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Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

File No. 333-234422

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE(1)

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be registered

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price

 

Amount of

Registration Fee (2)

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

  $750,000,000   $81,825

 

 

(1)

This “Calculation of Registration Fee” table shall be deemed to update the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-234422) originally filed by NiSource Inc. on November 1, 2019 in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

(2)

Calculated in accordance with Rules 457(o) and 457(r) under the Securities Act.


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Prospectus Supplement

(To Prospectus dated November 1, 2019)

Up to $750,000,000

LOGO

NiSource Inc.

Common Stock

 

 

We may issue, offer and sell up to an aggregate of $750,000,000 of our common stock from time to time through Barclays Capital Inc. (“Barclays”), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”), KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. (“KeyBanc”), Mizuho Securities USA LLC (“Mizuho”), Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“Wells Fargo”), as our agents under separate equity distribution agreements. We refer to Barclays, J.P. Morgan, KeyBanc, Mizuho, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo collectively as the sales agents. Each equity distribution agreement was entered into on February 22, 2021 (each, an “equity distribution agreement,” and collectively, the “equity distribution agreements”). Each equity distribution agreement provides that, in addition to the issuance and sale of shares of our common stock by us through the applicable sales agent, we also may enter into forward sale agreements under a separate master forward sale confirmation and related supplemental confirmation between us and such sales agent or its affiliate. We refer to these entities, when acting in such capacity, as forward purchasers. In connection with each forward sale agreement, the relevant forward purchaser (or its affiliate) will, at our request, attempt to borrow from third parties and, through the relevant sales agent, sell a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares of our common stock that underlie the forward sale agreement to hedge the forward sale agreement. We refer to each of the sales agents, when acting as the agent for a forward purchaser, as a forward seller.

In no event will the aggregate number of shares of our common stock sold through the sales agents, as our agents and as forward sellers, under the equity distribution agreements have an aggregate sales price in excess of $750,000,000. The offering of our common stock pursuant to the equity distribution agreements will terminate upon the earliest of (1) the sale, under the equity distribution agreements, of shares of our common stock with an aggregate sales price equal to $750,000,000, (2) December 31, 2023 (provided that each relevant equity distribution agreement will continue in effect for the duration of, and solely with respect to, any forward stock purchase transaction entered into, but not yet settled, before December 31, 2023) and (3) early termination of the equity distribution agreements, including by us or the other parties at any time upon written notice.

We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of borrowed shares of our common stock by a forward seller. We expect to receive proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock upon future physical settlement of the relevant forward sale agreement with the relevant forward purchaser on dates specified by us on or prior to the maturity date of the relevant forward sale agreement. If we elect to cash settle or net share settle a forward sale agreement, we may not (in the case of cash settlement) or will not (in the case of net share settlement) receive any proceeds, and we may owe cash (in the case of cash settlement) or shares of our common stock (in the case of net share settlement) to the relevant forward purchaser.

Sales of the shares of our common stock, if any, under any equity distribution agreement will be made in “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange, the existing trading market for shares of our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker or through an electronic communications network. In addition, shares of our common stock may be offered and sold by such other methods, including privately negotiated transactions (including block transactions), as we and any sales agent agree to in writing. The sales agents will not engage in any transactions that stabilize our common stock.

The shares of our common stock will be offered at market prices prevailing at the time of sale. We will pay each sales agent a commission of up to 2% of the sales price of all shares of our common stock sold through it as our sales agent under the applicable equity distribution agreement. The remaining sales proceeds, after deducting any expenses payable by us and any transaction fees imposed by any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory organization in connection with the sales, will be our net proceeds for the sale of the shares. In connection with each forward sale agreement, the relevant forward seller will receive, reflected in a reduced initial forward sale price payable by the relevant forward purchaser under its forward sale agreement, a commission of up to 2% of the volume weighted average of the sales prices of all borrowed shares of our common stock sold during the applicable period by it as a forward seller.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NI.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on February 19, 2021 was $22.84 per share.

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks. For a discussion of these risks, please refer to “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement and the “Risk Factors” section our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of the common stock or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

Barclays   J.P. Morgan   KeyBanc Capital Markets
Mizuho Securities   Morgan Stanley   Wells Fargo Securities

The date of this prospectus supplement is February 22, 2021.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

     Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

     S-ii  

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     S-ii  

SUMMARY

     S-1  

THE OFFERING

     S-3  

RISK FACTORS

     S-4  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     S-6  

DIVIDEND POLICY

     S-7  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

     S-8  

LEGAL MATTERS

     S-13  

EXPERTS

     S-13  

PROSPECTUS

 

     Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

RISK FACTORS

     2  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     3  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     4  

NISOURCE INC.

     5  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     6  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     7  

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

     16  

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

     18  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     26  

DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

     27  

BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE

     28  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     30  

LEGAL OPINIONS

     32  

EXPERTS

     32  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part, the prospectus supplement, describes the specific terms of the offering and certain other matters relating to NiSource Inc. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement (or any related free writing prospectus issued by us), on the one hand, and the information contained or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement (or any related free writing prospectus issued by us) shall control.

The registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus forms a part, including the exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and our common stock offered under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Specifically, we have filed and incorporated by reference certain legal documents that control the terms of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as exhibits to the registration statement. We will file or incorporate by reference certain other legal documents that will control the terms of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as exhibits to the registration statement or to reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and certain of the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain, and any related free writing prospectus issued by us may contain, summaries of information contained in documents that we have filed or will file as exhibits to our SEC filings. Such summaries do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the actual documents filed with the SEC.

You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement under “Incorporation By Reference” and in the accompanying prospectus under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any related free-writing prospectus issued by us and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the sales agents, forward sellers and forward purchasers have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may only be used where it is legal to sell the common stock offered hereby. The information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein is only accurate as of the date of the respective documents in which the information appears. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates, and neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus nor any sale hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication to the contrary.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that NiSource has filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Information that NiSource files with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement will automatically modify and supersede the

information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying

 

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prospectus to the extent that the subsequently filed information modifies or supersedes the existing information. We incorporate by reference:

 

   

our Annual Report on Form  10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020;

 

   

the description of our common stock contained in our definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus dated April 24, 2000, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description;

 

   

the description of (i) the depositary shares, each representing 1/1000th ownership interest in a share of our 6.50% Series B Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) and a 1/1000th ownership interest in a share of our Series B-1 Preferred Stock (“Series B-1 Preferred Stock”), and (ii) the underlying Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock contained or referred to in the registration statement on Form 8-A filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating any such description; and

 

   

any future filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date of this prospectus supplement and before we sell all of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement.

You may request a copy of any of these filings at no cost by writing to or calling us at the following address and telephone number: Corporate Secretary, NiSource Inc., 801 East 86th Avenue, Merrillville, Indiana 46410, telephone: (877) 647-5990.

 

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SUMMARY

This summary highlights certain information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before purchasing our common stock. We urge you to read carefully the entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the historical financial statements and notes to those financial statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. You should read carefully the “Risk Factors” section on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement and the “Risk Factors” and “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” sections in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be modified by our subsequent periodic reports, for more information about important risks that you should consider before investing in our common stock. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus supplement to “NiSource” refer to NiSource Inc. and “we,” “us” or “our” refer collectively to NiSource and its subsidiaries.

NISOURCE INC.

Overview. NiSource is an energy holding company whose primary subsidiaries are fully regulated natural gas and electric utility companies, serving approximately 3.7 million customers in six states. Our principal subsidiaries include NiSource Gas Distribution Group, Inc., a natural gas distribution holding company, and Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC, or NIPSCO, a gas and electric company. NiSource derives substantially all of its revenues and earnings from the operating results of these rate-regulated businesses. Our primary business segments are:

 

   

Gas Distribution Operations; and

 

   

Electric Operations.

Business Strategy. We focus our business strategy on providing safe and reliable service through our core, rate-regulated asset-based utilities, which generate substantially all of our operating income. NiSource’s utilities continue to move forward on core safety, infrastructure and environmental investment programs supported by complementary regulatory and customer initiatives across all six states in which we operate. Our goal is to develop strategies that benefit all stakeholders as we (i) address changing customer conservation patterns, (ii) align our price structures with our cost structure and (iii) embark on long-term investment programs. These strategies focus on improving safety and reliability, enhancing customer service, lowering customer bills and reducing emissions while generating sustainable returns.

Gas Distribution Operations. Our natural gas distribution operations serve approximately 3.2 million customers in six states. We operate approximately 53,700 miles of distribution main pipeline plus the associated individual customer service lines and 1,700 miles of transmission main pipeline. Throughout our service areas we also have gate stations and other operations support facilities. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary NiSource Gas Distribution Group, Inc., we own five distribution subsidiaries that provide natural gas to approximately 2.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky and Maryland. We also distribute natural gas to approximately 848,000 customers in northern Indiana through our wholly-owned subsidiary NIPSCO.

Electric Operations. We generate, transmit and distribute electricity through our subsidiary NIPSCO to approximately 479,000 customers in 20 counties in the northern part of Indiana and also engage in wholesale electric and transmission transactions. NIPSCO owns and operates two coal-fired electric generating stations. The two operating facilities have a generating capacity of 2,080 megawatts. NIPSCO completed the retirement of two coal-burning units at its Bailly Generating Station on May 31, 2018. NIPSCO also owns and operates

 

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(i) Sugar Creek, a combined cycle gas turbine plant with a generating capacity of 571 megawatts, (ii) two gas-fired generating units with a generating capacity of 155 megawatts and (iii) two hydroelectric generating plants with a generating capacity of 10 megawatts. These facilities provide for a total system operating generating capacity of 2,816 megawatts. NIPSCO is the managing partner in Rosewater Wind Generation LLC, a joint venture that owns and operates 102 megawatts of nameplate generating capacity. NIPSCO’s transmission system, with voltages from 69,000 to 765,000 volts, consists of 3,009 circuit miles. NIPSCO is interconnected with eight neighboring electric utilities. During the year ended December 31, 2020, NIPSCO generated 68.8% and purchased 31.2% of its electric requirements.

