The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company 424(b)(3)
Filed Pursuant To Rule 424(b)3
Registration No. 333-133785
PROSPECTUS
$278,743,000
THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due June 15, 2034
and Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon Conversion of the
Senior Notes
This prospectus covers resales by selling security holders
identified herein of our 4.00% convertible senior notes due
June 15, 2034 and shares of our common stock into which the
notes are convertible. We will not receive any proceeds from the
resale of the notes or the shares of common stock hereunder.
The notes will mature on June 15, 2034. You may convert
your notes into shares of our common stock at a conversion rate
of 83.0703 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal
amount of notes (subject to adjustment in certain events), which
is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately
$12.04 per share, under the following circumstances:
(1) during specified periods, if the closing sale price of
our common stock reaches, or the trading price of the notes
falls below, specified levels described in this prospectus;
(2) if we call the notes for redemption; (3) if
specified corporate transactions occur; or (4) if a
fundamental change occurs. Upon conversion, we may at our option
choose to deliver, in lieu of our common stock, cash or a
combination of cash and common stock as described in this
prospectus.
We will pay interest on the notes on June 15 and December 15 of
each year. The notes will be issued only in denominations of
$1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.
On or after June 20, 2008, we have the option to redeem all
or a portion of the notes that have not been previously
converted at redemption prices set forth in this prospectus. On
June 15 of each of 2011, 2014, 2019, 2024 and 2029, or upon a
designated event as described in this prospectus, you have the
option to require us to repurchase all or a portion of your
notes at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the date of repurchase, plus, in the case of certain
designated events as described in this prospectus, a make-whole
premium determined as described in this prospectus.
The notes will be evidenced by a global note deposited with a
custodian for and registered in the name of a nominee of The
Depository Trust Company. Except as described in this
prospectus, beneficial interests in the global note will be
shown on, and transfers thereon will be effected only through,
records maintained by The Depository Trust Company and its
direct and indirect participants.
The notes are senior, unsecured obligations that rank equally
with our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated
indebtedness. See Description of Notes
Ranking.
Prior to this offering, the notes have been eligible for trading
on The
PORTALsm
Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Notes sold by means of this prospectus are not expected to
remain eligible for trading on The PORTAL Market. We do not
intend to list the notes for trading on any national securities
exchange or on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol GT. The last reported sales price on
May 3, 2006 was $14.27 per share.
See Risk Factors on page 6 of this
prospectus to read about factors you should consider before
purchasing the notes or our common stock.
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 and
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date of this prospectus is May 4, 2006.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
DIFFERENT INFORMATION. WE ARE NOT MAKING AN OFFER OR SOLICITING
A PURCHASE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE
OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON
MAKING THE OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO
ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE THE OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a
shelf registration process. Under this shelf
registration process, the selling security holders may, from
time to time, offer notes or shares of our common stock issued
upon conversion of the notes owned by them. Each time the
selling security holders offer notes or common stock under this
prospectus, they are required to provide to potential purchasers
a copy of this prospectus and, if applicable, a copy of a
prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and,
if applicable, any prospectus supplement together with the
information incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See
Where You Can Find More Information; Documents
Incorporated By Reference for more information.
Forward-Looking Information Safe Harbor
Statement
Certain information set forth herein (other than historical data
and information) may constitute forward-looking statements
regarding events and trends that may affect our future operating
results and financial position. The words estimate,
expect, intend and project,
as well as other words or expressions of similar meaning, are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. You are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus.
Such statements are based on current expectations and
assumptions, are inherently uncertain, are subject to risks and
should be viewed with caution. Actual results and experience may
differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a
result of many factors, including:
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Although we recorded net income in 2004 and 2005, we cannot
provide assurance that we will be able to achieve or sustain
future profitability. Our future profitability is dependent
upon, among other things, our ability to successfully implement
our cost reduction strategies; |
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we face significant global competition, increasingly from lower
cost manufacturers, and our market share could decline; |
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our pension plans are significantly underfunded and our required
contributions to those plans are substantial. Proposed
U.S. legislation affecting pension plan funding could
result in the need for additional cash payments by us into our
U.S. pension plans and increase the insurance premiums we
pay to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; |
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higher raw material and energy costs may materially adversely
affect our operating results and financial condition; |
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continued pricing pressures from vehicle manufacturers may
materially adversely affect our business; |
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our financial position, results of operations and liquidity
could be materially adversely affected if we experience a labor
strike, work stoppage or other similar difficulty; |
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pending litigation relating to our 2003 restatement could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition; |
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our long-term ability to meet current obligations and to repay
maturing indebtedness, is dependent on our ability to access
capital markets in the future and to improve our operating
results; |
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we have a substantial amount of debt, which could restrict our
growth, place us at a competitive disadvantage or otherwise
materially adversely affect our financial health; |
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any failure to be in compliance with any material provision or
covenant of our secured credit facilities and the indenture
governing our senior secured notes could have a material adverse
effect on our liquidity and our operations; |
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our secured credit facilities limit the amount of capital
expenditures that we may make; |
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our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate
risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase
significantly; |
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we may incur significant costs in connection with product
liability and other tort claims; |
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our reserves for product liability and other tort claims and our
recorded insurance assets are subject to various uncertainties,
the outcome of which may result in our actual costs being
significantly higher than the amounts recorded; |
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we may be required to deposit cash collateral to support an
appeal bond if we are subject to a significant adverse judgment,
which may have a material adverse effect on our liquidity; |
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we are subject to extensive government regulations that may
materially adversely affect our operating results; |
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our international operations have certain risks that may
materially adversely affect our operating results; |
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we have foreign currency translation and transaction risks that
may materially adversely affect our operating results; |
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the terms and conditions of our global alliance with Sumitomo
Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) provide for certain exit
rights available to SRI in 2009 or thereafter, upon the
occurrence of certain events, which could require us to make a
substantial payment to acquire SRIs interest in certain of
our joint venture alliances (which include much of our
operations in Europe); |
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if we are unable to attract and retain key personnel, our
business could be materially adversely affected; and |
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we may be impacted by economic and supply disruptions associated
with global events including war, acts of terror, civil
obstructions and natural disasters. |
It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors. We
will not revise or update any forward-looking statement or
disclose any facts, events or circumstances that occur after the
date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking
statement.
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Summary
The following summary contains basic information about this
offering. It may not contain all of the information that is
important to you and it is qualified in its entirety by the more
detailed information included in this prospectus. You should
carefully consider the information contained in the entire
prospectus, including the information set forth under the
heading Risk Factors in this prospectus. In
addition, certain statements include forward-looking information
that involves risks and uncertainties. See Forward-looking
Information Safe Harbor Statement.
In this prospectus, Goodyear,
Company, we, us, and
our refer to The Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, except as
otherwise indicated.
The Company
We are one of the worlds leading manufacturers of tires
and rubber products, engaging in operations in most regions of
the world. Our 2005 net sales were $19.7 billion and
our net income for 2005 was $228 million. Together with our
U.S. and international subsidiaries and joint ventures, we
develop, manufacture, market and distribute tires for most
applications. We also manufacture and market several lines of
power transmission belts, hoses and other rubber products for
the transportation industry and various industrial and chemical
markets, and rubber-related chemicals for various applications.
We are one of the worlds largest operators of commercial
truck service and tire retreading centers. In addition, we
operate more than 1,800 tire and auto service center outlets
where we offer our products for retail sale and provide
automotive repair and other services. We manufacture our
products in more than 100 facilities in 29 countries, and we
have marketing operations in almost every country around the
world. We employ approximately 80,000 associates worldwide.
Our Principal Executive Offices
We are an Ohio corporation, organized in 1898. Our principal
executive offices are located at 1144 East Market Street, Akron,
Ohio 44316-0001. Our telephone number is (330) 796-2121.
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The Notes
The following summary contains basic information about the
notes and is not intended to be complete. For a more complete
understanding of the notes, please refer to the section entitled
Description of the Notes in this prospectus.
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Issuer |
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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio corporation. |
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Notes |
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$350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
4.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2034, of which
$278,743,000 aggregate principal amount may be offered pursuant
to this prospectus. |
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Issue Price |
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100% of the principal amount of each note, plus accrued
interest, if any, from July 2, 2004. |
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Maturity |
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June 15, 2034 unless earlier redeemed, repurchased or
converted. |
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Ranking |
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The notes are our senior, unsecured obligations and rank equal
in right of payment with all of our other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness. At December 31, 2005, our
consolidated senior secured indebtedness, including capital
leases, totaled approximately $3.0 billion and our
consolidated senior unsecured indebtedness totaled approximately
$2.4 billion. The notes are not guaranteed by any of our
subsidiaries and, accordingly, the notes are structurally
subordinated to the existing and future indebtedness and other
liabilities of our subsidiaries. At December 31, 2005, the
total subsidiary liabilities, including guarantees of our
indebtedness, was approximately $8.2 billion. |
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Make Whole Premium |
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If a fundamental change that is a change of
control (each as defined below under Description of
the Notes Designated Event Permits Holders to
Require Us to Purchase Notes) becomes effective on or
prior to June 15, 2011, holders of notes will be entitled
to a make whole premium upon the repurchase of notes as
described below under Description of the Notes
Designated Event Permits Holders to Require Us to Purchase
Notes and upon the conversion of notes as described below
under Description of the Notes Conversion in
Connection with a Fundamental Change. We may satisfy the
make whole premium solely in shares of our common stock (other
than cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) or in the same form
of consideration into which shares of our common stock have been
converted in connection with the change of control. The amount
of the make whole premium, if any, will be based on the
stock price (as defined below under
Description of the Notes Determination of Make
Whole Premium) and the effective date of the fundamental
change. A description of how the make whole premium will be
determined and tables illustrating the make whole premium that
would apply in different circumstances is provided under
Description of the Notes Determination of Make
Whole Premium. Holders will not be entitled to the make
whole premium if the stock price is less than $9.26 (subject to
adjustment). |
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Interest |
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4.00% per year on the principal amount, payable
semiannually in arrears on each June 15 and December 15. |
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Conversion Rights |
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The notes are convertible at the option of the holder, prior to
the close of business on the maturity date, under any of the
following circumstances: |
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on any business day in any fiscal quarter commencing prior to
the maturity date, if the last reported sale price of our common
stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive
trading-day period ending on the 11th trading day of such fiscal
quarter is greater than 120% of the applicable conversion price
per share of our common stock on such 11th trading day; or |
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on any business day after June 15, 2029 and through the
business day immediately preceding the maturity date, if the
last reported sale price of our common stock on any trading date
after June 15, 2029 is greater than 120% of the applicable
conversion price per share of our common stock on such trading
day; or |
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at any time prior to June 15, 2029, during the five
consecutive business day period following any five consecutive
trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000
principal amount of notes for each day of that trading period
was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price
of our common stock on such corresponding trading day and the
applicable conversion rate; |
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if we have called the notes for redemption; or |
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upon the occurrence of specified corporate events described
under Description of the Notes Conversion upon
Specified Corporate Transactions and
Conversion in Connection with a Fundamental
Change. |
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For each $1,000 original principal amount of notes surrendered
for conversion, you will receive 83.0703 shares of our
common stock. This represents an initial conversion price of
approximately $12.04 per share of common stock. As
described in this prospectus, the conversion rate may be
adjusted for certain reasons, but it will not be adjusted for
accrued and unpaid interest. Except as otherwise described in
this prospectus, you will not receive any payment representing
accrued and unpaid interest upon conversion of a note. |
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Upon conversion, we will have the right to deliver, in lieu of
shares of our common stock, cash or a combination of cash and
shares of our common stock. See Description of the
Notes Conversion Rights. |
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Redemption of Notes at Our Option |
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On or after June 20, 2008, we may redeem for cash all or a
portion of the notes at any time, upon not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days prior notice, at redemption prices
described in this prospectus, plus accrued but unpaid interest
to but excluding the redemption date. See Description of
the Notes Optional Redemption. |
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Purchase of Notes at Your Option |
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Holders of the notes will have the right to require us to
purchase all or a portion of their notes on each June 15 of
2011, 2014, 2019, 2024 and 2029, each of which we refer to as a
purchase date. In each case, we will pay a purchase price equal
to 100% of the |
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principal amount of the notes to be purchased, plus any accrued
and unpaid interest to but excluding the purchase date. See
Description of the Notes Purchase of Notes by
Us at the Option of the Holders. |
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Purchase of Notes Upon a Designated Event |
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If we undergo a designated event, (as defined below
under Description of Notes Designated Event
Permits Holders to Require Us to Purchase Notes) holders
will have the right, at their option, to require us to purchase
all of their notes or any portion of the principal amount
thereof that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of
$1,000. The purchase price we are required to pay is equal to
100% of the principal amount of the notes to be purchased plus
accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the designated
event repurchase date, plus, in the case of a fundamental change
that is a change of control, a make whole premium, if any, as
described above. See Description of the Notes
Designated Event Permits Holders to Require Us to Purchase
Notes. |
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Use of Proceeds |
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We will not receive any proceeds from the sale by any selling
security holder of the notes or the common stock issuable upon
conversion thereof. |
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Events of Default |
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The following will be events of default under the indenture for
the notes: |
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we fail to pay principal of, or premium (if any) on, any of the
notes when due at maturity, upon redemption, required repurchase
or otherwise; |
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we fail to pay interest on the notes when due and payable and
that default continues for a period of 30 days; |
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we fail to convert notes into shares of common stock upon
exercise of a holders conversion right and that default
continues for a period of 10 days; |
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we fail to comply with or observe in any material respect any of
the other covenants or agreements in the indenture for
60 days after written notice; |
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we fail to pay any indebtedness (other than indebtedness owing
to the Company or a significant subsidiary) within any
applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration
of any such indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a
default if the total amount of such indebtedness unpaid or
accelerated exceeds $50.0 million or its foreign currency
equivalent; |
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the rendering of any final nonappealable judgment or decree (not
covered by insurance) for the payment of money in excess of
$50.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent (treating
any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered)
against the Company or a significant subsidiary if such final
judgment or decree remains outstanding and is not satisfied,
discharged or waived within a period of 60 days following
such judgment; |
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we fail to give notice of the right to require us to repurchase
notes following the occurrence of a designated event within the
time required to give such notice; and |
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certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
affecting the Company or a significant subsidiary. See
Description of the Notes Events of Default and
Remedies. |
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Book Entry Form |
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The notes were issued in book-entry form and are represented by
permanent global certificates deposited with a custodian for and
registered in the name of a nominee of The Depository Trust
Company, commonly known as DTC, in New York, New York.
Beneficial interest in any of the notes are shown on, and
transfers are effected only through, records maintained by DTC
and its direct and indirect participants and any such interest
may not be exchanged for certificated notes, except in limited
circumstances. See Book-Entry System. |
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Trading |
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The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or
included in any automated quotation system. Our common stock is
traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
GT. |
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Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the risks described below and
other information contained in this prospectus before making an
investment decision. Additional risks and uncertainties not
presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may
also impair our business operations. Any of the events discussed
in the risk factors below may occur. If they do, our business,
results of operations or financial condition could be materially
adversely affected. In such an instance, the trading price of
our securities could decline, and you might lose all or part of
your investment.
Risks Relating to Our Business
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It is uncertain whether we will successfully implement the
turnaround strategy for our North American Tire segment. |
We are in the process of implementing a turnaround strategy for
our North American Tire Segment. Based in part on successes in
implementing this strategy, North American Tire had positive
segment operating income in 2004 and 2005, after recording
operating losses in the previous two years. Additional progress
in implementing the turnaround strategy is needed, however, to
enable the North American Tire business segment to continue to
achieve and maintain profitability.
The ability of the North American Tire Segment to achieve and
maintain profitability may be hampered by trends that continue
to negatively affect the business, including industry
overcapacity, which limits pricing power, increased competition
from low-cost manufacturers and uncertain economic conditions in
the United States. In addition, our North American Tire Segment
has been, and may continue to be negatively affected by higher
than expected raw materials and energy costs, weakness in the
domestic auto industry, as well as the continuing burden of
legacy pension and postretirement benefit costs. The success of
our turnaround strategy is dependent, in part, on our ability to
address and manage these costs as well as the costs associated
with operating our manufacturing facilities in North America and
to implement productivity improvements in these facilities.
The success of the turnaround strategy is also dependent on
North American Tires ability to continue to improve the
proportion, or mix, of higher margin tires it sells. In order to
continue this improvement, North American Tire must be
successful in marketing and selling products that offer higher
margins such as the Assurance and Fortera lines of tires and in
developing additional higher margin tires that achieve broad
market acceptance. Other initiatives that may impact our
turnaround effort include our ability to successfully expand
into the truck service business and to continue our selective
fitment strategy with our OE customers.
We cannot assure that our turnaround strategy will be
successful. If our turnaround strategy is not successful, we may
not be able to achieve or sustain future profitability, which
would impair our ability to meet our debt and other obligations
and would otherwise negatively affect our financial condition
and operations.
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We face significant global competition and our market
share could decline. |
New tires are sold under highly competitive conditions
throughout the world. We compete with other tire manufacturers
on the basis of product design, performance, price, reputation,
warranty terms, customer service and consumer convenience. On a
worldwide basis, we have two major competitors, Bridgestone
(based in Japan) and Michelin (based in France), that dominate
the markets of the countries in which they are based and are
aggressively seeking to maintain or improve their respective
shares of the North American, European, Latin American and other
world tire markets. Other significant competitors include
Continental, Cooper Tire, Pirelli, Toyo, Yokohama, Kumho,
Hankook and various regional tire manufacturers. Our competitors
produce significant numbers of tires in low-cost markets. We are
limited by our master contract with the United Steelworkers
(USW) in our ability to shift production of certain
products from U.S. facilities to low-cost markets and our
credit agreements limit the amount of capital expenditures we
may make. Our ability to compete successfully will depend, in
significant part, on our ability to reduce costs by such means
as reduction of excess capacity, leveraging global purchasing,
improving productivity, elimination of redundancies and
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increasing production at low-cost supply sources. If we are
unable to compete successfully, our market share may decline,
materially adversely affecting our results of operations and
financial condition.
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Our pension plans are significantly underfunded and our
required contributions to these plans are expected to
increase. |
The unfunded amount of the projected benefit obligation for our
U.S. and
non-U.S. pension
plans was $2 billion and $1 billion at
December 31, 2005, respectively. Our funding obligations
for our U.S. plans are governed by the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA. In 2005, we met or
exceeded our required funding obligations for these plans under
ERISA. Estimates of the amount and timing of our future funding
obligations are based on various assumptions. These include
assumptions concerning, among other things, the actual and
projected market performance of the pension plan assets;
interest rates on long-term obligations; statutory requirements;
and demographic data for pension plan participants. The amount
and timing of our future funding obligations also depend on
whether we elect to make contributions to the pension plans in
excess of those required under ERISA, as such voluntary
contributions could reduce or defer our future funding
obligations.
At the end of 2005, interest rate relief measures relating to
the calculation of pension funding obligations expired. Since
new legislation has not yet been enacted, the interest rate
reverted to a 30-year
U.S. Treasury bond basis beginning in 2006 and we estimate
that we will be required to contribute approximately
$700 million to $750 million to our domestic pension
plans in 2006 under this basis. If new legislation is enacted in
2006, we expect that the interest rate used for 2006 will be
based on a corporate bond basis. Using an estimate of these
rates would result in estimated required contributions to our
domestic pension plans in 2006 of $550 million to
$600 million. For more information on the calculation of
our estimated domestic pension plan contributions, see
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Commitments and
Contingent Liabilities in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. The
anticipated funding obligations under our pension plans for 2007
and thereafter cannot be reasonably estimated at this time
because of the current uncertainty around pension reform
legislation. Pension reform legislation before Congress would
replace the interest rate used to calculate pension funding
obligations starting in 2007, require more rapid funding of
underfunded plans, restrict the use of techniques that reduce
funding volatility, and limit pension increases in underfunded
plans. In addition, Congress has recently passed legislation
increasing the insurance premiums charged by the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation. It is not possible to predict whether
Congress will adopt pension reform legislation, or what form any
final legislation might take. If legislation similar to the
pending bills were enacted, it could materially increase our
pension funding obligations and insurance premiums, and could
limit our ability to negotiate pension increases for our
union-represented employees. Nevertheless, we presently expect
that our funding obligations under our pension plans in 2007 and
subsequent years will be substantial and could have a material
adverse impact on our liquidity.
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Higher raw material and energy costs may materially
adversely affect our operating results and financial
condition. |
Raw material costs increased significantly over the past few
years driven by increases in costs of oil and natural rubber.
Market conditions may prevent us from passing these increased
costs on to our customers through timely price increases.
Additionally, higher raw material costs around the world may
continue to hinder our ability to fully realize our turnaround
strategy. As a result, higher raw material and energy costs
could result in declining margins and operating results.
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Continued pricing pressures from vehicle manufacturers may
materially adversely affect our business. |
Approximately 28% of the tires we sell are sold to vehicle
manufacturers for mounting as OE. Pricing pressure from vehicle
manufacturers has been a characteristic of the tire industry in
recent years. Many vehicle manufacturers have policies of
seeking price reductions each year. Although we have taken steps
to reduce costs and resist price reductions, current and future
price reductions could materially adversely impact our sales and
profit margins. If we are unable to offset continued price
reductions through improved operating
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efficiencies and reduced expenditures, those price reductions
may result in declining margins and operating results.
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If we fail to extend or renegotiate our primary collective
bargaining contracts with our labor unions as they expire from
time to time, or if our unionized employees were to engage in a
strike or other work stoppage, our business and operating
results could be materially adversely affected. |
We are a party to collective bargaining contracts with our labor
unions, which represent a significant number of our employees.
