Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises Inc.
11/21/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/21/2024 05:09
Registration Statement Specified Transactions Form S 3
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BABCOCK & WILCOX ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
47-2783641 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
1200 East Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44305
Phone: (330) 753-4511
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
Kenneth M. Young
Chief Executive Officer
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
1200 East Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44305
Phone: (330) 753-4511
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
with copies to:
C. Brophy Christensen, Esq.
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
Two Embarcadero Center, 28th Floor
San Francisco, California 94111
(415) 984-8700
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ¨
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨ Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ¨
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The registrant currently has a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-260854), initially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 5, 2021 and declared effective on November 22, 2021 (the "Prior Registration Statement"), with approximately $340 million of unsold securities previously registered which are being carried forward and included in this registration statement. In accordance with Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the offering of securities on the Prior Registration Statement will be deemed terminated as of the date of effectiveness of this registration statement.
This registration statement contains a base prospectus covering the offer, issuance and sale by us of up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $600 million of our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, subscription rights, debt securities, purchase contracts and units. The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 21, 2024
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities nor may offers to buy these securities be accepted until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PROSPECTUS
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
$600,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Debt Securities
Purchase Contracts
Units
We may offer and sell from time to time our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, subscription rights, debt securities and purchase contracts, as well as units that include any of these securities. We may sell any combination of these securities in one or more offerings with an aggregate initial offering price of $600,000,000 or the equivalent amount in other currencies or currency units.
We will provide the specific terms of the securities to be offered in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our securities. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities.
We may sell securities directly or to or through underwriters or dealers, and also to other purchasers or through agents. The names of any underwriters or agents that are included in a sale of securities to you, and any applicable commissions or discounts, will be stated in an accompanying prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BW", our 8.125% senior notes due 2026 are listed under the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BWSN", our 6.50% senior notes due 2026 are listed under the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BWNB" and our 7.75% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BW PRA". None of the other securities that we may offer under this prospectus are currently publicly traded. On November 20, 2024, the closing price of our common stock was $1.97 per share, the closing price of our 8.125% senior notes due 2026 was $23.88 per Note, the closing price of our 6.50% senior notes due 2026 was $21.35 per Note and the closing price of our Series A preferred stock was $13.07 per share.
Investing in any of our securities involves risk. Please read carefully the section entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 5 of this prospectus.
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.
The date of this prospectus is ,
Table of Contents
| Page | |||
| About This Prospectus | 1 | ||
| Where You Can Find More Information | 1 | ||
| Information We Incorporate By Reference | 1 | ||
| Prospectus Summary | 3 | ||
| Risk Factors | 5 | ||
| Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements | 6 | ||
| Use of Proceeds | 7 | ||
| Description of Capital Stock | 8 | ||
| Description of Depositary Shares | 25 | ||
| Description of Warrants | 27 | ||
| Description of Subscription Rights | 29 | ||
| Description of Debt Securities | 30 | ||
| Description of Purchase Contracts | 46 | ||
| Description of Units | 47 | ||
| Plan of Distribution | 48 | ||
| Experts | 50 |
About This Prospectus
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to an aggregate initial offering price of $600,000,000 or the equivalent amount in other currencies or currency units.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. For a more complete understanding of the offering of the securities, you should refer to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, including its exhibits. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information referenced under the headings "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Information We Incorporate By Reference."
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information from the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus that we may provide you. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any document incorporated by reference or any free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date, other than the date mentioned on the cover page of these documents. We are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.
Unless we otherwise state or the context otherwise indicates, all references in this prospectus to "B&W," the "Company," "us," "our," or "we" or similar references, mean Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
Where You Can Find More Information
We are subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. As a result, we file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These filings are available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. You may read and copy any periodic reports, proxy statements and other information filed by us at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the SEC's Public Reference Room. You may also inspect our periodic reports, proxy statements and other information at our website, http://www.babcock.com. The information contained on or accessible through our website is not a part of this prospectus, other than the documents that we file with the SEC that are specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Information We Incorporate By Reference
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the information in documents we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in or omitted from this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
| · | We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (1) after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement and (2) after the date of this prospectus until the offering of the securities is terminated: |
| · | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 15, 2024, as amended by our Form 10-K/A, filed with the SEC on March 26, 2024; |
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| · | our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 5, 2024, and the supplement to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 5, 2024; |
| · | our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2024, August 8, 2024 and November 12, 2024, respectively; |
| · | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 5, 2024, January 22, 2024, March 12, 2024, April 10, 2024, May 10, 2024, May 21, 2024, June 10, 2024, July 1, 2024, July 10, 2024, July 12, 2024, September 10, 2024, September 23, 2024, October 10, 2024 and November 5, 2024 (solely with respect to Item 2.01). |
| · | the description of our capital stock contained in our Information Statement, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Amendment No. 4 to our Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-36876), filed on June 9, 2015, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
We will not, however, incorporate by reference in this prospectus any documents or portions thereof that are not deemed "filed" with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our current reports on Form 8-K unless, and except to the extent, specified in such current reports.
We hereby undertake to provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any and all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits have been specifically incorporated by reference thereto. Requests for such copies should be directed to our Investor Relations department, at the following address:
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
Attention: Corporate Secretary
1200 East Market Street
Akron, OH 44305
(330) 753-4511
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Prospectus Summary
The following summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making your investment decision. You should read carefully the entire prospectus and the financial statements, notes to financial statements and other information incorporated by reference in this prospectus before making any investment decision.
Our Business
We are a globally-focused renewable, environmental and thermal technologies provider with over 155 years of experience providing diversified energy and emissions control solutions to a broad range of industrial, electrical utility, municipal and other customers. Our innovative products and services are organized into three market-facing segments. Our reportable segments are as follows:
| · | Babcock & Wilcox Renewable: Our innovative hydrogen generation technology (BrightLoopTM) supports global climate goals including the decarbonization of industrial and utility steam and power producers. BrightLoopTM offers significant advantages over other hydrogen generation technologies as it generates competitively priced hydrogen from a wide range of fuels (including solid fuels such as biomass and coal) with a high rate of carbon captured resulting in low (or even negative) carbon intensity hydrogen. We also offer best-in-class technologies for efficient and environmentally sustainable power and heat generation, including waste-to-energy, oxygen-fired biomass-to-energy (OxyBrightTM), and black liquor systems for the pulp and paper industry. Our leading waste-to-energy technologies support a circular economy, diverting waste from landfills to use for power generation or district heating, while recovering metals and reducing emissions. To date, we have installed approximately 500 waste-to-energy and biomass-to-energy units at more than 300 facilities in approximately 30 countries which serve a wide variety of utility, waste management, municipality and investment firm customers. |
| · | Babcock & Wilcox Environmental: Our full suite of best-in-class emissions control and environmental technology solutions for utility, waste-to-energy, biomass-to-energy, carbon black, and industrial steam generation applications supports environmental stewardship around the world. Our broad experience includes systems for ash handling, particulate control, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide removal, dioxin and furan control, carbon dioxide capture, mercury control as well as other acid gas and pollutant control. Our ClimateBrightTM family of products including SolveBrightTM, OxyBrightTM, BrightLoopTM and BrightGenTM, places us at the forefront of hydrogen production and decarbonization technologies and development with many of the aforementioned products already commercially available and others ready for commercial deployment. We believe these technologies position us to compete in the bioenergy with carbon capture and sequestration market. Our portfolio of clean power production solutions continues to evolve to reach customers at all stages of their energy transition. |
| · | Babcock & Wilcox Thermal: Our vast installed base of steam generation equipment and related auxiliaries spans the globe and includes customers in a variety of end markets including power generation, oil and gas, petrochemical, food and beverage, metals and mining, and others. We provide aftermarket parts, construction, maintenance, engineered upgrades and field services for our installed base as well as the installed base of other OEMs; the substantial and stable cash flows generated from these businesses helps to fund our investments in new clean energy initiatives. In addition to our aftermarket offerings, we also provide complete steam generation systems including package boilers, watertube and firetube waste heat boilers, and other boilers to medium and heavy industrial customers. Our unique range of offerings, coupled with the strength of our brand, provides a competitive advantage in existing and emerging markets. |
Our business depends significantly on the capital, operations and maintenance expenditures of global electric power generating companies, including renewable and thermal powered heat generation industries and industrial facilities with environmental compliance policies requirements. Several factors may influence these expenditures, including:
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| · | climate change initiatives promoting environmental policies including renewable energy options utilizing waste-to-energy or biomass to meet legislative requirements and clean energy portfolio standards in the United States, Europe, Middle East and Asia; |
| · | regulations requiring environmental improvements in various industries and global markets; |
| · | expectations regarding future governmental requirements to further limit or reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions in the United States, Europe and other international climate change sensitive countries; |
| · | prices for electricity, along with the cost of production and distribution, including the cost of fuels, within the United States, Europe, Middle East and Asia; |
| · | demand for electricity and other end products of steam-generating facilities; |
| · | level of capacity utilization at operating power plants and other industrial uses of steam production; |
| · | maintenance and upkeep requirements at operating power plants, including to address the accumulated effects of usage; |
| · | overall strength of the industrial industry; |
| · | ability of electric power generating companies and other steam users to raise capital; and |
| · | the impact of geopolitical conflicts, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. |
Customer demand is heavily affected by the variations in our customers' business cycles and by the overall economies and energy, environmental and noise abatement needs of the countries in which they operate.
Corporate Information
We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 1200 East Market Street, Akron, Ohio 44305. Our telephone number is (330) 753-4511. Our website is http://www.babcock.com. The information contained on or accessible through our website is not a part of this prospectus, other than the documents that we file with the SEC that are specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
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Risk Factors
An investment in our securities involves risk. We urge you to carefully consider the risks and other information described under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and our Quarterly Reports for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024, which are incorporated herein by reference, and in other filings we make with the SEC. Any of the risks, as well as additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.
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Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). All statements other than statements of historical or current fact included in this release are forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements include words such as "expect," "intend," "plan," "likely," "seek," "believe," "project," "forecast," "target," "goal," "potential," "estimate," "may," "might," "will," "would," "should," "could," "can," "have," "due," "anticipate," "assume," "contemplate," "continue" and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operational performance or other events.
