As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Axon Enterprise, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware | 86-0741227 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
17800 North 85th Street
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
(480) 991-0797
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Isaiah Fields
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Axon Enterprise, Inc.
17800 North 85th Street
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
(480) 991-0797
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Douglas Dolan
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
(212) 474-1310
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ◻
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ⌧
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ◻
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ◻
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ⌧
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer ⌧ | Accelerated filer ¨ |
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Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company ¨ |
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| Emerging growth company ¨ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ¨
PROSPECTUS
Axon Enterprise, Inc.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Senior Debt Securities
Subordinated Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
Axon Enterprise, Inc. may from time to time issue, in one or more series or classes, common stock, preferred stock, senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, warrants or units. We refer to our common stock, preferred stock, senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, warrants and units collectively as the “securities” in this prospectus. Any of the securities described in this prospectus may be convertible or exchangeable into other securities we describe in this prospectus or will describe in a prospectus supplement and may be issued separately, together or as part of a unit consisting of two or more securities, which may or may not be separate from one another. These securities may include new or hybrid securities developed in the future that combine features of any of the securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we will offer these securities. We will provide the specific terms of the securities in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus.
In addition, certain selling securityholders to be identified in a prospectus supplement may use this prospectus from time to time to offer shares of common stock.
You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, including the information we have incorporated by reference herein and therein, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” carefully before you invest.
Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “AXON.”
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties referenced under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus beginning on page 1 and any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE
The date of this prospectus is February 29, 2024.
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using an automatic “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time offer any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings in an amount to be determined at the time of any offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. We may also provide one or more free writing prospectuses containing material information relating to the applicable offering. Any of the securities described in this prospectus may be convertible or exchangeable into other securities we describe in this prospectus or will describe in a prospectus supplement and may be issued separately, together or as part of a unit consisting of two or more securities, which may or may not be separate from one another. These securities may include new or hybrid securities developed in the future that combine features of any of the securities described in this prospectus. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in the prospectus and the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
You should rely only on the information contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute (1) an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in the accompanying prospectus supplement, or (2) an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.
Unless the context suggests otherwise, all references to “us,” “our,” “Axon” “we,” the “Company” and similar designations refer to Axon Enterprise, Inc. and, where appropriate, our subsidiaries.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully and evaluate all of the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus to this prospectus, including the risk factors incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and any other subsequently filed annual, quarterly or other reports that include “Risk Factors” and that are incorporated by reference herein, before purchasing any securities offered in connection with this prospectus. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the materialization of any of these risks. In addition, the trading price of our securities could decline due to the materialization of any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using an automatic “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time offer any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings in an amount to be determined at the time of any offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. We may also provide one or more free writing prospectuses containing material information relating to the applicable offering. Any of the securities described in this prospectus may be convertible or exchangeable into other securities we describe in this prospectus or will describe in a prospectus supplement and may be issued separately, together or as part of a unit consisting of two or more securities, which may or may not be separate from one another. These securities may include new or hybrid securities developed in the future that combine features of any of the securities described in this prospectus. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in the prospectus and the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
You should rely only on the information contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute (1) an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in the accompanying prospectus supplement, or (2) an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.
Unless the context suggests otherwise, all references to “us,” “our,” “Axon” “we,” the “Company” and similar designations refer to Axon Enterprise, Inc. and, where appropriate, our subsidiaries.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as any other information we include or incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, contain forward-looking statements. . In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on current expectations at that time and projections about future events. Any or all of the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are not guarantees of future performance and may turn out to be inaccurate. This can occur as a result of assumptions or estimates that differ from actual results or as a consequence of known or unknown risks and uncertainties. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: our exposure to cancellations of government contracts due to appropriation clauses, exercise of a cancellation clause, or non-exercise of contractually optional periods; the ability of law enforcement agencies to obtain funding, including based on tax revenues; our ability to design, introduce and sell new products, services or features; our ability to defend against litigation and protect our intellectual property, and the resulting costs of this activity; our ability to win bids through the open bidding process for governmental agencies; our ability to manage our supply chain and avoid production delays, shortages and impacts to expected gross margins; the impacts of inflation, macroeconomic conditions and global events; the impact of catastrophic events or public health emergencies; the impact of stock-based compensation expense, impairment expense, and income tax expense on our financial results; customer purchase behavior, including adoption of our software as a service delivery
model; negative media publicity or sentiment regarding our products; the impact of various factors on projected gross margins; defects in, or misuse of, our products; changes in the costs of product components and labor; loss of customer data, a breach of security, or an extended outage, including by our third party cloud-based storage providers; exposure to international operational risks; delayed cash collections and possible credit losses due to our subscription model; changes in government regulations in the United States and in foreign markets, especially related to the classification of our products by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; our ability to integrate acquired businesses; the impact of declines in the fair values or impairment of our investments, including our strategic investments; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; litigation or inquiries and related time and costs; and counter-party risks relating to cash balances held in excess of federally insured limits; factors described in any applicable prospectus supplement; and those factors discussed under the caption entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and any other documents we file with the SEC that are deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.
Although we believe the expectations and projections reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Axon is a market-leading provider of law enforcement technology solutions with a mission to protect life in service of promoting peace, justice and strong institutions. In 2022, we announced our moonshot goal to cut gun-related deaths between police and the public in the United States in half by 2033.
Axon is building the public safety operating system of the future by integrating a suite of hardware devices and cloud software solutions that not only revolutionize modern policing but also cater to federal agencies, corrections, justice and enterprise-level security needs. Axon’s suite includes cloud-hosted digital evidence management, productivity and real-time operations software, body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, TASER energy devices, robotic security and training solutions.
Our hardware and software solutions advance our long-term strategic vision of (i) obsoleting the bullet, (ii) reducing social conflict, (iii) enabling a fair and effective justice system, and (iv) building for racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our products solve some of society's most challenging problems and our mission attracts top talent. We aim to invent and deliver public safety products that progressively make the right things easier and the wrong things harder every day.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered under this prospectus for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which may include among other things, acquiring or investing in complementary companies, product lines, products, services or technologies.
We will not receive any proceeds from the sales of securities offered by any selling securityholders under this prospectus.
The following description of our capital stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and applicable law, including the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).
General
As of February 23, 2024, our authorized capital stock consisted of 225,000,000 shares of two classes of stock: 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.00001 per share, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.00001 per share.
Common Stock
As of February 23, 2024, there were 75,302,832 shares of our common stock outstanding. Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the voting shares are able to elect each class of directors. Subject to any preferences that may be applicable to any preferred stock outstanding at that time, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds. In the event of our dissolution, holders of our common stock will be entitled to share in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock at that time. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our common stock, including those set forth above, are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights and preferences of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock that we may designate in the future.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series without stockholder approval. Our board of directors has the discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.
The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock and determine its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of our common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions, future financings and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock. There are no shares of preferred stock outstanding, and we have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.
The terms of each series of preferred stock will be described in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus related to such series of preferred stock and will contain a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
The following paragraphs summarize certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and the DGCL. The summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the DGCL and to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. Copies of these documents are on file with the SEC and are exhibits
to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation By Reference.”
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain certain provisions that could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing another party—whether friendly or hostile—from acquiring control over us. These provisions and certain provisions of Delaware law, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids.
Amendment of Certificate of incorporation and Bylaws
The amendment or repeal of our certificate of incorporation requires approval of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote thereon, (the “Voting Stock”), voting together as a single class. Further, unless otherwise specified, amendment or repeal of our bylaws requires the approval of not less than a majority of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class.
Board Classification
Prior to the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, our board of directors was divided into three classes, with one class to be elected each year by our stockholders and serving for three-year terms. As of and after the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, all directors will be elected for one-year terms and will be up for election at each successive annual meeting.
Limits on Ability of Stockholders to Act by Written Consent
Our bylaws contain provisions that limit the ability of stockholders to act by written consent when the solicitation of stockholder action by written consent is not at the direction of our board of directors. These limitations do not apply to solicitations of stockholder action by written consent at the direction of our board of directors. These limitations, in general, concern the subject matter of the requested stockholder action, notice and ownership requirements applicable to stockholders seeking action by written consent, manner of solicitation, the timeliness and procedures for delivery of the written consents and the certification and effectiveness of such consents. The ownership requirements establish that, at a minimum, holders of record representing 20% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company are needed to request that a record date be fixed to take action by written consent when the solicitation is not at the direction of our board of directors. Further, when such solicitation is not at the direction of our board of directors, the subject matter of the requested action cannot concern an identical or substantially similar item of stockholder action that was presented at a meeting of stockholders held in the 12 months prior to the request for a record date or the election or removal of directors under certain conditions.