In particular, our master collective bargaining agreement with
the USW covers approximately 13,600 employees in the United
States at December 31, 2005 and expires in July 2006.
Although we believe that our relations with our employees are
satisfactory, no assurance can be given that we will be able to
successfully extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining
agreements as they expire from time to time. If we fail to
extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining agreements, if
disputes with our unions arise, or if our unionized workers
engage in a strike or other work stoppage, we could incur higher
labor costs or experience a significant disruption of
operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial position and results of operations.
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Pending litigation relating to our 2003 restatement could
have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash
flows and results of operation. |
At least 36 lawsuits were filed against us and certain of our
current or former officers or directors following our October
2003 announcement regarding the restatement of our previously
issued financial results. These actions have been consolidated
into three separate actions in the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Ohio. One of these consolidated
actions, a purported securities class action alleging fraud, has
been dismissed by the District Court. We intend to vigorously
defend these lawsuits. However, we cannot currently predict or
determine the outcome or resolution of these proceedings or the
timing for their resolution, or reasonably estimate the amount,
or potential range, of possible loss, if any. In addition to any
damages that we may suffer, our managements efforts and
attention may be diverted from our ordinary business operations
in order to address these claims. The final resolution of these
lawsuits could have a material adverse effect on our financial
position, cash flows and results of operation.
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Our long-term ability to meet our obligations and to repay
maturing indebtedness is dependent on our ability to access
capital markets in the future and to improve our operating
results. |
The adequacy of our liquidity depends on our ability to achieve
an appropriate combination of operating improvements, financing
from third parties, access to capital markets and asset sales.
Although we completed a major refinancing of our senior secured
credit facilities on April 8, 2005, issued
$400 million in Senior unsecured notes in June 2005, and
repaid our
63/8
% Euro Notes due 2005 upon maturity on June 6, 2005,
we may undertake additional financing actions in the capital
markets in order to ensure that our future liquidity
requirements are addressed. These actions may include the
issuance of additional equity.
Our access to the capital markets cannot be assured and is
dependent on, among other things, the degree of success we have
implementing our North American Tire turnaround strategy. See
It is uncertain whether we will successfully
implement the turnaround strategy for our North American Tire
segment. Future liquidity requirements also may make it
necessary for us to incur additional debt. A substantial portion
of our assets is subject to liens securing our indebtedness. As
a result, we are limited in our ability to pledge our remaining
assets as security for additional secured indebtedness. Our
failure to access the capital markets or incur additional debt
in the future could have a material adverse effect on our
liquidity and operations, and could require us to consider
further measures, including deferring planned capital
expenditures, reducing discretionary spending, selling
additional assets and restructuring existing debt.
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We have a substantial amount of debt, which could restrict
our growth, place us at a competitive disadvantage or otherwise
materially adversely affect our financial health. |
We have a substantial amount of debt. As of December 31,
2005, our debt (including capital leases) on a consolidated
basis was approximately $5.4 billion. Our substantial
amount of debt and other obligations could have important
consequences. For example, it could:
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Make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations; |
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Impair our ability to obtain financing in the future for working
capital, capital expenditures, research and development,
acquisitions or general corporate requirements; |
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Increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and
industry conditions; |
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Limit our ability to use operating cash flow in other areas of
our business because we would need to dedicate a substantial
portion of these funds for payments on our indebtedness; |
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Limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes
in our business and the industry in which we operate; and |
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Place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our
competitors that have less debt. |
The agreements governing our debt, including our credit
agreements, limit, but do not prohibit, us from incurring
additional debt and we may incur a significant amount of
additional debt in the future, including additional secured
debt. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, our
ability to satisfy our debt obligations may become more limited.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on, or to refinance, our
debt and other obligations will depend on our financial and
operating performance, which, in turn, is subject to our ability
to implement our turnaround strategy, prevailing economic
conditions and certain financial, business and other factors
beyond our control. If our cash flow and capital resources are
insufficient to fund our debt service and other obligations,
including required pension contributions, we may be forced to
reduce or delay expansion plans and capital expenditures, sell
material assets or operations, obtain additional capital or
restructure our debt. We cannot assure you that our operating
performance, cash flow and capital resources will be sufficient
to pay our debt obligations when they become due. We cannot
assure you that we would be able to dispose of material assets
or operations or restructure our debt or other obligations if
necessary or, even if we were able to take such actions, that we
could do so on terms that were acceptable to us.
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Any failure to be in compliance with any material
provision or covenant of our debt instruments could have a
material adverse effect on our liquidity and operations. |
The indentures and other agreements governing our secured credit
facilities and secured notes and our other outstanding
indebtedness impose significant operating and financial
restrictions on us. These restrictions may affect our ability to
operate our business and may limit our ability to take advantage
of potential business opportunities as they arise. These
restrictions limit our ability to, among other things:
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Incur additional indebtedness and issue preferred stock; |
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Pay dividends and other distributions with respect to our
capital stock or repurchase our capital stock or make other
restricted payments; |
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Enter into transactions with affiliates; |
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Create or incur liens to secure debt; |
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Make certain investments; |
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Enter into sale/leaseback transactions; |
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Sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of assets; |
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Incur dividend or other payment restrictions affecting certain
subsidiaries; |
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Use proceeds from the sale of certain assets; and |
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Engage in certain mergers or consolidations and transfers of
substantially all assets. |
Our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by
events beyond our control, and unanticipated events could
require us to seek waivers or amendments of covenants or
alternative sources of financing or to reduce expenditures. We
cannot assure you that such waivers, amendments or alternative
financing could be obtained, or if obtained, would be on terms
acceptable to us.
Our first lien credit facility and European term loan and
revolving credit facility require us to maintain certain
specified thresholds of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated
Interest Expense (as defined in each of the facilities). In
addition, under these facilities, we are required not to permit
our ratio of Consolidated Net Secured Indebtedness (net of cash
in excess of $400 million) to Consolidated EBITDA to be
greater than certain specified thresholds. These restrictions
could limit our ability to plan for or react to market
conditions or meet extraordinary capital needs or otherwise
restrict capital activities.
A breach of any of the covenants or restrictions contained in
any of our existing or future financing agreements, including
the financial covenants in our secured credit facilities, could
result in an event of default under those agreements. Such a
default could allow the lenders under our financing agreements,
if the agreements so provide, to discontinue lending, to
accelerate the related debt as well as any other debt to which a
cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies, and/or to
declare all borrowings outstanding thereunder to be due and
payable. In addition, the lenders could terminate any
commitments they have to provide us with further funds. If any
of these events occur, we cannot assure you that we will have
sufficient funds available to pay in full the total amount of
obligations that become due as a result of any such
acceleration, or that we will be able to find additional or
alternative financing to refinance any such accelerated
obligations. Even if we obtain additional or alternative
financing, we cannot assure you that it would be on terms that
would be acceptable to us. Finally, we have agreed with the USW
that if we do not remain in compliance with our prevailing
principal bank financial covenants, we will seek a substantial
private equity investment. Any such investor or investors could
exercise influence over the management of our business and may
have interests that conflict with the interests of our other
investors.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to remain in
compliance with the covenants to which we are subject in the
future and, if we fail to do so, that we will be able to obtain
waivers from our lenders or amend the covenants.
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Our capital expenditures may not be adequate to maintain
our competitive position. |
Our capital expenditures are limited by our liquidity and
capital resources and restrictions in our credit agreements. The
amount Goodyear has available for capital spending is limited by
the need to pay its other expenses and to maintain adequate cash
reserves and borrowing capacity to meet unexpected demands that
may arise. In addition, our credit facilities limit the amount
of capital expenditures that we may make to $700 million in
each year through 2010. The amounts of permitted capital
expenditures may be increased with the proceeds of equity
issuances. In addition, unused capital expenditures may be
carried over into the next year. In 2005, capital expenditures
as defined in our borrowing agreements totaled $621 million
and are expected to increase to approximately $665 million
in 2006. Capital expenditures as defined in our borrowing
agreements do not include capitalized software and include
non-cash capital lease transactions and, accordingly, differ
from capital expenditures reported in our Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows. We believe that our ratio of capital
expenditures to sales is lower than the comparable ratio for our
principal competitors.
Productivity improvements through process re-engineering, design
efficiency and manufacturing cost improvements may be required
to offset potential increases in labor and raw material costs
and competitive price pressures. In addition, as part of our
strategy to increase the percentage of tires sold in higher cost
markets that are produced at our lower-cost production
facilities, we may need to modernize or expand certain of those
facilities. If we are unable to make sufficient capital
expenditures, or to maximize the efficiency of the
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capital expenditures we do make, we may be unable to achieve
productivity improvements, which may harm our competitive
position.
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Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest
rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to
increase significantly. |
Certain of our borrowings, primarily borrowings under our credit
facilities, are at variable rates of interest and expose us to
interest rate risk. If interest rates increase, our debt service
obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase
even though the amount borrowed remained the same, which would
require us to use more of our available cash to service our
indebtedness. There can be no assurance that we will be able to
enter into swap agreements or other hedging arrangements in the
future, or that existing or future hedging arrangements will
offset increases in interest rates. At December 31, 2005,
we had $2,764 million of variable rate debt outstanding.
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We may incur significant costs in connection with asbestos
claims. |
We are among many defendants named in legal proceedings
involving claims of individuals relating to alleged exposure to
asbestos. At December 31, 2005, approximately 125,500
claims were pending against us alleging various asbestos-related
personal injuries purported to have resulted from alleged
exposure to asbestos in certain rubber encapsulated products or
aircraft braking systems manufactured by us in the past or to
asbestos in certain of our facilities. We expect that additional
claims will be brought against us in the future. Our ultimate
liability with respect to such pending and unasserted claims is
subject to various uncertainties, including the following:
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the number of claims that are brought in the future; |
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the costs of defending and settling these claims; |
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the risk of insolvencies among our insurance carriers; |
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the possibility that adverse jury verdicts could require us to
pay damages in amounts greater than the amounts for which we
have historically settled claims; |
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the risk of changes in the litigation environment or Federal and
state law governing the compensation of asbestos
claimants; and |
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the risk that the bankruptcies of other asbestos defendants may
increase our costs. |
Because of the uncertainties related to such claims, it is
possible that we may incur a material amount in excess of our
current reserve for such claims. In addition, if any of the
foregoing risks were to materialize, the resulting costs could
have a material adverse impact on our liquidity, financial
position and results of operations in future periods.
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We may be required to deposit cash collateral to support
an appeal bond if we are subject to a significant adverse
judgment, which may have a material adverse effect on our
liquidity. |
We are subject to various legal proceedings. If we wish to
appeal any future adverse judgment in any of these proceedings,
we may be required to post an appeal bond with the relevant
court. We may be required to issue a letter of credit to the
surety posting the bond. We may issue up to an aggregate of
$700 million in letters of credit under our
$1.5 billion U.S. first lien credit facility. As of
December 31, 2005, we had $499 million in letters of
credit issued under this facility. If we are subject to a
significant adverse judgment and do not have sufficient
availability under our credit facilities to issue a letter of
credit to support an appeal bond, we may be required to pay down
borrowings under the facilities or deposit cash collateral in
order to stay the enforcement of the judgment pending an appeal.
A significant deposit of cash collateral may have a material
adverse effect on our liquidity. If we are unable to post cash
collateral, we may be unable to stay enforcement of the judgment.
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We are subject to extensive government regulations that
may materially adversely affect our operating results. |
We are subject to regulation by the Department of Transportation
and by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or
NHTSA, which have established various standards and regulations
applicable to tires sold in the United States and tires sold in
a foreign country that are identical or substantially similar to
tires sold in the United States. NHTSA has the authority to
order the recall of automotive products, including tires, having
safety-related defects. NHTSAs regulatory authority was
expanded in November 2000 as a result of the enactment of the
Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and
Documentation Act, or TREAD Act. The TREAD Act imposes numerous
requirements with respect to the early warning reporting of
warranty claims, property damage claims, and bodily injury and
fatality claims and also requires tire manufacturers, among
other things, to conform with revised and more rigorous tire
testing standards, once the revised standards are implemented.
Compliance with the TREAD Act regulations will increase the cost
of producing and distributing tires in the United States. In
addition, while we believe that our tires are free from design
and manufacturing defects, it is possible that a recall of our
tires, under the TREAD Act or otherwise, could occur in the
future. A substantial recall could have a material adverse
effect on our reputation, operating results and financial
position. Compliance with these and other Federal, state and
local laws and regulations in the future may require a material
increase in our capital expenditures and could materially
adversely affect the Companys earnings and competitive
position.
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Our international operations have certain risks that may
materially adversely affect our operating results. |
Goodyear has manufacturing and distribution facilities
throughout the world. The international operations are subject
to certain inherent risks, including:
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exposure to local economic conditions; |
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adverse changes in the diplomatic relations of foreign countries
with the United States; |
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hostility from local populations and insurrections; |
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adverse currency exchange controls; |
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restrictions on the withdrawal of foreign investment and
earnings; |
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withholding taxes and restrictions on the withdrawal of foreign
investment and earnings; |
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labor regulations; |
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expropriations of property; |
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the potential instability of foreign governments; |
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risks of renegotiation or modification of existing agreements
with governmental authorities; |
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export and import restrictions; and |
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other changes in laws or government policies. |
The likelihood of such occurrences and their potential effect on
Goodyear vary from country to country and are unpredictable.
Certain regions, including Latin America and Asia, are
inherently more economically and politically volatile and as a
result, our business units that operate in these regions could
be subject to significant fluctuations in sales and operating
income from quarter to quarter. Because a significant percentage
of our operating income in recent years has come from these
regions, adverse fluctuations in the operating results in these
regions could have a disproportionate impact on our results of
operations in future periods.
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We have foreign currency translation and transaction risks
that may materially adversely affect our operating
results. |
The financial condition and results of operations of certain of
our operating entities are reported in various foreign
currencies and then translated into U.S. dollars at the
applicable exchange rate for inclusion in our financial
statements. As a result, the appreciation of the
U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies has a negative
impact on our reported sales and operating margin (and
conversely, the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against
these foreign currencies has a positive impact). For the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2005, we estimate that foreign
currency translation favorably impacted sales and segment
operating income by approximately $210 million and
$95 million, respectively, compared to the prior year. The
volatility of currency exchange rates may materially adversely
affect our operating results.
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The terms and conditions of our global alliance with
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) provide for
certain exit rights available to SRI upon the occurrence of
certain events, which could require us to make a substantial
payment to acquire SRIs interest in certain of their joint
venture alliances. |
In 1999, we entered into a global alliance with SRI. Under the
global alliance agreements, we acquired 75%, and SRI owned 25%,
of Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe B.V., which concurrently with
the transaction acquired substantially all of SRIs tire
businesses in Europe and most of Goodyears tire businesses
in Europe. We also acquired 75%, and SRI acquired 25%, of
Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America, Ltd., a holding company
that purchased SRIs tire manufacturing operations in North
America and certain of its primarily OE-related tire sales and
distribution operations. In addition, we also acquired 25% of
the capital stock of two newly-formed tire companies in Japan,
as well as 51% of the capital stock of a newly-formed technology
company and 80% of the capital stock of a newly-formed global
purchasing company. SRI owns the balance of the capital stock in
each of these companies. Under the Umbrella Agreement between us
and SRI, SRI has the right to require us to purchase from SRI
its ownership interests in the European and North American joint
ventures in September 2009 if certain triggering events have
occurred. In addition, the occurrence of certain other events
enumerated in the Umbrella Agreement, including certain
bankruptcy events or changes in control of Goodyear, could
provide SRI with the right to require us to repurchase these
interests immediately. While we have not done any current
valuation of these businesses, our cost of acquiring an interest
in these businesses in 1999 was approximately $1.2 billion.
Any payment required to be made to SRI pursuant to an exit under
the terms of the global alliance agreements could be
substantial. We cannot assure you that our operating
performance, cash flow and capital resources would be sufficient
to make such a payment or, if we were able to make the payment,
that there would be sufficient funds remaining to satisfy our
other obligations. The withdrawal of SRI from the global
alliance could also have other adverse effects on our business.
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If we are unable to attract and retain key personnel our
business could be materially adversely affected. |
Our business substantially depends on the continued service of
key members of our management. The loss of the services of a
significant number of members of our management could have a
material adverse effect on our business. Our future success will
also depend on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled
personnel, such as engineering, marketing and senior management
professionals. Competition for these employees is intense, and
we could experience difficulty from time to time in hiring and
retaining the personnel necessary to support our business. If we
do not succeed in retaining our current employees and attracting
new high quality employees, our business could be materially
adversely affected.
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Work stoppages or supply disruptions at our major OE
customers could harm our business. |
Although sales to our OE customers account for less than 20% of
our net sales, demand for our products in the OE segment and
production levels at our facilities are directly related to
automotive vehicle production. Automotive production can be
affected by labor relations issues. Two of our largest OE
customers have announced restructuring plans aimed at realigning
their cost structure which include the negotiation with their
respective unionized workforces. In addition, certain major OE
suppliers are in financial distress and may attempt to seek
significant concessions from their unionized workforces. The
outcome of these labor relations matters is uncertain and it is
possible that our OE customers could experience a work stoppage
or a disruption
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in supply resulting from a work stoppage at an OE supplier. Such
events may cause an OE customer to reduce or suspend vehicle
production. In such an event, the affected OE customer could
halt or significantly reduce purchases of our products, which
would increase our production costs and harm our results of
operations and financial condition.
Risks Relating to the Notes
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The notes are unsecured and rank pari passu with our other
senior debt; the notes are effectively subordinated to our
secured debt and structurally subordinated to all liabilities of
our subsidiaries. |
The notes rank pari passu with other senior debt of Goodyear,
including our trade payables. The notes are not secured by any
of our assets or those of our subsidiaries. As a result, the
notes will be effectively subordinated to any secured debt we
may incur. In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other
similar proceeding, holders of our secured debt may assert
rights against any assets securing such debt in order to receive
full payment of their debt before those assets may be used to
pay the holders of the notes. At December 31, 2005, we had
approximately $5.4 billion of total debt (including capital
leases) on a consolidated basis, $3.0 billion of which is
senior secured debt.
Furthermore, our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal
entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to
make payments on the notes or to make any funds available for
that purpose. Holders of notes will not have any claims as a
creditor against our subsidiaries. As a result, the notes will
be structurally subordinated to all liabilities of our
subsidiaries. Therefore, in the event of any bankruptcy,
liquidation or reorganization of any subsidiary, the rights of
the holders of the notes to participate in the assets of such
subsidiary will rank behind the claims of that subsidiarys
creditors, including trade creditors (except to the extent we
have a claim as a creditor of such subsidiary). The ability of
our subsidiaries to pay dividends and make other payments to us
may be restricted by, among other things, applicable corporate
and other laws and regulations as well as agreements to which
our subsidiaries may become a party. At December 31, 2005,
the total subsidiary liabilities, including guarantees of our
indebtedness, was approximately $8.2 billion.
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We expect that the trading value of the notes will be
significantly affected by the price of our common stock and
other factors and our stock price may be volatile and could
decline substantially. |
Because the notes are convertible into shares of our common
stock, the market price of the notes is expected to be
significantly affected by the market price of our common stock.
This may result in greater volatility in the trading value of
the notes than would be expected for nonconvertible debt
securities we issue. From the beginning of 2002 to
December 31, 2005, the reported high and low sales prices
for our common stock ranged from a low of $3.35 per share to a
high of $28.31 per share. The market price of our common stock
will likely continue to fluctuate in response to factors
including those listed elsewhere in this Risk
Factors section, under the caption Forward-looking
Information Safe Harbor Statement and the
following, many of which are beyond our control:
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quarterly fluctuations in our operating and financial results; |
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changes in financial estimates and recommendations by financial
analysts; |
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sales by investors who view notes as more attractive means for
equity participation and hedging or arbitrage activity; |
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fluctuations in the stock price and operating results of our
competitors; |
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our credit rating with major credit rating agencies; |
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the prevailing interest rates being paid by other companies
similar to us; |
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other financing activity in which we may engage; |
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our financial condition, financial performance and future
prospects; |
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the global threat of terrorism; and |
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the overall condition of the financial markets and the economy. |
The stock markets in general, including the New York Stock
Exchange, have experienced substantial price and trading
fluctuations. These fluctuations have resulted in volatility in
the market prices of securities that often has been unrelated or
disproportionate to changes in operating performance. These
broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market prices
of our notes and our common stock.
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The make whole premium on notes converted in connection
with, or tendered for purchase upon, a change of control may not
adequately compensate the holder for the lost option time value
of notes. |
If a fundamental change that constitutes a change of control
occurs on or prior to June 15, 2011, holders of notes will
be entitled to a make whole premium in respect of notes
converted in connection with, or (in certain circumstances)
tendered for purchase upon, the change of control. The amount of
the make whole premium will be determined based on the date on
which the change of control becomes effective and the price paid
per share of our common stock in the transaction constituting
the change of control, as described below under
Description of the Notes Determination of Make
Whole Premium.
While the make whole premium is designed to compensate the
holder of notes for the lost option time value of notes as a
result of a change of control, the amount of the make whole
premium is only an approximation of the lost value and may not
adequately compensate the holder for such loss. In addition, if
a change of control occurs after June 15, 2011 or if the
price paid per share in the transaction constituting the change
of control is less than $9.26 (subject to adjustment), no make
whole premium entitlement will arise.