These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: our financial condition and ability to continue as a going concern; risks associated with contractual pricing in our industry; our relationships with customers, subcontractors and other third parties; our ability to comply with our contractual obligations; disruptions at our manufacturing facilities or a third-party manufacturing facility that we have engaged; the actions or failures of our co-venturers; our ability to implement our growth strategy, including through strategic acquisitions, which we may not successfully consummate or integrate; our evaluation of strategic alternatives for certain businesses and non-core assets may not result in a successful transaction; the risks of unexpected adjustments and cancellations in our backlog; professional liability, product liability, warranty and other claims; our ability to compete successfully against current and future competitors; our ability to develop and successfully market new products; the impacts of macroeconomic downturns, industry conditions and public health crises; the cyclical nature of the industries in which we operate; changes in the legislative and regulatory environment in which we operate; supply chain issues, including shortages of adequate components; failure to properly estimate customer demand; our ability to comply with the covenants in our debt agreements; our ability to refinance our 8.125% Notes due 2026 and 6.50% Notes due 2026 prior to their maturity; our ability to maintain adequate bonding and letter of credit capacity; impairment of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets; credit risk; disruptions in, or failures of, our information systems; our ability to comply with privacy and information security laws; our ability to protect our intellectual property and use the intellectual property that we license from third parties; risks related to our international operations, including fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies, global tariffs, sanctions and export controls could harm our profitability; volatility in the price of our common stock; B. Riley FBR, Inc.'s significant influence over us; changes in tax rates or tax law; our ability to use net operating loss and certain tax credits; our ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; our ability to attract and retain skilled personnel and senior management; labor problems, including negotiations with labor unions and possible work stoppages; risks associated with our retirement benefit plans; natural disasters or other events beyond our control, such as war, armed conflicts or terrorist attacks; and the risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" in our periodic reports filed with the SEC, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC.
These forward-looking statements are made based upon detailed assumptions and reflect management's current expectations and beliefs. While we believe that these assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment that are difficult to predict and may be beyond our control. Such uncertainties and factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date of this prospectus supplement. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
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Use of Proceeds
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes. These purposes may include, but are not limited to:
| · | reduction or refinancing of outstanding indebtedness or other corporate obligations; |
| · | additions to working capital; |
| · | fund strategic transactions including acquisitions; |
| · | support clean energy growth initiatives; and |
| · | capital expenditures. |
Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness.
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Description of Capital Stock
Introduction
In the discussion that follows, we have summarized selected provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation as amended (our "certificate of incorporation"), and our amended and restated bylaws (our "bylaws"), relating to our capital stock. This summary is not complete. This discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. You should read the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws as currently in effect for provisions that may be important to you. We have filed copies of those documents with the SEC, and they are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See "Information We Incorporate By Reference."
Authorized Capital Stock
Our authorized capital stock consists of 500,000,000 shares of common stock and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Each authorized share of our capital stock has a par value of $0.01 per share.
Common Stock
Each share of our common stock entitles its holder to one vote in the election of each director and on all other matters voted on generally by our stockholders, other than any matter that (1) solely relates to the terms of any outstanding series of preferred stock or the number of shares of that series and (2) does not affect the number of authorized shares of preferred stock or the powers, privileges and rights pertaining to the common stock. No share of our common stock affords any cumulative voting rights. This means that the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares voting for the election of directors can elect all directors to be elected if they choose to do so. Our board of directors may grant holders of preferred stock, in the resolutions creating the series of preferred stock, the right to vote on the election of directors or any questions affecting our company.
Holders of our common stock are entitled to dividends in such amounts and at such times as our board of directors in its discretion may declare out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. We currently intend to retain our entire available discretionary cash flow to finance the growth, development and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on the common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future dividends will be paid at the discretion of our board of directors after taking into account various factors, including:
| · | general business conditions; |
| · | industry practice; |
| · | our financial condition and performance; |
| · | our future prospects; |
| · | our cash needs and capital investment plans; |
| · | our obligations to holders of any preferred stock we may issue; |
| · | income tax consequences; and |
| · | the restrictions Delaware and other applicable laws and our contractual arrangements then impose. |
If we liquidate or dissolve our business, the holders of our common stock will share ratably in all our assets that are available for distribution to our stockholders after our creditors are paid in full and the holders of all series of our outstanding preferred stock, if any, receive their liquidation preferences in full.
Our common stock has no preemptive rights and is not convertible or redeemable or entitled to the benefits of any sinking or repurchase fund. All of our outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
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Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BW." The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Preferred Stock
At the direction of our board of directors, without any action by the holders of our common stock, we may issue one or more series of preferred stock from time to time. Our board of directors can determine the number of shares of each series of preferred stock, the designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions applicable to any of those rights, including dividend rights, voting rights, conversion or exchange rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, of each series.
Undesignated preferred stock may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or otherwise, and thereby to protect the continuity of our management. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders. For example, any preferred stock issued may rank senior to the common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preference or both, may have full or limited voting rights and may be convertible into shares of common stock. As a result, the issuance of shares of preferred stock, or the issuance of rights to purchase shares of preferred stock, may discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal or bids for our common stock or may otherwise adversely affect the market price of our common stock or any existing preferred stock.
7.75% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock
General
Our 7.75% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred Stock") represents a single series of our authorized preferred stock. We have filed a certificate of designations with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock with the Secretary of the State of Delaware. The outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
The number of authorized shares of the Series A Preferred Stock is 10,401,580. The number of authorized shares of the Series A Preferred Stock may from time to time be increased (but not in excess of the total number of authorized shares of preferred stock, less all shares of any other series of preferred stock authorized at the time of such increase) or decreased (but not below the number of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding) by resolution of our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors), without the vote or consent of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock. Shares of the Series A Preferred Stock that are redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired by us will be cancelled and shall revert to authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock undesignated as to series. We have the authority to issue fractional shares of the Series A Preferred Stock.
We reserve the right to re-open this series and issue additional shares of the Series A Preferred Stock either through public or private sales at any time and from time to time without notice to or the consent of holders of the Series A Preferred Stock. The additional shares of the Series A Preferred Stock would be deemed to form a single series with the Series A Preferred Stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Each share of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be identical in all respects to every other share of the Series A Preferred Stock. As used in this prospectus supplement, "accrual" (or similar terms) used with respect to a dividend or dividend period refers only to the determination of the amount of such dividend and does not imply that any right to a dividend in any dividend period that arises prior to the date on which such dividend is declared.
In addition, subject to the limitations described herein, we may issue additional preferred stock from time to time in one or more series, each with such designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions applicable to any of those rights, including dividend rights, voting rights, conversion or exchange rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, as our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors) may determine prior to the time of such issuance.
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The registrar, transfer agent and distributions disbursing agent for the Series A Preferred Stock as of May 7, 2021 (the "Original Issue Date") is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. We may terminate such appointment and may appoint a successor transfer agent, registrar and/or distributions disbursing agent for the Series A Preferred Stock at any time and from time to time. The transfer agent, registrar and/or distributions disbursing agent may be a person or entity affiliated with us.
Ranking
The Series A Preferred Stock will, as to dividend rights and rights as to the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, rank:
| 1) | Senior to all classes or series of our common stock and to all other capital stock issued by us expressly designated as ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock; |
| 2) | On parity with any future class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, none of which exists on the date hereof; |
| 3) | Junior to any future class or series of our capital stock expressly designated as ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock, none of which exists on the date hereof; and |
| 4) | Junior to all our existing and future indebtedness (including subordinated indebtedness and any indebtedness convertible into our common stock or preferred stock) and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us and structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of (as well as any preferred equity interests held by others in) our existing or future subsidiaries. |
We may issue junior capital stock described in (1) above and parity capital stock described in (2) above at any time and from time to time in one or more series without the consent of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock. Our ability to issue any senior capital stock described in (3) above is limited as described under "-Limited Voting Rights."
Dividends
Subject to the preferential rights, if any, of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividends, holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors), only out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends at the annual rate of 7.75% of the $25.00 liquidation preference per year (equivalent to $1.9375 per year). A "dividend period" is the period from and including a dividend payment date (as defined below) and continuing to, but excluding, the next succeeding dividend payment date. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will accumulate and be cumulative from, and including, the issue date for each such share of Series A Preferred Stock.
Dividends, when, as and if declared by our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors), will be payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, each of which we refer to as a "dividend payment date"; provided that if any dividend payment date is not a business day, as defined in the certificate of designations with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock, then such date will nevertheless be a dividend payment date but the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on that dividend payment date, when, as and if declared, will be paid on the next succeeding business day and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accumulate on the amounts so payable for the period from and after that dividend payment date to that next succeeding business day.
Any dividend, including any dividend payable on the Series A Preferred Stock for any dividend period (or portion thereof) will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends are payable to holders of record of Series A Preferred Stock as they appear in the transfer agent's records at the close of business on the applicable record date, which will be the date that our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors) designates for the payment of a dividend that is not more than 30 nor less than 10 days prior to the dividend payment date.
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Our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors) will not authorize, pay or set apart for payment by us any dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock at any time that:
| · | the terms and provisions of any of our agreements, including any agreement relating to our indebtedness, prohibits such authorization, payment or setting apart for payment; |
| · | the terms and provisions of any of our agreements, including any agreement relating to our indebtedness, provides that such authorization, payment or setting apart for payment thereof would constitute a breach of, or a default under, such agreement; or |
| · | the law restricts or prohibits the authorization or payment. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will accumulate whether or not:
| · | the terms and provisions of any of our agreements relating to our indebtedness prohibit such authorization, payment or setting apart for payment; |
| · | we have earnings; |
| · | there are funds legally available for the payment of the dividends; or |
| · | the dividends are authorized. |
Accordingly, if our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors) does not declare a dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock payable in respect of any dividend period before the related dividend payment date, such dividend shall accumulate and an amount equal to such accumulated dividend shall become payable out of funds legally available therefor upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs (or earlier redemption of such Series A Preferred Stock), to the extent not paid prior to such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up or earlier redemption, as the case may be. No interest, or sums in lieu of interest, will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Series A Preferred Stock, which may be in arrears, and holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any dividends in excess of the full cumulative dividends described above. Any dividend payment made on the Series A Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividends due with respect to those shares.
