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The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, the notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-286868
Subject to Completion, dated April 30, 2025
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated April 30, 2025)
$110,000,000
% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030
We are offering $110,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our % convertible senior notes due 2030 (the “notes”). In addition, we have granted the underwriters an option, which is exercisable within 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to an additional $15,000,000 aggregate principal amount of notes solely to cover overallotments.
MATURITY; INTEREST
We will pay interest on the notes at an annual rate of %, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2025. The notes will mature on May 1, 2030, unless earlier converted or redeemed or repurchased by us.
CONVERSION
Noteholders may convert their notes at their option only in the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2025, if the last reported sale price per share of our Class A common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price for each of at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter; (2) during the five consecutive business days immediately after any 10 consecutive trading day period (such 10 consecutive trading day period, the “measurement period”) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our Class A common stock on such trading day and the conversion rate on such trading day; (3) upon the occurrence of certain corporate events or distributions on our Class A common stock, as described in this prospectus supplement; (4) if we call such notes for redemption; and (5) at any time from, and including, February 1, 2030 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date. We will settle conversions by paying or delivering, as applicable, cash, shares of our Class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A common stock, at our election, based on the applicable conversion rate(s). The initial conversion rate is shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $ per share, and is subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus supplement. If a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined in this prospectus supplement) occurs, then we will in certain circumstances increase the conversion rate for a specified period of time.
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE
The notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations described in this prospectus supplement), at our option at any time, and from time to time, on or after May 1, 2028 and on or before the 25th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, at a cash redemption price equal to the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, but only if the last reported sale price per share of our Class A common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price on (1) each of at least 20 trading days, whether or not consecutive, during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date we send the related redemption notice; and (2) the trading day immediately before the date we send such notice. In addition, calling any note for redemption will constitute a make-whole fundamental change with respect to that note, in which case the conversion rate applicable to the conversion of that note will be increased in certain circumstances if it is converted after it is called (or deemed called) for redemption.
If a “fundamental change” (as defined in this prospectus supplement) occurs, then, except as described in this prospectus supplement, noteholders may require us to repurchase their notes at a cash repurchase price equal to the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
RANKING
The notes will be our senior, unsecured obligations and will be equal in right of payment with our existing and future senior, unsecured indebtedness, senior in right of payment to our existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the notes and effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness. The notes will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, and (to the extent we are not a holder thereof) preferred equity, if any, of our subsidiaries.
CONCURRENT DELTA OFFERING
Concurrently with this offering, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Santander US Capital Markets LLC, each acting severally on behalf of itself and/or its affiliates (in such capacity, the “delta offering underwriters”), are offering, in a separate, underwritten public offering pursuant to a prospectus supplement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and not pursuant to this prospectus supplement, shares of our Class A common stock at a public offering price of $ per share (the “concurrent delta offering”), to facilitate hedging transactions by certain investors subscribing for the notes (“convertible arbitrage investors”). The number of shares of our Class A common stock subject to the concurrent delta offering will be determined at the time of pricing of the concurrent delta offering, and is expected to generally correspond to the initial short positions of convertible arbitrage investors being established to hedge their market risk with respect to the notes they acquire. We have been advised that the shares sold by the delta offering underwriters in the concurrent delta offering will be borrowed from third parties, and will be: (x) purchased by a delta offering underwriter from certain convertible arbitrage investors who have sold them short to such delta offering underwriter in connection with the offering of the notes, and/or (y) sold short by the delta offering underwriters to facilitate concurrent privately negotiated transactions between one of the delta offering underwriters with certain convertible arbitrage investors seeking a short exposure to our Class A common stock through a derivative, in an equal notional amount. We will not receive any proceeds from sales by the delta offering underwriters in the concurrent delta offering. No new shares of our Class A common stock will be issued for the concurrent delta offering. The concurrent delta offering and the offering of the notes are contingent upon one another.
LISTING; CLASS A COMMON STOCK
No public market currently exists for the notes, and we do not intend to apply to list the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation on any inter-dealer quotation system. Our Class A common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SEI.” On April 29, 2025, the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock was $21.18 per share.
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(1) | Plus accrued interest, if any, from , 2025. |
(2) | We refer you to “Underwriting” beginning on page S-88 of this prospectus supplement for additional information regarding underwriting compensation. |
BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC (“BlackRock”), a holder of approximately 8.0% of our total outstanding common stock, has indicated an interest in purchasing notes in this offering in an aggregate principal amount of up to $55.0 million at the price to the public. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, the underwriters may determine to sell more, less or no notes to BlackRock in this offering, or BlackRock may determine to purchase more, less or no notes in this offering.
An investment in the notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-13.
Neither the SEC nor any state or foreign securities commission or regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the notes or the shares of our Class A common stock, if any, issuable upon the conversion of the notes or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
We expect to deliver the notes in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on or about , 2025.
Book-Running Managers
Morgan Stanley | Santander |
Prospectus Supplement dated , 2025.
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In deciding whether to purchase the notes, you should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related pricing term sheet. Neither we nor any of the underwriters has authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with additional or different information, you should not rely on it.
You should not assume that the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates of the documents in which the information is contained. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could have changed since those dates.
You should not consider any information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to be legal, tax or investment advice. You should consult your own counsel,
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accountant and other advisors for legal, tax, business, financial and related advice regarding any purchase of the notes. Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation regarding the legality of an investment in the notes by any person under applicable investment or similar laws.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase the notes described herein in any jurisdiction or to any person where the offer or solicitation is not permitted.
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About This Prospectus Supplement
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus The second part contains an accompanying primary base prospectus relating to sales of debt securities by Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. and gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to the “prospectus,” we are referring to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus combined. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meaning assigned to them in the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part. You should read the entire prospectus supplement, as well as the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference that are described under “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus supplement. To the extent that any statement we make in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in the accompanying base prospectus or any documents incorporated by reference herein, you should rely on the information contained in this prospectus supplement, which will be deemed to modify or supersede those made in the accompanying prospectus or documents incorporated by reference herein or therein.
You should rely only on the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus prepared by us or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. Neither we, the Underwriters nor any of our or their representatives have authorized any other person to provide you with information different from that included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the Underwriters are making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where an offer or sale is not permitted. The information in this prospectus supplement, and the information in the accompanying base prospectus or contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of such prospectus or document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or any sale of our Class A common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Please read the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Basis of Presentation
MER Acquisition
On September 11, 2024, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding equity interests in Mobile Energy Rentals, LLC (“MER”) in accordance with a contribution agreement (the “contribution agreement”) dated July 9, 2024 (the “MER Acquisition”). In connection with the MER Acquisition, Solaris Energy Infrastructure, LLC (“Solaris LLC”) issued 16,464,778 units in Solaris LLC, and we issued an equivalent number of shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.00 per share (“Class B common stock”), paid approximately $60.0 million in cash to the sellers of MER, subject to certain adjustments, and repaid approximately $77.1 million of indebtedness owed with respect to advances made to fund capital expenditures. Unless otherwise indicated, information set forth herein relates to the results of operations for the combined company for the year ended December 31, 2024, and, on a preliminary basis as discussed herein, the three months ended March 31, 2025, and does not include any financial information for MER for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Pro Forma Presentation
This prospectus supplement also includes and incorporates by reference certain unaudited “pro forma” financial data. As used herein and unless expressly provided otherwise, the term “pro forma” when used with respect to
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any financial data refers to the historical data of Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc., as adjusted as described herein. Pro forma financial data for the year ended December 31, 2024 gives effect to the MER Acquisition as if it had been consummated on January 1, 2024. Pro forma financial data contains certain reclassification adjustments to conform the respective historical financial statement presentation of MER to Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc.’s financial statement presentation.
In each case, the pro forma data is presented for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon as an indication of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the MER Acquisition had taken place on the specified dates. Accordingly, future results may vary significantly from the results reflected in such pro forma data and should not be relied on as an indication of future results. See our unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and the related notes thereto incorporated by reference herein for additional information.
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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This prospectus supplement contains “non-GAAP financial measures,” that is, financial measures that either exclude or include amounts that are not excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Specifically, we make use of the non-GAAP measures “EBITDA” and “Adjusted EBITDA.”
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of net income as determined by GAAP. We view EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as important indicators of performance. We use them to assess our results of operations because it allows us, our investors and our lenders to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis across periods by removing the effects of varying levels of interest expense due to our capital structure, depreciation and amortization due to our asset base and other items that impact the comparability of financial results from period to period. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we believe they provide useful information regarding trends and other factors affecting our business in addition to measures calculated under GAAP.
We define EBITDA as net income, plus (i) depreciation and amortization expense, (ii) interest expense and (iii) income tax expense. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus (i) stock-based compensation expense and (ii) certain non-cash items and extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains, losses or expenses.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for an analysis of our results of operation and financial condition as reported in accordance with GAAP. Net income is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered alternatives to net income presented in accordance with GAAP. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility. Please see “Summary—Summary Historical Financial Data—Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” for a quantitative reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income.
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or that include the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “could,” “may,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan,” “will,” “should” and other expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and that do not relate to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements include statements about our business strategy, our industry, our future profitability, our expected capital expenditures and the impact of such expenditures on our performance, management changes, current and potential future long-term contracts, our capital programs and our future business and financial performance. In addition, our forward-looking statements address the various risks and uncertainties associated with extraordinary market environments, and the expected impact on our businesses, results of operations, and earnings.
A forward-looking statement may include a statement of the assumptions or bases underlying the forward-looking statement. We believe that we have chosen these assumptions or bases in good faith and that they are reasonable. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should also understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider the following list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements include:
• | the level of domestic spending and access to capital markets by the markets which we serve, namely (i) power generation and (ii) the oil and natural gas industry and uncertainty regarding the future actions of oil producers, including the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia and the actions taken to set, maintain or cut production levels; |
• | changes in tariffs, trade barriers, price and exchange controls and other regulatory requirements, and the impact of such policies on us, our customers and the global economic environment; |
• | the success of the Stateline joint venture (as defined herein) and its impact on the financial condition and results of operations of our Solaris Power Solutions segment; |
• | developments and uncertainty in the global economy and the resulting impacts to the demand and supply for power generation or crude oil and natural gas or volatility of the prices for such projects, and therefore the demand for the services we provide and the commercial opportunities available to us; |
• | geopolitical risks, including the war between Russia and Ukraine, the Israel and Hamas conflict and continued hostilities in the Middle East which could each affect the stability and continued recovery of oil and gas markets; |
• | uncertainty regarding methods by which the growing demand for power generation will be met in both the short and long term; |
• | consolidation amongst current or potential customers that could affect demand for our products and services; |
• | inflationary risks, increased interest rates, central bank policy, bank failures and associated liquidity risks and supply chain constraints, including changes in market price and availability of materials and labor; |
• | significant changes in the transportation industries or fluctuations in transportation costs or the availability or reliability of transportation that service our business; |
• | large or multiple customer defaults, including defaults resulting from actual or potential insolvencies; |
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• | epidemics or pandemics, including the effects of related public health concerns and the impact of continued actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to pandemics and their impact on commodity prices, supply and demand considerations and storage capacity; |
• | technological advancements in well completion technologies and our ability to expand our product and service offerings; |
• | competitive conditions in our industry; |
• | inability to fully protect our intellectual property rights; |
• | actions taken by our customers, competitors and third-party operators; |
• | changes in the availability and cost of capital; |
• | our ability to successfully implement our business strategy; |
• | increases in tax rates or the enactment of taxes that specifically impact exploration and production related operations resulting in an increase in the amount of taxes owed by us; |
• | the effects of pending and future litigation, including a federal securities lawsuit styled Stephen Pirello v. Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc., et al., Case No. 4:25-cv-01455, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas; |
• | cyber-attacks targeting systems and infrastructure used by the power generation and oil and natural gas industries; |
• | the effects of future litigation; |
• | credit markets; |
• | business acquisitions, including the MER Acquisition (as defined herein); |
• | natural or man-made disasters and other external events that may disrupt our manufacturing operations; |
• | environmental and climate change regulations and policies, and the impact of such regulations and policies on us and our customers; |
• | the timing of regulatory proceedings and approvals, and the impact of such proceedings and approvals on us and our customers; |
• | health, safety and environmental risks; |
• | uncertainty regarding our future operating results; and |
• | plans, objectives, expectations and intentions contained in this prospectus supplement that are not historical. |
All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus supplement. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs at the time they are made, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the factors described under Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, unless required by law.
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This summary provides a brief overview of information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. Because it is abbreviated, this summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the notes. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the base prospectus carefully before making an investment decision, including the information presented under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.
Except as otherwise indicated or required by the context, all references in this prospectus supplement to the “Company,” “Solaris,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. (“Solaris Inc.”) and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Solaris Energy Infrastructure, LLC (“Solaris LLC”), our operating subsidiary.
Company Overview
We provide mobile and scalable equipment-based solutions for use in distributed power generation as well as the management of raw materials used in the completion of oil and natural gas wells. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Solaris serves multiple U.S. end markets, including energy, data centers, and other commercial and industrial sectors. Solaris delivers these offerings through its Solaris Power Solutions and Solaris Logistics Solutions business segments.
Solaris Power Solutions, recently established following the acquisition of Mobile Energy Rentals LLC (“MER”), provides mobile power generation solutions through equipment lease arrangements. On September 11, 2024, Solaris, through its subsidiary Solaris LLC, completed the acquisition of MER. MER operates throughout the United States, providing configurable sets of primarily natural gas-powered mobile turbines and ancillary equipment to energy, data center, and other commercial and industrial end-markets. This acquisition provided Solaris entry into the large and growing distributed power solutions market, both enhancing our position as a mobile equipment and logistics solution provider to the oil and gas industry and also diversifying our end market exposure.
Solaris Logistics Solutions designs and manufactures specialized equipment, which combined with field technician support, last mile and mobilization logistics services and software solutions, enables the Company to provide a service offering that helps oil and natural gas operators and their suppliers drive efficiencies that reduce operational footprint and costs during the completion phase of well development. The Company services most active oil and natural gas basins in the United States.
Our Corporate Structure
We are a holding company the sole material assets of which consist of units of Solaris LLC (“Solaris LLC Units”) and, following the completion of the offering, the convertible note to be issued by Solaris LLC to Solaris Inc. in exchange for the net proceeds from this offering. We are the managing member of Solaris LLC and are responsible for all operational, management and administrative decisions relating to Solaris LLC’s business. We consolidate the financial results of Solaris LLC and its subsidiaries and report a non-controlling interest related to the portion of Solaris LLC Units not owned by us.
The holders of Solaris LLC Units (other than us) (collectively, the “Solaris LLC Unitholders”) own a corresponding number of shares of our Class B common stock. Each share of Class B common stock has no
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economic rights but entitles its holder to one vote on all matters to be voted on by stockholders generally. Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law or by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended.
Under the Solaris LLC Agreement, each Solaris LLC Unitholder has, subject to certain limitations, the right (the “Redemption Right”) to cause Solaris LLC to acquire all or a portion of its Solaris LLC Units for, at Solaris LLC’s election, (x) shares of our Class A common stock at a redemption ratio of one share of Class A common stock for each Solaris LLC Unit redeemed, subject to conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassification and other similar transactions, or (y) an equivalent amount of cash. Alternatively, upon the exercise of the Redemption Right, we (instead of Solaris LLC) have the right (the “Call Right”) to acquire each tendered Solaris LLC Unit directly from the redeeming Solaris LLC Unitholder for, at our election, (x) one share of Class A common stock or (y) an equivalent amount of cash. In addition, upon a change of control of us, we have the right to require each Solaris LLC Unitholder to exercise its Redemption Right with respect to some or all of such unitholder’s Solaris LLC Units. In connection with any redemption of Solaris LLC Units pursuant to the Redemption Right or the Call Right, a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock will be cancelled.
The following diagram indicates our simplified ownership structure immediately following this offering:
(1) | Includes our directors, executive officers and the former equityholders of MER. Includes shares of Class A common stock held by our director, W. Howard Keenan, Jr., in his individual capacity, but does not include shares of Class B common stock held by affiliates of Yorktown Energy Partners X, L.P. (of which Mr. Keenan may be deemed to have beneficial ownership). |
(2) | Does not give effect to any full or partial conversion of the notes offered hereby. For additional information regarding the terms of any such conversions, see “Description of Notes.” |
(3) | As of March 31, 2025, we had $325.0 million of aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Term Loan Agreement and no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. |
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(4) | See “—Recent Developments—Stateline Power Joint Venture.” We currently expect to enter into a $550.0 million term loan, to which Stateline would be the borrower, although such financing is subject to confirmatory due diligence and negotiation of definitive documentation. We cannot assure you that we will enter into such term loan on terms satisfactory to us or at all. |
Risk Factors
Investing in our notes involves risks that include the speculative nature of exploration and production of natural gas, competition, volatile commodity prices and other material factors. For a discussion of these risks and other considerations that could negatively affect us, including risks related to this offering and our notes, please read “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements.”
Recent Developments
Concurrent Delta Offering
Concurrently with this offering, the delta offering underwriters, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Santander US Capital Markets LLC, are offering, in a separate, underwritten public offering pursuant to a prospectus supplement that we have filed with the SEC, and not pursuant to this prospectus supplement, shares of our Class A common stock at a public offering price of $ per share, to facilitate hedging transactions by convertible arbitrage investors in the notes. The number of shares of our Class A common stock subject to the concurrent delta offering will be determined at the time of pricing of the concurrent delta offering, and is expected to generally correspond to the initial short positions of convertible arbitrage investors being established to hedge their market risk with respect to the notes they acquire. We have been advised that the shares sold by the delta offering underwriters in the concurrent delta offering will be borrowed from third parties, and will be: (x) purchased by a delta offering underwriter from certain convertible arbitrage investors who have sold them short to such delta offering underwriter in connection with the offering of the notes, and/or (y) sold short by the delta offering underwriters to facilitate concurrent privately negotiated transactions between one of the delta offering underwriters with certain convertible arbitrage investors seeking a short exposure to our Class A common stock through a derivative, in an equal notional amount.
We will not receive any proceeds from sales by the delta offering underwriters in the concurrent delta offering. No new shares of our Class A common stock will be issued for the concurrent delta offering.
The concurrent delta offering and the offering of the notes are contingent upon one another.
Stateline Power Joint Venture
On April 28, 2025, we announced the formation of Stateline Power, LLC (“Stateline”), a joint venture between Solaris Power Solutions Stateline, LLC (“Stateline Power Solutions”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Solaris LLC, and CTC Property LLC (“CTC”), an affiliate of an industry leader in the evolving artificial intelligence computing space for which Stateline will provide off-grid power for their newest data center campus. In exchange for approximately 50.1% equity interest in Stateline, we contributed non-cash assets and pre-funded expenses valued at approximately $86.4 million. CTC contributed approximately $86 million in cash for the remaining 49.9% equity interest in Stateline.
Concurrently with the formation of the joint venture, Stateline entered into (i) a management agreement with our subsidiary Solaris Power Solutions Stateline Operating, LLC (“Stateline Operator”), under which Stateline Operator will operate the day-to-day business of Stateline and provide related administrative services (the “Management Agreement”), and (ii) a master equipment rental agreement with CTC, under which Stateline will rent to CTC certain turbines and related equipment and accessories that will be used to power the data center facilities.
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Under the terms of Stateline’s amended and restated limited liability company agreement dated April 28, 2025 (the “Stateline LLCA”), Stateline is governed by a board (the “Stateline Board”) initially comprised of four members, two designated by Stateline Power Solutions and two designated by CTC. Each party will retain its director designation right until its ownership interest in Stateline falls below 20% of the outstanding equity interests in Stateline, subject to certain exceptions. In general, except as delegated to the Stateline Operator pursuant to the Stateline LLCA and Management Agreement, Stateline cannot take any action without prior approval of the majority of the Stateline Board.
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility Amendments
On April 28, 2025, we entered into (i) the second amendment (the “Term Loan Amendment”) to our senior secured term loan agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”) with Banco Santander, S.A. New York Branch, as administrative agent, and Silver Point Finance, LLC, as collateral agent, and the lenders party thereto and (ii) the second amendment (the “Revolver Amendment”) to our loan, security, and guaranty agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with Bank of America, N.A. as agent and the lenders party thereto. The Term Loan Amendment and the Revolver Amendment permit, among other things, the entry of Stateline Power Solutions into the Stateline joint venture and the issuance of the notes offered hereby. For a description of our outstanding indebtedness, see “Description of Other Indebtedness.”
Preliminary First Quarter Financial and Operating Information
As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we have not finalized our operational results nor completed our quarter-end closing for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, and our auditors have not reviewed financial information for such quarter. The preliminary estimates presented below are derived from our internal records and are based on the most current information available to management. During the course of our review process of these preliminary estimates, we could identify items that would require us to make adjustments that could affect the final results. Any such adjustments could be material. Based on our preliminary expectations, we estimate the following for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 |
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(Dollars in thousands) | ||||
Solaris Inc.: |
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Revenue |
$ | 126,332 | ||
Net income |
$ | 12,968 | ||
Earnings per diluted share of Class A common stock |
$ | 0.14 | ||
Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
$ | 46,881 | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 25,722 | ||
Net cash used in investing activities |
$ | (144,323 | ) | |
Capital expenditures |
144,330 | |||
Solaris Power Solutions: |
||||
Capacity earning revenue |
390 MW | |||
Revenue |
$ | 49,375 | ||
Segment Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 31,905 | ||
Solaris Logistics Solutions: |
||||
Revenue |
$ | 76,957 | ||
Segment Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 25,974 |
(1) | Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. For the definition of Adjusted EBITDA, please see “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” The following |
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table presents a reconciliation of the GAAP financial measure of net income to the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA. |
Three Months Ended | ||||
March 31, 2025 | ||||
(in thousands) | ||||
Net income |
$ | 12,968 | ||
Depreciation and amortization |
20,064 | |||
Interest expense, net |
5,171 | |||
Provision for income taxes (1) |
3,916 | |||
|
|
|||
EBITDA |
$ | 42,119 | ||
Stock-based compensation expense (2) |
3,277 | |||
Credit losses |
794 | |||
Other (3) |
691 | |||
|
|
|||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 46,881 | ||
|
|
(1) | United States federal and state income taxes. |
(2) | Represents stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock awards and performance-based restricted stock units. |
(3) | Other includes the net effect of loss/gain on disposal of assets and lease terminations, and transaction costs. |
As of March 31, 2025, we had no outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility and $16.7 million in total cash and cash equivalents. In addition, we had approximately $52.7 million of borrowing base availability under our Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2025.
These preliminary estimates are derived from our internal records and are based on the most current information available to management. These estimates are preliminary and inherently uncertain. Our normal reporting processes with respect to the foregoing preliminary estimates have not been fully completed. BDO USA, P.C. has not audited, reviewed, examined, compiled, nor applied agreed-upon procedures with respect to this preliminary consolidated financial data. Accordingly, BDO USA, P.C. does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. During the course of our and our auditors’ review on these preliminary estimates, we could identify items that would require us to make adjustments and which could affect our final results. Any such adjustments could be material. These preliminary estimates should not be viewed as indicative of our financial condition or results as of or for any future period. Actual results could differ from the estimates, trends and expectations discussed herein, and such differences could be material.
Principal Executive Offices and Internet Address
Our principal executive offices are located at 9651 Katy Freeway, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77024, and our telephone number is (281) 501-3070. Our website address is www.solaris-energy.com. Our periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC are available, free of charge, through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other information are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
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The summary below describes the principal terms of the notes. Certain of the terms of the notes described below are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in more detail under the caption “Description of Notes.” As used in this section, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. and not to its subsidiaries.
Issuer |
Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc., a Delaware corporation. |
Notes |
$110,000,000 aggregate principal amount of % convertible senior notes due 2030. We have granted the underwriters an option, which is exercisable within 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to an additional $15,000,000 aggregate principal amount of notes solely to cover over-allotments. |
Issue Price |
% plus accrued interest, if any, from , 2025. |
Ranking |
The notes will be our senior, unsecured obligations and will be: |
• | equal in right of payment with our existing and future senior, unsecured indebtedness; |
• | senior in right of payment to our existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the notes; |
• | effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness; and |
• | structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, and (to the extent we are not a holder thereof) preferred equity, if any, of our subsidiaries. |
As of December 31, 2024, on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to this offering, excluding our subsidiaries, we would have had $110.0 million (or, if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional notes, $125.0 million) principal amount of indebtedness for borrowed money, consisting only of the notes, and our subsidiaries would have had approximately $378.8 million of liabilities, excluding intercompany indebtedness. |
Maturity |
May 1, 2030, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. |
Interest |
% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2025. Interest will accrue from , 2025. In addition, special interest will accrue on the notes in the circumstances described under the caption “—Events of Default—Special Interest as Sole Remedy for Certain Reporting Defaults,” respectively. |
Conversion Rights |
Noteholders may convert their notes at their option only in the following circumstances: |
• | during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2025, if the last reported sale price per share of our Class A common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price |
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for each of at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter; |
• | during the five consecutive business days immediately after any 10 consecutive trading day period (such 10 consecutive trading day period, the “measurement period”) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our Class A common stock on such trading day and the conversion rate on such trading day; |
• | upon the occurrence of certain corporate events or distributions on our Class A common stock, as described in this prospectus supplement; |
• | if we call such notes for redemption; and |
• | at any time from, and including, February 1, 2030 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date. |
We will settle conversions by paying or delivering, as applicable, cash, shares of our Class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A common stock, at our election, based on the applicable conversion rate(s). If we elect to deliver cash or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A common stock, then the consideration due upon conversion will be based on an observation period consisting of 25 “VWAP trading days” (as defined in this prospectus supplement). The initial conversion rate is shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $ per share, and is subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus supplement. |
If a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined in this prospectus supplement) occurs, then we will in certain circumstances increase the conversion rate for a specified period of time. |
See “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights.” |
Optional Redemption |
The notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations described below), at our option at any time, and from time to time, on or after May 1, 2028 and on or before the 25th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, at a cash redemption price equal to the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, but only if the last reported sale price per share of our Class A common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price on (1) each of at least 20 trading days, whether or not consecutive, during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date we send the related redemption notice; and (2) the trading day immediately before the date we send such notice. However, we may not redeem less than all |
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of the outstanding notes unless at least $110.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes are outstanding and not called for redemption as of the time we send the related redemption notice. In addition, calling any note for redemption will constitute a make-whole fundamental change with respect to that note, in which case the conversion rate applicable to the conversion of that note will be increased in certain circumstances if it is converted after it is called for redemption. See “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption.” |
Repurchase at the Option of the Noteholders After a Fundamental Change |
If a “fundamental change” (as defined in this prospectus supplement) occurs, then, except as described in this prospectus supplement, noteholders may require us to repurchase their notes at a cash repurchase price equal to the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. See “Description of Notes—Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes.” |
Trustee, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent |
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association. |
No Public Market |
The notes are a new class of securities for which no public market currently exists. We do not intend to apply to list the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation on any inter-dealer quotation system. Accordingly, a liquid market for the notes may never develop. Certain of the underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes. However, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activity at any time and without notice. |
The New York Stock Exchange Symbol |
Our Class A common stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SEI.” On April 29, 2025, the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock was $21.18 per share. |
Use of Proceeds |
We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional notes), after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses. We expect to use the net proceeds to purchase from Solaris LLC, our operating subsidiary, a subordinated convertible note to be issued by Solaris LLC with substantially similar economic terms as the notes, and Solaris LLC expects to use such net proceeds to fund growth capital for additional power generation equipment, including new natural gas turbines and complementary “balance of plant” electrical equipment, to support customer activity. See “Use of Proceeds.” |
Concurrent Delta Offering |
Concurrently with this offering, the delta offering underwriters, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Santander US Capital Markets LLC, |
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are offering, in a separate, underwritten public offering pursuant to a prospectus supplement that we have filed with the SEC, and not pursuant to this prospectus supplement, shares of our Class A common stock at a public offering price of $ per share, to facilitate hedging transactions by convertible arbitrage investors in the notes. The number of shares of our Class A common stock subject to the concurrent delta offering will be determined at the time of pricing of the concurrent delta offering, and is expected to generally correspond to the initial short positions of convertible arbitrage investors being established to hedge their market risk with respect to the notes they acquire. We have been advised that the shares sold by the delta offering underwriters in the concurrent delta offering will be borrowed from third parties, and will be: (x) purchased by a delta offering underwriter from certain convertible arbitrage investors who have sold them short to such delta offering underwriter in connection with the offering of the notes, and/or (y) sold short by the delta offering underwriters to facilitate concurrent privately negotiated transactions between one of the delta offering underwriters with certain convertible arbitrage investors seeking a short exposure to our Class A common stock through a derivative, in an equal notional amount. |
We will not receive any proceeds from sales by the delta offering underwriters in the concurrent delta offering. No new shares of our Class A common stock will be issued for the concurrent delta offering. |
The concurrent delta offering and the offering of the notes are contingent upon one another. |
We will not receive any proceeds from the concurrent delta offering.
Risk Factors |
Investing in the notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors.” |
Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations |
For a description of the material United States federal income tax considerations of purchasing, owning, converting and disposing of the notes and owning and disposing of shares of our Class A common stock, if any, issuable upon the conversion of the notes, see “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.” |
Book-Entry Form |
We will initially issue the notes in the form of one or more global notes registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), without interest coupons, which we will deposit with the trustee as custodian for DTC. Beneficial interests in global notes will be shown on, and transfers of global notes will be effected only through, the records maintained by DTC. Except in limited circumstances, we will not issue certificated notes. See “Description of Notes—Book Entry, Settlement and Clearance.” |
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SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth our summary historical financial data as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
The summary historical financial data as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was derived from our audited financial statements.
The following summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations data for the year ended December 31, 2024 is presented as if the MER Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2024 and are derived from the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements as of and for the periods aforementioned incorporated by reference herein.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements from which the summary data are derived have been prepared for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of what the combined company’s financial position or results of operations actually would have been had the proposed transaction occurred as of the dates indicated. In addition, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements from which the summary data are derived do not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of the combined company. Future results may vary significantly from the results reflected because of various factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors.”
For a detailed discussion of certain historical information presented in the following table, please read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. The following tables should also be read in conjunction with our historical audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and our historical unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and related notes, each of which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.
Historical | Pro Forma |
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Year Ended December 31, |
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2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share and operating data) | ||||||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: |
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Service revenue |
$ | 263,206 | $ | 269,474 | $ | 300,000 | $ | 264,260 | ||||||||
Service revenue – related parties |
13,465 | 23,473 | 20,005 | 14,632 | ||||||||||||
Leasing revenue |
36,420 | — | — | 60,141 | ||||||||||||
Total revenue |
313,091 | 292,947 | 320,005 | 339,033 | ||||||||||||
Operating income |
52,816 | 49,902 | 41,804 | 43,655 | ||||||||||||
Net income |
28,918 | 38,775 | 33,512 | 19,068 | ||||||||||||
Less: net income (loss) related to |
(13,110 | ) | (14,439 | ) | (12,354 | ) | (11,858 | ) | ||||||||
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Net income attributable to Solaris, Inc. |
15,808 | 24,336 | 21,158 | 7,210 | ||||||||||||
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Earnings per share |
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Basic |
$ | 0.51 | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.64 | $ | 0.22 | ||||||||
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Diluted |
$ | 0.50 | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.64 | $ | 0.21 | ||||||||
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Shares used in per share calculation |
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Basic |
28,763 | 29,693 | 31,479 | 28,763 | ||||||||||||
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Diluted |
29,235 | 29,693 | 31,479 | 29,235 | ||||||||||||
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Historical | Pro Forma |
|||||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share and operating data) | ||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data (as of period end): |
||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,122,881 | $ | 468,297 | ||||||||||||
Credit agreement |
— | 30,000 | ||||||||||||||
Term Loan |
325,000 | — | ||||||||||||||
Payables related to Tax Receivable Agreement |
77,340 | 71,530 | ||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
456,152 | 152,717 | ||||||||||||||
Non-Controlling Interest |
311,108 | 109,597 | ||||||||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity |
355,621 | 205,983 | ||||||||||||||
Consolidated Non-GAAP Data: |
||||||||||||||||
EBITDA(1) |
$ | 95,949 | $ | 86,087 | $ | 72,237 | $ | 112,012 | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(2) |
$ | 103,102 | $ | 96,693 | $ | 83,782 | $ | 119,165 |
(1) | We define EBITDA as net income, plus (i) depreciation and amortization expense, (ii) interest expense and (iii) income tax expense, including franchise taxes. For additional information, see “ —Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
(2) | We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus (i) stock-based compensation expense and (ii) certain non-cash items and any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains, losses or expenses. For additional information, see “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of net income as determined by GAAP. We view EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as important indicators of performance. We use them to assess our results of operations because it allows us, our investors and our lenders to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis across periods by removing the effects of varying levels of interest expense due to our capital structure, depreciation and amortization due to our asset base and other items that impact the comparability of financial results from period to period. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we believe they provide useful information regarding trends and other factors affecting our business in addition to measures calculated under GAAP.