Our executive offices are located at 801 East 86th Avenue, Merrillville, Indiana 46410, telephone: (877) 647-5990.

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Issuer

NiSource Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

Common Stock Offered

Shares of our common stock, $.01 par value, having an aggregate sales price of up to $750,000,000.

 

Use of Proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds that we receive upon the issuance and sale of shares of our common stock for general corporate purposes, including to finance capital expenditures, additions to working capital and repayment of existing indebtedness.

 

  We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of borrowed shares of our common stock by the forward sellers in connection with any forward sale agreement as a hedge of the forward sale agreement. We intend to use any cash proceeds that we receive upon physical settlement of any forward sale agreement, if physical settlement applies, or upon cash settlement of any forward sale agreement, if we elect cash settlement, for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Conflicts of Interest

The forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) will receive the net proceeds of any sale of borrowed shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement in connection with any forward sale agreement. Because certain sales agents or their affiliates are expected to receive part of the net proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock in connection with any forward sale agreement, such sales agents would be deemed to have a conflict of interest under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) Rule 5121 to the extent such sales agents or affiliates receive at least 5% of the net proceeds of the offering. Any sales agent deemed to have a conflict of interest would be required to conduct the distribution of our common stock in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121. If the offering is conducted in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, such sales agent would not be permitted to confirm a sale to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without first receiving specific written approval from the account holder.

 

Risk Factors

An investment in our common stock involves various risks, and prospective investors should carefully consider the matters discussed under the caption entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement and under the caption entitled “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be modified by our subsequent periodic reports.

 

New York Stock Exchange Symbol

NI

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Computershare

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves risks. You should read carefully the information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and should carefully consider the following risk factors, as well as the “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” sections in the accompanying prospectus and the “Risk Factors” and “Note regarding forward-looking statements” sections in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein, and in any subsequent periodic reports that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Each of the risks described could materially adversely affect our operations and financial results and the value of your investment in our common stock.

Settlement provisions contained in a forward sale agreement could result in substantial dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity or result in substantial cash payment obligations.

With respect to any forward sale agreement we may enter into, the relevant forward purchaser will have the right to accelerate such forward sale agreement and require us to physically settle or, if we so elect and the forward purchaser permits our election, cash settle or net share settle on a date specified by the relevant forward purchaser if:

 

   

the relevant forward purchaser is unable to, or would incur a materially increased cost to, establish, maintain or unwind its hedge position with respect to that particular forward sale agreement;

 

   

the relevant forward purchaser determines that it is unable, after using commercially reasonable efforts, to continue to borrow a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares of our common stock underlying that particular forward sale agreement or that, with respect to borrowing such number of shares of our common stock, it would incur a cost that is greater than the stock borrow cost specified in that particular forward sale agreement;

 

   

a termination event occurs as a result of us declaring a dividend or distribution on our common stock (i) with a cash value in excess of a specified amount per calendar quarter, (ii) with an ex-dividend date prior to the anticipated ex-dividend date for such cash dividend or (iii) payable in securities of another company as a result of a spin-off or similar transaction or in any other type of securities (other than our common stock), rights, warrants or other assets for payment at less than the prevailing market price;

 

   

certain ownership thresholds applicable to such forward purchaser, its affiliates and all other persons who may form a beneficial share ownership group or whose ownership positions would be aggregated with such forward purchaser are exceeded;

 

   

the announcement of an event or a transaction that, if consummated, would result in certain extraordinary events (as such term is defined in that particular forward sale agreement and which includes certain mergers and tender offers as well as certain events involving our nationalization or the delisting of our common stock or a change in law);

 

   

a market disruption event occurs and continues for at least eight scheduled trading days during an unwind period (as such terms are defined in that particular forward sale agreement); or

 

   

certain other events of default, termination events or other specified events occur, including, among other things, any material misrepresentation made by us in connection with entering into that particular forward sale agreement, certain bankruptcy events or an illegality (as such terms are defined in that particular forward sale agreement).

A forward purchaser’s decision to exercise its right to accelerate the settlement of a particular forward sale agreement will be made irrespective of our need for capital. In such cases, we could be required to issue and deliver shares of our common stock under the physical settlement provisions of that particular forward sale agreement or, if we so elect and the forward purchaser permits our election, the net share settlement provisions of that particular forward sale agreement irrespective of our capital needs, which would result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity and dividends per share.

 

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We expect that settlement of any forward sale agreement will generally occur no later than the date specified in the particular forward sale agreement. However, any forward sale agreement may be settled earlier than that specified date in whole or in part at our option. We expect that each forward sale agreement will be physically settled by delivery of shares of our common stock, unless we elect to cash settle or net share settle a particular forward sale agreement. Upon physical settlement or, if we so elect, net share settlement of a particular forward sale agreement, delivery of shares of our common stock in connection with such physical settlement or (to the extent we are obligated to deliver shares of our common stock) net share settlement will result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity.

In connection with any cash settlement or net share settlement, we would expect the relevant forward purchaser or its affiliate to purchase shares of our common stock in secondary market transactions for delivery to third-party stock lenders to close out its, or its affiliate’s, hedge position in respect of that particular forward sale agreement. The purchase of shares of our common stock in connection with the relevant forward purchaser or its affiliate unwinding its hedge positions could cause the price of our common stock to increase (or prevent a decrease), thereby increasing the amount of cash we would owe to the relevant forward purchaser (or decreasing the amount of cash that the relevant forward purchaser would owe us) upon cash settlement or increasing the number of shares of our common stock that we are obligated to deliver to the relevant forward purchaser (or decreasing the number of shares of our common stock that the relevant forward purchaser is obligated to deliver to us) upon net share settlement of the particular forward sale agreement.

The forward sale price that we expect to receive upon physical settlement of a particular forward sale agreement will be subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to the specified benchmark’s daily rate less a spread and will be decreased based on amounts related to expected dividends on our common stock during the term of the particular forward sale agreement. If the specified benchmark’s daily rate is less than the spread for a particular forward sale agreement on any day, the interest factor will result in a reduction of the applicable forward sale price for such day. If the market value of our common stock during the relevant valuation period under the particular forward sale agreement is above the applicable forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would pay the relevant forward purchaser under that particular forward sale agreement an amount in cash equal to the difference or, in the case of net share settlement, we would deliver to the relevant forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the difference. Thus, we could be responsible for a potentially substantial cash payment in the case of cash settlement of a particular forward sale agreement. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)—Sales Through Forward Sellers” for information on the forward sale agreements.

In case of our bankruptcy or insolvency, any forward sale agreement will automatically terminate, and we would not receive the expected proceeds from any forward sales of our common stock.

If we file for or consent to a proceeding seeking a judgment in bankruptcy or insolvency or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or we or a regulatory authority with jurisdiction over us presents a petition for our winding-up or liquidation, and we consent to such a petition, any forward sale agreement that is then in effect will automatically terminate. If any such forward sale agreement so terminates under these circumstances, we would not be obligated to deliver to the relevant forward purchaser any of our common stock not previously delivered, and the relevant forward purchaser would be discharged from its obligation to pay the applicable forward sale price per share in respect of any of our common stock not previously settled under the applicable forward sale agreement. Therefore, to the extent that there are any shares of our common stock with respect to which any forward sale agreement has not been settled at the time of the commencement of any such bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, we would not receive the relevant forward sale price per share in respect of those shares of our common stock.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds that we receive upon the issuance and sale of shares of our common stock for general corporate purposes, including to finance capital expenditures, additions to working capital and repayment of existing indebtedness.

We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of borrowed shares of our common stock by the forward sellers, as agents for the forward purchasers, in connection with any forward sale agreement as a hedge of the forward sale agreement. In the event of full physical settlement of a forward sale agreement, which we expect to occur on or prior to the maturity date of the forward sale agreement, we expect to receive aggregate cash proceeds equal to the product of the initial forward sale price under the forward sale agreement and the number of shares of our common stock underlying the forward sale agreement, subject to the price adjustment and other provisions of the forward sale agreement. We intend to use any cash proceeds that we receive upon physical settlement of any forward sale agreement, if physical settlement applies, or upon cash settlement of any forward sale agreement, if we elect cash settlement, for the purposes provided in the immediately preceding paragraph. If, however, we elect to cash settle or net share settle any forward sale agreement, we would expect to receive an amount of proceeds that is significantly lower than the product set forth in the second preceding sentence (in the case of any cash settlement) or will not receive any proceeds (in the case of any net share settlement), and we may owe cash (in the case of any cash settlement) or shares of our common stock (in the case of any net share settlement) to the forward purchaser.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by NiSource’s board of directors out of funds legally available, subject to the preferential dividend rights of the holders of our issued and outstanding preferred stock. The policy of our board of directors has been to declare cash dividends on a quarterly basis payable on or about the 20th day of February, May, August and November.