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Conversion of the notes will dilute the ownership
interests of existing stockholders. |
The conversion of some or all of the notes will dilute the
ownership interest of our existing stockholders. Any sales in
the public market of the common stock issuable upon such
conversion could adversely affect prevailing market prices of
our common stock. In addition, the existence of the notes may
encourage short selling in our common stock by market
participants which could depress the price of our common stock.
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We may be unable to repay or repurchase the notes. |
At maturity, the entire outstanding principal amount of the
notes will become due and payable by us. In addition, holders of
the notes will have the right to require us to repurchase all or
a portion of their notes on each June 15 of 2011, 2014, 2019,
2024 and 2029 or if a designated event, as defined in the
indenture, occurs. See Description of the
Notes Purchase of Notes by Us at the Option of the
Holders and Designated Event Permits
Holders to Require Us to Purchase Notes. A designated
event would likely constitute an event of default and result in
the acceleration of the maturity of our existing credit
facilities. In addition, the repurchase of the notes upon a
designated event may constitute an event of default under our
then-existing debt instruments. We cannot assure you that we
will have sufficient financial resources, or will be able to
arrange financing, to pay the principal amount at maturity or
the repurchase price in cash with respect to any notes tendered
by holders for repurchase on any of these dates or upon a
designated event. In addition, restrictions in our then-existing
credit facilities or other indebtedness may not allow us to
repay or repurchase the notes. Our failure to repay or
repurchase the notes when required would result in an event of
default with respect to the notes. Any such default, in turn,
may cause a default under the terms of our other debt.
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The notes are not protected by restrictive
covenants. |
The indenture governing the notes does not contain any financial
or operating covenants or restrictions on the payments of
dividends, the incurrence of indebtedness or the issuance or
repurchase of securities by us or any of our subsidiaries. Our
ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number
of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the notes
could have the effect of diminishing our ability to make
payments on the notes when due. The indenture also contains no
covenants or other provisions to afford protection to holders of
the notes in the event of a fundamental change involving us,
except to the extent
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described under Description of the Notes
Designated Event Permits Holders to Require Us to Purchase
Notes.
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Shares eligible for public sale after this offering could
adversely affect our stock price and in turn the market price of
the notes. |
The future sale of a substantial number of our shares of common
stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales
could occur, could significantly reduce our stock price which,
in turn, could adversely affect the market price of the notes.
It could also make it more difficult for us to raise funds
through equity offerings in the future.
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An active trading market may not develop for the
notes. |
We do not intend to list the notes on any securities exchange.
As a result, we cannot ensure that any market for the notes will
develop or, if one does develop, that it will be maintained. If
an active market for the notes fails to develop or be sustained,
the trading price of the notes could be materially and adversely
affected and could trade at prices that may be lower than the
initial offering price of the notes.
In addition, the liquidity of the trading market for the notes,
if any, and the market price quoted for the notes may be
adversely affected by changes in interest rates in the market
for comparable securities and by changes in our financial
performance or prospects, as well as by declines in the prices
of securities, or the financial performance or prospects of,
similar companies.
|
|
|
The conditional conversion feature of the notes could
result in you receiving less than the value of the common stock
into which a note is convertible. |
The notes are convertible into shares of our common stock only
if specified conditions are met. If the specific conditions for
conversion are not met, you will not be able to convert your
notes, and you may not be able to receive the value of the
common stock into which the notes would otherwise be convertible.
|
|
|
If you hold notes, you will not be entitled to any rights
with respect to our common stock, but you will be subject to all
changes made with respect to our common stock. |
If you hold notes, you will not be entitled to any rights with
respect to our common stock (including, without limitation,
voting rights and rights to receive any dividends or other
distributions on our common stock), but you will be subject to
all changes affecting the common stock. You will only be
entitled to rights on the common stock if and when we deliver
shares of common stock to you upon conversion or required
repurchase of your notes. For example, in the event that an
amendment is proposed to our Code of Regulations or Articles of
Incorporation requiring stockholder approval and the record date
for determining the stockholders of record entitled to vote on
the amendment occurs prior to your conversion of notes, you will
not be entitled to vote on the amendment, although you will
nevertheless be subject to any changes in the powers,
preferences or special rights of our common stock or other
classes of capital stock.
|
|
|
The conversion rate of the notes may not be adjusted for
all dilutive events. |
The conversion rate of the notes is subject to adjustment for
certain events, including but not limited to the issuance of
stock dividends on our common stock, the issuance of rights or
warrants, subdivisions, combinations, distributions of capital
stock, indebtedness or assets, certain cash dividends and
certain tender or exchange offers as described under
Description of the Notes Conversion Rate
Adjustments. The conversion rate will not be adjusted for
other events, such as a third party tender or exchange offer or
an issuance of common stock for cash, that may adversely affect
the trading price of the notes or the common stock. There can be
no assurance that an event that adversely affects the value of
the notes, but does not result in an adjustment to the
conversion rate, will not occur.
|
|
|
Our corporate structure may materially adversely affect
our ability to meet our debt service obligations under the
notes. |
A significant portion of our consolidated assets is held by our
subsidiaries. We have manufacturing and/or sales operations in
most countries in the world, often through subsidiary companies.
Our cash flow and
16
our ability to service our debt, including the notes, depends on
the results of operations of these subsidiaries and upon the
ability of these subsidiaries to make distributions of cash to
us, whether in the form of dividends, loans or otherwise. In
recent years, our foreign subsidiaries have been a significant
source of cash flow for our business. In certain countries where
we operate, transfers of funds into or out of such countries are
generally or periodically subject to various restrictive
governmental regulations and there may be adverse tax
consequences to such transfers. In addition, our debt
instruments in certain cases place limitations on the ability of
our subsidiaries to make distributions of cash to us. While the
indenture limits our ability to enter into agreements that
restrict our ability to receive dividends and other
distributions from our subsidiaries, these limitations are
subject to a number of significant exceptions, and we are
generally permitted to enter into such instruments in connection
with financing our foreign subsidiaries.
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|
|
We may issue preferred stock whose terms could adversely
affect the voting power or value of our common stock. |
Our Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations authorize
us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or
more classes or series of preferred stock having such
preferences, powers and relative, participating, optional and
other rights, including preferences over our common stock
respecting dividends and distributions, as our board of
directors may determine. The terms of one or more classes or
series of preferred stock could adversely impact the voting
power or value of our common stock which the notes are
convertible into thereby adversely affecting the value of the
notes. For example, we might afford holders of preferred stock
the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or
on the happening of specified events or the right to veto
specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption
rights or liquidation preferences we might assign to holders of
preferred stock could affect the residual value of our common
stock which the notes are convertible into, thereby adversely
affecting the value of the notes.
|
|
|
Provisions of Ohio law and provisions in our Articles of
Incorporation and Code of Regulations could delay or prevent a
change in control of us, even if that change would be beneficial
to our stockholders. |
We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio. Ohio
law imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business
combinations between us and holders of 10% or more of our
outstanding common stock. In addition, provisions in our
Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations may have the
effect, either alone or in combination with each other, of
making more difficult or discouraging a business combination or
an attempt to obtain control of Goodyear that is not approved by
our board of directors, even if such combination would be
beneficial to our stockholders. Since the notes are convertible
into our common stock this could adversely affect the value of
the notes.
17
Use of Proceeds
The selling holders will receive all of the net proceeds of the
resale of the notes and our common stock issuable upon
conversion of the notes. We will not receive any of the proceeds
from the resale of any of these securities.
Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of
earnings to fixed charges for each of the last five years and
for the three months ended March 31, 2006.
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
Year Ended December 31, |
|
March 31, 2006 |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2003 |
|
2002 |
|
2001 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.05 |
|
|
|
1.72 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
|
2.22 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2003 were
inadequate to cover fixed charges. The coverage deficiency was
$641.7 million. |
|
(2) |
Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2001 were
inadequate to cover fixed charges. The coverage deficiency was
$271.2 million. |
For purposes of calculating our ratio of earnings to fixed
charges:
Earnings consist of income (loss) before income taxes plus
(i) amortization of previously capitalized interest,
(ii) minority interest in net income of consolidated
subsidiaries with fixed charges, (iii) proportionate share
of fixed charges of investees accounted for by the equity
method, and (iv) proportionate share of net loss of
investees accounted for by the equity method, less
(i) capitalized interest, (ii) minority interest in
net loss of consolidated subsidiaries, and
(iii) undistributed proportionate share of net income of
investees accounted for by the equity method.
Fixed charges consist of (i) interest, whether expensed or
capitalized, (ii) amortization of debt discount, premium or
expense, (iii) the interest portion of rental expense, and
(iv) proportionate share of fixed charges of investees
accounted for by the equity method.
18
Selling Security Holders
We originally issued the notes to Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and, J.P. Morgan Securities
Inc. as initial purchasers in a transaction exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act. The initial
purchasers resold the notes in transactions exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act in reliance on
Rule 144A under the Securities Act to persons reasonably
believed by them to be qualified institutional buyers. A
predecessor registration statement on
Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-127918) was declared effective by the
SEC on December 13, 2005. We believe that certain holders
of the notes utilized such registration statements to effect
offers and sales of the notes. The registration statement of
which this prospectus is a part represents the successor to that
predecessor registration statement, which has been withdrawn.
The selling security holders identified below, including their
transferees, pledgees, donees and successors, may from time to
time offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus or a supplement
hereto any or all of the notes of such selling security holder
described below and the common stock into which such notes are
convertible. Any selling security holder may also elect not to
sell any notes or common stock issuable upon conversion of the
notes held by it. Certain selling security holders identified
below may already have sold, transferred or disposed of all or a
portion of their notes or shares of common stock issuable upon
conversion of the notes since the date on which they provided
the information regarding their ownership of those securities
included in this prospectus and other selling security holders
identified below may have purchased such notes or shares of
common stock issuable upon conversion of such notes. Only those
notes and shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the
notes listed below or in any supplement hereto may be offered
for resale by the selling holders pursuant to this prospectus.
The following table sets forth recent information with respect
to the selling security holders of the notes and the number of
notes beneficially owned by each selling security holder that
may be offered pursuant to this prospectus. We prepared this
table based on information supplied to us by or on behalf of the
selling holders. Because the selling security holders may offer
all or only some portion of the notes or the common stock listed
in the table, no estimate can be given as to the amount of those
securities that will be held by the selling holders upon
termination of any sales.
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|
|
Aggregate | |
|
|
|
|
|
Shares of | |
|
|
Principal | |
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock | |
|
|
Amount of Notes | |
|
Shares of | |
|
|
|
Beneficially | |
|
|
Beneficially | |
|
Common Stock | |
|
Shares of | |
|
Owned After | |
|
|
Owned and | |
|
Beneficially | |
|
Common Stock | |
|
Completion of | |
Selling Holder |
|
Offered | |
|
Owned(1) | |
|
Offered | |
|
the Offering(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
AHFP Context(3)
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
24,921 |
|
|
|
24,921 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Allstate Insurance Company(4)
|
|
|
750,000 |
|
|
|
72,803 |
|
|
|
62,303 |
|
|
|
10,500 |
|
Altma Fund Sicav Plc in respect of The Grafton Sub Fund(3)
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
33,228 |
|
|
|
33,228 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Aristeia International Limited(5)
|
|
|
13,366,000 |
|
|
|
1,110,318 |
|
|
|
1,110,318 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Aristeia Partners LP(6)
|
|
|
134,000 |
|
|
|
11,131 |
|
|
|
11,131 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
|
|
|
1,063,000 |
|
|
|
88,304 |
|
|
|
88,304 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
CNH CA Master Account, L.P.(7)
|
|
|
17,750,000 |
|
|
|
1,474,498 |
|
|
|
1,474,498 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Context Convertible Arbitrage Fund, LP(3)
|
|
|
1,850,000 |
|
|
|
153,680 |
|
|
|
153,680 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Context Convertible Arbitrage Offshore, LTD(3)
|
|
|
5,350,000 |
|
|
|
444,426 |
|
|
|
444,426 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
D.E. Shaw Valence Portfolios, L.L.C.(8)
|
|
|
37,500,000 |
|
|
|
3,115,136 |
|
|
|
3,115,136 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
|
|
|
43,500,000 |
|
|
|
3,613,558 |
|
|
|
3,613,558 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Ellington Overseas Partners, Ltd.(9)
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
83,070 |
|
|
|
83,070 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Galleon Explorers Partners, L.P.(10)
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|
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32,000 |
|
|
|
2,658 |
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|
|
2,658 |
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|
|
0 |
|
Galleon Explorers Offshore, Ltd.(10)
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|
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128,000 |
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|
|
10,633 |
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|
|
10,633 |
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|
|
0 |
|
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
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|
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50,000,000 |
|
|
|
5,339,593 |
|
|
|
5,339,593 |
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|
|
0 |
|
Grace Convertible Arbitrage Fund, Ltd.(11)
|
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
|
166,141 |
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|
|
166,141 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
HBMC LLC (12)
|
|
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2,500,000 |
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|
|
207,676 |
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|
|
207,676 |
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|
|
0 |
|
19
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|
Aggregate | |
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|
|
|
|
Shares of | |
|
|
Principal | |
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock | |
|
|
Amount of Notes | |
|
Shares of | |
|
|
|
Beneficially | |
|
|
Beneficially | |
|
Common Stock | |
|
Shares of | |
|
Owned After | |
|
|
Owned and | |
|
Beneficially | |
|
Common Stock | |
|
Completion of | |
Selling Holder |
|
Offered | |
|
Owned(1) | |
|
Offered | |
|
the Offering(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Highbridge International LLC(13)
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|
|
20,000,000 |
|
|
|
1,661,406 |
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|
|
1,661,406 |
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|
|
0 |
|
HSBC Investments (USA) Inc. A/ C HSBC Multi-Strategy
Arbitrage Fund
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
83,070 |
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|
|
83,070 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Kamunting Street Master Fund, Ltd.(14)
|
|
|
12,500,000 |
|
|
|
1,038,379 |
|
|
|
1,038,379 |
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|
|
0 |
|
KBC Financial Products USA, Inc.(15)
|
|
|
4,000,000 |
|
|
|
332,281 |
|
|
|
332,281 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
KDC Convertible Arbitrage Fund(16)
|
|
|
4,000,000 |
|
|
|
332,281 |
|
|
|
332,281 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
LDG Limited(17)
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|
|
273,000 |
|
|
|
22,678 |
|
|
|
22,678 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Lehman Brothers Inc.
|
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
|
166,141 |
|
|
|
166,141 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Lyxor/ Context Fund LTD(3)
|
|
|
1,050,000 |
|
|
|
87,224 |
|
|
|
87,224 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
McMahan Securities Co. L.P.(18)
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
41,535 |
|
|
|
41,535 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Morgan Stanley Convertible Securities Trust(19)
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
49,842 |
|
|
|
49,842 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
MSS Convertible Arbitrage Fund(20)
|
|
|
97,000 |
|
|
|
8,058 |
|
|
|
8,058 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
National Benefit Life Insurance Company(21)
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
332 |
|
|
|
332 |
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|
|
0 |
|
Northern Income Equity Fund
|
|
|
6,000,000 |
|
|
|
498,422 |
|
|
|
498,422 |
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|
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0 |
|
Primerica Life Insurance Company(21)
|
|
|
38,000 |
|
|
|
3,157 |
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|
|
3,157 |
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|
|
0 |
|
Radcliffe SPC, Ltd. for and on behalf of the Class A
Convertible Crossover Segregated Portfolio(22)
|
|
|
23,600,000 |
|
|
|
1,960,459 |
|
|
|
1,960,459 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Sage Capital Management, LLC(23)
|
|
|
2,300,000 |
|
|
|
191,062 |
|
|
|
191,062 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Shepard Investments International, Ltd.(24)
|
|
|
7,500,000 |
|
|
|
750,627 |
|
|
|
623,027 |
|
|
|
127,600 |
|
Sphinx Fund(20)
|
|
|
390,000 |
|
|
|
32,397 |
|
|
|
32,397 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Stark International(24)
|
|
|
2,500,000 |
|
|
|
207,676 |
|
|
|
207,676 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
TQA Master Fund(20)
|
|
|
2,254,000 |
|
|
|
187,240 |
|
|
|
187,240 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
TQA Master Plus Fund(20)
|
|
|
1,196,000 |
|
|
|
99,352 |
|
|
|
99,352 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
UBS OConnor LLC F/ B/ O OConnor Global Convertible
Arbitrage Master Limited
|
|
|
1,500,000 |
|
|
|
124,605 |
|
|
|
124,605 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
UFJ International PLC
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
8,307 |
|
|
|
8,307 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Vicis Capital Master Fund(25)
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
83,070 |
|
|
|
83,070 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Zurich Institutional Benchmark Master Fund(20)
|
|
|
790,000 |
|
|
|
65,626 |
|
|
|
65,626 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The number of conversion shares shown in the table above assumes
conversion of the full amount of notes held by such holder at
the initial conversion rate of 83.0703 shares per $1,000
principal amount at maturity of notes. This conversion rate is
subject to certain adjustments. Accordingly, the number of
shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes may
increase or decrease from time to time. |
|
|
(2) |
Assumes all of the notes and shares of common stock issuable
upon their conversion are sold in the offering. |
|
|
(3) |
Michael Rosen and William Fertig exercise voting or investment
control over the notes owned by this selling security holder. |
|
|
(4) |
Allstate Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The
Allstate Corporation. |
|
|
(5) |
Aristeia Capital LLC is the investment manager for Aristeia
International Limited. Aristeia Capital LLC is jointly owned by
Kevin Toner, Robert H. Lynch Jr., Anthony Franscella and Bill
Techar. |
|
|
(6) |
Aristeia Advisors LLC is the investment manager for Aristeia
Trading Partners LP. Aristeia Advisors LLC is jointly owned by
Robert H. Lynch Jr., Kevin Toner, Anthony Franscella and Bill
Techar. |
20
|
|
(7) |
CNH Partners, LLC is the investment advisor of the selling
security holder with respect to the notes owned by this selling
holder and has sole voting and dispositive power over the notes.
The Investment Principals for the investment advisor are Robert
Krail, Mark Mitchell and Todd Palvino. |
|
(8) |
D.E. Shaw & Co. L.P., as either managing member or
investment adviser, has voting and investment control over any
shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes
owned by this selling shareholder. Julius Gaudio, Eric Wepsic,
and Anne Dinning, or their designees exercise voting and
investment control over the notes on D.E. Shaw & Co.
L.P.s behalf. |
|
|
(9) |
Ellington Management Group, LLC is the investment adviser of
this selling security holder. Michael Vranos, as principal of
Ellington Management Group, LLC, exercises voting or investment
control over the notes owned by this selling security holder.
Mr. Vranos disclaims beneficial ownership over the notes offered
by this selling security holder except to the extent of any
indirect ownership interest he may have in such notes through
his economic participation in this selling security holder. |
|
|
(10) |
Raj Rajaratnam exercises voting or investment control over the
notes owned by this selling security holder. |
|
(11) |
Bradford Whitmore and Michael Brailov exercise voting or
investment control over the notes owned by this selling security
holder. |
|
(12) |
Highbridge Capital Management, LLC (Highbridge) is
the trading manager of HBMC LLC (HBMC) and
consequently has voting control and investment discretion over
securities held by HBMC. Glenn Dubin and Henry Swieca control
Highbridge. Each of Highbridge, Glenn Dubin and Henry Swieca
disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities held by HMBC. |
|
(13) |
Highbridge Capital Management, LLC (Highbridge) is
the trading manager of Highbridge International LLC
(HIC) and consequently has voting control and
investment discretion over securities held by HCC. Glenn Dubin
and Henry Swieca control Highbridge. Each of Highbridge, Glenn
Dubin and Henry Swieca disclaims beneficial ownership of the
securities held by HIC. |
|
(14) |
Allan Teh exercises voting or investment control over the notes
owned by this selling security holder. |
|
(15) |
Alex Bezjian, Darren Carter, Jason Cuevas, Damir Delic, Luke
Edwards, Jeff Engelberg, Dennis Fitzgerald, Thomas Korossy,
Liming Kwan, Dan Lerner, Daniel McAloon, Brian Murphy, Eric
Needleman, Timothy Quarnstrom, David Ricciardi, Quincy Scott,
Rupen Soultanian, Mark Sullivan, John Tonzola, Tim Vaughan,
Vincenzo Vigliotti, Richard Winter and Brandon Yarckin exercise
voting or investment control over the notes owned by this
selling security holder. |
|
(16) |
George Kellner exercises voting or investment control over the
notes owned by this selling security holder. |
|
(17) |
TQA Investors LLC has sole investment power and shared voting
power. Its members are: Robert Buttman, John Idone, George
Esser, Paul Bucci and Bartholomew Tesoriero. |
|
(18) |
The executive committee that exercises voting or investment
control over the notes owned by this selling security holder
consists of Ronald Fertig, Jay Glassman, Joe Dwyer, D. Bruce
McMahon, Scott Dillinger and Norman Ziegleb. |
|
(19) |
This selling security holder is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Morgan Stanley. |
|
(20) |
TQA Investors, LLC has sole investment power and shared voting
power. Its members are: Robert Buttman, George Esser, John
Idone, Paul Bucci, Bartholomew Tesoriero and Andy Anderson. |
|
(21) |
This selling security holder is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Citigroup, Inc. |
|
(22) |
Pursuant to an investment management agreement, RG Capital
Management, L.P. (RG Capital) serves as the
investment manager of Radcliffe SPC, Ltd.s Class A
Convertible Crossover Segregated Portfolio. RGC Management
Company, LLC (Management) is the general partner of
RG Capital. Steve Katznelson and Gerald Stahlecker serve as the
managing members of Management. Each of RG Capital, Management
and Messrs. Katznelson and Stahlecker disclaims beneficial
ownership of the securities owned by Radcliffe SPC, Ltd. for and
on behalf of the Class A Convertible Crossover Segregated
Portfolio. |
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(23) |
Peter deLisser exercises voting or investment control over the
notes owned by this selling security holder. |
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(24) |
Michael A. Roth and Brian J. Stark exercise voting or investment
control over the notes owned by this selling security holder. |
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(25) |
John Succo, Sky Lucas and Shad Stastney exercise voting or
investment control over the notes owned by this selling security
holder. |
22
Plan of Distribution
The notes and the common stock issuable upon conversion of the
notes may be offered and sold from time to time to purchasers
directly by the selling security holders. Alternatively, the
selling security holders may from time to time offer those
securities to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents,
who may receive compensation in the form of underwriting
discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling holders
or the purchasers of the securities for whom they act as agents.
