Item 1.01
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Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
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Indenture Related to Issuance of Notes
On June 15, 2021, Lumen Technologies, Inc. (“Lumen,” “us,” “we” or “our”):
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completed its previously-announced private placement of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”); and
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in connection therewith, entered into an indenture (the “Indenture”) with Regions Bank, as trustee, dated June 15, 2021, which sets forth the terms of the 2029 Notes.
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The net proceeds from the sale of the 2029 Notes were approximately $988 million, after deducting fees and offering expenses. Lumen used the net proceeds from the offering, together with cash on hand, to repay at maturity all $1.231 billion aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 6.45% Senior Notes, Series S, due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”).
The 2029 Notes were sold pursuant to a purchase agreement, dated June 2, 2021 (the “Purchase Agreement”), between Lumen and the initial purchasers of the 2029 Notes (the “Initial Purchasers”) for resale on the terms described further below. The Purchase Agreement includes customary representations, warranties and covenants of Lumen, including customary indemnification and contribution obligations.
The 2029 Notes will be the senior unsecured obligations of Lumen and will rank senior in right of payment to any of its existing and future subordinated debt and rank equally in right of payment with all of its existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The 2029 Notes will not be guaranteed by any of Lumen’s subsidiaries. The 2029 Notes will mature on June 15, 2029. Interest on the 2029 Notes will be payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2021.
The 2029 Notes will be subject to redemption at the option of Lumen, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time:
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prior to June 15, 2024, at 100% of the principal amount of 2029 Notes so redeemed plus (i) the applicable “make-whole” premium set forth in the Indenture and (ii) accrued and unpaid interest thereon (if any) up to, but not including, the redemption date; and
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on and after June 15, 2024, at redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) equal to (i) 102.68750%, for redemptions between June 15, 2024 and June 14, 2025, (ii) 101.34375%, for redemptions between June 15, 2025 and June 14, 2026, and (iii) 100.00000%, for redemptions on or after June 15, 2026; plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon (if any) up to, but not including, the redemption date.
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In addition, at any time or from time to time on or prior to June 15, 2024, Lumen may, at its option and subject to certain conditions, redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount of the 2029 Notes so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon (if any) to, but not including, the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds from one or more sales of equity by Lumen that meet the terms and conditions specified in the Indenture.
Upon the occurrence of certain specified change of control repurchase events, Lumen will be required, unless it has elected to redeem the 2029 Notes as described above, to make an offer to repurchase the 2029 Notes at a price equal to 101% of their aggregate principal amount, together with any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of repurchase.
The Indenture provides for customary events of default, including, among other things, the (i) failure to pay principal, interest or premium (if any) on the 2029 Notes when due, subject to certain grace periods or exceptions; (ii) failure to observe or perform various specified covenants for 60 days after written notice with respect thereto by the trustee or the holders of at least 30% of the aggregate principal amount of such 2029 Notes then outstanding; or (iii) occurrence of certain specified events relating to Lumen’s bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture, if an event of default with respect to the 2029 Notes occurs and is continuing, the trustee or holders of at least 30% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes then outstanding may declare the principal of the 2029 Notes to be due and payable immediately.