Limits on Ability of Stockholders to Call a Special Meeting
Our bylaws contain provisions that limit the ability of stockholders to call a special meeting. Unless otherwise specified by our certificate of incorporation or the DGCL, special meetings of the stockholders may only be called by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, the Secretary upon receipt by the Secretary of a valid request from the holder(s) of 25% or more of the Voting Stock, or the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the number of directors then in office. To be considered valid, any such request from the holder(s) of 25% or more of the voting power of the Voting Stock must meet certain requirements set forth in our bylaws.
Proxy Access
Our bylaws contain provisions that permit a stockholder, or a group of stockholders, owning continuously for at least three years a number of shares that represents at least three percent of our outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote in the election of directors to nominate and include in the proxy materials for an annual meeting of stockholders director nominees constituting up to the greater of two individuals and 20% of the total number of directors in office as of the last day notice may be received under the bylaws, provided that the stockholder(s) and nominee(s) satisfy the requirements specified in our bylaws.
Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Business, Nominations and Proposals
Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures for any business proposed by stockholders, including nominations of persons to be elected as a director or other proposals to be adopted by the Company, to be considered at an annual meeting of stockholders. These bylaw provisions may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain stockholder business at the annual meeting if proper procedures are not followed. These provisions may also discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company. Further, the approval of a majority of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, is necessary to amend these bylaw provisions.
No Cumulative Voting
Our certificate of incorporation does not permit cumulative voting in the election of directors. Cumulative voting allows a stockholder to vote a portion or all of its shares for one or more candidates for seats on the board of directors. Without cumulative voting, a minority stockholder may not be able to gain as many seats on our board of directors as the stockholder would be able to gain if cumulative voting were permitted. The absence of cumulative voting makes it more difficult for a minority stockholder to gain a seat on our board of directors to influence our board’s decision regarding a takeover.
Preferred Stock
In addition, the authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change our control.
Removal of Directors and Vacancy in the Board of Directors
Our certificate of incorporation provides that a director may be removed from office before the expiration date of that director’s term of office, with or without cause, only by an affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class. Any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled by no less than a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, who are designated to represent the same class or classes of stockholders that the vacant position, when filled, is to represent.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging, under certain circumstances, in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder unless:
| ● | prior to the date of the transaction, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; |
| ● | upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, calculated as provided under Section 203; or |
| ● | at, or subsequent to, the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
Generally, a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An interested stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting stock. We expect the existence of this provision to have an anti-takeover effect with
respect to transactions our board of directors does not approve in advance. We also anticipate that Section 203 may discourage attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.
Exclusive Forum
Under our bylaws, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or, if neither such court has jurisdiction, any other state court located within the State of Delaware) will be, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or shareholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or of our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws; or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers governed by the internal affairs doctrine. In addition, our bylaws also provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any claim arising under the Securities Act. The exclusive forum provision in our bylaws does not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ charters and bylaws has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with claims arising under federal securities laws or otherwise, a court could find the exclusive forum provision contained in our bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions. The address of the transfer agent and registrar 51 Mercedes Way Edgewood, NY 11717.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “AXON.”
DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue one or more series of senior debt securities pursuant to this prospectus. We may issue the senior debt securities under an indenture (the “Senior Indenture”), to be entered into in the future among us, and the trustee named in the Senior Indenture (“Senior Indenture Trustee”). The form of Senior Indenture is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Below is a description of certain general terms of the senior debt securities. The description is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Senior Indenture. The particular terms of a series of senior debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and, if applicable, a pricing supplement. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this summary have the meanings specified in the Senior Indenture.
The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The Senior Indenture is subject to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Senior Indenture does not limit the amount of senior debt securities which we may issue, nor does it limit us or our subsidiaries from issuing any other unsecured debt. Such other unsecured debt may have different terms than the senior debt securities. Our previously issued and outstanding senior debt may have different terms from the senior debt securities (including different restrictive covenants and event of default provisions). The terms of the senior debt securities issued under this prospectus will only be as described in the Senior Indenture, this prospectus and any prospectus supplement.
Each prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, together with a pricing supplement, if applicable, will describe the terms relating to a series of senior debt securities, which may include:
| ● | the title; |
| ● | any limit on the amount that may be issued (unless expressly provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, a series of our senior debt securities may be re-opened from time to time for the issuance of additional senior debt securities of that series, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in or established pursuant to the Senior Indenture); |
| ● | the price at which that series of senior debt securities will be issued, which may be at a discount or a premium; |
| ● | whether or not that series of senior debt securities will be issued in global form and, if applicable, who the depositary will be; |
| ● | the maturity date(s) or the method of determining the maturity date(s); |
| ● | the person to whom any interest will be payable on any senior debt security, if other than the person in whose name that security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date; |
| ● | the interest rate(s), if any (which may be fixed or variable), or the method for determining the rate(s) and the date(s) interest will begin to accrue, the date(s) interest will be payable and the regular record date(s) for interest payment date(s); |
| ● | the place(s) where payments shall be payable, senior debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer, securities may be surrendered for exchange, and notices and demands to or upon us may be served; |
| ● | the period(s) within which, and the price(s) at which, that series of senior debt securities may, pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, in whole or in part, and other related terms and conditions; |
| ● | any mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions or any provisions for remarketing that series of senior debt securities and other related terms and provisions; |
| ● | the denominations in which that series of senior debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof; |
| ● | the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which that series of senior debt securities may be denominated or in which payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on that series of senior debt securities shall be payable, if other than the currency of the United States of America, and, if so, whether that series of senior debt securities may be satisfied and discharged other than as provided in Article Four of the Senior Indenture; |
| ● | if the amounts of payments of principal of and any interest on, that series of senior debt securities are to be determined by reference to an index, formula or other method, or based on a coin or currency other than that in which that series of senior debt securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and the calculation agent, if any, with respect thereto; |
| ● | if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of that series of senior debt securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to an event of default; |
| ● | whether we will pay additional amounts on any of the senior debt securities and coupons, if any, of the series to any non-United States holder in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted, and under what circumstances and with what procedures we will pay such additional amounts; |
| ● | if other than as defined in the Senior Indenture, the meaning of “Business Day” when used with respect to that series of senior debt securities; |
| ● | if that series of senior debt securities may be issued or delivered (whether upon original issuance or upon exchange of a temporary security of such series or otherwise), or any installment of principal or interest is payable, only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions in addition to those specified in the Senior Indenture, the forms and terms of those certificates, documents or conditions; |
| ● | any addition to, or modification or deletion of, any event of default, covenant or other term or provision specified in the Senior Indenture with respect to that series of senior debt securities; and |
| ● | any other terms, which other terms may (subject, in the case of an existing outstanding series of senior debt securities, to the provisions of the Senior Indenture described below under “—Modification of Senior Indenture; Waiver”) amend, supplement or replace any of the terms of the Senior Indenture insofar as it concerns the senior debt securities of that series. |
Each prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, as applicable, may describe certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase, holding and disposition of the senior debt securities that the prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement covers, as applicable.
The Senior Indenture does not permit us to consolidate with, merge into or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Business Entity unless the following conditions are met:
| ● | the Business Entity formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or the Business Entity that acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, our properties and assets substantially as an entirety shall be a Business Entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, all of our obligations under the Senior Indenture and the senior debt securities; and |
| ● | immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no event of default, or event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing. |
If the conditions described above are satisfied with respect to the senior debt securities, we will not need to obtain the approval of the holders in order to engage in such a consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease. Also, these conditions will apply only if we wish to consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, another entity. We will not need to satisfy these conditions if we enter into other types of transactions, including any transaction in which we acquire the stock or assets of another entity and any transaction that involves a change of control of Axon but in which we do not consolidate with or merge into another entity, as well as any transaction in which we convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets other than substantially as an entirety to a Business Entity.
