in the form of security for such series. |
A default under one series of debt securities issued under the applicable indenture will not necessarily be a default under another series of debt securities under such indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of a series of debt securities issued under such indenture of any default or event of default (except with respect to a failure by us to make any payment on the debt securities of such series as described above) if the trustee considers it in the interest of the holders of the debt securities of that series to do so.
If an event of default for a series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the penultimate bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding may require us to pay immediately the principal amount (and premium, if any) plus accrued and unpaid interest on all the debt securities of that series. If an event of default specified in the penultimate bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount (and premium, if any) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the debt securities of that series will become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of the trustee or any holder. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding may in some cases waive or rescind this accelerated payment requirement.
A holder of debt securities of any series may pursue any remedy under the indenture applicable to the debt securities of that series only if:
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• | the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default; |
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• | the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy; |
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• | the holder furnishes to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee; |
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• | the trustee fails to act for a period of 60 days after receipt of notice and furnishing of indemnity; and |
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• | during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with the request. |
This provision does not, however, affect the right of any holder to receive payment of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the debt securities of such series, or to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment with respect to the debt securities of such series. In most cases, holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of:
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• | conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series; or |
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• | exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee not relating to or arising under an event of default with respect to the debt securities of such series. |
The indentures require us to file with the trustee each year a written statement as to our compliance with the covenants contained in the applicable indenture, and we are required upon becoming aware of any default or Event of Default, to deliver to the trustee a statement specifying such default or Event of Default.
Covenants
Unless otherwise described in any prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities, there are no covenants or other provisions contained in the indentures that may afford the holders of the debt securities protection in the event that we enter into a highly leveraged transaction.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
We will covenant not to consolidate with or merge into any other person or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’, taken as a whole, assets to any
person unless either we are the surviving corporation or the resulting, surviving or transferee entity is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States or, if such person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the notes is a corporation organized under any such laws, and any successor or purchaser expressly assumes our obligations under the debt securities by an indenture supplemental to the applicable indenture, and immediately after which, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing. An officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel will be delivered to the trustee, which will serve as conclusive evidence of compliance with these provisions.
Modification and Waiver
Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the indentures or the debt securities of any series may be amended or supplemented, and waivers may be obtained with respect thereto, with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each series at the time outstanding, voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer). Any existing default or Event of Default (other than a default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of (premium on, if any) or interest on, debt securities of such series, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provisions of such indentures or the applicable debt securities may also be waived with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each series at the time outstanding, voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such series). Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of each holder of outstanding debt securities affected thereby, an amendment, supplement or waiver of the indentures or the debt securities may not:
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• | reduce the percentage in outstanding principal amount of debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required for any such amendment, supplement or waiver; |
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• | reduce the rate of, or change the time for payment of, interest on any debt securities; |
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• | reduce the principal, or change the stated maturity of, any debt securities; |
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• | reduce any premium payable on the redemption of any debt security, change the time at which any debt security may or must be redeemed or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of such debt securities; |
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• | make payments on any debt security payable in currency other than as originally stated in the applicable indenture for such debt security; |
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• | impair the holder’s right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security; or |
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• | waive a continuing default or Event of Default regarding any payment on the debt securities. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, we and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the applicable debt securities in certain circumstances, including:
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• | to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency therein; |
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• | to provide for the assumption of our obligations under the indenture by a successor or transferee upon any merger, consolidation or asset transfer to comply with the provisions under the caption “‒Covenants‒Consolidation, Merger or Sale”; |
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• | to provide any security for, or guarantees of, the debt securities or for the addition of an additional obligor on the debt securities; |
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• | to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; |
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• | to comply with any requirement to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, if applicable; |
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• | to add covenants that would benefit the holders of any outstanding debt securities or to surrender any of our rights under the applicable indenture; |
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• | to add additional Events of Default with respect to any outstanding debt securities; |
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• | to provide for the issuance of, and establish forms and terms and conditions of, a new series of debt securities in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture; |
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• | to issue additional debt securities of any series; provided that such additional debt securities have the same terms as, and be deemed part of the same series as, the applicable series of debt securities to the extent required under the indenture; |
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• | to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of outstanding debt securities in any material respect; |
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• | to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trust by more than one trustee; |
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• | to conform the applicable indenture or the debt securities to any provision of this “Description of Debt Securities” section or any subsequent description of debt securities contained in any prospectus supplement to the extent that such provision in this section “Description of Debt Securities” or any subsequent description of debt securities contained in any prospectus supplement is intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the applicable indenture, the debt securities or the debt security guarantees, as applicable; or |
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• | to make any amendment to the provisions of the applicable indenture relating to the transfer and legending of debt securities; provided, however, that (i) compliance with the applicable indenture as so amended would not result in debt securities being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities laws and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of holders to transfer debt securities. |
A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant, Event of Default or other provision of the applicable indenture that has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of securities, if any, or which modifies the rights of the holders of such securities with respect to such covenant, Event of Default or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under the applicable indenture of the holders of securities of any other series that does not have the benefit of such covenant, Event of Default or other provision.