The selling security holders and any underwriters,
broker-dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of
the securities may be deemed to be underwriters
within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on the
sale of securities and any discounts, commissions, concessions
or other compensation received by any underwriter, broker-dealer
or agent may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act.
The securities may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the
time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale
or at negotiated prices. The sale of the securities may be
effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block
transactions:
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on any national securities exchange or quotation service on
which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale; |
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in the over-the-counter
market; |
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in transactions otherwise than on exchanges or in the
over-the-counter market; |
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through the writing and exercise of options; or |
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through the settlement of short sales. |
In connection with the sale of the notes and the underlying
common stock or otherwise, the selling security holders may
enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other
financial institutions. These broker-dealers or financial
institutions may in turn engage in short sales of the common
stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume with
selling security holders. The selling security holders may also
sell the notes and the underlying common stock short and deliver
these securities to close out such short positions, or loan or
pledge the notes or the underlying common stock short and
deliver these securities to close out such short positions, or
loan or pledge the notes or the underlying common stock to
broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities.
At the time a particular offering of the securities is made, if
required, a prospectus supplement will be distributed, which
will set forth the names of the selling security holders, the
aggregate amount and type of securities being offered and the
terms of the offering, including the name or names of any
underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, any discounts,
commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the
selling security holders and any discounts, commissions or
concessions allowed or reallowed to paid broker-dealers.
To comply with the securities laws of some jurisdictions, if
applicable, the securities will be offered or sold in some
jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or
dealers. In addition, in some jurisdictions the securities may
not be offered or sold unless they have been registered or
qualified for sale in those jurisdictions or any exemption from
registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
The selling security holders and any other person participating
in the distribution of securities will be subject to applicable
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations under the Securities Exchange Act, including,
without limitation, Regulation M of the Securities Exchange
Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of
the offered securities by the selling security holders and any
other person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the
ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the offered
securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to
the particular offered securities being distributed. Compliance
with the Securities Exchange Act, as described in this
paragraph, may affect the marketability of the offered
securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage
with respect to the offered securities.
Broker-dealers or agents who participate in the sale of the
notes and the underlying common stock will be deemed to be
underwriters within the meaning of
Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. The following selling
security holders are underwriters within the meaning of the
Securities Act: Citigroup Global Markets Inc.,
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Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
KBC Financial Products USA, Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc. and
McMahon Securities Co., L.P. None of the selling security
holders who are affiliates of broker-dealers, other than the
initial purchasers, purchased the securities outside of the
ordinary course of business or, at the time of the purchase of
the securities, had any agreements, plans or understandings,
directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the
securities.
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement, we have borne all
fees and expenses incurred in connection with the registration
of the notes and the common stock issuable upon conversion of
the notes, except that selling security holders will pay all
brokers commissions and underwriting discounts and
commissions, if any, in connection with any sales effected
pursuant to this prospectus. The registration rights agreement
provides that we will indemnify the selling security holders
against some civil liabilities, including some liabilities under
the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act or otherwise,
or alternatively the selling security holders will be entitled
to contribution in connection with those liabilities.
24
Description of the Notes
The notes were issued under an indenture dated as of
July 2, 2004, between us and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as
trustee, which we refer to in this prospectus as the indenture.
The notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon
conversion of the notes are covered by a registration rights
agreement. You may request a copy of the indenture and the
registration rights agreement from the trustee.
The following description is a summary of the material
provisions of the notes and the indenture and does not purport
to be complete. This summary is subject to and is qualified by
reference to all the provisions of the notes and the indenture,
including the definitions of certain terms used in the
indenture. Wherever particular provisions or defined terms of
the indenture or form of note are referred to, these provisions
or defined terms are incorporated in this prospectus by
reference. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not
this description, defines your rights as a holder of the notes.
For purposes of this description, references to the
Company, Goodyear, we,
our and us refer only to The Goodyear
Tire & Rubber Company and not to any of its
subsidiaries.
General
The Notes:
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are general unsecured obligations of Goodyear and rank equally
in right of payment with all of our other existing and future
unsubordinated unsecured debt and prior to all of our
subordinated debt; |
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are issued in an aggregate principal amount of $350 million; |
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will mature on June 15, 2034, unless earlier converted,
purchased by us (whether at your option or upon a designated
event (as defined below)) or redeemed; |
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accrue interest at a rate of 4.00% per year payable in cash
on each June 15 and December 15, beginning
December 15, 2004; |
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were issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000; |
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are represented by one or more registered notes in global form,
but in certain limited circumstances may be represented by notes
in definitive form; |
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are redeemable by us for cash, at our option, in whole or in
part beginning on June 20, 2008 at the redemption prices
set forth below under Optional
Redemption, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including
liquidated damages, if any) to but excluding the redemption date; |
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are subject to repurchase by us for cash at the option of the
holder on June 15 of 2011, 2014, 2019, 2024 and 2029, or upon a
designated event; and |
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in the case of certain designated events, will entitle holders
to a make whole premium upon the repurchase of notes as
described below under Designated Event Permits
Holders to Require Us to Purchase Notes and upon the
conversion of notes as described below under
Conversion in Connection with a Fundamental
Change. |
You have the option, subject to fulfillment of certain
conditions and during the periods described below, to convert
your notes into our common stock initially at a conversion rate
of 83.0703 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal
amount of notes (subject to adjustment as described below). This
conversion rate is equivalent to an initial conversion price of
approximately $12.04 per share of common stock. Upon
conversion of a note, you will receive only shares of our common
stock and a cash payment to account for fractional shares. In
lieu of delivering common stock upon conversion of all or any
portion of the notes, we may elect to pay holders surrendering
notes for conversion cash or any combination of cash and common
stock as described herein. See Conversion
Rights.
If any interest payment date, maturity date, redemption date,
purchase date or repurchase date (including upon the occurrence
of a designated event as described below) falls on a day that is
not a business day, the required payment of principal, premium
(if any) and interest will be made on the next succeeding
business day with the same force and effect as if made on the
date that the payment was due, and no interest will accrue on
that payment for the period from and after the interest payment
date, maturity date, redemption
25
date, purchase date or repurchase date (including upon the
occurrence of a designated event as described below), as the
case may be, to that next succeeding business day. The term
business day means, with respect to any note, any
day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking
institutions are not required by law or regulation to be open in
the State of New York.
We are not subject to any financial covenants under the
indenture. In addition, we are not restricted under the
indenture from paying dividends, incurring debt, securing our
debt or issuing or repurchasing our securities.
You are not afforded protection in the event of a highly
leveraged transaction, or a change of control of us under the
indenture, except to the extent described below under the
caption Designated Event Permits Holders to
Require Us to Purchase Notes and
Conversion in Connection with a Fundamental
Change.
We do not intend to list the notes for trading on any national
security exchange or on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
When we refer to common stock, we mean the common
stock, without par value, of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Company.
Additional Notes
We may, without the consent of the holders of the notes,
increase the principal amount of the notes by issuing additional
notes in the future on the same terms and conditions, except for
any differences in the issue price and the interest accrued
prior to the issue date of the additional notes. Any such
additional notes will be fungible with the notes offered hereby
and will have the same CUSIP numbers as the notes offered
hereby. The notes offered by this prospectus and any additional
notes would rank equally and ratably and would be treated as a
single class for all purposes under the indenture, including
with respect to waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to
purchase. No additional notes may be issued if any event of
default has occurred with respect to the notes.
Ranking
The notes are our general unsecured obligations and rank senior
in right of payment to all existing and future debt that is
expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes. The
notes rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing
and future liabilities that are not so subordinated. The notes
effectively rank junior to any of our secured indebtedness to
the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness. In the
event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other
winding up, our assets that secure debt will be available to pay
obligations from the notes only after all debt secured by such
assets has been repaid in full from such assets. We advise you
that there may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts
due on any or all the notes then outstanding.
The indenture under which the notes were issued does not limit
us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional indebtedness.
As of December 31, 2005, we had approximately
$4.5 billion of indebtedness (including capital leases)
outstanding, of which $2.3 billion was senior secured
indebtedness. None of our subsidiaries will guarantee our
obligations under the notes. As such, the notes are structurally
subordinated to all liabilities of our subsidiaries, which are
distinct legal entities having no legal obligation to pay any
amounts pursuant to the notes or to make funds available
therefor. At December 31, 2005, the total subsidiary
liabilities, including guarantees of our indebtedness, was
approximately $8.2 billion, which would effectively rank
senior to the notes.
Interest
The notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.00% per annum from
the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been
paid or duly provided for on the unregistered notes, and any
accrued and unpaid interest (including liquidated damages, if
any) will be payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and
December 15 of each year. Interest will be paid to the person in
whose name a note is registered at the close of business on the
June 1 or December 1 (any of which we refer to as a
record date) immediately preceding the relevant
interest payment date. However, in the case of a note redeemed
by us at our option or repurchased upon the occurrence of a
designated event, as described below, during the period from the
applicable record
26
date to, but excluding, the next succeeding interest payment
date, accrued interest (including liquidated damages, if any)
will be payable to the holder of the note redeemed or
repurchased, and we will not be required to pay interest on such
interest payment date in respect of any such note (or portion
thereof). Interest is be computed on the basis of a
360-day year comprised
of twelve 30-day months
and, in the case of an incomplete month, the actual number of
days elapsed. Interest payments for the notes include accrued
interest from and including the date of issue or from and
including the last date in respect of which interest has been
paid, as the case may be, to, but excluding the related interest
payment date or date of maturity, as the case may be.
Conversion Rights
Subject to the conditions and during the periods described
below, prior to the close of business on the maturity date of
the notes (subject to prior redemption or repayment), you may
convert all or some of your notes into shares of our common
stock initially at a conversion rate of 83.0703 shares of
common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is
equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately
$12.04 per share of common stock. The conversion rate in
effect at any given time will be subject to adjustment as
described below. A note for which a holder has delivered a
purchase notice or a notice requiring us to repurchase such note
upon a designated event may be surrendered for conversion only
if such notice is withdrawn three business days prior to the
repurchase date and in accordance with the indenture. You may
convert fewer than all of your notes so long as the notes
converted are an integral multiple of $1,000 principal amount.
Upon conversion, you will not receive any payment of interest
(including liquidated damages, if any) unless such conversion
occurs between a regular record date and the interest payment
date to which it relates and you were the record holder on such
record date, or unless included in the payment of a make whole
premium (if any). We will not issue fractional shares of common
stock upon conversion of notes. Instead, we will pay cash in
lieu of fractional shares. Our delivery to you of the full
number of shares of our common stock into which a note is
convertible, or cash or a combination of cash and shares of
common stock, including any cash payment for any fractional
share, will be deemed to satisfy our obligation to pay:
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the principal amount of the note; and |
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all accrued but unpaid interest (including liquidated damages,
if any). |
As a result, accrued but unpaid interest (including liquidated
damages, if any) will be deemed to be paid in full rather than
cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. For a discussion of the
tax treatment to you of receiving our common stock upon
conversion. See Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, if notes are converted
after the close of business on a record date but prior to the
opening of business on the next succeeding interest payment
date, holders of such notes at the close of business on the
record date will receive the interest (including liquidated
damages, if any) payable on such notes on the corresponding
interest payment date notwithstanding the conversion. Such
notes, upon surrender for conversion, must be accompanied by
funds equal to the amount of interest (including liquidated
damages, if any) payable on the notes so converted; provided
that no such payment need be made (1) if we have specified
a redemption date that is after a record date and on or prior to
the next interest payment date, (2) if we have specified a
designated event repurchase date that is after a record date and
on or prior to the next interest payment date, or (3) to
the extent of any overdue interest (including liquidated
damages, if any) if any overdue interest exists at the time of
conversion with respect to such note.
In the event any holder exercises its right to require us to
purchase any notes on any purchase date, such holders
conversion right with respect to such notes will terminate on
the close of business on the relevant purchase date, unless we
default on the payment due upon purchase of such notes or the
holder elects to withdraw the submission of election to have
such notes purchased. See Purchase of Notes by
Us at the Option of the Holders. In the event any holder
exercises its right to require us to repurchase any notes upon a
designated event, such holders conversion right with
respect to such notes will terminate on the close of business on
the designated event purchase date, unless we default on the
payment due upon repurchase of such notes or the holder elects
to withdraw the submission of election to have such notes
repurchased. See Designated Event Permits
Holders to Require Us to Purchase Notes.
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To convert your note into common stock you must do the following:
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complete and manually sign the conversion notice on the back of
the note, or a facsimile of the conversion notice, and deliver
this irrevocable notice to the conversion agent; |
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surrender the note to the conversion agent; |
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if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer
documents; |
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if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes; and |
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if required, pay funds equal to interest payable on the next
interest payment date. |
The conversion date will be the date on which the note, the duly
signed and completed notice of conversion, and any funds that
may be required as described above shall have been so delivered.
If your interest is a beneficial interest in a global note, to
convert you must comply with the last three requirements listed
above and comply with the depositarys procedures for
converting a beneficial interest in a global note. The note will
be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close
of business on the conversion date. A holder delivering a note
for conversion will not be required to pay any taxes or duties
payable in respect of the issue or delivery of common stock on
conversion, but will be required to pay any tax or duty which
may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue
or delivery of the common stock in a name other than the holder
of the note. Certificates representing shares of common stock
will not be issued or delivered unless all taxes and duties, if
any, payable by the holder have been paid.
Except as described below under Conversion in
Connection with a Fundamental Change, if you surrender
your notes for conversion, we will have the right to deliver
cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and
shares of our common stock. We will inform the holders through
the trustee no later than two trading days following the
conversion date of our election to deliver shares of common
stock or to pay cash in lieu of delivery of shares of common,
unless we have already informed holders of our election in
connection with our optional redemption of the notes as
described below under Optional
Redemption. If we elect to deliver all of such payment in
shares of common stock, the shares of common stock will be
delivered through the trustee no later than the fifth trading
day following the conversion date. If we elect to pay all or a
portion of such payment in cash, the payment, including any
delivery of shares of common stock, will be made to holders
surrendering notes no later than the 15th trading day following
the conversion date. If an event of default, as described below
under Events of Default and Remedies
(other than a default in a cash payment upon conversion of the
notes) has occurred and is continuing, we may not pay cash upon
conversion of any notes (other than cash in lieu of fractional
shares).
If we elect to satisfy the entire conversion obligation with
shares of our common stock, we will deliver to the holders a
number of shares equal to (1) the aggregate principal
amount of notes to be converted divided by $1,000, multiplied by
(2) the applicable conversion rate.
If we elect to satisfy the entire conversion obligation in cash,
we will deliver to the holders cash in an amount equal to the
product of:
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a number equal to (1) the aggregate principal amount of
notes to be converted divided by $1,000 multiplied by
(2) the applicable conversion rate, and |
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the average of the last reported sale prices (as defined below)
of our common stock for the ten consecutive trading days
beginning on the third day after the conversion date (the
cash settlement averaging period). |
If we elect to satisfy a fixed amount (but not all) of the
conversion obligation per $1,000 principal amount of notes in
cash, we will deliver to you (x) such fixed amount per
$1,000 principal amount of notes (the cash amount)
and (y) a number of shares of our common stock per $1,000
principal amount of notes equal to the sum, for each trading day
of the cash settlement averaging period, of the greater of:
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zero; and |
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a number of shares determined by the following formula: |
(last reported sale price of our common stock on such trading
day X applicable conversion rate) the cash amount
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last reported sale price of our common stock on such trading day
X number of trading days in the cash settlement averaging period
We are not required to issue fractional shares of common stock
upon conversion of notes and, in each case, in lieu of such
fractional shares, we will pay a cash adjustment based upon the
last reported sale price of our common stock during the trading
day immediately preceding the conversion date.
Our ability to pay holders cash in lieu of shares of common
stock upon a conversion of the notes is prohibited under our
existing credit facilities (the latest of which currently
expires in March 2006) and may be prohibited or limited in the
future by the terms of our borrowing agreements in effect from
time to time. At any time prior to maturity, we may at our
option elect, by notice to the trustee and the holders of the
notes, that upon conversion of the notes at any time following
the date of such notice, we shall be required to deliver cash in
an amount at least equal to the principal amount of the notes
converted. If we make this election, we will also be required to
deliver cash only in connection with any principal value
conversion pursuant to the trading price condition.
Conversion upon Satisfaction of Sale Price Condition
You may surrender your notes for conversion into our common
stock: (1) on any business day in any fiscal quarter
commencing prior to the maturity date of the notes (and only
during such fiscal quarter), if the last reported sale price of
our common stock for at least 20 trading days during the period
of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the eleventh trading
day of such fiscal quarter is greater than 120% of the
applicable conversion price per share of our common stock on
such eleventh trading day (initially 120% of $12.04, or $14.45,
which we refer to as the conversion trigger price) and
(2) on any business day after June 15, 2029 (through
the business day immediately prior to the maturity of the notes)
if the last reported sale price of our common stock on any
trading date after June 15, 2029 is greater than 120% of
the applicable conversion trigger price. Upon surrender of notes
for conversion, we will have the right to deliver, at our
option, shares of our common stock, cash or a combination of
cash and shares of our common stock.
The last reported sale price of our common stock on
any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no
closing sale price is reported, the average of the last reported
bid and asked prices or, if more than one in either case, the
average of the average bid and the average asked prices) on that
date as reported in composite transactions for the principal
United States securities exchange on which our common stock is
traded or, if our common stock is not listed on a United States
national or regional securities exchange, as reported by the
Nasdaq National Market. If our common stock is not listed for
trading on a United States national or regional securities
exchange and not reported by the Nasdaq National Market on the
relevant date, the last reported sale price will be
the last quoted bid price for our common stock in the
over-the-counter market
on the relevant date as reported by the National Quotation
Bureau Incorporated or similar organization. If our common stock
is not so quoted, we will determine the last reported sale
price on the basis we consider appropriate.
Conversion Based on Trading Price of the Notes
You also may surrender your notes for conversion during the five
consecutive business day period following any five consecutive
trading day period in which the trading price per
$1,000 principal amount of notes for each day of that trading
period, as determined following a request by a holder of notes
in accordance with the procedures described below, was less than
98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common
stock on such corresponding trading day and the applicable
conversion rate (the trading price condition). Upon
surrender of notes for conversion, we will have the right to
deliver, at our option, shares of our common stock, cash or a
combination of cash and shares of our common stock.
Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, if, on the date of any
conversion pursuant to the trading price condition that is on or
after June 15, 2029, the last reported sale price of our
common stock on the trading day before the conversion date is
greater than 100% but less than 120% of the conversion price,
then holders surrendering notes for conversion will receive, in
lieu of shares of our common stock (or cash or a combination of
cash and shares of our common stock) based on the then
applicable conversion rate, an amount in cash or common stock or
a combination of cash and common stock, at our option, with a
value equal to the principal
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amount of the notes being converted, plus accrued and unpaid
interest (including liquidated damages, if any), as of the
conversion date (a principal value conversion). Any
common stock delivered upon a principal value conversion will be
valued at the greater of the conversion price on the conversion
date and the average of the last reported sale price of our
common stock for a five trading day period starting on the third
trading day following the conversion date of the notes.
The trading price of the notes on any date of
determination means the average of the secondary market bid
quotations per $1,000 principal amount of notes obtained by the
trustee (or another conversion agent obtained by us) for
$2,000,000 principal amount of the notes at approximately
3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such determination date
from three independent nationally recognized securities dealers
we select, which may include one or more of the initial
purchasers, provided that if at least three such bids cannot be
reasonably obtained by the trustee (or another conversion agent
obtained by us), but two such bids are obtained by the trustee
(or another conversion agent obtained by us), then the average
of the two bids shall be used, and if only one bid can be
reasonably obtained by the trustee (or another conversion agent
obtained by us), such one bid shall be used. If the trustee (or
another conversion agent obtained by us) cannot reasonably
obtain at least one bid for $2,000,000 principal amount of the
notes from an independent nationally recognized securities
dealer on any date, or in our reasonable judgment, the bid
quotations are not indicative of the secondary market value of
the notes on such date, then the trading price of the notes on
such date will be deemed to be less than 98% of (a) the
last reported sale price of our common stock on such date
multiplied by (b) the conversion rate of the notes on the
date of determination.
In connection with any conversion upon satisfaction of the above
trading price condition, the trustee (or other conversion agent
appointed by us) shall have no obligation to determine the
trading price of the notes unless we have requested such
determination. We will have no obligation to make that request
unless a holder of notes provides us with reasonable evidence
that the trading price of the notes may be less than 98% of the
last reported sale price of our common stock multiplied by the
applicable conversion rate. At such time, we shall instruct the
trustee or conversion agent, as the case may be, to determine
the trading price of the notes beginning on the next trading day
and on each successive trading day until, and only until, the
trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes on a trading
day is greater than or equal to 98% of the average last reported
sale prices of our common stock multiplied by the applicable
conversion rate.