The Senior Indenture provides that we will file with the Senior Indenture Trustee, within 15 days after we have filed the same with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which we may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; provided that we will be deemed to have filed copies of any such annual reports, documents or other reports with the Senior Indenture Trustee to the extent that such annual reports, documents or other reports are filed with the Commission via EDGAR (or any successor electronic delivery procedure).
Events of Default and Remedies Under the Senior Indenture
The following are events of default under the Senior Indenture with respect to each series of senior debt securities:
| ● | failure to pay any installment of interest upon any senior debt securities of such series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such failure to pay for a period of 30 days; |
| ● | failure to pay the principal of any senior debt securities of such series when due; |
| ● | failure to perform or breach of any other covenant or warranty contained in the senior debt securities or the Senior Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty specifically benefiting only another series of senior debt securities), and the continuance of such failure or breach for a period of 90 days after we receive notice of such failure or breach from the Senior Indenture Trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series; |
| ● | certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us; and |
| ● | any other event of default specified in the prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, relating to that series of senior debt securities. |
If an event of default with respect to senior debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Senior Indenture Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series, by notice in writing to us (and to the Senior Indenture Trustee if notice is given by such holders), may declare the principal of (or if such senior debt securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, the portion of the principal amount specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any), and accrued interest, if any, on the senior debt securities of such series to be due and payable immediately. At any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series, by written notice to us and the Senior Indenture Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
| ● | we have paid or deposited with the Senior Indenture Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all overdue installments of interest on the senior debt securities of that series, the principal of any senior debt securities of that series which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon, to the extent payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, all sums paid or advanced by the Senior Indenture Trustee, the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Senior Indenture Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amount due to the Senior Indenture Trustee under the Senior Indenture, and |
| ● | all events of default with respect to outstanding senior debt securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of and interest on such senior debt securities which became due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived in accordance with the terms of the Senior Indenture. |
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of any series may waive any past default with respect to that series and its consequences, except defaults regarding:
| ● | payment of principal or interest; or |
| ● | covenants that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder of an outstanding senior debt security affected thereby (as described under “-Modification of Senior Indenture; Waiver” below). |
Any waiver shall cure such default and the corresponding event of default.
Subject to the terms of the Senior Indenture, the Senior Indenture Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Senior Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of senior debt securities, unless the holders have offered the Senior Indenture Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Senior Indenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Senior Indenture Trustee, with respect to the senior debt securities of that series; provided that:
| ● | the direction given to the Senior Indenture Trustee is not in conflict with any law or the Senior Indenture; |
| ● | the Senior Indenture Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by it which is not inconsistent with that direction; and |
| ● | the Senior Indenture Trustee has not determined that the action would be unjustly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding. |
A holder of the senior debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the Senior Indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:
| ● | the holder has given written notice to the Senior Indenture Trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series; |
| ● | the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series have made written request, and have offered reasonable indemnity, to the Senior Indenture Trustee to institute the proceedings as trustee; and |
| ● | the Senior Indenture Trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series other conflicting directions, within 60 days after the notice, request and offer of indemnity. |
The Senior Indenture provides that no holder or group of holders of senior debt securities will have any right to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of other holders, obtain or seek priority or preference over another holder or enforce its rights under the Senior Indenture except as provided in the Senior Indenture for the equal and ratable benefit of all holders.
These limitations on instituting proceedings do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of senior debt securities to enforce the payment of the principal of or interest on the senior debt securities.
We will periodically deliver statements to the Senior Indenture Trustee regarding the existence or absence of defaults under the Senior Indenture.
Modification of Senior Indenture; Waiver
We and the Senior Indenture Trustee may amend or supplement the Senior Indenture without the consent of any holders to, among other things:
| ● | evidence the succession of another Business Entity to us and the assumption by such successor of our covenants, agreements and obligations in the Senior Indenture and the senior debt securities; |
| ● | add to our covenants, agreements and obligations for the benefit of the holders of all senior debt securities or any series thereof, or to surrender any right or power the Senior Indenture confers upon us; |
| ● | add to or change any of the provisions of the Senior Indenture to permit the issuance of senior debt securities in uncertificated form; |
| ● | establish the form and terms of the senior debt securities of any series and (unless prohibited by the terms of the senior debt securities of any series pursuant to the Senior Indenture) to provide for the re-opening of a series of senior debt securities and for the issuance of additional senior debt securities of such series; |
| ● | evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Senior Indenture of a successor Senior Indenture Trustee with respect to the senior debt securities of one or more series; |
| ● | cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any provision in the Senior Indenture that may be inconsistent with any other provision in the Senior Indenture or make other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Senior Indenture; |
| ● | add to, change or eliminate any provisions of the Senior Indenture (which addition, change or elimination may apply to one or more series of senior debt securities), provided, that the addition, change or elimination neither (a) applies to any senior debt securities of any series created prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of the provision nor (b) modifies the rights of holders of those senior debt securities with respect to those modified provisions; |
| ● | add to or change or eliminate any provision of the Senior Indenture as shall be necessary to comply with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act or to otherwise maintain qualification of the Senior Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or to comply with the rules of any applicable depositary; |
| ● | to conform the text of the Senior Indenture or the senior debt securities to any provision of the section “Description of Notes” (or equivalent title) in the offering memorandum or prospectus relating to the initial offering of such senior debt securities; |
| ● | secure the senior debt securities; or |
| ● | change anything else that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of senior debt securities in any material respect. |
In addition, under the Senior Indenture, the rights of holders of any series of senior debt securities may be changed by us and the Senior Indenture Trustee with the written consent of (i) the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities issued under the Senior Indenture voting as a single class or (ii) if fewer than all of the series of outstanding debt securities issued under the Senior Indenture are affected by such addition, change, elimination or modification, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities of all series so affected by such supplemental indenture voting as a single class (including, for the avoidance of doubt, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange for, such debt securities), to execute a supplemental indenture to add provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate any provisions of, the Senior Indenture with respect to such applicable series of debt securities or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of such applicable series of debt securities under the Senior Indenture.
However, no change may be made without the consent of each holder of an outstanding senior debt security affected thereby if such change would, among other things:
| ● | change the stated maturity of principal of, or any installment of principal or interest on, any such senior debt security; |
| ● | reduce the principal amount of, or the rate of interest on, or any premium payable on, any such senior debt security; |
| ● | change the place where, or currency in which, any principal of or interest on any such senior debt security is payable; |
| ● | impair the right of the holders to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of any such senior debt security on or after the stated maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date or, in the case of any senior debt security that is subject to repurchase or redemption by us at the option of the holders, on or after the date fixed for such repurchase or redemption); |
| ● | reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding senior debt securities of any series the holders of which are required to consent to any such change, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Senior Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences with respect to the senior debt securities of such series provided for in the Senior Indenture; and |
| ● | modify any of the foregoing requirements or the provisions regarding waivers of any covenant or past default other than to increase the percentage of holders required for consent or waiver or add consent requirements for modification or waiver of other provisions. |
“Business Entity” means a corporation, association, business trust, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity.
“Capital Stock” means (a) in the case of a corporation, common stock, preferred stock and any other capital stock, (b) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited), (c) in the case of a limited liability company, limited liability company interests, and (d) in the case of any other Business Entity, any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distribution of assets of, such Business Entity, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any senior debt security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to the Senior Indenture.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Redemption Date” when used with respect to any senior debt securities to be redeemed means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to the Senior Indenture.
“subsidiary” means a Business Entity more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by us or by one or more of our other subsidiaries, or by us and one or more of our other subsidiaries.
“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Business Entity, any class or series of Capital Stock of such Business Entity the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of, or to appoint or to approve the appointment of, the directors, trustees or managing members of, or other persons holding similar positions with, such Business Entity.
The senior debt securities of each series will be issued as registered securities. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or the pricing supplement, if any, senior debt securities will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Subject to the terms of the Senior Indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or the pricing supplement, if any, senior debt securities will be exchangeable for other senior debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the Senior Indenture and the limitations applicable to global senior debt securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, senior debt securities issued may be presented for exchange or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of transfer duly executed) at the office of the registrar or at the office of any transfer agent we designate for that purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the senior debt securities to be transferred or exchanged, no service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges. Any transfer agent (in addition to the registrar) initially designated by us for any senior debt securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the senior debt securities of each series.