We define EBITDA as net income, plus (i) depreciation and amortization expense, (ii) interest expense and (iii) income tax expense. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus (i) stock-based compensation expense and (ii) certain non-cash items and extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains, losses or expenses.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for an analysis of our results of operation and financial condition as reported in accordance with GAAP. Net income is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered alternatives to net income presented in accordance with GAAP. Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.
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The following table presents a reconciliation of Net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods indicated.
Historical | Pro Forma |
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Year Ended December 31, |
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2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | |||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share and operating data) | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | 28,918 | $ | 38,775 | $ | 33,512 | $ | 19,068 | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
47,218 | 36,185 | 30,433 | 72,442 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
11,808 | 3,307 | 489 | 18,261 | ||||||||||||
Income taxes(1) |
8,005 | 7,820 | 7,803 | 2,241 | ||||||||||||
EBITDA |
$ | 95,949 | $ | 86,087 | $ | 72,237 | $ | 112,012 | ||||||||
Property tax contingency(2) |
(2,483 | ) | — | 3,072 | (2,483 | ) | ||||||||||
Accrued property tax(3) |
(1,794 | ) | — | — | (1,794 | ) | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense(4) |
10,592 | 7,732 | 6,092 | 10,592 | ||||||||||||
Loss on disposal of assets |
148 | 386 | 3,754 | 148 | ||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt(5) |
4,085 | — | — | 4,085 | ||||||||||||
Gain on sale of Kingfisher facility(6) |
(7,461 | ) | — | — | (7,461 | ) | ||||||||||
Impairment on fixed assets(7) |
— | 1,423 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Changes in payables related to Tax |
(1,598 | ) | — | (663 | ) | (1,598 | ) | |||||||||
Credit losses |
369 | 810 | (420 | ) | 369 | |||||||||||
Acquisition-related costs(9) |
4,358 | — | — | 4,358 | ||||||||||||
Other(10) |
937 | 255 | (290 | ) | 937 | |||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 103,102 | $ | 96,693 | $ | 83,782 | $ | 119,165 | ||||||||
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(1) | United States federal and state income taxes. |
(2) | Represents reversal of a portion of previously recognized property tax contingency following a settlement agreement with Brown County Appraisal District. |
(3) | Represents reversal of previously recognized accrued property tax expenses following a settlement agreement with Brown County Appraisal District, included in cost of services in the consolidated statements of operations. |
(4) | Represents stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock awards and performance-based restricted stock units. |
(5) | Primarily consists of the write-off of the unamortized portion of debt financing costs associated with securing a bridge financing facility, which had not been utilized and was subsequently extinguished upon obtaining alternative financing for the MER Acquisition. |
(6) | Represents gain recognized on the sale of a 300-acre transload facility located in Kingfisher, Oklahoma and termination of an associated lease. All assets had zero net carrying value at the time of sale. |
(7) | Impairment recorded on certain fixed assets classified as assets held for sale during the year ended December 31, 2023. |
(8) | Reduction in liability due to state rate changes. |
(9) | Represents costs incurred to affect the MER Acquisition. |
(10) | Other includes the net effect of inventory write-offs, severance costs, transaction costs and other settlements. |
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Investing in the notes involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described or referred to below and the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 before deciding to purchase the notes. The occurrence of any of these risks may materially harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. As a result, the trading price of the notes and our Class A common stock may decline, and you might lose part or all of your investment. As used in this section, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. (“Solaris Inc.”) and not to its subsidiaries.
Risks Relating to Our Operations
We are subject to a number of risks associated with the Stateline joint venture.
On April 28, 2025, we announced the formation of Stateline, a joint venture between Solaris Power Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Solaris LLC, and CTC, an affiliate of an industry leader in the evolving artificial intelligence computing space. The Stateline joint venture is expected to account for approximately 900 MW (or approximately 53% of our Solaris Power Solutions generation assets), and as such, the Stateline joint venture subjects our overall business to a number of risks, including:
• | the risk that the demand for off-grid power generation related to artificial intelligence (“AI”) does not grow in the manner in which we expect; |
• | the fact that we derive, and will continue to derive, a significant portion of our revenue from a relatively small number of customers, and as a result, this reliance on a few large customers may adversely affect our revenue and operating results; |
• | Stateline may need to seek additional debt and equity financing to support its working capital needs and there can be no assurance that such financing would be available to Stateline on favorable terms or at all; |
• | Stateline and the industry in which it operates is subject to complex, developing regulatory frameworks, which may increase the time and labor necessary to operate the project as the parties intend; |
• | we may experience difficulties in finding alternative lessors for our power generation equipment dedicated to Stateline in the event of an early termination of the related rental agreement; |
• | certain key members of Solaris Inc. management will dedicate a significant amount of their time and attention to the Stateline joint venture; and |
• | the management agreement to which our subsidiary is a party provides for the termination of its operatorship under certain circumstances and, if those circumstances were to occur, (i) our joint venture partner may have the right to purchase our equity interests in Stateline and (ii) Solaris would lose its seats on the Stateline Board. |
To the extent one or more of these risks materializes, our Solaris Power Solutions segment and, in turn, our consolidated business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Tariffs and other trade measures could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
In April 2025, the U.S. government announced a baseline tariff of 10% on products from all countries and an additional individualized reciprocal tariff on the countries with which the United States has the largest trade deficits. As a result of the new administration’s trade policy, tariffs have increased and may continue to increase our material input costs. Any further trade restrictions, retaliatory trade measures and additional tariffs could result in higher input costs to our products, increased costs and delays in meeting our customers’ orders. For
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example, several of our rental orders for power generation equipment provide for adjustments to the purchase price paid in response to future taxes or tariffs not in place at the time of agreement. We may not be able to fully mitigate the impact of these increased costs or pass price increases on to our customers.
The imposition of further tariffs by the United States on a broader range of imports, or further retaliatory trade measures taken in response to additional tariffs, could increase costs in our supply chain or reduce demand of our customers’ products, either of which could adversely affect our results of operations. Additionally, changes in trade policy may have on the global economic environment (including any potential recession) could have a negative impact on the demand for our power generation solutions as our customers delay or cancel projects in which our business may service.
The ultimate impact of these trade measures on our business operations and financial results is uncertain and may be affected by various factors, including whether and when such trade measures are implemented, the timing when such measures may become effective, and the amount, scope, or nature of such trade measures, and our ability to execute strategies to mitigate the negative impacts.
We may be subject to short selling strategies and are party to various proceedings and claims related thereto from time to time.
Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. We are, and may in the future may be, the subject of unfavorable allegations made by short sellers. For example, earlier this year, Morpheus Research issued a report to short sellers that contained certain allegations against us that we believe to be misleading (as discussed further below). Any such allegations may be followed by periods of instability in the market price of our shares of common stock and negative publicity.
Any related inquiry or formal investigation from a governmental organization or other regulatory body, or resulting litigation from private claimants, could result in a material diversion of our management’s time and could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Such a situation could be costly and time-consuming and could distract our management from operating our business. For example, on March 28, 2025, a purported Solaris stockholder filed a complaint in a putative class action lawsuit styled Stephen Pirello v. Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc., et al., Case No. 4:25-cv-01455, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The complaint asserts claims against Solaris and certain of its officers under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, alleging among other things that they made misleading statements and omissions relating to Solaris’s acquisition of Mobile Energy Rentals LLC. The complaint further alleges that these allegedly misleading statements and omissions were revealed in the Morpheus Research report regarding Solaris issued on March 17, 2025, which the complaint alleges caused a decline in Solaris’s stock price. The outcome of the lawsuit is uncertain, particularly because it is at its initial stages. However, the Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against it.
Risks Relating to the Notes and This Offering
The notes will be effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness and structurally subordinated to the liabilities of our subsidiaries.
The notes will be our senior, unsecured obligations and will rank equal in right of payment with our existing and future senior, unsecured indebtedness, senior in right of payment to our existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the notes and effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness. In addition, because none of our subsidiaries will guarantee the notes, the notes will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future
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indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, and (to the extent we are not a holder thereof) preferred equity, if any, of our subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2024, excluding our subsidiaries, we had no indebtedness for borrowed money and our subsidiaries had approximately $325.0 million of indebtedness. The indenture governing the notes will not prohibit us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional indebtedness, including senior or secured indebtedness, in the future.
If a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding occurs with respect to us, then the holders of any secured indebtedness of ours may proceed directly against the assets securing that indebtedness. Accordingly, those assets will not be available to satisfy any outstanding amounts under our unsecured indebtedness, including the notes, unless the secured indebtedness is first paid in full. The remaining assets, if any, would then be allocated pro rata among the holders of our senior, unsecured indebtedness, including the notes. There may be insufficient assets to pay all amounts then due.
If a bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding occurs with respect to any of our subsidiaries, then we, as a direct or indirect common equity owner of that subsidiary (and, accordingly, holders of our indebtedness, including the notes), will be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors and preferred equity holders. We may never receive any amounts from that subsidiary to satisfy amounts due under the notes.
We are a holding company and will rely on our subsidiaries for funds necessary to meet our financial obligations, including the notes.
Solaris Inc. is a holding company and has no material assets other than its Solaris LLC Units and, following the completion of the offering, the convertible note, which will be subordinated, to be issued by Solaris LLC to Solaris Inc. in exchange for a portion of the net proceeds from this offering, which will have substantially similar economic terms as the notes.
Solaris Inc. has no independent means of generating revenue. To the extent that Solaris Inc. needs funds, including to make payments under the notes we are offering or under its Tax Receivable Agreement, and Solaris LLC or its subsidiaries are restricted from making such distributions or payments under applicable law or regulation or under the terms of the Term Loan Agreement, Revolving Credit Agreement or any future financing arrangements, or are otherwise unable to provide such funds, Solaris Inc.’s liquidity and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
We depend on Solaris LLC and its subsidiaries for dividends and other payments, including payments on the convertible note we will acquire from Solaris LLC, to generate the funds necessary to meet our financial obligations, including the payment of principal and interest on, or any cash payments due upon conversion of, the notes. We cannot assure you that the earnings from, or other available assets of, our subsidiaries will be sufficient to enable us to pay principal or interest on the notes when due.
Our indebtedness and liabilities could limit the cash flow available for our operations, expose us to risks that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and impair our ability to satisfy our obligations under the notes.
As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately $325.0 million principal amount of consolidated indebtedness for borrowed money. We will incur $110.0 million (or, if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional notes, $125.0 million) principal amount of additional indebtedness as a result of this offering. We may also incur additional indebtedness to meet future financing needs. Our indebtedness could have significant negative consequences for our security holders and our business, results of operations and financial condition by, among other things:
• | increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions; |
• | limiting our ability to obtain additional financing; |
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• | requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our indebtedness, which will reduce the amount of cash available for other purposes; |
• | limiting our flexibility to plan for, or react to, changes in our business; |
• | diluting the interests of our existing stockholders as a result of issuing shares of our Class A common stock upon conversion of the notes; and |
• | placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage with competitors that are less leveraged than us or have better access to capital. |
Our ability to satisfy our obligations and to reduce our total debt depends on our future operating performance and on economic, financial, competitive and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow, and future financings may not be available to provide sufficient net proceeds, to meet these obligations or to successfully execute our business strategy. For a description of our outstanding indebtedness, see “Description of Other Indebtedness.”
We may be unable to raise the funds necessary to repurchase the notes for cash following a fundamental change or to pay any cash amounts due upon maturity or conversion of the notes, and our other indebtedness limits our ability to repurchase the notes or to pay any cash amounts due upon their maturity or conversion.
Noteholders may, subject to a limited exception described in this prospectus supplement, require us to repurchase their notes following a fundamental change at a cash repurchase price generally equal to the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. See “Description of Notes—Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes.” Upon maturity of the notes, we must pay their principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest in cash, unless they have been previously repurchased, redeemed or converted. In addition, upon conversion, we will satisfy part or all of our conversion obligation in cash unless we elect to settle conversions solely in shares of our Class A common stock. We may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to repurchase the notes or pay the cash amounts due upon their maturity or conversion. In addition, applicable law, regulatory authorities and the agreements governing our other indebtedness may restrict our ability to repurchase the notes or pay the cash amounts due upon their maturity or conversion. For example, we expect to fund payments due on the notes from corresponding payments due to us under the subordinated intercompany convertible note to be issued by Solaris LLC to us. Each of our Term Loan Agreement and Revolving Credit Facility will prohibit Solaris LLC from making payments to us under the subordinated intercompany convertible note except to provide for regularly scheduled interest payments, provided no events of default exists under the Term Loan Agreement or Revolving Credit Facility, as applicable, or would result therefrom, and except for certain other payments in equity interests. Accordingly, we may not have access to funds from Solaris LLC to repurchase the notes for cash following a fundamental change or to pay any cash amounts due upon conversion of the notes. We may seek to obtain a waiver under the Term Loan Agreement and Revolving Credit Facility to permit these payments, but we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such a waiver. Unless we exercise our option to settle conversions solely in shares, our failure to repurchase notes or to pay the cash amounts due upon their maturity or conversion when required will constitute a default under the indenture. A default under the indenture or the fundamental change itself could also lead to a default under agreements governing our other indebtedness, which may result in that other indebtedness becoming immediately payable in full. We may not have sufficient funds to satisfy all amounts due under the other indebtedness and the notes.
Not all events that may adversely affect the trading price of the notes and our Class A common stock will result in an adjustment to the conversion rate.
We will adjust the conversion rate of the notes for certain events, including:
• | certain stock dividends, splits and combinations; |
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• | the issuance of certain rights, options or warrants to holders of our Class A common stock; |
• | certain distributions of assets, debt securities, capital stock or other property to holders of our Class A common stock; |
• | certain cash dividends on our Class A common stock; and |
• | certain tender or exchange offers. |
See “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Conversion Rate Adjustments.” We are not required to adjust the conversion rate for other events, such as third-party tender offers, an issuance of our Class A common stock (or securities exercisable for, or convertible into, our Class A common stock) for cash or the redemption of any or all of the Solaris LLC Units (together with a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock) in exchange for shares of Class A common stock, that may adversely affect the trading price of the notes and our Class A common stock. An event may occur that adversely affects the noteholders and the trading price of the notes and the underlying shares of our Class A common stock but that does not result in an adjustment to the conversion rate.
Not all significant restructuring or acquisition transactions will constitute a fundamental change, in which case you will not have the right to require us to repurchase your notes for cash.
If certain corporate events called “fundamental changes” occur, then, subject to a limited exception described in this prospectus supplement, you will have the right to require us to repurchase your notes for cash. See “Description of Notes—Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes.” However, the definition of “fundamental change” is limited to specific corporate events and does not include all events that may adversely affect our financial condition or the trading price of the notes. For example, a leveraged recapitalization, refinancing, restructuring, a merger in which our Class A common stock is converted into other publicly traded stock or acquisition by us may not constitute a fundamental change that would require us to repurchase the notes. Nonetheless, these events could significantly increase the amount of our indebtedness, harm our credit rating or adversely affect our capital structure and the trading price of the notes.
The increase to the conversion rate resulting from a make-whole fundamental change may not adequately compensate noteholders for the lost option value of their notes. In addition, a variety of transactions that do not constitute a make-whole fundamental change may significantly reduce the option value of the notes without a corresponding increase to the conversion rate.
If certain corporate events that constitute a “make-whole fundamental change” occur, then we will, in certain circumstances, temporarily increase the conversion rate. See “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change.” The amount of the increase to the conversion rate will depend on the date on which the make-whole fundamental change becomes effective and the applicable “stock price.” While the increase to the conversion rate is designed to compensate noteholders for the lost option value of their notes resulting from a make-whole fundamental change, the increase is only an approximation and may not adequately compensate noteholders for the loss in option value. In addition, if the applicable “stock price” is greater than $ per share or less than $ per share (in each case, subject to adjustment), then we will not increase the conversion rate for the make-whole fundamental change. Moreover, we will not increase the conversion rate pursuant to these provisions to an amount that exceeds shares of our Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment.
Furthermore, the definition of make-whole fundamental change is limited to certain specific transactions. Accordingly, the make-whole fundamental change provisions of the indenture will not protect noteholders from other transactions that could significantly reduce the option value of the notes. For example, a spin-off or sale of a subsidiary or business division with volatile earnings, or a change in our line of business, could significantly affect the trading characteristics of our Class A common stock and reduce the option value of the notes without constituting a make-whole fundamental change that results in a temporary increase to the conversion rate.
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In addition, our obligation to increase the conversion rate in connection with a make-whole fundamental change could be considered a penalty, in which case its enforceability would be subject to general principles of reasonableness and equitable remedies.
There is currently no trading market for the notes. If an active trading market for the notes does not develop, then noteholders may be unable to sell their notes at desired times or prices, or at all.
The notes are a new class of securities for which no market currently exists. We do not intend to apply to list the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation on any inter-dealer quotation system. Although certain of the underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activity at any time and without notice. Accordingly, an active market for the notes may never develop, and, even if one develops, it may not be maintained. If an active trading market for the notes does not develop or is not maintained, then the market price and liquidity of the notes will be adversely affected and noteholders may not be able to sell their notes at desired times or prices, or at all.
The liquidity of the trading market, if any, and future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including, among other things, the trading price and volatility of our Class A common stock, prevailing interest rates, our dividend yield, financial condition, results of operations, business, prospects and credit quality relative to our competitors, the market for similar securities and the overall securities market. Many of these factors are beyond our control. Historically, the market for convertible debt has been volatile. Market volatility could significantly harm the market for the notes, regardless of our financial condition, results of operations, business, prospects or credit quality.
The trading price of our Class A common stock, the condition of the financial markets, prevailing interest rates and other factors could significantly affect the trading price of the notes.
We expect that the trading price of our Class A common stock will significantly affect the trading price of the notes, which could result in greater volatility in the trading price of the notes than would be expected for non-convertible securities. The trading price of our Class A common stock will likely continue to fluctuate in response to the factors described or referred to elsewhere in this section and under the caption “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” among others, many of which are beyond our control.
In addition, the condition of the financial markets and changes in prevailing interest rates can have an adverse effect on the trading price of the notes. For example, prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future, and we would expect an increase in prevailing interest rates to depress the trading price of the notes. An increase in short- or long-term interest rates, including as a result of a rise in actual or expected inflation, could cause the trading price of the notes to fall significantly.
The issuance or sale of shares of our Class A common stock, or rights to acquire shares of our Class A common stock, could depress the trading price of our Class A common stock and the notes.
We may conduct future offerings of our Class A common stock, preferred stock or other securities that are convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, our Class A common stock to finance our operations or fund acquisitions, or for other purposes. In addition, as of December 31, 2024, we have reserved 5,545,431 shares of our Class A common stock under our Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan and 29,106,749 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon redemption of Solaris LLC Units (together with a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock). Further, certain holders of our shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, including Yorktown Energy Partners X, L.P. and Solaris Energy Capital, LLC, the legacy equity holders of MER and certain members of our management team, are entitled to rights with respect to registration of approximately 29 million shares of our Class A common stock, including as a result of redemption of Solaris LLC Units (together with a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock) (representing approximately 75% of the outstanding shares of our Class A common stock as of the date of this prospectus
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supplement) under the Securities Act pursuant to certain registration rights agreements. If these holders, along with other stockholders to whom we have granted registration rights, exercise their registration rights and sell, or the market perceives that they will sell, a large number of shares, then the market price for our shares of Class A common stock could be adversely affected.
The indenture for the notes will not restrict our ability to issue additional equity securities in the future. If we issue additional shares of our Class A common stock or rights to acquire shares of our Class A common stock, if any of our existing stockholders sells a substantial amount of our Class A common stock (as discussed above), or if the market perceives that such issuances or sales may occur, then the trading price of our Class A common stock and, accordingly, the notes may significantly decline. In addition, our issuance of additional shares of Class A common stock will dilute the ownership interests of our existing Class A common stockholders, including noteholders who have received shares of our Class A common stock upon conversion of their notes.
We will make only very limited covenants in the indenture, and these limited covenants may not protect your investment.
Many debt instruments contain provisions that are designed to restrict the borrower’s activities and operations in a manner that is designed to preserve the borrower’s ability to make payments on the related indebtedness when due. These provisions include financial and operating covenants, and restrictions on the payments of dividends, the incurrence of indebtedness or the issuance or repurchase of securities by the borrower or any of its subsidiaries. The indenture for the notes will not contain any of these covenants or restrictions or otherwise place any meaningful restrictions on our ability to operate our business as management deems appropriate. As a result, your investment in the notes may not be as protected as an investment in an instrument that contains some or all of these types of covenants and restrictions.
Recent and future regulatory actions, changes in market conditions and other events may adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of the notes and the ability of investors to implement a convertible note arbitrage trading strategy.
We expect that many investors in the notes, including potential purchasers of the notes from investors in this offering, will seek to employ a convertible note arbitrage strategy. Under this strategy, investors typically short sell a certain number of shares of our Class A common stock and adjust their short position over time while they continue to hold the notes. Investors may also implement this type of strategy by entering into swaps on our Class A common stock in lieu of, or in addition to, short selling shares of our Class A common stock.
The SEC and other regulatory authorities have implemented various rules and taken certain actions, and may in the future adopt additional rules and take other actions, that may impact those engaging in short selling activity involving equity securities (including our Class A common stock). These rules and actions include Rule 201 of SEC Regulation SHO, the adoption by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., and the national securities exchanges of a “limit up-limit down” program, the imposition of market-wide circuit breakers that halt trading of securities for certain periods following specific market declines, and the implementation of certain regulatory reforms required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Any governmental or regulatory action that restricts investors’ ability to effect short sales of our Class A common stock or enter into equity swaps on our Class A common stock could depress the trading price of, and the liquidity of the market for, the notes.
In addition, the liquidity of the market for our Class A common stock and other market conditions could deteriorate, which could reduce, or eliminate entirely, the number of shares available for lending in connection with short sale transactions and the number of counterparties willing to enter into an equity swap on our Class A common stock with a note investor. These and other market events could make implementing a convertible note arbitrage strategy prohibitively expensive or infeasible. If investors in this offering or potential purchasers of the notes that seek to employ a convertible note arbitrage strategy are unable to do so on commercial terms, or at all, then the trading price of, and the liquidity of the market for, the notes may significantly decline.
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You may be subject to tax if we adjust, or fail to adjust, the conversion rate of the notes, even though you will not receive a corresponding cash distribution.
We will adjust the conversion rate of the notes in certain circumstances, including the payment of certain cash dividends. Adjustments (or failures to make adjustments) that have the effect of increasing your proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits may in some circumstances result in a deemed distribution to you even though no cash is received. Adjustments to the conversion rate made pursuant to a bona fide, reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing the dilution of the interest of the holders of the notes, however, will generally not be considered to result in a deemed distribution to you. In addition, if we do not adjust (or adjust adequately) the conversion rate after an event that increases your proportionate interest in us, then you could be treated as having received a deemed taxable dividend. For example, if we adjust the conversion rate as a result of a dividend that is taxable to our Class A common stockholders, such as a cash dividend, then you may be deemed, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to have received a taxable dividend to the extent of our earnings and profits, without the receipt of any cash. If a make-whole fundamental change occurs prior to the maturity date, under some circumstances, we will increase the conversion rate for notes converted in connection with that make-whole fundamental change. Such increase may also be treated as a distribution subject to U.S. federal income tax as a dividend.
If you are subject to backup withholding, or if you are a non-U.S. holder (as defined in “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations”) subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, such withholding may be withheld from or set off against subsequent payments on the notes or our Class A common stock owned by you or from any proceeds of any subsequent sale, exchange or other disposition of such notes (including the retirement of such notes) or such Class A common stock or other funds or assets held by you. The Internal Revenue Service has issued proposed regulations addressing the amount and timing of deemed distributions, obligations of withholding agents and filing and notice obligations of issuers, which, if adopted, could affect the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a holder of notes deemed to receive such a distribution. See “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Conversion Rate Adjustments” and “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
A rating agency may not rate the notes or may assign a rating that is lower than expected.
We do not intend to seek to have the notes rated by any rating agency. However, if one or more rating agencies rate the notes and assign a rating that is lower than the rating that investors expect, or reduce their rating in the future, then the trading price of our Class A common stock and the notes could significantly decline.
In addition, market perceptions of our creditworthiness will directly affect the trading price of the notes. Accordingly, if a ratings agency rates any of our indebtedness in the future or downgrades or withdraws the rating, or puts us on credit watch, then the trading price of the notes will likely decline.
Provisions in the indenture could delay or prevent an otherwise beneficial takeover of us.
Certain provisions in the notes and the indenture could make a third-party attempt to acquire us more difficult or expensive. For example, if a takeover constitutes a fundamental change, then, except as described in this prospectus supplement, noteholders will have the right to require us to repurchase their notes for cash. In addition, if a takeover constitutes a make-whole fundamental change, then we may be required to temporarily increase the conversion rate. In either case, and in other cases, our obligations under the notes and the indenture could increase the cost of acquiring us or otherwise discourage a third party from acquiring us or removing incumbent management, including in a transaction that noteholders or holders of our Class A common stock may view as favorable.
Holders of the notes may not be able to determine when a fundamental change giving rise to their right to have the notes repurchased has occurred following a sale, lease or other transfer or disposition of “substantially all” of our assets.
One of the circumstances under which a fundamental change may occur is upon the sale, lease or other transfer or disposition of “all or substantially all” of our assets. There is no precise established definition of the phrase
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“substantially all” under applicable law and the interpretation of that phrase will likely depend upon particular facts and circumstances. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require us to repurchase its notes as a result of a sale, lease or other transfer or disposition of less than all our assets to another person may be uncertain.
The conditional conversion feature of the notes, if triggered, may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
In the event the conditional conversion feature of the notes is triggered, holders of notes will be entitled to convert the notes at any time during specified periods at their option. See “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights.” If one or more holders elect to convert their notes, we may elect to settle all or a portion of our conversion obligation through the payment of cash, which could adversely affect our liquidity. In addition, even if holders do not elect to convert their notes, we could be required under applicable accounting rules to reclassify all or a portion of the outstanding principal of the notes as a current rather than long-term liability, which would result in a material reduction of our net working capital.
You may be unable to convert your notes before February 1, 2030, and the trading price of the notes could be less than the value of the consideration into which they could otherwise be converted.
Before February 1, 2030, you may convert your notes only if specific conditions are met. If these conditions are not met, then you will not be able to convert your notes and receive the cash, shares of our Class A common stock or combination of cash and shares, as applicable, into which the notes would otherwise be convertible. Therefore, you may not be able to realize the appreciation, if any, in the value of our Class A common stock after the issuance of the notes in the offering and prior to such date. In addition, the inability to freely convert may also adversely affect the trading price of the notes and your ability to sell the notes.
Fluctuations in the trading price of our Class A common stock after you elect to convert your notes may cause you to receive less valuable consideration than expected.
We will generally have the right to settle conversions in cash, shares of our Class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares. If we elect to settle conversions solely in cash or in a combination of cash and shares, then the consideration due upon conversion will be determined based on the volume-weighted average price of our Class A common stock during the related “observation period,” which is defined under the caption “Description of Notes—Definitions” and will consist of 25 “VWAP trading days.” Except in certain circumstances, the observation period will begin after the related conversion date. Accordingly, a considerable amount of time may lapse between the time you elect to convert your notes and the time you receive the consideration due upon conversion, and if the trading price of our Class A common stock declines during this time, then you may receive less consideration, or consideration that is less valuable, than expected.
Your investment in the notes may be harmed if we redeem the notes.
We will have the right to redeem the notes, in whole or in part, in certain circumstances on or after May 1, 2028 and on or before the 25th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date. See “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption.” If we redeem your notes, then you may not be entitled to benefit from potential future appreciation in the trading price of our Class A common stock, and you may be unable to reinvest any proceeds from the redemption in comparable investments at favorable interest rates. In addition, a redemption of less than all of the outstanding notes will likely harm the liquidity of the market for the unredeemed notes following the redemption. Accordingly, if your notes are not redeemed in a partial redemption, then you may be unable to sell your notes at the times you desire or at favorable prices, if at all, and the trading price of your notes may decline.
The accounting method for the notes could adversely affect our reported financial condition and results.
The accounting method for reflecting the notes on our balance sheet, accruing interest expense for the notes and reflecting the underlying shares of our Class A common stock in our reported diluted earnings per share may adversely affect our reported earnings and financial condition.
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In accordance with applicable accounting standards, we expect that the notes we are offering will be reflected as a liability on our balance sheets, with the initial carrying amount equal to the principal amount of the notes, net of issuance costs. The issuance costs will be treated as a debt discount for accounting purposes, which will be amortized into interest expense over the term of the notes. As a result of this amortization, the interest expense that we expect to recognize for the notes for accounting purposes will be greater than the cash interest payments we will pay on the notes, which will result in lower reported income.
In addition, we expect that the shares underlying the notes will be reflected in our diluted earnings per share using the “if converted” method. Under that method, diluted earnings per share would generally be calculated assuming that all the notes were converted solely into shares of our Class A common stock at the beginning of the reporting period, unless the result would be anti-dilutive. The application of the if-converted method may reduce our reported diluted earnings per share, and accounting standards may change in the future in a manner that may adversely affect our diluted earnings per share.
Furthermore, if any of the conditions to the convertibility of the notes is satisfied, then we may be required under applicable accounting standards to reclassify the liability carrying value of the notes as a current, rather than a long-term, liability. This reclassification could be required even if no noteholders convert their notes and could materially reduce our reported working capital.
We have not reached a final determination regarding the accounting treatment for the notes, and the description above is preliminary. Accordingly, we may account for the notes in a manner that is significantly different than described above.
Because the notes will initially be held in book-entry form, noteholders must rely on DTC’s procedures to exercise their rights and remedies.
We will initially issue the notes in the form of one or more “global notes” registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Beneficial interests in global notes will be shown on, and transfers of global notes will be effected only through, the records maintained by DTC. Except in limited circumstances, we will not issue certificated notes. See “Description of Notes—Book Entry, Settlement and Clearance.” Accordingly, if you own a beneficial interest in a global note, then you will not be considered an owner or holder of the notes. Instead, DTC or its nominee will be the sole holder of the notes. Payments of principal, interest and other amounts on global notes will be made to the paying agent, who will remit the payments to DTC. We expect that DTC will then credit those payments to the DTC participant accounts that hold book-entry interests in the global notes and that those participants will credit the payments to indirect DTC participants. Unlike persons who have certificated notes registered in their names, owners of beneficial interests in global notes will not have the direct right to act on our solicitations for consents or requests for waivers or other actions from noteholders. Instead, those beneficial owners will be permitted to act only to the extent that they have received appropriate proxies to do so from DTC or, if applicable, a DTC participant. The applicable procedures for the granting of these proxies may not be sufficient to enable owners of beneficial interests in global notes to vote on any requested actions on a timely basis.
Holding notes will not, in itself, confer any rights with respect to our Class A common stock.
Noteholders will generally not be entitled to any rights with respect to our Class A common stock (including voting rights and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on our Class A common stock). However, noteholders will be subject to all changes affecting our Class A common stock to the extent the trading price of the notes depends on the market price of our Class A common stock and to the extent they receive shares of our Class A common stock upon conversion of their notes. For example, if we propose an amendment to our charter documents that requires stockholder approval, then a noteholder will not, as such, be entitled to vote on the amendment, although the noteholder will be subject to any changes implemented by that amendment in the powers, preferences or special rights of our Class A common stock.
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We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional notes), after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses. We expect to use the net proceeds to purchase from Solaris LLC, our operating subsidiary, a subordinated convertible note to be issued by Solaris LLC with substantially similar economic terms as the notes, and Solaris LLC expects to use such net proceeds to fund growth capital for additional power generation equipment, including new natural gas turbines and complementary “balance of plant” electrical equipment, to support customer activity.
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The following table presents our cash and cash equivalents and our capitalization as of December 31, 2024:
• | on an actual basis; and |
• | as adjusted to give effect to the issuance and sale of $110,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the notes we are offering (but not the use of proceeds therefrom) assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional notes, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses. |
This table should be read in conjunction with the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes.