Although the board of directors currently intends to continue the payment of regular quarterly cash dividends on common shares, the timing and amount of future dividends will depend on the earnings of NiSource’s subsidiaries, their financial condition, cash requirements, regulatory restrictions, any restrictions in financing agreements and other factors deemed relevant by the board of directors.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

We entered into separate equity distribution agreements on February 22, 2021 with each of the sales agents and forward purchasers. Under the terms of each equity distribution agreement we may issue and sell from time to time during the term of such agreement shares of our common stock having an aggregate sales price of up to $750,000,000 through the sales agents acting as our agents. Further, each equity distribution agreement provides that, in addition to the issuance and sale of shares of our common stock by us through the applicable sales agent, we may request that such sales agent, as a forward seller, use commercially reasonable efforts to sell, from time to time, shares of our common stock borrowed by the applicable forward purchaser (or its affiliates) in connection with one or more forward sale agreements as described below. In no event will the aggregate number of shares of our common stock sold through the sales agents, each as an agent for us and as a forward seller, under the equity distribution agreements have an aggregate sales price in excess of $750,000,000.

Sales of the shares of our common stock, if any, under any equity distribution agreement will be made in “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange, the existing trading market for shares of our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker or through an electronic communications network. In addition, shares of our common stock may be offered and sold by such other methods, including privately negotiated transactions (including block transactions), as we and any sales agent (and any related forward seller and forward purchaser) agree to in writing. The sales agents will not engage in any transactions that stabilize our common stock.

We have agreed to pay all expenses in connection with the equity distribution agreements, the forward sale agreements and the offerings hereby, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, in connection with the initial documentation of the offerings contemplated by this prospectus supplement. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation payable under the equity distribution agreements, will be approximately $400,000.

In connection with the sale of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement, the sales agents may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to a sales agent may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to indemnify the sales agents, the forward sellers and the forward purchasers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments which they may be required to make in that respect.

We intend to report to the SEC at least quarterly (1) the number of shares of our common stock sold through the sales agents in connection with at-the-market sales as described below under “—Sales Through Sales Agents,” (2) the number of borrowed shares of our common stock sold by the forward sellers, as agents for the forward purchasers, in connection with forward sale agreements as described below under “—Sales Through Forward Sellers” and (3) the net proceeds received by us and the compensation paid by us to the sales agents in connection with transactions described in clauses (1) and (2).

Sales of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as may be agreed upon. The offering of our common stock pursuant to the equity distribution agreements will terminate upon the earliest of (1) the sale, under the equity distribution agreements, of shares of our common stock with an aggregate sales price equal to $750,000,000, (2) December 31, 2023 (provided that each relevant equity distribution agreement will continue in effect for the duration of, and solely with respect to, any forward stock purchase transaction entered into, but not yet settled, before December 31, 2023) and (3) early termination of the equity distribution agreements, including by us or the other parties at any time upon written notice.

Sales Through Sales Agents

From time to time during the term of the equity distribution agreements, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, we may deliver instructions to any of the sales agents regarding a proposed sale of

 

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shares of our common stock. Upon receipt of instructions from us, and subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable equity distribution agreement, each sales agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell the amount of shares of our common stock specified in our instructions. We or the relevant sales agent may suspend the offering of shares of our common stock at any time upon proper notice to the other, upon which the selling period will immediately terminate. Settlement for sales of shares of our common stock will occur on the second trading day following the date on which the sales were made, or such earlier day as required by SEC rule or industry practice, unless another date shall be agreed by the relevant parties. The obligation of each sales agent under the applicable equity distribution agreement to sell shares of our common stock pursuant to our instructions is subject to a number of conditions, which each sales agent reserves the right to waive in its sole discretion.

Each sales agent will receive from us a commission of up to 2% of the gross sales price per share for any shares sold through it as our sales agent under the applicable equity distribution agreement. The remaining sales proceeds, after deducting any expenses payable by us and any transaction fees imposed by any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory organization in connection with the sales, will be our net proceeds for the sale of such shares.

Sales Through Forward Sellers

From time to time during the term of each equity distribution agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, we may enter into one or more forward sale agreements with the applicable forward purchaser. In connection with each such forward sale agreement, we will deliver to it and the applicable forward seller related instructions requesting that the applicable forward seller execute sales of borrowed shares of our common stock. Upon their receipt and acceptance, such forward purchaser (or its affiliates) will attempt to borrow, and such forward seller will use commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell, the relevant shares of our common stock to hedge such forward purchaser’s exposure under that particular forward sale agreement. We, such forward seller or such forward purchaser may immediately suspend the offering of our common stock at any time upon proper notice to the other.

In no event will we be party to outstanding forward sale agreements with more than one forward purchaser at any given time or party to more than one forward sale agreement with the same forward purchaser at any given time unless the related forward sellers would not be selling shares of our common stock simultaneously and the related forward purchasers would not be required to unwind their respective hedges of shares of our common stock at any time that the related forward sellers are selling shares of our common stock. Additionally, in no event may we sell shares directly at any given time when we are a party to outstanding forward sale agreements unless the related forward sellers would not then be selling shares of our common stock and the related forward purchasers would not then be required to unwind their respective hedges of shares of our common stock.

We expect that settlement between the relevant forward purchaser and forward seller of sales of borrowed shares of our common stock, as well as the settlement between the relevant forward seller and buyers of such shares of our common stock in the market, will generally occur on the second trading day following each date the sales are made or such earlier day as required by SEC rule or industry practice, unless another date shall be agreed to by the relevant parties. The obligation of the relevant forward seller under the relevant equity distribution agreement to execute such sales of our common stock is subject to a number of conditions, which each forward seller reserves the right to waive in its sole discretion.

In connection with each forward sale agreement, the relevant forward seller will receive, reflected in a reduced initial forward sale price payable by the relevant forward purchaser under its forward sale agreement, a commission of up to 2% of the volume weighted average of the sales prices of all borrowed shares of our common stock sold during the applicable period by it as a forward seller. We refer to this commission rate as the forward selling commission.

 

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The forward sale price per share under each forward sale agreement will initially equal the product of (1) an amount equal to one minus the applicable forward selling commission and (2) the volume-weighted average price per share at which the borrowed shares of our common stock were sold pursuant to the particular equity distribution agreement by the relevant forward seller. Thereafter, the forward sale price will be subject to adjustment as described below.

The forward sale agreements will provide that the forward sale price, as well as the sales prices used to calculate the initial forward sale price, will be subject to increase or decrease based on a floating interest rate factor equal to the specified benchmark’s daily rate less a spread and subject to decrease by amounts related to expected dividends on our common stock during the term of the particular forward sale agreement. If the specified benchmark’s daily rate is less than the spread for a particular forward sale agreement on any day, the interest factor will result in a reduction of the applicable forward sale price for such day. Unless the specified benchmark’s daily rate increases substantially prior to the settlement of any particular forward sale agreement, we would expect to receive less than the initial forward sale price per share upon physical settlement of that particular forward sale agreement.

Before settlement of a particular forward sale agreement, we expect that the shares of our common stock issuable upon settlement of that particular forward sale agreement will be reflected in our diluted earnings per share, return on equity and dividends per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of shares of our common stock used in calculating diluted earnings per share, return on equity and dividends per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of shares of our common stock that would be issued upon full physical settlement of that particular forward sale agreement over the number of shares of our common stock that could be purchased by us in the market (based on the average market price during the relevant period) using the proceeds receivable upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of the relevant reporting period). Consequently, before physical or net share settlement of a particular forward sale agreement and subject to the occurrence of certain events, we anticipate there will be no dilutive effect on our earnings per share, except during periods when the average market price of our common stock is above the applicable forward sale price.

Except under limited circumstances, we have the right to elect physical, cash or net share settlement under any forward sale agreement. Although we expect to settle any forward sale agreement entirely by delivering shares of our common stock in connection with full physical settlement, we may, subject to certain conditions, elect cash settlement or net share settlement for all or a portion of our obligations under a particular forward sale agreement if we conclude that it is in our interest to do so. For example, we may conclude that it is in our interest to cash settle or net share settle a particular forward sale agreement if we have no then-current use for all or a portion of the net proceeds that we would receive upon physical settlement. In addition, subject to certain conditions, we may elect to accelerate the settlement of all or a portion of the number of shares of our common stock underlying a particular forward sale agreement.

If we elect to physically settle any forward sale agreement by issuing and delivering shares of our common stock, we will receive an amount of cash from the relevant forward purchaser equal to the product of the forward sale price per share under that particular forward sale agreement and the number of shares of our common stock underlying the particular forward sale agreement. In the event that we elect to cash settle, the settlement amount will be generally related to (1) (a) the average of the volume-weighted average price of our common stock on each exchange business day during the relevant valuation period under the particular forward sale agreement minus (b) the applicable forward sale price; multiplied by (2) the number of shares of our common stock underlying the particular forward sale agreement subject to cash settlement. In the event we elect to net share settle, the settlement amount will be generally related to (1) (a) the weighted average price at which the relevant forward purchaser or its affiliate purchases shares of our common stock during the relevant valuation period for such settlement under that particular forward sale agreement minus (b) the applicable forward sale price; multiplied by (2) the number of shares of our common stock underlying the particular forward sale agreement subject to such net share settlement. If this settlement amount is a negative number, the relevant forward

 

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purchaser will pay us the absolute value of that amount (in the case of cash settlement) or deliver to us a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to the absolute value of such amount (in the event of net share settlement). If this settlement amount is a positive number, we will pay the relevant forward purchaser that amount (in the case of cash settlement) or deliver to the relevant forward purchaser a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to such amount (in the event of net share settlement). In connection with any cash settlement or net share settlement, we would expect the relevant forward purchaser or its affiliate to purchase shares of our common stock in secondary market transactions for delivery to third-party stock lenders to close out its, or its affiliate’s, hedge position in respect of that particular forward sale agreement. The purchase of shares of our common stock in connection with the relevant forward purchaser or its affiliate unwinding its hedge positions could cause the price of our common stock to increase (or prevent a decrease), thereby increasing the amount of cash we would owe to the relevant forward purchaser (or decreasing the amount of cash that the relevant forward purchaser would owe us) upon cash settlement or increasing the number of shares of our common stock that we are obligated to deliver to the relevant forward purchaser (or decreasing the number of shares of our common stock that the relevant forward purchaser is obligated to deliver to us) upon net share settlement of the particular forward sale agreement. See “Risk Factors.”