Restrictions on Dividends, Redemption and Repurchases
So long as any share of the Series A Preferred Stock remains outstanding, unless we also have either paid or declared and set apart for payment full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock for all past completed dividend periods, we will not during any dividend period:
| · | pay or declare and set apart for payment any dividends or declare or make any distribution of cash or other property on common stock or other capital stock that ranks junior to or on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights to the distribution of assets upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up (other than, in each case, (a) a dividend paid in common stock or other stock ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights to the distribution of assets upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up or (b) any declaration of a common stock dividend in connection with any stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholders' rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant to the plan); |
| · | redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire common stock or other capital stock that ranks junior to or on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock (other than the Series A Preferred Stock) with respect to dividend rights and rights to the distribution of assets upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up (other than (a) by conversion into or exchange for common stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights to the distribution of assets upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (b) the redemption of shares of our stock pursuant to the provisions of our charter relating to the restrictions upon ownership and transfer of our stock, (c) a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and any other capital stock that ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights to the distribution of assets upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (d) purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of our capital stock ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights to the distribution of assets upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up pursuant to any employment contract, dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors, consultants or advisors, (e) through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of stock ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights to the distribution of assets upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up), or (f) purchases or other acquisitions of shares of our capital stock pursuant to a contractually binding stock repurchase plan existing prior to the preceding dividend payment date on which dividends were not paid in full); or |
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| · | redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire Series A Preferred Stock (other than (a) by conversion into or exchange for common stock or other capital stock ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights to the distribution of assets upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (b) a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock or (c) with respect to redemptions, a redemption pursuant to which all shares of Series A Preferred Stock are redeemed). |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors) elects to declare only partial instead of full dividends for a dividend payment date and related dividend period on the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock or any class or series of our capital stock that ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, then, to the extent permitted by the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock and each outstanding class or series of our capital stock that ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, such partial dividends shall be declared on shares of the Series A Preferred Stock and class or series of our capital stock that ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, and dividends so declared shall be paid, as to any such dividend payment date and related dividend period, in amounts such that the ratio of the partial dividends declared and paid on each such series to full dividends on each such series is the same. As used in this paragraph, "full dividends" means, as to any class or series of our capital stock that ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends that bears dividends on a cumulative basis, the amount of dividends that would need to be declared and paid to bring such class or series of our capital stock that ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends current in dividends, including undeclared dividends for past dividend periods. To the extent a dividend period with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock or any class or series of our capital stock that ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends (in either case, the "first series") coincides with more than one dividend period with respect to another series as applicable (in either case, a "second series"), then, for purposes of this paragraph, our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors) may, to the extent permitted by the terms of each affected series, treat such dividend period for the first series as two or more consecutive dividend periods, none of which coincides with more than one dividend period with respect to the second series, or may treat such dividend period(s) with respect to any class or series of our capital stock that ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and dividend period(s) with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock for purposes of this paragraph in any other manner that it deems to be fair and equitable in order to achieve ratable payments of dividends on such class or series of our capital stock that ranks on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and the Series A Preferred Stock.
Subject to the foregoing, dividends (payable in cash, stock or otherwise) as may be determined by our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors) may be declared and paid on any common stock or other stock ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights to the distribution of assets upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up from time to time out of any funds legally available therefor, and the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividend.
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Liquidation Preference
In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to be paid out of our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders (i.e., after satisfaction of all our liabilities to creditors, if any) and, subject to the rights of holders of any shares of each other class or series of capital stock ranking, as to rights to the distribution of assets upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up senior to the Series A Preferred Stock, a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of payment (whether or not declared), before any distribution or payment may be made to holders of shares of common stock or any other class or series of our capital stock ranking, as to rights to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, junior to the Series A Preferred Stock (the "liquidation preference").
If, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders are insufficient to pay the full amount of the liquidation preference on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of each other class or series of our capital stock ranking, as to rights to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, then the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and each such other class or series of our capital stock ranking, as to rights to the distribution of assets any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock will share ratably in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidation preference to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled. In any such distribution, the "liquidation preference" of any holder of our capital stock other than the Series A Preferred Stock means the amount otherwise payable to such holder in such distribution (assuming no limitation on our assets available for such distribution), including an amount equal to any declared but unpaid dividends in the case of any holder of stock on which dividends accrue on a non-cumulative basis and, in the case of any holder of stock on which dividends accrue on a cumulative basis, an amount equal to any unpaid, accrued, cumulative dividends, whether or not earned or declared, as applicable.
Holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to written notice of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up no fewer than 30 days and no more than 60 days prior to the payment date.
If the liquidation preference has been paid in full to all holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and each such other class or series of capital stock ranking, as to rights to the distribution of assets any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock and each such other class or series of capital stock ranking, as to rights to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets and the holders of shares of our common stock or any class or series of capital stock ranking, as to rights to the distribution of assets any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, junior to the Series A Preferred Stock, will be entitled to receive all of our remaining assets according to their respective rights and preferences.
Our consolidation, merger or other business combination of us with or into any other entity or the sale, lease, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of our assets, property or business will not be deemed to constitute our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
The certificate of designations relating to the Series A Preferred Stock does not contain any provision requiring funds to be set aside to protect the liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock even though it is substantially in excess of the par value thereof. Because we are a holding company, our rights and the rights of our creditors and our shareholders, including the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, to participate in the assets of any of our subsidiaries upon that subsidiary's liquidation or recapitalization will be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary's creditors, except to the extent that we are a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary.
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Optional Redemption
The Series A Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to May 7, 2026, except under the circumstances described under "-Special Optional Redemption."
On or after May 7, 2026, the Series A Preferred Stock may be redeemed at our option, in whole or in part, from time to time, at a redemption price of $25.00 per share of Series A Preferred Stock, plus all dividends accumulated and unpaid (whether or not declared) on the Series A Preferred Stock up to, but not including, the date of such redemption, upon the giving of notice, as provided below.
Redemption Procedures
In the event we elect to redeem Series A Preferred Stock, notice of redemption will be mailed to each holder of record of Series A Preferred Stock called for redemption at such holder's address as it appear on our stock transfer records, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Any notice mailed as provided in this paragraph shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice, but failure duly to give such notice by mail, or any defect in such notice or in the mailing thereof, to any holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock designated for redemption shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other shares of Series A Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the shares of Series A Preferred Stock are issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or any other similar facility, notice of redemption may be given to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock at such time and in any manner permitted by such facility.
The notice will notify the holder of the election to redeem the shares and will state at least the following:
| · | the date fixed for redemption thereof, which we refer to as the "Redemption Date"; |
| · | the redemption price; |
| · | the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed (and, if fewer than all the shares are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed from such holder or the method for determining such number); |
| · | the place(s) where holders may surrender certificates, if any, evidencing the Series A Preferred Stock for payment; |
| · | if applicable, that the Series A Preferred Stock is being redeemed pursuant to our special optional redemption right in connection with the occurrence of a Delisting Event or Change of Control (each as defined below), as applicable, and a brief Description of transaction or transactions or circumstances constituting such Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable; |
| · | if applicable, that the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock to which the notice relates will not be able to convert such shares of Series A Preferred Stock in connection with the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, and each share of Series A Preferred Stock tendered for conversion that is selected, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, for redemption will be redeemed on the related date of redemption instead of converted on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable; and |
| · | that dividends on such shares of Series A Preferred Stock will cease to accumulate on the date prior to the Redemption Date. |
If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the shares to be redeemed will be determined pro rata (as nearly as practicable without creating fractional shares) or by lot. So long as all shares of Series A Preferred Stock are held of record by the nominee of DTC, we will give notice, or cause notice to be given, to DTC of the number of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed, and DTC will determine the number of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed from the account of each of its participants holding such shares in its participant account. Thereafter, each participant will select the number of shares to be redeemed from each beneficial owner for whom it acts (including the participant, to the extent it holds Series A Preferred Stock for its own account). A participant may determine to redeem Series A Preferred Stock from some beneficial owners (including the participant itself) without redeeming Series A Preferred Stock from the accounts of other beneficial owners. Subject to the provisions hereof, our board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors) shall have full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions on which shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be redeemed from time to time. If we shall have issued certificates for the Series A Preferred Stock and fewer than all shares represented by any certificates are redeemed, new certificates shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares without charge to the holders thereof.
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On or after the Redemption Date, each holder of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed that holds a certificate other than through DTC book entry described below must present and surrender the certificates evidencing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the place designated in the notice of redemption and shall be entitled to the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid dividends payable upon the redemption following the surrender.
From and after the Redemption Date or, if notice of redemption has been duly given, and if on or before the Redemption Date specified in the notice, all funds necessary for the redemption have been set aside by us, separate and apart from our other funds, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the shares called for redemption, so as to be and continue to be available for that purpose, then, in each case unless we default in payment of the redemption price:
| · | all dividends on the shares designated for redemption in the notice will cease to accumulate on or after the Redemption Date; |
| · | all rights of the holders of the shares, except the right to receive the redemption price thereof (including all accumulated and unpaid dividends up to the date prior to the Redemption Date), will cease and terminate; and |
| · | the shares designated for redemption in the notice will be deemed to not be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever. |
Any funds held in trust and unclaimed at the end of two years from the Redemption Date, to the extent permitted by law, shall be released from the trust so established and may be commingled with our other funds, and after that time the holders of the shares so called for redemption shall look only to us for payment of the redemption price of such shares.
Notwithstanding any other provision herein, any declared but unpaid dividends payable on a Redemption Date that occurs subsequent to the applicable record date for a dividend period shall not be paid to the holder entitled to receive the redemption price on the Redemption Date, but rather shall be paid to the holder of record of the redeemed shares on such record date relating to the applicable dividend payment date.
Special Optional Redemption
During any period of time (whether before or after May 7, 2026) that both (i) the Series A Preferred Stock are no longer (a) listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq"), the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), or the NYSE American, LLC (the "NYSE AMER") or (b) listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to Nasdaq, the NYSE or the NYSE AMER, and (ii) we are not subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, but any Series A Preferred Stock is still outstanding (which we refer to collectively as a "Delisting Event"), we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part and within 90 days after the date of the Delisting Event (the "Delisting Event Redemption Period"), by paying $25.00 per share of Series A Preferred Stock, plus all dividends accumulated and unpaid (whether or not declared) on the Series A Preferred Stock up to, but not including, the date of such redemption.
In addition, during any period of time (whether before or after May 7, 2026), upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (defined below), we may, at our option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part and within 120 days after the first date on which such Change of Control occurred (the "Change of Control Redemption Period"), by paying $25.00 per share of Series A Preferred Stock, plus all dividends accumulated and unpaid (whether or not declared) on the Series A Preferred Stock up to, but not including, the date of such redemption.
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If, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date (each as defined below), as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of redemption with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock (whether pursuant to our optional redemption right described above under "-Optional Redemption" or our special optional redemption described here), the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will not be permitted to exercise the conversion right described below under "- Conversion Rights" in respect of their shares called for redemption.