As of December 31, 2024 |
||||||||
Actual | As adjusted | |||||||
(In thousands, except share and per share data) |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 114,255 | $ | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Debt: |
||||||||
Revolving credit facility(1) |
— | — | ||||||
Term loan agreement(1) |
325,000 | 325,000 | ||||||
Principal amount of % convertible senior notes due 2030 we are offering(2) |
— | 110,000 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total debt |
325,000 | 435,000 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Stockholders’ equity: |
||||||||
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares outstanding, actual and as adjusted |
— | — | ||||||
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 600,000,000 shares authorized, 38,012,796 shares outstanding, actual and as adjusted(3) |
359 | 359 | ||||||
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 180,000,000 shares authorized, 29,106,749 shares outstanding, actual and as adjusted |
— | — | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
337,598 | 337,598 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
17,664 | 17,664 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total stockholders’ equity attributable to Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. |
355,621 | 355,621 | ||||||
Non-controlling interest |
311,108 | 311,108 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total stockholders’ equity |
666,729 | 666,729 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total capitalization |
$ | 991,729 | $ | 1,101,729 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | Reflects principal amount outstanding, without deduction for debt discounts or issuance costs. As of March 31, 2025, we had $325.0 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Term Loan Agreement and no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. |
(2) | The amounts shown in the table above for the notes we are offering represent their principal amount. However, we expect that the initial liability carrying amount of the notes for accounting purposes will be recorded net of issuance costs, which will be treated as a debt discount for accounting purposes and amortized into interest expense over the term of the notes. As a result of this amortization, the interest expense that we expect to recognize for the notes for accounting purposes will be greater than the cash |
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interest payments we will pay on the notes, which will result in lower reported net income or larger reported net loss. |
(3) | The number of shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding does not give effect to the following, as of December 31, 2024: (a) 5,545,432 shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan; and (b) shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance upon conversion of the notes. |
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On February 18, 2025, our board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share of Class A common stock, which was paid on March 21, 2025, to holders of record as of March 11, 2025. Additionally, a distribution of $0.12 per unit was made to the Solaris LLC Unitholders, with the same payment and record dates.
We currently intend to continue paying a quarterly dividend, which is currently $0.12 per share of Class A common stock quarterly or $0.48 per share of Class A common stock annually, while retaining the balance of future earnings, if any, to finance the growth of our business. However, our future dividend policy is within the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon then-existing conditions, including our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, investment opportunities, statutory restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, our debt agreements contain certain restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends to holders of our Class A common stock.
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We will issue the notes under an indenture (the “base indenture”), to be dated as of the initial closing date of this offering, between us and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “trustee”), as supplemented by a supplemental indenture (the base indenture, as so supplemented, the “indenture”), to be dated as of the initial closing date of this offering, between us and the trustee.
The following is a summary of certain provisions of the notes and the indenture. It is only a summary and is not complete. We qualify this summary by referring you to the indenture and the notes, because they, and not this summary, define your rights as a holder of the notes. We will provide you with a copy of the indenture, which includes the form of the notes, as provided under the caption “Where You Can Find Additional Information.” In addition, the indenture and the notes will be deemed to include certain terms that are made a part of the indenture and the notes pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).
This “Description of Notes” section supplements and, to the extent inconsistent therewith, supersedes the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities.”
Certain terms used in this summary are defined below under the caption “—Definitions.” Certain other terms used in this summary are defined in the indenture.
References to “we,” “us” and “our” in this section refer to Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. only and not to any of its subsidiaries. References to any “note” in this section refer to any authorized denomination of a note, unless the context requires otherwise. The term “or” is not exclusive.
Generally
The notes will:
• | be our senior, unsecured obligations; |
• | initially be limited to an aggregate principal amount of $110,000,000 (or $125,000,000, if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional notes); |
• | bear interest from, and including, , 2025, at an annual rate of %, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2025; |
• | bear special interest in the circumstances described below under the caption “—Events of Default—Special Interest as Sole Remedy for Certain Reporting Defaults”; |
• | mature on May 1, 2030, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted; |
• | be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations), at our option, at any time, and from time to time, on or after May 1, 2028 and on or before the 25th “scheduled trading day” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) immediately before the maturity date at a cash redemption price equal to the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of noteholders on a regular record date to receive the related interest payment), but only if certain conditions are satisfied, as described below under the caption “—Optional Redemption”; |
• | be subject to repurchase by us at the noteholders’ option if a “fundamental change” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) occurs, at a cash repurchase price equal to the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date (subject to the right of noteholders on a regular record date to receive the related interest payment), as described, and subject to the limited exception set forth, below under the caption “—Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes”; |
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• | be convertible, at the noteholders’ option, into cash, shares of our class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our class A common stock (together with cash in lieu of any fractional share, if applicable), at our election, based on an initial conversion rate of shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $ per share), under the conditions, and subject to the adjustments, described below under the caption “—Conversion Rights”; |
• | be issued in principal amount denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, which we refer to as an “authorized denomination”; and |
• | initially be represented by one or more registered notes in global form, but may, in certain circumstances, be exchanged for notes in definitive form, as described below under the caption “—Book Entry, Settlement and Clearance.” |
The indenture will not contain any financial covenants and will not limit us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional indebtedness, paying dividends or issuing or repurchasing any securities. Except to the extent described below under the captions “—Conversion Rights—Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change,” “—Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes” and “—Consolidation, Merger and Asset Sale,” the indenture will not contain any provisions designed to protect noteholders upon a highly leveraged transaction involving us or a decline in our credit rating as a result of a recapitalization, takeover, highly leveraged transaction or other restructuring involving us.
Without the consent of any noteholder, we may issue additional notes under the indenture with the same terms as the notes we are offering (except for certain differences, such as the date as of which interest begins to accrue on, and the first interest payment date for, such additional notes). However, such additional notes must be identified by a separate CUSIP number or by no CUSIP number if they are not fungible, for U.S. federal income tax or federal securities laws purposes, with other notes we issue under the indenture. Any resale of notes that we repurchase as described and subject to the conditions set forth below will be deemed to be an “issuance” of notes for purposes of the foregoing.
We do not intend to list the notes on any securities exchange or include them in any automated inter-dealer quotation system.
Absent manifest error, a person in whose name a note is registered on the registrar’s books will be considered to be the holder of that note for all purposes, and only registered noteholders (which, in the case of notes held through DTC, will initially be DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co.) will have rights under the indenture as noteholders.
Subject to applicable law, we or our subsidiaries may directly or indirectly repurchase notes in the open market or otherwise, whether through private or public tender or exchange offers, cash-settled swaps or other cash-settled derivatives. Any notes that we or our subsidiaries may repurchase will be considered outstanding for all purposes under the indenture (other than, at any time when such notes are held by us, any of our subsidiaries or affiliates or any subsidiary of any of our affiliates, for the purpose of determining whether holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of notes have concurred in any direction, consent, waiver or other action under the indenture) unless and until such time we surrender the notes to the trustee for cancellation and, upon receipt of a written order from us, the trustee will cancel all notes so surrendered.
Payments on the Notes
For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “—Payments on the Notes” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities—Payments.”
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We will pay (or cause the paying agent to pay) the principal of, and interest on, any global note by wire transfer of immediately available funds. We will pay (or cause the paying agent to pay) the principal of, and interest on, any physical note as follows:
• | if the principal amount of such note is at least $5.0 million (or such lower amount as we may choose in our sole and absolute discretion) and the holder of such note entitled to such payment has delivered to the paying agent or the trustee, no later than the time set forth below, a written request to receive payment by wire transfer to an account of such holder within the United States, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account; and |
• | in all other cases, by check mailed to the address of such holder set forth in the note register. |
To be timely, a written request referred to in the first bullet point above must be delivered no later than the “close of business” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) on the following date: (i) with respect to the payment of any interest due on an interest payment date, the immediately preceding regular record date; and (ii) with respect to any other payment, the date that is 15 calendar days immediately before the date such payment is due.
If the due date for a payment on a note is not a “business day” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”), then such payment may be made on the immediately following business day and no interest will accrue on such payment as a result of the related delay. Solely for purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, a day on which the applicable place of payment is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed will be deemed not to be a “business day.”
Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent
For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “—Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities—Paying Agents.”
We will maintain one or more offices or agencies in the continental United States where notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange, payment and conversion, which we refer to as the “registrar,” “paying agent” and “conversion agent,” respectively. We have appointed the trustee as the initial registrar, paying agent and conversion agent and its office in the United States as a place where notes may be presented for payment. However, we may change the registrar, paying agent and conversion agent, and we or any of our subsidiaries may choose to act in that capacity as well, without prior notice to the noteholders.
Transfers and Exchanges
For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “—Transfers and Exchanges” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities—Form, Exchange and Transfer.”
A noteholder may transfer or exchange its notes at the office of the registrar in accordance with the indenture. We, the trustee and the registrar may require the noteholder to, among other things, deliver appropriate endorsements or transfer instruments, and such certificates or other documentation or evidence as we or they may reasonably require to determine that such transfer or exchange complies with applicable securities laws. We, the trustee and the registrar may refuse to register the transfer or exchange of any note that is subject to conversion, redemption or required repurchase.
We have appointed the trustee’s office in the United States as a place where notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange. However, we may change the registrar or act as the registrar ourselves without prior notice to the noteholders.
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Interest
The notes will bear cash interest at an annual rate of % (which we refer to as the “stated interest”), payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2025, to the noteholders of record of the notes as of the close of business on the immediately preceding April 15 and October 15, respectively. Interest will accrue from, and including, the last date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for (or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from, and including, the date the notes are initially issued) to, but excluding, the next interest payment date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
In addition to the stated interest on the notes referred to above, special interest will accrue on the notes in the circumstances described below under the caption “—Events of Default—Special Interest as Sole Remedy for Certain Reporting Defaults.” All references in this prospectus supplement to interest on the notes include any special interest and default interest (as described below under the caption “—Events of Default—Default Interest”) payable on the notes, unless the context requires otherwise.
If the first date on which any special interest begins to accrue on any global note is on or after the fifth business day before a regular record date and before the next interest payment date, then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the amount thereof accruing in respect of the period from, and including, such first date to, but excluding, such interest payment date will not be payable on such interest payment date but will instead be deemed to accrue (without duplication) entirely on such interest payment date (and, for the avoidance of doubt, no interest will accrue as a result of the related delay).
Ranking
The notes will be our senior, unsecured obligations and will be:
• | equal in right of payment with our existing and future senior, unsecured indebtedness; |
• | senior in right of payment to our existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the notes; |
• | effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness; and |
• | structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, and (to the extent we are not a holder thereof) preferred equity, if any, of our subsidiaries. |
The indenture will not prohibit us from incurring additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, which would be effectively senior to the notes to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness, or indebtedness that would rank equal in right of payment with the notes. The indenture will also not prohibit our subsidiaries from incurring any additional indebtedness or other liabilities that would be structurally senior to our obligations under the notes.
In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, our assets that secure any indebtedness will not be available to make payments under the notes unless all of that indebtedness is first paid in full. In the event of the bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up of any of our subsidiaries, we, as a common equity holder of that subsidiary, and, therefore, the noteholders, will rank behind that subsidiary’s creditors, including that subsidiary’s trade creditors, and (to the extent we are not a holder thereof) that subsidiary’s preferred equity holders. Even if we were a creditor of any of our subsidiaries, our rights as a creditor would be effectively subordinated to any security interest of others in the assets of that subsidiary, to the extent of the value of those assets, and would be subordinated to any indebtedness of that subsidiary that is senior in right of payment to that held by us.
Our subsidiaries will have no obligations under the notes. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments to us is restricted by, among other things, corporate and other laws, the agreements
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governing our existing revolving credit facility and term loan and by other agreements to which our subsidiaries may become a party. For example, we expect to fund payments due on the notes from corresponding payments due to us under the intercompany convertible note to be issued by Solaris LLC to us. Each of our Term Loan Agreement and Revolving Credit Facility will prohibit Solaris LLC from making payments to us under the intercompany convertible note except to provide for regularly scheduled interest payments, provided no events of default exists under the Term Loan Agreement or Revolving Credit Facility, as applicable, or would result therefrom, and except for certain other payments in equity interests. Accordingly, we may not have access to funds from Solaris LLC to repurchase the notes for cash following a fundamental change or to pay any cash amounts due upon conversion of the notes. We may seek to obtain a waiver under the Term Loan Agreement and Revolving Credit Facility to permit these payments, but we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such a waiver. Accordingly, we may be unable to gain access to the cash flow or assets of our subsidiaries to enable us to make payments on the notes.
As of December 31, 2024, on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to this offering, excluding our subsidiaries, we would have had $110.0 million (or, if the underwriters fully exercise their option to purchase additional notes, $125.0 million) principal amount of indebtedness for borrowed money, consisting only of the notes, and our subsidiaries would have had approximately $378.8 million of liabilities, excluding intercompany indebtedness.
See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Notes and This Offering—The notes will be effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured indebtedness and structurally subordinated to the liabilities of our subsidiaries.”
Optional Redemption
For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “—Optional Redemption” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities—Redemption or Repayment.”
We may not redeem the notes at our option at any time before May 1, 2028. Subject to the terms of the indenture, we have the right, at our election, to redeem all, or any portion in an authorized denomination, of the notes, at any time, and from time to time, on a redemption date on or after May 1, 2028 and on or before the 25th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, for cash, but only if the “last reported sale price” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) per share of our class A common stock exceeds 130% of the “conversion price” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) on (i) each of at least 20 “trading days” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”), whether or not consecutive, during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date we send the related redemption notice; and (ii) the trading day immediately before the date we send such notice. However, we will not call less than all of the outstanding notes for redemption unless the excess of the principal amount of notes outstanding as of the time we send the related redemption notice over the aggregate principal amount of notes set forth in such redemption notice as being subject to redemption is at least $100.0 million. In addition, calling any note for redemption will constitute a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) with respect to that note, in which case the conversion rate applicable to the conversion of that note will be increased in certain circumstances if it is converted after it is called for redemption. If we elect to redeem less than all of the outstanding notes, then the redemption will not constitute a make-whole fundamental change with respect to the notes not called for redemption, and holders of the notes not called for redemption will not be entitled to an increased conversion rate for such notes as described above on account of the redemption, except to the limited extent described further below.
The redemption date will be a business day of our choosing that is no more than 50, nor less than 30, scheduled trading days after the date we send the related redemption notice, as described below. However, if, in accordance with the provisions described below under the caption “—Conversion Rights—Settlement Upon Conversion—Settlement Method,” we elect to settle all conversions with a conversion date that occurs on or after the date we send such redemption notice and on or before the second business day immediately before the related redemption
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date by physical settlement, then we may instead elect to choose a redemption date that is a business day no more than 60, nor less than 15, calendar days after the date we send such redemption notice.
The redemption price for any note called for redemption will be the principal amount of such note plus accrued and unpaid interest on such note to, but excluding, the redemption date. However, if the redemption date is after a regular record date and on or before the next interest payment date, then (i) the holder of such note at the close of business on such regular record date will be entitled, notwithstanding such redemption, to receive, on or, at our election, before such interest payment date, the unpaid interest that would have accrued on such note to, but excluding, such interest payment date; and (ii) the redemption price will not include accrued and unpaid interest on such note to, but excluding, such redemption date.
We will send to each applicable noteholder notice of the redemption containing certain information set forth in the indenture, including the redemption price and the redemption date. Substantially contemporaneously, we will issue a press release through such national newswire service as we then use (or publish the same through such other widely disseminated public medium as we then use, including our website) containing the information set forth in the redemption notice.
If only a portion of a note is subject to redemption and that note is converted in part, then the converted portion of that note will be deemed to be from the portion of that note that was subject to redemption.
If we elect to redeem less than all of the outstanding notes, and the holder of any note, or any owner of a beneficial interest in any global note, is reasonably not able to determine, before the close of business on the 27th scheduled trading day (or, if, as described above, we irrevocably elect physical settlement for all conversions with a conversion date that occurs on or after the date we send the related redemption notice and on or before the second business day immediately before the related redemption date, the 10th calendar day) immediately before the relevant redemption date, whether such note or beneficial interest, as applicable, is to be redeemed pursuant to such redemption, then such holder or owner, as applicable, will be entitled to convert such note or beneficial interest, as applicable, at any time before the close of business on the second business day immediately before such redemption date, and each such conversion will be deemed to be of a note called for redemption for purposes of these redemption provisions and the provisions described below under the captions “—Conversion Rights—When the Notes May Be Converted—Conversion Upon Redemption” and “—Conversion Rights—Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change.”
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, we may not redeem any notes if the principal amount of the notes has been accelerated and such acceleration has not been rescinded on or before the redemption date (including a rescission as a result of the payment of the related redemption price and any related interest described above on the redemption date).
Conversion Rights
Generally
Noteholders will have the right to convert their notes (or any portion of a note in an authorized denomination), in the circumstances described below, into cash, shares of our class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our class A common stock (together with cash in lieu of any fractional share, if applicable), at our election, based on an initial conversion rate of shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes (which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $ per share).
Noteholders may convert their notes only in the circumstances described below under the caption “—When the Notes May Be Converted.”
Treatment of Interest Upon Conversion
We will not adjust the conversion rate to account for any accrued and unpaid interest on any note being converted, and, except as described below, our delivery of the consideration due in respect of the conversion will
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be deemed to fully satisfy and discharge our obligation to pay the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, such note to, but excluding, the “conversion date” (as defined below under the caption “—Conversion Procedures”). As a result, except as described below, any accrued and unpaid interest on a converted note will be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. In addition, if the consideration due upon conversion consists of both cash and shares of our class A common stock, then accrued and unpaid interest that is deemed to be paid therewith will be deemed to be paid first out of such cash.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, if the conversion date of a note is after a regular record date and before the next interest payment date, then:
• | the holder of such note at the close of business on such regular record date will be entitled, notwithstanding such conversion, to receive, on or, at our election, before such interest payment date, the unpaid interest that would have accrued on such note to, but excluding, such interest payment date; and |
• | the noteholder surrendering such note for conversion must deliver, at the time it surrenders such note, an amount of cash equal to the amount of such interest. |
However, such noteholder need not deliver such cash:
• | if we have specified a redemption date that is after such regular record date and on or before the second business day immediately after such interest payment date; |
• | if such conversion date occurs after the regular record date immediately before the maturity date; |
• | if we have specified a “fundamental change repurchase date” (as defined below under the caption “—Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes”) that is after such regular record date and on or before the business day immediately after such interest payment date; or |
• | to the extent of any special interest, overdue interest or interest that has accrued on any overdue interest. |
Accordingly, for the avoidance of doubt, all noteholders as of the close of business on the regular record date immediately before the maturity date will receive the full interest payment that would have been due on the maturity date regardless of whether their notes have been converted after such regular record date.
When the Notes May Be Converted
Noteholders may convert their notes only in the circumstances set forth below. However, in no event may notes be converted after the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date.
Conversion Upon Satisfaction of Class A Common Stock Sale Price Condition
A noteholder may convert its notes during any calendar quarter (and only during such calendar quarter) commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2025, if the last reported sale price per share of our class A common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price for each of at least 20 trading days, whether or not consecutive, during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter.
Conversion Upon Satisfaction of Note Trading Price Condition
A noteholder may convert its notes during the five consecutive business days immediately after any 10 consecutive trading day period (such 10 consecutive trading day period, the “measurement period”) if the “trading price” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) per $1,000 principal amount of notes, as
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determined following a request by a noteholder in accordance with the procedures described below, for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our class A common stock on such trading day and the conversion rate on such trading day. We refer to this condition as the “trading price condition.”
The trading price will be determined by the bid solicitation agent as described below and in the definition of “trading price.” The bid solicitation agent (if not us) will have no obligation to determine the trading price of the notes unless we have requested such determination in writing, and we will have no obligation to make such request (or seek bids ourselves) unless a noteholder provides us with reasonable evidence that the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes would be less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our class A common stock and the conversion rate. If a noteholder provides such evidence, then we will instruct the bid solicitation agent to (or, if we are acting as the bid solicitation agent, we will) determine the trading price of the notes beginning on the next trading day and on each successive trading day until the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our class A common stock on such trading day and the conversion rate on such trading day. If the trading price condition has been met as described above, then we will notify the noteholders of the same. If, on any trading day after the trading price condition has been met as described above, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our class A common stock on such trading day and the conversion rate on such trading day, then we will notify the noteholders of the same.
We will act as the initial bid solicitation agent. However, we may change the bid solicitation agent, and we may appoint any of our subsidiaries to act in that capacity as well, without prior notice to the noteholders.
Conversion Upon Specified Corporate Events
Certain Distributions
If, before February 1, 2030, we elect to:
• | distribute, to all or substantially all holders of our class A common stock, any rights, options or warrants (other than rights issued pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, so long as such rights have not separated from our class A common stock and are not exercisable until the occurrence of a triggering event, except that such rights will be deemed to be distributed under this bullet point upon their separation from our class A common stock or upon the occurrence of such triggering event) entitling them, for a period of not more than 60 calendar days after the record date of such distribution, to subscribe for or purchase shares of our class A common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our class A common stock for the 10 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date such distribution is announced (determined in accordance with the provisions described in the third paragraph of clause (2) under the heading “—Conversion Rate Adjustments—Generally” below); or |
• | distribute, to all or substantially all holders of our class A common stock, assets or securities of ours or rights to purchase our securities, which distribution per share of our class A common stock has a value, as reasonably determined by us in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, exceeding 15% of the last reported sale price per share of our class A common stock on the trading day immediately before the date such distribution is announced, |
then, in either case, we will send notice of such distribution, and of the related right to convert notes, to noteholders at least 30 scheduled trading days before the “ex-dividend date” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) for such distribution (or, if later in the case of any such separation of rights issued pursuant to a stockholder rights plan or the occurrence of any such triggering event under a stockholder rights plan, as soon as reasonably practicable after we become aware that such separation or triggering event has occurred or will
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occur). However, if we are then otherwise permitted to settle conversions by physical settlement (and, for the avoidance of doubt, we have not elected another settlement method to apply, including pursuant to the provision described in the third sentence under the caption “—Settlement Upon Conversion—Settlement Method” below), then we may instead elect to provide such notice at least 10 scheduled trading days before such ex-dividend date. In that event, we will be required to settle all conversions with a conversion date occurring on or after the date we provide such notice and on or before the business day immediately before the ex-dividend date for such distribution (or any earlier announcement by us that such distribution will not take place) by physical settlement, and we will describe the same in the notice. Once we have sent such notice, noteholders may convert their notes at any time until the earlier of the close of business on the business day immediately before such ex-dividend date and our announcement that such distribution will not take place. However, the notes will not become convertible on account of such distribution (but we will still be required to send notice of such distribution as described above) if each noteholder participates, at the same time and on the same terms as holders of our class A common stock, and solely by virtue of being a noteholder, in such distribution without having to convert such noteholder’s notes and as if such noteholder held a number of shares of our class A common stock equal to the product of (i) the conversion rate in effect on the record date for such distribution; and (ii) the aggregate principal amount (expressed in thousands) of notes held by such noteholder on such record date.
Certain Corporate Events
If a fundamental change, make-whole fundamental change (other than a make-whole fundamental change pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition thereof) or “common stock change event” (as defined below under the caption “—Effect of Class A Common Stock Change Event”) occurs (other than a merger or other business combination transaction that is effected solely to change our jurisdiction of incorporation and that does not constitute a fundamental change or a make-whole fundamental change), then, in each case, noteholders may convert their notes at any time from, and including, the effective date of such transaction or event to, and including, the 35th trading day after such effective date (or, if such transaction or event also constitutes a fundamental change (other than an “exempted fundamental change,” as defined below under the caption “—Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes—No Repurchase Right in Certain Circumstances”), to, but excluding, the related fundamental change repurchase date). No later than the second business day after such effective date, we will send notice to the noteholders of such transaction or event, such effective date and the related right to convert notes. If we do not provide such notice by the effective date, then the last day on which the notes are convertible will be extended by the number of business days from, and including, the effective date to, but excluding, the date we provide the notice.
Conversion Upon Redemption
If we call any note for redemption, then the holder of such note may convert such note at any time before the close of business on the second business day immediately before the related redemption date (or, if we fail to pay the redemption price due on such redemption date in full, at any time until such time as we pay such redemption price in full).
Conversions During Free Convertibility Period
A noteholder may convert its notes at any time from, and including, February 1, 2030 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date.
Conversion Procedures
To convert a beneficial interest in a global note, the owner of the beneficial interest must:
• | comply with the “depositary procedures” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) for converting the beneficial interest (at which time such conversion will become irrevocable); |
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• | if applicable, pay any interest payable on the next interest payment date, as described above under the caption “—Treatment of Interest Upon Conversion”; and |
• | if applicable, pay any documentary or other taxes as described below. |
To convert all or a portion of a physical note, the holder of such note must:
• | complete, manually sign and deliver to the conversion agent the conversion notice attached to such note or a facsimile of such conversion notice; |
• | deliver such note to the conversion agent (at which time such conversion will become irrevocable); |
• | furnish any endorsements and transfer documents that we or the conversion agent may require; |
• | if applicable, pay any interest payable on the next interest payment date, as described above under the caption “—Treatment of Interest Upon Conversion”; and |
• | if applicable, pay any documentary or other taxes as described below. |
Notes may be surrendered for conversion only after the “open of business” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) and before the close of business on a day that is a business day.
We will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or duty due on the issue or delivery of any shares of our class A common stock upon conversion, except any tax or duty that is due because the converting noteholder requests those shares to be registered in a name other than the noteholder’s name.
We refer to the first business day on which the requirements described above to convert a note are satisfied as the “conversion date,” subject to the provision described in the last sentence under the caption “—Settlement Upon Conversion—Delivery of the Conversion Consideration.”
If a noteholder has validly delivered a “fundamental change repurchase notice” (as defined below under the caption “—Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes”) with respect to a note, then such note may not be converted, except to the extent (i) such notice is withdrawn in accordance with the procedures described below; or (ii) we fail to pay the related fundamental change repurchase price for such note.
Settlement Upon Conversion
Generally
Upon conversion, we may choose to pay or deliver, as applicable, either cash (“cash settlement”), shares of our class A common stock (“physical settlement”) or a combination of cash and shares of our class A common stock (“combination settlement”), as described below. We refer to each of these settlement methods as a “settlement method.” If cash settlement or combination settlement applies to a conversion, then the consideration due will be determined over an “observation period” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) consisting of 25 “VWAP trading days” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”).
Settlement Method
We will have the right, as described below, to elect the settlement method applicable to the conversion of any notes. Except as described below, we must use the same settlement method for all conversions with the same conversion date, but we will not be obligated to use the same settlement method for conversions with different conversion dates. All conversions with a conversion date that occurs on or after February 1, 2030 will be settled using the same settlement method, and we will send notice of such settlement method to noteholders no later than the open of business on February 1, 2030. If we elect a settlement method for a conversion with a conversion
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date that occurs before February 1, 2030, then we will send notice of such settlement method to the converting noteholder no later than the close of business on the business day immediately after the conversion date. However, as described above under the captions “—Optional Redemption” and “—When the Notes May Be Converted—Conversion Upon Specified Corporate Events—Certain Distributions,” we may in certain circumstances elect that physical settlement apply to all conversions with a conversion date occurring during the periods referred to under those captions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary described above, if we call any notes for redemption, then (i) we will specify in the related redemption notice (and, in the case of a redemption of less than all outstanding notes, in a notice simultaneously sent to all holders of notes not called for redemption) the settlement method that will apply to all conversions with a conversion date that occurs on or after the date we send such redemption notice and on or before the second business day before the related redemption date; and (ii) if the related redemption date is on or after February 1, 2030, then such settlement method must be the same settlement method that applies to all conversions with a conversion date that occurs on or after February 1, 2030.
If we do not timely elect a settlement method with respect to any conversion, then we will be deemed to have elected the “default settlement method” (as defined below). If we timely elect combination settlement with respect to a conversion but do not timely notify the converting noteholder of the applicable “specified dollar amount” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”), then the specified dollar amount for such conversion will be deemed to be $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of notes. For the avoidance of doubt, our failure to timely elect a settlement method or specify the applicable specified dollar amount will not constitute a default under the indenture.
The “default settlement method” will initially be physical settlement. However, we may, from time to time, change the default settlement method by sending notice of the new default settlement method to the noteholders. In addition, we may, by notice to the noteholders, irrevocably fix the settlement method, to any settlement method that we are then permitted to elect, that will apply to all note conversions with a conversion date that is on or after the date we send such notice. For the avoidance of doubt, such an irrevocable election, if made, will be effective without the need to amend the indenture or the notes, including pursuant to the provisions described in the seventh bullet point of the third paragraph under the caption “—Modification and Amendment” below. However, we may nonetheless choose to execute such an amendment at our option.
Consideration Due Upon Conversion
The consideration due upon conversion of each $1,000 principal amount of a note will be as follows:
• | if physical settlement applies, a number of shares of our class A common stock equal to the conversion rate in effect on the conversion date for such conversion; |
• | if cash settlement applies, cash in an amount equal to the sum of the “daily conversion values” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) for each VWAP trading day in the observation period for such conversion; or |
• | if combination settlement applies, (i) a number of shares of our class A common stock equal to the sum of the “daily share amounts” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) for each VWAP trading day in the observation period for such conversion; and (ii) an amount of cash equal to the sum of the “daily cash amounts” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) for each VWAP trading day in such observation period. |
However, in lieu of delivering any fractional share of our class A common stock otherwise due upon conversion, we will pay cash based on (i) the daily VWAP on the applicable conversion date (or, if such conversion date is not a VWAP trading day, the immediately preceding VWAP trading day), in the case of physical settlement; or (ii) the daily VWAP on the last VWAP trading day of the applicable observation period, in the case of combination settlement.
If a noteholder converts more than one note on a conversion date, then the consideration due upon such conversion will (in the case of any global note, to the extent permitted by, and practicable under, the depositary
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procedures) be computed based on the total principal amount of notes converted on such conversion date by that noteholder.
Delivery of the Conversion Consideration
Except as described below under the captions “—Conversion Rate Adjustments” and “—Effect of Class A Common Stock Change Event,” we will pay or deliver, as applicable, the consideration due upon conversion as follows: (i) if cash settlement or combination settlement applies, on the second business day immediately after the last VWAP trading day of the observation period for such conversion; and (ii) if physical settlement applies, on the second business day immediately after the conversion date for such conversion. However, if physical settlement applies to the conversion of any note with a conversion date that is after the regular record date immediately before the maturity date, then, solely for purposes of such conversion, we will pay or deliver, as applicable, the consideration due upon such conversion on the maturity date (or, if the maturity date is not a business day, the next business day) and the conversion date will instead be deemed to be the second business day immediately before the maturity date.
When Converting Noteholders Become Stockholders of Record
The person in whose name any share of our class A common stock is issuable upon conversion of any note will be deemed to become the holder of record of that share as of the close of business on (i) the conversion date for such conversion, in the case of physical settlement; or (ii) the last VWAP trading day of the observation period for such conversion, in the case of combination settlement.
Conversion Rate Adjustments
Generally
The conversion rate will be adjusted for the events described below. However, we are not required to adjust the conversion rate for these events (other than a stock split or combination or a tender or exchange offer) if each noteholder participates, at the same time and on the same terms as holders of our class A common stock, and solely by virtue of being a holder of notes, in such transaction or event without having to convert such noteholder’s notes and as if such noteholder held a number of shares of our class A common stock equal to the product of (i) the conversion rate in effect on the related record date; and (ii) the aggregate principal amount (expressed in thousands) of notes held by such noteholder on such date.
(1) | Stock Dividends, Splits and Combinations. If we issue solely shares of our class A common stock as a dividend or distribution on all or substantially all shares of our class A common stock, or if we effect a stock split or a stock combination of our class A common stock (in each case excluding an issuance solely pursuant to a common stock change event, as to which the provisions described below under the caption “—Effect of Class A Common Stock Change Event” will apply), then the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following formula: |
CR1 = CR0 |
× |
OS1 | ||
OS0 |
where:
CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately before the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately before the open of business on the effective date of such stock split or stock combination, as applicable; | ||
CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date or effective date, as applicable; |
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OS0 | = | the number of shares of our class A common stock outstanding immediately before the open of business on such ex-dividend date or effective date, as applicable, without giving effect to such dividend, distribution, stock split or stock combination; and | ||
OS1 | = | the number of shares of our class A common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, stock split or stock combination. |
If any dividend, distribution, stock split or stock combination of the type described in this paragraph (1) is declared or announced, but not so paid or made, then the conversion rate will be readjusted, effective as of the date our board of directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution or to effect such stock split or stock combination, to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had such dividend, distribution, stock split or stock combination not been declared or announced.