With respect to any forward sale agreement we may enter into, the relevant forward purchaser will have the right to accelerate such forward sale agreement and require us to physically settle or, if we so elect and the forward purchaser permits our election, cash settle or net share settle on a date specified by the relevant forward purchaser if:

 

   

the relevant forward purchaser is unable to, or would incur a materially increased cost to, establish, maintain or unwind its hedge position with respect to that particular forward sale agreement;

 

   

the relevant forward purchaser determines that it is unable, after using commercially reasonable efforts, to continue to borrow a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares of our common stock underlying that particular forward sale agreement or that, with respect to borrowing such number of shares of our common stock, it would incur a cost that is greater than the stock borrow cost specified in that particular forward sale agreement;

 

   

a termination event occurs as a result of us declaring a dividend or distribution on our common stock (i) with a cash value in excess of a specified amount per calendar quarter, (ii) with an ex-dividend date prior to the anticipated ex-dividend date for such cash dividend or (iii) payable in securities of another company as a result of a spin-off or similar transaction or in any other type of securities (other than our common stock), rights, warrants or other assets for payment at less than the prevailing market price;

 

   

certain ownership thresholds applicable to such forward purchaser, its affiliates and all other persons who may form a beneficial share ownership group or whose ownership positions would be aggregated with such forward purchaser are exceeded;

 

   

the announcement of an event or a transaction that, if consummated, would result in certain extraordinary events (as such term is defined in that particular forward sale agreement and which includes certain mergers and tender offers as well as certain events involving our nationalization or the delisting of our common stock or a change in law);

 

   

a market disruption event occurs and continues for at least eight scheduled trading days during an unwind period (as such terms are defined in that particular forward sale agreement); or

 

   

certain other events of default, termination events or other specified events occur, including, among other things, any material misrepresentation made by us in connection with entering into that particular forward sale agreement, certain bankruptcy events or an illegality (as such terms are defined in that particular forward sale agreement).

A forward purchaser’s decision to exercise its right to accelerate the settlement of a particular forward sale agreement will be made irrespective of our need for capital. In such cases, we could be required to issue and deliver shares of our common stock under the physical settlement provisions of that particular forward sale

 

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agreement or, if we so elect and the forward purchaser permits our election, the net share settlement provisions of that particular forward sale agreement irrespective of our capital needs, which would result in dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity and dividends per share. In addition, upon certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us, the particular forward sale agreement will terminate without further liability of either party. Following any such termination, we would not issue any shares of our common stock or receive any proceeds pursuant to the particular forward sale agreement. See “Risk Factors.”

Restrictions on Sales of Similar Securities

We have agreed that, unless we give the sales agents at least three business days’ prior written notice, we will not directly or indirectly sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our common stock or warrants or other rights to purchase our common stock or any of our other securities that are substantially similar to our common stock or permit the registration under the Securities Act, of any shares of our common stock, except for:

 

   

any shares of our common stock we offer or sell pursuant to the equity distribution agreements (including sales of borrowed shares of our common stock by the forward sellers in connection with any forward sale agreement);

 

   

any shares of our common stock we issue upon physical settlement or net share settlement of any forward sale agreement;

 

   

any shares of our common stock we issue upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date of the equity distribution agreements;

 

   

any shares of our common stock or stock units issued or options to purchase our common stock granted pursuant to our existing employee benefit plans, including shares of our common stock issued upon exercise of such options; or

 

   

any shares of our common stock or stock units issued pursuant to any of our non-employee director stock plan, dividend reinvestment plan or stock purchase plan.

No Public Offering Outside of the United States

No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the shares of our common stock, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any other material relating to us or the shares of our common stock, in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the shares of our common stock may not be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

Conflicts of Interest

The forward purchasers (or their respective affiliates) will receive the net proceeds of any sale of borrowed shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement in connection with any forward sale agreement. Because certain sales agents or their affiliates are expected to receive part of the net proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock in connection with any forward sale agreement, such sales agents would be deemed to have a conflict of interest under FINRA Rule 5121 to the extent such sales agents or affiliates receive at least 5% of the net proceeds of the offering. Any sales agent deemed to have a conflict of interest would be required to conduct the distribution of our common stock in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121. If the offering is conducted in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, such sales agent would not be permitted to confirm a sale to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without first receiving specific written approval from the account holder.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Sidley Austin LLP, Chicago, Illinois, will pass upon certain legal matters relating to the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement for us. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the sales agents and the forward purchasers by Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements, and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference from the NiSource Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of NiSource Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

 

LOGO

NiSource Inc.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Debt Securities

Warrants

Stock Purchase Contracts

Stock Purchase Units

 

 

NiSource Inc. may offer, from time to time, in amounts, at prices and on terms that it will determine at the time of offering, any or all of the following:

 

   

shares of common stock;

 

   

shares of preferred stock, in one or more series;

 

   

depositary shares representing interests in shares of preferred stock;

 

   

one or more series of its debt securities;

 

   

warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities; and

 

   

stock purchase contracts to purchase common stock, either separately or in units with the debt securities described below or U.S. Treasury securities.

We will provide specific terms of these securities, including their offering prices, in prospectus supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

We may offer these securities to or through underwriters, through dealers or agents, directly to you or through a combination of these methods. You can find additional information about our plan of distribution for the securities under the heading “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 30 of this prospectus. We will also describe the plan of distribution for any particular offering of these securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. This prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NI.”

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” on page  2 of this prospectus, in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and, if applicable, in risk factors described in any accompanying prospectus supplement before you invest 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 November 1, 2019.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

About This Prospectus

     1  

Risk Factors

     2  

Forward-Looking Statements

     3  

Where You Can Find More Information

     4  

NiSource Inc.

     5  

Use of Proceeds

     6  

Description of Capital Stock

     7  

Description of Depositary Shares

     16  

Description of the Debt Securities

     18  

Description of Warrants

     26  

Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units

     27  

Book-Entry Issuance

     28  

Plan of Distribution

     30  

Legal Opinions

     32  

Experts

     32  


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), utilizing a “shelf” registration or continuous offering process. Under this process, we may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. That prospectus supplement may include a description of any risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in the prospectus and the prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The registration statement containing this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. Specifically, we have filed and incorporated by reference certain legal documents that control the terms of the securities offered by this prospectus as exhibits to the registration statement. We will file or incorporate by reference certain other legal documents that will control the terms of the securities we may offer by this prospectus as exhibits to the registration statement or to reports we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

In addition, we may prepare and deliver one or more “free writing prospectuses” to you in connection with any offering of securities under this prospectus. Any such free writing prospectus may contain additional information about us, our business, the offered securities, the manner in which such securities are being offered, our intended use of the proceeds from the sale of such securities, risks relating to our business or an investment in such securities or other information.

This prospectus and certain of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain, and any accompanying prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus that we deliver to you may contain, summaries of information contained in documents that we have filed or will file as exhibits to our SEC filings. Such summaries do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirely by reference to, the actual documents filed with the SEC.

Copies of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus may be obtained as described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we deliver to you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make the offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.

References to “NiSource” refer to NiSource Inc. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us” or “our” refer collectively to NiSource and its subsidiaries. References to “securities” refer collectively to the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units registered hereunder.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in the securities involves risk. You should read carefully the “Risk Factors” and “Note regarding forward-looking statements” sections in NiSource’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in NiSource’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and corresponding sections in reports NiSource may file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus. The prospectus supplement applicable to each type or series of securities we offer may contain a discussion of additional risks applicable to an investment in us and the particular type of securities we are offering under that prospectus supplement.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the information included in this prospectus, in any prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the securities laws. Investors and prospective investors should understand that many factors govern whether any forward-looking statement contained herein will be or can be realized. Any one of those factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning NiSource’s plans, strategies, objectives, expected performance, expenditures, recovery of expenditures through rates, stated on either a consolidated or segment basis, and any and all underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical fact. From time to time, NiSource may publish or otherwise make available forward-looking statements of this nature. All such subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of NiSource, are also expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable; however, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, among other things, NiSource’s debt obligations; any changes to the credit rating of NiSource or certain of its subsidiaries; NiSource’s ability to execute its growth strategy; changes in general economic, capital and commodity market conditions; pension funding obligations; economic regulation and the impact of regulatory rate reviews; NiSource’s ability to obtain expected financial or regulatory outcomes; NiSource’s ability to adapt to, and manage costs related to, advances in technology; any changes in NiSource’s assumptions regarding the financial implications of the Greater Lawrence, Massachusetts gas distribution incident (the “Greater Lawrence Incident”); potential incidents and other operating risks associated with NiSource’s business; NiSource’s ability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage; the outcome of legal and regulatory proceedings, investigations, incidents, claims and litigation; any damage to NiSource’s reputation, including in connection with the Greater Lawrence Incident; compliance with environmental laws and the costs of associated liabilities; fluctuations in demand from residential and commercial customers; economic conditions of certain industries; the success of NIPSCO’s electric generation strategy; the price of energy commodities and related transportation costs; the reliability of customers and suppliers to fulfill their payment and contractual obligations; potential impairments of goodwill or definite-lived intangible assets; changes in taxation and accounting principles; the impact of an aging infrastructure; the impact of climate change; potential cyber-attacks; construction risks and natural gas costs and supply risks; extreme weather conditions; the attraction and retention of a qualified workforce; the ability of NiSource’s subsidiaries to generate cash; uncertainties related to the expected benefits of the separation of Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc. on July 1, 2015; NiSource’s ability to manage new initiatives and organizational changes; the performance of third-party suppliers and service providers; the transition to a replacement for the LIBOR benchmark interest rate; and other matters set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of NiSource’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and NiSource’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, many of which risks are beyond the control of NiSource. In addition, the relative contributions to profitability by each business segment, and the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements relating thereto, may change over time.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. NiSource undertakes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any such obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or changes to the future results over time or otherwise, except as required by law.