A "Change of Control" is when, after the original issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, the following have occurred and are continuing:
| · | the acquisition by any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a "person" under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or other acquisition transaction or series of purchases, mergers or other acquisition transactions of shares of our company entitling that person to exercise more than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of our company entitled to vote generally in elections of directors (except that such person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition); and |
| · | following the closing of any transaction referred to in the bullet point above, neither we nor any acquiring or surviving entity (or if, in connection with such transaction shares of our common stock are converted into or exchanged for (in whole or in part) common capital stock of another entity, such other entity) has a class of common securities (or American Depositary Receipts representing such securities) (a) listed on Nasdaq, the NYSE or the NYSE AMER or (b) listed or quoted on an exchange or quotation system that is a successor to Nasdaq, the NYSE or the NYSE AMER. |
Conversion Rights
Upon the occurrence of a Delisting Event or a Change of Control, as applicable, each holder of Series A Preferred Stock will have the right (unless, prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock as described above under "- Optional Redemption" or "- Special Optional Redemption") to convert some or all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder (the "Delisting Event Conversion Right" or "Change of Control Conversion Right," as applicable) on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, into a number of shares of our common stock (or equivalent value of alternative consideration) per share of Series A Preferred Stock, or the "Common Stock Conversion Consideration," equal to the lesser of:
| · | the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of (x) the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of Series A Preferred Stock plus (y) the amount of any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable (unless the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, is after a record date for a Series A Preferred Stock dividend payment and prior to the corresponding Series A Preferred Stock dividend payment date, in which case no additional amount relating to such record date will be included in this sum) by (2) the Common Stock Price (as defined below); and |
| · | 5.65611 (the "Share Cap"), which is the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the $25.00 liquidation preference per share of Series A Preferred Stock by (ii) one-half of the closing price of our common shares on the NYSE on May 3, 2021, subject to certain adjustments described below. |
The Share Cap is subject to pro rata adjustments for any share splits (including those effected pursuant to a distribution of shares of our common stock to existing holders of common stock), subdivisions or combinations (in each case, a "Share Split") with respect to our common stock as follows: the adjusted Share Cap as the result of a Share Split will be the number of shares of our common stock that is equivalent to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the Share Cap in effect immediately prior to such Share Split by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of our common stock outstanding after giving effect to such Share Split and the denominator of which is the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to such Share Split.
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In the case of a Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, pursuant to, or in connection with, which our common stock will be converted into cash, securities or other property or assets (including any combination thereof) (the "Alternative Form Consideration"), a holder of Series A Preferred Stock electing to exercise its Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, will receive upon conversion of such Series A Preferred Stock the kind and amount of Alternative Form Consideration which such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive upon the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, had such holder held a number of shares of our common stock equal to the Common Stock Conversion Consideration immediately prior to the effective time of the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable (the "Alternative Conversion Consideration," and the Common Stock Conversion Consideration or the Alternative Conversion Consideration, as may be applicable to a Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, is referred to as the "Conversion Consideration").
If the holders of our common stock have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, the Conversion Consideration that the holders of Series A Preferred Stock will receive will be the form and proportion of the aggregate consideration elected by the holders of our common stock who participate in the determination (based on the weighted average of elections) and will be subject to any limitations to which all holders of our common stock are subject, including, without limitation, pro rata reductions applicable to any portion of the consideration payable in, or in connection with, the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable.
We will not issue fractional shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock. In the event that the conversion would result in the issuance of fractional shares of common stock, we will pay the holder of Series A Preferred Stock the cash value of such fractional shares in lieu of such fractional shares.
Within 15 days following the expiration of the Delisting Event Redemption Period or the Change of Control Redemption Period, as applicable, (or, if we waive our right to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock prior to the expiration of the Delisting Event Redemption Period or the Change of Control Redemption Period, as applicable, within 15 days following the date of such waiver) we will provide to holders of Series A Preferred Stock a notice of occurrence of the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable, that describes the resulting Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable. This notice will state the following:
| · | the events constituting the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable; |
| · | the date of the Delisting Event or Change of Control, as applicable; |
| · | the date on which the Delisting Event Redemption Period or the Change of Control Redemption Period, as applicable, expired or was waived; |
| · | the last date on which the holders of Series A Preferred Stock may exercise their Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable; |
| · | the method and period for calculating the Common Stock Price (as defined below); |
| · | the "Delisting Event Conversion Date" or "Change of Control Conversion Date", as applicable, which will be a business day fixed by our board of directors that is not fewer than 20 days nor more than 35 days after the date on which we provide the notice described above to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock; |
| · | if applicable, the type and amount of Conversion Consideration entitled to be received per share of Series A Preferred Stock; |
| · | the name and address of the paying agent and the conversion agent; |
| · | the procedures that the holders of Series A Preferred Stock must follow to exercise the Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable; and |
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| · | the last date on which holders of Series A Preferred Stock may withdraw shares surrendered for conversion and the procedures that such holders must follow to effect such a withdrawal. |
We will issue a press release for publication on the Dow Jones & Company, Inc., Business Wire, PR Newswire or Bloomberg Business News (or, if these organizations are not in existence at the time of issuance of the press release, such other news or press organization as is reasonably calculated to broadly disseminate the relevant information to the public), or post notice on our website, in any event prior to the opening of business on the first business day following any date on which we provide the notice described above to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock.
To exercise the Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, each holder of Series A Preferred Stock will be required, on or before the close of business on the business day preceding the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, to notify us of the number of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted and otherwise to comply with any applicable procedures contained in the notice described above or otherwise required by the transfer agent or DTC for effecting the conversion.
The "Common Stock Price" for any Change of Control will be: (1) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by the holders of our common stock is solely cash, the amount of cash consideration per share of common stock; and (2) if the consideration to be received in the Change of Control by holders of our common stock is other than solely cash (x) the average of the closing prices for our common stock on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which our common stock is then traded (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices per share or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices per share) for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the date on which such Change of Control occurred as reported on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which our common stock is then traded, or (y) the average of the last quoted bid prices for our common stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or similar organization for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the date on which such Change of Control occurred, if our common stock is not then listed for trading on a U.S. securities exchange.
The "Common Stock Price" for any Delisting Event will be the average of the closing price per share of our common stock on the 10 consecutive trading days immediately preceding, but not including, the effective date of the Delisting Event.
Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock may withdraw any notice of exercise of a Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable (in whole or in part), by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to our transfer agent prior to the close of business on the third business day preceding to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable. The notice of withdrawal must state:
| · | the number of withdrawn shares of Series A Preferred Stock; |
| · | if certificated shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been issued, the receipt or certificate numbers of the withdrawn shares of Series A Preferred Stock; and |
| · | the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, if any, which remain subject to the conversion notice. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the shares of Series A Preferred Stock are held in global form, the conversion notice and/or the notice of withdrawal, as applicable, must comply with applicable procedures of DTC.
Shares of Series A Preferred Stock as to which the Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, has been properly exercised and for which the conversion notice has not been properly withdrawn will be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration in accordance with the Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, on the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, unless prior to the Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, we have provided or provide notice of our election to redeem such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, whether pursuant to our optional redemption right or our special optional redemption rights. If we elect to redeem shares of Series A Preferred Stock that would otherwise be converted into the applicable Conversion Consideration on a Delisting Event Conversion Date or Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable, such shares of Series A Preferred Stock will not be so converted and the holders of such shares will be entitled to receive on the applicable Redemption Date $25.00 per share, plus all dividends accumulated and unpaid (whether or not declared) on the Series A Preferred Stock up to, but not including, the date of such redemption. See "- Optional Redemption" and "- Special Optional Redemption."
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We will take commercially reasonable efforts to deliver the applicable Conversion Consideration no later than the third business day following the Delisting Event Conversion Date or the Change of Control Conversion Date, as applicable.
In connection with the exercise of any Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, we will comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws and stock exchange rules in connection with any conversion of Series A Preferred Stock into our common stock.
The Delisting Event Conversion Right or Change of Control Conversion Right, as applicable, may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or discourage a party from acquiring us.
Shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are not convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities or property, except as provided above.
Limited Voting Rights
Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights, except as set forth in this section or as otherwise required by law. In any matter in which the Series A Preferred Stock may vote (as expressly provided herein or as may be required by law), each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote per $25.00 of liquidation preference; provided that if the Series A Preferred Stock and any other stock ranking on parity to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights as to the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up are entitled to vote together as a single class on any matter, the holders of each will vote in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences.
Right to Elect Two Directors on Nonpayment of Dividends
Whenever dividends on any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, or any other voting preferred stock (as defined below), shall have not been declared and paid for six full quarterly dividend payments, whether or not for consecutive dividend periods (a "nonpayment"), the holders of such shares, voting together as a class with holders of any and all other series of voting preferred stock then outstanding, will be entitled to vote for the election of a total of two additional members of our board of directors (the "preferred stock directors"), provided that the election of any such directors shall not cause us to violate the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE (or any other exchange on which our securities may be listed) that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors and provided further that our board of directors shall at no time include more than two preferred stock directors. In that event, the number of directors on our board of directors shall automatically increase by two or our board will otherwise have two vacancies, and the new directors shall be elected at a special meeting called at the request of the holders of record of at least 20% of the Series A Preferred Stock or of any other series of voting preferred stock (unless such request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of the stockholders, in which event such election shall be held at such next annual or special meeting of stockholders), and at each subsequent annual meeting. Such request to call a special meeting for the initial election of the preferred stock directors after a nonpayment shall be made by written notice, signed by the requisite holders of the Series A Preferred Stock or other voting preferred stock, and delivered to our Secretary in such manner as provided for in the certificate of designations for the Series A Preferred Stock, or as may otherwise be required by law. As used in this prospectus supplement, "voting preferred stock" means any other class or series of our preferred stock ranking equally with the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividends (whether cumulative or non-cumulative) and the distribution of our assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights to the Series A Preferred Stock have been conferred and are exercisable.
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So long as a nonpayment shall continue, any vacancy in the office of a preferred stock director (other than prior to the initial election after a nonpayment) may be filled by the written consent of the preferred stock director remaining in office, or if none remains in office, by a vote of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock and all voting preferred stock when they have the voting rights described above (voting together as a single class); provided that the filling of any such vacancy shall not cause us to violate the corporate governance requirement of the NYSE (or any other exchange on which our securities may be listed) that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors. Any such vote to fill a vacancy in the office of a preferred stock director may be taken only at a special meeting called at the request of the holders of record of at least 20% of the Series A Preferred Stock or of any other series of voting preferred stock (unless such request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of the stockholders, in which event such election shall be held at such next annual or special meeting of stockholders). The preferred stock directors shall each be entitled to one vote per director on any matter.
If and when all accumulated dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock for all past completed dividend periods shall have been paid in full, holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be divested of the voting rights set forth above (subject to re-vesting in the event of each and every subsequent nonpayment) and, unless outstanding shares of voting preferred stock remain entitled to vote in the election of preferred stock directors, the term of office of such preferred stock directors so elected will terminate and the number of directors will be reduced accordingly.
Other Voting Rights
In addition, so long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, we will not, without the consent or the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and each other class or series of preferred stock entitled to vote thereon (voting together as a single class), given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose:
| · | authorize, create or issue, or increase the number of authorized or issued number of shares of, any class or series of capital stock ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or reclassify any of our authorized capital stock into any such shares, or create, authorize or issue any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing the right to purchase any such shares; or |
| · | amend, alter or repeal the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, including the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock, whether by merger, consolidation, transfer or conveyance of all or substantially all of our assets or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Stock, taken as a whole. |
If any event described in the second bullet point above would materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A Preferred Stock, taken as a whole, disproportionately relative to any other class or series of voting preferred stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will also be required. Furthermore, if holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock receive the $25.00 per share of the Series A Preferred Stock liquidation preference plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon or greater amounts pursuant to the occurrence of any of the events described in the second bullet point immediately above, then such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the events described in the second bullet point immediately above.