It will not be necessary for the consent of the holders of debt securities to approve the particular form of any proposed supplement, amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance of such supplement, amendment or waiver.
Information Concerning the Trustee
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The trustee will become obligated to exercise any of its powers under the applicable indenture at the request of any of the holders of any debt securities issued under the indenture only after those holders have furnished the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it.
If the trustee becomes a creditor of ours, it will be subject to limitations in the indenture on its rights to obtain payment of claims or to realize on certain property received for any such claim, as security or otherwise. The
trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with us. If, however, it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict, resign or obtain an order from the SEC permitting it to remain as trustee.
Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent
We will maintain one or more paying agents (each, a “Paying Agent”) for any debt securities we issue in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York. We, upon written notice to the trustee accompanied by an officers’ certificate, may appoint one or more paying agents, other than the trustee, for all or any series of such debt securities. If we fail to appoint or maintain another entity as paying agent, the trustee shall act as such. We or any of our subsidiaries, upon notice to the trustee, may act as paying agent.
We will also maintain one or more registrars (each, a “Registrar”) with an office in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York. We, upon written notice to the trustee accompanied by an officers’ certificate, may appoint one or more registrars, other than the trustee, for all or any series of debt securities. If we fail to appoint or maintain another entity as registrar, the trustee shall act as such. We or any of our subsidiaries, upon notice to the trustee, may act as registrar.
We will also maintain one or more transfer agents with offices in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York. We, upon written notice to the trustee accompanied by an officers’ certificate, may appoint one or more transfer agents, other than the trustee, for all or any series of debt securities. If we fail to appoint or maintain another entity as transfer agent, the trustee shall act as such. We or any of our subsidiaries, upon notice to the trustee, may act as transfer agent.
The Registrar will maintain a register reflecting ownership of debt securities outstanding from time to time, and the Paying Agents will make payments on, and facilitate transfer of debt securities on, our behalf. We may change any Paying Agents, Registrars or transfer agents without prior notice to the holders of debt securities.
Governing Law
The indentures and any debt securities issued thereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of laws principles that would require the application of any other law. The indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of the indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture
Each indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to a series of debt securities issued thereunder when either:
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• | we have delivered to the trustee for cancellation all outstanding debt securities of such series, other than any debt securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in such indenture; |
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• | all outstanding debt securities of such series that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and we shall have irrevocably deposited with the trustee as trust funds the entire amount, in cash in U.S. dollars or noncallable U.S. governmental obligations, or a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay at maturity or upon redemption all debt securities of such series including principal of (including premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be; or |
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• | we have properly fulfilled any other means of satisfaction and discharge that may be set forth in the applicable indenture or in the terms of the debt securities of such series. |
In each case, we will also pay all other sums payable by us under the applicable indenture with respect to the securities of such series and deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel and an officers’ certificate, each stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge with respect to the debt securities of such series have been complied with.