(2) | Rights, Options and Warrants. If we distribute, to all or substantially all holders of our class A common stock, rights, options or warrants (other than rights issued or otherwise distributed pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, as to which the provisions described below in paragraph (3)(a) and under the caption “—Stockholder Rights Plans” will apply) entitling such holders, for a period of not more than 60 calendar days after the record date of such distribution, to subscribe for or purchase shares of our class A common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our class A common stock for the 10 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date such distribution is announced, then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula: |
CR1 = CR0 |
× |
OS+X | ||
OS+Y |
where:
CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately before the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution; | ||
CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date; | ||
OS | = | the number of shares of our class A common stock outstanding immediately before the open of business on such ex-dividend date; | ||
X | = | the total number of shares of our class A common stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and | ||
Y | = | a number of shares of our class A common stock obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants by (y) the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our class A common stock for the 10 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date such distribution is announced. |
To the extent such rights, options or warrants are not so distributed, the conversion rate will be readjusted to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the increase to the conversion rate for such distribution been made on the basis of only the rights, options or warrants, if any, actually distributed. In addition, to the extent that shares of our class A common stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants (including as a result of such rights, options or warrants not being exercised), the conversion rate will be readjusted to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the increase to the conversion rate for such distribution been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of our class A common stock actually delivered upon exercise of such rights, options or warrants.
For purposes of this paragraph (2) and the provisions described above under the caption “—When the Notes May Be Converted—Conversion Upon Specified Corporate Events—Certain Distributions,” in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle holders of our class A common stock to subscribe for or
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purchase shares of our class A common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our class A common stock for the 10 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date the distribution of such rights, options or warrants is announced, and in determining the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, there will be taken into account any consideration we receive for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise thereof, with the value of such consideration, if not cash, to be determined by us in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner.
(3) | Spin-Offs and Other Distributed Property. |
(a) | Distributions Other Than Spin-Offs. If we distribute shares of our “capital stock” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”), evidences of our indebtedness or other assets or property of ours, or rights, options or warrants to acquire our capital stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of our class A common stock, excluding: |
• | dividends, distributions, rights, options or warrants for which an adjustment to the conversion rate is required (or would be required without regard to the “deferral exception” (as defined below under the caption “—The Deferral Exception”)) pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) above; |
• | dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash for which an adjustment to the conversion rate is required (or would be required assuming the dividend threshold were zero and without regard to the deferral exception) pursuant to paragraph (4) below; |
• | rights issued or otherwise distributed pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, except to the extent provided below under the caption “—Stockholder Rights Plans”; |
• | spin-offs for which an adjustment to the conversion rate is required (or would be required without regard to the deferral exception) pursuant to paragraph (3)(b) below; |
• | a distribution solely pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer for shares of our class A common stock, as to which the provisions described below in paragraph (5) will apply; and |
• | a distribution solely pursuant to a common stock change event, as to which the provisions described below under the caption “—Effect of Class A Common Stock Change Event” will apply, then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula: |
CR1 = CR0 |
× |
SP | ||
SP –FMV |
where:
CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately before the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution; | ||
CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date; | ||
SP | = | the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our class A common stock for the 10 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before such ex-dividend date; and | ||
FMV | = | the fair market value (as determined by us in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner), as of such ex-dividend date, of the shares of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights, options or warrants distributed per share of our class A common stock pursuant to such distribution. |
However, if FMV is equal to or greater than SP, then, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment to the conversion rate, each noteholder will receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of notes held by such noteholder on the record date for such distribution, at the same time and on the same terms as holders of our class A common stock, the amount and kind of shares of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights,
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options or warrants that such noteholder would have received in such distribution if such noteholder had owned, on such record date, a number of shares of our class A common stock equal to the conversion rate in effect on such record date.
To the extent such distribution is not so paid or made, the conversion rate will be readjusted to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the adjustment been made on the basis of only the distribution, if any, actually made or paid.
(b) | Spin-Offs. If we distribute or dividend shares of capital stock of any class or series, or similar equity interests, of or relating to an “affiliate” or “subsidiary” (as those terms are defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) or other business unit of ours to all or substantially all holders of our class A common stock (other than solely pursuant to (x) a class A common stock change event, as to which the provisions described below under the caption “—Effect of Class A Common Stock Change Event” will apply; or (y) a tender offer or exchange offer for shares of our class A common stock, as to which the provisions described below in paragraph (5) will apply), and such capital stock or equity interests are listed or quoted (or will be listed or quoted upon the consummation of the transaction) on a U.S. national securities exchange (a “spin-off”), then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula: |
CR1 = CR0 |
× |
FMV+SP | ||
SP |
where:
CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately before the close of business on the last trading day of the “spin-off valuation period” (as defined below) for such spin-off; | ||
CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the last trading day of the spin-off valuation period; | ||
FMV | = | the product of (x) the average of the last reported sale prices per share or unit of the capital stock or equity interests distributed in such spin-off over the 10 consecutive trading day period (the “spin-off valuation period”) beginning on, and including, the ex-dividend date for such spin-off (such average to be determined as if references to our class A common stock in the definitions of “last reported sale price,” “trading day” and “market disruption event” were instead references to such capital stock or equity interests); and (y) the number of shares or units of such capital stock or equity interests distributed per share of our class A common stock in such spin-off; and | ||
SP | = | the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our class A common stock for each trading day in the spin-off valuation period. |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, (i) if any VWAP trading day of the observation period for a note whose conversion will be settled pursuant to cash settlement or combination settlement occurs during the spin-off valuation period for such spin-off, then, solely for purposes of determining the conversion rate for such VWAP trading day for such conversion, such spin-off valuation period will be deemed to consist of the trading days occurring in the period from, and including, the ex-dividend date for such spin-off to, and including, such VWAP trading day; and (ii) if the conversion date for a note whose conversion will be settled pursuant to physical settlement occurs during the spin-off valuation period for such spin-off, then, solely for purposes of determining the consideration due in respect of such conversion, such spin-off valuation period will be deemed to consist of the trading days occurring in the period from, and including, the ex-dividend date for such spin-off to, and including, such conversion date.
To the extent any dividend or distribution of the type described above in this paragraph (3)(b) is declared but not made or paid, the conversion rate will be readjusted to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the adjustment been made on the basis of only the dividend or distribution, if any, actually made or paid.
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(4) | Cash Dividends or Distributions. If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of our class A common stock (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend that does not exceed the “dividend threshold” (as defined below) per share of our class A common stock), then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula: |
CR1 = CR0 |
× |
SP – T | ||
SP – D |
where:
CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately before the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution; | ||
CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date; | ||
SP | = | the last reported sale price per share of our class A common stock on the trading day immediately before such ex-dividend date; | ||
T | = | an amount (subject to the proviso below, the “dividend threshold”) initially equal to $0.12 per share of our class A common stock; provided, however, that (x) if such dividend or distribution is not a regular quarterly cash dividend on our class A common stock, then T will be deemed to be zero per share of our class A common stock with respect to such dividend or distribution; and (y) the dividend threshold will be adjusted in the same manner as, and at the same time and for the same events for which, the conversion price is adjusted as a result of the operation of paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) above and paragraph (5) below; and | ||
D | = | the cash amount distributed per share of our class A common stock in such dividend or distribution. |
However, if D is equal to or greater than SP, then, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment to the conversion rate, each noteholder will receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of notes held by such noteholder on the record date for such dividend or distribution, at the same time and on the same terms as holders of our class A common stock, the amount of cash that such noteholder would have received in such dividend or distribution if such noteholder had owned, on such record date, a number of shares of our class A common stock equal to the conversion rate in effect on such record date. To the extent such dividend or distribution is declared but not made or paid, the conversion rate will be readjusted to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the adjustment been made on the basis of only the dividend or distribution, if any, actually made or paid.
(5) | Tender Offers or Exchange Offers. If we or any of our subsidiaries makes a payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer for shares of our class A common stock (other than solely pursuant to an odd-lot tender offer pursuant to Rule 13e-4(h)(5) under the Exchange Act), and the value (determined as of the expiration time by us in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner) of the cash and other consideration paid per share of our class A common stock in such tender or exchange offer exceeds the last reported sale price per share of our class A common stock on the trading day immediately after the last date (the “expiration date”) on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (as it may be amended), then the conversion rate will be increased based on the following formula: |
CR1 = CR0 |
× |
AC + (SP×OS1) | ||
SP×OS0 |
where:
CR0 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately before the close of business on the last trading day of the “tender/exchange offer valuation period” (as defined below) for such tender or exchange offer; |
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CR1 | = | the conversion rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the last trading day of the tender/exchange offer valuation period; | ||
AC | = | the aggregate value (determined as of the time (the “expiration time”) such tender or exchange offer expires by us in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner) of all cash and other consideration paid for shares of our class A common stock purchased or exchanged in such tender or exchange offer; | ||
OS0 | = | the number of shares of our class A common stock outstanding immediately before the expiration time (including all shares of our class A common stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); | ||
OS1 | = | the number of shares of our class A common stock outstanding immediately after the expiration time (excluding all shares of our class A common stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and | ||
SP | = | the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our class A common stock over the 10 consecutive trading day period (the “tender/exchange offer valuation period”) beginning on, and including, the trading day immediately after the expiration date; |
provided, however, that the conversion rate will in no event be adjusted down pursuant to the provisions described in this paragraph (5), except to the extent provided in the immediately following paragraph. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, (i) if any VWAP trading day of the observation period for a note whose conversion will be settled pursuant to cash settlement or combination settlement occurs during the tender/exchange offer valuation period for such tender or exchange offer, then, solely for purposes of determining the conversion rate for such VWAP trading day for such conversion, such tender/exchange offer valuation period will be deemed to consist of the trading days occurring in the period from, and including, the trading day immediately after the expiration date for such tender or exchange offer to, and including, such VWAP trading day; and (ii) if the conversion date for a note whose conversion will be settled pursuant to physical settlement occurs during the tender/exchange offer valuation period for such tender or exchange offer, then, solely for purposes of determining the consideration due in respect of such conversion, such tender/exchange offer valuation period will be deemed to consist of the trading days occurring in the period from, and including, the trading day immediately after the expiration date to, and including, such conversion date.
To the extent such tender or exchange offer is announced but not consummated (including as a result of being precluded from consummating such tender or exchange offer under applicable law), or any purchases or exchanges of shares of our class A common stock in such tender or exchange offer are rescinded, the conversion rate will be readjusted to the conversion rate that would then be in effect had the adjustment been made on the basis of only the purchases or exchanges of shares of our class A common stock, if any, actually made, and not rescinded, in such tender or exchange offer.
We will not be required to adjust the conversion rate except as described above or below under the caption “—Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change.” Without limiting the foregoing, we will not be required to adjust the conversion rate on account of:
• | except as described above, the sale of shares of our class A common stock for a purchase price that is less than the market price per share of our class A common stock or less than the conversion price; |
• | the issuance of any shares of our class A common stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on our securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of our class A common stock under any such plan; |
• | the issuance of any shares of our class A common stock or options or rights to purchase shares of our class A common stock pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of, or assumed by, us or any of our subsidiaries; |
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• | the issuance of any shares of our class A common stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or convertible or exchangeable security of ours outstanding as of the date we first issue the notes; |
• | solely a change in the par value of our class A common stock; |
• | the exchange, redemption or conversion of any or all of our class B common stock or Solaris LLC Units into or for class A common stock; or |
• | accrued and unpaid interest on the notes. |
Notice of Conversion Rate Adjustments
Upon the effectiveness of any adjustment to the conversion rate pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “—Conversion Rate Adjustments—Generally,” we will promptly send notice to the noteholders containing (i) a brief description of the transaction or other event on account of which such adjustment was made; (ii) the conversion rate in effect immediately after such adjustment; and (iii) the effective time of such adjustment.
Voluntary Conversion Rate Increases
To the extent permitted by law and applicable stock exchange rules, we, from time to time, may (but are not required to) increase the conversion rate by any amount if (i) our board of directors determines that such increase is in our best interest or that such increase is advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax imposed on holders of our class A common stock or rights to purchase our class A common stock as a result of any dividend or distribution of shares (or rights to acquire shares) of our class A common stock or any similar event; (ii) such increase is in effect for a period of at least 20 business days; and (iii) such increase is irrevocable during such period.
Tax Considerations
A holder or beneficial owner of the notes may, in some circumstances, including a cash distribution or dividend on our class A common stock, be deemed to have received a distribution that is subject to U.S. federal income tax as a result of an adjustment or the non-occurrence of an adjustment to the conversion rate. Applicable withholding taxes (including backup withholding) may be withheld from interest and payments upon conversion, repurchase, redemption or maturity of the notes. In addition, if any withholding taxes (including backup withholding) are paid on behalf of a holder or beneficial owner, then those withholding taxes may be withheld from or set off against payments of cash or the delivery of shares of our class A common stock, if any, in respect of the notes (or, in some circumstances, any payments on our class A common stock) or sales proceeds received by, or other funds or assets of, that holder or beneficial owner. For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an adjustment to the conversion rate, see “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
The Deferral Exception
If an adjustment to the conversion rate otherwise required by the indenture would result in a change of less than 1% to the conversion rate, then we may, at our election, defer such adjustment, except that all such deferred adjustments must be given effect immediately upon the earliest of the following: (i) when all such deferred adjustments would result in a change of at least 1% to the conversion rate; (ii) the conversion date of, or any VWAP trading day of an observation period for, any note; (iii) the date a fundamental change or make-whole fundamental change occurs; (iv) the date we call any notes for redemption; and (v) February 1, 2030. We refer to our ability to defer adjustments as described above as the “deferral exception.”
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Special Provisions for Adjustments that Are Not Yet Effective and Where Converting Noteholders Participate in the Relevant Transaction or Event
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if:
• | a note is to be converted pursuant to physical settlement or combination settlement; |
• | the record date, effective date or expiration time for any event that requires an adjustment to the conversion rate pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “—Conversion Rate Adjustments—Generally” has occurred on or before the conversion date for such conversion (in the case of physical settlement) or on or before any VWAP trading day in the observation period for such conversion (in the case of combination settlement), but an adjustment to the conversion rate for such event has not yet become effective as of such conversion date or VWAP trading day, as applicable; |
• | the consideration due upon such conversion includes any whole shares of our class A common stock (in the case of physical settlement) or due in respect of such VWAP trading day includes any whole or fractional shares of our class A common stock (in the case of combination settlement); and |
• | such shares are not entitled to participate in such event (because they were not held on the related record date or otherwise), |
then, solely for purposes of such conversion, we will, without duplication, give effect to such adjustment on such conversion date (in the case of physical settlement) or such VWAP trading day (in the case of combination settlement). In such case, if the date we are otherwise required to deliver the consideration due upon such conversion is before the first date on which the amount of such adjustment can be determined, then we will delay the settlement of such conversion until the second business day after such first date.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if:
• | a conversion rate adjustment for any dividend or distribution becomes effective on any ex-dividend date pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “—Conversion Rate Adjustments—Generally”; |
• | a note is to be converted pursuant to physical settlement or combination settlement; |
• | the conversion date for such conversion (in the case of physical settlement) or any VWAP trading day in the observation period for such conversion (in the case of combination settlement) occurs on or after such ex-dividend date and on or before the related record date; |
• | the consideration due upon such conversion includes any whole shares of our class A common stock (in the case of physical settlement) or due in respect of such VWAP trading day includes any whole or fractional shares of our class A common stock (in the case of combination settlement), in each case based on a conversion rate that is adjusted for such dividend or distribution; and |
• | such shares would be entitled to participate in such dividend or distribution, |
then:
• | in the case of physical settlement, such conversion rate adjustment will not be given effect for such conversion and the shares of our class A common stock issuable upon such conversion based on such unadjusted conversion rate will not be entitled to participate in such dividend or distribution, but there will be added, without duplication, to the consideration otherwise due upon such conversion, the same kind and amount of consideration that would have been delivered in such dividend or distribution with respect to such shares had such shares been entitled to participate in such dividend or distribution; and |
• | in the case of combination settlement, the conversion rate adjustment relating to such ex-dividend date will be made for such conversion in respect of such VWAP trading day, but the shares of our class A common stock issuable with respect to such VWAP trading day based on such adjusted conversion rate will not be entitled to participate in such dividend or distribution. |
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Stockholder Rights Plans
If any shares of our class A common stock are to be issued upon conversion of any note and, at the time of such conversion, we have in effect any stockholder rights plan, then the holder of that note will be entitled to receive, in addition to, and concurrently with the delivery of, the consideration otherwise due upon such conversion, the rights set forth in such stockholder rights plan, unless such rights have separated from our class A common stock at such time, in which case, and only in such case, the conversion rate will be adjusted pursuant to the provisions described above in paragraph (3)(a) under the caption “—Conversion Rate Adjustments—Generally” on account of such separation as if, at the time of such separation, we had made a distribution of the type referred to in such paragraph to all holders of our class A common stock, subject to readjustment as described above if such rights expire, terminate or are redeemed. We currently do not have a stockholder rights plan in effect.
Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change
Generally
If a make-whole fundamental change occurs and the conversion date for the conversion of a note occurs during the related “make-whole fundamental change conversion period” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”), then, subject to the provisions described below, the conversion rate applicable to such conversion will be increased by a number of shares (the “additional shares”) set forth in the table below corresponding (after interpolation as described below) to the “make-whole fundamental change effective date” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) and the “stock price” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) of such make-whole fundamental change:
Stock Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Make-Whole Fundamental Change Effective Date |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
, 2025 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May 1, 2026 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May 1, 2027 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May 1, 2028 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May 1, 2029 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May 1, 2030 |
If such make-whole fundamental change effective date or stock price is not set forth in the table above, then:
• | if such stock price is between two stock prices in the table above or the make-whole fundamental change effective date is between two dates in the table above, then the number of additional shares will be determined by straight-line interpolation between the numbers of additional shares set forth for the higher and lower stock prices in the table above or the earlier and later dates in the table above, based on a 365- or 366-day year, as applicable; and |
• | if the stock price is greater than $ (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above are adjusted, as described below under the caption “—Adjustment of Stock Prices and Number of Additional Shares”), or less than $ (subject to adjustment in the same manner), per share, then no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate. |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event will the conversion rate be increased to an amount that exceeds shares of our class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which amount is subject to adjustment in the same manner as, and at the same time and for the same events for which, the conversion rate is required to be adjusted pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “—Conversion Rate Adjustments—Generally.”
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For the avoidance of doubt, calling any notes for redemption will constitute a make-whole fundamental change only with respect to the notes called (or deemed called) for redemption, and not with respect to the notes not called (or deemed called) for redemption. Accordingly, if we elect to redeem less than all of the outstanding notes, then holders of the notes not called for redemption will not be entitled to an increased conversion rate for such notes as described above on account of the redemption, except to the limited extent described above under the caption “—Optional Redemption.”
As set forth in the definition of “make-whole fundamental change conversion period” below under the caption “—Definitions,” if the conversion date for the conversion of a note occurs during a make-whole fundamental change conversion period relating to both a make-whole fundamental change resulting from our calling notes for redemption and another make-whole fundamental change, then, solely for purposes of that conversion, such conversion date will be deemed to occur only during the period relating to the make-whole fundamental change with the earlier make-whole fundamental change effective date. In that circumstance, the make-whole fundamental change with the later make-whole fundamental change effective date will be deemed not to occur for purposes of such conversion.
Adjustment of Stock Prices and Number of Additional Shares
The stock prices in the first row (i.e., the column headers) of the table above will be adjusted in the same manner as, and at the same time and for the same events for which, the conversion price is adjusted as a result of the operation of the provisions described above under the caption “—Conversion Rate Adjustments—Generally.” The numbers of additional shares in the table above will be adjusted in the same manner as, and at the same time and for the same events for which, the conversion rate is adjusted pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “—Conversion Rate Adjustments—Generally.”
Notice of Make-Whole Fundamental Change
We will notify noteholders of each make-whole fundamental change in accordance with the provisions described above under the captions “—When the Notes May Be Converted—Conversion Upon Specified Corporate Events—Certain Corporate Events” and “—Optional Redemption.”
Enforceability
Our obligation to increase the conversion rate as described above in connection with a make-whole fundamental change could be considered a penalty, in which case its enforceability would be subject to general principles of reasonableness and equitable remedies.
Effect of Class A Common Stock Change Event
Generally
If there occurs any:
• | recapitalization, reclassification or change of our class A common stock, other than (x) changes solely resulting from a subdivision or combination of our class A common stock, (y) a change only in par value or from par value to no par value or no par value to par value or (z) stock splits and stock combinations that do not involve the issuance of any other series or class of securities; |
• | consolidation, merger, combination or binding or statutory share exchange involving us; |
• | sale, lease or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person; or |
• | other similar event, |
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and, as a result of which, our class A common stock is converted into, or is exchanged for, or represents solely the right to receive, other securities, cash or other property, or any combination of the foregoing (such an event, a “class A common stock change event,” and such other securities, cash or property, the “reference property,” and the amount and kind of reference property that a holder of one share of our class A common stock would be entitled to receive on account of such class A common stock change event (without giving effect to any arrangement not to issue or deliver a fractional portion of any security or other property), a “reference property unit”), then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary,
• | from and after the effective time of such class A common stock change event, (i) the consideration due upon conversion of any note, and the conditions to any such conversion, will be determined in the same manner as if each reference to any number of shares of our class A common stock in the provisions described under this “—Conversion Rights” section (or in any related definitions) were instead a reference to the same number of reference property units; (ii) for purposes of the redemption provisions described above under the caption “—Optional Redemption,” each reference to any number of shares of our class A common stock in such provisions (or in any related definitions) will instead be deemed to be a reference to the same number of reference property units; and (iii) for purposes of the definitions of “fundamental change” and “make-whole fundamental change,” the terms “ “class A common stock” and our “common equity” will be deemed to mean the common equity (including depositary receipts representing common equity), if any, forming part of such reference property; |
• | if such reference property unit consists entirely of cash, then we will be deemed to elect physical settlement in respect of all conversions whose conversion date occurs on or after the effective date of such common stock change event and will pay the cash due upon such conversions no later than the second business day after the relevant conversion date; and |
• | for these purposes, (i) the daily VWAP of any reference property unit or portion thereof that consists of a class of common equity securities will be determined by reference to the definition of “daily VWAP,” substituting, if applicable, the Bloomberg page for such class of securities in such definition; and (ii) the daily VWAP of any reference property unit or portion thereof that does not consist of a class of common equity securities, and the last reported sale price of any reference property unit or portion thereof that does not consist of a class of securities, will be the fair value of such reference property unit or portion thereof, as applicable, determined in good faith by us (or, in the case of cash denominated in U.S. dollars, the face amount thereof). |
If the reference property consists of more than a single type of consideration to be determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election, then the composition of the reference property unit will be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received, per share of our class A common stock, by the holders of our class A common stock. We will notify the noteholders of such weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made.
We will not become a party to any class A common stock change event unless its terms are consistent with the provisions described under this “—Effect of Class A Common Stock Change Event” caption.
For the avoidance of doubt, the exchange, redemption or conversion of any or all of our class B common stock or Solaris LLC Units into or for class A common stock in one or more transactions will not constitute a class A common stock change event.
Execution of Supplemental Indenture
At or before the effective time of the class A common stock change event, we and the resulting, surviving or transferee person (if not us) of such class A common stock change event (the “successor person”) will execute and deliver to the trustee a supplemental indenture that (i) provides for subsequent adjustments to the conversion rate in a manner consistent with the provisions described above (including giving effect, in our reasonable
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discretion, to the dividend threshold in a manner that reflects the nature and value of the reference property unit); and (ii) contains such other provisions, if any, that we reasonably determine are appropriate to preserve the economic interests of the noteholders and to give effect to the provisions described above. If the reference property includes shares of stock or other securities or assets (other than cash) of a person other than the successor person, then such other person will also execute such supplemental indenture and such supplemental indenture will contain such additional provisions, if any, that we reasonably determine are appropriate to preserve the economic interests of noteholders.
Notice of Class A Common Stock Change Event
We will provide notice of each class A common stock change event to noteholders no later than the second business day after the effective date of the class A common stock change event.
Exchange in Lieu of Conversion
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, and subject to the terms of the indenture, if a note is submitted for conversion, we may elect to arrange to have such note exchanged in lieu of conversion by a financial institution we designate. To make such election, we must send notice of such election to the holder of such note before the close of business on the business day immediately following the conversion date for such note, and we must arrange for the financial institution to deliver the consideration due upon such conversion in the same manner and at the same time as we would have been required to do so. We will remain responsible to deliver such consideration if the financial institution fails to timely deliver the same.
Equitable Adjustments to Prices
Whenever the indenture requires us to calculate the average of the last reported sale prices, or any function thereof, over a period of multiple days (including to calculate the stock price or an adjustment to the conversion rate), or to calculate daily VWAPs over an observation period, we will make proportionate adjustments to those calculations to account for any adjustment to the conversion rate pursuant to paragraph (1) above under the caption “—Conversion Rights—Conversion Rate Adjustments—Generally” that becomes effective, or any event requiring such an adjustment to the conversion rate where the ex-dividend date or effective date, as applicable, of such event occurs, at any time during such period or observation period, as applicable.
Fundamental Change Permits Noteholders to Require Us to Repurchase Notes
Generally
If a fundamental change occurs, then each noteholder will have the right (the “fundamental change repurchase right”) to require us to repurchase its notes (or any portion thereof in an authorized denomination) for cash on a date (the “fundamental change repurchase date”) of our choosing, which must be a business day that is no more than 35, nor less than 20, business days after the date we send the related fundamental change notice, as described below.
The repurchase price (the “fundamental change repurchase price”) for a note tendered for repurchase will be the principal amount of such note plus accrued and unpaid interest on such note to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. However, if the fundamental change repurchase date is after a regular record date and on or before the next interest payment date, then (i) the holder of such note at the close of business on such regular record date will be entitled, notwithstanding such repurchase, to receive, on or, at our election, before such interest payment date, the unpaid interest that would have accrued on such note to, but excluding, such interest payment date; and (ii) the fundamental change repurchase price will not include accrued and unpaid interest on such note to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, we may not repurchase any notes if the principal amount of the notes has been accelerated and such acceleration has not been rescinded on or before the fundamental change repurchase date (including a rescission as a result of the payment of the related fundamental change repurchase price and any related interest described above on the fundamental change repurchase date).
Notice of Fundamental Change
On or before the 20th calendar day after the effective date of a fundamental change, we will send to each noteholder notice of such fundamental change containing certain information set forth in the indenture, including the fundamental change repurchase date, the fundamental change repurchase price and the procedures noteholders must follow to tender their notes for repurchase.
Procedures to Exercise the Fundamental Change Repurchase Right
To exercise its fundamental change repurchase right with respect to a note, a noteholder must deliver a notice (a “fundamental change repurchase notice”) to the paying agent before the close of business on the business day immediately before the related fundamental change repurchase date (or such later time as may be required by law).
The fundamental change repurchase notice must contain certain information set forth in the indenture, including the certificate number of any physical notes to be repurchased, or must otherwise comply with the depositary procedures in the case of a global note.
A noteholder that has delivered a fundamental change repurchase notice with respect to a note may withdraw that notice by delivering a withdrawal notice to the paying agent at any time before the close of business on the business day immediately before the fundamental change repurchase date. The withdrawal notice must contain certain information set forth in the indenture, including the certificate number of any physical notes with respect to which the withdrawal notice is being delivered, or must otherwise comply with the depositary procedures in the case of a global note.
Notes to be repurchased must be delivered to the paying agent (in the case of physical notes) or the depositary procedures must be complied with (in the case of global notes) for the holder of those notes to be entitled to receive the fundamental change repurchase price.
Compliance with Securities Laws
We will comply, in all material respects, with all federal and state securities laws in connection with a repurchase following a fundamental change (including complying with Rules 13e-4 and 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and filing any required Schedule TO, to the extent applicable) so as to permit effecting such repurchase in the manner described above. However, to the extent that our obligations to offer to repurchase and to repurchase notes pursuant to the provisions described above conflict with any law or regulation that is applicable to us and enacted after the date we initially issue the notes, our compliance with such law or regulation will not be considered to be a default of those obligations.
Repurchase by Third Party
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, we will be deemed to satisfy our obligations to repurchase notes pursuant to the provisions described above if one or more third parties conduct the repurchase offer and repurchase tendered notes in a manner that would have satisfied our obligations to do the same if conducted directly by us.
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No Repurchase Right in Certain Circumstances
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, we will not be required to send a fundamental change notice, or offer to repurchase or repurchase any notes, as described above, in connection with a fundamental change occurring pursuant to clause (ii)(2) (or pursuant to clause (i) that also constitutes a fundamental change occurring pursuant to clause (ii)(2)) of the definition thereof, if:
• | such fundamental change constitutes a class A common stock change event whose reference property consists entirely of cash in U.S. dollars; |
• | immediately after such fundamental change, the notes become convertible (pursuant to the provisions described above under the captions “—Conversion Rights—Effect of Class A Common Stock Change Event” and, if applicable, “—Conversion Rights—Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change”) into consideration that consists solely of U.S. dollars in an amount per $1,000 principal amount of notes that equals or exceeds the fundamental change repurchase price per $1,000 principal amount of notes (calculated assuming that the same includes accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the latest possible fundamental change repurchase date for such fundamental change); and |
• | we timely send the notice relating to such fundamental change required pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “—Conversion Rights—When the Notes May Be Converted—Conversion Upon Specified Corporate Events—Certain Corporate Events” and include, in such notice, a statement that we are relying on the provisions described in this “—No Repurchase Right in Certain Circumstances” section. |
We refer to any fundamental change with respect to which, in accordance with the provisions described above, we do not offer to repurchase any notes as an “exempted fundamental change.”
Consolidation, Merger and Asset Sale
For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “—Consolidation, Merger and Asset Sale” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities—Mergers and Similar Transactions.”
We will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or (directly, or indirectly through one or more of our subsidiaries) sell, lease or otherwise transfer, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of the assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another person (a “business combination event”), unless:
• | the resulting, surviving or transferee person is us or, if not us, is a “qualified successor entity” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) (such qualified successor entity, the “successor entity”) duly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia that expressly assumes (by executing and delivering to the trustee, at or before the effective time of such business combination event, a supplemental indenture) all of our obligations under the indenture and the notes; and |
• | immediately after giving effect to such business combination event, no “default” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) will have occurred and be continuing. |
At the effective time of a business combination event that complies with the provisions described above, the successor entity (if not us) will succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, us under the indenture and the notes, and, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor company will be discharged from its obligations under the indenture and the notes.
The definition of “business combination event” includes a reference to “all or substantially all” of our and our subsidiaries’ assets. There is no precise, established definition of the phrase “all or substantially all” under
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applicable law. Accordingly, there may be uncertainty as to whether the provisions described above would apply to a sale, lease or transfer of less than all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets.
Events of Default
For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “—Events of Default” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities—Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default.”
Generally
An “event of default” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) | a default in the payment when due (whether at maturity, upon redemption or repurchase upon fundamental change or otherwise) of the principal of, or the redemption price or fundamental change repurchase price for, any note; |
(2) | a default for 30 consecutive days in the payment when due of interest on any note; |
(3) | our failure to deliver, when required by the indenture, a fundamental change notice or a notice pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “—Conversion Rights—When the Notes May Be Converted—Conversion Upon Specified Corporate Events” if (in the case of any notice other than a notice pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “—Conversion Rights—When the Notes May Be Converted—Conversion Upon Specified Corporate Events”) such failure is not cured within five business days after its occurrence; |
(4) | a default in our obligation to convert a note in accordance with the indenture upon the exercise of the conversion right with respect thereto, if such default is not cured within five business days after its occurrence; |
(5) | a default in our obligations described above under the caption “—Consolidation, Merger and Asset Sale”; |
(6) | a default in any of our obligations or agreements under the notes or under the indenture with respect to the notes (other than a default set forth in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) above) where such default is not cured or waived within 60 days after notice to us by the trustee, or to us and the trustee by holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of notes then outstanding, which notice must specify such default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “notice of default”; |
(7) | a default by us or any of our subsidiaries with respect to any one or more mortgages, agreements or other instruments under which there is outstanding, or by which there is secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed of at least $30,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of us or any of our subsidiaries (other than indebtedness of any of our subsidiaries for borrowed money that is unsecured (or secured only by the assets or equity of such subsidiary or any of such subsidiary’s subsidiaries) and that is not guaranteed, issued, co-issued or co-borrowed by us, Solaris LLC or any of our other subsidiaries (other than any of such subsidiary’s subsidiaries or holding company parent entities (other than us or Solaris LLC) that holds, directly or indirectly, the equity of such subsidiary and no other material assets)) (“non-recourse subsidiaries”)), whether such indebtedness exists as of the date we first issue the notes or is thereafter created, where such default: |
• | constitutes a failure to pay the principal of such indebtedness when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, in each case after the expiration of any applicable grace period; or |
• | results in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable before its stated maturity, |
in each case where such default is not cured or waived within 30 days after notice to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of notes then outstanding;
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(8) | one or more final judgments being rendered against us or any of our “significant subsidiaries” (as defined below under the caption “—Definitions”) (other than non-recourse subsidiaries) for the payment of at least $30,000,000 (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate (excluding any amounts covered by insurance), where such judgment is not discharged or stayed within 60 days after (i) the date on which the right to appeal the same has expired, if no such appeal has commenced; or (ii) the date on which all rights to appeal have been extinguished; and |
(9) | certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization with respect to us or any of our significant subsidiaries. |
Acceleration
If an event of default described in paragraph (9) above occurs with respect to us (and not solely with respect to a significant subsidiary of ours), then the principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, all of the notes then outstanding will immediately become due and payable without any further action or notice by any person. If an event of default (other than an event of default described in paragraph (9) above with respect to us and not solely with respect to a significant subsidiary of ours) occurs and is continuing, then, except as described below under the caption “—Special Interest as Sole Remedy for Certain Reporting Defaults,” the trustee, by notice to us, or noteholders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of notes then outstanding, by notice to us and the trustee, may declare the principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, all of the notes then outstanding to become due and payable immediately. For the avoidance of doubt, if such event of default is not continuing at the time such notice is provided (that is, such event of default has been cured or waived as of such time), then such notice will not be effective to cause such amounts to become due and payable immediately.