If the senior debt securities of any series are to be redeemed, we will not be required to:
| ● | issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any senior debt securities of, that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of senior debt securities for redemption and ending on the day of mailing or sending of the relevant notice of redemption; or |
| ● | register the transfer of or exchange any senior debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any senior debt security being redeemed in part. |
The senior debt securities of each series may be issued in whole or in part in global form. A senior debt security in global form will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary, which will be named in an applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any. A global senior debt security shall be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. A global senior debt security may not be transferred, except as a whole, among the depositary for that senior debt security and its nominees and their respective successors. If any senior debt securities of a series are issuable as global senior debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, will describe any circumstances when beneficial owners of interests in that global senior debt security may exchange their interests for definitive senior debt securities of like series and tenor and principal amount in any authorized form and denomination.
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, we may terminate at any time our obligations under the Senior Indenture with respect to any series of senior debt securities (other than certain limited obligations, such as the obligation to transfer and exchange senior debt securities of that series) by (1)(a) delivering all of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series to the Senior Indenture Trustee to be cancelled or (b) depositing with the Senior Indenture Trustee in trust funds or non-callable United States government or government-guaranteed obligations sufficient without reinvestment to pay all remaining principal and interest on the series of senior debt securities and (2) complying with certain other provisions of the Senior Indenture.
If we elect to discharge our obligations by depositing cash or United States government or government guaranteed obligations as described above, under present law such discharge is likely to be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a redemption of the senior debt securities of that series prior to maturity in exchange for the property deposited in trust. In that event, each holder would generally recognize, at the time of discharge, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes measured by the difference between (1) the sum of (a) the amount of any cash and (b) the fair market value of any property deposited in trust deemed received by such holder (unless attributable to accrued interest) and (2) such holder’s tax basis in the senior debt securities deemed surrendered. After the discharge, each such holder would likely be treated as if it held an undivided interest in the cash (or investments made therewith) and the property held in trust (or investments made with interest received therefrom). Each such holder would generally be subject to tax liability in respect of interest income and original issue discount, if applicable, thereon and would recognize any gain or loss upon any disposition, including redemption, of the assets held in trust. Although tax might be owed, the holder of a discharged senior debt security would not receive cash (except for current payments of interest on that senior debt security) until the maturity or earlier redemption (or, if applicable, repurchase by us at the option of the holder) of that senior debt security. United States federal income tax treatment of this nature could affect the purchase price that a holder would receive upon the sale of the senior debt securities. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the discharge of our obligations.
Information Concerning the Senior Indenture Trustee
The Senior Indenture Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Senior Indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the Senior Indenture and, upon an event of default under the Senior Indenture, must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the Senior Indenture Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers given it by the Senior Indenture at the request or direction of any holder of senior debt securities unless the Senior Indenture Trustee is offered reasonable security or indemnity by that holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur. The Senior Indenture Trustee is not required to spend or risk its own money or otherwise become financially liable while performing its duties unless it reasonably believes that it will be repaid or receive adequate indemnity.
The person in whose name a senior debt security is registered will be treated as the owner of such security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal and, unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, interest on such senior debt security and for all other purposes.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, payment of interest on any senior debt securities on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name those senior debt securities (or one or more predecessor securities) are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest, except as otherwise provided by the procedures of the depositary. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, principal and interest on the senior debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of the paying agents that we designate, except that payments of interest may, at our option, be made by wire transfer or check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto.
We will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the senior debt securities of a particular series. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, the corporate trust office or agency of the Senior Indenture Trustee in The City of New York will be designated as the paying agent for payments with respect to senior debt securities.
All moneys that we pay to a paying agent or the Senior Indenture Trustee for the payment of the principal or interest, if any, on any senior debt securities which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after that principal or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, interest shall be computed, for fixed rate securities, on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months, and, for variable rate securities, on the basis of the actual number of days in the interest period divided by 360.
The Senior Indenture and senior debt securities are governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York (without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof).
DESCRIPTION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue one or more series of subordinated debt securities pursuant to this prospectus. We may issue the subordinated debt securities under an indenture (the “Subordinated Indenture”), to be entered into in the future among us and the trustee named in the Subordinated Indenture (“Subordinated Indenture Trustee”). The form of Subordinated Indenture is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Below is a description of certain general terms of the subordinated debt securities. The description is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Subordinated Indenture. The particular terms of a series of subordinated debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus and, if applicable, a pricing supplement. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this summary have the meanings specified in the Subordinated Indenture.
The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinated and junior in priority of payment to our Senior Indebtedness (as defined below). The Subordinated Indenture is subject to the Trust Indenture Act. The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness or subordinated debt securities which we may issue, nor does it limit us or our subsidiaries from issuing any debt.
Each prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, together with a pricing supplement, if applicable, will describe the terms relating to a series of subordinated debt securities, which may include:
| ● | the title; |
| ● | any limit on the amount that may be issued (unless expressly provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, a series of our subordinated debt securities may be re-opened from time to time for the issuance of additional subordinated debt securities of that series, subject to any terms and conditions set forth in or established pursuant to the Subordinated Indenture); |
| ● | the price at which that series of subordinated debt securities will be issued, which may be at a discount or a premium; |
| ● | whether or not that series of subordinated debt securities will be issued in global form, and, if applicable, who the depositary will be; |
| ● | the maturity date(s) or the method of determining the maturity date(s); |
| ● | the person to whom any interest will be payable on any subordinated debt security, if other than the person in whose name that security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date; |
| ● | the interest rate(s), if any (which may be fixed or variable), or the method for determining the rate(s) and the date(s) interest will begin to accrue, the date(s) interest will be payable and the regular record date(s) for interest payment date(s); |
| ● | the place(s) where payments shall be payable, subordinated debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer, securities may be surrendered for exchange, and notices and demands to or upon us may be served; |
| ● | the period(s) within which, and the price(s) at which, that series of subordinated debt securities may, pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, in whole or in part, and other related terms and conditions; |
| ● | any mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions or any provisions for remarketing that series of subordinated debt securities and other related terms and provisions; |
| ● | the denominations in which that series of subordinated debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof; |
| ● | the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which that series of subordinated debt securities may be denominated or in which payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on that series of subordinated debt securities shall be payable, if other than the currency of the United States of America, and, if so, whether that series of subordinated debt securities may be satisfied and discharged other than as provided in Article Four of the Subordinated Indenture; |
| ● | if the amounts of payments of principal of and any interest on that series of subordinated debt securities are to be determined by reference to an index, formula or other method, or based on a coin or currency other than that in which that series of subordinated debt securities are stated to be payable, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and the calculation agent, if any, with respect thereto; |
| ● | if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of that series of subordinated debt securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to an event of default; |
| ● | whether we will pay additional amounts on any of the subordinated debt securities and coupons, if any, of the series to any non-United States holder in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted, and under what circumstances and with what procedures we will pay such additional amounts; |
| ● | if other than as defined in the Subordinated Indenture, the meaning of “Business Day” when used with respect to that series of subordinated debt securities; |
| ● | if that series of subordinated debt securities may be issued or delivered (whether upon original issuance or upon exchange of a temporary security of such series or otherwise), or any installment of principal or interest is payable, only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions in addition to those specified in the Subordinated Indenture, the forms and terms of those certificates, documents or conditions; |
| ● | the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of the extensions; |
| ● | the terms pursuant to which any series of subordinated debt securities will be subordinate to any of our debt, if different from those described under “—Subordination” below; |
| ● | any addition to, or modification or deletion of, any event of default, covenant or other term or provision specified in the Subordinated Indenture with respect to that series of subordinated debt securities; and |
| ● | any other terms, which other terms may, subject, in the case of an existing outstanding series of subordinated debt securities, to the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture described below under “—Modification of Subordinated Indenture; Waiver,” amend, supplement or replace any of the terms of the Subordinated Indenture insofar as it concerns the subordinated debt securities of that series. |
Each prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, as applicable, may describe certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase, holding and disposition of the subordinated debt securities that the prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement covers, as applicable.
The payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, and any other amounts payable with respect to the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, whether such Subordinated Indebtedness is outstanding at the time such subordinated debt securities are issued or incurred thereafter. The Subordinated Indenture does not limit or prohibit us from incurring Senior Indebtedness. Holders of subordinated debt securities should also recognize that contractual provisions in the Subordinated Indenture may prohibit us from making payments on the subordinated debt securities under specified circumstances.