Accordingly, you should not rely on the accuracy of predictions contained in forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus, the date of the accompanying prospectus supplement or, in the case of documents incorporated by reference, the date of those documents.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

NiSource files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to you at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and at our website at www.nisource.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that NiSource has filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information that NiSource files with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically modify and supersede the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus to the extent that the subsequently filed information modifies or supersedes the existing information. We incorporate by reference the following documents filed with the SEC:

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018;

 

   

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September  30, 2019;

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 20, 2019 (reporting Items 1.01, 2.03 and 9.01), March  8, 2019, April 17, 2019, May  8, 2019, June 6, 2019 (as amended on October  24, 2019), July 29, 2019 and August 12, 2019;

 

   

the description of our common stock contained in our definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus dated April 24, 2000;

 

   

the description of (i) the depositary shares, each representing 1/1000th ownership interest in a share of our 6.50% Series B Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) and a 1/1000th ownership interest in a share of our Series B-1 Preferred Stock (“Series B-1 Preferred Stock”), and (ii) the underlying Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock contained or referred to in the registration statement on Form 8-A filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating any such description; and

 

   

any future filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date of this prospectus and before we sell all of the securities offered by this prospectus.

You may request a copy of any of these filings at no cost by writing to or calling us at the following address and telephone number: Corporate Secretary, NiSource Inc., 801 East 86th Avenue, Merrillville, Indiana 46410, telephone: (877) 647-5990.

We have filed this prospectus with the SEC as part of a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. Any statement made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document is only a summary of the actual document. If we have filed any contract, agreement or other document as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should read the exhibit for a more complete understanding of the document or matter involved. Each statement regarding a contract, agreement or other document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual document.

 

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NISOURCE INC.

Overview. NiSource is an energy holding company whose subsidiaries are fully regulated natural gas and electric utility companies serving approximately 4.0 million customers in seven states. We are one of the nation’s largest natural gas distribution companies, as measured by number of customers. Our principal subsidiaries include NiSource Gas Distribution Group, Inc., a natural gas distribution company, and Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC, or NIPSCO, a gas and electric company. NiSource derives substantially all of its revenues and earnings from the operating results of these rate-regulated businesses. Our primary business segments are:

 

   

Gas Distribution Operations; and

 

   

Electric Operations.

Business Strategy. We focus our business strategy on our core, rate-regulated asset-based businesses with most of our operating income generated from the rate-regulated businesses. NiSource’s utilities continue to move forward on core infrastructure and environmental investment programs supported by complementary regulatory and customer initiatives across all seven states in which we operate. Our goal is to develop strategies that benefit all stakeholders as we address changing customer conservation patterns, develop more contemporary pricing structures and embark on long-term investment programs. These strategies are intended to improve reliability and safety, enhance customer services and reduce emissions while generating sustainable returns.

Gas Distribution Operations. Our natural gas distribution operations serve approximately 3.5 million customers in seven states and operate approximately 60,000 miles of pipeline. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary NiSource Gas Distribution Group, Inc., we own six distribution subsidiaries that provide natural gas to approximately 2.6 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland and Massachusetts. We also distribute natural gas to approximately 832,000 customers in northern Indiana through our wholly-owned subsidiary NIPSCO.

Electric Operations. We generate, transmit and distribute electricity through our subsidiary NIPSCO to approximately 472,000 customers in 20 counties in the northern part of Indiana and engage in wholesale and transmission transactions. NIPSCO owns and operates two coal-fired electric generating stations. The two operating facilities have a generating capacity of 2,080 megawatts. NIPSCO completed the retirement of two coal-burning units at its Bailly Generating Station on May 31, 2018. NIPSCO also owns and operates Sugar Creek, a combined cycle gas turbine plant with a generating capacity of 571 megawatts, three gas-fired generating units located at NIPSCO’s coal-fired electric generating stations with a generating capacity of 186 megawatts and two hydroelectric generating plants with a generating capacity of 16 megawatts. These facilities provide for a total system operating generating capacity of 2,853 megawatts. NIPSCO’s transmission system, with voltages from 69,000 to 765,000 volts, consists of 2,963 circuit miles. NIPSCO is interconnected with five neighboring electric utilities. During the year ended December 31, 2018, NIPSCO generated 69.4% and purchased 30.6% of its electric requirements.

Our executive offices are located at 801 East 86th Avenue, Merrillville, Indiana 46410, telephone: (877) 647-5990.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes, including additions to working capital and repayment of existing indebtedness.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

The authorized capital stock of NiSource consists of 620,000,000 shares, of which 600,000,000 are common stock, par value $0.01, and 20,000,000 are preferred stock, par value $0.01. The board of directors has designated (i) 400,000 shares of the preferred stock as 5.650% Series A Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”), liquidation preference $1,000 per share, (ii) 20,000 shares of the preferred stock as 6.50% Series B Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”), liquidation preference $25,000 per share and (iii) 20,000 shares of the preferred stock as Series B-1 Preferred Stock (“Series B-1 Preferred Stock”). As of October 28, 2019, NiSource had outstanding 373,543,732 shares of its common stock, 400,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 20,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and 20,000 shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock. The shares of Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock are represented by 20,000,000 depositary shares, each representing 1/1000th ownership interest in a share of each of the Series B Preferred Stock and the Series B-1 Preferred Stock. Additional details concerning these depositary shares are provided below under “Description of Depositary Shares.”

NiSource’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended through May 7, 2019 (“certificate of incorporation”) also designates 4,000,000 shares of NiSource’s preferred stock as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (“Series A Junior Stock”). The shares of Series A Junior Stock were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of rights under NiSource’s former Shareholder Rights Plan, which formally expired in 2010, and no shares of Series A Junior Stock were ever issued.

The below summaries of provisions of NiSource’s common stock and preferred stock are not necessarily complete. You are urged to read carefully, and the below summaries are qualified in their entirety by, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of NiSource which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and the certificates of designations for each series of NiSource’s preferred stock which have been or hereafter are filed with the SEC.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

NiSource’s certificate of incorporation includes provisions that may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying or preventing changes in control of management of NiSource. More specifically, the certificate of incorporation provides that stockholders may not cumulate their votes and stockholder action may be taken only at a duly called meeting and not by written consent. In addition, NiSource’s Amended and Restated By-Laws (“bylaws”) contain requirements for advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations. These and other provisions of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control of management of NiSource.

Under Delaware law, the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of a class of NiSource’s capital stock would be necessary to authorize any amendment to the certificate of incorporation that would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of such class of capital stock or that would adversely alter or change the powers, preferences or special right of such class of capital stock. Further, pursuant to the certificates of designations for the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock, the holders of two-thirds of any series of such preferred stock must approve certain amendments to the certificate of incorporation that would have a material adverse effect on the existing preferences, rights, powers, duties or obligations of such series of preferred stock. The effect of these provision may permit the holders of NiSource’s outstanding shares of capital stock to block a proposed amendment to the certificate of incorporation in connection with a potential acquisition of NiSource if such amendment would adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of such capital stock.

NiSource is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) regulating corporate takeovers. Section 203 prevents certain Delaware corporations, including those whose

 

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securities are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, from engaging, under certain circumstances, in a “business combination” (as defined therein), which includes, among other things, a merger or sale of more than 10% of the corporation’s assets, with any interested stockholder for three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder. An interested stockholder is a stockholder who acquired 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of such person.

Common Stock

NiSource’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NI.” Shares of NiSource’s common stock, offered and sold pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, will be fully paid and non-assessable.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of NiSource, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of NiSource and the distribution in full of all preferential amounts (including any accumulated and unpaid dividends) to which the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series B-1 Preferred Stock and any other series of preferred stock of NiSource hereafter created are entitled, the holders of common stock will share ratably in the remaining assets in proportion to the number of shares of common stock held by them respectively. A consolidation or merger of NiSource with or into any other corporation, or any purchase or redemption of shares of any class of NiSource’s capital stock, will not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of NiSource’s affairs.

Voting Rights

Except as otherwise required by Delaware law or as otherwise provided in the certificate of designations for the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series B-1 Preferred Stock or any other series of preferred stock of NiSource hereafter created, holders of NiSource’s common stock exclusively possess voting power for the election of NiSource’s directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action. Each holder of common stock, if entitled to vote on a matter, is entitled to one vote per share. Holders of common stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights. Holders of common stock will be notified of any stockholders’ meeting according to applicable law.

For the voting rights of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock, including the rights of holders of Series B-1 Preferred Stock to elect two additional directors to NiSource’s board of directors upon a Nonpayment Event (as defined below), see “—Series A Preferred Stock— Voting Rights,” “—Series B Preferred Stock—Voting Rights” and “—Series B-1 Preferred Stock—Voting Rights.”