Conversion upon Notice of Redemption
If we call any or all of the notes for redemption, you may
surrender any of your notes that have been called for redemption
for conversion at any time prior to the close of business on the
second business day prior to the redemption date; provided that
if we elect to redeem less than all of the notes, only those
notes called for redemption may be converted. Upon surrender of
notes for conversion after a redemption call, we will have the
right to deliver, at our option, shares of our common stock,
cash or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. We
will give notice of our election to pay cash in lieu of common
stock in the notice of redemption.
Conversion upon Specified Corporate Transactions
If we elect to:
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distribute to all holders of our common stock certain rights
entitling them to purchase, for a period expiring within
60 days after the date of the distribution, shares of our
common stock at less than the last reported sale price of a
share of our common stock on the trading day immediately
preceding the declaration date of the distribution; or |
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distribute to all holders of our common stock, assets (including
cash), debt securities or rights to purchase our securities,
which distribution has a per share value as determined by our
board of directors exceeding 5% of the last reported sale price
of our common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the
declaration date for such distribution, |
we must notify holders of the notes at least 20 business days
prior to the ex-dividend date for such distribution. Once we
have given such notice, holders may surrender their notes for
conversion at any time until the earlier of the close of
business on the business day immediately prior to the
ex-dividend date or any announcement
30
that such distribution will not take place. No holder may
exercise this right to convert if the holder otherwise will
participate in the distribution without conversion. The
ex-dividend date is the first date upon which a sale of the
common stock does not automatically transfer the right to
receive the relevant distribution from the seller of the common
stock to its buyer. If the distribution does not take place, no
notes surrendered for conversion will be converted.
Conversion in Connection with a Fundamental Change
We must give notice to all record holders and to the trustee at
least 10 trading days prior to the anticipated effective date of
a fundamental change (as defined below). We must also give
notice to all record holders and to the trustee that such
fundamental change has become effective within the five trading
day period after the date such fundamental change becomes
effective. You may surrender your notes for conversion at any
time during the period from the opening of business on the date
we give notice of the anticipated effective date of the
fundamental change to the close of business on the 10th trading
day from and including the date of our notice (the
effective date notice) that such fundamental change
has become effective, or, if later, the related repurchase date,
if any, for that fundamental change.
If you convert your notes in connection with a fundamental
change, you will receive
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if you are entitled to the make whole premium, an amount
determined as set forth below under
Determination of the Make Whole Premium
which will be payable on the repurchase date for the notes after
a certain fundamental change as described under
Designated Event Permits Holders to Require Us
to Purchase Notes and an amount equal to any accrued but
unpaid cash interest to, but excluding, the conversion date,
which interest will be payable in cash; plus |
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the number of shares of our common stock (or cash or a
combination of cash and common stock, as described above) into
which your notes are convertible (if you surrender your notes
for conversion prior to the record date for receiving
distributions in connection with the fundamental change or, if
earlier, the effective time of the fundamental change) or the
kind and amount of cash, securities and other assets or property
which you would have received if you had held the number of
shares of our common stock into which your notes were
convertible immediately prior to the transaction (if you
surrender your notes for conversion after such record date or
effective time, as the case may be). |
Conversion Rate Adjustments
The conversion rate (as well as the stock price (as defined
below) used to determine the make whole premium described under
Determination of the Make Whole Premium)
will be adjusted as described below, except that we will not
make any adjustments to the conversion rate (or the stock price
used to determine the make whole premium) if holders of the
notes participate in any of the transactions described below.
(1) If we issue shares of our common stock as a dividend or
distribution on our common stock, or if we effect a stock split
or stock combination, the conversion rate will be adjusted based
on the following formula:
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OS(1) |
CR(1)
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= |
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CR(o |
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× |
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OS(o) |
where,
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CR(o)
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= |
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the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to such event |
CR(1)
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= |
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the conversion rate in effect immediately after such event |
OS(o)
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= |
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the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately
prior to such event |
OS(1)
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= |
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the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately
prior to such event plus the total number of shares constituting
such dividend or distribution |
(2) If we issue to all or substantially all holders of our
common stock any rights, warrants or options entitling them for
a period of not more than 60 days to subscribe for or
purchase shares of our common stock, or securities convertible
into shares of our common stock, at a price per share or a
conversion price per share
31
less than the last reported sale price of our common stock on
the trading day immediately preceding the day on which such
issuance is announced, the conversion rate will be adjusted
based on the following formula (provided that the conversion
rate will be readjusted to the extent that such rights, warrants
or options are not exercised prior to their expiration):
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OS(o) + X |
CR(1)
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= |
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CR(o) |
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× |
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OS(o) + Y |
where,
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CR(o)
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= |
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the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to such event |
CR(1)
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= |
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the conversion rate in effect immediately after such event |
OS(o)
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= |
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the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately
prior to such event |
X
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= |
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the total number of shares of our common stock issuable pursuant
to such rights, warrants or options |
Y
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= |
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the number of shares of our common stock equal to the aggregate
price payable to exercise such rights divided by the average of
the last reported sale prices of our common stock for the ten
consecutive trading days prior to the trading day immediately
preceding the record date for the issuance of such rights,
warrants or options |
(3) If we distribute shares of our capital stock, evidences
of our indebtedness or other assets or property of ours to all
or substantially all holders of our common stock, excluding:
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dividends, distributions, rights, warrants, options or
securities referred to in clause (1) or
(2) above; and |
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dividends or distributions in cash referred to in
clause (4) below; |
then the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following
formula:
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SP(O) |
CR(1)
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CR(o) |
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× |
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SP(O) - FMV |
where,
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CR(o)
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= |
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the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to such
distribution |
CR(1)
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= |
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the conversion rate in effect immediately after such distribution |
SP(o)
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= |
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the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock
for the ten consecutive trading days prior to the trading day
immediately preceding the ex dividend date for such distribution |
FMV
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= |
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the fair market value (as determined by our board of directors)
of the shares of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness,
assets or property distributed with respect to each outstanding
share of our common stock on the ex dividend date for such
distribution |
With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this clause (3)
where there has been a payment of a dividend or other
distribution on our common stock or shares of capital stock of
any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating
to a subsidiary or other business unit, which we refer to as a
spin-off, the conversion rate in effect immediately
before the close of business on the record date fixed for
determination of shareholders entitled to receive the
distribution will be increased based on the following formula:
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FMV + MP(o) |
CR(1)
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× |
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MP(o) |
32
where,
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CR(o)
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= |
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the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to such
distribution |
CR(1)
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= |
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the conversion rate in effect immediately after such distribution |
FMV
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= |
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the average of the last reported sale prices of the capital
stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of our
common stock applicable to one share of our common stock over
the first 10 trading days after the effective date of the
spin-off |
MP(o)
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= |
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the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock
over the first 10 consecutive trading days after the effective
date of the spin-off |
(4) If we make cash dividends or distributions to all or
substantially all holders of our common stock, the conversion
rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:
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SP(o) |
CR(1)
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= |
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CR(o) |
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× |
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SP(o) - C |
where,
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CR(o)
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= |
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the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the record
date for such distribution |
CR(1)
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= |
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the conversion rate in effect immediately after the ex dividend
date for such distribution |
SP(o)
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= |
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the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock
for the ten consecutive trading days prior to the trading day
immediately preceding the ex dividend date of such distribution |
C
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= |
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the amount in cash per share we distribute to holders of our
common stock |
(5) If we or any of our subsidiaries purchase shares of our
common stock pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer which
involves an aggregate consideration that exceeds the last
reported sale price of our common stock on the trading day next
succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be
made pursuant to the tender offer or exchange offer, the
conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula:
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AC + (SP(1) × OS(1)) |
CR(1)
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= |
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CR(o) |
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× |
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SP(1) × OS(o) |
where,
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CR(o)
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= |
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the conversion rate in effect on the date such tender offer or
exchange offer expires |
CR(1)
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= |
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the conversion rate in effect on the day next succeeding the
date such tender offer or exchange offer expires |
AC
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= |
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the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as
determined by our board of directors) paid or payable for all
shares of common stock that the Company or one of its
subsidiaries purchases in the tender offer or exchange offer |
OS(o)
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= |
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the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately
prior to the date such tender offer or exchange offer expires |
OS(1)
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= |
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the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately
after the date such tender offer or exchange offer expires |
SP(1)
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= |
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the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock
for the ten consecutive trading days commencing on the trading
day next succeeding the date such tender offer or exchange offer
expires |
If, however, the application of the foregoing formula would
result in a decrease in the conversion rate, no adjustment to
the conversion rate will be made.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of an adjustment
pursuant to clauses (4) or (5) above, in no event will
the conversion rate exceed 107.9914, subject to adjustment
pursuant to clauses (1), (2) and (3) above.
33
To the extent that we adopt any stockholder rights plan, upon
conversion of the notes into our common stock, you will receive,
in addition to our common stock, the rights under the rights
plan unless the rights have separated from our common stock at
the time of conversion, in which case the conversion rate will
be adjusted as if we distributed to all holders of our common
stock, shares of our capital stock, evidences of indebtedness or
assets or property as described above, subject to readjustment
in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of
such rights.
No adjustment to the conversion rate or the ability of a holder
of a note to convert will be made if the holder will otherwise
participate in the distribution without conversion solely as a
holder of a note.
Except as stated herein, we will not adjust the conversion rate
for the issuance of our common stock or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or the
right to purchase our common stock or such convertible or
exchangeable securities.
In particular, the applicable conversion rate will not be
adjusted:
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upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to
any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of
dividends or interest payable on our securities and the
investment of additional optional amounts in shares of our
common stock under any plan; |
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upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock or options
or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or
future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program
of or assumed by us or any of our subsidiaries; |
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upon the issuance of any shares of our common stock pursuant to
any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or
convertible security not described in the preceding bullet and
outstanding as of the date the notes were first issued; |
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for a change in the par value of the common stock; or |
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for accrued and unpaid interest (including liquidated damages,
if any). |
Adjustments to the applicable conversion rate will be calculated
to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share.
We are permitted to increase the conversion rate of the notes by
any amount for a period of at least 20 business days (or
such longer period as may be required by law) if our Board of
Directors determines that such increase would be in our best
interest. We are required to give at least 15 days prior
notice of any increase in the conversion rate. We may also (but
are not required to) increase the conversion rate to avoid or
diminish income tax to holders of our common stock or rights to
purchase common stock in connection with a dividend or
distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or similar
event.
Holders of the notes may, in some circumstances, be deemed to
have received a distribution or dividend subject to United
States federal income tax as a result of an adjustment or the
nonoccurrence of an adjustment to the conversion rate. See
Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations.
Exchange in Lieu of Conversion
When you surrender the notes for conversion, the conversion
agent may direct you to surrender your notes to a financial
institution designated by us for exchange in lieu of conversion.
In order to accept any notes surrendered for conversion, the
designated institution must agree to deliver, in exchange for
your notes, a number of shares of our common stock equal to the
applicable conversion rate, plus cash for any fractional shares,
or cash or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock
in lieu thereof. If the designated institution accepts any such
notes, it will deliver the appropriate number of shares of our
common stock to the conversion agent and the conversion agent
will deliver those shares to you. Any notes exchanged by the
designated institution will remain outstanding. If the
designated institution agrees to accept any notes for exchange
but does not timely deliver the related consideration, we will,
as promptly as practical thereafter, but not later than the
third business day following determination of the applicable
stock price, convert the notes and deliver cash, shares of our
common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common
stock as described under Conversion
Rights.
Our designation of an institution to which the notes may be
submitted for exchange does not require the institution to
accept any notes. If the designated institution declines to
accept any notes surrendered for
34
exchange, we will convert those notes into shares of our common
stock, cash, or a combination of cash and shares of our common
stock, as described under Conversion
Rights.
We will not pay any consideration to, or otherwise enter into
any arrangement with, the designated institution for or with
respect to such designation.
Optional Redemption
Prior to June 20, 2008, the notes will not be redeemable.
On or after June 20, 2008, we may redeem for cash all or a
portion of the notes at any time at the declining redemption
prices below, plus any accrued and unpaid interest (including
liquidated damages, if any) to but excluding the redemption
date. We will provide not less than 30 nor more than
60 days notice mailed to each registered holder of
the notes to be redeemed. If the redemption notice is given and
funds deposited as required, then interest will cease to accrue
on and after the redemption date on the notes or portions of
such notes called for redemption. If the redemption date is an
interest payment date, interest (including liquidated damages,
if any) shall be paid on such interest payment date to the
record holder on the relevant record date. The redemption price,
expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the notes
to be redeemed, is as follows for the following periods:
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Redemption | |
Period |
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Price | |
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Beginning June 20, 2008 and ending on June 14, 2009
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101.714 |
% |
Beginning June 15, 2009 and ending on June 14, 2010
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101.143 |
% |
Beginning June 15, 2010 and ending on June 14, 2011
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100.571 |
% |
Beginning June 15, 2011 and thereafter
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100.000 |
% |
Notes or portions of notes called for redemption will be
convertible by the holder until the close of business on the
second business day prior to the redemption date. We will give
notice of our election to pay cash in lieu of shares of common
stock upon a conversion in the notice of redemption.
If we decide to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding notes,
the trustee will select the notes to be redeemed in principal
amounts of $1,000 or multiples of $1,000 by lot, on a pro rata
basis or by another method the trustee considers fair and
appropriate.
If the trustee selects a portion of your notes for partial
redemption and you convert a portion of your notes, the
converted portion will be deemed to be from the portion selected
for redemption.
We may not redeem the notes if we have failed to pay any
interest on the notes (including liquidated damages, if any) and
such failure to pay is continuing.
Purchase of Notes by Us at the Option of the Holders
Holders have the right to require us to purchase for cash all or
a portion of their notes on June 15 of 2011, 2014, 2019, 2024
and 2029 (each, a purchase date). We will be
required to purchase any outstanding notes for which a holder
delivers a written purchase notice to the paying agent. This
notice must be delivered during the period beginning at any time
from the opening of business on the date that is 20 business
days prior to the relevant purchase date until the close of
business on the third business day prior to the purchase date.
If the purchase notice is given and withdrawn during such
period, we will not be obligated to purchase the related notes.
The purchase price payable will be equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the notes to be purchased, plus any accrued
and unpaid interest (including liquidated damages, if any) to,
but excluding, the purchase date.
On or before the 20th business day prior to each purchase date,
we will provide to the trustee, the paying agent and all holders
of the notes at their addresses shown in the register of the
registrar, and to beneficial owners as required by applicable
law, a notice stating, among other things:
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the purchase price; |
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the name and address of the paying agent and the conversion
agent; and |
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the procedures that holders must follow to require us to
purchase their notes. |
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On or prior to the date we provide such notice, we will publish
a notice containing this information in a newspaper of general
circulation in The City of New York or publish the information
on our web site or through such other public medium as we may
use at that time.
The purchase notice given by each holder electing to require us
to purchase notes shall be given so as to be received by the
paying agent no later than the close of business on the third
business day prior to the purchase date and must state:
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if certificated notes have been issued, the certificate numbers
of the notes; |
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the portion of the principal amount of notes to be purchased, in
integral multiples of $1,000; and |
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that the notes are to be purchased by us pursuant to the
applicable provisions of the notes and the indenture. |
If the notes are not in certificated form, your notice must
comply with appropriate DTC procedures.
You may withdraw any purchase notice in whole or in part by a
written notice of withdrawal delivered to the paying agent prior
to the close of business on the business day prior to the
purchase date. The notice of withdrawal must state:
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the principal amount of the withdrawn notes; |
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if certificated notes have been issued, the certificate numbers
of the withdrawn notes; and |
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the principal amount, if any, which remains subject to the
purchase notice. |
If the notes are not in certificated form, your withdrawal
notice must comply with appropriate DTC procedures.
You must either effect book-entry transfer or deliver the notes,
together with necessary endorsements, to the office of the
paying agent after delivery of the purchase notice to receive
payment of the purchase price. You will receive payment promptly
following the later of the purchase date or the time of
book-entry transfer or the delivery of the notes. If the paying
agent holds money sufficient to pay the purchase price of the
notes on the business day following the purchase date, then:
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the notes will cease to be outstanding and interest will cease
to accrue (whether or not book-entry transfer of the notes is
made or whether or not the notes are delivered to the paying
agent); and |
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all other rights of the holder will terminate (other than the
right to receive the purchase price upon delivery or transfer of
the notes). |
Our ability to pay holders cash may be prohibited or limited in
the future by the terms of our borrowing agreements in effect
from time to time. Although we may become obligated to purchase
any outstanding notes on a purchase date, we may not have
sufficient funds to pay the purchase price on that purchase date.
We may not purchase any notes at the option of holders if there
has occurred and is continuing an event of default with respect
to the notes other than an event of default that is cured by the
payment of the repurchase price of the notes.
Designated Event Permits Holders to Require Us to Purchase
Notes
If a designated event occurs at any time, you will have the
right, at your option, to require us to purchase any or all of
your notes, or any portion of the principal amount thereof, that
is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. We will
pay a designated event repurchase price equal to 100% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest
(including liquidated damages, if any) to but excluding the
designated event repurchase date, plus, in the case of a
fundamental change that is a change of control (as defined
below), a make whole premium, if any, determined as described
below under Determination of the Make Whole
Premium.
A designated event will be deemed to have occurred
upon a fundamental change or a termination of
trading; provided that a fundamental change occurring on
or prior to June 15, 2011, will not be a designated event
unless the transaction or event resulting in such fundamental
change also constitutes a change of control.
36
A fundamental change is any transaction or event
(whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender
offer, consolidation, merger, combination, reclassification,
recapitalization or otherwise) in connection with which all or
substantially all of our common stock is exchanged for,
converted into, acquired for or constitutes solely the right to
receive, consideration that is not at least 90% (excluding cash
payments for fractional shares) common shares, common stock or
American depositary shares that are (i) listed on, or
immediately after the transaction or event will be listed on,
the New York Stock Exchange or a United States national
securities exchange; or (ii) approved, or immediately after
the transaction or event will be approved, for quotation on the
Nasdaq National Market or any similar United States system of
automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices.
A change of control will be deemed to have occurred
at the time any of the following occurs after the notes are
originally issued:
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(1) any person or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) other than
us, our subsidiaries or any of our or their employee benefit
plans files a Schedule TO, Schedule 13D or any
schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act disclosing that
such person or group has become the direct or indirect ultimate
beneficial owner (as defined in
Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act) of the Companys common equity
representing more than 50% of the voting power of the
Companys common equity entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors; or |
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(2) consummation of any share exchange, consolidation or
merger of the Company pursuant to which the Companys
common stock will be converted into cash, securities or other
property or any sale, lease or transfer in one transaction or a
series of transactions of all or substantially all of the
consolidated assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, to any person other than us or one or more of our
subsidiaries; provided, however, that a transaction where the
holders of the Companys common equity immediately prior to
such transaction have, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of
the aggregate voting power of the voting stock of the continuing
or surviving corporation or transferee entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors immediately after such
event shall not be a change of control. |
A termination of trading will be deemed to have
occurred if our common stock or other common stock into which
the notes are convertible is neither listed for trading on a
United States national securities exchange nor approved for
listing on the Nasdaq National Market or another established
automated
over-the-counter
trading market in the United States, and no American depositary
shares or similar instruments for such common stock are so
listed or approved for listing in the United States.
On or before the fifth trading day after the occurrence of a
designated event, we will provide to all holders of the notes
and the trustee and paying agent a notice of the occurrence of
the designated event and of the resulting repurchase right. Such
notice shall state, among other things:
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the events causing a designated event; |
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the date of the designated event; |
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the last date on which a holder may exercise the repurchase
right; |
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the designated event repurchase price; |
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the designated event repurchase date; |
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the name and address of the paying agent and conversion agent; |
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the conversion price and any adjustments to the conversion price; |
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that the notes with respect to which a designated event
repurchase notice has been given by the holder may be converted,
if permitted under the terms of the indenture, only if the
holder withdraws the designated event repurchase notice in
accordance with the terms of the indenture; and |
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the procedures that holders must follow to require us to
repurchase their notes. |
In connection with providing such notice, we will publish a
notice containing this information in a newspaper of general
circulation in the City of New York or publish the information
on our website or through such other public medium as we may use
at that time.
37
To exercise the repurchase right, you must deliver, on or before
the close of business on the third business day immediately
preceding the designated event repurchase date, subject to
extension to comply with applicable law, a written repurchase
notice and the form entitled Form of Designated Event
Repurchase Election on the reverse side of the notes duly
completed, to the paying agent. Your repurchase election must
state:
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if certificated, the certificate numbers of your notes to be
delivered for repurchase; |
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the portion of the principal amount of notes to be repurchased,
which must be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof; and |
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that the notes are to be repurchased by us pursuant to the
applicable provisions of the notes and the indenture. |
If the notes are not in certificated form, your notice must
comply with appropriate DTC procedures.
You may withdraw any repurchase election (in whole or in
part) by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the paying
agent prior to the close of business on the business day prior
to the designated event repurchase date. The notice of
withdrawal shall state:
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the principal amount of the withdrawn notes; |
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if certificated notes have been issued, the certificate numbers
of the withdrawn notes; and |
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the principal amount, if any, which remains subject to the
repurchase election. |
If the notes are not in certificated form, your withdrawal
notice must comply with appropriate DTC procedures.