“Senior Indebtedness” means the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on (including interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding pursuant to any Federal bankruptcy law or any other applicable Federal or State law, but only to the extent allowed or permitted to the holder of such Indebtedness of the Company against the bankruptcy or any other insolvency estate of the Company in such proceeding) and other amounts due on or in connection with any Indebtedness of the Company incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company, whether outstanding on the date of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter incurred, assumed or guaranteed and all renewals, extensions and refundings of any such Indebtedness of the Company; provided, however, that the following will not constitute Senior Indebtedness:
(a) | any of our Indebtedness as to which, in the instrument creating the same or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is expressly provided that such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to or pari passu with the subordinated debt securities; |
(b) | Indebtedness of the Company in respect of the subordinated debt securities; |
(c) | any of our Indebtedness constituting trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business; |
(d) | any of our Indebtedness initially issued to any Capital Trust (as defined below) in connection with an issuance by such Capital Trust of preferred securities or other securities similar to preferred securities; and |
(e) | any of our Indebtedness owed to any of our subsidiaries. |
“Indebtedness,” as applied to a person, means, as of the date on which Indebtedness is to be determined and without duplication (i) all obligations represented by notes, bonds, debentures or similar evidences of indebtedness; (ii) all indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services other than, in the case of any such deferred purchase price, on normal trade terms; (iii) all rental obligations as lessee under leases which shall have been or should be, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, recorded as capital leases; and (iv) all Indebtedness of others for the payment of which such person is responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor.
“Capital Trust” means any Delaware business trust, or any other similar trust, or any partnership or other entity affiliated with us created for the purpose of issuing securities in connection with the issuance of subordinated debt securities under the Subordinated Indenture.
Even if the subordination provisions prevent us from making any payment when due on the subordinated debt securities of any series, we will be in default on our obligations under that series if we do not make the payment when due (subject to any applicable grace period). This means that the Subordinated Trustee and the holders of subordinated debt securities of that series can take action against us, but they will not receive any money until the claims of the holders of Senior Indebtedness have been fully satisfied.
Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc. The Subordinated Indenture provides that, upon any distribution of our assets in the event of:
| ● | any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding in connection therewith, relative to us or our creditors, as such, or to our assets, or |
| ● | our liquidation, dissolution or other winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or |
| ● | any assignment for the benefit of our creditors or any other marshalling of our assets and liabilities, |
then and in such event:
(a) | the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all Senior Indebtedness, or provision shall be made for such payment in cash, before the holders of the subordinated debt securities of any series are entitled to receive any payment on account of the principal amount, interest or any such other amounts as may be payable under the Subordinated Indenture, if any, in respect of the subordinated debt securities of such series; and |
(b) | any payment or distribution of our assets of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, by set-off or otherwise, to which the holders of the subordinated debt securities or the Subordinated Indenture Trustee would be entitled but for the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture, including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other Indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of the securities of such series, shall be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making such payment or distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating trustee or otherwise, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Indebtedness held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. |
In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions described in the preceding paragraph, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee or the holder of any subordinated debt security of any series receives any payment or distribution of our assets of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other Indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of the securities of such series, before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full or payment thereof provided for, and if such fact has been made known to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee as provided in the Subordinated Indenture, or, as the case may be, such holder of subordinated debt securities, then and in such event such payment or distribution shall be paid over or delivered forthwith to the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent or other person making payment or distribution of our assets for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness.
By reason of such subordination, in the event of any distribution of our assets in connection with any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings relating to us, or our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any assignment for the benefit of our creditors or other marshalling of our assets and liabilities:
| ● | holders of Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to be paid in full before payments may be made on the subordinated debt securities and the holders of subordinated debt securities will be required to pay over their share of such distribution, to the extent made in respect of such subordinated debt securities, to the holders of Senior Indebtedness until such Senior Indebtedness is paid in full; and |
| ● | our creditors who are neither holders of subordinated debt securities nor holders of Senior Indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the subordinated debt securities. |
Furthermore, such subordination may result in a reduction or elimination of payments to the holders of subordinated debt securities.
Our consolidation with, or our merger into, another corporation or our liquidation or dissolution following the conveyance or transfer of our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to another person upon the terms and conditions described below under “—Consolidation, Merger or Sale,” will not be deemed a dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshalling of our assets and liabilities for the
purposes of the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture if the person formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer our properties and assets substantially as an entirety, as the case may be, will, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions described under “—Consolidation, Merger or Sale.”
Prior Payment to Senior Indebtedness upon Acceleration of Subordinated Debt Securities. In the event that any subordinated debt securities of any series are declared due and payable before their stated maturity, the holders of Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all Senior Indebtedness or provision will be made for such payment in cash, before the holders of the subordinated debt securities of such series are entitled to receive any payment from us on account of the principal, premium, interest or any other amounts that may be payable in respect of the subordinated debt securities of such series or on account of the purchase or other acquisition of subordinated debt securities of such series. In the event that we make any payment to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee or the holder of any subordinated debt securities of any series that is prohibited by the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence, then such payment generally must be paid over and delivered to us by the person holding such payment for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness. The provisions described in this paragraph do not apply to any payment with respect to which the provisions described above under the caption “—Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc.” would be applicable.
Default in Senior Indebtedness. In the event and during the continuation of any default by us in the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or any other payment due on any of our Senior Indebtedness beyond any applicable grace period with respect thereto, or in the event that the maturity of any of our Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated because of a default, then, in any such case, no payment will be made by us with respect to the principal, premium, or interest or any other amounts that may be payable on the subordinated debt securities until such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist or any such acceleration or demand for payment has been rescinded.
Other. We are required to give prompt written notice to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee of any fact known to us which would prohibit the making of any payment in respect of the subordinated debt securities of any series.
If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement or information incorporated by reference herein will set forth the approximate amount of Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.
The Subordinated Indenture generally permits us to consolidate with, merge into or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety, to any person, so long as, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no event of default under the Subordinated Indenture or event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default shall have occurred and be continuing. However, any successor or acquiror of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the Subordinated Indenture and the subordinated debt securities and be organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.
Events of Default Under the Subordinated Indenture
The following are events of default under the Subordinated Indenture with respect to each series of subordinated debt securities:
| ● | default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any subordinated debt security of such series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or |
| ● | default in the payment of the principal of any subordinated debt security of such series when due; or |
| ● | default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in the Subordinated Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is specifically dealt with or which has been expressly included in the Subordinated Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of subordinated debt securities other than such series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of such series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or |
| ● | the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under Federal bankruptcy law or any other applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or |
| ● | the institution by the Company of proceedings to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under Federal bankruptcy law or any other applicable Federal or state law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action; or |
| ● | any other event designated as an event of default in the prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, with respect to subordinated debt securities of that series. |
If an event of default with respect to subordinated debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series, by notice in writing to us (and to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee if notice is given by such holders), may declare the principal of (or if such subordinated debt securities are discount securities, the portion of the principal amount specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any), and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. At any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series, by written notice to us and the Subordinated Indenture Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
| ● | we have paid or deposited with the Subordinated Indenture Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all overdue installments of interest on the subordinated debt securities of that series, the principal of any subordinated debt securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon, to the extent payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, all sums paid or advanced by the Subordinated Indenture Trustee, the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Subordinated Indenture Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amount due to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture, and |
| ● | all events of default with respect to outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of and interest on such subordinated debt securities which became due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived in accordance with the terms of the Subordinated Indenture. |
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of any series may waive any past default with respect to that series and its consequences, except defaults regarding:
| ● | payment of principal or interest; or |
| ● | covenants that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding subordinated debt security of such series affected (as described under “—Modification of Subordinated Indenture; Waiver” below). |
Any waiver shall cure such default and the corresponding event of default.