Noteholders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding, by notice to us and the trustee, may, on behalf of all noteholders, rescind any acceleration of the notes and its consequences if (i) such rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and (ii) all existing events of default (except the non-payment of principal of, or interest on, the notes that has become due solely because of such acceleration) have been cured or waived. No such rescission will affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereto.
If any portion of the amount payable on the notes upon acceleration is considered by a court to be unearned interest (through the allocation of the value of the instrument to the embedded warrant or otherwise), then the court could disallow recovery of any such portion.
Waiver of Past Defaults
A default that is (or, after notice, passage of time or both, would be) an event of default pursuant to paragraph (1), (2), (4) or (6) above (that, in the case of paragraph (6) only, results from a default under any covenant that cannot be amended without the consent of each affected noteholder) can be waived only with the consent of each affected noteholder. Each other default may be waived, on behalf of all noteholders, by noteholders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding.
Cure of Defaults; Ability to Cure or Waive Before Event of Default Occurs
For the avoidance of doubt, and without limiting the manner in which any default can be cured,
• | a default consisting of a failure to send a notice in accordance with the terms of the indenture will be cured upon the sending of such notice; |
• | a default in making any payment on (or delivering any other consideration in respect of) any note will be cured upon the delivery, in accordance with the indenture, of such payment (or other consideration) together, if applicable, with “default interest” (as defined below under the caption “—Default Interest”) thereon; and |
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• | a default that is (or, after notice, passage of time or both, would be) a “reporting event of default” (as defined below under the caption “—Special Interest as Sole Remedy for Certain Reporting Defaults”) will be cured upon the filing of the relevant report(s) giving rise to such default. |
In addition, for the avoidance of doubt, if a default that is not an event of default is cured or waived before such default would have constituted an event of default, then no event of default will result from such default.
Notice of Defaults
If a default occurs, then we will, within 30 days after its first occurrence, notify the trustee, setting forth what action we are taking or propose to take with respect thereto. However, we will not be required to provide such notification at any time after such default is cured or waived. We must also provide the trustee annually with a certificate as to whether any defaults have occurred or are continuing. If a default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a responsible officer of the trustee, then the trustee must notify the noteholders of the same within 90 days after it occurs or, if it is not actually known to a responsible officer of the trustee at such time, promptly (and in any event within 10 business days) after it becomes actually known to a responsible officer of the trustee. However, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of, or interest on, any note, the trustee may withhold such notice if and for so long as it in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interests of the noteholders. For the avoidance of doubt, the trustee will not be required to deliver such notice at any time after such default is cured or waived.
Limitation on Suits; Absolute Rights of Noteholders
Except with respect to the rights referred to below, no noteholder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the notes, unless:
• | such noteholder has previously delivered to the trustee notice that an event of default is continuing; |
• | noteholders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding deliver a written request to the trustee to pursue such remedy; |
• | such noteholder(s) offer and, if requested, provide to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense to the trustee that may result from the trustee’s following such request; |
• | the trustee does not comply with such request within 60 calendar days after its receipt of such request and such offer of security or indemnity; and |
• | during such 60 calendar day period, noteholders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding do not deliver to the trustee a direction that is inconsistent with such request. |
However, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, but without limiting the provisions described in the second paragraph under the caption “—Modification and Amendment,” the right of each holder of a note to bring suit for the enforcement of any payment or delivery, as applicable, of the principal of, or the redemption price or fundamental change repurchase price for, or any interest on, or the consideration due upon conversion of, such note on or after the respective due dates therefor, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery on or after such respective due dates, will not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.
Noteholders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law, the indenture or the notes, or that, subject to the terms of the indenture, the trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other noteholders or may involve the trustee in liability, unless the trustee is offered security and indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense to the trustee that may result from the trustee’s following such direction.
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Default Interest
Payments of any cash amounts due on the notes that are not made when due will accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate per annum at which stated interest accrues on the notes. We refer to such interest, if any, as “default interest.”
Special Interest as Sole Remedy for Certain Reporting Defaults
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary described above, we may elect that the sole remedy for any event of default (a “reporting event of default”) pursuant to paragraph (6) above arising from our failure to comply with our obligations described below under the caption “—Exchange Act Reports” (including our obligations under Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act) will, for each of the first 365 calendar days on which a reporting event of default has occurred and is continuing, consist exclusively of the accrual of special interest on the notes. If we have made such an election, then (i) the notes will be subject to acceleration as described above on account of the relevant reporting event of default from, and including, the 366th calendar day on which a reporting event of default has occurred and is continuing or if we fail to pay any accrued and unpaid special interest when due; and (ii) special interest will cease to accrue on any notes from, and including, such 366th calendar day.
Any special interest that accrues on a note will be payable on the same dates and in the same manner as the stated interest on such note and will accrue at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% of the principal amount thereof for the first 180 days on which special interest accrues and, thereafter, at a rate per annum equal to 0.50% of the principal amount thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, any special interest that accrues on a note will be in addition to the stated interest that accrues on such note.
To make the election to pay special interest as described above, we must provide notice of such election to noteholders before the date on which each reporting event of default first occurs. The notice will also, among other things, briefly describe the periods during which and rate at which special interest will accrue and the circumstances under which the notes will be subject to acceleration on account of such reporting event of default.
Modification and Amendment
For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “—Modification and Amendment” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities—Modifications and Waivers.”
We and the trustee may, with the consent of holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding, amend or supplement the indenture or the notes or waive compliance with any provision of the indenture or the notes. However, without the consent of each affected noteholder, no amendment or supplement to the indenture or the notes, or waiver of any provision of the indenture or the notes, may:
• | reduce the principal, or extend the stated maturity, of any note; |
• | reduce the redemption price or fundamental change repurchase price for any note or change the times at which, or the circumstances under which, the notes may or will be redeemed or repurchased by us; |
• | reduce the rate, or extend the time for the payment, of interest on any note (other than special interest); |
• | make any change that adversely affects the conversion rights of any note; |
• | impair the absolute rights of any holder of a note to bring suit for the enforcement of any payment or delivery, as applicable, of the principal of, or the redemption price or fundamental change repurchase price for, or any interest on, or the consideration due upon conversion of, such note on or after the respective due dates therefor, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery on or after such due dates; |
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• | change the ranking of the notes; |
• | make any note payable in money, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the indenture or the note; |
• | reduce the amount of notes whose holders must consent to any amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification; or |
• | make any direct or indirect change to any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification provision of the indenture or the notes that requires the consent of each affected noteholder. |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, we and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the notes without the consent of any noteholder to:
• | cure any ambiguity or correct any omission, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or the notes; |
• | add guarantees with respect to our obligations under the indenture or the notes; |
• | secure the notes or any guarantees; |
• | add to our covenants or events of default for the benefit of noteholders or surrender any right or power conferred on us; |
• | provide for the assumption of our obligations under the indenture and the notes pursuant to, and in compliance with, the provisions described above under the caption “—Consolidation, Merger and Asset Sale”; |
• | enter into supplemental indentures pursuant to, and in accordance with, the provisions described above under the caption “—Conversion Rights—Effect of Class A Common Stock Change Event” in connection with a class A common stock change event; |
• | irrevocably elect or eliminate any settlement method or specified dollar amount; provided, however, that no such election or elimination will affect any settlement method theretofore elected (or deemed to be elected) with respect to any note pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “—Conversion Rights—Settlement Upon Conversion—Settlement Method”; |
• | evidence or provide for the acceptance of the appointment of a successor trustee; |
• | conform the provisions of the indenture and the notes to this “Description of Notes” section, as supplemented by the related pricing term sheet; |
• | provide for or confirm the issuance of additional notes pursuant to the indenture; |
• | provide for any transfer restrictions that apply to any notes issued under the indenture (other than the notes issued in this offering, and any notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) that, at the time of their original issuance, constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or that are originally issued in reliance upon Regulation S under the Securities Act; |
• | comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with effecting or maintaining the qualification of the indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect; or |
• | make any other change to the indenture or the notes that does not, individually or in the aggregate with all other such changes, adversely affect the rights of noteholders, as such, in any material respect. |
Exchange Act Reports
We will send to the trustee copies of all reports that we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act within 15 calendar days after the date that we are required to so file the same (after giving effect to all applicable grace periods under the Exchange Act). However, we need not send
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to the trustee any material for which we have received, or are seeking in good faith and have not been denied, confidential treatment by the SEC. Any report that we file with the SEC through the EDGAR system (or any successor thereto) will be deemed to be sent to the trustee at the time such report is so filed via the EDGAR system (or such successor). Upon the request of any noteholder, the trustee will provide to the noteholder a copy of any report that we have sent the trustee pursuant to the provisions described above, other than a report that is deemed to be sent to the trustee pursuant to the preceding sentence. We will also comply with our other obligations under Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act.
The “grace periods” referred to in the preceding paragraph with respect to any report will include the maximum period afforded by Rule 12b-25 (or any successor rule thereto) under the Exchange Act regardless of whether we file, or indicate in the related Form 12b-25 (or any successor form thereto) that we expect to or will file, such report before the expiration of such maximum period.
Discharge
For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “—Discharge” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities—Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance and Satisfaction and Discharge.”
Subject to the terms of the indenture, our obligations with respect to the notes under the indenture will be discharged if we deliver all outstanding notes to the trustee for cancellation, or if all outstanding notes have become due and payable (including upon conversion, if the consideration due upon such conversion has been determined) and we have irrevocably deposited with the trustee, or caused to be delivered to noteholders, sufficient cash or other consideration to satisfy all amounts that have become due and payable.
Calculations
Except as otherwise provided in the indenture, we will be responsible for making all calculations called for under the indenture or the notes, including determinations of the last reported sale price, the daily conversion value, the daily cash amount, the daily share amount, accrued interest on the notes and the conversion rate. We will make all calculations in good faith, and, absent manifest error, our calculations will be final and binding on all noteholders. We will provide a schedule of our calculations to the trustee, and the trustee will promptly forward a copy of each such schedule to any noteholder upon written request.
Trustee
The trustee under the indenture is U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association. The trustee assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the related documents. The trustee and its affiliates may from time to time in the future provide banking and other services to us in the ordinary course of business.
Notices
For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “—Notices” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities—Notices.”
We will send all notices or communications to noteholders pursuant to the indenture in writing by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the noteholders’ respective addresses shown on the register for the notes. However, in the case of global notes, we are permitted to send notices or communications to noteholders pursuant to the depositary procedures, and notices and communications that we send in this manner will be deemed to have been properly sent to such noteholders in writing.
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No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders
For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “—No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities—No Personal Liability.”
No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of ours, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of ours under the indenture or the notes or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting any note, each noteholder will be deemed to waive and release all such liability, and such waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the notes.
Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial
For purposes of the notes, the description below under this section titled “—Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial” supersedes, in its entirety, the information in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities—Governing Law.”
The indenture and the notes, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to the indenture or the notes, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York. The indenture will provide that we and the trustee and each holder (by its acceptance of any note) will irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture, the notes or the transactions contemplated by the indenture or the notes.
Submission to Jurisdiction
Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the indenture or the transactions contemplated by the indenture may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York, in each case located in the City of New York (collectively, the “specified courts”), and each party will be deemed to irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of those courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to any party’s address as provided in the indenture will be effective service of process for any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court. Each of us, the trustee and each noteholder (by its acceptance of any note) will be deemed to irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the specified courts and to irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Definitions
“Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 144 under the Securities Act as in effect on the date we first issue the notes.
“Bid solicitation agent” means the person who is required to obtain bids for the trading price in accordance with the provisions described under the caption “—Conversion Rights—When the Notes May Be Converted—Conversion Upon Satisfaction of Note Trading Price Condition” and in the definition of “trading price.”
“Board of directors” means our board of directors or a committee of such board duly authorized to act on behalf of such board.
“Business day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or any day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed.
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“Capital stock” of any person means any and all shares of, interests in, rights to purchase, warrants or options for, participations in, or other equivalents of, in each case however designated, the equity of such person, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
“Close of business” means 5:00 p.m., New York City time.
“Conversion price” means, as of any time, an amount equal to (i) $1,000 divided by (ii) the conversion rate in effect at such time.
“Conversion rate” initially means shares of our class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which amount is subject to adjustment as described above under the caption “—Conversion Rights.” Whenever in this prospectus supplement we refer to the conversion rate as of a particular date without setting forth a particular time on such date, such reference will be deemed to be to the conversion rate immediately after the close of business on such date.
“Daily cash amount” means, with respect to any VWAP trading day, the lesser of (i) the applicable daily maximum cash amount; and (ii) the daily conversion value for such VWAP trading day.
“Daily conversion value” means, with respect to any VWAP trading day, one-25th of the product of (i) the conversion rate on such VWAP trading day; and (ii) the daily VWAP per share of our class A common stock on such VWAP trading day.
“Daily maximum cash amount” means, with respect to the conversion of any note, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the specified dollar amount applicable to such conversion by (ii) 25.
“Daily share amount” means, with respect to any VWAP trading day, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the excess, if any, of the daily conversion value for such VWAP trading day over the applicable daily maximum cash amount by (ii) the daily VWAP for such VWAP trading day. For the avoidance of doubt, the daily share amount will be zero for such VWAP trading day if such daily conversion value does not exceed such daily maximum cash amount.
“Daily VWAP” means, for any VWAP trading day, the per share volume-weighted average price of our class A common stock as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page “SEI <EQUITY> AQR” (or, if such page is not available, its equivalent successor page) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such VWAP trading day (or, if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of our class A common stock on such VWAP trading day, determined, using a volume-weighted average price method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm we select, which may include any of the underwriters). The daily VWAP will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session.
“Default” means any event that is (or, after notice, passage of time or both, would be) an event of default.
“Default interest” has the meaning set forth above under the caption “—Events of Default—Default Interest.”
“Depositary procedures” means, with respect to any conversion, transfer, exchange or other transaction involving a global note or any beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the depositary applicable to such conversion, transfer, exchange or transaction.
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.
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“Ex-dividend date” means, with respect to an issuance, dividend or distribution on our class A common stock, the first date on which shares of our class A common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such issuance, dividend or distribution (including pursuant to due bills or similar arrangements required by the relevant stock exchange). For the avoidance of doubt, any alternative trading convention on the applicable exchange or market in respect of our class A common stock under a separate ticker symbol or CUSIP number will not be considered “regular way” for this purpose.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Fundamental change” means any of the following events:
(i) a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than us or our “wholly owned subsidiaries” (as defined below), or any employee benefit plans of ours or our wholly owned subsidiaries, files any report with the SEC indicating that such person or group has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner” (as defined below) of shares of our class A common stock representing more than 50% of the voting power of all of our class A common stock;
(ii) the consummation of: (1) any sale, lease or other transfer, in one transaction or a series of transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person, other than solely to one or more of our wholly owned subsidiaries; or (2) any transaction or series of related transactions in connection with which (whether by means of merger, consolidation, share exchange, combination, reclassification, recapitalization, acquisition, liquidation or otherwise) all or substantially all of our class A common stock is exchanged for, converted into, acquired for, or constitutes solely the right to receive, other securities, cash or other property; provided, however, that any merger, consolidation, share exchange or combination of us pursuant to which the persons that directly or indirectly “beneficially owned” (as defined below) all classes of our common equity immediately before such transaction directly or indirectly “beneficially own,” immediately after such transaction, more than 50% of all classes of common equity of the surviving, continuing or acquiring company or other transferee, as applicable, or the parent thereof, in substantially the same proportions vis-à-vis each other as immediately before such transaction will be deemed not to be a fundamental change pursuant to this clause (ii);
(iii) our stockholders approve any plan or proposal for our liquidation or dissolution; or
(iv) our class A common stock ceases to be listed on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Market or The NASDAQ Global Select Market(or any of their respective successors);
provided, however, that a transaction or event described in clause (i) or (ii) above will not constitute a fundamental change if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by the holders of our class A common stock (excluding cash payments for fractional shares or pursuant to dissenters rights), in connection with such transaction or event, consists of shares of common stock listed (or depositary receipts representing shares of common stock, which depositary receipts are listed)on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Market or The NASDAQ Global Select Market (or any of their respective successors), or that will be so listed when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or event, and such transaction or event constitutes a class A common stock change event whose reference property consists of such consideration.
For the purposes of this definition, (x) any transaction or event described in both clause (i) and in clause (ii)(1) or (2) above (without regard to the proviso in clause (ii)) will be deemed to occur solely pursuant to clause (ii) above (subject to such proviso); and (y) whether a person is a “beneficial owner,” whether shares are “beneficially owned,” and percentage beneficial ownership, will be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, but without regard to paragraph (d)(1) of such Rule.
“Holder” and “noteholder” mean a person in whose name a note is registered in the register for the notes.
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“Last reported sale price” of our class A common stock for any trading day means the closing sale price per share (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the last bid price and the last ask price per share or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average last bid prices and the average last ask prices per share) of our class A common stock on such trading day as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our class A common stock is then listed. If our class A common stock is not listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on such trading day, then the last reported sale price will be the last quoted bid price per share of our class A common stock on such trading day in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If our class A common stock is not so quoted on such trading day, then the last reported sale price will be the average of the mid-point of the last bid price and the last ask price per share of our class A common stock on such trading day from a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm we select, which may include any of the underwriters.
“Make-whole fundamental change” means (i) a fundamental change (determined after giving effect to the proviso immediately after clause (iv) of the definition thereof, but without regard to the proviso to clause (ii)(2) of such definition); or (ii) the sending of any notice of redemption pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “—Optional Redemption”; provided, however, that the sending of any such notice of redemption will constitute a make-whole fundamental change only with respect to the notes called (or deemed to be called pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “—Optional Redemption”) for redemption pursuant to such notice and not with respect to any other notes.
“Make-whole fundamental change conversion period” has the following meaning:
(i) in the case of a make-whole fundamental change pursuant to clause (i) of the definition thereof, the period from, and including, the make-whole fundamental change effective date of such make-whole fundamental change to, and including, the 35th trading day after such make-whole fundamental change effective date (or, if such make-whole fundamental change also constitutes a fundamental change (other than an exempted fundamental change), to, but excluding, the related fundamental change repurchase date); and
(ii) in the case of a make-whole fundamental change pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition thereof, the period from, and including, the date we send the redemption notice for the related redemption to, and including, the second business day immediately before the related redemption date;
provided, however, that if the conversion date for the conversion of a note that has been called (or deemed called) for redemption occurs during the make-whole fundamental change conversion period for both a make-whole fundamental change occurring pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of “make-whole fundamental change” and a make-whole fundamental change resulting from such redemption pursuant to clause (ii) of such definition, then, solely for purposes of such conversion, (x) such conversion date will be deemed to occur solely during the make-whole fundamental change conversion period for the make-whole fundamental change with the earlier make-whole fundamental change effective date; and (y) the make-whole fundamental change with the later make-whole fundamental change effective date will be deemed not to have occurred.
“Make-whole fundamental change effective date” means (i) with respect to a make-whole fundamental change pursuant to clause (i) of the definition thereof, the date on which such make-whole fundamental change occurs or becomes effective; and (ii) with respect to a make-whole fundamental change pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition thereof, the applicable “redemption notice date” (as defined below).
“Market disruption event” means, with respect to any date, the occurrence or existence, during the one-half hour period ending at the scheduled close of trading on such date on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or other market on which our class A common stock is listed for trading or trades, of any material suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant exchange or otherwise) in our class A common stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to our class A common stock.
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“Maturity date” means May 1, 2030.
“Observation period” means, with respect to any note to be converted, (i) subject to clause (ii) below, if the conversion date for such note occurs before February 1, 2030, the 25 consecutive VWAP trading days beginning on, and including, the third VWAP trading day immediately after such conversion date; (ii) if such conversion date occurs on or after the date we have sent a redemption notice calling such note for redemption and on or before the second business day before the related redemption date, the 25 consecutive VWAP trading days beginning on, and including, the 26th scheduled trading day immediately before such redemption date; and (iii) subject to clause (ii) above, if such conversion date occurs on or after February 1, 2030, the 25 consecutive VWAP trading days beginning on, and including, the 26th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date.
“Open of business” means 9:00 a.m., New York City time.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof. Any division or series of a limited liability company, limited partnership or trust will constitute a separate “person.”
“Qualified successor entity” means, with respect to a business combination event, a corporation; provided, however, that a limited liability company, limited partnership or other similar entity will also constitute a qualified successor entity with respect to such business combination event if either (i) such business combination event is an exempted fundamental change; or (ii) both of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) either (x) such limited liability company, limited partnership or other similar entity, as applicable, is treated as a corporation or is a direct or indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of, and disregarded as an entity separate from, a corporation, in each case for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or (y) we have received an opinion of a nationally recognized tax counsel to the effect that such business combination event will not be treated as an exchange of the notes under Section 1001 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for holders or beneficial owners of the notes; and (2) such business combination event constitutes a class A common stock change event whose reference property consists solely of any combination of cash in U.S. dollars and shares of common stock or other corporate common equity interests of an entity that is (x) treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (y) duly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia; and (z) the direct or indirect parent of such limited liability company, limited partnership or other similar entity.
“Redemption notice date” means, with respect to a redemption, the date on which we send the related redemption notice pursuant to the provisions described above under the caption “—Optional Redemption.”
“Scheduled trading day” means any day that is scheduled to be a trading day on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our class A common stock is then listed or, if our class A common stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our class A common stock is then traded. If our class A common stock is not so listed or traded, then “scheduled trading day” means a business day.
“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Significant subsidiary” of any person means any subsidiary of that person that constitutes a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act) of that person; provided, however, that, if a subsidiary meets the criteria of clause (1)(iii) of the definition of “significant subsidiary” in Rule 1-02(w) but not clause (1)(i) or (1)(ii) thereof (or, if applicable, the respective successor clauses to the aforementioned clauses), then such subsidiary will be deemed not to be a significant subsidiary of that person unless such subsidiary’s income from continuing operations before income taxes, exclusive of amounts attributable to any non-controlling interests, for the last completed fiscal year before the date of determination exceeds $30,000,000.
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“Specified dollar amount” means, with respect to the conversion of a note to which combination settlement applies, the maximum cash amount per $1,000 principal amount of such note deliverable upon such conversion (excluding cash in lieu of any fractional share of class A common stock).
“Stated interest” has the meaning set forth above under the caption “—Interest.”
“Stock price” has the following meaning for any make-whole fundamental change: (i) if the holders of our class A common stock receive only cash in consideration for their shares of our class A common stock in such make-whole fundamental change and such make-whole fundamental change is pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of “fundamental change,” then the stock price is the amount of cash paid per share of our class A common stock in such make-whole fundamental change; and (ii) in all other cases, the stock price is the average of the last reported sale prices per share of our class A common stock for the five consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the make-whole fundamental change effective date of such make-whole fundamental change.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of voting stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by: (i) such person; (ii) such person and one or more subsidiaries of such person; or (iii) one or more subsidiaries of such person.
“Trading day” means any day on which (i) trading in our class A common stock generally occurs on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our class A common stock is then listed or, if our class A common stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our class A common stock is then traded; and (ii) there is no “market disruption event” (as defined above in this “—Definitions” section). If our class A common stock is not so listed or traded, then “trading day” means a business day.
“Trading price” of the notes on any trading day means the average of the secondary market bid quotations, expressed as a cash amount per $1,000 principal amount of notes, obtained by the bid solicitation agent for $1,000,000 (or such lesser amount as may then be outstanding) in principal amount of notes at approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such trading day from three nationally recognized independent securities dealers we select, which may include any of the underwriters; provided, however, that, if three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained by the bid solicitation agent but two such bids are obtained, then the average of the two bids will be used, and if only one such bid can reasonably be obtained by the bid solicitation agent, then that one bid will be used. If, on any trading day, (i) the bid solicitation agent cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for $1,000,000 (or such lesser amount as may then be outstanding) in principal amount of notes from a nationally recognized independent securities dealer; (ii) we are not acting as the bid solicitation agent and we fail to instruct the bid solicitation agent to obtain bids when required; or (iii) the bid solicitation agent fails to solicit bids when required, then, in each case, the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes on such trading day will be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price per share of our class A common stock on such trading day and the conversion rate on such trading day.
“Voting stock” of any person means (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; (ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; (iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and (iv) any other interest or participation that confers on a person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into voting stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with voting stock.
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“VWAP market disruption event” means, with respect to any date, (i) the failure by the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our class A common stock is then listed, or, if our class A common stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, the principal other market on which our class A common stock is then traded, to open for trading during its regular trading session on such date; or (ii) the occurrence or existence, for more than one half hour period in the aggregate, of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant exchange or otherwise) in our class A common stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to our class A common stock, and such suspension or limitation occurs or exists at any time before 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on such date.
“VWAP trading day” means a day on which (i) there is no VWAP market disruption event; and (ii) trading in our class A common stock generally occurs on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which our class A common stock is then listed or, if our class A common stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which our class A common stock is then traded. If our class A common stock is not so listed or traded, then “VWAP trading day” means a business day.
“Wholly owned subsidiary” of a person means any subsidiary of such person all of the outstanding capital stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) are owned by such person or one or more wholly owned subsidiaries of such person.
Book Entry, Settlement and Clearance
Global Notes
The notes will be initially issued in the form of one or more notes registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, without interest coupons (the “global notes”), and will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC.
Only persons who have accounts with DTC (“DTC participants”) or persons who hold interests through DTC participants may own beneficial interests in a global note. We expect that, under procedures established by DTC:
• | upon deposit of a global note with DTC’s custodian, DTC will credit portions of the principal amount of the global note to the accounts of the DTC participants designated by the underwriters; and |
• | ownership of beneficial interests in a global note will be shown on, and transfers of such interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of DTC participants) and the records of DTC participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the global note). |
Book-Entry Procedures for Global Notes
All interests in a global note will be subject to the operations and procedures of DTC. Accordingly, you must allow for sufficient time in order to comply with those operations and procedures if you wish to exercise any of your rights with respect to global notes. The operations and procedures of DTC are controlled by DTC and may be changed at any time. None of us, the trustee or any of the underwriters will be responsible for those operations or procedures.
DTC has advised us that it is:
• | a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York; |
• | a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York State Banking Law; |
• | a member of the Federal Reserve System; |
• | a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code; and |
• | a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act. |
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DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the underwriters), banks and trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. Indirect access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to other “indirect participants,” such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies, who directly or indirectly clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant. Purchasers of notes who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through DTC participants or indirect participants in DTC.
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global note, DTC or that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by that global note for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note:
• | will not be entitled to have notes represented by the global note registered in their names; |
• | will not receive or be entitled to receive physical, certificated notes; and |
• | will not be considered the owners or holders of the notes under the indenture for any purpose. |
As a result, each investor who owns a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC (and, if the investor is not a participant or an indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through whom the investor owns its interest) to exercise any rights of a noteholder under the indenture.
Payments on any global notes will be made to DTC’s nominee as the registered holder of the global note. None of us, the trustee or any of the underwriters will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interests in a global note, for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, those interests by DTC or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to those interests. Payments by participants and indirect participants in DTC to the owners of beneficial interests in a global note will be governed by standing instructions and customary industry practice and will be the responsibility of those participants or indirect participants and DTC.
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected under DTC’s procedures and will be settled in same-day funds.
Certificated Notes
A global note will be exchanged, pursuant to customary procedures, for one or more physical notes only if:
• | DTC notifies us or the trustee that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such global note or DTC ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act and, in each case, we fail to appoint a successor depositary within 90 days of such notice or cessation; |
• | an event of default has occurred and is continuing and we, the trustee or the registrar has received a written request from DTC, or from a holder of a beneficial interest in such global note, to exchange such global note or beneficial interest, as applicable, for one or more physical notes; or |
• | we, in our sole discretion, permit the exchange of any beneficial interest in such global note for one or more physical notes at the request of the owner of such beneficial interest. |
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Concurrently with this offering, the delta offering underwriters, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Santander US Capital Markets LLC, are offering, in a separate, underwritten public offering pursuant to a prospectus supplement that we have filed with the SEC, and not pursuant to this prospectus supplement, shares of our Class A common stock at a public offering price of $ per share, to facilitate hedging transactions by convertible arbitrage investors in the notes. The number of shares of our Class A common stock subject to the concurrent delta offering will be determined at the time of pricing of the concurrent delta offering, and is expected to generally correspond to the initial short positions of convertible arbitrage investors being established to hedge their market risk with respect to the notes they acquire. We have been advised that the shares sold by the delta offering underwriters in the concurrent delta offering will be borrowed from third parties, and will be: (x) purchased by a delta offering underwriter from certain convertible arbitrage investors who have sold them short to such delta offering underwriter in connection with the offering of the notes, and/or (y) sold short by the delta offering underwriters to facilitate concurrent privately negotiated transactions between one of the delta offering underwriters with certain convertible arbitrage investors seeking a short exposure to our Class A common stock through a derivative, in an equal notional amount.
We will not receive any proceeds from sales by the delta offering underwriters in the concurrent delta offering. No new shares of our Class A common stock will be issued for the concurrent delta offering.
The concurrent delta offering and the offering of the notes are contingent upon one another.
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Description of Other Indebtedness
The following are summaries of certain of our indebtedness, and certain of our subsidiaries’ indebtedness, and do not purport to be complete, and are subject to the provisions of those agreements.
Term Loan Agreement
On September 11, 2024, Solaris and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a senior secured term loan agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”) with Banco Santander, S.A. New York Branch, as administrative agent, and Silver Point Finance, LLC, as collateral agent, along with other participating lenders. Under the Term Loan Agreement, the lenders provided term loans totaling $325.0 million. Solaris utilized a portion of the proceeds to fund the MER Acquisition, with the remaining funds restricted for capital expenditures.
The borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement bear a variable interest rate, at Solaris’s option, equal to either Term SOFR plus an applicable margin or the Base Rate (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is 5.0% for Base Rate loans and 6.0% for Term SOFR loans. Interest expense is recognized using the effective interest method over the term of the loan.
In connection with the Term Loan Agreement, Solaris incurred debt financing costs of $9.8 million, comprised of $6.5 million paid directly to lenders and $3.3 million incurred from third parties. These costs are recorded as a reduction in the carrying amount of debt and are amortized as interest expense in the statements of operations over the term of the loan using the effective interest method.
The Term Loan Agreement imposes customary covenants, including limitations on Solaris’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional debt, grant liens, and make dispositions, investments and restricted payments. Financial covenants require Solaris to maintain a ratio of consolidated annualized EBITDA minus unfinanced capital expenditures and cash taxes to fixed charges (including interest payments, principal repayments and certain dividend payments) of at least 1:25:1.00 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, beginning with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2025. Additionally, Solaris must maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of consolidated net debt (subject to cash netting limitations) to consolidated annualized EBITDA of no greater than 3.25:1.00 for the fiscal quarters ending September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2025, and no greater than 3.00:1.00 for each fiscal quarter thereafter.
Borrowings are required to be repaid in quarterly installments at a rate of 1.25% of the original principal amount of the term loans, subject to certain adjustments for prepayments. Prior to September 11, 2027, borrowings may be voluntarily prepaid, subject to a call protection amount as outlined in the Term Loan Agreement. After September 11, 2027, prepayments may be made without penalty or premium. Solaris is also required to make prepayments from proceeds of certain indebtedness, upon the issuance of equity securities and from a specified percentage of excess cash flow, governed by a leverage-based grid outlined in the Term Loan Agreement. The outstanding amounts will mature on September 11, 2029.