Defeasance
The term “defeasance” means the discharge of some or all of our obligations under the indentures. If we deposit with the trustee cash in U.S. dollars or noncallable U.S. governmental obligations, or a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants, to make payments on any series of debt securities on the dates those payments are due and payable, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:
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• | we will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the outstanding debt securities of such series (“legal defeasance”); or |
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• | we will no longer have any obligation to comply with certain covenants under the applicable indenture, and the related events of default will no longer apply to us (“covenant defeasance”). |
If we exercise our legal defeasance or covenant defeasance option with respect to any series of debt securities, the holders of such defeased debt securities will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture under which such series was issued, except for our obligation to register the transfer or exchange of such debt securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities or maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust as described above. In the case of covenant defeasance, our obligation to pay principal, premium and interest on such debt securities will also survive. We will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit of funds described above and related defeasance would not cause the holders of such debt securities to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. If we elect to exercise our legal defeasance option, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in any applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless otherwise provided in such prospectus supplement, debt securities that are represented by a global security will be issued in denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof and will be issued in registered form only, without coupons.
We anticipate that any global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, and that such global securities will be registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC’s nominee. We further anticipate that the following provisions will apply to the depository arrangements with respect to any such global securities. Any additional or differing terms of the depository arrangements will be described in any applicable prospectus supplement.
Beneficial interests in the global securities will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct or indirect participants in DTC.
Investors may elect to hold their interests in the global securities through either DTC (in the United States) or (in Europe) through Clearstream or through Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear. Investors may hold their interests in the global securities directly, if they are participants of such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in these systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream’s and Euroclear’s names on the books of their
respective U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold these interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC. Beneficial interests in the global securities will be held in denominations of $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Except as set forth below, the global securities may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.
Debt securities represented by a global security can be exchanged for definitive securities in registered form only if:
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• | DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for that global security, and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days after receiving that notice; |
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• | at any time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulation, and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days after becoming aware that DTC has ceased to be registered as a clearing agency; or |
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• | we determine that that global security will be exchangeable for definitive securities in registered form and we notify the trustee of our decision. |
A global security that can be exchanged as described in the preceding sentence will be exchanged for definitive securities issued in authorized denominations in registered form for the same aggregate amount. The definitive securities will be registered in the names of the owners of the beneficial interests in the global security as directed by DTC.
We will make principal (including premium, if any) and interest payments on all debt securities represented by a global security to the paying agent which in turn will make payment to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the sole registered owner and the sole holder of the debt securities represented by a global security for all purposes under the indenture. Accordingly, we, the trustee and any paying agent will have no responsibility or liability for:
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• | any aspect of DTC’s records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in a debt security represented by a global security; or |
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• | any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its participants or the relationship between those participants and the owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through those participants; or |
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• | the maintenance, supervision or review of any of DTC’s records relating to those beneficial ownership interests. |
DTC has advised us that its current practice is to credit participants’ accounts on each payment date with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global security as shown on DTC’s records, upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information. The underwriters or agents for the debt securities represented by a global security will initially designate the accounts to be credited. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for customer accounts registered in “street name,” and will be the sole responsibility of those participants. Book-entry notes may be more difficult to pledge because of the lack of a physical note.
DTC
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global security, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by that global security for all purposes of the debt securities. Owners of beneficial interests in the debt securities will not be entitled to have debt securities registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered owners or holders of debt securities under the indenture. Accordingly,
each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a DTC participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of debt securities. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in certificated form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial owners may experience delays in receiving distributions on their debt securities since distributions will initially be made to DTC and must then be transferred through the chain of intermediaries to the beneficial owner’s account.
We understand that, under existing industry practices, if we request holders to take any action, or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to take any action which a holder is entitled to take under the applicable indenture, then DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to take that action and those participants would authorize the beneficial owners owning through such participants to take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
Beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and transfers of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants for that global security. The conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to its participants and by its participants to owners of beneficial interests in the debt securities will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect.
DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act.
DTC holds the securities of its participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants. The electronic book-entry system eliminates the need for physical certificates. DTC’s participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
Clearstream
Clearstream has advised us that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations (“Clearstream Participants”), and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to Clearstream Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic securities markets in several countries. As a registered bank in Luxembourg, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations. In the U.S., Clearstream Participants are limited to securities brokers and dealers and banks. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant either directly or indirectly. Clearstream is an indirect participant in DTC.
Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream.
Euroclear
Euroclear has advised us that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear (“Euroclear Participants”), and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear performs various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interacts with domestic markets in several countries. The Euroclear System is owned by Euroclear Clearance System Public Limited Company (ECSplc) and operated through Euroclear Bank S.A/N.V. (the “Euroclear Operator”), a bank incorporated under the laws of the Kingdom Belgium, under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the “Cooperative”). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include banks, including central banks, securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.
The Euroclear Operator advises us that it is regulated and examined by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission and the National Bank of Belgium.
Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (herein the “Terms and Conditions”). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants, and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.
Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Euroclear.
Euroclear has further advised us that investors that acquire, hold and transfer interests in the debt securities by book-entry through accounts with the Euroclear Operator or any other securities intermediary are subject to the laws and contractual provisions governing their relationship with their intermediary, as well as the laws and contractual provisions governing the relationship between such an intermediary and each other intermediary, if any, standing between themselves and the global securities.
Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures
Initial settlement for the debt securities will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System. Secondary market trading between Clearstream Participants and/or Euroclear Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.
Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its
U.S. depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving debt securities through DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream Participants and Euroclear Participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.
Because of time-zone differences, credits of debt securities received through Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such debt securities settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear Participants or Clearstream Participants on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of debt securities by or through a Clearstream Participant or a Euroclear Participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.
If the debt securities are cleared only through Euroclear and Clearstream (and not DTC), you will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices, and other transactions involving any securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers, and other institutions are open for business in the United States. In addition, because of time-zone differences, U.S. investors who hold their interests in the securities through these systems and wish to transfer their interests, or to receive or make a payment or delivery or exercise any other right with respect to their interests, on a particular day may find that the transaction will not be effected until the next business day in Luxembourg or Brussels, as applicable. Thus, U.S. investors who wish to exercise rights that expire on a particular day may need to act before the expiration date.
Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of debt securities among participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be modified or discontinued at any time. Neither we nor any paying agent will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective direct or indirect participants of their obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
Tiffany & Co. is authorized to issue 240,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, and 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value. As of July 31, 2017, there were 124,512,208 shares of common stock outstanding, and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TIF.” All outstanding shares of common stock are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
The following description of the terms of our common stock is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and our Restated By-laws (the “By-laws”) both of which have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Voting Rights
The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted for action by our stockholders. There is no provision for cumulative voting with regard to the election of directors.
Dividend and Liquidation Rights
Subject to the preferences applicable to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at any time, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by our board of directors from funds legally available therefore and are entitled, in the event of a liquidation, to share ratably in all assets remaining paid after payment of liquidation.
Other Rights
The holders of our common stock have no preemptive rights and no rights to convert their common stock into any other securities, and our common stock is not subject to any redemption or sinking fund provisions.
Anti-Takeover Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws and Delaware Law
Various provisions contained in our Certificate of Incorporation, our By-laws and Delaware law could delay or discourage certain transactions involving an actual or potential change in control of Tiffany & Co. or its management and may limit the ability of Tiffany & Co. stockholders to remove current management or approve transactions that our stockholders may deem to be in their best interests.
Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws
Provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and our By-laws:
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• | authorize our board of directors to establish one or more series or classes of undesignated preferred stock, the terms of which can be determined by the board of directors at the time of issuance; |
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• | do not authorize cumulative voting; |
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• | provide that only a majority of our board of directors may call a special meeting of the stockholders; |
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• | allow our directors to fill any vacancies on our board of directors, including vacancies resulting from a board of directors resolution to increase the number of directors; |
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• | generally require the vote of 80% of stockholders to approve any merger or consolidation, the sale of all or a substantial portion of our assets, the issuance of our stock or other securities or any reverse |
stock split or exchange of assets for our stock, in each case to or involving any holder of more than 10% of our stock, unless approved by our board of directors;
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• | provide an advance written notice procedure with respect to stockholder nominations of persons for election as directors or other business; and |
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• | provide that any election or other action by our stockholders must be effected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and may not be effected by written consent without a meeting. |
Delaware Law
We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which, with specified exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder unless:
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• | before that time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; |
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• | upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or |
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• | at or after that time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law defines a business combination to include the following:
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• | any merger or consolidation of the corporation with the interested stockholder; |
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• | any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets or outstanding stock of the corporation involving the interested stockholder; |
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• | subject to specified exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder; |
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• | any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or |
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• | any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation. |
In general, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law defines an “interested stockholder” as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by that entity or person. The application of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law may make it difficult and expensive for a third party to pursue a takeover attempt we do not approve, even if a change in control would be beneficial to the interests of our stockholders.
Transfer Agent
Computershare serves as our transfer agent.
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER SECURITIES
We will set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement a description of any preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares, purchase contracts or units that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the offered securities through agents, through underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers, through a combination of any of these methods of sale or through any other methods described in any applicable prospectus supplement. The distribution of securities may be effected, from time to time, in one or more transactions, including block transactions and transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or any other organized market where the securities may be traded. The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The consideration received in connection with such sales may be cash or another form negotiated by the parties. Agents, underwriters or dealers may be paid compensation for offering and selling the securities. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions to be received from us or from the purchasers of the securities. We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in any applicable prospectus supplement.
Any applicable prospectus supplement will set forth whether or not an underwriter may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids.
In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the aggregate maximum discount, commission or agency fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of the proceeds from any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.
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
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP will pass upon the validity of any securities issued under this prospectus. Any underwriters will be represented by their own legal counsel.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2017 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following statement sets forth our expenses in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement (all of which will be borne by us). All amounts shown are estimated.
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SEC registration fee | $ | * |
Printing expenses | | + |
Legal fees and expenses | | + |
Accounting fees and expenses | | + |
Miscellaneous expenses | | + |
Trustee fees and expenses | | + |
Total | $ | + |
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* | In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act, we are deferring payment of the registration fee for the securities offered by this prospectus. |
+ | Estimated expenses are not presently known and will be reflected in any applicable prospectus supplement. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Article Eighth of the Registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that a director shall not be personally liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents in certain circumstances and subject to certain limitations. The indemnification provisions of Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law are generally reflected in Section 6.01 of the Registrant’s By-laws, which provides that the Registrant shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, indemnify and hold harmless any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit, proceeding, or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including without limitation an action by or in the right of the Registrant) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Registrant appointed by resolution of the board of directors of the Registrant, or is or was a director or officer of the Registrant appointed by resolutions of the board of directors of the Registrant, serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee, agent or other similar function of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise at any time during which the By-laws are in effect (whether or not such person continues to serve in such capacity at the time any indemnification is sought or at the time any proceeding relating thereto exists or is brought) (each such person an “eligible person”), against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, liability, loss, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such eligible person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such eligible person acted in good faith and in a manner such eligible person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Registrant, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such conduct was unlawful; provided, however, that in the event of any action, suit or proceeding initiated by and in the name of (or by and in the name of a nominee or agent for) a person who would otherwise be entitled to indemnification under the By-laws, such person shall be entitled to indemnification thereunder (and considered an eligible person) only in the event such action, suit or proceeding was initiated on the authorization of the board of directors. This right of indemnity is not exclusive and the Registrant may provide indemnification to any person, by agreement or otherwise, on such terms and conditions as the board of directors
may approve. The Registrant has entered into separate indemnification agreements with its directors and officers. Moreover, any future agreement for indemnification of any director, officer, employee or other person may provide indemnification rights that are broader or otherwise different from those set forth herein.