Subject to the terms of the Subordinated Indenture, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Subordinated Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of subordinated debt securities, unless the holders have offered the Subordinated Indenture Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Subordinated Indenture Trustee, with respect to the subordinated debt securities of that series, provided that:
| ● | the direction given to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee is not in conflict with any law or the Subordinated Indenture; |
| ● | the Subordinated Indenture Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by it which is not inconsistent with that direction; and |
| ● | the Subordinated Indenture Trustee has not determined that the action would be unjustly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding. |
A holder of the subordinated debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the Subordinated Indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:
| ● | the holder has given written notice to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to the subordinated debt securities of that series; |
| ● | the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series have made written request, and have offered reasonable indemnity, to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee to institute the proceedings as trustee; and |
| ● | the Subordinated Indenture Trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series other conflicting directions, within 60 days after the notice, request and offer of indemnity. |
The Subordinated Indenture provides that no holder or group of holders of subordinated debt securities will have any right to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of other holders, obtain or seek priority or preference over another holder or enforce its rights under the Subordinated Indenture except as provided in the Subordinated Indenture for the equal and ratable benefit of all holders.
These limitations on instituting proceedings do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of subordinated debt securities to enforce the payment of the principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities.
We will periodically file statements with the Subordinated Indenture Trustee regarding our compliance with the conditions and covenants in the Subordinated Indenture.
Modification of Subordinated Indenture; Waiver
We and the Subordinated Indenture Trustee may amend or supplement the Subordinated Indenture without the consent of any holders to, among other things:
| ● | evidence the succession of another person and the assumption by such person of our covenants in the Subordinated Indenture and subordinated debt securities; |
| ● | add to our covenants, agreements and obligations for the benefit of the holders of all subordinated debt securities or any series thereof, or to surrender any right or power the Subordinated Indenture confers upon us; |
| ● | establish the form and terms of the subordinated debt securities of any series and (unless prohibited by the terms of the subordinated debt securities of any series pursuant to the Subordinated Indenture) to provide for the re-opening of a series of subordinated debt securities and for the issuance of additional subordinated debt securities of such series; |
| ● | evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Subordinated Indenture of a successor Subordinated Indenture Trustee with respect to the subordinated debt securities of one or more series; |
| ● | cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in the Subordinated Indenture which may be inconsistent with any other provision in the Subordinated Indenture or make other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Subordinated Indenture; |
| ● | add to, change or eliminate any provisions of the Subordinated Indenture (which addition, change or elimination may apply to one or more series of subordinated debt securities), provided that the addition, change or elimination neither (a) applies to any subordinated debt security of any series created prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of the provision nor (b) modifies the rights of holders of those subordinated debt securities with respect to those modified provisions; |
| ● | add to or change or eliminate any provision of the Subordinated Indenture as shall be necessary to comply with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act or to otherwise maintain qualification of the Subordinated Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or to comply with the rules of any applicable depositary; |
| ● | secure the subordinated debt securities; or |
| ● | change anything else that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of subordinated debt securities. |
In addition, under the Subordinated Indenture, the rights of holders of a series of subordinated debt securities may be changed by us and the Subordinated Indenture Trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of each series that is affected. However, no change may be made without the consent of the holder of each outstanding subordinated debt security affected if such change would, among other things:
| ● | change the stated maturity of principal of, or any installment of principal or interest on, any such subordinated debt security; |
| ● | reduce the principal amount of a discount security payable upon declaration of acceleration; |
| ● | reduce the principal amount of, or the rate of interest on, or reduce any premium payable on, any of the subordinated debt securities; |
| ● | change the place where, or currency in which, any principal of or interest on any such subordinated debt security is payable; |
| ● | impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any of the subordinated debt securities; |
| ● | change the terms of the subordination of the subordinated debt securities in a manner adverse to the holders of any series of outstanding subordinated debt securities; |
| ● | reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding subordinated debt securities of any series, the holders of which are required to consent to any such change, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Subordinated Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) with respect to the subordinated debt securities of such series provided for in the Subordinated Indenture; and |
| ● | modify any of the foregoing requirements or the provisions regarding waivers of any covenant or past default other than to increase the percentage of holders required for consent or waiver or add consent requirements for modification of waiver or other provisions. |
Form, Exchange and Transfer
The senior debt securities of each series will be issued as registered securities. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or the pricing supplement, if any, subordinated debt securities will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Subject to the terms of the Subordinated Indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or the pricing supplement, if any, subordinated debt securities will be exchangeable for other subordinated debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the Subordinated Indenture and the limitations applicable to global subordinated debt securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, subordinated debt securities may be presented for exchange or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of transfer duly executed) at the office of the registrar or at the office of any transfer agent we designate for that purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the subordinated debt securities to be transferred or exchanged, no service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges. Any transfer agent (in addition to the registrar) initially designated by us for any subordinated debt securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the subordinated debt securities of each series.
If the subordinated debt securities of any series are to be redeemed, we will not be required to:
| ● | issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any subordinated debt securities of, that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of subordinated debt securities for redemption and ending on the day of mailing or sending of the relevant notice of redemption; or |
| ● | register the transfer of or exchange any subordinated debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any subordinated debt security being redeemed in part. |
Global Subordinated Debt Securities
The subordinated debt securities of each series may be issued in whole or in part in global form. A subordinated debt security in global form will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary, which will be named in an applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any. A global subordinated debt security shall be issued in registered form in either temporary or definitive form. A global subordinated debt security may not be transferred, except as a whole among the depositary for that subordinated debt security and its nominees and their respective successors. If any subordinated debt securities of a series are issuable as global subordinated debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, will describe any circumstances when beneficial owners of interests in that global subordinated debt security may exchange their interests for definitive subordinated debt securities of like series and tenor and principal amount in any authorized form and denomination.
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, we may terminate at any time our obligations under the Subordinated Indenture with respect to any series of subordinated debt securities (other than certain limited obligations, such as the obligation to transfer and exchange subordinated debt securities of that series) by (1)(a) delivering all of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee to be cancelled or (b) depositing with the Subordinated Indenture Trustee in trust funds or non-callable United States government or government-guaranteed obligations sufficient without reinvestment to pay all remaining principal and interest on the series of subordinated debt securities and (2) complying with certain other provisions of the Subordinated Indenture.
If we elect to discharge our obligations by depositing cash or United States government or government guaranteed obligations as described above, under present law such discharge is likely to be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a redemption of the subordinated debt securities of that series prior to maturity in exchange for the property deposited in trust. In that event, each holder would generally recognize, at the time of discharge, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes measured by the difference between (1) the sum of (a) the amount of any cash and (b) the fair market value of any property deposited in trust deemed received by such holder (unless attributable to accrued interest) and (2) such holder’s tax basis in the subordinated debt securities deemed surrendered. After the discharge, each such holder would likely be treated as if it held an undivided interest in the cash (or investments made therewith) and the property held in trust (or investments made with interest received therefrom). Each such holder would generally be subject to tax liability in respect of interest income and original issue discount, if applicable, thereon and would recognize any gain or loss upon any disposition, including redemption, of the assets held in trust. Although tax might be owed, the holder of a discharged subordinated debt security would not receive cash (except for current payments of interest on that subordinated debt security) until the maturity or earlier redemption (or, if applicable, repurchase by us at the option of the holder) of that subordinated debt security. United States federal income tax treatment of this nature could affect the purchase price that a holder would receive upon the sale of the subordinated debt securities. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the discharge of our obligations.
Information Concerning the Subordinated Indenture Trustee
The Subordinated Indenture Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Subordinated Indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the Subordinated Indenture and, upon an event of default under the Subordinated Indenture, must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers given it by the Subordinated Indenture at the request or direction of any holder of subordinated debt securities unless the Subordinated Indenture Trustee is offered reasonable security or indemnity by that holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur. The Subordinated Indenture Trustee is not required to spend or risk its own money or otherwise become financially liable while performing its duties unless it reasonably believes that it will be repaid or receive adequate indemnity.
The person in whose name a debt security subordinated is registered will be treated as the owner of such security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal and, unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, interest on such subordinated debt security and for all other purposes.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, payment of interest on any subordinated debt securities on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name those subordinated debt securities (or one or more predecessor securities) are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest, except as otherwise provided by the procedures of the depositary. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, principal and interest on the subordinated debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of the paying agents that we designate, except that payments of interest may, at our option, be made by wire transfer or check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto.
We will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the subordinated debt securities of a particular series. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, the corporate trust office of the Subordinated Indenture Trustee in the City of New York will be designated as the paying agent for payments with respect to subordinated debt securities.