To secure the borrowings, Solaris and its subsidiaries have pledged substantially all of their assets as collateral to the Agent for the benefit of the lenders. Pursuant to the terms of the new Term Loan Agreement and an intercreditor agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as agent for the revolving lenders, Silver Point Finance, as collateral agent for the participating lenders, holds (i) a second priority security interest in, among other property, the accounts receivable, deposit accounts, securities accounts, commodity accounts, chattel paper, inventory, customer contracts, and payment intangibles of Solaris and its subsidiaries and (ii) a first priority security interest in substantially all other property owned by the Solaris and its subsidiaries, subject to customary exceptions.
As of December 31, 2024, $8.1 million of the outstanding principal amount is classified as current debt in our consolidated balance sheets.
On April 28, 2025, we entered into the Term Loan Amendment, which permits, among other things, the entry of Stateline Power Solutions into the Stateline joint venture, the issuance of the notes offered hereby and the
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incurrence of a subordinated intercompany loan by the borrower under the Term Loan Agreement, the interest payable on which will be used to service the interest on the notes.
Revolving Credit Facility
On September 11, 2024, Solaris extinguished its prior revolving credit facility, using proceeds from the Term Loan Agreement to settle the outstanding balance. A loss on debt extinguishment of $0.1 million was recorded in the statements of operations, reflecting the difference between the carrying amount of the extinguished debt and the consideration paid. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2023 was 8.38%.
On October 2, 2024, Solaris and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a new revolving credit facility with Bank of America, N.A., acting as agent for the participating lenders (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The facility provides for borrowings up to the lesser of $75.0 million or a borrowing base determined by a percentage of eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory, subject to reserves and other adjustments. At Solaris’s option, and provided certain conditions are met, the facility may be increased by up to an additional $50.0 million. Additionally, up to $10.0 million of the facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit by the agent.
Revolving loans made under the new facility bear interest, at Solaris’s option, at a rate equal to either (i) Term SOFR (as defined in the new revolving facility) plus an applicable margin or (ii) the Base Rate (as defined in the new revolving credit facility) plus an applicable margin. Contingent reimbursement obligations under letters of credit issued under the new facility bear interest at the Base Rate. The margin applicable to revolving loans is 0.50% for Base Rate loans and 1.50% for Term SOFR loans. The applicable margin may increase by up to 0.50% based on the ratio of Solaris’s average daily availability during the most recent prior fiscal quarter to the size of the borrowing base during the most recent prior fiscal quarter.
The Revolving Credit Facility includes certain customary covenants, such as limitations on the incurrence of additional debt, granting of liens, and making dispositions, investments and restricted payments. The Revolving Credit Facility also includes a springing financial covenant that requires Solaris to maintain a ratio, calculated using data from the four most recent fiscal quarters, of consolidated EBITDA minus unfinanced capital expenditures and cash taxes to fixed charges (which include principal and interest payments and the payments of certain dividends and distributions) of at least 1.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter while a Covenant Trigger Period (as defined in the new revolving facility agreement) is in effect.
To secure the borrowings, Solaris and its subsidiaries have pledged substantially all of their assets as collateral to the Agent for the benefit of the lenders. Pursuant to the terms of the new revolving credit facility and an intercreditor agreement with the term loan lenders, Bank of America holds (i) a first priority security interest in, among other property, the accounts receivable, deposit accounts, securities accounts, commodity accounts, chattel paper, inventory, customer contracts, and payment intangibles of Solaris and its subsidiaries and (ii) a second priority security interest in substantially all other property owned by the Solaris and its subsidiaries.
The Revolving Credit Facility matures on October 2, 2029, with provisions for earlier termination under specific conditions. As of December 31, 2024, Solaris incurred debt financing costs of $1.1 million related to this facility, which are recorded as non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets and are being amortized as interest expense over the term of the facility using the straight-line method. As of December 31, 2024, no amounts had been drawn under the facility, and based on the borrowing base calculation, the availability under the facility was $36.8 million. If any amount is drawn, Solaris intends to use the proceeds for working capital and other corporate purposes.
On April 28, 2025, we entered into the Revolver Amendment, which permits, among other things, the entry of Stateline Power Solutions into the Stateline joint venture, the issuance of the notes offered hereby and the incurrence of a subordinated intercompany loan by the borrower under the Revolving Credit Facility, the interest payable on which will be used to service the interest on the notes.
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Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, our authorized capital stock consists of 600,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share 180,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, $0.00 par value per share (“Class B common stock”), and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, there were 38,553,557 shares of our Class A common stock outstanding, 28,989,143 shares of our Class B common stock outstanding and no shares of our preferred stock outstanding.
The following description of capital stock is based upon our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws, as amended, and applicable provisions of law. We have summarized certain portions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws below. The summary is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by express reference to, the provisions of applicable law and to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, which are incorporated by reference herein.
Class A Common Stock
Voting Rights. Holders of shares of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share held of record on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. The holders of shares of Class A common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.
Dividend Rights. Holders of shares of our Class A common stock are entitled to ratably receive dividends when and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose, subject to any statutory or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and to any prior rights and preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock.
Liquidation Rights. Upon our liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or other winding up, the holders of shares of Class A common stock are entitled to receive ratably the assets available for distribution to the stockholders after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preference of any of our outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Other Matters. The shares of Class A common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights and are not subject to further calls or assessment by us. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Class A common stock. All outstanding shares of our Class A common stock, including the Class A common stock offered in this offering, are fully paid and non-assessable.
Class B Common Stock
Generally. Each member of Solaris Energy Infrastructure, LLC (“Solaris LLC”) has received one share of Class B common stock for each Solaris LLC Unit that it holds. Accordingly, each member of Solaris LLC has a number of votes in the Company equal to the aggregate number of Solaris LLC Units that it holds.
Voting Rights. Holders of shares of our Class B common stock are entitled to one vote per share held of record on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. Holders of shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except with respect to the amendment of certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that would alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Class B common stock so as to affect them adversely, which amendments must be adopted by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the shares affected by the amendment, voting as a separate class, or as otherwise required by applicable law.
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Dividend and Liquidation Rights. Holders of our Class B common stock do not have any right to receive dividends, unless the dividend consists of shares of our Class B common stock or of rights, options, warrants or other securities convertible or exercisable into or redeemable for shares of Class B common stock paid proportionally with respect to each outstanding share of our Class B common stock, and a dividend consisting of shares of Class A common stock or of rights, options, warrants or other securities convertible or exercisable into or redeemable for shares of Class A common stock on the same terms is simultaneously paid to the holders of Class A common stock. Holders of our Class B common stock do not have any right to receive a distribution upon the Company’s liquidation or winding up.
Redemption Right. Each Member of Solaris LLC has received one share of Class B common stock for Solaris LLC Unit that it holds. Accordingly, each member of Solaris LLC has a number of votes in the Company equal to the aggregate number of Solaris LLC Units that it holds. Pursuant to the second amended and restated limited liability company agreement of Solaris LLC, as amended from time to time (the “Solaris LLC Agreement”), each holder of Solaris LLC Units has the right to redeem his or her Solaris LLC Units, together with an equal number of shares of Class B common stock, for shares of Class A common stock (or cash at the Company’s election, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications).
Preferred Stock
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, without further stockholder approval, to establish and to issue from time to time one or more classes or series of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, covering up to an aggregate of 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Each class or series of preferred stock will have the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions determined by the board of directors, which may include, among others, dividend rights, liquidation preferences, voting rights, conversion rights, preemptive rights and redemption rights. Except as provided by law or in a preferred stock designation, the holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to vote at or receive notice of any meeting of stockholders.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Our Amended and Restated Bylaws and Delaware Law
Certain provisions of Delaware law and certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws described below could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire the Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise; or removal of our incumbent officers and directors. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for our shares.
These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with us. We believe that the benefits of increased protection and our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Delaware Law
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we are not governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), which, in the absence of such provisions, would have imposed additional requirements regarding mergers and other business combinations. Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a Delaware corporation, including those whose securities are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange,
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from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
• | the transaction is approved by the board of directors before the date the interested stockholder attained that status; |
• | upon consummation 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; or |
• | on or after such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Our Amended and Restated Bylaws
Certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may delay or discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change in control or change in our management, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares, or transactions that our stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. Therefore, these provisions could adversely affect the price of our Class A common stock.
Among other things, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws:
• | establish advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of our stockholders. These procedures provide that notice of stockholder proposals must be timely given in writing to our corporate secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year. Our amended and restated bylaws specify the requirements as to form and content of all stockholders’ notices. These requirements may preclude stockholders from bringing matters before the stockholders at an annual or special meeting; |
• | provide our board of directors the ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock. This ability makes it possible for our board of directors to issue, without stockholder approval, preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deferring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our company; |
• | provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors; |
• | provide that all vacancies, including newly created directorships, may, except as otherwise required by law or, if applicable, the rights of holders of a series of preferred stock, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum; |
• | provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing in lieu of a meeting of such stockholders, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock with respect to such series; |
• | provide that our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of our then outstanding common stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class; |
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• | provide that special meetings of our stockholders may only be called by our board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of authorized directors whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships; |
• | provide for our board of directors to be divided into three classes of directors, with each class as nearly equal in number as possible, serving staggered three-year terms, other than directors which may be elected by holders of preferred stock, if any. This system of electing and removing directors may tend to discourage a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, because it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors; |
• | provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all then outstanding common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to remove any or all of the directors from office and such removal may only be for cause; and |
• | provide that our amended and restated bylaws can be amended by the board of directors. |
Corporate Opportunity
Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, to the extent permitted by law:
• | Yorktown Partners LLC and our directors who are not also our officers (collectively, the “Designated Parties”) have the right to, and have no duty to abstain from, exercising such right to, conduct business with any business that is competitive or in the same line of business as us, do business with any of our clients or customers, or invest or own any interest publicly or privately in, or develop a business relationship with, any business that is competitive or in the same line of business as us; |
• | if the Designated Parties acquire knowledge of a potential transaction that could be a corporate opportunity, they have no duty to offer such corporate opportunity to us; and |
• | we have renounced any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, such corporate opportunities. |
Forum Selection
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for:
• | any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; |
• | any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents to us or our stockholders; |
• | any action asserting a claim against us or any director or officer or other employee of ours arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws; or |
• | any action asserting a claim against us or any director or officer or other employee of ours that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to such Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. |
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of, and to have consented to, this forum selection provision. Although we believe these provisions benefit us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law for the specified types of actions and proceedings, the provisions may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors, officers, employees and agents.
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The enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with one or more actions or proceedings described above, a court could rule that this provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation is inapplicable or unenforceable.
The choice of forum provisions summarized above are not intended to, and would not, apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. To the extent that any such claims may be based upon federal law claims, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Stockholders may be subject to increased costs to bring these claims, and the choice of forum provisions could have the effect of discouraging claims or limiting investors’ ability to bring claims in a judicial forum that they find favorable.
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation limits the liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors, except for liability that cannot be eliminated under the DGCL. Delaware law provides that directors of a company will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors, except for liabilities:
• | for any breach of their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders; |
• | for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
• | for unlawful payment of dividend or unlawful stock repurchase or redemption, as provided under Section 174 of the DGCL; or |
• | for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
Any amendment, repeal or modification of these provisions will be prospective only and would not affect any limitation on liability of a director for acts or omissions that occurred prior to any such amendment, repeal or modification.
Our amended and restated bylaws also provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Our amended and restated bylaws also permit us to purchase insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of that person’s actions as our officer, director, employee or agent, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit indemnification. We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and officers and intend to enter into indemnification agreement with any future directors and officers. These agreements require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liability that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. We believe that the limitation of liability provision that is in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the indemnification agreements will facilitate our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and officers.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our Class A common stock is Equiniti Trust Company, LLC.
Listing
Our Class A common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “SEI.”
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Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations of the acquisition, ownership, conversion and disposition of the notes and the ownership and disposition of shares of our Class A common stock, if any, received upon conversion of a note. The discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authority and administrative interpretations, all as of the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or are subject to different interpretations. We cannot assure you that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described in this discussion, and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning, converting or disposing of the notes or owning or disposing of any shares of our Class A common stock received upon conversion of a note.
This discussion is limited to holders who purchase the notes in this offering for cash at a price equal to the issue price of the notes (i.e., the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold for cash to persons other than bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers) and who hold the notes or our Class A common stock received upon conversion of a note as capital assets (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address the Medicare tax on net investment income or any U.S. federal tax considerations other than U.S. federal income tax considerations (such as U.S. federal estate and gift tax considerations), or the tax considerations arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction or under any applicable income tax treaty. In addition, this discussion does not address all tax considerations that may be relevant to beneficial owners of a note or our Class A common stock in light of their particular circumstances, or to certain categories of holders that may be subject to special rules, such as:
• | dealers in securities; |
• | banks or other financial institutions; |
• | regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts; |
• | tax-exempt or governmental organizations; |
• | insurance companies; |
• | traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting for their securities; |
• | persons that hold the notes or our Class A common stock as a part of a straddle, appreciated financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment or risk reduction transaction; |
• | “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax; |
• | persons deemed to sell the notes or our Class A common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code; |
• | U.S. persons whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar; |
• | partnerships and other entities treated as pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes and holders of interests therein; |
• | persons subject to any alternative minimum tax; |
• | persons required for U.S. federal income tax purposes to conform the timing of income accruals with respect to the notes to their financial statements; and |
• | former U.S. citizens or long-term residents of the United States. |
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If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds notes or our Class A common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner of the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership and upon certain determinations made at the partner level. Partnerships considering an investment in the notes or our common stock received upon conversion of a note and partners therein should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning, converting and disposing of the notes and owning and disposing of our Class A common stock received upon conversion of a note.
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF NOTES, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP, CONVERSION AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES OR THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK RECEIVED UPON CONVERSION OF A NOTE UNDER OTHER U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.
Certain Additional Payments
In certain circumstances (see “Description of Notes—Events of Default—Special Interest as Sole Remedy for Certain Reporting Defaults” and “Description of Notes—No Registration Rights; Additional Interest”), we may be obligated to pay amounts on the notes that are in excess of stated interest on the notes. These potential payments may implicate the provisions of the U.S. Treasury regulations relating to “contingent payment debt instruments.” However, we do not intend to treat the possibility of paying such additional amounts as causing the notes to be treated as contingent payment debt instruments. Our position is binding on a holder unless such holder discloses its contrary position in the manner required by applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. However, our position is not binding on the IRS, and it is possible that the IRS may take a different position, in which case, if the IRS’s position is sustained, you will generally be required to (i) accrue ordinary interest income at a higher rate than the stated interest rate, (ii) treat as ordinary income rather than capital gain any gain recognized on a taxable disposition of a note and (iii) treat the entire amount of realized gain upon conversion of a note as taxable ordinary income. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the notes will not be treated as contingent payment debt instruments. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the possible application of the contingent payment debt instrument rules to the notes.
Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders
The following summary will apply to you if you are a U.S. holder of the notes or Class A common stock received upon conversion of a note. You are a “U.S. holder” for purposes of this discussion if you are a beneficial owner of a note or Class A common stock received upon conversion of a note and you are for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
• | an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
• | a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
• | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
• | a trust (i) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and that has one or more “United States persons” (as defined in the Code) that have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) if it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person. |
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Interest on the Notes
Stated interest on a note will be taxable to you as ordinary income at the time it is received or accrued in accordance with your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It is expected, and this discussion assumes, that the notes will be issued without original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Retirement or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes
Except as provided below under “—Conversion of the Notes,” you will generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note equal to the difference (if any) between the amount realized on such disposition and your adjusted tax basis in the note. The amount realized will include the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any other property received for the note. To the extent that any portion of the amount realized on a sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note is attributable to accrued and unpaid interest on the note, this amount generally will not be included in the “amount realized” but will instead be treated in the same manner as described above in “—Interest on the Notes.” Your adjusted tax basis in a note will generally be equal to the amount you paid for the note as increased by the amount of any deemed distribution included in income as described below under “—Constructive Distributions.”
Any gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the note for more than one year at the time of the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of the note. Otherwise, such gain or loss will be short-term capital gain or loss. Long-term capital gains of individuals, estates, and trusts currently are eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. The deductibility of capital losses may be subject to limitation.
Conversion of the Notes
Upon conversion of the notes, we may deliver solely shares of our Class A common stock, cash, or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A common stock at our election, as described above under “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Settlement Upon Conversion.”
Conversion into Class A Common Stock
Generally, you will not recognize gain or loss on the conversion of the notes solely into shares of Class A common stock, other than with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares, which will be treated as described below in “—Fractional Shares,” and other than with respect to Class A common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, which will be taxable as ordinary interest income to the extent you have not previously included the accrued interest in income.
The tax basis in the shares of Class A common stock received (including any fractional share deemed received) by you upon conversion of the notes (other than Class A common stock received by you that is attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, the tax basis of which will equal the fair market value of such Class A common stock received) will be equal to your aggregate adjusted tax basis in the notes converted.
The holding period for the shares of Class A common stock received by you upon conversion of the notes generally will include the period during which you held the notes prior to the conversion, except that the holding period of any Class A common stock received by you with respect to accrued and unpaid interest will commence on the day after the date of receipt.
Conversion into Cash
If we deliver solely cash upon a conversion, your gain or loss will be determined in the same manner as if you disposed of the notes in a taxable disposition (as described above under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Retirement or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes”).
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Conversion into Class A Common Stock and Cash
As described below, if, upon a conversion, we deliver a combination of cash and Class A common stock to you in exchange for the notes, the tax consequences of such a conversion are unclear and subject to different characterizations, and you should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of such a conversion.
Treatment as a Recapitalization
If we deliver a combination of cash and Class A common stock to you upon conversion of a note (excluding an exchange with a designated financial institution in lieu of conversion, as discussed in “—Conversion of the Notes—Exchange in Lieu of Conversion” below), we intend to take the position that the notes are securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that, as a result, the conversion will be treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Assuming that this treatment is correct, you will recognize capital gain, but not loss, equal to the lesser of (i) the excess of (x) the sum of the fair market value of the Class A common stock (including any fractional share deemed received) and the amount of cash received (other than amounts of cash paid in lieu of any fractional share, which will be treated as described in “—Fractional Shares” below), but excluding in each case cash or Class A common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest (which will be taxable as ordinary interest income to the extent you have not previously included the accrued interest in income), over (y) your adjusted tax basis in the notes, and (ii) the amount of cash received by you (excluding cash paid in lieu of fractional shares and cash attributable to accrued and unpaid interest).
Assuming that this treatment is correct, the tax basis in the shares of Class A common stock received (including any fractional share deemed received) by you upon conversion of the notes (other than Class A common stock received by you that is attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, the tax basis of which will equal the fair market value of such Class A common stock received) will be equal to your aggregate adjusted tax basis in the notes converted, reduced by the amount of any cash received (other than cash received in lieu of a fractional share or cash attributable to accrued and unpaid interest), and increased by the amount of gain, if any, recognized (other than with respect to a fractional share).
The holding period for the Class A common stock received by you upon conversion of the notes generally will include the period during which you held the notes prior to the conversion, except that the holding period of any Class A common stock received by you with respect to accrued and unpaid interest will commence on the day after the date of receipt.
Alternative Treatment of Conversion as Part Sale and Part Conversion
If the conversion of a note into cash and Class A common stock (excluding an exchange with a designated financial institution in lieu of conversion, as discussed in “—Conversion of the Notes—Exchange in Lieu of Conversion” below) were not treated as a recapitalization as discussed above, the cash payment received (excluding cash paid in lieu of fractional shares and cash attributable to accrued and unpaid interest) could be treated as proceeds from the sale of a portion of the note and taxed in the manner described above under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Retirement or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes,” in which case our Class A common stock received on such a conversion (other than Class A common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, which would be taxable as interest to the extent you have not previously included the accrued interest in income) would be treated as received upon a conversion of the other portion of the note, which generally would not be taxable to you. In that case, your adjusted tax basis in the note would generally be allocated pro rata between the portion of the note treated as exchanged for our Class A common stock (including any fractional share deemed received) and the portion of the note treated as exchanged for the cash received (other than amounts of cash paid in lieu of any fractional share), in each case excluding cash or Class A common stock attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, based on the fair market value of such Class A common stock and such cash. The holding period for our Class A common stock received in the conversion would include your holding period for the note, except that the holding period for any Class A common stock received with respect to accrued and unpaid interest would commence on the day after the date of receipt.
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Fractional Shares
If you receive cash upon conversion in lieu of a fractional share of our Class A common stock, you generally will be treated as having received such fractional share pursuant to the conversion and then as having exchanged such fractional share of our Class A common stock for cash. As a result, cash received by you upon conversion in lieu of a fractional share of our Class A common stock will be treated as a payment in exchange for the fractional share and generally will result in recognition of capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received by you in lieu of such fractional share and the portion of your tax basis that is allocated to the fractional share. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if your holding period in the fractional share of our Class A common stock deemed to be received exceeds one year at the time of the conversion. Long-term capital gains of individuals, estates, and trusts currently are eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. The deductibility of capital losses may be subject to limitation.
Exchange in Lieu of Conversion
If you surrender notes for conversion, we may, at our election, direct the conversion agent to surrender such notes to a financial institution designated by us for exchange in lieu of conversion. In order to accept any notes surrendered for conversion, the designated financial institution must agree to pay or deliver in exchange for such notes, the amount of cash, shares of our Class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A common stock that would otherwise be due upon conversion. See “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Exchange in Lieu of Conversion.” If the designated financial institution accepts such notes and delivers cash, shares of our Class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A common stock in exchange for the notes, you will be taxed on the transfer as a sale or exchange of the notes, as described under “—Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Retirement or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes.”
Constructive Distributions
The conversion rate of the notes will be adjusted in certain circumstances as described in “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Conversion Rate Adjustments.” Adjustments (or failures to make adjustments) that have the effect of increasing your proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits may in some circumstances result in a deemed distribution to you even though no cash is received. Adjustments to the conversion rate made pursuant to a bona fide, reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing the dilution of the interest of the holders of the notes, however, will generally not be considered to result in a deemed distribution to you. Certain of the possible conversion rate adjustments provided in the notes (including, without limitation, adjustments in respect of certain taxable dividends to holders of our Class A common stock) will not qualify as being pursuant to a bona fide, reasonable adjustment formula. If such adjustments are made, you will be deemed to have received a distribution even though you have not received any cash as a result of such adjustments. In addition, an adjustment to the conversion rate in connection with a make-whole fundamental change may be treated as a deemed distribution. In certain circumstances, a failure to adjust (or to adjust adequately) the conversion rate may result in a deemed distribution to you if, as a result of such failure, your proportionate interest in our assets or earnings and profits is increased.
Any deemed distributions will be taxable as a dividend, return of capital or capital gain to the extent thereof as described below in “—Distributions on Class A Common Stock”. You should consult your tax advisor regarding whether any dividend deemed paid to you would be eligible for the preferential rates of U.S. federal income tax applicable in respect of certain dividends received by non-corporate U.S. holders and, if you are a corporate U.S. holder, whether you would be entitled to claim the dividends-received deduction with respect to any such constructive dividends. Generally, your adjusted tax basis in a note will be increased to the extent any such deemed distribution is treated as a dividend. Because a constructive dividend deemed received by you would not give rise to any cash from which any applicable withholding could be satisfied, if backup withholding is applicable to you (because you failed to establish an exemption from backup withholding taxes as further described below in “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding”), such withholding may be withheld from or set off against subsequent payments on the notes or our Class A common stock owned by you or from
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any proceeds of any subsequent sale, exchange or other disposition of such notes (including the retirement of such notes), such Class A common stock or other funds or assets held by you.
We are currently required to report the amount of any deemed distributions on our website or to the IRS and to holders of notes not exempt from reporting. The IRS proposed U.S. Treasury regulations addressing the amount and timing of such deemed distributions and certain obligations of withholding agents and filing and notice obligations of issuers with respect to such deemed distributions. If adopted as proposed, the regulations would generally provide that (i) the amount of a deemed distribution is the excess of the fair market value of the right to acquire Class A common stock immediately after the conversion rate adjustment over the fair market value (determined immediately after the conversion rate adjustment) of the right to acquire Class A common stock without the conversion rate adjustment, (ii) the deemed distribution occurs at the earlier of the date the conversion rate adjustment occurs under the terms of the note and the date of the actual distribution of cash or property that results in the deemed distribution, (iii) subject to certain limited exceptions, a withholding agent is required to impose any applicable withholding on deemed distributions and, if there is no associated cash payment, may set off its withholding obligations against subsequent payments on the notes or our Class A common stock owned by you or from any proceeds of any subsequent sale, exchange or other disposition of such notes (including the retirement of such notes), such Class A common stock or other funds or assets held by you, and (iv) we may be required to report the amount of any deemed distributions on our website or to the IRS and all U.S. holders of our notes (including holders that would otherwise be exempt from reporting). The final U.S. Treasury regulations will be effective for deemed distributions occurring on or after the date of adoption, but taxpayers may rely on them prior to that date under certain circumstances. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the potential effects of the proposed U.S. Treasury regulations in respect of the notes.
Distributions on Class A Common Stock
Distributions, if any, made on our Class A common stock received upon conversion of a note generally will be included in your income as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, computed under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your tax basis in our Class A common stock and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such Class A common stock. Dividends received by a corporate U.S. holder may be eligible for a dividends-received deduction, subject to applicable limitations. Dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. holders (including individuals) are generally taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rates, provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
Sale, Certain Redemptions or Other Taxable Disposition of Class A Common Stock
Upon the sale, certain redemptions or other taxable disposition of our Class A common stock received upon conversion of a note, you generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in our Class A common stock. Any gain or loss recognized on a taxable disposition of our Class A common stock will be capital gain or loss. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if your holding period at the time of the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of our Class A common
stock is more than one year. Long-term capital gains of individuals, estates, and trusts currently are eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. The deductibility of capital losses may be subject to limitation.
Possible Effect of a Change in Conversion Consideration
In certain situations, the notes may become convertible or exchangeable into shares of another entity that acquires us or other consideration. Furthermore, we may undertake certain transactions (such as a merger or sale of assets) in connection with a change of control or similar transaction (for example, as described above under “Description of Notes—Consolidation, Merger and Asset Sale”). Depending on the circumstances, such a change in conversion consideration or such transactions undertaken in connection with a change of control or similar transaction could result in a deemed taxable exchange of your notes, potentially resulting in the recognition of
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taxable gain or loss. Furthermore, depending on the circumstances, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership or conversion or exchange of the notes, and the shares of our Class A common stock or other consideration received upon a conversion or exchange of the notes, may be different from the U.S. federal income tax consequences addressed in this discussion. For example, if the notes were to become exchangeable into stock of an entity other than the obligor, such an exchange could be a taxable event in certain circumstances.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information reporting generally will apply to payments of interest (including additional interest or special interest, if any) and dividends (including deemed dividends) and the proceeds of a sale or other disposition of a note or Class A common stock, and backup withholding will apply to such payments unless you provide to the applicable withholding agent your taxpayer identification number, certified under penalties of perjury, as well as certain other information or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished timely to the IRS.
Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders
The following summary will apply to you if you are a non-U.S. holder of notes or Class A common stock received upon conversion of a note. You are a “non-U.S. holder” for purposes of this discussion if you are a beneficial owner of a note or Class A common stock received upon conversion of a note that is an individual, corporation, estate or trust and that is not a U.S. holder.
Interest on the Notes
Subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding and withholding requirements under FATCA (as defined below), payments to you of interest on the notes generally will be exempt from U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax under the “portfolio interest” exemption if you properly certify as to your foreign status, as described below, and:
• | you do not own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote; |
• | you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us (actually or constructively) through stock ownership; |
• | you are not a bank whose receipt of interest on the notes is in connection with an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of your trade or business; and |
• | interest on the notes is not effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business. |
The portfolio interest exemption generally applies only if you also appropriately certify as to your foreign status. You can generally meet the certification requirement by providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) to the applicable withholding agent. If you hold your notes through a financial institution or other agent acting on your behalf, you may be required to provide appropriate certifications to the agent. Your agent will then generally be required to provide appropriate certifications to the applicable withholding agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. Special rules apply to foreign partnerships, estates, and trusts, and in certain circumstances certifications as to the foreign status of partners, trust owners, or beneficiaries may have to be provided to the applicable withholding agent. In addition, special rules apply to qualified intermediaries that enter into withholding agreements with the IRS.
If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest made to you will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate unless (i) you provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) claiming an exemption from (or reduction of) withholding under the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty, or (ii) the
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payments of such interest are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, although you will be required to meet the certification requirements described below in order to avoid the 30% withholding.
Interest paid to you that is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise, generally will be taxed on a net income basis at the rates and in the same manner generally applicable to United States persons. Such effectively connected interest will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding if you satisfy certain certification requirements by providing the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable or successor form) certifying eligibility for exemption. In addition, if you are a foreign corporation, you may also be subject to a branch profits tax (at a 30% rate or such lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on your effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year (as adjusted for certain items), which will include effectively connected interest.
The certifications described above must be provided to the applicable withholding agent prior to the payment of interest and must be updated periodically. If you do not timely provide the applicable withholding agent with the required certification, but you qualify for an exemption or a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely providing the required information or filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. You should consult your tax advisor regarding your entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.
Distributions and Constructive Distributions
Subject to the discussion below of withholding requirements under FATCA and effectively connected dividends, any distribution made to you on our Class A common stock and any deemed distributions resulting from certain adjustments to, or a failure to adjust (or to adjust adequately), the conversion rate of the notes (see “—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders—Constructive Distributions” above) generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the distribution unless an applicable income tax treaty provides for a lower rate. In the case of a deemed distribution resulting from certain adjustments to, or a failure to adjust (or to adjust adequately), the conversion rate, such withholding may be withheld from or set off against subsequent payments on the notes or our Class A common stock owned by you or from any proceeds of any subsequent sale, exchange or other disposition of such notes (including the retirement of such notes), such Class A common stock or other funds or assets held by you. To receive the benefit of a reduced treaty rate, you must provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) certifying qualification for the reduced rate. If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing the required information or an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Dividends (including deemed dividends) that are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States, unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise, generally will be taxed on a net income basis at the rates and in the manner generally applicable to United States persons. Such effectively connected dividends will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax if you satisfy certain certification requirements by providing the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable or successor form) certifying eligibility for exemption. In addition, if you are a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you may also be subject to a branch profits tax (at a 30% rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty) of your effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year (as adjusted for certain items), which will include effectively connected dividends.
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Sale, Exchange, Certain Redemptions, Conversion or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes or Class A Common Stock
Subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding, any gain recognized by you on the sale, exchange, certain redemptions, conversion of a note into cash or a combination of cash and Class A common stock, or other taxable disposition of a note or Class A common stock will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:
• | you are an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year in which the sale or disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met; |
• | the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States; or |
• | the notes or our Class A common stock constitute United States real property interests by reason of our status as a “United States real property holding corporation,” or “USRPHC”, for U.S. federal income tax purposes during the shorter of your holding period or the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition of the note or Class A common stock, as the case may be. |
If you are a non-U.S. holder who is described in the first bullet point above, you will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount of such gain, which generally may be offset by U.S.-source capital losses.
If you are a non-U.S. holder whose gain is described in the second bullet point above or, subject to the exceptions described in the next paragraph, the third bullet point above applies, you generally will be taxed on a net income basis at the rates and in the manner generally applicable to United States persons unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. In addition, if you are a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes whose gain is described in the second bullet point above, then such gain would also be included in your effectively connected earnings and profits (as adjusted for certain items), which may be subject to a branch profits tax (at a 30% rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty).
Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its United States real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we currently are not a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we do not expect to become a USRPHC for the foreseeable future. However, in the event that we were to become a USRPHC, as long as our Class A common stock continues to be “regularly traded on an established securities market” within the meaning of the U.S. Treasury regulations (“regularly traded”), only a non-U.S. holder that actually or constructively owns, or owned at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for the notes or our Class A common stock (as applicable), (i) with respect to a disposition of the notes, (x) if the notes are not regularly traded, notes with a fair market value, generally as of the date acquired or any date on which such non-U.S. holder makes a subsequent acquisition of notes, greater than 5% of the total value of all of our outstanding Class A common stock, or (y) if the notes are also regularly traded, more than 5% of the outstanding notes, or (ii) with respect to a disposition of our Class A common stock, more than 5% of our Class A common stock, will be treated as disposing of a United States real property interest and will be subject to taxation on gain realized on the disposition of the notes or our Class A common stock as a result of our status as a USRPHC as described in the following sentence. If we were to become a USRPHC and the notes and our Class A common stock were not considered to be regularly traded, such holder (regardless of the percentage of notes or stock owned) would be treated as disposing of a United States real property interest and would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a taxable disposition of the notes or our Class A common stock (as described in the preceding paragraph), and a 15% withholding tax would apply to the gross proceeds from such disposition. A non-U.S. holder may credit any such withholding against its U.S. federal income tax liability. This discussion assumes we are not and will not become a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
You should consult your tax advisor with respect to the application of the foregoing rules to your ownership and disposition of the notes or our Class A common stock.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Payments to you of interest and distributions (including deemed distributions) on your notes or Class A common stock, and amounts withheld from such payments, if any, generally will be required to be reported annually to the IRS and to you. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest and distributions (including deemed distributions) and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which you reside under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. Payments of interest and dividends (including deemed dividends) on your notes generally will not be subject to backup withholding if you establish an exemption by properly certifying your non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form).
Payments of the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of a note or our Class A common stock effected by or through a U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding (at the applicable rate) unless you establish an exemption by properly certifying your non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) and certain other conditions are met. Information reporting and backup withholding generally will not apply to any payment of the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of a note or our Class A common stock effected outside the United States by a non-U.S. office of a broker. However, unless such broker has documentary evidence in its records that you are not a United States person and certain other conditions are met, or you otherwise establish an exemption, information reporting will apply to a payment of the proceeds of the disposition of a note or our Class A common stock effected outside the United States by such a broker if it has certain relationships within the United States.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is furnished timely to the IRS.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations and administrative guidance issued thereunder (referred to as “FATCA”) generally impose a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on any withholdable payments, including payments of interest and dividends (including deemed dividends) on a note or our Class A common stock, in each case, if paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code) (including, in some cases, when such foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity is acting as an intermediary), unless: (i) in the case of a foreign financial institution, such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments, and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are non-U.S. entities with U.S. owners); (ii) in the case of a non-financial foreign entity, such entity certifies that it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or provides the applicable withholding agent with a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial United States owners of the entity (in either case, generally on an IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form)); or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules and provides appropriate documentation (such as an IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form)). While withholdable payments would have originally included payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the notes or our Class A common stock, proposed U.S. Treasury regulations provide that such payments of gross proceeds do not constitute withholdable payments. Taxpayers may rely generally on these proposed U.S. Treasury regulations until they are revoked or final U.S. Treasury regulations are issued.
Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing these rules may be subject to different rules. Under certain circumstances, a holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.
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You are encouraged to consult your tax advisor regarding the effects of FATCA on an investment in the notes or our Class A common stock.
THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION OF THE MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF ACQUIRING, OWNING, CONVERTING AND DISPOSING OF A NOTE OR OWNING AND DISPOSING OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK RECEIVED UPON CONVERSION OF A NOTE, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAWS.
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The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the acquisition and holding of the notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion thereof by employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA), non-U.S. plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) or other plans that are not subject to the foregoing but may be subject to provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code (collectively, “Similar Laws”), and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a “Plan”).
This summary is based on the provisions of ERISA and the Code (and related regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations) as of the date of this prospectus supplement. This summary does not purport to be complete, and no assurance can be given that future legislation, court decisions, regulations, rulings or pronouncements will not significantly modify the requirements summarized below. Any of these changes may be retroactive and may thereby apply to transactions entered into prior to the date of their enactment or release. This discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all inclusive, nor should it be construed as investment or legal advice.
General Fiduciary Matters
ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (an “ERISA Plan”) and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of an ERISA Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of an ERISA Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of an ERISA Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to an ERISA Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the ERISA Plan.
In considering an investment in the notes with a portion of the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary should consider the Plan’s particular circumstances and all of the facts and circumstances of the investment and determine whether the acquisition and holding of a note and the shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion thereof is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code, or any Similar Law relating to the fiduciary’s duties to the Plan, including, without limitation:
whether the investment is prudent under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws;
whether, in making the investment, the ERISA Plan will satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws;
whether the investment is permitted under the terms of the applicable documents governing the Plan;
whether in the future there may be no market in which to sell or otherwise dispose of the notes or the shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion thereof;
whether the acquisition or holding of the notes or shares of common stock will constitute a “prohibited transaction” under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (please see discussion under “—Prohibited Transaction Issues” below); and
whether the Plan will be considered to hold, as plan assets, (i) only shares of common stock or (ii) an undivided interest in our underlying assets (please see the discussion under “— Plan Asset Issues” below).
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Prohibited Transaction Issues
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit ERISA Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving plan assets with persons or entities who are “parties in interest,” within the meaning of ERISA, or “disqualified persons,” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the ERISA Plan that engages in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. The acquisition and/or holding of the notes by an ERISA Plan with respect to which the issuer, the underwriters, or a guarantor is considered a party in interest or a disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired and is held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption.
In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or “PTCEs,” that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the sale, acquisition or holding of the notes. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE 75-1, respecting certain transactions involving ERISA Plans and broker-dealers, reporting dealers and banks; PTCE 84-14, as amended, respecting certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers; PTCE 90-1, respecting certain investments by insurance company pooled separate accounts; PTCE 91-38, respecting certain investments by bank collective investment funds; PTCE 95-60, respecting certain life insurance company general accounts; and PTCE 96-23, respecting certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers. In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code each provide relief from the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code for certain transactions, provided that (i) neither the issuer of the notes nor any of its affiliates (directly or indirectly) has or exercises any discretionary authority or control or render any investment advice with respect to the assets of any ERISA Plan involved in the transaction and (ii) the ERISA Plan pays no more than adequate consideration in connection with the transaction. Each of these statutory exemptions and PTCEs contain conditions and limitations on their application and do not provide relief from the self-dealing prohibitions under ERISA and the Code. It should also be noted that even if the conditions specified in one or more of these exemptions are met, the scope of relief provided by these exemptions may not necessarily cover all acts that might be construed as prohibited transactions. Accordingly, the fiduciary of a Plan that is considering acquiring and/or holding the notes in reliance on any of these (or any other) exemptions should carefully review the exemption and consult with its counsel to confirm that it is applicable. There can be no, and we do not provide any, assurance that any of these exemptions or any other exemption will be available with respect to the acquisition or holding of the notes, or that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.
Because of the foregoing, the notes should not be acquired or held by any person investing “plan assets” of any Plan, unless such acquisition and holding will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code or a similar violation of any applicable Similar Laws.
Plan Asset Issues
Because the notes are convertible into shares of common stock, in addition to considering whether the acquisition and holding of our notes is a prohibited transaction, a fiduciary of a Plan should consider whether the Plan will, by investing in us, be deemed to own an undivided interest in our assets, with the result that we would become a fiduciary of the Plan and our operations would be subject to the regulatory restrictions of ERISA, including its prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.
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The DOL regulations provide guidance with respect to whether the assets of an entity in which ERISA Plans acquire equity interests would be deemed “plan assets” under some circumstances. Under these regulations, an entity’s assets generally would not be considered to be “plan assets” if, among other things:
(a) the equity interests acquired by ERISA Plans are publicly offered securities—i.e., the equity interests are part of a class of securities that is widely held by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and each other, are “freely transferable” (as defined in the DOL regulations), and are either registered under certain provisions of the federal securities laws or sold to the ERISA Plan as part of a public offering under certain conditions;
(b) the entity is an “operating company”—i.e., it is primarily engaged in the production or sale of a product or service, other than the investment of capital, either directly or through a majority-owned subsidiary or subsidiaries; or
(c) there is no significant investment by benefit plan investors, which is defined to mean that immediately after the most recent acquisition by an ERISA Plan of any equity interest in the entity, less than 25% of the total value of each class of equity interest (disregarding certain interests held by persons (other than benefit plan investors) with discretionary authority or control over the assets of the entity or who provide investment advice for a fee (direct or indirect) with respect to such assets, and any affiliates thereof) is held by ERISA Plans, IRAs and certain other Plans (but not including governmental plans, foreign plans and certain church plans), and entities whose underlying assets are deemed to include plan assets by reason of a Plan’s investment in the entity.
Due to the complexity of these rules and the excise taxes, penalties and liabilities that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries, or other persons considering acquiring and/or holding the notes on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether an exemption would be applicable to the acquisition and holding of the notes. Purchasers of the notes have the exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their acquisition and holding of the notes complies with the fiduciary responsibility rules of ERISA and does not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA, the Code or applicable Similar Laws. The sale of the notes to a Plan is in no respect a representation by us or any of our affiliates or representatives that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by any such Plan or that such investment is appropriate for any such Plan.
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Under the terms and subject to the conditions in an underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, the underwriters named below, for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is acting as representative, have severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to them, severally, the principal amount of notes indicated below:
Underwriter | Principal Amount of Notes |
|||
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC |
$ | |||
Santander US Capital Markets LLC |
||||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 110,000,000 | ||
|
|
The underwriters and the representative are collectively referred to as the “underwriters” and the “representative,” respectively. The underwriters are offering the notes subject to their acceptance of the notes from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement if any such notes are taken. However, the underwriters are not required to take or pay for the notes covered by the underwriters’ option to purchase additional notes described below.
The underwriters initially propose to offer the notes directly to the public at the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus supplement or to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of % of the principal amount of the notes. After the initial offering of the notes, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representative.
We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase, exercisable within a 30-day period from the date of this prospectus supplement, up to an additional $15.0 million principal amount of notes from us solely to cover over-allotments. If any additional notes are purchased with this option, the underwriters will offer such additional notes on the same terms as those on which the notes are being offered.
The following table shows the per note and total public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions, and proceeds before expenses to us. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to an additional principal amount of notes, solely to cover over-allotments.
Per Note |
No Exercise |
Full Exercise |
||||||||||
Public offering price |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid by us: |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The estimated offering expenses payable by us, exclusive of the underwriting discounts and commissions, are approximately $ . The underwriter has agreed to reimburse us up to $ of our out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this offering.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “SEI.”
The notes are a new issue of securities, and there is currently no established trading market for such notes. We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system.
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The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes, but they are not obligated to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market-making in the notes at any time in their sole discretion without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for the notes. If an active trading market for the notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected. If the notes are traded, they may trade at a discount from their initial public offering price depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our performance and other factors.
We have agreed that we will not: (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or (iii) file any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise in each case without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, other than (i) the sale of notes in this offering, or the issuance by us of any shares of our common stock upon the conversion of the notes, (ii) the issuance by the Company of any common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof as described in the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, (iii) facilitating the establishment of a trading plan on behalf of a shareholder, officer or director of the Company pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act (a “10b5-1 Plan”) for the transfer of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock, provided that (A) such plan does not provide for the transfer of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus supplement and (B) to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, if any, is required of or voluntarily made by the Company regarding the establishment of such plan, such announcement or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of common stock may be made under such plan for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, (iv) the filing of a registration statement on Form S-8 relating to, and the issuance and sale of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock pursuant to the terms of a plan described in the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, (viii) our entry into the convertible note hedge transactions and warrant transactions described in this prospectus supplements, and (v) issuances of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock issued as consideration for the acquisition of equity interests or assets of any person, or the acquiring by the Company by any manner of any business, properties, assets or persons, in one transaction or a series of related transactions or the filing of a registration statement related to such common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock; provided that (A) no more than an aggregate of 10% of the number of shares of the Company’s capital stock outstanding immediately following the issuance and sale of the securities in this offering are issued as consideration in connection with all such acquisitions and (B) prior to the issuance of such shares of the Company’s capital stock, each recipient of such shares agrees in writing to be subject to the 60-day restricted period described above.
All of our directors and executive officers have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters prior to the commencement of this offering pursuant to which each of these persons, with limited exceptions, for a period of 60 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, may not, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC on behalf of the underwriters: (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any common stock, enter into a transaction which would have the same effect, (ii) enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock, whether
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any such aforementioned transaction is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any such transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement or (iii) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock.
In addition, the restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraph to do not apply to: a) any transactions relating to common stock acquired in the open market after the closing of the offering, provided that with respect to any sale or other disposition of such common stock, no filing under the Exchange Act (other than on Form 5) or other public announcement shall be required or shall be voluntarily made by any party in connection with subsequent sales of such common stock acquired in such open market transactions during the 60-day restricted period described above, (b) any exercise of options or vesting or exercise of any other equity-based award, in each case, outstanding immediately following the issuance and sale of the securities in this offering, and in each case under the Company’s equity incentive plan or any other plan or agreement described in the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, provided that any common stock received upon such exercise or vesting will also be subject to the 60-day restricted period described above, (c) transfers as a bona fide gift or gifts, (d) transfers to a family member, trust, family limited partnership or family limited liability company for the direct or indirect benefit of the any party subject to a lock-up agreement or his or her family members, (e) transfers by testate or intestate succession, provided that in each transfer pursuant to clauses (c) through (e) the transferee agrees to enter into a lock-up agreement prior to such transfer, such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value and no filing or public announcement by any party (donor, donee, transferor or transferee) under the Exchange Act or otherwise shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with such transfer (other than a filing on a Form 5), or (f) the establishment of any written contract, instruction or plan that satisfies all of the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that no sales of common stock or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, common stock, shall be made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 Plan prior to the expiration of the 60-day restricted period described above; and provided further, that no party is required to publicly announce, file, or report the establishment of such Rule 10b5-1 Plan in any public report, announcement, or filing with the SEC under the Exchange Act during the 60-day restricted period described above and does not otherwise voluntarily effect any such public report, announcement, or filing regarding such Rule 10b5-1 Plan.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, in its sole discretion, may release the common stock and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time.
In order to facilitate the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the notes or our common stock. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more notes than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of notes available for purchase by the underwriters under the option. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the option or purchasing the notes in the open market. In determining the source of notes to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of notes compared to the price available under the option. The underwriters may also sell notes in excess of the option, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing notes 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 notes in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. As an additional means of facilitating this offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, notes or shares of common stock in the open market to stabilize the price of the notes or our common stock. These activities may raise or maintain the market price of the notes or our common stock above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the notes or our common stock. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
We and the underwriters have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
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A prospectus supplement in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering. The representative may agree to allocate a number of notes to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representative to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters of this offering act as underwriters in the concurrent delta offering, as described in “The Concurrent Delta Offering” section of this prospectus supplement and we will pay a fee of $ per share of our Class A common stock sold by them as underwriters in the concurrent delta offering. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
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SELLING RESTRICTIONS
EEA Restriction
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each, a “Relevant State”), no notes have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the notes which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of notes may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:
(a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation;
(b) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or
(c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,
provided that no such offer of notes shall require us or any representative to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the shares in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended).
United Kingdom
No notes have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the notes which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, except that offers of notes may be made to the public in the United Kingdom at any time under the following exemptions under the UK Prospectus Regulation:
(a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation;
(b) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or
(c) in any other circumstances falling within Section 86 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (‘FSMA”),
provided that no such offer of notes shall require us or any representative to publish a prospectus pursuant to Section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the notes in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any notes, and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
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Canada
The notes may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contain a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
Hong Kong
The notes may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder
Singapore
This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor, the securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation has acquired the notes under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA), (2) where such transfer arises from an offer in that corporation’s securities pursuant
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to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, (3) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer, (4) where the transfer is by operation of law, (5) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA, or (6) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore (“Regulation 32”).
Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an accredited investor, the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that trust has acquired the notes under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA), (2) where such transfer arises from an offer that is made on terms that such rights or interest are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction (whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets), (3) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer, (4) where the transfer is by operation of law, (5) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA, or (6) as specified in Regulation 32.
Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification – Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289 of Singapore) (the “SFA”), State Street has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the notes are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).
Japan
No registration pursuant to Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) (the “FIEL”) has been made or will be made with respect to the solicitation of the application for the acquisition of the notes.
Accordingly, the notes have not been, directly or indirectly, offered or sold and will not be, directly or indirectly, offered or sold in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan) or to others for re-offering or re-sale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEL and the other applicable laws and regulations of Japan.
For Qualified Institutional Investors (“QII”)
Please note that the solicitation for newly-issued or secondary securities (each as described in Paragraph 2, Article 4 of the FIEL) in relation to the notes constitutes either a “QII only private placement” or a “QII only secondary distribution” (each as described in Paragraph 1, Article 23-13 of the FIEL). Disclosure regarding any such solicitation, as is otherwise prescribed in Paragraph 1, Article 4 of the FIEL, has not been made in relation to the notes. The notes may only be transferred to QIIs.
For Non-QII Investors
Please note that the solicitation for newly-issued or secondary securities (each as described in Paragraph 2, Article 4 of the FIEL) in relation to the notes constitutes either a “small number private placement” or a “small number private secondary distribution” (each as is described in Paragraph 4, Article 23-13 of the FIEL). Disclosure regarding any such solicitation, as is otherwise prescribed in Paragraph 1, Article 4 of the FIEL, has not been made in relation to the shares of common stock. The notes may only be transferred en bloc without subdivision to a single investor.
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Australia
No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.
Any offer in Australia of the notes may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the notes without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.
The notes applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.
Further, any shares of common stock issued on conversion of the notes must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of issue of those shares except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring notes or common stock must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.
This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The notes to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the notes offered should conduct their own due diligence on the notes. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.
Switzerland
The notes may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), and no application has or will be made to admit the notes to trading on any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes constitutes a prospectus pursuant to the FinSA, and neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
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Israel
This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728-1968, or the Securities Law, and has not been filed with or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. In Israel, this prospectus is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer of the notes is directed only at, (i) a limited number of persons in accordance with the Israeli Securities Law and (ii) investors listed in the first addendum, or the Addendum, to the Israeli Securities Law, consisting primarily of joint investment in trust funds, provident funds, insurance companies, banks, portfolio managers, investment advisors, members of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, underwriters, venture capital funds, entities with equity in excess of NIS 50 million and “qualified individuals,” each as defined in the Addendum (as it may be amended from time to time), collectively referred to as qualified investors (in each case, purchasing for their own account or, where permitted under the Addendum, for the accounts of their clients who are investors listed in the Addendum). Qualified investors are required to submit written confirmation that they fall within the scope of the Addendum, are aware of the meaning of same and agree to it.
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Certain legal matters relating to the offering will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas. Certain legal matters relating to the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston, Texas.
The consolidated financial statements of Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and for each of the years then ended and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting contains an explanatory paragraph relating to the exclusion of Mobile Energy Rentals, LLC from the scope of management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and our audit of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024.
The financial statements of Mobile Energy Rentals, LLC as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the period from February 23, 2022 (inception) to December 31, 2022, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of BDO USA, P.C., independent auditors, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The report on the financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph regarding Mobile Energy Rentals, LLC’s ability to continue as a going concern.
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Where You Can Find More Information
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 (including the exhibits, schedules and amendments thereto) under the Securities Act, with respect to the notes offered hereby. This prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to us and the notes offered hereby, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith and the accompanying base prospectus. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract, agreement or any other document are summaries of the material terms of this contract, agreement or other document. With respect to each of these contracts, agreements or other documents filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, reference is made to the exhibits for a more complete description of the matter involved.
The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. Our registration statement, of which this prospectus supplement constitutes a part, can be downloaded from the SEC’s website. We file with or furnish to the SEC periodic reports and other information. These reports and other information may be obtained from the SEC’s website as provided above. Our website is located at www.solaris-energy.com. We make our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC available, free of charge, through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other information are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. We make our website content available for information purposes only. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement and investors should not rely on such information in making a decision to purchase our Class A common stock.
We furnish or make available to our stockholders annual reports containing our audited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. We also furnish or make available to our stockholders quarterly reports containing our unaudited interim financial information, including the information required by Form 10-Q, for the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year.
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Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference
We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Some information contained in this prospectus updates the information incorporated by reference, and information that we file subsequently with the SEC will automatically update this prospectus. In other words, in the case of a conflict or inconsistency between information set forth in this prospectus and information that we file later and incorporate by reference into this prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in the document that was filed later.
In particular, we incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement the documents listed below and any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been “furnished” and not “filed” in accordance with SEC rules):
• | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed on March 5, 2025 (including the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K from our Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 4, 2025); |
• | our Current Reports on Form 8-K/A filed on November 18, 2024 and our Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on April 3, 2025 and April 30, 2025; and |
• | the description of our Class A common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed on May 10, 2017, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating the description. |
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
You may request a copy of the registration statement, the above filings and any future filings that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, other than an exhibit to a filing unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing, at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following address:
Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
9651 Katy Freeway, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77024
(281) 501-3070
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PROSPECTUS
Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc.
Debt Securities
From time to time we may offer and sell certain debt securities.
We may offer and sell these securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.
This prospectus describes only the general terms of the debt securities and the general manner in which we may offer the securities. The specific terms of any securities we offer will be included in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will describe the specific manner in which we will offer the securities and also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.
We are also registering hereunder an indeterminate number of shares of our Class A common stock to the extent necessary upon conversion of any debt securities sold hereunder.
You should carefully read this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest. You should also read the documents we refer to in the “Where You Can Find More Information” section of this prospectus for the information about us and certain risks related to the purchase of our securities. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of our securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Please read “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated herein and therein before you make any investment in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is April 30, 2025.
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference herein. We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which they relate and are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus, or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operation and prospects may have changed since that date.
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus generally describes Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. and the securities we may offer.
Each time securities are offered by means of this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. We may also add or update in the prospectus supplement (and in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Please read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” carefully before buying any of the securities being offered.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Unless context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms refer to Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. and its subsidiaries and predecessors.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), that registers the offer and sale of the securities covered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the exhibits attached thereto and incorporated by reference therein, contains additional relevant information about us. In addition, we file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we have filed with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we later provide to the SEC, and which is deemed to be “filed” with the SEC, will automatically update information previously filed with the SEC, and may update or replace information in this prospectus and information previously filed with the SEC.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (excluding information deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC), after the date on which the registration statement was initially filed with the SEC (including all such documents that we may file with the SEC after the date the registration statement was initially filed and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement) until all offerings under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part are completed or terminated:
• | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed on March 5, 2025 (including the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K from our Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 4, 2025); |
• | our Current Reports on Form 8-K/A filed on November 18, 2024 and our Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on April 3, 2025 and April 30, 2025; and |
• | the description of our Class A common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on May 10, 2017, including any amendments or reports that we may file in the future for the purpose of updating such description. |
• | These reports contain important information about us, our financial condition and our results of operations. |
We make available free of charge on or through our website, solaris-energy.com, our filings with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. We make our website content available for information purposes only. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.
You may obtain copies of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the SEC through the SEC’s website at the address provided above. You also may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus (including exhibits to those documents specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus), at no cost, by contacting us at:
Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
9651 Katy Freeway, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77024
(281) 501-3070
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or that include the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “could,” “may,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan”, “will,” “should” and other expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and that do not relate to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements include statements about our business strategy, our industry, our future profitability, our expected capital expenditures and the impact of such expenditures on our performance, management changes, current and potential future long-term contracts, our capital programs and our future business and financial performance. In addition, our forward-looking statements address the various risks and uncertainties associated with extraordinary market environments and the expected impact on our businesses, results of operations and earnings.
A forward-looking statement may include a statement of the assumptions or bases underlying the forward-looking statement. We believe that we have chosen these assumptions or bases in good faith and that they are reasonable. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should also understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider the following list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements include:
• | the level of domestic spending and access to capital markets which we serve, namely (i) power generation and (ii) the oil and natural gas industry and uncertainty regarding the future actions of oil producers, including the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia and the actions taken to set, maintain or cut production levels; |
• | changes in tariffs, trade barriers, price and exchange controls and other regulatory requirements, and the impact of such policies on us, our customers and the global economic environment; |
• | the success of the Stateline joint venture (as defined herein) and its impact on the financial condition and results of operations of our Solaris Power Solutions segment; |
• | developments and uncertainty in the global economy and the resulting impacts to the demand and supply for power generation or crude oil and natural gas or volatility of the prices for such projects, and therefore the demand for the services we provide and the commercial opportunities available to us; |
• | geopolitical risks, including the war between Russia and Ukraine, the Israel and Hamas conflict and continued hostilities in the Middle East which could each affect the stability and continued recovery of oil and gas markets; |
• | uncertainty regarding methods by which the growing demand for power generation will be met in both the short and long term; |
• | consolidation amongst current or potential customers that could affect demand for our products and services; |
• | inflationary risks, increased interest rates, central bank policy, bank failures and associated liquidity risks and supply chain constraints, including changes in market price and availability of materials and labor; |
• | significant changes in the transportation industries or fluctuations in transportation costs or the availability or reliability of transportation that service our business; |
• | large or multiple customer defaults, including defaults resulting from actual or potential insolvencies; |
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• | epidemics or pandemics, including the effects of related public health concerns and the impact of continued actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to pandemics and their impact on commodity prices, supply and demand considerations and storage capacity; |
• | technological advancements in well completion technologies and our ability to expand our product and service offerings; |
• | competitive conditions in our industry; |
• | inability to fully protect our intellectual property rights; |
• | actions taken by our customers, competitors and third-party operators; |
• | changes in the availability and cost of capital; |
• | our ability to successfully implement our business strategy; |
• | increases in tax rates or the enactment of taxes that specifically impact exploration and production related operations resulting in an increase in the amount of taxes owed by us; |
• | the effects of existing and future laws, rulings, governmental regulations and accounting standards and statements (or the interpretation thereof) on us and our customers; |
• | legislative, regulatory and ESG initiatives addressing environmental concerns, including initiatives addressing the impact of global climate change; |
• | our ability to obtain and maintain all necessary government and third-party permits, approvals and licenses; |
• | safety and environmental requirements that may subject us to unanticipated liabilities; |
• | cyber-attacks targeting systems and infrastructure used by the power generation and oil and natural gas industries; |
• | the effects of future and pending litigation, including a federal securities lawsuit styled Stephen Pirello v. Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc., et al., Case No. 4:25-cv-01455, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas; |
• | the effects of future litigation; |
• | credit markets; |
• | business acquisitions, including the MER Acquisition (as defined herein); |
• | natural or man-made disasters and other external events that may disrupt our manufacturing operations; |
• | environmental and climate change regulations and policies, and the impact of such regulations and policies on us and our customers; |
• | the timing of regulatory proceedings and approvals, and the impact of such proceedings and approvals on us and our customers; |
• | health, safety and environmental risks; |
• | uncertainty regarding our future operating results; |
• | plans, objectives, expectations and intentions that are not historical; and |
• | other risks and uncertainties, including those described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as supplemented by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. |
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All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs at the time they are made, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the factors described under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, this prospectus and in our other filings with the SEC, which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, unless required by law.
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ABOUT SOLARIS ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE, INC.
We provide mobile and scalable equipment-based solutions for use in distributed power generation as well as the management of raw materials used in the completion of oil and natural gas wells. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Solaris serves multiple U.S. end markets, including energy, data centers, and other commercial and industrial sectors. Solaris delivers these offerings through its Solaris Power Solutions and Solaris Logistics Solutions business segments.
Solaris Power Solutions, recently established following the acquisition of Mobile Energy Rentals LLC (“MER”), provides mobile power generation solutions through equipment lease arrangements. On September 11, 2024, Solaris, through its subsidiary Solaris LLC, completed the acquisition of MER (the “MER Acquisition”). MER operates throughout the United States, providing configurable sets of primarily natural gas-powered mobile turbines and ancillary equipment to energy, data center, and other commercial and industrial end-markets. This acquisition provided Solaris entry into the large and growing distributed power solutions market, both enhancing our position as a mobile equipment and logistics solution provider to the oil and gas industry and also diversifying our end market exposure.
Solaris Logistics Solutions designs and manufactures specialized equipment, which combined with field technician support, last mile and mobilization logistics services and software solutions, enables the Company to provide a service offering that helps oil and natural gas operators and their suppliers drive efficiencies that reduce operational footprint and costs during the completion phase of well development. The Company services most active oil and natural gas basins in the United States.
Our principal executive offices are located at 9651 Katy Freeway, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77024, and our telephone number is (281) 501-3070. Our website address is solaris-energy.com. The information on our website is not part of this prospectus.
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An investment in our securities involves a significant degree of risk. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider those risk factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any subsequently filed Current Reports on Form 8-K, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, and those risk factors that may be included in any applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference, in evaluating an investment in our securities. If any of these risks were actually to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations and financial condition. Please read “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
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Unless otherwise specified in any accompanying prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities covered by this prospectus to acquire from Solaris Energy Infrastructure, LLC (“Solaris LLC”), our operating subsidiary, corresponding securities to be issued by Solaris LLC with substantially similar economic terms as the securities covered by this prospectus, and Solaris LLC expects to use such net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, paying or refinancing all or a portion of the indebtedness of Solaris LLC or its subsidiaries at the time, funding acquisitions, capital expenditures and working capital.
The actual application of the net proceeds from the sale of any particular offering of securities using this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such offering.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
General
Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. (“Solaris Inc.”) may issue debt securities in one or more series. When used in this “Description of Debt Securities” section, unless we state otherwise or the context clearly indicates otherwise, references to the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. and not any of its subsidiaries. We may issue senior or subordinated debt securities. Neither the senior debt securities nor the subordinated debt securities will be secured by any of our property or assets. Thus, by owning a debt security, you will be one of our unsecured creditors.
The senior debt securities will constitute part of our senior debt, will be issued under a senior debt indenture described below and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will constitute part of our subordinated debt, will be issued under a subordinated debt indenture described below and will be subordinate in right of payment to all of our “senior debt,” as defined in the indenture with respect to such subordinated debt securities. The prospectus supplement for any series of subordinated debt securities or the information incorporated in this prospectus by reference will indicate the approximate amount of senior debt outstanding as of the end of the then most recent fiscal quarter. Neither indenture will limit our ability to incur additional senior debt or other indebtedness.
When we refer to “debt securities” in this prospectus, we mean both the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities. When we refer to a “debt security” in this prospectus, we mean either a senior debt security or a subordinated debt security.
Solaris Inc. is a holding company and has no material assets other than its interests in Solaris LLC. Solaris Inc. has no independent means of generating revenue. We conduct all of our operations through Solaris LLC and its subsidiaries and expect that we will continue to do so. The debt securities will not be guaranteed by any of our existing or future subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due with respect to the debt securities or to make any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans or other payments.
The debt indentures and their associated documents, including your debt security, will contain the full legal text of the matters described in this section and your prospectus supplement. We have filed forms of the indentures with the SEC as exhibits to our registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus for information on how to obtain copies of them.
This section and your prospectus supplement summarize material terms of your debt security. They do not, however, describe every aspect of the indentures and your debt security. For example, in this section and your prospectus supplement, we use terms that have been given special meaning in the indentures, but we describe the meaning for only the more important of those terms. Your prospectus supplement will have a more detailed description of the specific terms of your debt security.
Indentures
The senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture (the “senior debt indenture”) and subordinated debt securities will be issued under an indenture (the “subordinated debt indenture” and, together with the senior debt indenture, the “indentures” and each, an “indenture”). Each indenture is a contract between us and the respective trustee. The indentures are substantially identical, except for certain provisions including those relating to subordination, which are included only in the indenture related to subordinated debt securities.
The trustee under each indenture has two main roles:
First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, which we describe later under “— Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default.”
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Second, the trustee performs administrative duties for us, such as sending you interest payments and notices.
When we refer to the “indenture” or the “trustee” with respect to any debt securities, we mean the indenture under which those debt securities are issued and the trustee under that indenture.
Series of Debt Securities
We may issue as many distinct debt securities or series of debt securities under either indenture as we wish. This section summarizes terms of the securities that apply generally to all debt securities and series of debt securities. The provisions of each indenture allow us not only to issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities previously issued under that indenture, but also to “reopen” a previously issued series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series. We will describe most of the financial and other specific terms of your debt security, whether it is a series of the senior debt securities or the subordinated debt securities, in your prospectus supplement. Those terms may vary from the terms described here.
As you read this section, please remember that the specific terms of your debt security as described in your prospectus supplement will supplement and, if applicable, modify or replace the general terms described in this section. If there are any differences between your prospectus supplement and this prospectus with respect to your debt security, your prospectus supplement will control. Thus, the statements we make in this section may not apply to your debt security.
When we refer to a “series of debt securities,” we mean a series of debt securities issued under the applicable indenture. When we refer to “your debt security,” we mean the series of debt securities you purchase. When we refer to “your prospectus supplement,” we mean the prospectus supplement describing the specific terms of your debt security. The terms used in your prospectus supplement will have the meanings described in this prospectus, unless otherwise specified.