The following actions are not deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, powers or privileges of the Series A Preferred Stock:
| · | any increase in the amount of our authorized common stock or preferred stock or the creation or issuance of capital stock of any class or series ranking, as to dividends (whether cumulative or not) or the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, on parity with, or junior to, the Series A Preferred Stock; or |
| · | the amendment, alteration or repeal or change of any provision of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, including the certificate of designations establishing the Series A Preferred Stock, as a result of a merger, consolidation, reorganization or other business combination, if (A) the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding or, in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which we are not the surviving or resulting entity, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and (B) such shares remaining outstanding or such preference securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and restrictions and limitations thereof, of the Series A Preferred Stock, taken as a whole, immediately prior to such consummation. |
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Without the consent of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, we may amend, alter, supplement or repeal any terms of the Series A Preferred Stock:
| · | to cure any ambiguity, or to cure, correct or supplement any provision contained in the certificate of designations for the Series A Preferred Stock that may be defective or inconsistent, so long as such action does not materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers of the Series A Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; |
| · | to conform the certificate of designations to the Description of Series A Preferred Stock set forth in this prospectus supplement; or |
| · | to make any provision with respect to matters or questions arising with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock that is not inconsistent with the provisions of the certificate of designations. |
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which the vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock have been redeemed or called for redemption on proper notice and sufficient funds have been set aside by us for the benefit of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock to effect the redemption within 90 days unless all or a part of the outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are being redeemed with the proceeds from the sale of shares of, any class or series of stock ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
The rules and procedures for calling and conducting any meeting of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock (including, without limitation, the fixing of a record date in connection therewith), the solicitation and use of proxies at such a meeting, the obtaining of written consents and any other aspect or matter with regard to such a meeting or such consents shall be governed by any rules the board of directors (or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors), in its discretion, may adopt from time to time, which rules and procedures shall conform to the requirements of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation, applicable law and any national securities exchange or other trading facility on which the Series A Preferred Stock may be listed or traded at the time.
Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will not have any voting rights with respect to, and the consent of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock is not required for, the taking of any corporate action, including any merger or consolidation involving us or a sale of all or substantially all of our assets, regardless of the effect that such merger, consolidation or sale may have upon the powers, preferences, voting power or other rights or privileges of the Series A Preferred Stock, except as set forth above.
No Preemptive Rights
Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights.
No Maturity, Sinking Fund or Mandatory Redemption
The Series A Preferred Stock has no maturity date and we are not required to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock at any time. Accordingly, the Series A Preferred Stock will remain outstanding indefinitely, unless we decide, at our option, to exercise our redemption right or, under circumstances where the holders of Series A Preferred Stock have a conversion right, such holders convert the Series A Preferred Stock into our common stock. The Series A Preferred Stock is not subject to any sinking fund.
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Listing
The Series A Preferred Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BW PRA".
Limitation on Directors' Liability and Renunciation of Business Opportunity
Delaware law authorizes Delaware corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of their directors to them and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach of a director's fiduciary duty of care. The duty of care requires that, when acting on behalf of the corporation, directors must exercise an informed business judgment based on all material information reasonably available to them. Absent the limitations Delaware law authorizes, directors of Delaware corporations are accountable to those corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for conduct constituting gross negligence in the exercise of their duty of care. Delaware law enables Delaware corporations to limit available relief to equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission. Our certificate of incorporation limits the liability of our directors to us and our stockholders to the fullest extent Delaware law permits. Specifically, no director will be personally liable for monetary damages for any breach of the director's fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability:
| · | for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders; |
| · | for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
| · | for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; and |
| · | for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
This provision could have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and may discourage or deter our stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their duty of care, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and our stockholders. Our bylaws provide indemnification to our officers and directors and other specified persons with respect to their conduct in various capacities.
Our certificate of incorporation expressly renounces any interest or expectancy of our company in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity that is presented to B. Riley FBR, Inc., Vintage Capital Management LLC, or their respective directors, officers, shareholders, or employees.
Statutory Business Combination Provision
As a Delaware corporation, we are subject to Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. In general, Section 203 prevents an "interested stockholder," which is defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of a Delaware corporation's outstanding voting stock or any affiliate or associate of that person, from engaging in a broad range of "business combinations" with the corporation for three years following the date that person became an interested stockholder unless:
| · | before that person became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of the corporation approved the transaction in which that person became an interested stockholder or approved the business combination; |
| · | on completion of the transaction that resulted in that person's becoming an interested stockholder, that person owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than stock held by (1) directors who are also officers of the corporation or (2) any employee stock plan that does not provide employees with 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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| · | following the transaction in which that person became an interested stockholder, both the board of directors of the corporation and the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation not owned by that person approve the business combination. |
Under Section 203, the restrictions described above also do not apply to specific business combinations proposed by an interested stockholder following the announcement or notification of designated extraordinary transactions involving the corporation and a person who had not been an interested stockholder during the previous three years or who became an interested stockholder with the approval of a majority of the corporation's directors, if a majority of the directors who were directors prior to any person's becoming an interested stockholder during the previous three years, or were recommended for election or elected to succeed those directors by a majority of those directors, approve or do not oppose that extraordinary transaction.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Some of the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws discussed below may have the effect, either alone or in combination with Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, of making more difficult or discouraging a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or other takeover attempt that our board of directors opposes but that a stockholder might consider to be in its best interest. These provisions could also have the effect of increasing the bargaining leverage of our board of directors, on behalf of our stockholders, in any future negotiations concerning a potential change of control of our company. Our board of directors has observed that certain tactics that bidders employ in making unsolicited bids for control of a corporation, including hostile tender offers and proxy contests, have become relatively common in modern takeover practice. Our board of directors considers those tactics to be disruptive and potentially contrary to the overall best interests of our stockholders. In particular, bidders may use these tactics in conjunction with an attempt to acquire a corporation at an unfairly low price. In some cases, a bidder will make an offer for less than all the outstanding capital stock of the target company, potentially leaving stockholders with the alternatives of partially liquidating their investment at a time that may be disadvantageous to them or retaining an investment in the target company under substantially different management with objectives that may not be the same as the new controlling stockholder. The concentration of control in our company that could result from such an offer could deprive our remaining stockholders of the benefits of listing on the New York Stock Exchange and public reporting under the Exchange Act.
While our board of directors does not intend to foreclose or discourage reasonable merger or acquisition proposals, it believes that value for our stockholders can be enhanced by encouraging would-be acquirers to forego hostile or coercive tender offers and negotiate terms that are fair to all stockholders with our board of directors. Our board of directors believes that the provisions described below will (1) discourage disruptive tactics and takeover attempts at unfair prices or on terms that do not provide all stockholders with the opportunity to sell their stock at a fair price and (2) encourage third parties who may seek to acquire control of our company to initiate such an acquisition through negotiations directly with our board of directors. Our board of directors also believes these provisions will help give it the time necessary to evaluate unsolicited offers, as well as appropriate alternatives, in a manner that assures fair treatment of our stockholders. Our board of directors recognizes that a takeover might in some circumstances be beneficial to some or all of our stockholders, but, nevertheless, believes that the benefits of seeking to protect its ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to take over or restructure our company outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging those proposals.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that our stockholders may act only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not act by written consent. Our bylaws provide that only a majority of our board of directors or the chairman of our board of directors may call a special meeting of our board of directors or our stockholders.
Our certificate of incorporation provides for a classified board of directors. Our board of directors is divided into three classes, with the directors of each class as nearly equal in number as possible. At each annual meeting of our stockholders, the term of a different class of our directors expires. As a result, our stockholders elect approximately one-third of our board of directors each year. This system of electing and removing directors may discourage a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, because it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors.
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Our certificate of incorporation provides that the number of directors will be fixed exclusively by, and may be increased or decreased exclusively by, our board of directors from time to time, but will not be less than three. Our certificate of incorporation provides that directors may be removed only with cause or upon a board determination (as such terms are defined in our certificate of incorporation) and, in either case, by a vote of at least 80% of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock. A vacancy on our board of directors may be filled by a vote of a majority of the directors in office, and a director appointed to fill a vacancy serves for the remainder of the term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred. These provisions prevent our stockholders from removing incumbent directors without cause and filling the resulting vacancies with their own nominees.
Our bylaws contain advance notice and other procedural requirements that apply to stockholder nominations of persons for election to our board of directors at any annual or special meeting of stockholders and to stockholder proposals that stockholders take any other action at any annual meeting. In the case of any annual meeting, a stockholder proposing to nominate a person for election to our board of directors or proposing that any other action be taken is required to give our Corporate Secretary written notice of the proposal not less than 90 days and not more than 120 days before the anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. These stockholder proposal deadlines are subject to exceptions if the pending annual meeting date is more than 30 days prior to or more than 30 days after the anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting. If the chairman of our board of directors or a majority of our board of directors calls a special meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, a stockholder proposing to nominate a person for that election must give our Corporate Secretary written notice of the proposal not earlier than 120 days prior to that special meeting and not later than the last to occur of (1) 90 days prior to that special meeting or (2) the 10th day following the day we publicly disclose the date of the special meeting. Our bylaws prescribe specific information that any such stockholder notice must contain. These advance notice provisions may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of our directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if the proper procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal, without regard to whether consideration of those nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our stockholders.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that our stockholders may adopt, amend and repeal our bylaws at any regular or special meeting of stockholders by a vote of at least 80% of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock, provided the notice of intention to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws has been included in the notice of that meeting. Our certificate of incorporation also confers on our board of directors the power to adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws with the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office.
As discussed above under "-Preferred Stock," our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors, without the approval of our stockholders, to provide for the issuance of all or any shares of our preferred stock in one or more series and to determine the designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions applicable to any of those rights, including dividend rights, voting rights, conversion or exchange rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, of each series. The issuance of shares of our preferred stock or rights to purchase shares of our preferred stock could discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal. In addition, under some circumstances, the issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of our common stockholders.
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Description of Depositary Shares
We may offer depositary shares representing fractional shares of our preferred stock of any series. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the depositary shares that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The particular terms of the depositary shares, including the fraction of a preferred share that such depositary share will represent, and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the depositary shares so offered, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between us and a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by us, which we refer to as the bank depositary. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering. The deposit agreement will also contain provisions relating to the manner in which any subscription or similar rights we offer to holders of the preferred stock will be made available to the holders of depositary shares.
The following description is a general summary of some common provisions of a depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. The description below and in any prospectus supplement does not include all of the terms of the depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. Copies of the form of depositary agreement and the depositary receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the SEC each time we issue depositary shares, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the forms of the depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts, see "Where You Can Find More Information."
Dividends and Other Distributions
If we pay a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the bank depositary will distribute these dividends to the record holders of these depositary shares. If the distributions are in property other than cash, the bank depositary will distribute the property to the record holders of the depositary shares. However, if the bank depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution of property, the bank depositary may, with our approval, sell this property and distribute the net proceeds from this sale to the record holders of the depositary shares.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If we redeem a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the bank depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the bank depositary in connection with the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as the bank depositary may determine.