Dividend Rights

Holders of common stock will be entitled to receive dividends, when, as and if declared by NiSource’s board of directors out of legally available funds for such purpose in accordance with Delaware law, subject to the powers, preferences and rights afforded to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and any other series of preferred stock of NiSource hereafter created. Dividends may be paid in cash, capital stock or other property of NiSource.

NiSource is prohibited by the terms of each of its Series A Preferred Stock and its Series B Preferred Stock from declaring or paying dividends on any shares of NiSource’s common stock (other than dividends payable solely in shares of its common stock) or redeeming, repurchasing or acquiring shares of its common stock unless full cumulative dividends have been paid with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock, respectively, through the most recently completed respective dividend periods. See “—Series A Preferred Stock—Dividends” and “—Series B Preferred Stock—Dividends.”

 

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As noted above, NiSource is an energy holding company that derives substantially all of its revenues and earnings from the operating results of the rate-regulated businesses of its subsidiaries. Accordingly, NiSource’s ability to pay dividends on its capital stock is dependent primarily upon the earnings and cash flows of its subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment of such earnings to NiSource. NiSource’s subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts on the capital stock of NiSource or to make any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans or other payments.

No Preemptive Rights

Holders of NiSource’s common stock are not entitled to, as holders of common stock, any preemptive rights with respect to any shares of NiSource’s capital stock or any of its securities convertible into or exercisable for its capital stock.

Preferred Stock

GENERAL

The board of directors can, without approval of stockholders, issue one or more series of preferred stock. The board can also determine the number of shares of each series and the rights, preferences and limitations of each series, including any dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and liquidation preferences, the number of shares constituting each series and the terms and conditions of issue. In some cases, the issuance of preferred stock could delay a change in control of NiSource and make it harder to remove incumbent management. Under certain circumstances, preferred stock could also restrict dividend payments to holders of common stock. All preferred stock will be fully paid and non-assessable.

The terms of the preferred stock that NiSource may offer will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of the board of directors of NiSource and will be issued under certificates of designations or through amendments to the certificate of incorporation. If NiSource uses this prospectus to offer preferred stock, an accompanying prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the preferred stock. NiSource will also indicate in the prospectus supplement whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to the preferred stock that NiSource may offer. If there are differences between the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series and this prospectus, the prospectus supplement will control.

The following terms of the preferred stock, as applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to the preferred stock:

 

   

the title and stated value;

 

   

the number of shares NiSource is offering;

 

   

the liquidation preference per share;

 

   

the purchase price;

 

   

the dividend rate, period and payment date, and method of calculation of dividends;

 

   

whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;

 

   

the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

 

   

the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;

 

   

the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on NiSource’s ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights;

 

   

any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;

 

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voting rights, if any;

 

   

preemptive rights, if any;

 

   

restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;

 

   

whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares;

 

   

a discussion of any material or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

 

   

the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend or liquidation rights;

 

   

any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend or liquidation rights; and

 

   

any other material specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the preferred stock.

The terms, if any, on which the preferred stock may be exchanged for or converted into shares of common stock or any other security and, if applicable, the conversion or exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion or exchange period will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The preferred stock or any series of preferred stock may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more global certificates, which will have an aggregate liquidation preference equal to that of the preferred stock represented by the global certificate.

Each global certificate will:

 

   

be registered in the name of a depositary or a nominee of the depositary identified in the prospectus supplement;

 

   

be deposited with such depositary or nominee or a custodian for the depositary; and

 

   

bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer and any other matters as may be provided for under the certificate of designations.

The designation, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each series of NiSource’s preferred stock discussed below are set forth in a certificate of designations for such series (collectively, the “Certificate of Designations”), each forming part of the certificate of incorporation. The following summaries of the powers, preferences and rights of each series of preferred stock discussed below and certain material provisions of the applicable Certificate of Designations but does not contain a complete description of them and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the applicable Certificate of Designations. You may obtain a copy of the form of each Certificate of Designations as described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK

A summary of certain powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Series A Preferred Stock are set forth below.

Ranking

The Series A Preferred Stock ranks, with respect to dividends and distributions upon the liquidation, winding up and dissolution, whether voluntary or involuntary, of NiSource’s affairs (a “Liquidation”): (i) senior to NiSource’s common stock and any other class or series of capital stock that does not expressly provide that it ranks on a parity with or senior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and such distributions

 

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(“Series A Junior Securities”); (ii) on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series B-1 Preferred Stock (except with respect to dividends) and any other class or series of capital stock that does not expressly provide that it ranks junior or senior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and such distributions (“Series A Parity Securities”); and (iii) junior to any class or series of capital stock that expressly provides that it ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and such distributions (“Series A Senior Securities”).

Liquidation Rights

In the event of any Liquidation, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of NiSource’s assets available for distribution to stockholders (subject to the rights of holders of Series A Senior Securities and Series A Parity Securities in respect of distributions upon Liquidation), before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Series A Junior Securities, a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock and Series A Parity Securities will be paid prior to any distributions in Liquidation. A consolidation or merger of NiSource with or into any other entity will not be deemed to be a Liquidation.

Voting Rights

The Series A Preferred Stock has no voting, consent or approval rights except as set forth below or as otherwise provided by Delaware law. On any matter described below in which the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as a class (whether separately or together with the holders of any Series A Parity Securities), such holders will be entitled to one vote per share.

Adverse Changes. Unless NiSource has received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, no amendment to the certificate of incorporation may be adopted that would have a material adverse effect on the existing preferences, rights, powers, duties or obligations of the Series A Preferred Stock. However, such voting requirement shall not be implicated by any amendment to the certificate of incorporation (i) relating to the issuance of additional shares of preferred stock (subject to the voting rights discussed in the following paragraph) and (ii) in connection with a merger or another transaction in which the Series A Preferred Stock remains outstanding or is exchanged for a series of preferred stock of the surviving entity, in either case, with the terms thereof materially unchanged in any respect adverse to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock.

Parity and Senior Preferred Stock. Unless NiSource has received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a class together with holders of the Series B Preferred Stock and any other Series A Parity Securities and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, NiSource may not: (i) create or issue any Series A Parity Securities (including any additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, but excluding any payments-in-kind on such shares) if the cumulative dividends payable on the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock (or Series A Parity Securities, if applicable) are in arrears; or (ii) create or issue any Series A Senior Securities.

Dividends

Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by NiSource’s board of directors out of legally available funds for such purpose, cumulative semi-annual cash dividends (subject to the dividend rights of any Series A Senior Securities or Series A Parity Securities) at an initial rate of 5.650% per annum of the $1,000 liquidation preference per share (equal to $56.50 per share per annum). On and after June 15, 2023, dividends will accumulate for each five-year period thereafter according to a formula based on the rate of certain U.S. Treasury securities with a five year maturity plus the applicable margin.

 

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NiSource is prohibited by the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock from declaring or paying dividends on any Series A Junior Securities (other than a dividend payable solely in such Series A Junior Securities) or redeeming, repurchasing or acquiring shares of any Series A Junior Securities unless full cumulative dividends have been paid on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and any Series A Parity Securities entitled to dividends through the most recently completed respective dividend periods. In addition, NiSource may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Series A Preferred Stock or Series A Parity Securities unless (i) effected pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same relative terms to all holders of such shares of preferred stock or (ii) (A) full cumulative dividends have been paid or provided for on all outstanding shares of such series of preferred stock entitled to dividends through the most recently completed respective dividend periods and (B) NiSource expects to have sufficient funds to pay in full the next dividend on all such outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Redemption

NiSource may redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, at its option, in whole or in part, on June 15, 2023 or on any fifth anniversary thereafter by paying $1,000 per share plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, whether or not declared. In addition, following the occurrence of a “Ratings Event” (as defined in the certificate of designations of the Series A Preferred Stock), NiSource may, at its option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock in whole, but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $1,020 (102% of the liquidation preference) per share plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to the redemption date, whether or not declared.

No Conversion or Preemptive Rights

The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into any other class of NiSource’s capital stock and the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock do not, as holders of Series A Preferred Stock, have any preemptive rights with respect to any shares of NiSource’s capital stock or any of its securities convertible into or exercisable for its capital stock.

SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK

A summary of certain powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Series B Preferred Stock are set forth below.

Ranking

The Series B Preferred Stock ranks, with respect to dividends and distributions upon Liquidation: (i) senior to NiSource’s common stock and any other class or series of capital stock that does not expressly provide that it ranks on a parity with or senior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and such distributions (the “Series B Junior Securities”); (ii) on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B-1 Preferred Stock (except with respect to dividends) and any other class or series of capital stock that does not expressly provide that it ranks junior or senior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and such distributions (the “Series B Parity Securities”); and (iii) junior to any class or series of capital stock that expressly provides that it ranks senior to the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and such distributions (the “Series B Senior Securities”).

Liquidation Rights

In the event of any Liquidation, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of NiSource’s assets available for distribution to stockholders (subject to the rights of holders of Series B Senior Securities and Series B Parity Securities in respect of distributions upon the Liquidation) before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Series B Junior Securities, a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share. Any

 

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accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock and Series B Parity Securities will be paid prior to any distributions in Liquidation. A consolidation or merger of NiSource with or into any other entity will not be deemed to be a Liquidation.

Voting Rights

The Series B Preferred Stock has no voting, consent or approval rights except as set forth below or as otherwise provided by Delaware law. On any matter described below in which the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as a class (whether separately or together with the holders of any Series B Parity Securities), such holders will be entitled to twenty-five votes per share. The Series B Preferred Stock is paired with the Series B-1 Preferred Stock and the holders of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock are entitled to the voting rights described in “—Series B-1 Preferred Stock—Voting Rights.”