Section 6.04 of the By-laws states that the Registrant may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Registrant appointed by resolution of the board of directors of the Registrant, or is or was a director or officer of the Registrant appointed by resolution of the board of directors of the Registrant serving at the request of the Registrant as a director, officer, employee, agent or other similar function of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Registrant would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability pursuant to the By-laws. To this end, the directors and officers of the Registrant are covered by one or more insurance policies under which they are insured, within certain limits and subject to certain limitations, against certain expenses in connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings, and certain liabilities that might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings in which they are parties by reason of being or having been directors or officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act 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 SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
Item 16. Exhibits.
A list of exhibits included as part of this Registration Statement is set forth in the Exhibit Index which immediately precedes such exhibits and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 17. Undertakings.
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;
(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 the 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 SEC 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 information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC 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 is 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, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities in the post-effective amendment 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 to any purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the 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 10(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 that 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 the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 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.
(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 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.
(7) For an offering in which the securities to be registered are to be offered to existing security holders pursuant to warrants or rights and any securities not taken by security holders are to be reoffered to the public, the Registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the
amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.
(8) 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 SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(9) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933:
(i) the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A under the Securities Act of 1933 and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and (ii) each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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.
(10) 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 SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on August 24, 2017.
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| TIFFANY & CO. | |
| By: /s/ Michael J. Kowalski | |
| Michael J. Kowalski | |
| Chairman of the Board and | |
| Interim Chief Executive Officer | |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Michael J. Kowalski, Mark J. Erceg and Leigh M. Harlan and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, severally, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this registration statement and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (and any additional registration statement related hereto permitted by Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (and all further amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto)), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any of them or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated below.
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Signature | Title | Date |
/s/ Michael J. Kowalski | Chairman of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) (Director) | August 24, 2017 |
Michael J. Kowalski |
/s/ Mark J. Erceg | Executive Vice President - Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | August 24, 2017 |
Mark J. Erceg |
/s/ Michael Rinaldo | Vice President - Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) | August 24, 2017 |
Michael Rinaldo |
/s/ Rose Marie Bravo | Director | August 24, 2017 |
Rose Marie Bravo |
/s/ Gary E. Costley | Director | August 24, 2017 |
Gary E. Costley |
/s/ Roger N. Farah | Director | August 24, 2017 |
Roger N. Farah |
/s/ Lawrence K. Fish | Director | August 24, 2017 |
Lawrence K. Fish |
/s/ Abby F. Kohnstamm | Director | August 24, 2017 |
Abby F. Kohnstamm |
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/s/ James E. Lillie | Director | August 24, 2017 |
James E. Lillie |
/s/ Charles K. Marquis | Director | August 24, 2017 |
Charles K. Marquis |
/s/ William A. Shutzer | Director | August 24, 2017 |
William A. Shutzer |
/s/ Robert S. Singer | Director | August 24, 2017 |
Robert S. Singer |
/s/ Francesco Trapani | Director | August 24, 2017 |
Francesco Trapani |
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit Number | | Description | |
1.1* | | Form of Underwriting Agreement. | |
3.1** | | Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K dated May 16, 1996, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation dated May 20, 1999. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 filed with Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter ended July 31, 1999. | |
3.1a** | | Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant dated May 18, 2000. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1b to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year ended January 31, 2001. | |
3.2** | | Restated By-Laws of Registrant, as last amended March 16, 2017. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2017. | |
4.1** | | Senior Indenture, dated as of September 25, 2014, between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.5 to Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K dated September 26, 2014. | |
4.2** | | Form of Subordinated Indenture. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR dated August 27, 2014. | |
4.3** | | Form of Senior Note. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR dated August 27, 2014. | |
4.4** | | Form of Subordinated Note. Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.4 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR dated August 27, 2014. | |
4.5 | | Upon the request of the SEC, Registrant will furnish a copy of all instruments defining the rights of holders of all other long-term debt of Registrant. | |
5.1 | | Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. | |
12.1 | | Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. | |
23.1 | | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. | |
23.2 | | Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (set forth in Exhibit 5.1). | |
24.1 | | Powers of Attorney (included on signature page to this registration statement). | |
25.1 | | Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, in respect of Senior Indenture dated as of September 25, 2014. | |
25.2 | | Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of Trustee in respect of the form of Subordinated Indenture. | |
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* To be filed by amendment to this Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
** Incorporated herein by reference.