You must either effect book-entry transfer or deliver the notes,
together with necessary endorsements, to the office of the
paying agent after delivery of the repurchase election to
receive payment of the designated event repurchase price. We
will be required to repurchase the notes no later than
35 days after the day of our notice of the occurrence of
the relevant designated event subject to extension to comply
with applicable law. You will receive payment of the designated
event repurchase price promptly following the later of the
designated event repurchase date or the time of book-entry
transfer or the delivery of the notes. If the paying agent holds
money sufficient to pay the designated event repurchase price of
the notes on the business day following the designated event
repurchase date, then:
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the notes will cease to be outstanding and interest will cease
to accrue (whether or not book-entry transfer of the notes is
made or whether or not the notes are delivered to the paying
agent); and |
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all other rights of the holder will terminate (other than the
right to receive the designated event repurchase price and
previously accrued and unpaid interest upon delivery or transfer
of the notes). |
The repurchase rights of the holders could discourage a
potential acquirer of us. The designated event repurchase
feature, however, is not the result of managements
knowledge of any specific effort to obtain control of us by any
means or part of a plan by management to adopt a series of
anti-takeover provisions.
The term designated event is limited to specified transactions
and may not include other events that might adversely affect our
financial condition. In addition, the requirement that we offer
to repurchase the notes upon a designated event may not protect
holders in the event of a highly leveraged transaction,
reorganization, merger or similar transaction involving us.
The definition of designated event includes a phrase relating to
the conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or disposition of
all or substantially all of our consolidated assets.
There is no precise, established definition of the phrase
substantially all under applicable law. Accordingly,
the ability of a holder of the notes to require us to repurchase
its notes as a result of the conveyance, transfer, sale, lease
or other disposition of less than all of our assets may be
uncertain.
No notes may be repurchased at the option of holders (other than
through the issuance of shares of common stock and cash in lieu
of fractional shares) upon a designated event if there has
occurred and is continuing an event of default other than an
event of default that is cured by the payment of the designated
event repurchase price of the notes.
38
If a designated event were to occur, we may not have enough
funds to pay the designated event repurchase price in cash. See
Risk Factors We May be Unable to Repay or
Repurchase the Notes. If we fail to repurchase the notes
when required following a designated event, we will be in
default under the indenture. Under our existing credit
facilities, the occurrence of certain types of designated events
would be an event of default and allow the lenders to accelerate
the debt under that facility. This could result in an event of
default under the notes. See Events of Default
and Remedies. In addition, we have, and may in the future
incur, other indebtedness with similar change in control
provisions permitting our holders to accelerate or to require us
to repurchase our indebtedness upon the occurrence of similar
events or on some specific dates.
Our obligation to make a repurchase upon a designated event will
be satisfied if a third party makes the designated event
repurchase offer in a manner and at the times and otherwise in
compliance in all material respects with the requirements
applicable to a designated event repurchase offer made by us,
purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under
the designated event repurchase offer and otherwise complies
with its obligations in connection therewith.
Determination of Make Whole Premium
If a fundamental change that constitutes a change of control
becomes effective on or prior to June 15, 2011, holders of
notes will be entitled to a make whole premium upon the
repurchase of notes as described above under
Designated Event Permits Holders to Require Us
to Purchase Notes and upon the conversion of notes as
described above under Conversion in Connection
with a Fundamental Change.
Holders will not be entitled to the make whole premium if the
stock price (as defined below) is less than $9.26
(subject to adjustment).
The make whole premium will be a percentage of the original
principal amount of the notes being purchased or converted. The
make whole premium will be determined by reference to the table
below and is based on the date on which the fundamental change
becomes effective and the stock price.
For these purposes, the price paid per share of our common stock
in the transaction constituting the fundamental change, or
stock price, will be determined as follows:
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if holders of our common stock receive only cash in such
transaction, the stock price will be the cash amount paid per
share; and |
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otherwise, the stock price will be the average of the last
reported sale price of our common stock on the 10 trading days
up to but not including the effective date of such transaction. |
We may satisfy the make whole premium solely in shares of our
common stock (other than cash paid in lieu of fractional shares)
or in the same form of consideration into which shares of our
common stock have been converted in connection with the
fundamental change. If holders of our common stock have the
right to elect the form of consideration received in a
fundamental change, then for purposes of the foregoing the
consideration into which a share of our common stock has been
converted shall be deemed to equal the aggregate consideration
distributed in respect of all shares of our common stock divided
by the total number of shares of our common stock participating
in the distribution.
The value of the shares of our common stock, or other
consideration to be received, for purposes of determining the
number of shares to be issued, or other consideration to be
delivered, in respect of the make whole premium will be
calculated as follows:
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in the case of a fundamental change in which all or
substantially all of the shares of our common stock have been
converted as of the effective date into the right to receive
securities or other assets or property, then the value of the
shares of our common stock will equal the value of the
consideration paid per share, with the consideration valued as
follows: |
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securities that are traded on an United States national
securities exchange or approved for quotation on the Nasdaq
National Market or any similar system of automated dissemination
of quotations of securities prices will be valued based on 98%
of the average last reported sale price on the 10 trading days
prior to but excluding the repurchase date, |
39
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other securities, assets or property (other than cash) which
holders will have the right to receive will be valued based on
98% of the average of the fair market value of such securities,
assets or property (other than cash) as determined by two
independent nationally recognized investment banks selected by
the trustee, and |
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100% of any cash; and |
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in all other cases, the value of our shares of common stock will
equal 98% of the average last reported sale price on the 10
trading days prior to but excluding the repurchase date. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the value of
the shares of our common stock be less than 50% of the stock
price used to determine the amount of the make whole premium.
The stock prices set forth in the first row of the first
following table (i.e., the column headers) will be adjusted as
of any date on which the conversion rate of the notes is
adjusted. The adjusted stock prices will equal the stock prices
applicable immediately before that adjustment of the conversion
rate of the notes multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the conversion rate immediately prior to the adjustment
giving rise to the stock price adjustment and the denominator of
which is the conversion rate as so adjusted.
The table below sets forth the additional premiums prior to
June 20, 2008 (table in percentages).
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Stock Price | |
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Effective Date of Fundamental Change |
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$9.26 | |
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$10.00 | |
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$11.00 | |
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$12.00 | |
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$13.00 | |
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$15.00 | |
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$20.00 | |
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$50.00 | |
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$100.00 | |
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July 2, 2004
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0.0 |
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4.6 |
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10.9 |
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17.4 |
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16.4 |
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14.0 |
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9.3 |
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0.6 |
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0.0 |
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June 15, 2005
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0.0 |
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2.4 |
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8.8 |
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15.4 |
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14.6 |
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11.5 |
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7.8 |
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0.4 |
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0.0 |
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June 15, 2006
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0.0 |
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1.0 |
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6.9 |
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13.4 |
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11.9 |
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9.5 |
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5.3 |
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0.4 |
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0.0 |
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June 15, 2007
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0.0 |
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0.5 |
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4.5 |
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10.5 |
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9.3 |
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6.0 |
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2.9 |
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0.4 |
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0.0 |
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June 19, 2008
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0.0 |
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1.7 |
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1.7 |
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1.7 |
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1.7 |
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1.7 |
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1.7 |
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1.7 |
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0.0 |
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The exact stock price and repurchase dates may not be set forth
on the table; in which case, if the stock price is:
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between two stock price amounts on the table or the repurchase
date is between two dates on the table, the make whole premium
will be determined by straight-line interpolation between make
whole premium amounts set forth for the higher and lower stock
price amounts and the two dates, as applicable, based on a
365 day year; |
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more than $100.00 per share (subject to adjustment), no
make whole premium will be paid; and |
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less than the last reported sale price of our common stock on
the date of pricing (subject to adjustment), no make whole
premium will be paid. |
The table below sets forth the additional premiums on or after
June 20, 2008 (table in percentages):
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Make Whole | |
Effective Date of Fundamental Change |
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Premiums | |
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Beginning June 20, 2008 and ending on June 14, 2009
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1.7 |
% |
Beginning June 15, 2009 and ending on June 14, 2010
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1.1 |
% |
Beginning June 15, 2010 and ending on June 15, 2011
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0.6 |
% |
Merger and Consolidation
We will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey,
transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets to, any
person, unless:
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(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee person (the
Successor Company) will be a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any
State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor
Company (if not the company) will expressly assume, by a
supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the trustee,
if form satisfactory to the trustee, all the obligations of the
company under the notes and the indenture; |
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(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
default will have occurred and be continuing; and |
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(3) we shall have delivered to the trustee an
officers certificate and an opinion of counsel, each
stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such
supplemental indenture (if any) comply with the indenture. |
The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for,
and may exercise every right and power of, the company under the
indenture, and the predecessor company, other than in the case
of a lease, will be released from the obligation to pay the
principal of and interest on the notes.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may merge with an affiliate
incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating the
company in another jurisdiction to realize tax or other benefits.
Events of Default and Remedies
An event of default is defined in the indenture as being:
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(1) a default in payment of the principal of, or premium
(if any) on, any of the notes when due at maturity, upon
redemption, required repurchase or otherwise; |
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(2) a default in any payment of interest (including
liquidated damages, if any) on any note when due and payable and
continued for 30 days; |
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(3) a default for 10 days in our obligation to satisfy
our conversion obligation upon exercise of a holders
conversion right; |
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(4) a failure to comply with or observe in any material
respect any other covenant or agreement in respect of the notes
contained in the indenture or the notes for 60 days after
written notice to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
notes then outstanding; |
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(5) the failure by the Company or any significant
subsidiary (as defined in Rule 1-02 of
Regulation S-X) to
pay any indebtedness (other than indebtedness owing to the
Company or a significant subsidiary) within any applicable grace
period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such
indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default if the
total amount of such indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds
$50.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent; |
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(6) the rendering of any final nonappealable judgment or
decree (not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in
excess of $50.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent
(treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so
covered) against the Company or a significant subsidiary (as
defined in Rule 1-02 of
Regulation S-X) if
such final judgment or decree remains outstanding and is not
satisfied, discharged or waived within a period of 60 days
following such judgment; |
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(7) a failure to give notice of the right to require us to
repurchase notes following the occurrence of a designated event
within the time required to give such notice; or |
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(8) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization affecting the Company or a significant subsidiary. |
A default under clauses (5) and (6) will not
constitute an event of default until the trustee notifies the
Company or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the outstanding notes notify the Company and the trustee of the
default and the Company does not cure such default within the
time specified in clauses (5) or (6) hereof after
receipt of such notice.
If an event of default (other than an event of default specified
in clause (8) above) occurs and is continuing, then and in
every such case the trustee, by written notice to us, or the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the notes then outstanding, by written notice to us and the
trustee, may declare the unpaid principal of, and accrued and
unpaid interest (including liquidated damages, if any) on, all
the notes then outstanding to be due and payable. Upon such
declaration, such principal amount and accrued and unpaid
interest (including liquidated damages, if any), will become
immediately due and payable, notwithstanding anything contained
in the indenture or the notes to the contrary. If any event of
default specified in clause (8) above occurs, all unpaid
principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest (including
liquidated damages, if any) on, the notes then outstanding will
automatically become due and payable without any declaration or
other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of notes.
41
However, if we cure all defaults, except the nonpayment of
principal or interest (including liquidated damages, if any)
that became due as a result of the acceleration, and meet
certain other conditions, with certain exceptions, this
declaration may be cancelled and the holders of a majority of
the principal amount of outstanding notes may waive these past
defaults.
Payments of principal or interest on the notes that are not made
when due will accrue interest at the annual rate of 1% above the
then-applicable interest rate from the required payment date.
The holders of a majority of outstanding notes will have the
right to direct the time, method and place of any proceedings
for any remedy available to the trustee, subject to limitations
specified in the indenture.
No holder of the notes may pursue any remedy under the
indenture, except in the case of a default in the payment of
principal or interest (including liquidated damages, if any) on
the notes, unless:
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the holder has given the trustee written notice of an event of
default; |
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the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding
notes make a written request to the trustee to institute
proceedings in respect of such event of default; |
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the holder has offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee
against any costs, expenses or liabilities of the trustee; |
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the trustee fails to comply with the request within 60 days
after receipt of the request and offer of indemnity; and |
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the trustee does not receive an inconsistent direction from the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes. |
The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the notes of
any default, except defaults in payment of principal or interest
(including liquidated damages, if any) on the notes. However,
the trustee must consider it to be in the interest of the
holders of the notes to withhold this notice.
A default in the payment of the notes, or a default with respect
to the notes that causes them to be accelerated, may give rise
to a default under our credit facilities or other indebtedness.
Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the
indenture may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the
holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in
connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for notes).
Without the consent of each holder affected, an amendment or
waiver may not (with respect to any notes held by a
non-consenting holder):
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reduce the amount of notes whose holders must consent to an
amendment; |
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reduce the stated rate of or extend the stated time for payment
of interest (including liquidated damages, if any) on any note; |
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reduce the principal of or extend the stated maturity of any
note; |
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affect our obligation to redeem any notes on a redemption date
in a manner adverse to such holders; |
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affect our obligation to repurchase any note at the option of
the holder in a manner adverse to such holders; |
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affect our obligation to repurchase any note upon a designated
event in a manner adverse to such holders; |
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reduce the amount payable upon the redemption or repurchase of
any note or change the time at which any note may be redeemed or
repurchased; |
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make the principal or interest on any note payable in money
other than that stated in the note; |
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impair the right of a holder to convert any note or reduce the
number of shares of common stock or any other property
receivable upon conversion; |
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impair the right of any holder to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such
holders notes; or |
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make any change in the amendment provisions which require each
holders consent or in the waiver provisions. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder
of notes, we and the trustee may amend or supplement the
indenture or the notes to:
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cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; |
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provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of our
obligations under the indenture; |
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provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of
certificated notes; |
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add guarantees with respect to the notes; |
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secure the notes; |
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add covenants for the benefit of the holders or surrender any
right or power conferred upon us; |
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make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any
holder, subject to the provisions of the indenture; |
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evidence and provide the acceptance of the appointment of a
successor trustee under the indenture; |
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modify the restrictions on, and procedures for, resale and other
transfers of shares pursuant to law, regulation or practice
relating to the resale or transfer of restricted securities
generally; or |
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comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the
qualification of the indenture or any supplemental indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as then in effect. |
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
notes may waive any existing or past default or event of
default. Those holders may not, however, waive any default or
event of default in any payment of principal or interest on any
note or compliance with a provision that cannot be amended or
supplemented without the consent of each holder affected.
Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture
The indenture will generally cease to be of any further effect
with respect to the notes, if:
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we have delivered to the trustee for cancellation all
outstanding notes (with certain limited exceptions); or |
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all notes not previously delivered to the trustee for
cancellation have become due and payable, whether at stated
maturity or any redemption date or any repurchase date
(including upon the occurrence of a designated event), or |
upon conversion or otherwise, and we have deposited with the
trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash and/or our
common stock (as applicable under the terms of the indenture)
sufficient to pay all the outstanding notes, and if, in either
case, we also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable
under the indenture by us.
Calculations in Respect of the Notes
Unless otherwise specified, we will be responsible for making
all calculations called for under the notes. These calculations
include, but are not limited to, the amount of accrued interest
(including liquidated damages, if any) payable on the notes and
the conversion price of the notes. We will make all these
calculations in good faith, and, absent manifest error, our
calculations will be final and binding on holders of notes. We
will provide a schedule of our calculations to each of the
trustee and the conversion agent, and each of the trustee and
the conversion agent is entitled to rely upon the accuracy of
our calculations without independent verification. The trustee
will forward our calculations to any holder of notes upon the
request of that holder.
43
Limitations of Claims of Bankruptcy
If a bankruptcy proceeding is commenced in respect of the
company, the claim of a holder of a note is, under Title 11
of the United States Code, limited to the issue price of the
note together with any unpaid cash interest that has accrued
from the date of issue to the commencement of the proceeding.
Governing Law
The indenture provides that the notes and the indenture will be
governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the
State of New York.
Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer
We issued the notes in fully registered form, without interest
coupons, in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and
integral multiples thereof. We will not charge a service fee for
any registration of transfer or exchange of the notes. We may,
however, require the payment of any tax or other governmental
charge payable for that registration.
If the notes become certificated, the notes will be exchangeable
for other notes, for the same total principal amount and for the
same terms but in different authorized denominations, in
accordance with the indenture. Also, holders may present
certificated notes for registration of transfer at the office of
the security registrar or any transfer agent we designate. The
security registrar or transfer agent will effect the transfer or
exchange when it is satisfied with the documents of title and
identity of the person making the request.
We have initially appointed the trustee as security registrar
for the notes and holders may present notes for conversion,
registration of transfer and exchange at the Corporate
Trust Office of the trustee in the City of New York. We may
at any time rescind that designation or approve a change in the
location through which any such security registrar acts. We are
required to maintain an office or agency for transfer and
exchanges in each place of payment. We may at any time designate
additional registrars for the notes.
The registered holder of a note will be treated as the owner of
it for all purposes.
Payment and Paying Agent
We will maintain an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City
of New York, which shall initially be an office of the agent of
the trustee, where we will pay the principal on the notes and
you may present the notes for conversion, registration of
transfer or exchange for other denominations. We may pay
interest by check mailed to your address as it appears in the
note register, provided that if you are a holder with an
aggregate principal amount of notes in excess of
$2.0 million, you shall be paid, at your written election,
by wire transfer in immediately available funds. However,
payments to The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York,
which we refer to as DTC, will be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the account of DTC or its nominee.
Notices
Except as otherwise described herein, notice to registered
holders of the notes will be given by mail to the addresses as
they appear in the security register. Notices will be deemed to
have been given on the date of such mailing.
Reports
We are required to file with the trustee and the SEC, and
transmit to holders, such information, documents and other
reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant
to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner
provided pursuant to such Act; provided that any such
information, documents or reports required to be filed with the
SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act is
required to be filed with the trustee within 15 days after
it is so required to be filed with the SEC.
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The Trustee
We have appointed Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the trustee under the
indenture, as paying agent, conversion agent, note registrar and
custodian for the notes. The trustee or its affiliates may also
provide banking and other services to us in the ordinary course
of their business.
No Recourse Against Others
None of our directors, officers, employees, shareholders or
affiliates, as such, shall have any liability or any obligations
under the notes or the indenture or for any claim based on, in
respect of or by reason of such obligations or the creation of
such obligations. Each holder by accepting a note waives and
releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of
the consideration for the notes.
Anyone who receives this prospectus may obtain a copy of the
indenture, without charge, by writing to The Goodyear
Tire & Rubber Company, 1144 East Market Street, Akron,
Ohio 44316.
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Book-Entry System
Notes were issued in the form of global notes held in book-entry
form. We deposited the global notes with DTC and registered the
global notes in the name of Cede & Co. as DTCs
nominee. Except as set forth below, a global note may be
transferred, in whole or in part, only to another nominee of DTC
or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.
Beneficial interests in a global note may be held through
organizations that are participants in DTC (called
participants). Transfers between participants will
be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and
will be settled in clearing house funds. The laws of some states
require that certain persons take physical delivery of
securities in definitive form. As a result, the ability to
transfer beneficial interests in the global notes to such
persons may be limited.
Beneficial interests in a global note held by DTC may be held
only through participants, or certain banks, brokers, dealers,
trust companies and other parties that clear through or maintain
a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or
indirectly (called indirect participants). So long
as Cede & Co., as the nominee of DTC, is the registered
owner of global notes, Cede & Co. for all purposes will
be considered the sole holder of such global notes. Except as
provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note
will:
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not be entitled to have certificates registered in their names; |
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not receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive
registered form; and |
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not be considered holders of the global note. |
We will pay interest on and the redemption price and the
repurchase price of a global note to Cede & Co., as the
registered owner of the global note, by wire transfer of
immediately available funds on each interest payment date or the
redemption or repurchase date, as the case may be. Neither we,
the trustee nor any paying agent will be responsible or liable:
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for the records relating to, or payments made on account of,
beneficial ownership interests in a global note; or |
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for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating
to the beneficial ownership interests. |
Neither we, the trustee, registrar, paying agent nor conversion
agent will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or
its participants or indirect participants of their respective
obligations under the rules and procedures governing their
operations. DTC has advised us that it will take any action
permitted to be taken by a holder of notes, including the
presentation of notes for conversion, only at the direction of
one or more participants to whose account with DTC interests in
the global note are credited, and only in respect of the
principal amount of the notes represented by the global note as
to which the participant or participants has or have given such
direction.
In order to ensure that DTCs nominee will timely exercise
a right conferred by the notes, the beneficial owner of the note
must instruct the broker or other direct or indirect participant
through which it holds an interest in that note to notify DTC of
its desire to exercise that right. Different firms have
different deadlines for accepting instructions from their
customers. Each beneficial owner should consult the broker or
other direct or indirect participant through which it holds an
interest in the notes in order to ascertain the deadline for
ensuring that timely notice will be delivered to DTC.
DTC has advised us that it is:
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a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the
State of New York, and a member of the Federal Reserve System; |
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a clearing corporation within the meaning of the
Uniform Commercial Code; and |
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a clearing agency registered pursuant to the
provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, or the Exchange Act. |
DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to
facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between participants through electronic book-entry
changes to the accounts of its participants. Participants
include securities brokers, dealers, banks, trust companies and
clearing corporations
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and other organizations. Some of the participants or their
representatives, together with other entities, own DTC. Indirect
access to the DTC system is available to others such as banks,
brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either
directly or indirectly.
DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate
transfers of interests in a global note among participants.