All moneys that we pay to a paying agent or the Subordinated Indenture Trustee for the payment of the principal or interest, if any, on any subordinated debt securities which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after that principal or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or pricing supplement, if any, interest shall be computed, for fixed rate securities, on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months, and, for variable rate securities, on the basis of the actual number of days in the interest period divided by 360.
The Subordinated Indenture and subordinated debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York (without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof).
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements or free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and the related warrant agreements and warrant certificates. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. If we indicate in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the terms of any warrants offered under that prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may differ from the terms described below. Specific warrant agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement, which includes this prospectus.
We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock, senior debt securities and/or subordinated debt securities or other securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. We will issue warrants under one or more warrant agreements between us and a warrant agent that we will name in the prospectus supplement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will include specific terms relating to the offering. We will file the form of any warrant agreement with the SEC in an amendment to the registration statement or as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part prior to the date of any
prospectus supplement relating to an offering of the particular warrant. You should read the warrant agreement for provisions that may be important to you.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus the terms of the series of warrants, including some or all of the following:
| ● | the title of the warrants; |
| ● | the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered; |
| ● | the currency for which the warrants may be purchased; |
| ● | the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security, and the procedures by which the number of securities purchasable may be adjusted; |
| ● | the exercise price of the warrants; |
| ● | the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
| ● | in the case of warrants to purchase senior or subordinated debt securities, the principal amount of senior or subordinated debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of senior or subordinated debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise; |
| ● | in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise; |
| ● | the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreement and the warrants; |
| ● | the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants; |
| ● | any provisions for changes to, or adjustments in, the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; |
| ● | the dates or periods during which, and places at which, the warrants are exercisable; |
| ● | the manner of exercise, including any limitations on the minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| ● | the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire; |
| ● | the manner in which the warrant agreement and warrants may be modified; |
| ● | the federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; |
| ● | if the exercise price is not payable in U.S. dollars, the foreign currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the exercise price is denominated; |
| ● | any additional terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange or exercise of the warrants; |
| ● | the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and |
| ● | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the warrants. |
We may issue units comprised of two or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. This section outlines certain provisions of the units that we may issue. Most of the financial and other specific terms of a particular series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Each unit that we may issue will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security.
If we issue units, they will be issued under one or more unit agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or other financial institution, as unit agent. The unit agreement, together with the terms of the underlying securities, will be filed with the SEC in an amendment to the registration statement or as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part prior to the date of any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus relating to an offering of the particular unit. The information described in this section may not be complete in all respects and is qualified entirely by reference to the unit agreement with respect to the units of any particular series. The specific terms of any series of units offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. If so described in a particular supplement or free writing prospectus, the specific terms of any series of units may differ from the general description of terms presented below. We urge you to read any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus related to any series of units we may offer, as well as the complete unit agreement and unit certificate that contain the terms of the units. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
The applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may describe:
| ● | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
| ● | any provisions of the governing unit agreement; |
| ● | the price or prices at which such units will be issued; |
| ● | the applicable United States federal income tax considerations relating to the units; |
| ● | whether the units will be issued in global entry or certificated form; |
| ● | any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and |
| ● | any other terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units. |
We and any selling securityholder may sell the securities under this prospectus in one or more of the following ways from time to time:
| ● | to or through one or more underwriters or dealers; |
| ● | in short or long transactions; |
| ● | directly by us or any selling securityholder to investors; |
| ● | through agents; |
| ● | through a combination of these methods; or |
| ● | through any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
Registration of the securities covered by this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus does not mean that those securities necessarily will be offered or sold. In addition, we and any selling securityholder may sell any securities covered by this prospectus in private transactions, and any selling securityholder may sell under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders.
If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.
If underwriters, dealers or agents are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters, dealers or agents for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:
| ● | in privately negotiated transactions; |
| ● | in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed from time to time; |
| ● | in one or more transactions, including “forward” transactions at a floating price or prices that may be changed from time to time; |
| ● | in “at-the-market offerings,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise; |
| ● | at prices related to those prevailing market prices; or |
| ● | at negotiated prices. |
As applicable, we and any underwriters, dealers or agents reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of the securities. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus the terms and offering of securities by us or any selling securityholder, including:
| ● | the names of any underwriters, dealers, agents or other counterparties; |
| ● | any agency fees or underwriting discounts or commissions and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation; |
| ● | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; |
| ● | details regarding over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us or any selling securityholder, if any; |
| ● | the purchase price of the securities being offered and the proceeds we or any selling securityholder will receive from the sale; |
| ● | the public offering price; and |
| ● | the securities exchanges on which such securities may be listed, if any. |
We or any selling securityholder may enter into derivative transactions with third parties or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions from time to time. If the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus indicates, in connection with those derivative transactions, such third parties (or affiliates of such third parties) may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, including in short sale transactions. If so, such third parties (or affiliates of such third parties) may use securities pledged by us or any selling securityholder or borrowed from us, any selling securityholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities, and may use securities received from us or any selling securityholder in settlement of those derivative transactions to close out any related open borrowings of securities. The third parties (or affiliates of such third parties) in such sale transactions by us or any selling securityholder will be underwriters and will be identified in an applicable prospectus supplement or free writing
prospectus. We may also sell securities under this prospectus upon the exercise of rights that may be issued to our securityholders.
We or any selling securityholder may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. Such financial institution or third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus.
Underwriters, Dealers and Agents
If underwriters are used in the sale of our securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions as described above. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities. We may use underwriters, dealers or agents with which we have a material relationship and will describe the nature of any such relationship in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, naming any such underwriters, dealers or agents.
We or any selling securityholder may sell the securities through agents from time to time. When we or any selling securityholder sell securities through agents, the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of securities and any commissions we or any selling securityholder pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We or any selling securityholder may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase our securities from us or any selling securityholder at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, and the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will set forth any commissions we or any selling securityholder pay for solicitation of these contracts.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may contract for or otherwise be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments made by the underwriters, dealers or agents, under agreements between us or any selling securityholder and the underwriters, dealers and agents.
We or any selling securityholder may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of our securities an option to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments, if any, in connection with the distribution.
Underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us, any selling securityholder or our purchasers, as their agents in connection with the sale of our securities. These underwriters, dealers or agents may be considered to be underwriters under the Securities Act. As a result, discounts, concessions, commissions or profits on resale received by the underwriters, dealers or agents may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus for any securities offered by us or any selling securityholder will identify any such underwriter, dealer or agent and describe any compensation received by them from us or any selling securityholder. Any public offering price and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
Underwriters, dealers or agents who may become involved in the sale of our securities may engage in transactions with and perform other services for us for which they receive compensation.
Stabilization Activities
In connection with an offering through underwriters, an underwriter may, to the extent permitted by applicable rules and regulations, purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions, to the extent permitted by applicable rules and regulations, may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional securities from us or any selling securityholder in the offering, if any. If the underwriters have an over-
allotment option to purchase additional securities from us or any selling securityholder, the underwriters may consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. “Naked” short sales, which may be prohibited or restricted by applicable rules and regulations, are any sales in excess of such option or where the underwriters do not have an over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.
Accordingly, to cover these short sales positions or to otherwise stabilize or maintain the price of the securities, the underwriters may bid for or purchase securities in the open market and may impose penalty bids. If penalty bids are imposed, selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other dealers participating in the offering are reclaimed if securities previously distributed in the offering are repurchased, whether in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The imposition of a penalty bid may also affect the price of the securities to the extent that it discourages resale of the securities. The magnitude or effect of any stabilization or other transactions is uncertain. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect these transactions may have on the price of our securities.
Direct Sales
We or any selling securityholder may also sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters, dealers or agents. In this case, no underwriters, dealers or agents would be involved. We may sell securities upon the exercise of rights that we may issue to our securityholders. We or any selling securityholder may also sell securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities.
At-the-Market Offerings
To the extent that we make sales through one or more underwriters or agents in at-the-market offerings, we will do so pursuant to the terms of a sales agency financing agreement or other at-the-market offering arrangement between us and the underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market sales pursuant to any such agreement, we will issue and sell our securities through one or more underwriters or agents, which may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell securities on a daily basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. The agreement will provide that any securities sold will be sold at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for our securities. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of our common stock or other securities. The terms of each such agreement will be set forth in more detail in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus.