Adverse Changes. Unless NiSource has received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, no amendment to the certificate of incorporation may be adopted that would have a material adverse effect on the existing preferences, rights, powers, duties or obligations of the Series B Preferred Stock. However, such voting requirement shall not be implicated by any amendment to the certificate of incorporation (i) relating to the issuance of additional shares of preferred stock (subject to the voting rights discussed in the following paragraph) and (ii) in connection with a merger or another transaction in which either the Series B Preferred Stock remains outstanding or is exchanged for a series of preferred stock of the surviving entity, in either case, with the terms thereof materially unchanged in any respect adverse to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock.

Parity and Senior Preferred Stock. Unless NiSource has received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, voting as a class together with holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and any other Series B Parity Securities and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, NiSource may not: (i) create or issue any Series B Parity Securities (including any additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, but excluding any payments-in-kind on such shares) if the cumulative dividends payable on the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock (or Series B Parity Securities, if applicable) are in arrears; or (ii) create or issue any Series B Senior Securities.

Dividends

Holders of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by NiSource’s board of directors out of legally available funds for such purpose, cumulative quarterly cash dividends (subject to the dividend rights of any Series B Parity Securities or Series B Senior Securities) at an initial rate of 6.50% per annum of the $25,000 liquidation preference per share (equal to $1,625 per share per annum). On and after March 15, 2024, dividends will accumulate for each five-year period thereafter according to a formula based on the rate of certain U.S. Treasury securities with a five year maturity plus the applicable margin.

NiSource is prohibited by the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock from declaring or paying dividends on any Series B Junior Securities (other than a dividend payable solely in such Series B Junior Securities) or redeeming, repurchasing or acquiring shares of any Series B Junior Securities unless full cumulative dividends have been paid on all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and any Series B Parity Securities entitled to dividends through the most recently completed respective dividend periods. In addition, NiSource may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Series A Preferred Stock or Series A Parity Securities, unless (i) effected pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same relative terms to all holders of such shares of preferred stock or (ii) (A) full cumulative dividends have been paid or provided for on all outstanding shares of such preferred stock entitled to dividends through the most recently completed respective dividend periods and (B) NiSource expects to have sufficient funds to pay in full the next dividend on all such outstanding shares of preferred stock.

 

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Redemption

NiSource may redeem the Series B Preferred Stock, at its option, in whole or in part, on March 15, 2024 or on any fifth anniversary thereafter by paying $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to, but not including, the redemption date, whether or not declared. In addition, following the occurrence of a “Ratings Event” (as defined in the certificate of designations of the Series B Preferred Stock), NiSource may, at its option, redeem the Series B Preferred Stock in whole, but not in part, at a redemption price equal to $25,500 per share (102% of the liquidation preference) plus an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to the redemption date, whether or not declared.

No Conversion or Preemptive Rights

The Series B Preferred Stock is not convertible into any other class of NiSource’s capital stock and the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock do not, as holders of Series B Preferred Stock, have any preemptive rights with respect to any shares of NiSource’s capital stock or any of its securities convertible into or exercisable for its capital stock.

SERIES B-1 PREFERRED STOCK

The Series B-1 Preferred Stock was issued as a distribution with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock in order to enhance the voting rights of the Series B Preferred Stock to comply with the New York Stock Exchange’s minimum voting rights policy. The Series B-1 Preferred Stock is paired with the Series B Preferred Stock and may not be transferred, redeemed or repurchased except in connection with the simultaneous transfer, redemption or repurchase of the underlying Series B Preferred Stock, and upon the transfer, redemption or repurchase of the underlying Series B Preferred Stock, the same number of shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock must simultaneously be transferred (to the same transferee), redeemed or repurchased, as the case may be. A summary of certain powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock are set forth below.

Ranking

The Series B-1 Preferred Stock ranks, with respect to distributions upon Liquidation: (i) senior to NiSource’s common stock and any other class or series of capital stock that does not expressly provide that it ranks on a parity with or senior to the Series B-1 Preferred Stock with respect to such distributions (the “Series B-1 Junior Securities”); (ii) on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock and any other class or series of capital stock that does not expressly provide that it ranks junior or senior to the Series B-1 Preferred Stock with respect to such distributions (the “Series B-1 Parity Securities”); and (iii) junior to any class or series of capital stock that expressly provides that it ranks senior to the Series B-1 Preferred Stock with respect to such distributions (the “Series B-1 Senior Securities”).

Liquidation Rights

In the event of any Liquidation, the holders of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of NiSource’s assets available for distribution to stockholders (subject to the rights of holders of Series B-1 Senior Securities and Series B-1 Parity Securities in respect of distributions upon Liquidation), before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Series B-1 Junior Securities, a liquidation preference of $0.01 per share. Any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Series B-1 Parity Securities will be paid prior to any distributions in Liquidation. A consolidation or merger of NiSource with or into any other entity will not be deemed to be a Liquidation.

Voting Rights

The Series B-1 Preferred Stock has no voting, consent or approval rights except as set forth below or as otherwise provided by Delaware law. On any matter described below in which the holders of the Series B-1

 

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Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as a class (whether separately or together with the holders of any Series B-1 Parity Securities), such holders will be entitled to twenty-five votes per share.

Adverse Changes. Unless NiSource has received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock, voting as a single class, no amendment to the certificate of incorporation may be adopted that would have a material adverse effect on the existing preferences, rights, powers, duties or obligations of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock. However, such voting requirement shall not be implicated by any amendment to the certificate of incorporation (i) relating to the issuance of additional shares of preferred stock and (ii) in connection with a merger or another transaction in which either the Series B-1 Preferred Stock remains outstanding or is exchanged for a series of preferred stock of the surviving entity, in either case, with the terms thereof materially unchanged in any respect adverse to the holders of Series B-1 Preferred Stock.

Election of Directors upon Nonpayment Events. If and whenever dividends on any shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall not have been declared and paid for at least six dividend periods, whether or not consecutive (a “Nonpayment Event”), the number of directors then constituting NiSource’s board of directors will automatically be increased by two and the holders of Series B-1 Preferred Stock, voting as a class together with the holders of any outstanding Series B-1 Parity Securities having like voting rights that are exercisable at that time (“Director Voting Preferred Stock”), shall be entitled to elect the two additional directors (the “Preferred Stock Directors”), provided that (i) such election does not violate the corporate governance requirements of the New York Stock Exchange that companies must have a majority of independent directors and (ii) such director is not prohibited or disqualified from serving as a director of NiSource by any applicable law. The Preferred Stock Directors shall each be entitled to one vote per director on any matter before NiSource’s board of directors for a vote.

When all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock have been paid in full, then (a) the right of the holders of Series B-1 Preferred Stock to elect the Preferred Stock Directors shall cease, (b) the terms of office of the Preferred Stock Directors will automatically terminate and (c) the number of directors constituting NiSource’s board of directors will automatically decrease by two. Any Preferred Stock Director may be removed at any time without cause by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock and Director Voting Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class). So long as a Nonpayment Event continues, any vacancy in the office of a Preferred Stock Director (after the initial election of Preferred Stock Directors) may be filled by the written consent of the Preferred Stock Director remaining in office (if any), in lieu of a vote by the Series B-1 Preferred Stock and Voting Preferred Stock (voting together as a single class).

Dividends

Holders of Series B-1 Preferred Stock are not entitled to receive dividends.

Redemption

The shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, at a redemption price of $0.01 per share upon the redemption of the underlying shares of Series B Preferred Stock with which such shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock are paired. The shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock are not otherwise subject to redemption.

No Conversion or Preemptive Rights

The Series B-1 Preferred Stock is not convertible into any other class of NiSource’s capital stock and the holders of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock do not, as holders of Series B-1 Preferred Stock, have any preemptive rights with respect to any shares of NiSource’s capital stock or any of its securities convertible into or exercisable for its capital stock.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

NiSource may issue depositary shares representing fractional interests in shares of our preferred stock of any series. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which the general terms and provisions may apply to the depositary shares so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent that any particular terms of the depositary shares, deposit agreements and depositary receipts described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described below, then the terms described below will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. You should read the applicable deposit agreement and depositary receipts for additional information before you decide whether to purchase any of NiSource’s depositary shares.

In connection with the issuance of any depositary shares, NiSource will enter into a deposit agreement with a bank or trust company, as depositary, which will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the related deposit agreement. Immediately following our issuance of the security related to the depositary shares, NiSource will deposit the shares of our preferred stock with the relevant depositary and will cause the depositary to issue, on our behalf, the related depositary receipts. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest in the share of preferred stock represented by the related depositary share, to all the rights, preferences and privileges of, and will be subject to all of the limitations and restrictions on, the preferred stock represented by the depositary receipt (including, if applicable, dividend, voting, conversion, exchange, redemption, sinking fund, subscription and liquidation rights). The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the depositary shares offered thereby.

Depositary Shares representing Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock

NiSource has issued and outstanding 20,000,000 depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”), each representing a 1/1,000th ownership interest in a share of its Series B Preferred Stock and a 1/1,000th ownership interest in a share of its Series B-1 Preferred Stock. The Depositary Shares are evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to a deposit agreement (the “Deposit Agreement”) among NiSource, Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., acting jointly as the depositary (the “depositary”), and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares. This description of the Depositary Shares is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the respective certificates of designations of the Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock and the Deposit Agreement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute any cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the deposited Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock to the record holders of Depositary Shares relating to the underlying Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock in proportion to the number of Depositary Shares held by the holders. The depositary will distribute any property received by it other than cash to the record holders of Depositary Shares entitled to those distributions, unless it determines, in consultation with NiSource, that the distribution cannot be made proportionally among those holders or that it is not feasible to make a distribution. In that event, the depositary may, with NiSource’s approval, sell the property (at a public or private sale) and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders of the Depositary Shares in proportion to the number of Depositary Shares they hold.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If NiSource redeems the Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares, a proportionate number of Depositary Shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by

 

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the depositary resulting from the redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to 1/1,000th of the redemption price per share payable with respect to each of the Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock. Whenever NiSource redeems shares of Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of Depositary Shares representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock so redeemed.