Voting the Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock represented by depositary shares are entitled to vote, the bank depositary will mail the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the preferred stock. Each record holder of these depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock) may instruct the bank depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by this holder's depositary shares. The bank depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with these instructions, and we will take all action which the bank depositary deems necessary in order to enable the bank depositary to do so. The bank depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing this preferred stock.
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Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the depositary agreement may be amended by agreement between the bank depositary and us. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless this amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The depositary agreement may be terminated by the bank depositary or us only if:
| · | all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; or |
| · | there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company and this distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts. |
Charges of Bank Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the bank depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the depositary agreement to be for their accounts.
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
Except as may be provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the bank depositary, subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, the owner of the depositary shares may demand delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by those depositary shares. Fractional shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the bank depositary will deliver to this holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the depositary agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.
Miscellaneous
The bank depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the bank depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of preferred stock.
Neither the bank depositary nor we will be liable if we are prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations under the depositary agreement. The obligations of the bank depositary and us under the depositary agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of our duties thereunder, and we will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or shares of preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting shares of preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
Resignation and Removal of Bank Depositary
The bank depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the bank depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor bank depositary and the successor's acceptance of this appointment. The successor bank depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company meeting the requirements of the depositary agreement.
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Description of Warrants
We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The particular terms of the warrants and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the warrants so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Warrants may be issued independently or together with other securities and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
A copy of the forms of the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate relating to any particular issue of warrants will be filed with the SEC each time we issue warrants, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the forms of the warrant agreement and the related warrant certificate, see "Where You Can Find More Information."
Debt Warrants
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to issue debt securities will describe the terms of those warrants, including the following:
| · | the title of the warrants; |
| · | the offering price for the warrants, if any; |
| · | the aggregate number of the warrants; |
| · | the designation and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
| · | if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities that the warrants are issued with and the number of warrants issued with each debt security; |
| · | if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any debt securities issued with them will be separately transferable; |
| · | the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the debt securities may be purchased upon exercise; |
| · | the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire; |
| · | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| · | whether the warrants represented by the warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form; |
| · | information relating to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| · | the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
| · | if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; |
| · | anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any; |
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| · | redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants; |
| · | any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; and |
| · | any other information we think is important about the warrants. |
Stock Warrants
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to issue common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares will describe the terms of the common stock warrants and preferred stock warrants, including the following:
| · | the title of the warrants; |
| · | the offering price for the warrants, if any; |
| · | the aggregate number of the warrants; |
| · | the designation and terms of the common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants; |
| · | if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities that the warrants are issued with and the number of warrants issued with each security; |
| · | if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable; |
| · | the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock or depositary shares that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the shares may be purchased upon exercise; |
| · | the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants commence and expire; |
| · | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| · | the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
| · | if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; |
| · | anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any; |
| · | redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants; |
| · | any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; and |
| · | any other information we think is important about the warrants. |
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares or the principal amount of debt securities being offered. Holders may exercise warrants at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants are void. Holders may exercise warrants as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants being offered.
Until a holder exercises the warrants to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities, the holder will not have any rights as a holder of our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities, as the case may be, by virtue of ownership of warrants.
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Description of Subscription Rights
We may issue to our shareholders subscription rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the subscription rights that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The particular terms of the subscription rights and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the subscription rights so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered by this prospectus and may or may not be transferable by the shareholder receiving the rights in the rights offering. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which the underwriter will purchase any securities that remain unsubscribed for upon completion of the rights offering, or offer these securities to other parties who are not our shareholders. A copy of the form of subscription rights certificate will be filed with the SEC each time we issue subscription rights, and you should read that document for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain a copy of any subscription rights certificate, see "Where You Can Find More Information."
The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any subscription rights will describe the terms of the offered subscription rights, including, where applicable, the following:
| · | the exercise price for the subscription rights; |
| · | the number of subscription rights issued to each shareholder; |
| · | the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable; |
| · | any other terms of the subscription rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights; |
| · | the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
| · | the extent to which the subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and |
| · | the material terms of any standby underwriting arrangement entered into by us in connection with the subscription rights offering. |
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Description of Debt Securities
The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may issue, which may be issued as convertible or exchangeable debt securities. We will set forth the particular terms of the debt securities we offer in a prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which the following general terms and provisions will apply to particular debt securities.
The debt securities may be issued under an indenture entered into between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee on February 12, 2021 (the "2021 Base Indenture") or another indenture, including the form of indenture filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement (the "Form Indenture"). The indenture, and any supplemental indentures thereto, will be subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The following description of general terms and provisions relating to the debt securities and the indentures under which the debt securities may be issued is a summary only and therefore is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the terms and provisions of the indentures. The 2021 Indenture and the Form Indenture have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, and you should read the indentures for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain a copy of the form of the indenture, see "Where You Can Find More Information."
Capitalized terms used in this section and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the respective indentures.
Description of the 2021 Base Indenture
General
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness senior in right of payment to all of our subordinated indebtedness.
The 2021 Base Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under it and provides that debt securities may be issued under it from time to time in one or more series. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the 2021 Base Indenture does not afford the holders of the debt securities the right to require us to repurchase or redeem the debt securities in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction.
We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of that series, for the issuance of additional debt securities of that series. Additional debt securities of a particular series will have the same terms and conditions as outstanding debt securities of such series, except for the issue date and, in some cases, the public offering price and the first interest payment date, and will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, such outstanding debt securities; provided, however, that if such additional debt securities are not fungible with the outstanding debt securities of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional debt securities will have a separate CUSIP number.
We will set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:
| · | the title of debt securities; |
| · | the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which the debt securities will be issued; |
| · | any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the series of debt securities; |
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| · | whether the debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, and if they are subordinated debt securities, the terms of the subordination; |
| · | the date or dates on which the principal on the series of debt securities is payable; |
| · | the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine such rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the series of debt securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, will accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date; |
| · | the right, if any to extend the interest periods and the duration of that extension; |
| · | the place or places where the principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on, the debt securities will be payable; |
| · | the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities may be redeemed; |
| · | any obligation we may have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of the debt securities; |
| · | the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase the debt securities at the option of the holders of the debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations; |
| · | the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; |
| · | whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities; |
| · | the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount; |
| · | the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be made if other than U.S. dollars; |
| · | any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities; |
| · | any addition to or change in the events of default described in this prospectus or in the indenture and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; |
| · | any addition to or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; |
| · | any other terms of the debt securities (which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to such debt securities); |
| · | any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the series of debt securities, if other than appointed in the indenture; and |
| · | any provisions relating to conversion of the debt securities. |
The foregoing is not intended to be an exclusive list of the terms that may be applicable to any offered debt securities.
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In addition, the 2021 Base Indenture does not limit our ability to issue convertible, exchangeable or subordinated debt securities. Any conversion, exchange or subordination provisions of debt securities will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion or exchange, either mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, in which case the number of shares of common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of debt securities would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the prospectus supplement.
We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the 2021 Base Indenture. We will provide you with information on the U.S. federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Exchange and Transfer
Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the registrar or co-registrar designated by us.
We will not impose a service charge for any transfer or exchange, but we may require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charges associated with any transfer or exchange.
In the event of any redemption of debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:
| · | issue, register the transfer of, or exchange, any debt security of that series during a period beginning at the opening of 15 business days before the day of sending of a notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day such notice is sent; or |
| · | register the transfer of or, exchange any, debt security of that series selected, called or being called for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any series being redeemed in part. |
| · | If less than all of the debt securities of a series are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the trustee may select the securities redeemed or purchased in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the securities are listed, on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or by lot or such other method in accordance with the procedures of DTC. |
We may initially appoint the trustee as the registrar. Any transfer agent, in addition to the registrar initially designated by us, will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional transfer agents or change transfer agents or change the office of the transfer agent. However, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.
Global Securities
The debt securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more global securities. Each global security will:
| · | be registered in the name of a depositary that we will identify in a prospectus supplement; |
| · | be deposited with the trustee as custodian for the depositary or its nominee; and |
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| · | bear any required legends. |
No global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered in the name of any person other than the depositary or any nominee unless:
| · | the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or has ceased to be qualified to act as depositary, and in either case we fail to appoint a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event; |
| · | we execute and deliver to the trustee an officer's certificate to the effect that such global securities shall be so exchangeable; or |
| · | an event of default with respect to the debt securities represented by such global securities shall have occurred and be continuing. |
As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except in the above limited circumstances, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:
| · | will not be entitled to have the debt securities registered in their names; |
| · | will not be entitled to physical delivery of certificated debt securities; and |
| · | will not be considered to be holders of those debt securities under the indenture. |
Payments on a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the global security. Some jurisdictions have laws that require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
Institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee are referred to as "participants." Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. The depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants. Each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary (and, if such person is not a participant, on procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest) to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on and effected through records maintained by the depositary, with respect to participants' interests, or by any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by participants on their behalf. Payments, transfers and exchanges relating to beneficial interests in a global security will be subject to policies and procedures of the depositary. The depositary policies and procedures may change from time to time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the depositary's acts or omissions or any participant's records with respect to beneficial interests in a global security.
Payment and Paying Agent
The provisions of this subsection will apply to the debt securities unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement. Payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date. Payment on debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of a paying agent or paying agents designated by us. However, at our option, we may pay interest by mailing a check to the record holder.
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We may also name any other paying agents in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional paying agents, change paying agents or change the office of any paying agent. However, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, all moneys paid by us to a paying agent for payment on any debt security that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such payment was due will be repaid to us. Thereafter, the holder may look only to us for such payment.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may not merge or consolidate with or into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person, unless:
| · | the successor or transferee is a U.S. corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other entity; |
| · | the successor or transferee assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee; |
| · | immediately after giving effect to the transaction and treating our obligations in connection with or as a result of such transaction as having been incurred as of the time of such transaction, no default or event of default under the indenture shall have occurred and be continuing; and |
| · | an officer's certificate and an opinion of counsel have been delivered to the trustee in connection with the foregoing. |
In the event of the above transaction, if there is a successor or transferee, then the successor or transferee will expressly assume all of our obligations under the indenture and automatically be substituted for us in the indenture and as issuer of the debt securities and may exercise every right and power of ours under the indenture with the same effect as if such successor or transferee had been named in our place in the indenture; provided, however, that the predecessor company will not be relieved of the obligation to pay principal and interest on the debt securities except in the case of a sale of all of the assets of us and our subsidiaries.