Trading Market and Listing of Securities
Each series of securities sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, other than our common stock which is listed on NASDAQ, will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We may elect to list securities other than common stock on an exchange, but unless specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or free-writing prospectus, we shall have no obligation to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making activities at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.
Information about selling securityholders, if any, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, in a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act, that are incorporated by reference.
The validity of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered will be passed on for us by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. Any underwriters will also be advised about the validity of the securities and other legal matters by their own counsel, which will be named in the prospectus supplement.
The audited financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. In addition, the SEC maintains a web site at www.sec.gov where you can electronically access our SEC filings, including the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information and reports we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to these documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information already incorporated by reference. We are incorporating by reference the documents listed below, which we have already filed with the SEC, and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including all filings made on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are not incorporating by reference any documents, portions of documents, exhibits or other information-including any information and related exhibits which are furnished under Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 of Current Report on Form 8-K-that is deemed to have been furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC.
| ● | Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024; |
| ● | Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024 (excluding Item 2.02 and Exhibit 99.1); and |
| ● | The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on March 7, 2001 under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
Upon written or oral request, we will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, a copy of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. You may request a copy of these filings, and any exhibits we have specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit in this prospectus, at no cost by writing or calling us at the following:
Axon Enterprise, Inc
Attention: Corporate Secretary
17800 North 85th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
(480) 991-0797
As noted above, you may also access these documents, free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on our website at www.axon.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus,
and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed from, our website as part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement. This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC. We have incorporated exhibits into this registration statement. You should read the exhibits carefully for provisions that may be important to you. You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus or those documents.
Axon Enterprise, Inc.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Senior Debt Securities
Subordinated Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
PROSPECTUS
February 29, 2024
We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus does not offer to sell any securities in any
jurisdiction where it is unlawful. Neither the delivery of this prospectus, nor any sale made hereunder, shall create any implication that the information in this prospectus is correct after the date hereof.
PART II—INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered under this registration statement.
| | | |
SEC registration fee** |
| $ | ** |
FINRA filing fee | | | * |
Legal fees and expenses | | | * |
Accounting fees and expenses | | | * |
Printing fees and expenses | | | * |
Transfer agent and trustee fees | | | * |
Miscellaneous | | | * |
| | | |
Total | | $ | * |
* | Because an indeterminate amount of securities is covered by this registration statement, the expense in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities are not currently determinable. An estimate of the aggregate amount of these expenses will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. |
** | This registration statement relates to the registration of securities having an indeterminate maximum aggregate amount. Payment of the registration fee has been deferred and will be calculated and paid in accordance with Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act. |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a corporation’s board of directors to grant, and authorizes a court to award, indemnity to officers, directors and other corporate agents.
As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the registrant’s certificate of incorporation includes provisions that eliminate the personal liability of its directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors. To the extent Section 102(b)(7) is interpreted, or the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended, to allow similar protections for officers of a corporation, such provisions of the registrant’s certificate of incorporation shall also extend to those persons.
In addition, as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the bylaws of the registrant provide that:
| ● | The registrant shall indemnify its directors and officers against any losses, actually and reasonably incurred, by a director or officer in connection with a proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the registrant and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. |
| ● | The registrant may, to the extent authorized by the board of directors, indemnify, and provide advances to, employees and under circumstances similar to those allowed for directors and officers. |
| ● | The registrant shall advance expenses incurred by its directors and officers expenses in any proceeding (other than a proceeding brought for an accounting of profits the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provision of any state statutory law or common law), if such person: (a) furnishes the registrant a written affirmation of such persons good faith belief that such person is entitled to be indemnified, and (b) furnishes the registrant a written undertaking to repay the advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the registrant. |
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| ● | The registrant will not be obligated pursuant to the bylaws to indemnify a person with respect to proceedings initiated by that person, unless: (a) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (b) the proceeding was authorized by the board of directors, or (c) such indemnification is provided by the registrant, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the registrant under the Delaware General Corporation Law. |
| ● | The rights conferred in the bylaws are not exclusive, and the registrant is authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the Delaware General Corporation Law. |
| ● | Any repeal or modification of the registrant’s indemnification obligations shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights of any director, officer, employee or agent in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any director, officer, employee or agent of the registrant. |
The registrant’s policy is to enter into separate indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers that provide additional procedural protections. These indemnification provisions and the indemnification agreements entered into between the registrant and its officers and directors may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the registrant’s officers and directors for liabilities (including reimbursement of expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933.
The underwriting agreement that may be entered into between us and the underwriter may contain certain provisions regarding indemnification of our officers and directors by the underwriter.
A list of exhibits filed with this registration statement on Form S-3 is set forth on the Exhibit Index and is incorporated herein by reference.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Filing Fee” or “Calculation of Registration Fee” table, as applicable. in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(l)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement;
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(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date;
(b) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser;
(c) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
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for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue; and
(e) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Scottsdale, State of Arizona, on February 29, 2024.
| | | |
| AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. | ||
| | | |
| | By: | /s/ Patrick W. Smith |
| | | Patrick W. Smith |
| | | Chief Executive Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby severally constitutes and appoints each of Patrick W. Smith and Brittany Bagley, and each of them singly, as such person’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (or any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| | | | |
Signature |
| Title |
| Date |
| | | | |
/s/ Patrick W. Smith | | Chief Executive Officer and Director | | February 29, |
Patrick W. Smith | | (Principal Executive Officer) | | 2024 |
/s/ Brittany Bagley | | Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer | | February 29, |
Brittany Bagley | | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | | 2024 |
/s/ Michael Garnreiter | | Chairman of the Board | | February 29, |
Michael Garnreiter | | | | 2024 |
/s/ Erika Ayers Badan | | Director | | February 29, |
Erika Ayers Badan | | | | 2024 |
/s/ Adriane M. Brown | | Director | | February 29, |
Adriane M. Brown | | | | 2024 |
/s/ Julie A. Cullivan | | Director | | February 29, |
Julie A. Cullivan | | | | 2024 |
/s/ Caitlin E. Kalinowski | | Director | | February 29, |
Caitlin E. Kalinowski | | | | 2024 |
/s/ Mark W. Kroll | | Director | | February 29, |
Mark W. Kroll | | | | 2024 |
/s/ Matthew R. McBrady | | Director | | February 29, |
Matthew R. McBrady | | | | 2024 |
/s/ Hadi Partovi | | Director | | February 29, |
Hadi Partovi | | | | 2024 |
/s/ Graham Smith | | Director | | February 29, |
Graham Smith | | | | 2024 |
/s/ Jeri Williams | | Director | | February 29, |
Jeri Williams | | | | 2024 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Incorporated by Reference From | | | ||||
Exhibit |
| Exhibit Description |
| Form |
| Filing Date |
| Exhibit |
| Filed |
| | | | | | | | | | |
1.1* | | Form of Underwriting Agreement | | | | | | | | |
3.1 | | Complete copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended | | 8-K | | August 9, 2022 | | 3.1 | | |
3.2 | | | 8-K | | December 21, 2023 | | 3.2 | | | |
4.1 | | | SB-2 | | April 13, 2001 | | 4.2 | | | |
4.2 | | Form of Senior Indenture between the Registrant and One or More Trustees to be Named | | | | | | | | X |
4.3 | | Form of Subordinated Indenture between the Registrant and One or More Trustees to be Named | | | | | | | | X |
4.4* | | Form of Senior Note | | | | | | | | |
4.5* | | Form of Subordinated Note | | | | | | | | |
4.6* | | Form of Preferred Stock Certificate | | | | | | | | |
4.7* | | Form of Certificate of Designations | | | | | | | | |
4.8* | | Form of Warrant Agreement (including Warrant Certificate) | | | | | | | | |
4.9* | | Form of Unit Agreement (including Form of Unit Certificate) | | | | | | | | |
5.1 | | | | | | | | | X | |
23.1 | | Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | | | | | | | | X |
23.2 | | Consent of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto) | | | | | | | | X |
24.1 | | Power of Attorney (included on the signature pages to this registration statement) | | | | | | | | X |
25.1* | | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 | | | | | | | | |
107 | | | | | | | | | X | |
* | To be filed, if necessary, by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement, including a Current Report on Form 8-K. |