However, DTC is under no obligation to perform or continue to
perform these procedures, and may discontinue these procedures
at any time. If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to
continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not
appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue notes in
certificated form in exchange for global notes. In addition, we
may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have
notes represented by global notes and in such event will issue
certificates in definitive form in exchange for the global notes.
47
Description of Capital Stock
This section contains a description of our common stock. The
following description is based on our Amended Articles of
Incorporation, as amended (Articles of
Incorporation), our Code of Regulations, as amended
(Code of Regulations) and applicable provisions of
Ohio law. The summary is not complete. Our Articles of
Incorporation and Code of Regulations are filed as exhibits to
the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a
part. You should read our Articles of Incorporation and Code of
Regulations for the provisions that are important to you.
Our authorized capital stock consists of:
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450,000,000 shares of common stock, without par
value; and |
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50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, issuable in series. |
At March 31, 2006, there were 177,205,567 shares of
common stock issued and an additional 18,473,101 outstanding and
issued shares of common stock which we hold as treasury shares.
No shares of preferred stock were issued or outstanding at
December 31, 2005. The outstanding shares of our common
stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Computershare
Trust Company, N.A. is the transfer agent and registrar for our
common stock.
Common Stock
Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote per share
on each matter (other than the election of directors) voted upon
by shareholders, subject to the rights of the holders of shares
of preferred stock, if any, that may be outstanding.
Except as may otherwise be required by our Articles of
Incorporation, our Code of Regulations or Ohio law in respect of
certain matters, the affirmative vote of at least a majority of
the shares of common stock outstanding on the record date is
required for any proposal to be adopted. Various matters,
including the approval of certain transactions and certain
amendments to the Articles of Incorporation or Code of
Regulations, require the affirmative vote of the holder of
two-thirds
(2/3
) of the shares of common stock outstanding.
In voting for the election of directors, each share is entitled
to one vote for each director to be elected. In the election of
directors, the candidates for directorships to be filled
receiving the most votes will be elected. Any holder of shares
of common stock may request that voting for the election of
directors be cumulative. In voting cumulatively, as a
shareholder you may give any one candidate for director a number
of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected
multiplied by the number of shares you are entitled to vote, or
you may distribute your votes on the same principle among two or
more candidates as you desire.
If any shares of a series of preferred stock are outstanding and
if six quarterly dividends thereon have not been paid as
provided by the terms of that outstanding series of preferred
stock, then the holders of the preferred stock have the right to
elect, as a class, two members of our board of directors, which
rights continue until the dividend payment default is cured. In
addition, the separate affirmative vote or consent of the
holders of any outstanding preferred stock may be required to
authorize certain corporate actions, including mergers and
certain amendments to our Articles of Incorporation.
The holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to
receive dividends and other distributions if, as and when
declared by our board of directors, out of funds legally
available for that purpose. These rights are subject to any
preferential rights and any sinking fund, redemption or
repurchase rights of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
We are not permitted to pay dividends to holders of our common
stock if we have not paid or provided for the dividends, if any,
fixed with respect to any outstanding shares of preferred stock.
In addition, under our restructured credit facilities we are
prohibited from paying dividends on our common stock.
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Liability for Calls and Assessments |
The outstanding shares of our common stock are validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.
Holders of shares of our common stock do not have preemptive
rights or conversion rights as to additional issuances of shares
of our common stock or of securities convertible into, or
entitling the holder to purchase, shares of our common stock.
If Goodyear is voluntarily or involuntarily liquidated,
dissolved or wound up, the holders of our outstanding shares of
common stock would be entitled to share in the distribution of
all assets remaining after payment of all of our liabilities and
after satisfaction of prior distribution rights and payment of
any distributions owing to holders of any outstanding shares of
preferred stock.
Holders of shares of our common stock have no conversion,
redemption or call rights related to their shares. We may,
pursuant to action authorized by our board of directors, offer
to repurchase or otherwise reacquire shares of our common stock,
but we may not redeem issued and outstanding shares.
Policy Regarding Shareholder Rights Plans
Until recently, we had a shareholder rights plan that would have
resulted in substantial dilution to a person or group that
attempted to acquire us on terms not approved by our board of
directors. Our board of directors terminated our shareholder
rights plan effective as of June 1, 2004. The board of
directors has also agreed to the following policy, which is set
forth in our corporate governance guidelines, with respect to
the future adoption of a rights plan:
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if we ever were to adopt a rights plan, the board of directors
would seek prior shareholder approval of the plan unless, due to
timing constraints or other reasons, a committee consisting
solely of independent directors determines that it would be in
the best interests of shareholders to adopt a plan before
obtaining shareholder approval; and |
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if a rights plan is adopted without prior shareholder approval,
the plan must either be ratified by shareholders or must expire
within one year. |
Certain Provisions of Ohio Law and Goodyears Articles
of Incorporation and Code of Regulations
There are statutory provisions of Ohio law and provisions in our
Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations that may have
the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying or
preventing changes in control or changes in management of
Goodyear, including transactions in which our shareholders might
otherwise receive a premium over the then current market prices
for their shares.
Our Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations contain
various provisions that may have the effect, either alone or in
combination with each other, of making more difficult or
discouraging a business combination or an attempt to obtain
control of Goodyear that is not approved by the board of
directors. These provisions include:
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the right of our board of directors to issue authorized and
unissued shares of common stock without shareholder approval; |
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the right of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred
stock in one or more series and to designate the number of
shares of those series and certain terms, rights and preferences
of those series, including redemption terms and prices and
conversion rights, without shareholder approval; and |
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provisions prohibiting the removal of directors except upon the
vote of holders of two-thirds of the combined voting power
represented by the outstanding shares of common stock. |
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In addition, our board of directors is currently divided into
three classes such that at each annual meeting of shareholders
directors of one class are elected, on a rotating basis, to
serve for three year terms. However, at our Annual Meeting of
shareholders on April 11, 2006, our shareholders adopted an
amendment to our Code of Regulations requiring that all
directors be subject to annual election, as a result of the
amendment, beginning with our 2007 Annual Meeting of
shareholders our Board will be declassified and all directors
will be elected to one year terms.
Under Ohio law, any person who proposes to make a control
share acquisition must provide written notice thereof to
the target corporation and must obtain prior shareholder
approval. A control share acquisition is the
acquisition of shares in an issuing public
corporation resulting in the person being able to exercise
voting power in the election of directors of the issuing public
corporation within any of three ranges: (i) one-fifth to
one-third, (ii) one-third to one-half, and (iii) more
than one-half of that voting power. We are an issuing
public corporation. Assuming compliance with the notice
and information filing requirements prescribed by the statute,
the proposed control share acquisition may take place only if
the acquisition is approved by a majority of the voting power of
the target corporation and a majority of the voting power
remaining after excluding the combined voting power of the
intended acquirer, directors of the target corporation who are
also employees and officers of the target corporation and
persons that acquire specified amounts of shares after the
public disclosure of the proposed control share acquisition.
Further, Ohio law prohibits any person who owns 10% or more of
an issuing public corporations stock from engaging in
mergers, consolidations, majority share acquisitions, asset
sales, loans and other specified transactions with the
corporation for a three-year period after acquiring the 10%
ownership, unless approval is first obtained from the
corporations board of directors. After the three-year
waiting period, the 10% shareholder can complete the
transaction only if, among other things: (i) approval is
received from two-thirds of all voting shares and from a
majority of shares not held by the 10% shareholder or certain
affiliated persons; or (ii) the transaction meets specified
criteria designed to ensure fairness to all remaining
shareholders. We are also an issuing public corporation under
this statute.
In addition, other provisions of Ohio law:
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permit a corporation to recover profits realized under certain
circumstances by persons who dispose of securities of a
corporation within 18 months of proposing to acquire such
corporation; |
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impose advance filing and notice requirements for tenders of
more than 10% of certain Ohio corporations; and |
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provide that directors of a classified board may be removed only
for cause. |
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Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of certain of the material United
States federal income tax consequences of the ownership and
disposition of the notes and shares of common stock into which
the notes are convertible (the securities). Unless
otherwise stated, this summary deals only with U.S. holders
who hold the notes and any shares of common stock into which the
notes are converted as capital assets. This summary assumes that
transfers of the notes and payments thereon will be made in
accordance with the applicable indenture.
As used herein, U.S. holders are any beneficial
owners of the securities, that are, for United States federal
income tax purposes, (i) citizens or residents of the
United States, (ii) corporations created or organized in,
or under the laws of, the United States, any state thereof or
the District of Columbia, (iii) estates, the income of
which is subject to United States federal income taxation
regardless of its source, or (iv) trusts if (a) a
court within the United States is able to exercise primary
supervision over the administration of the trust and
(b) one or more United States persons have the authority to
control all substantial decisions of the trust. In addition,
certain trusts in existence on August 20, 1996 and treated
as a U.S. holder prior to such date may also be treated as
U.S. holders. As used herein,
non-U.S. holders
are beneficial owners of the securities, other than
partnerships, that are not U.S. holders. If a partnership
(including for this purpose any entity treated as a partnership
for United States federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial
owner of the securities, the treatment of a partner in the
partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner
and upon the activities of the partnership. Partnerships and
partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors
about the United States federal income tax consequences of
owning and disposing of the securities.
This summary does not describe all of the tax consequences that
may be relevant to a holder in light of its particular
circumstances. For example, it does not deal with special
classes of holders such as banks, thrifts, real estate
investment trusts, regulated investment companies, insurance
companies, dealers and traders in securities or currencies, or
tax-exempt investors. It also does not discuss securities held
as part of a hedge, straddle, synthetic security or
other integrated transaction. This summary does not address the
tax consequences to (i) U.S. persons that have a
functional currency other than the U.S. dollar,
(ii) certain U.S. expatriates or
(iii) shareholders, partners or beneficiaries of a holder
of the securities. Further, it does not include any description
of any estate, gift or alternative minimum tax consequences or
the tax laws of any state or local government or of any foreign
government that may be applicable to the securities.
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code), the Treasury regulations
promulgated thereunder and administrative and judicial
interpretations thereof, all as of the date hereof, and all of
which are subject to change or differing interpretations,
possibly on a retroactive basis.
You should consult with your own tax advisor regarding the
federal, state, local and foreign income, franchise, personal
property and any other tax consequences of the ownership and
disposition of the securities.
Taxation of U.S. Holders
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Characterization of the Notes |
As discussed in the offering memorandum related to the notes,
our obligation to pay liquidated damages in the form of
additional interest on the notes in the event of a default under
the registration rights agreement potentially implicate Treasury
regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments. The
special mandatory accrual and other rules applicable to
contingent payment debt instruments do not apply to debt
instruments subject to contingencies that are either remote or
incidental. At the time the notes were originally issued, we
determined that the likelihood of payments of liquidated
damages, as described above, was remote. As a result, we
determined that the rules applicable to contingent payment debt
instruments did not apply to the notes at the time of their
original issuance.
Because liquidated damages began to accrue on December 7,
2004, a determination had to be made whether as of that date the
notes had become subject to the rules related to contingent
payment debt instruments. We have determined that the
contingency related to the possible payment of a premium upon
conversion of the notes or the exercise of certain options
remains a remote contingency. Moreover, we have
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determined that the contingency related to the payment of
liquidated damages upon a registration default was an incidental
contingency because, at the time liquidated damages began to
accrue, we believed that, under all reasonably expected market
conditions, the potential amount of liquidated damages due prior
to our curing of the registration default was insignificant
relative to the total expected amount of the remaining payments
on the notes. Our determination that the contingency related to
the payment of liquidated damages was an incidental contingency
did not change during the time liquidated damages accrued.
Our determination that the contingencies with respect to the
notes are either remote or incidental is binding on all holders
of notes (but not on the Internal Revenue Service) unless a
holder explicitly discloses on a statement attached to the
holders timely filed federal income tax return for the
year that includes its acquisition of a note that its
determination is different from ours. Unless specified
otherwise, the remainder of this discussion assumes that our
determination that the contingencies with respect to the notes
are either remote or incidental is correct.
Payments of interest on the notes (including liquidated damages
resulting from a registration default) generally will be taxable
as ordinary interest income at the time such payments are
accrued or received (in accordance with the holders
regular method of tax accounting).
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Notes Purchased with Market Discount |
A holder will be considered to have purchased a note with
market discount if the holders tax basis in
the note immediately after purchase is less than the notes
stated redemption price at maturity. A note is not treated as
having market discount if the amount of market discount is de
minimis. For this purpose, the amount of market discount is de
minimis if it is less than the product of 0.25 percent of
the stated redemption price at maturity on the purchase date
multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity remaining
as of such date.
If a note is treated as having market discount, any gain
recognized upon the sale, redemption or other disposition of the
note will generally be treated as ordinary income to the extent
that such gain does not exceed the accrued market discount on
the note that has not been previously included in income.
Alternatively, a holder of a note may elect to include market
discount in income currently over the life of the note. Such an
election applies to all notes with market discount acquired by
the electing holder on or after the first day of the first
taxable year to which the election applies and may not be
revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
Market discount accrues on a straight-line basis unless the
holder elects to accrue such discount on a constant yield to
maturity basis. This latter election is applicable only to the
note with respect to which it is made and is irrevocable. A
holder of a note that does not elect to include market discount
in income currently generally will be required to defer
deductions for interest on borrowings allocable to such note in
an amount not exceeding the accrued market discount on such note
until the maturity or disposition of such note.
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Notes Purchased at a Premium |
A holder will be considered to have purchased a note at a
premium if the holders tax basis in the note immediately
after the purchase (which does not include any amount paid in
respect of accrued interest on the note) is greater than the
amount payable at maturity. For this purpose only, a
holders basis in a note is reduced by an amount equal to
the value of the option to convert the note into common stock;
the value of this conversion option may be determined under any
reasonable method. A holder may elect to treat such premium as
amortizable bond premium, in which case the amount
of interest required to be included in the holders income
each year with respect to the note will be reduced by the amount
of the amortizable bond premium allocable (generally under a
constant yield method based on the holders yield to
maturity) to such year with a corresponding decrease in the
holders tax basis in the note. Any election to amortize
bond premium is applicable to all notes (other than a tax-exempt
note) held by the holder at the beginning of the first taxable
year to which the election applies or thereafter acquired by the
holder, and may not be revoked without the consent of the
Internal Revenue Service.
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A U.S. holder will generally not recognize income, gain or
loss (except with respect to cash in lieu of a fractional share
and shares attributable to accrued but unpaid interest not
previously included in the income of the holder) upon the
conversion of a note solely into common stock. A
U.S. holders tax basis in the common stock received
(other than common stock attributable to accrued but unpaid
interest) will be the same as the U.S. holders tax
basis in the note at the time of conversion (exclusive of any
tax basis allocable to a fractional share). The holding period
for any common stock received pursuant to a conversion of a note
(including any fractional share treated as received but
excluding common stock attributable to accrued but unpaid
interest) will include the holding period for the note. If cash
is received in lieu of a fractional share, the holder will be
treated as having received the fractional share and as having
immediately sold it for an amount equal to such cash.
Accordingly, the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share
will generally result in capital gain or loss, if any, measured
by the difference between the cash received for the fractional
share and the U.S. holders tax basis in the
fractional share.
If a U.S. holder converts a note and we deliver a
combination of shares of common stock and cash, the tax
treatment to the holder is uncertain. A holder may be required
to recognize any gain (but not loss) realized, but only to the
extent such gain does not exceed the amount of cash received
(other than cash received in lieu of a fractional share or
attributable to accrued but unpaid interest). In such case, a
holders basis in the common stock received in the
conversion (including any basis allocable to a fractional share
but excluding shares of common stock attributable to accrued but
unpaid interest) would be equal to such holders tax basis
in the note, reduced by any cash received in the conversion
(other than cash received in lieu of a fractional share or
attributable to accrued but unpaid interest) and increased by
the amount of any gain recognized on the conversion (other than
gain with respect to a fractional share). Alternatively, the
cash payment may be treated as proceeds from a sale of a portion
of the note, as described below under Sale,
Exchange or Redemption of Notes. In such case, a
holders tax basis in the note would be allocated pro rata
between the common stock received and the portion of the note
that is treated as sold for cash (including any fractional share
treated as received but excluding any amounts attributable to
accrued and unpaid interest). If cash is received in lieu of a
fractional share, the holder will be treated as having received
the fractional share and as having immediately sold it for an
amount equal to such cash. Accordingly, the receipt of cash in
lieu of a fractional share will generally result in capital gain
or loss, if any, measured by the difference between the cash
received for the fractional share and the
U.S. holders tax basis in the fractional share. The
holding period for any common stock received in a conversion
(including any fractional share treated as received but
excluding any common stock received that is attributable to
accrued but unpaid interest) will include the holding period for
the note. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding
the proper treatment to them of the receipt of a combination of
cash and common stock upon a conversion of the notes.
If a U.S. holder converts a note and we deliver solely cash
in satisfaction of our obligation, such cash payment will
generally be treated as received from a sale of the note by the
U.S. holder as described below under
Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Notes.
If a U.S. holder converts a note and the conversion agent
directs the holder to surrender the note to a financial
institution (as described in Description of the
Notes Exchange in Lieu of Conversion), any
amounts paid by the financial institution will generally be
treated as received from a sale of the note by the
U.S. holder as described below under
Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Notes.
The amount of cash and the fair market value of any common stock
received by the holder that is attributable to accrued but
unpaid interest not previously included in the income will be
taxable to the holder as ordinary income. A holders tax
basis in any such shares of common stock will equal such accrued
interest and the holding period will begin on the day following
the conversion.
Any amount of market discount accrued on a note that has not
been recognized as ordinary income prior to, or as a result of,
the conversion of a note will carry over to the common stock
received upon conversion. As a result, any gain on the sale or
exchange of common stock received upon conversion will be
treated as ordinary income, rather than capital gain, to the
extent of such carried over accrued market discount.
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Adjustment of Conversion Rate |
If at any time we make a distribution of property to
shareholders that would be taxable as a dividend for United
States federal income tax purposes (for example, distributions
of evidences of indebtedness or assets, but generally not stock
dividends or rights to subscribe for common stock) and the
conversion rate of the notes is increased, such increase may be
deemed to be the payment of a taxable dividend to a
U.S. holder of the notes to the extent of our current and
accumulated earnings and profits. If the conversion rate is
increased at our discretion or in certain other circumstances,
such increase also may be deemed to be the payment of a taxable
dividend to the U.S. holder.
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Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Notes |
Except as set forth under Conversion of
Notes above, a U.S. holder will generally recognize
taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount
realized on the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition
of a note (except to the extent the amount realized is
attributable to accrued unpaid interest not previously included
in income, which will be taxable as ordinary interest income)
and the holders tax basis in such note. A holders
tax basis in the note generally will be the initial purchase
price paid therefore, increased by any market discount
previously included in income with respect to the note and
reduced by any amortizable bond allocable to periods prior to
the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition.
In the case of a holder other than a corporation, preferential
tax rates may apply to gain recognized on the sale of a note if
such holders holding period for such note exceeds one
year. To the extent the amount realized is less than the
holders tax basis, the holder will recognize a capital
loss. Subject to certain limited exceptions, capital losses
cannot be applied to offset ordinary income for United States
federal income tax purposes.
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Alternative Tax Treatment of the Notes |
If our determination that the contingencies with respect to the
notes are remote and incidental is not correct, the notes will
be subject to the regulations governing contingent payment debt
instruments. Under the contingent payment debt instrument
regulations, a U.S. holder, regardless of its method of tax
accounting, would be required to accrue interest income on the
notes on a constant yield basis at an assumed yield (the
comparable yield). The comparable yield would be
based on the yield at which we could have issued on
November 7, 2004, a fixed rate, nonconvertible debt
instrument with no contingent payments, but with terms otherwise
similar to those of the notes. Accordingly, if the contingent
payment debt instrument regulations were to apply to the notes,
U.S. holders generally would be required to include in
income an amount of interest in excess of the stated interest
and liquidated damage payments on the notes.
If the contingent payment debt instrument regulations were
applicable to the notes, solely for purposes of determining the
amount of interest income that a U.S. holder would be
required to accrue we would be required to construct a
projected payment schedule in respect of the notes
representing a series of payments (including issuances of our
common stock upon conversion) the amount and timing of which
would produce a yield to maturity on the notes equal to the
comparable yield. Based on the comparable yield and the issue
price of the notes, a U.S. holder of a note (regardless if
its tax accounting method) would be required to accrue as
interest income the sum of the daily portions of interest on the
notes for each day in the taxable year on which the
U.S. holder holds the notes, adjusted upward or downward to
reflect the difference, if any, between the actual and projected
amount of any contingent payments on the notes (as set forth
below). The issue price of the notes is the first price at which
a substantial amount of the notes were originally sold to the
public, excluding bond houses, brokers or similar persons acting
in the capacity as underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers.
If the contingent payment debt regulations were applicable to
the notes, the daily portions of interest in respect of the
notes would be determined by allocating to each day in an
accrual period the ratable portion of interest on the notes that
accrues in the accrual period. The amount of interest on a note
that would accrue in an accrual period would be the product of
the comparable yield (adjusted to reflect the length of the
accrual period) and the adjusted issue price of the note. The
adjusted issue price of a note at the beginning of the first
accrual period will be its issue price and at the beginning of
any accrual period thereafter would be equal to (x) the sum
of the issue price of such note and any interest previously
accrued thereon (disregarding any
54
positive or negative adjustments, described below) minus
(y) the amount of the non-contingent stated interest paid
on the notes and the projected amount of contingent payments
previously made on the notes for previous accrual periods.