Amounts of Issuances
Neither indenture will limit the aggregate amount of debt securities that we may issue or the number of series or the aggregate amount of any particular series. We may issue debt securities and other securities at any time without your consent and without notifying you. The indentures and the debt securities will not limit our ability to incur other indebtedness or to issue other securities other than as specified in your debt security, as applicable. Also, unless otherwise specified below or in your prospectus supplement, we are not subject to financial or similar restrictions by the terms of the debt securities.
Principal Amount, Stated Maturity and Maturity
Unless otherwise stated, the principal amount of a debt security means the principal amount payable at its stated maturity, unless that amount is not determinable, in which case the principal amount of a debt security is its face amount. The term “stated maturity” with respect to any debt security means the day on which the principal amount of your debt security is scheduled to become due. The principal may become due sooner, by reason of redemption, acceleration after a default or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the debt security. The day on which the principal actually becomes due, whether at the stated maturity or earlier, is called the “maturity” of the principal. We also use the terms “stated maturity” and “maturity” to refer to the days when other payments become due. For example, we may refer to a regular interest payment date when an installment of interest is scheduled to become due as the “stated maturity” of that installment. When we refer to the “stated maturity” or the “maturity” of a debt security without specifying a particular payment, we mean the stated maturity or maturity, as the case may be, of the principal.
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Specific Terms of Debt Securities
Your prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of your debt security, which will include some or all of the following:
• | the title of the series of your debt security and whether it is a senior debt security or a subordinated debt security; |
• | any limit on the total principal amount of the debt securities of the same series; |
• | the stated maturity; |
• | the currency or currencies for principal and interest, if not U.S. dollars; |
• | the price at which we originally issue your debt security, expressed as a percentage of the principal amount, and the original issue date; |
• | whether your debt security is a fixed rate debt security, a floating rate debt security or an indexed debt security; |
• | if your debt security is a fixed rate debt security, the yearly rate at which your debt security will bear interest, if any, and the interest payment dates; |
• | if your debt security is a floating rate debt security, the interest rate basis; any applicable index currency or index maturity, spread or spread multiplier or initial base rate, maximum rate or minimum rate; the interest reset, determination, calculation and payment dates; the day count convention used to calculate interest payments for any period; the business day convention; and the calculation agent; |
• | if your debt security is an indexed debt security, the principal amount, if any, we will pay you at maturity, interest payment dates, the amount of interest, if any, we will pay you on an interest payment date or the formula we will use to calculate these amounts, if any, and the terms on which your debt security will be exchangeable for or payable in cash, securities or other property; |
• | if your debt security may be converted into or exercised or exchanged for cash, common or other securities of the Company and/or debt or equity securities of one or more third parties, the terms on which conversion, exercise or exchange may occur, including whether conversion, exercise or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, the period during which conversion, exercise or exchange may occur, the initial conversion, exercise or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange may be adjusted; |
• | if applicable, the circumstances under which your debt security may be redeemed at our option or repaid at the holder’s option before the stated maturity, including any redemption commencement date, repayment date(s), redemption price(s) and redemption period(s); |
• | the authorized denominations, if other than $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000; |
• | the depositary for your debt security, if other than The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), and any circumstances under which the holder may request securities in non-global form, if we choose not to issue your debt security in book-entry form only; |
• | the names and duties of any co-trustees, depositaries, authenticating agents, paying agents, transfer agents or registrars for your debt security, as applicable; and |
• | any other terms of your debt security, which could be different from those described in this prospectus. |
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by New York law.
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Form of Debt Securities
We will issue each debt security only in registered form, without coupons, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, we will issue each debt security in global — i.e., book-entry — form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Debt securities in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the debt securities represented by the global security. Those who own beneficial interests in a global debt security will do so through participants in the depositary’s securities clearance system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants. References to “holders” in this section mean those who own debt securities registered in their own names, on the books that we or the trustee maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities registered in street name or in debt securities issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries.
Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the following is a summary of the depositary arrangements applicable to debt securities issued in global form and for which DTC acts as depositary.
Each global debt security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, as depositary, or its nominee, and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Except under the limited circumstances described below, global debt securities are not exchangeable for definitive certificated debt securities.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global debt security is limited to institutions that have accounts with DTC or its nominee, or persons that may hold interests through those participants. In addition, ownership of beneficial interests by participants in a global debt security will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee for a global debt security. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global debt security by persons that hold those interests through participants will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership interest within that participant will be effected only through, records maintained by that participant. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the participants through which the beneficial owners entered the transaction. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities they purchase in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global debt security.
We will make payment of principal of, and interest on, debt securities represented by a global debt security registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the global debt security representing those debt securities. DTC has advised us that upon receipt of any payment of principal of, or interest on, a global debt security, DTC immediately will credit accounts of participants on its book-entry registration and transfer system with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective interests in the principal amount of that global debt security, as shown in the records of DTC. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global debt security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the sole responsibility of those participants, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements that may be in effect from time to time.
Neither we, any trustee and any paying agent nor any of our respective agents will be responsible for any aspect of the records of DTC, any nominee or any participant relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a permanent global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the records of DTC, any nominee or any participant relating to such beneficial interests.
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A global debt security is exchangeable for definitive certificated debt securities registered in the name of, and a transfer of a global debt security may be registered to, any person other than DTC or its nominee, only if:
• | DTC notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security or has ceased to be a registered clearing agency and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 60 days; or |
• | we notify the trustee that we wish to terminate that global security. |
Any global debt security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding paragraph will be exchangeable in whole for definitive certificated debt securities in registered form, of like tenor and of an equal aggregate principal amount as the global debt security, in denominations specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if other than $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The definitive debt securities will be registered by the registrar in the name or names instructed by DTC. We expect that these instructions may be based upon directions received by DTC from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global debt security.
Except as provided above or in your prospectus supplement, owners of the beneficial interests in a global debt security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in definitive certificated form and will not be considered the holders of debt securities for any purpose under the indentures. Except as provided above, no global debt security shall be exchangeable except for another global debt security of like denomination and tenor to be registered in the name of DTC or its nominee. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global debt security must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the global debt security or the indentures.
We understand that, under existing industry practices, in the event that we request any action of holders, or an owner of a beneficial interest in a global debt security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the debt securities or the indentures, DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action. Additionally, those participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those participants to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions among its participants in securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants. By doing so, DTC eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates.
DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC); DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies; and DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
Investors may hold interests in the debt securities outside the U.S. through the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) or Clearstream Banking (“Clearstream”) if they are participants in those systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in those systems. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Euroclear’s and Clearstream’s names on the
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books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC. All securities in Euroclear or Clearstream are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts.
The following is based on information furnished by Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be. Euroclear has advised us that:
• | It was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash; |
• | Euroclear includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries; |
• | Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank SA/NV, as operator of the Euroclear System (the “Euroclear Operator”), under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the “Cooperative”); |
• | The Euroclear Operator conducts all operations, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include underwriters of debt securities offered by this prospectus; |
• | Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly; |
• | Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with Euroclear SA/NV are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear, the related Operating Procedures of Euroclear, and applicable Belgian law (collectively, the “Terms and Conditions”); |
• | The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. Euroclear SA/NV acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear participants; and |
• | Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Euroclear. |
Clearstream has advised us that:
• | It is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary and holds securities for its participating organizations and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates; |
• | Clearstream provides to Clearstream participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries; |
• | As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Monetary Institute; |
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• | Clearstream participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations and may include underwriters of debt securities offered by this prospectus; |
• | Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies, that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream participant either directly or indirectly; and |
• | Distributions with respect to the debt securities held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream. |
We have provided the descriptions herein of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream and are subject to change by them from time to time. We believe that the sources from which the information in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus concerning DTC, Euroclear, Euroclear SA/NV, Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., Euroclear’s system, Clearstream and Clearstream’s system has been obtained are reliable, but neither we, any underwriters nor the trustee takes any responsibility for the accuracy of the information.
Initial settlement for the securities will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC’s rules and will be settled in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between Euroclear participants and/or Clearstream participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, as applicable, and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.
Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.
Because of time-zone differences, credits of securities received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Credits or any transactions in securities settled during this processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream participants on that following business day. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of debt securities by or through a Euroclear participant or a Clearstream participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.
Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of securities among participants of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform these procedures and these procedures may be discontinued at any time.
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Redemption or Repayment
If there are any provisions regarding redemption or repayment applicable to your debt security, we will describe them in your prospectus supplement. We or our affiliates may purchase debt securities from investors who are willing to sell from time to time, either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Debt securities that we or they purchase may, at our discretion, be held, resold or canceled.
Mergers and Similar Transactions
We are generally permitted under the indentures to merge or consolidate with another corporation or other entity. We are also permitted under the indentures to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another corporation or other entity. With regard to any series of debt securities and other than as set forth in your prospectus supplement, however, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions, among other things, are met:
• | If the successor entity in the transaction is not the Company, the successor entity must be organized as a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust and must expressly assume our obligations under the debt securities of that series and the indenture with respect to that series. The successor entity may be organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia. |
• | Immediately after the transaction, no default under the debt securities of that series has occurred and is continuing. For this purpose, “default under the debt securities of that series” means an event of default with respect to that series or any event that would be an event of default with respect to that series if the requirements for giving us default notice and for our default having to continue for a specific period of time were disregarded. We describe these matters below under “— Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default.” |
If the conditions described above are satisfied with respect to the debt securities of any series, we will not need to obtain the approval of the holders of those debt securities in order to merge or consolidate or to sell all or substantially all our assets. Also, these conditions will apply only if we wish to merge or consolidate with another entity or sell all or substantially all of our assets 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, any transaction that involves a change of control of the Company but in which we do not merge or consolidate and any transaction in which we sell less than substantially all our assets.
The successor entity will be substituted for the Company with respect to the debt securities of any series and under the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture, and, except in the case of a lease, the Company will be relieved from any further obligations and covenants under the indenture.
Subordination Provisions
Holders of subordinated debt securities should recognize that contractual provisions in the subordinated debt indenture may prohibit us from making payments on those securities. Subordinated debt securities are subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner stated in the subordinated debt indenture, to all of our senior debt, as defined in the subordinated debt indenture, including all debt securities we have issued and will issue under the senior debt indenture.
The subordinated debt indenture will define “senior debt” as:
• | our indebtedness under or in respect of our senior secured revolving credit facility, whether for principal, interest (including interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding pursuant to any bankruptcy law, whether or not the claim for such interest is allowed as a claim in such proceeding), reimbursement obligations, fees, commissions, expenses, indemnities or other amounts; and |
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• | any other indebtedness permitted under the terms of that indenture, unless the instrument under which such indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is on a parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, “senior debt” will not include: (i) equity interests; (ii) any liability for taxes; (iii) any indebtedness to any of our subsidiaries or affiliates; (iv) any trade payables; or (v) any indebtedness incurred in violation of the subordinated debt indenture.
We may modify the subordination provisions, including the definition of senior debt, with respect to one or more series of subordinated debt securities. Such modifications will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The subordinated debt indenture provides that, unless all principal of and any premium or interest on the senior debt has been paid in full, no payment or other distribution may be made in respect of any subordinated debt securities in the following circumstances:
(i) in the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization, assignment for creditors or other similar proceedings or events involving us or our assets;
(ii) in the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, any senior debt beyond any applicable grace period or (ii) in the event that any event of default with respect to any senior debt has occurred and is continuing, permitting the holders of that senior debt (or a trustee) to accelerate the maturity of that senior debt, whether or not the maturity is in fact accelerated (unless, in the case of (i) or (ii), the payment default or event of default has been cured or waived or ceased to exist and any related acceleration has been rescinded) or (iii) in the event that any judicial proceeding is pending with respect to a payment default or event of default described in (i) or (ii); or
(iii) in the event that any subordinated debt securities have been declared due and payable before their stated maturity.
If the trustee under the subordinated debt indenture or any holders of the subordinated debt securities receive any payment or distribution that is prohibited under the subordination provisions, then the trustee under the subordinated debt indenture or the holders will have to repay that money to the holders of the senior debt.
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. This means that the trustee under the subordinated debt indenture and the holders of that series can take action against us, but they will not receive any money until the claims of the holders of senior debt have been fully satisfied.
The subordinated debt indenture allows the holders of senior debt to obtain a court order requiring us and any holder of subordinated debt securities to comply with the subordination provisions.
Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance and Satisfaction and Discharge
When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under the applicable indenture. Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if we deposit with the trustee funds or government securities, or if so provided in your prospectus supplement, obligations other than government securities, sufficient to make payments on any series of debt securities on the dates those payments are due and payable and other specified conditions are satisfied, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:
• | we will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the debt securities of such series (“legal defeasance”); or |
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• | we will be discharged from any covenants we make in the applicable indenture for the benefit of such series and the related events of default will no longer apply to us (“covenant defeasance”). |
If we defease any series of debt securities, the holders of such securities will not be entitled to the benefits of the applicable indenture, except for our obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated securities or maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust. In case of covenant defeasance, our obligation to pay principal of, and any premium and interest on, the applicable series of debt securities will also survive.
We will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the applicable series of debt securities to recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.
In addition, except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may satisfy and discharge all our obligations under the indenture with respect to debt securities of any series, other than our obligation to register the transfer of and exchange debt securities of that series, provided that we either:
• | deliver all outstanding debt securities of that series to the trustee for cancellation; or |
• | all such debt securities not so delivered for cancellation have either become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and in the case of this bullet point, we have deposited with the trustee in trust an amount of cash sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness of such debt securities, including interest to the stated maturity or applicable redemption date. |
No Personal Liability
No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner (whether general or limited), stockholder or stockholder of the Company, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of us under the debt securities or the indentures or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of debt securities by accepting a debt security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default
You will have special rights if an event of default with respect to your debt security occurs and is continuing, as described in this subsection.
Events of Default
Unless your prospectus supplement says otherwise, when we refer to an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities, we mean any of the following:
• | we do not pay the principal of and any premium on any debt security of that series on the due date; |
• | we do not pay interest on any debt security of that series within 30 days after the due date; |
• | we do not deposit a sinking fund payment with regard to any debt security of that series within 60 days after the due date, but only if the payment is required under provisions described in the applicable prospectus supplement; |
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• | we remain in breach of our covenants regarding mergers or sales of substantially all of our assets or any other covenant we make in the indenture for the benefit of the relevant series, for 90 days after we receive a notice of default stating that we are in breach and requiring us to remedy the breach, which notice must be sent by the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the relevant series of debt securities; |
• | we file for bankruptcy or other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to the Company occur; or |
• | if the applicable prospectus supplement states that any additional event of default applies to the series, that event of default occurs. |
We may change, eliminate, or add to the events of default with respect to any particular series or any particular debt security or debt securities within a series, as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs
If you are the holder of a subordinated debt security, all the remedies available upon the occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated debt indenture will be subject to the restrictions on the subordinated debt securities described above under “— Subordination Provisions.”
Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if an event of default has occurred with respect to any series of debt securities and has not been cured or waived, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all debt securities of that series then outstanding may declare the entire principal amount of the debt securities of that series to be due immediately. Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if the event of default occurs because of events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to the Company, the entire principal amount of the debt securities of that series will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the trustee or any holder.
Each of the situations described above is called an acceleration of the stated maturity of the affected series of debt securities. Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if the stated maturity of any series is accelerated and a judgment for payment has not yet been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series may cancel the acceleration for the entire series.
If an event of default occurs, the trustee will have special duties. In that situation, the trustee will be obligated to use those of its rights and powers under the relevant indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in doing so, that a prudent person would use in that situation in conducting his or her own affairs.
Except as described in the prior paragraph, the trustee is not required to take any action under the relevant indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee protection from expenses and liability. This is called an indemnity. If the trustee is provided with an indemnity satisfactory to it, the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee with respect to that series. These majority holders may also direct the trustee in performing any other action under the relevant indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series.
Before you bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to any debt security, all of the following must occur:
• | the holder of your debt security must give the trustee written notice that an event of default has occurred with respect to the debt securities of your series, and the event of default must not have been cured or waived; |
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• | the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all debt securities of your series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default, and they or other holders must offer (and if requested, provide) to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action; |
• | the trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after the above steps have been taken; and |
• | during those 60 days, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of your series must not have given the trustee directions that are inconsistent with the written request of the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of your series. |
You are entitled at any time, however, to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt security on or after its stated maturity (or, if your debt security is redeemable, on or after its redemption date).
Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration of the maturity.
Waiver of Default
The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any series may waive a default for all debt securities of that series. If this happens, the default will be treated as if it has not occurred. No one can waive a payment default on any debt security, however, without the approval of the particular holder of that debt security.
Annual Information about Defaults to the Trustee
We will furnish each trustee every year a written statement of two of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the applicable indenture and the debt securities issued under it, or else specifying any default under the applicable indenture.
Modifications and Waivers
There are four types of changes we can make to either indenture and the debt securities or series of debt securities issued under that indenture.
Changes Requiring Each Holder’s Approval
First, there are changes that cannot be made without the approval of each holder of a debt security affected by the change under the applicable indenture, including, among others:
• | changing the stated maturity for any principal or interest payment on such debt security; |
• | reducing the principal amount, the amount payable on acceleration of the maturity after a default, the interest rate or the redemption price for such debt security; |
• | permitting redemption of such debt security if not previously permitted; |
• | impairing any right such holder may have to require purchase of its debt security; |
• | if such debt security constitutes a convertible debt security, impairing any right that a holder may have to convert such debt security; |
• | changing the currency of any payment on such debt security; |
• | changing the place of payment on such debt security; |
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• | impairing such holder’s right to sue for payment of any amount due on its debt security; |
• | reducing the percentage in principal amount of the debt securities of any one or more affected series, taken separately or together, as applicable, and whether comprising the same or different series or less than all of the debt securities of a series, the approval of whose holders is needed to change the indenture or those debt securities or waive our compliance with the applicable indenture or to waive defaults; and |
• | changing the provisions of the applicable indenture dealing with modification and waiver in any other respect, except to increase any required percentage referred to above or to add to the provisions that cannot be changed or waived without approval of the holder of each affected debt security. |
Changes Not Requiring Approval
The second type of change does not require any approval by holders of the debt securities affected. These changes are limited to clarifications and changes that would not adversely affect any debt securities of any series in any material respect. Nor do we need any approval to make changes that affect only debt securities to be issued under the applicable indenture after the changes take effect. We may also make changes or obtain waivers that do not adversely affect a particular debt security, even if they affect other debt securities. In those cases, we do not need to obtain the approval of the holder of the unaffected debt security; we need only obtain any required approvals from the holders of the affected debt securities. We may also make changes to conform the text of the applicable indenture or any debt securities to any provision of the “Description of Debt Securities” in this prospectus or the comparable section in your prospectus supplement, to the extent such provision was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of such indenture or debt securities.
Modification of Subordination Provisions
We may not amend the indenture related to subordinated debt securities to alter the subordination of any outstanding subordinated debt securities without the written consent of each holder of senior debt then outstanding who would be adversely affected (or the group or representative thereof authorized or required to consent thereto pursuant to the instrument creating or evidencing, or pursuant to which there is outstanding, such senior debt). In addition, we may not modify the subordination provisions of the indenture related to subordinated debt securities in a manner that would adversely affect the subordinated debt securities of any one or more series then outstanding in any material respect, without the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all affected series then outstanding, voting together as one class (and also of any affected series that by its terms is entitled to vote separately as a series, as described below).
Changes Requiring Majority Approval
Any other change to a particular indenture and the debt securities issued under that indenture would require the following approval:
• | If the change affects only particular debt securities within a series issued under the applicable indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of such particular debt securities; or |
• | If the change affects debt securities of more than one series issued under the applicable indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of all such series affected by the change, with all such affected debt securities voting together as one class for this purpose and such affected debt securities of any series potentially comprising fewer than all debt securities of such series, |
in each case, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to such indenture for all or any particular debt securities of any series. This means that modification of terms with respect to certain securities of a series could
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be effectuated without obtaining the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of other securities of such series that are not affected by such modification.
The same majority approval would be required for us to obtain a waiver of any of our covenants in either indenture. Our covenants include the promises we make about merging or selling substantially all of our assets, which we describe above under “— Mergers and Similar Transactions.” If the holders approve a waiver of a covenant, we will not have to comply with it. The holders, however, cannot approve a waiver of any provision in a particular debt security, or in the applicable indenture as it affects that debt security, that we cannot change without the approval of the holder of that debt security as described above in “— Changes Requiring Each Holder’s Approval,” unless that holder approves the waiver.
We may issue particular debt securities or a particular series of debt securities, as applicable, that are entitled, by their terms, to separately approve matters (for example, modification or waiver of provisions in the applicable indenture) that would also, or otherwise, require approval of holders of a majority in principal amount of all affected debt securities of all affected series issued under such indenture voting together as a single class. Any such affected debt securities or series of debt securities would be entitled to approve such matters (i) pursuant to such special rights by consent of holders of a majority in principal amount of such affected debt securities or series of debt securities voting separately as a class and (ii) in addition, as described above, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to the applicable indenture for such debt securities or series of debt securities, by consent of holders of a majority in principal amount of such affected debt securities or series of debt securities and all other affected debt securities of all series issued under such indenture voting together as one class for this purpose. We may issue series or debt securities of a series having these or other special voting rights without obtaining the consent of or giving notice to holders of outstanding debt securities or series.
Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change an indenture or any debt securities or request a waiver.
Special Rules for Action by Holders
Only holders of outstanding debt securities of the applicable series will be eligible to take any action under the applicable indenture, such as giving a notice of default, declaring an acceleration, approving any change or waiver or giving the trustee an instruction with respect to debt securities of that series. Also, we will count only outstanding debt securities in determining whether the various percentage requirements for taking action have been met. Any debt securities owned by us or any of our affiliates or surrendered for cancellation or for payment or redemption, for which money has been set aside in trust, are not deemed to be outstanding. Any required approval or waiver must be given by written consent.
In some situations, we may follow special rules in calculating the principal amount of debt securities that are to be treated as outstanding for the purposes described above. This may happen, for example, if the principal amount is payable in a non-U.S. dollar currency, increases over time or is not to be fixed until maturity.
We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders that are entitled to take action under either indenture. In certain limited circumstances, only the trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If we or the trustee sets a record date for an approval or other action to be taken by holders, that vote or action may be taken only by persons or entities who are holders on the record date and must be taken during the period that we specify for this purpose, or that the trustee specifies if it sets the record date. We or the trustee, as applicable, may shorten or lengthen this period from time to time. This period, however, may not extend beyond the 180th day after the record date for the action. In addition, record dates for any global debt security may be set in accordance with procedures established by the depositary from time to time. Accordingly, record dates for global debt securities may differ from those for other debt securities.
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Form, Exchange and Transfer
If any debt securities cease to be issued in registered global form, they will be issued:
• | only in fully registered form; |
• | without interest coupons; and |
• | unless we indicate otherwise in your prospectus supplement, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. |
Holders may exchange their debt securities for debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed. You may not exchange your debt securities for securities of a different series or having different terms, unless your prospectus supplement and the supplemental indenture with respect to your debt securities provide for such exchange.
Holders may exchange or transfer their debt securities at the office of the trustee. They may also replace lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated debt securities at that office. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders and transferring and replacing debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.
Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their debt securities, but they may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the exchange or transfer. The transfer or exchange, and any replacement, will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership. The transfer agent may require an indemnity before replacing any debt securities.
If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in your prospectus supplement. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.
If the debt securities of any series are redeemable and we redeem less than all those debt securities, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers of or exchange any debt security selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security being partially redeemed.
If a debt security is issued as a global debt security, only DTC or other depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection because the depositary will be the sole holder of the debt security.
The rules for exchange described above apply to exchange of debt securities for other debt securities of the same series and kind. If a debt security is convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into or for a different kind of security, such as one that we have not yet issued, or for other property, the rules governing that type of conversion, exercise or exchange will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Payments
We will pay interest, principal and other amounts payable with respect to the debt securities of any series to the holders of record of those debt securities as of the record dates and otherwise in the manner specified below or in the prospectus supplement for that series.
We will make payments on a global debt security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will pay directly to the depositary, or its
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nominee, and not to any indirect owners who own beneficial interests in the global debt security. An indirect owner’s right to receive those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants.
We will make payments on a debt security in non-global, registered form as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make all other payments by check at the paying agent described below, against surrender of the debt security. All payments by check will be made in next-day funds — i.e., funds that become available on the day after the check is cashed.
Alternatively, if a non-global debt security has a face amount of at least $1,000,000 and the holder asks us to do so, we will pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request wire payment, the holder must give the paying agent appropriate wire transfer instructions at least five business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person or entity who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. In the case of any other payment, payment will be made only after the debt security is surrendered to the paying agent. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.
Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.
Regardless of who acts as paying agent, subject to applicable abandoned property laws, all money paid by us to a paying agent that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount is due to a holder will be repaid to us. After that two-year period, the holder may look only to us for payment and not to the trustee, any other paying agent or anyone else.
Paying Agents
We may appoint one or more financial institutions to act as our paying agents, at whose designated offices debt securities in non-global entry form may be surrendered for payment at their maturity. We call each of those offices a paying agent. We may add, replace or terminate paying agents from time to time. We may also choose to act as our own paying agent. We will specify in the prospectus supplement for your debt security the initial location of each paying agent for that debt security. We must notify the trustee of changes in the paying agents.
Notices
Notices to be given to holders of a global debt security will be given only to the depositary, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time. Notices to be given to holders of debt securities not in global form will be sent by mail to the respective addresses of the holders as they appear in the trustee’s records, and will be deemed given when mailed. Neither the failure to give any notice to a particular holder, nor any defect in a notice given to a particular holder, will affect the sufficiency of any notice given to another holder.
Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive notices.
Our Relationship with the Trustee
The prospectus supplement for your debt security will describe any material relationships we may have with the trustee with respect to that debt security.
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The same financial institution may initially serve as the trustee for our senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities. Consequently, if an actual or potential event of default occurs with respect to any of these securities, the trustee may be considered to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. In that case, the trustee may be required to resign under one or more of the indentures, and we would be required to appoint a successor trustee. For this purpose, a “potential” event of default means an event that would be an event of default if the requirements for giving us default notice or for the default having to exist for a specific period of time were disregarded.
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The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the acquisition and holding of the debt securities by employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) or employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA), non-U.S. plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) or other plans that are not subject to the foregoing but may be subject to provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code (collectively, “Similar Laws”), and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a “Plan”).
This summary is based on the provisions of ERISA and the Code (and related regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations) as of the date of this prospectus. This summary does not purport to be complete, and no assurance can be given that future legislation, court decisions, regulations, rulings or pronouncements will not significantly modify the requirements summarized below. Any of these changes may be retroactive and may thereby apply to transactions entered into prior to the date of their enactment or release. This discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all inclusive, nor should it be construed as investment or legal advice.
General Fiduciary Matters
ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (an “ERISA Plan”) and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of an ERISA Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of an ERISA Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of an ERISA Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to an ERISA Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the ERISA Plan.
In considering an investment in the debt securities with a portion of the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary should consider the Plan’s particular circumstances and all of the facts and circumstances of the investment and determine whether the acquisition and holding of the debt securities is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code, or any Similar Law relating to the fiduciary’s duties to the Plan, including, without limitation:
• | whether the investment is prudent under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws; |
• | whether, in making the investment, the ERISA Plan will satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws; |
• | whether the investment is permitted under the terms of the applicable documents governing the Plan; |
• | whether the acquisition or holding of the debt securities will constitute a “prohibited transaction” under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (please see discussion under “—Prohibited Transaction Issues” below). |
Prohibited Transaction Issues
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit ERISA Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving plan assets with persons or entities who are “parties in interest,” within the meaning of ERISA, or “disqualified persons,” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the ERISA Plan that engages in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and
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liabilities under ERISA and the Code. The acquisition and/or holding of the debt securities by an ERISA Plan with respect to which the issuer, the initial purchaser, or a guarantor is considered a party in interest or a disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired and is held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption.
In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or “PTCEs,” that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the sale, acquisition or holding of the debt securities. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE 75-1, respecting certain transactions involving ERISA Plans and broker-dealers, reporting dealers and banks; PTCE 84-14, as amended, respecting certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers; PTCE 90-1, respecting certain investments by insurance company pooled separate accounts; PTCE 91-38, respecting certain investments by bank collective investment funds; PTCE 95-60, respecting certain life insurance company general accounts; and PTCE 96-23, respecting certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers. In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code each provide relief from the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code for certain transactions, provided that (i) neither the issuer of the debt securities nor any of its affiliates (directly or indirectly) has or exercises any discretionary authority or control or render any investment advice with respect to the assets of any ERISA Plan involved in the transaction and (ii) the ERISA Plan pays no more than adequate consideration in connection with the transaction. Each of these statutory exemptions and PTCEs contain conditions and limitations on their application and do not provide relief from the self-dealing prohibitions under ERISA and the Code. It should also be noted that even if the conditions specified in one or more of these exemptions are met, the scope of relief provided by these exemptions may not necessarily cover all acts that might be construed as prohibited transactions. Accordingly, the fiduciary of a Plan that is considering acquiring and/or holding the debt securities in reliance on any of these (or any other) exemptions should carefully review the exemption and consult with its counsel to confirm that it is applicable. There can be no, and we do not provide any, assurance that any of these exemptions or any other exemption will be available with respect to the acquisition or holding of the debt securities, or that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.
Because of the foregoing, the debt securities should not be acquired or held by any person investing “plan assets” of any Plan, unless such acquisition and holding will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code or a similar violation of any applicable Similar Laws.
Due to the complexity of these rules and the excise taxes, penalties and liabilities that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries, or other persons considering acquiring and/or holding the debt securities on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether an exemption would be applicable to the acquisition and holding of the debt securities. Purchasers of the debt securities have the exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their acquisition and holding of the debt securities complies with the fiduciary responsibility rules of ERISA and does not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA, the Code or applicable Similar Laws. The sale of the debt securities to a Plan is in no respect a representation by us or any of our affiliates or representatives that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by any such Plan or that such investment is appropriate for any such Plan.
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We may sell securities described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement through underwriters, through broker-dealers, in “at the market offerings,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise, through agents, on one or more exchanges, directly to one or more purchasers, including existing stockholders, through a combination of any of the foregoing methods of sale, or through any other method permitted by applicable law.
We will prepare a prospectus supplement for each offering that will disclose the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents, the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us from the sale, any underwriting discounts, and other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers, or agents.
We will fix a price or prices of our securities at:
• | market prices prevailing at the time of any sale under this registration statement; |
• | prices related to market prices; or |
• | negotiated prices. |
We may change the price of the securities offered from time to time.
If we use underwriters or dealers in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account, and they may resell these securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price, or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms. Unless otherwise disclosed in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement if any of the securities are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
We may sell the securities through agents designated by us from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of the securities for which this prospectus is delivered, and disclose any commissions payable by us to the agent or the method by which the commissions can be determined, in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us and the sale thereof may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. We may use electronic media, including the internet, to sell offered securities directly.
We may engage in at-the-market offerings and offer our securities into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act on the terms described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Underwriters, dealers, and agents who participate in any at-the-market offerings will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.
We may agree to indemnify underwriters, dealers, and agents who participate in the distribution of securities against certain liabilities to which they may become subject in connection with the sale of the securities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
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Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may be customers of, may engage in transactions with and may perform services for us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
A prospectus and accompanying prospectus supplement in electronic form may be made available on the websites maintained by the underwriters. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of securities for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations of securities for internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, securities may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell securities to online brokerage account holders.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. The place and time of delivery for the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
In connection with offerings of securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and in compliance with applicable law, underwriters, brokers, or dealers may engage in transactions that stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market. Specifically, underwriters, brokers, or dealers may over-allot in connection with offerings, creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. For the purpose of covering a syndicate short position or stabilizing the price of the securities, the underwriters, brokers, or dealers may place bids for the securities or effect purchases of the securities in the open market. Finally, the underwriters may impose a penalty whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other brokers or dealers for distribution of the securities in offerings may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. These activities may stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
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The validity of the issuance of the securities offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas. If certain legal matters in connection with an offering of the securities made by this prospectus and a related prospectus supplement are passed upon by counsel for the underwriters of such offering, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement related to that offering.
The consolidated financial statements of Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and for each of the years then ended and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the registration statement have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting contains an explanatory paragraph relating to the exclusion of Mobile Energy Rentals, LLC from the scope of management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and our audit of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024.
The financial statements of Mobile Energy Rentals, LLC as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the period from February 23, 2022 (inception) to December 31, 2022, incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the registration statement have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of BDO USA, P.C., independent auditors, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The report on the financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph regarding Mobile Energy Rentals, LLC’s ability to continue as a going concern.
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$110,000,000
% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Morgan Stanley
Santander
, 2025