Events of Default
Event of default means, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:
| · | default in the payment of any interest on any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of that default for a period of 30 days; |
| · | default in the payment of principal of, or premium on, any debt security of that series when due and payable; |
| · | failure on our part to comply with the covenant described under "-Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets"; |
| · | default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture, in any board resolution, supplemental indenture or officer's certificate with respect to such series (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture, board resolution, supplemental indenture or officer's certificate solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 90 days after (1) we receive written notice from the trustee or (2) we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture; |
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| · | certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company or our significant subsidiaries; and |
| · | any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement, board resolution, supplemental indenture or officer's certificate. |
We will promptly deliver to the trustee written notice of any event which with the giving of notice and the lapse of time would become a covenant event of default, or any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement, along with a description of the status and what action we are taking or propose to take with respect to such event of default.
No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of default under our bank credit agreements in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence of certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.
If an event of default (other than an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company) with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if the rescission and annulment would not conflict with any judgment or decree already rendered and if all events of default with respect to that series, other than the non-payment of principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series that has become due and payable solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived and all sums paid or advanced by the trustee and the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of the trustee and its agents and counsel have been paid as provided in the indenture.
The 2021 Base Indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt securities, unless the trustee receives security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.
No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:
| · | that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series; and |
| · | the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee, to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days. |
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, and premium and any interest on, that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of such payment.
The 2021 Base Indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. The 2021 Base Indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any default or event of default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.
Modification and Waiver
We may amend or modify the indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities of the series affected by the modifications or amendments in order to:
| · | cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; |
| · | conform the text of the 2021 Base Indenture, including any supplemental indenture, or the debt securities to any corresponding provision of this "Description of Debt Securities" or description of the debt securities found in the prospectus supplement as evidenced by an officer's certificate; |
| · | provide for the issuance of additional debt securities; |
| · | provide for the assumption of our obligations in the case of a merger or consolidation and our discharge upon such assumption provided that the provision under "Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets" of the indenture is complied with; |
| · | add covenants or make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the debt securities; |
| · | add guarantees with respect to the debt securities; |
| · | provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; |
| · | secure the debt securities; |
| · | add or appoint a successor or separate trustee; |
| · | make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities in any material respect, as evidenced by an officer's certificate; or |
| · | obtain or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. |
Other amendments and modifications of the 2021 Base Indenture or the debt securities issued may be made with the consent of the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series, and our compliance with any provision of the indenture with respect to the debt securities may be waived by written notice to the trustee by the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series. However, no modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the affected series:
| · | reduce the principal amount, any premium or change the stated maturity of any debt security or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the debt securities; |
| · | change the place of payment or currency in which principal, any premium or interest is paid; |
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| · | impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the debt securities; |
| · | waive a payment default with respect to the debt securities; |
| · | reduce the interest rate or extend the time for payment of interest on the debt securities; |
| · | make any change to the amendment and modification provisions in the indenture; or |
| · | reduce the percentage in principal amount outstanding of debt securities, the consent of the holders of which is required for any of the foregoing modifications or otherwise necessary to modify, supplement or amend the indenture or to waive any past default. |
Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of such series, waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. Prior to the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities of any series pursuant to the terms of the 2021 Base Indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series may, on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series, waive any past default under the 2021 Base Indenture with respect to such debt securities and its consequences, except (i) a default with respect to such series in the payment of the principal of, or premium or any interest on, the debt securities of such series or (ii) a default or event of default in respect of a covenant or provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of all of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series.
Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances
Legal Defeasance. The 2021 Base Indenture provides that, in certain circumstances, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, a nationally recognized investment bank or a nationally recognized appraisal firm to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the debt securities of that series.
This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the 2021 Base Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the beneficial owners of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.
Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, upon compliance with certain conditions, we may be released from our obligation to comply with certain covenants set forth in the indenture and any supplemental indenture, and any failure to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series, or covenant defeasance. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of such debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default related to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our significant subsidiaries.
The conditions include:
| · | depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, a nationally recognized investment bank or a nationally recognized appraisal firm to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the debt securities of the applicable series; and |
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| · | delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the beneficial owners of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred. |
Governing Law
The 2021 Base Indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
Description of the Form Indenture
General
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness senior in right of payment to all of our subordinated indebtedness.
The Form Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under it and provides that debt securities may be issued under it from time to time in one or more series. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Form Indenture does not afford the holders of the debt securities the right to require us to repurchase or redeem the debt securities in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction.
We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of that series, for the issuance of additional debt securities of that series. Additional debt securities of a particular series will have the same terms and conditions as outstanding debt securities of such series, except for the issue date and, in some cases, the public offering price and the first interest payment date, and will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, such outstanding debt securities; provided, however, that if such additional debt securities are not fungible with the outstanding debt securities of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional debt securities will have a separate CUSIP number.
We will set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:
| · | the title of debt securities; |
| · | the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which the debt securities will be issued; |
| · | any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the series of debt securities; |
| · | whether the debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, and if they are subordinated debt securities, the terms of the subordination; |
| · | the date or dates on which the principal on the series of debt securities is payable; |
| · | the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine such rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the series of debt securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, will accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date; |
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| · | the right, if any to extend the interest periods and the duration of that extension; |
| · | the place or places where the principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on, the debt securities will be payable; |
| · | the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities may be redeemed; |
| · | any obligation we may have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of the debt securities; |
| · | the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase the debt securities at the option of the holders of the debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations; |
| · | the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; |
| · | whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities; |
| · | the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount; |
| · | the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be made if other than U.S. dollars; |
| · | any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities; |
| · | any addition to or change in the events of default described in this prospectus or in the indenture and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; |
| · | any addition to or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; |
| · | any other terms of the debt securities (which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to such debt securities); |
| · | any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the series of debt securities, if other than appointed in the indenture; and |
| · | any provisions relating to conversion of the debt securities. |
The foregoing is not intended to be an exclusive list of the terms that may be applicable to any offered debt securities.
In addition, the indenture does not limit our ability to issue convertible, exchangeable or subordinated debt securities. Any conversion, exchange or subordination provisions of debt securities will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion or exchange, either mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, in which case the number of shares of common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of debt securities would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the prospectus supplement.
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We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the U.S. federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Exchange and Transfer
Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the registrar or co-registrar designated by us.
We will not impose a service charge for any transfer or exchange, but we may require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charges associated with any transfer or exchange.
In the event of any redemption of debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:
| · | issue, register the transfer of, or exchange, any debt security of that series during a period beginning at the opening of 15 business days before the day of sending of a notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day such notice is sent; or |
| · | register the transfer of or, exchange any, debt security of that series selected, called or being called for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any series being redeemed in part. |
We may initially appoint the trustee as the registrar. Any transfer agent, in addition to the registrar initially designated by us, will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional transfer agents or change transfer agents or change the office of the transfer agent. However, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.
Global Securities
The debt securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more global securities. Each global security will:
| · | be registered in the name of a depositary that we will identify in a prospectus supplement; |
| · | be deposited with the trustee as custodian for the depositary or its nominee; and |
| · | bear any required legends. |
No global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered in the name of any person other than the depositary or any nominee unless:
| · | the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or has ceased to be qualified to act as depositary, and in either case we fail to appoint a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event; |
| · | we execute and deliver to the trustee an officer's certificate to the effect that such global securities shall be so exchangeable; or |
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| · | an event of default with respect to the debt securities represented by such global securities shall have occurred and be continuing. |
As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except in the above limited circumstances, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:
| · | will not be entitled to have the debt securities registered in their names; |
| · | will not be entitled to physical delivery of certificated debt securities; and |
| · | will not be considered to be holders of those debt securities under the indenture. |
Payments on a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the global security. Some jurisdictions have laws that require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
Institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee are referred to as "participants." Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. The depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants. Each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary (and, if such person is not a participant, on procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest) to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on and effected through records maintained by the depositary, with respect to participants' interests, or by any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by participants on their behalf. Payments, transfers and exchanges relating to beneficial interests in a global security will be subject to policies and procedures of the depositary. The depositary policies and procedures may change from time to time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the depositary's acts or omissions or any participant's records with respect to beneficial interests in a global security.
Payment and Paying Agent
The provisions of this subsection will apply to the debt securities unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement. Payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date. Payment on debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of a paying agent or paying agents designated by us. However, at our option, we may pay interest by mailing a check to the record holder.
We may also name any other paying agents in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional paying agents, change paying agents or change the office of any paying agent. However, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, all moneys paid by us to a paying agent for payment on any debt security that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such payment was due will be repaid to us. Thereafter, the holder may look only to us for such payment.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may not merge or consolidate with or into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person, unless:
| · | the successor or transferee is a U.S. corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other entity; |
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| · | the successor or transferee assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee; |
| · | immediately after giving effect to the transaction and treating our obligations in connection with or as a result of such transaction as having been incurred as of the time of such transaction, no default or event of default under the indenture shall have occurred and be continuing; and |
| · | an officer's certificate and an opinion of counsel have been delivered to the trustee in connection with the foregoing. |
In the event of the above transaction, if there is a successor or transferee, then the successor or transferee will expressly assume all of our obligations under the indenture and automatically be substituted for us in the indenture and as issuer of the debt securities and may exercise every right and power of ours under the indenture with the same effect as if such successor or transferee had been named in our place in the indenture; provided, however, that the predecessor company will not be relieved of the obligation to pay principal and interest on the debt securities except in the case of a sale of all of the assets of us and our subsidiaries.
Events of Default
Event of default means, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:
| · | default in the payment of any interest on any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of that default for a period of 30 days; |
| · | default in the payment of principal of, or premium on, any debt security of that series when due and payable; |
| · | failure on our part to comply with the covenant described under "-Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets"; |
| · | default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture, in any board resolution, supplemental indenture or officer's certificate with respect to such series (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture, board resolution, supplemental indenture or officer's certificate solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 90 days after (1) we receive written notice from the trustee or (2) we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture; |
| · | certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company or our significant subsidiaries; and |
| · | any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement, board resolution, supplemental indenture or officer's certificate. |
We will promptly deliver to the trustee written notice of any event which with the giving of notice and the lapse of time would become a covenant event of default, or any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement, along with a description of the status and what action we are taking or propose to take with respect to such event of default.
No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of default under our bank credit agreements in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence of certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.
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If an event of default (other than an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company) with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if the rescission and annulment would not conflict with any judgment or decree already rendered and if all events of default with respect to that series, other than the non-payment of principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series that has become due and payable solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived and all sums paid or advanced by the trustee and the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of the trustee and its agents and counsel have been paid as provided in the indenture.
The Form Indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt securities, unless the trustee receives security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.
No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:
| · | that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series; and |
| · | the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee, to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, and premium and any interest on, that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of such payment.
The Form Indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. The Form Indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any default or event of default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.