In addition to the interest accruals discussed above, if the
contingent debt regulations were applicable to the notes, a
U.S. holder would be required to recognize interest income
equal to the amount of any excess of actual payments over
projected payments (a positive adjustment) in
respect of a note for a taxable year. For this purpose, the
payments in a taxable year would include the fair market value
of property (including our common stock issued upon conversion)
received in that year. If a U.S. holder receives actual
payments that are less than the projected payments in a taxable
year, the holder would incur a negative adjustment
equal to the amount of such difference. This negative adjustment
would (i) first reduce the amount of interest in respect of
the note that a U.S. holder would otherwise be required to
include in the taxable year and (ii) to the extent of any
excess, would give rise to an ordinary loss equal to that
portion of such excess that does not exceed the excess of
(A) the amount of all previous interest inclusions under
the note over (B) the total amount of the holders net
negative adjustments treated as ordinary losses in prior taxable
years. A net negative adjustment is not subject to the
two-percent floor limitation imposed on miscellaneous deductions
under Section 67 of the Code. Any negative adjustment in
excess of the amounts described in (i) and (ii) above
would be carried forward to offset future interest income in
respect of the notes or to reduce the amount realized on a sale,
exchange, conversion or retirement of the notes.
If the notes were subject to the contingent payment debt
instrument regulations, if a U.S. holders basis in a
note upon its acquisition is different than the notes
adjusted issue price at such time, such holder would be required
to reasonably allocate such difference to daily portions of
interest or projected payments over the remaining term of the
note. If a U.S. holders basis is greater than the
notes adjusted issue price at the time of acquisition, the
allocable portion of such difference would be treated as a
negative adjustment in such period subject to the rules related
to negative adjustments described above. If a
U.S. holders basis is less than the notes
adjusted issue price at the time of acquisition, the allocable
portion of such difference would be treated as a positive
adjustment in such period subject to the rules related to
positive adjustment described above.
If the notes were subject to the contingent payment debt
instrument regulations, the tax consequences of a sale, exchange
or retirement of a note (other than a conversion) would be the
same as had the contingent payment debt instrument regulations
not applied to the notes except that any gain recognized would
be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains, and any
loss would be treated as an ordinary loss to the extent of the
excess of previous interest inclusions over the total negative
adjustments previously taken into account as ordinary loss (and
the balance of any loss would be a capital loss). In addition,
if the notes were subject to the contingent payment debt
instrument regulations, the conversion of a note would be a
taxable event. The amount realized upon conversion would include
the fair market value of our common stock received and any gain
or loss would be recognized as described above in this
paragraph. A U.S. holders basis in our common stock
received upon conversion would equal the then current fair
market value of such stock and the holders holding period
would commence on the day immediately following the date of
conversion.
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Distributions on Common Stock |
The amount of any distribution we make in respect of the common
stock will be equal to the amount of cash and the fair market
value, on the date of distribution, of any property distributed.
Generally, distributions will be treated as a dividend to the
extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, then
as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a holders
tax basis in the common stock and thereafter as gain from the
sale or exchange of such common stock as described below. In
general, a dividend distribution to a corporate holder will
qualify for the dividends-received deduction. The
dividends-received deduction is subject to certain holding
period, taxable income, and other limitations.
Dividends received by a non-corporate taxpayer during taxable
years before 2009 will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%,
provided the taxpayer held the stock for more than 60 days
during a specified period of time and certain other requirements
are met. Dividends received by a non-corporate taxpayer for
taxable years after 2008 will be subject to tax at ordinary
income rates.
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Sale or Exchange of Common Stock |
Upon the sale or exchange of common stock, a holder generally
will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference
between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and the
holders tax basis in the common stock. However, a
U.S. holder will recognize any gain as ordinary income upon
the sale or exchange of common stock received upon conversion to
the extent of any accrued market discount not previously
recognized as ordinary income by such holder with respect to its
notes. In the case of a holder other than a corporation,
preferential tax rates may apply to such gain if the
holders holding period for the common stock exceeds one
year. Subject to certain limited exceptions, capital losses
cannot be applied to offset ordinary income for United States
federal income tax purposes.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax |
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to
payments of principal and interest on the notes, payments of
dividends on the common stock and payments of the proceeds of
the sale of the notes or common stock. A backup withholding tax
may apply to such payments if the holder fails to comply with
certain identification requirements. Backup withholding is
currently imposed at a rate of 28%. Any amounts withheld under
the backup withholding rules from a payment to a holder will be
allowed as a credit against such holders United States
federal income tax and may entitle the holder to a refund,
provided that the required information is furnished to the
Internal Revenue Service. Certain taxpayers, including all
corporations, are exempt from the information reporting and
backup withholding rules.
Taxation of
Non-U.S. Holders
The rules governing United States federal income taxation of a
non-U.S. holder of
the securities are complex and no attempt will be made herein to
provide more than a summary of such rules.
Non-U.S. holders
should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the
effect of United States federal, state and local and foreign tax
laws, as well as treaties, with regard to an investment in the
securities, including any reporting requirements.
Generally, interest income of a
non-U.S. holder
that is not effectively connected with a United States trade or
business is subject to a withholding tax at a 30% rate (or, if
applicable, a lower tax rate specified by a treaty). However,
interest income earned on a note by a
non-U.S. holder
will qualify for the portfolio interest exemption
and therefore will not be subject to United States federal
income tax or withholding tax, provided that such interest
income is not effectively connected with a United States trade
or business of the
non-U.S. holder
and provided that (i) the
non-U.S. holder
does not actually or constructively own 10% of more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of Goodyear stock entitled
to vote; (ii) the
non-U.S. holder is
not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us
through stock ownership; (iii) the
non-U.S. holder is
not a bank which acquired the note in consideration for an
extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered
into in the ordinary course of business; and (iv) either
(a) the
non-U.S. holder
certifies to the payor or the payors agent, under
penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States person and
provides its name, address, and certain other information on a
properly executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or a
suitable substitute form or (b) a securities clearing
organization, bank or other financial institution that holds
customer securities in the ordinary course of its trade or
business and holds the notes in such capacity, certifies to the
payor or the payors agent, under penalties of perjury,
that such a statement has been received from the beneficial
owner by it or by a financial institution between it and the
beneficial owner, and furnishes the payor or the payors
agent with a copy thereof. The applicable Treasury regulations
also provide alternative methods for satisfying the
certification requirements of clause (iv), above. If a
non-U.S. holder
holds the note through certain foreign intermediaries or
partnerships, such holder and the foreign intermediary or
partnership may be required to satisfy certification
requirements under applicable Treasury regulations.
Except to the extent that an applicable income tax treaty
otherwise provides, a
non-U.S. holder
generally will be taxed with respect to interest in the same
manner as a U.S. holder if the interest is effectively
connected with a United States trade or business of the
non-U.S. holder.
Effectively connected interest
56
income received or accrued by a corporate
non-U.S. holder
may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an
additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or, if
applicable, at a lower tax rate specified by a treaty). Even
though such effectively connected income is subject to income
tax, and may be subject to the branch profits tax, it is not
subject to withholding tax if the
non-U.S. holder
delivers a properly executed Internal Revenue Service
Form W-8ECI (or successor form) to the payor or the
payors agent.
In general, a
non-U.S. holder
will not recognize gain upon conversion of a note to the extent
such holder receives common stock (except with respect to shares
attributable to accrued but unpaid interest not previously
included in the income of the holder, which would be subject to
the rules described under Interest
Income above). To the extent a
non-U.S. holder
receives cash upon conversion of a note (except with respect to
cash attributable to accrued but unpaid interest not previously
included in the income of the holder, which would be subject to
the rules described under Interest
Income above), such cash may give rise to gain that would
be subject to the rules described under Sale,
Exchange or Redemption of Notes; Sale or Exchange of Common
Stock below. If a
non-U.S. holder
converts a note and the conversion agent directs the holder to
surrender the note to a financial institution (as described in
Description of the Notes Exchange in Lieu of
Conversion), any amounts paid by the financial institution
will generally be treated as received from a sale of the note by
the
non-U.S. holder as
described under Sale, Exchange or Redemption
of Notes; Sale or Exchange of Common Stock below.
If the notes were subject to the regulations applicable to
contingent payment debt instruments, any gain realized upon a
sale, exchange, retirement or conversion of a note would be
treated as interest income subject to the same rules as
described under Interest Income
above.
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Adjustment of Conversion Rate |
Certain adjustments in the conversion rate of the notes may be
treated as a taxable dividend to a
non-U.S. holder.
See Taxation of U.S. Holders
Adjustment of Conversion Rate above and
Dividends below.
Distributions we make with respect to the common stock that are
treated as dividends paid, as described above under
Taxation of U.S. Holders
Distributions on Common Stock, to a
non-U.S. holder
(excluding dividends that are effectively connected with the
conduct of a United States trade or business by such holder and
are taxable as described below) will be subject to United States
federal withholding tax at a 30% rate (or a lower rate provided
under an applicable income tax treaty). Except to the extent
that an applicable income tax treaty otherwise provides, a
non-U.S. holder
will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. holder on
dividends paid (or deemed paid) that are effectively connected
with the conduct of a United States trade or business by the
non-U.S. holder.
If such
non-U.S. holder is
a foreign corporation, it may also be subject to a United States
branch profits tax on such effectively connected income at a 30%
rate (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable
income tax treaty). Even though such effectively connected
dividends are subject to income tax and may be subject to the
branch profits tax, they will not be subject to United States
federal withholding tax if the holder delivers a properly
executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or successor
form) to the payor or the payors agent.
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Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Notes; Sale or Exchange of
Common Stock |
Except as set forth under Conversion of
Notes above, a
non-U.S. holder
generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on
any gain realized on the sale, exchange, redemption or other
disposition of a note or the sale or exchange of common stock if
(i) the gain is effectively connected with a United States
trade or business of the
non-U.S. holder,
(ii) in the case of a
non-U.S. holder
who is an individual, such holder is present in the United
States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more
during the taxable year of the disposition, and either
(a) such holder has a tax home in the United
States or (b) the disposition is attributable to an office
or other fixed place of business maintained by such holder in
the United States, or (iii) in the event that we are or
have been characterized as a United States real property holding
corporation
57
for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Goodyear believes
that it is not and, within the past five years, has not been a
U.S. real property holding corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Except to the extent that an applicable income tax treaty
otherwise provides, (1) if an individual
non-U.S. holder
falls under clause (i) above, such individual generally
will be taxed on the net gain derived from a sale in the same
manner as a U.S. holder and (2) if an individual
non-U.S. holder
falls under clause (ii) above, such individual generally
will be subject to a 30% tax on the capital gain derived from a
sale, which may be offset by certain United States-related
capital losses (notwithstanding the fact that such individual is
not considered a resident of the United States). Individual
non-U.S. holders
who have spent (or expect to spend) 183 days or more in the
United States in the taxable year in which they contemplate a
disposition of notes or common stock are urged to consult their
tax advisors as to the tax consequences of such sale. If a
non-U.S. holder
that is a foreign corporation falls under clause (i), it
generally will be taxed on the net gain derived from a sale in
the same manner as a U.S. holder and, in addition, may be
subject to the branch profits tax on such effectively connected
income at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be specified by
an applicable income tax treaty).
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax |
United States backup withholding tax will not apply to payments
on the notes or payments of dividends on the common stock to a
non-U.S. holder if
the requirements described in clause (iv) of
Interest Income above are satisfied with
respect to the holder unless the payor has actual knowledge or
reason to know that the holder is a United States person.
Information reporting requirements may apply with respect to
interest payments on the notes and dividend payments on the
common stock, in which event the amount of interest or dividends
paid and tax withheld (if any) with respect to each
non-U.S. holder
will be reported annually to the Internal Revenue Service.
Information reporting requirements and backup withholding tax
will not apply to any payment of the proceeds of the sale of
notes or common stock effected outside the United States by a
foreign office of a broker as defined in applicable
Treasury regulations (absent actual knowledge or reason to know
that the payee is a United States person), unless such broker
(i) is a United States person as defined in the Code,
(ii) is a foreign person that derives 50% or more of its
gross income for certain periods from the conduct of a trade or
business in the United States, (iii) is a controlled
foreign corporation for United States federal income tax
purposes or (iv) is a foreign partnership with certain
U.S. connections. Payment of the proceeds of any such sale
effected outside the United States by a foreign office of any
broker that is described in the preceding sentence may be
subject to information reporting unless such broker has
documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is
a non-U.S. holder
and certain other conditions are met, or the beneficial owner
otherwise establishes an exemption. Payment of the proceeds of
any such sale to or through the United States office of a broker
is subject to information reporting and backup withholding
requirements unless the beneficial owner satisfies the
requirements described in clause (iv) of
Interest Income above or otherwise
establishes an exemption.
The United States federal income tax discussion set forth
above is included for general information only and may not be
applicable depending upon a holders particular situation.
Holders should consult their tax advisors with respect to the
tax consequences to them of the ownership and disposition of the
securities, including the tax consequences under state, local,
foreign and other tax laws and the possible effects of changes
in United States federal or other tax laws.
58
Benefit Plan Considerations
If you intend to use the assets of any employee benefit plan,
as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA); any
plan described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code; any plan,
individual retirement account, or other arrangement that is
subject to provisions of any federal, state, local, foreign, or
other law, rule, or regulation that is similar to provisions of
ERISA and the Code (Similar Laws); or any entity
whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of a
plans investment in such entity (each of the foregoing is
hereafter referred to as a Plan), directly or
indirectly to purchase any of the notes offered for sale in
connection with this prospectus, you should consult with counsel
on the potential consequences of your investment under the
fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA, the prohibited
transaction provisions of ERISA and the Code and the provisions
of any Similar Laws.
The following summary relates to Plans that are subject to
ERISA and/or the Code (ERISA Plans) and is based on
the provisions of ERISA and the Code and related guidance in
effect as of the date of this prospectus. This summary is
general in nature and is not intended as a complete summary of
these considerations. Future legislation, court decisions,
administrative regulations or other guidance might change the
requirements summarized in this section. Any of these changes
could be made retroactively and could apply to transactions
entered into before the change is enacted. In addition, benefit
plans that are not subject to ERISA or the Code might be subject
to comparable requirements under applicable Similar Laws.
Fiduciary Responsibilities
ERISA imposes requirements on ERISA Plans and fiduciaries of
ERISA Plans. Under ERISA, fiduciaries generally include persons
who exercise authority or control over ERISA Plan assets, or who
render investment advice with respect to an ERISA Plan for
compensation. Before investing any ERISA Plan assets in any note
offered in connection with this prospectus, you should determine
whether the investment:
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1. is permitted under the plan document and other
instruments governing the ERISA Plan; and |
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2. is appropriate for the ERISA Plan in view of its overall
investment policy and the composition and diversification of its
portfolio, taking into account the limited liquidity of the
notes. |
You should consider all factors and circumstances of a
particular investment in the notes, including, for example, the
risk factors discussed in Risk Factors and the fact
that in the future there may not be a market in which you will
be able to sell or otherwise dispose of your interest in the
notes.
We are not making any representation that the sale of any notes
to an ERISA Plan meets the fiduciary requirements for investment
by ERISA Plans generally or any particular ERISA Plan or that
such an investment is appropriate for ERISA Plans generally or
any particular ERISA Plan. We are not providing investment
advice to any ERISA Plan, through this prospectus or otherwise,
in connection with the sale of the notes.
Foreign Indicia of Ownership
ERISA also prohibits ERISA Plan fiduciaries from maintaining the
indicia of ownership of any ERISA Plan assets outside the
jurisdiction of the United States district courts except in
specified cases. Before investing in any note offered for sale
in connection with this prospectus, you should consider whether
the acquisition, holding or disposition of a note would satisfy
such indicia of ownership rules.
Prohibited Transactions
ERISA and the Code prohibit a wide range of transactions
involving ERISA Plans, on the one hand, and persons who have
specified relationships to such ERISA Plans, on the other. These
persons are called parties in interest under ERISA
and disqualified persons under the Code. The
transactions prohibited by ERISA and the Code are called
prohibited transactions. If you are a party in
interest or disqualified person who engages in a prohibited
transaction, or a fiduciary who causes an ERISA Plan to engage
in a prohibited transaction, you may be subject to excise taxes
and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and/or the Code.
As a result, if you are considering using ERISA Plan assets
directly or indirectly to invest in any of the notes offered for
sale in connection with this prospectus, you should consider
whether the investment might be a prohibited transaction under
ERISA and/or the Code.
59
Prohibited transactions may arise, for example, if the notes are
acquired by an ERISA Plan with respect to which we, the initial
purchasers and/or any of our or their respective affiliates, are
parties in interest or disqualified persons. Exemptions from the
prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and the Code may
apply, depending in part on the type of plan fiduciary making
the decision to acquire a note and the circumstances under which
such decision is made. These exemptions include:
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1. Prohibited transaction class exemption
(PTCE) 75-1 (relating to specified transactions
involving employee benefit plans and broker-dealers, reporting
dealers, and banks); |
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2. PTCE 84-14 (relating to specified transactions
directed by independent qualified professional asset managers); |
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3. PTCE 90-1 (relating to specified transactions
involving insurance company pooled separate accounts); |
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4. PTCE 91-38 (relating to specified transactions by
bank collective investment funds); |
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5. PTCE 95-60 (relating to specified transactions
involving insurance company general accounts); and |
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6. PTCE 96-23 (relating to specified transactions
directed by in-house asset managers). |
These exemptions do not, however, provide relief from the
provisions of ERISA and the Code that prohibit self-dealing and
conflicts of interest by plan fiduciaries. In addition, there is
no assurance that any of these class exemptions or any other
exemption will be available with respect to any particular
transaction involving the notes.
Treatment of Insurance Company Assets as Plan Assets
Based on the reasoning of the United States Supreme Court in
John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. v. Harris Trust
and Savings Bank, 510 U.S. 86 (1993), assets in the
general account of an insurance company might be deemed to be
ERISA Plan assets under certain circumstances. If general
account assets are deemed to be ERISA Plan assets, an insurance
companys purchase of the notes with assets of its general
account might be subject to ERISAs fiduciary
responsibility provisions or might give rise to prohibited
transactions under ERISA and the Code. Insurance companies that
intend to use assets of their general accounts to purchase the
notes should consider the potential effects of
Section 401(c) of ERISA,
PTCE 95-60, and
Department of Labor Regulations Section 2550.401c-1 on
their purchase.
Representations and Warranties
If you acquire or accept a note (or any interest therein)
offered in connection with this prospectus, you will be deemed
to have represented and warranted that either:
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1. you have not used the assets directly or indirectly of
any Plan to acquire such note; or |
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2. your acquisition and holding of such note (A) is
exempt from the prohibited transaction restrictions of ERISA and
the Code under one or more prohibited transaction class
exemptions or does not constitute a prohibited transaction under
ERISA and the Code, (B) meets the applicable fiduciary
requirements of ERISA, and (C) does not violate any
applicable Similar Law. |
Any subsequent purchaser of such note will be required to make
the same representations concerning the use of Plan assets to
purchase the note.
Legal Matters
The validity of the notes offered hereby has been passed upon
for us by Covington & Burling, New York, New York.
C. Thomas Harvie, our general counsel, has passed upon the
validity of the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion
of the notes. Mr. Harvie is paid a salary and a bonus by
us, is a participant in our Performance Recognition Plan and
Executive Performance Plan, and owns and has options to purchase
shares of our common stock. See Executive
Compensation in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005.
60
Experts
The financial statements as of December 31, 2005 and 2004
and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2005 and managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
(which is included in Managements Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting) as of December 31, 2005
incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2005, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
61
Where You Can Find More Information;
Documents Incorporated By Reference
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on
Form S-3 under the
Securities Act, to register the notes or shares of common stock
issued upon conversion of the notes offered by this prospectus.
This prospectus does not contain all of the information included
in the registration statement and the exhibits and the schedules
to the registration statement. We strongly encourage you to read
carefully the registration statement and the exhibits and the
schedules to the registration statement.
Any statement made in this prospectus concerning the contents of
any contract, agreement or other document is only a summary of
the actual contract, agreement or other document. If we have
filed any contract, agreement or other document as an exhibit to
the registration statement, you should read the exhibit for a
more complete understanding of the document or matter involved.
Each statement regarding a contract, agreement or other document
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual document.
We file and furnish annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy
statements and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any documents we file
at the SECs public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC
at 1-888-SEC-0330 for further information on the public
reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public
from the SECs web site at www.sec.gov or through our web
site at www.goodyear.com.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into
this prospectus information included in documents we file with
them, which means we can disclose important information to you
by referring you to those documents. The information
incorporated by reference is considered a part of this
prospectus.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, to the
extent they have been filed with the SEC:
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Our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005; |
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Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2006; |
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Our Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed
February 27, 2006, March 29, 2006, April 4, 2006
(two filings), April 5, 2006, and April 11, 2006; and |
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Our Registration Statement on Form 10 describing our common
stock and all amendments and reports filed for the purpose of
updating such description. |
We also incorporate by reference all documents to the extent
they have been filed with the SEC under Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(1) after the date of this prospectus and (2) until
this offering has been completed. Information in this prospectus
supersedes related information in the documents listed above,
and information in subsequently filed documents supersedes
related information in both this prospectus and the incorporated
documents.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost to you,
by writing to us at the following address or calling us at the
telephone number below:
Investor Relations
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
1144 East Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44316-0001
Telephone number: 330-796-3751
62
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
$278,743,000 4.00% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES DUE 2034
PROSPECTUS
May 4, 2006