Modification and Waiver
We may amend or modify the Form Indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities of the series affected by the modifications or amendments in order to:
| · | cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; |
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| · | conform the text of the indenture, including any supplemental indenture, or the debt securities to any corresponding provision of this "Description of Debt Securities" or description of the debt securities found in the prospectus supplement as evidenced by an officer's certificate; |
| · | provide for the issuance of additional debt securities; |
| · | provide for the assumption of our obligations in the case of a merger or consolidation and our discharge upon such assumption provided that the provision under "Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets" of the indenture is complied with; |
| · | add covenants or make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the debt securities; |
| · | add guarantees with respect to the debt securities; |
| · | provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; |
| · | secure the debt securities; |
| · | add or appoint a successor or separate trustee; |
| · | make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities in any material respect, as evidenced by an officer's certificate; or |
| · | obtain or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. |
Other amendments and modifications of the Form Indenture or the debt securities issued may be made with the consent of the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series, and our compliance with any provision of the indenture with respect to the debt securities may be waived by written notice to the trustee by the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series. However, no modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the affected series:
| · | reduce the principal amount, any premium or change the stated maturity of any debt security or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the debt securities; |
| · | change the place of payment or currency in which principal, any premium or interest is paid; |
| · | impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the debt securities; |
| · | waive a payment default with respect to the debt securities; |
| · | reduce the interest rate or extend the time for payment of interest on the debt securities; |
| · | make any change to the amendment and modification provisions in the indenture; or |
| · | reduce the percentage in principal amount outstanding of debt securities, the consent of the holders of which is required for any of the foregoing modifications or otherwise necessary to modify, supplement or amend the indenture or to waive any past default. |
Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of such series, waive our compliance with provisions of the Form Indenture. Prior to the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities of any series pursuant to the terms of the indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series may, on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series, waive any past default under the indenture with respect to such debt securities and its consequences, except (i) a default with respect to such series in the payment of the principal of, or premium or any interest on, the debt securities of such series or (ii) a default or event of default in respect of a covenant or provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of all of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series.
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Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances
Legal Defeasance. The Form Indenture provides that, in certain circumstances, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, a nationally recognized investment bank or a nationally recognized appraisal firm to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the debt securities of that series.
This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the beneficial owners of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.
Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The Form Indenture provides that, upon compliance with certain conditions, we may be released from our obligation to comply with certain covenants set forth in the indenture and any supplemental indenture, and any failure to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series, or covenant defeasance. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of such debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default related to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our significant subsidiaries.
The conditions include:
| · | depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, a nationally recognized investment bank or a nationally recognized appraisal firm to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the debt securities of the applicable series; and |
| · | delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the beneficial owners of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred. |
Governing Law
The Form Indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.
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Description of Purchase Contracts
We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a specified number of common shares or other securities at a future date or dates. The price per security of the securities and the number of securities may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts, or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or refunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner and may provide for the prepayment of all or part of the consideration payable by holders in connection with the purchase of the underlying security or other property pursuant to the purchase contracts.
The securities related to the purchase contracts may be pledged to a collateral agent for our benefit pursuant to a pledge agreement to secure the obligations of holders of purchase contracts to purchase the underlying security or property under the related purchase contracts. The rights of holders of purchase contracts to the related pledged securities will be subject to our security interest therein created by the pledge agreement. No holder of purchase contracts will be permitted to withdraw the pledged securities related to such purchase contracts from the pledge arrangement.
The prospectus supplement relating to any particular issuance of purchase contracts will describe the terms of the purchase contracts. The description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete, and reference will be made to the purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements, relating to the purchase contracts, which will be filed with the SEC each time we issue purchase contracts. U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase contracts will also be discussed in the prospectus supplement.
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Description of Units
We may issue units comprising one or more securities described in this prospectus in any combination. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the units that we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. The particular terms of the units and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the units so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit also is the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. Units will be issued pursuant to the terms of a unit agreement, which may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time or at any time before a specified date. A copy of the forms of the unit agreement and the unit certificate relating to any particular issue of units will be filed with the SEC each time we issue units, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you. For more information on how you can obtain copies of the forms of the unit agreement and the related unit certificate, see "Where You Can Find More Information."
The prospectus supplement relating to any particular issuance of units will describe the terms of those units, including, to the extent applicable, the following:
| · | the designation and terms of the units and the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
| · | any provision for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and |
| · | whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form. |
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Plan of Distribution
We may sell the offered securities in and outside the United States:
| · | through underwriters or dealers; |
| · | directly to purchasers; |
| · | in "at the market" offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise; |
| · | through agents; |
| · | block trades in which dealers will attempt to sell as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the |
| · | purchases by a dealer as principal and resales by the dealer for its account; |
| · | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law; or |
| · | through a combination of any of these methods. |
The prospectus supplement will include the following information:
| · | the terms of the offering; |
| · | the names of any underwriters or agents; |
| · | the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters; |
| · | the purchase price or initial public offering price of the securities; |
| · | the net proceeds from the sale of the securities; |
| · | any delayed delivery arrangements; |
| · | any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters' compensation; |
| · | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
| · | any commissions paid to agents. |
Sale through Underwriters or Dealers
If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
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If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting agreement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.
During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.
Some or all of the securities that we offer though this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell our securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.
If dealers are used in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.
Direct Sales and Sales through Agents
We may sell the securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents designated from time to time at fixed prices or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any sales of these securities in the prospectus supplement.
Remarketing Arrangements
Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Delayed Delivery Contracts
If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.
General Information
We may have agreements with the agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers, underwriters or remarketing firms may be required to make. Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
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Legal Matters
O'Melveny & Myers LLP will pass upon the validity of the securities being offered hereby.
Experts
The financial statements of Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, and the effectiveness of Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which express an unqualified opinion on the financial statements and an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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Prospectus
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
$600,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Debt Securities
Purchase Contracts
Units
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following are the estimated expenses of the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, all of which are payable by us. All of the items below, except for the registration fee, are estimates.
| Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee | $ | 60,342 | ||
| Trustee's fees and expenses | * | |||
| Transfer agent and registrar fees | * | |||
| Printing expenses | * | |||
| Accountant's fees and expenses | * | |||
| Legal fees and expenses | * | |||
| Miscellaneous | * | |||
| Total | * |
* Estimated expenses are presently not known and cannot be estimated.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Delaware Law
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses, including attorney's fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with various actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, such as a derivative action), if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of any actions by or in the right of the corporation, except that indemnification only extends to expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such actions, and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The statute provides that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation's certificate of incorporation, bylaws, agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our certificate of incorporation provides that a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duties as a director, except for liability (a) for any breach of that director's duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or as the provision hereafter may be amended, supplemented or replaced, or (d) for any transactions from which that director derived an improper personal benefit.
Our bylaws provide that we will indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person or a person for whom such person is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of us or, while a director or officer of us, is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and losses suffered and expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding. Our bylaws also provide that we will pay the expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition, subject to such person providing us with specified undertakings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our bylaws provide that we shall be required to indemnify or make advances to a person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if the proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by our board of directors. These rights are not exclusive of any other right that any person may have or may acquire under any statute, provision of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. No amendment, modification or repeal of those provisions will in any way adversely affect any right or protection under those provisions of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.
Our bylaws also permit us to secure and maintain insurance on behalf of any of our directors, officers, employees or agents and each person who is, or was, serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise for any liability asserted against and incurred by such person in any such capacity. We have obtained directors' and officers' liability insurance providing coverage to our directors and officers.
Director and Officer Indemnification Agreements
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers that require us to indemnify such persons to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, from claims and losses arising from their service to us (other than certain claims brought by the indemnified party against us or any of our officers and directors). The agreements also provide each indemnified person with expense advancement to the extent the expenses arise from, or might reasonably be expected to arise from, an indemnifiable claim and are expected to contain additional terms meant to facilitate a determination of the indemnified person's entitlement to such benefits.
Item 16. Exhibits.
The following documents are exhibits to the registration statement:
|
Exhibit Number |
Description | |
| 1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement. | |
| 4.1 | Indenture dated February 12, 2021 (incorporated by reference Exhibit 4.1 to the Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February 12, 2021). | |
| 4.2 | Supplemental Indenture dated February 12, 2021 (incorporated by reference Exhibit 4.2 to the Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February 12, 2021). | |
| 4.3 | Form of Debt Securities Indenture. | |
| 4.4* | Form of Debt Securities. | |
| 4.5* | Preferred Stock Certificate of Amendment. | |
| 4.6* | Form of Warrant Agreement. | |
| 4.7* | Form of Warrant Certificate. | |
| 4.8* | Form of Depositary Agreement. | |
| 4.9* | Form of Depositary Receipt. | |
| 4.10* | Form of Subscription Rights Certificate. | |
| 4.11* | Form of Purchase Contract. | |
| 4.12* | Form of Unit Agreement. | |
| 4.13* | Form of Unit Certificate. | |
| 5.1 | Opinion of O'Melveny & Myers LLP. | |
| 23.1 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. | |
| 23.2 | Consent of O'Melveny & Myers LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration Statement). | |
| 24.1 | Power of Attorney (included on signature page). | |
| 25.1 | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., under Indenture dated as of February 12, 2021 (incorporated by reference Form 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, filed with the SEC on February 12, 2021). | |
| 25.2** | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Trustee under Debt Securities Indenture. | |
| 107 | Fee Table |
* To be filed either by amendment or as an exhibit to a report filed under the Exchange Act.
** To be filed separately under the electronic form type 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
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, as amended (the "Securities Act");
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
(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 (1)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this Item 17 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 Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Exchange Act that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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 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 to any purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) under the Exchange Act 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; an
(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 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 a 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 purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) 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.
(6) 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. 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 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(7) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A 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 shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(8) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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.
(9) 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 ("Act") in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the 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 Akron, State of Ohio on November 21, 2024.
| BABCOCK & WILCOX ENTERPRISES, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Kenneth M. Young | |
| Name: Kenneth M. Young | ||
| Title: Chief Executive Officer |
Each of the undersigned officers and directors of Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. hereby constitutes and appoints each of Kenneth M. Young and Louis Salamone as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this registration statement of Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. on Form S-3, and any other registration statement relating to the same offering (including any registration statement, or amendment thereto, that is to become effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and any and all amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated as of November 21, 2024:
| Signature | Title | |
| /s/ Kenneth M. Young | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |
| Kenneth M. Young | (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| /s/ Louis Salamone | Chief Financial Officer | |
| Louis Salamone | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |
| /s/ Henry E. Bartoli | ||
| Henry E. Bartoli | Director | |
| /s/ Alan B. Howe | ||
| Alan B. Howe | Director | |
| /s/ Joseph A. Tato | ||
| Joseph A. Tato | Director | |
| /s/ Rebecca Stahl | ||
| Rebecca Stahl | Director | |
| /s/ Philip D. Moeller | ||
| Philip D. Moeller | Director | |
| /s/ Naomi Boness | ||
| Naomi Boness | Director |