Voting the Preferred Stock

When the depositary receives notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock and/or Series B-1 Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail, or otherwise transmit by an authorized method, the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the Depositary Shares. Each record holder of the Depositary Shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the Series B Preferred Stock and/or Series B-1 Preferred Stock, may instruct the depositary to vote the amount of the Series B Preferred Stock and/or Series B-1 Preferred Stock entitled to vote represented by the holder’s Depositary Shares. To the extent practicable, the depositary will vote the number of shares entitled to vote represented by such Depositary Shares in accordance with the instructions it receives. If the depositary does not receive specific instructions from the holders of any Depositary Shares representing the Series B Preferred Stock and/or Series B-1 Preferred Stock entitled to vote, it will abstain from voting the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock and/or Series B-1 Preferred Stock represented thereby.

Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares and any provision of the Depositary Agreement may be amended by agreement between the depositary and NiSource. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of Depositary Shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the Depositary Shares then outstanding. The Depositary Agreement may be terminated by NiSource upon sixty days’ prior written notice to the depositary or by the depositary upon mailing notice to NiSource and the holders of all Depositary Shares then outstanding if at any time sixty days have expired after the depositary provided written notice to NiSource of its resignation and a successor depositary has not been appointed. The Depositary Agreement shall automatically terminate after there has been a final distribution in respect of the Series B Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Preferred Stock in connection with NiSource’s liquidation, dissolution or winding and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of Depositary Shares.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

NiSource may issue debt securities, which will be designated as either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, in one or more series from time to time. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “debt securities” refer collectively to both the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities. The senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture, dated as of November 14, 2000, as supplemented, between NiSource (as successor to NiSource Finance Corp.) and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor in interest to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank), as trustee. We refer to this indenture as the “Senior Indenture.” The subordinated debt securities will be issued under a separate indenture to be entered into at a future date between NiSource and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. We refer to this indenture as the “Subordinated Indenture” and, together with the Senior Indenture, as the “Indentures.” The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee under the Indentures, will act as indenture trustee for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the Indentures as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

This section briefly summarizes some of the terms of the debt securities and the Indentures. This section does not contain a complete description of the debt securities or the Indentures. The description of the debt securities is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the Indentures. References to section numbers in this description of the debt securities, unless otherwise indicated, are references to section numbers of each Indenture.

General

The Indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued. Each Indenture provides for the issuance of debt securities from time to time in one or more series. The terms of each series of debt securities may be established in a supplemental indenture or in resolutions of NiSource’s board of directors or a committee of the board.

The senior debt securities:

 

   

are direct senior unsecured obligations of NiSource; and

 

   

are equal in right of payment to any other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of NiSource.

The subordinated debt securities:

 

   

are direct subordinated unsecured obligations of NiSource; and

 

   

are subordinated to the prior payment in full of the senior debt securities of NiSource.

NiSource is a holding company with no independent business operations or source of income of its own. It conducts substantially all of its operations through its subsidiaries and, as a result, NiSource depends on the earnings and cash flow of, and dividends or distributions from, its subsidiaries to provide the funds necessary to meet its debt and contractual obligations. Substantially all of NiSource’s consolidated assets, earnings and cash flow is derived from the operation of its regulated utility subsidiaries, whose legal authority to pay dividends or make other distributions to NiSource is subject to regulatory restrictions. In addition, NIPSCO’s debt indenture provides that NIPSCO will not declare or pay any dividends on its common stock owned by NiSource except out of earned surplus or net profits.

NiSource’s holding company status also means that its right to participate in any distribution of the assets of any of its subsidiaries upon liquidation, reorganization or otherwise is subject to the prior claims of the creditors of each of the subsidiaries (except to the extent that the claims of NiSource itself as a creditor of a subsidiary may be recognized). Since this is true for NiSource, it is also true for the creditors of NiSource (including the holders of the debt securities).

 

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If NiSource uses this prospectus to offer debt securities, an accompanying prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of the debt securities being offered, to the extent applicable:

 

   

the title and type of the debt securities;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount;

 

   

the date or dates on which NiSource will pay principal;

 

   

the right, if any, to extend the date or dates on which NiSource will pay principal;

 

   

the interest rates or the method of determining them and the date interest begins to accrue;

 

   

the interest payment dates and the regular record dates for any interest payment dates;

 

   

the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of any extension;

 

   

the place or places where NiSource will pay principal and interest;

 

   

the terms and conditions of any optional redemption, including the date after which, and the price or prices at which, NiSource may redeem securities;

 

   

the terms and conditions of any optional purchase or repayment, including the date after which, and the price or prices at which, holders may require NiSource to purchase, or a third party may require holders to sell, securities;

 

   

the terms and conditions of any mandatory or optional sinking fund redemption, including the date after which, and the price or prices at which, NiSource may redeem securities;

 

   

whether bearer securities will be issued;

 

   

the denominations in which NiSource will issue securities;

 

   

the currency or currencies in which NiSource will pay principal and interest;

 

   

any index or indices used to determine the amount of payments;

 

   

the portion of principal payable on declaration of acceleration of maturity;

 

   

any additional events of default or covenants of NiSource applicable to the debt securities;

 

   

whether NiSource will pay additional amounts in respect of taxes and similar charges on debt securities held by a United States alien and whether NiSource may redeem those debt securities rather than pay additional amounts;

 

   

whether NiSource will issue the debt securities in whole or in part in global form and, in such case, the depositary for such global securities and the circumstances under which beneficial owners of interests in the global security may exchange such interest for securities;

 

   

the date or dates after which holders may convert the securities into shares of NiSource common stock or preferred stock and the terms for that conversion;

 

   

particular terms of subordination with respect to subordinated debt securities; and

 

   

any other terms of the securities consistent with the provisions of the applicable indenture.

The Indentures do not give holders of debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction or other transaction involving NiSource. The Indentures also do not limit the ability of NiSource to incur indebtedness or to declare or pay dividends on its capital stock.

Conversion Rights

The terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be exchanged for or converted into shares of common stock or preferred stock of NiSource will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Denomination, Registration and Transfer

NiSource may issue the debt securities as registered securities in certificated form or as global securities as described under the heading “Book-Entry Issuance.” Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, NiSource will issue registered debt securities in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. (See Section 302.)

If NiSource issues the debt securities as registered securities, NiSource will keep at one of its offices or agencies a register in which it will provide for the registration and transfer of the debt securities. NiSource will appoint that office or agency the security registrar for the purpose of registering and transferring the debt securities.

The holder of any registered debt security may exchange the debt security for registered debt securities of the same series having the same stated maturity date and original issue date, in any authorized denominations, in like tenor and in the same aggregate principal amount. The holder may exchange those debt securities by surrendering them in a place of payment maintained for this purpose at the office or agency NiSource has appointed as securities registrar. Holders may present the debt securities for exchange or registration of transfer, duly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed written instrument of transfer satisfactory to NiSource and the securities registrar. No service charge will apply to any exchange or registration of transfer, but NiSource may require payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the applicable Indenture. (See Section 305.)

If debt securities of any series are redeemed, NiSource will not be required to issue, register transfer of or exchange any debt securities of that series during the 15 business day period immediately preceding the day the relevant notice of redemption is given. That notice will identify the serial numbers of the debt securities being redeemed. After notice is given, NiSource will not be required to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities that have been selected to be either partially or fully redeemed, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being partially redeemed. (See Section 305.)

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on each interest payment date, NiSource will pay interest on each debt security to the person in whose name that debt security is registered as of the close of business on the record date relating to that interest payment date. If NiSource defaults in the payment of interest on any debt security, it may pay that defaulted interest to the registered owner of that debt security:

 

   

as of the close of business on a date that the indenture trustee selects, which may not be more than 15 days or less than 10 days before the date NiSource proposes to pay the defaulted interest, or

 

   

in any other lawful manner that does not violate the requirements of any securities exchange on which that debt security is listed and that the indenture trustee believes is acceptable.

(See Section 307.)

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, NiSource will pay the principal of and any premium or interest on the debt securities when they are presented at the office of the indenture trustee, as paying agent. NiSource may change the place of payment of the debt securities, appoint one or more additional paying agents, and remove any paying agent.

Redemption

The applicable prospectus supplement will contain the specific terms on which NiSource may redeem a series of debt securities prior to its stated maturity. NiSource will send a notice of redemption to holders at least 30 days but not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date. The notice will state:

 

   

the redemption date;

 

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the redemption price;

 

   

if less than all of the debt securities of the series are being redeemed, the particular debt securities to be redeemed (and the principal amounts, in the case of a partial redemption);

 

   

that on the redemption date, the redemption price will become due and payable and any applicable interest will cease to accrue on and after that date;

 

   

the place or places of payment; and

 

   

whether the redemption is for a sinking fund.

(See Section 1104.)

On or before any redemption date, NiSource will deposit an amount of money with the indenture trustee or with a paying agent sufficient to pay the redemption price. (See Section 1105.)

If NiSource is redeeming less than all the debt securities, the indenture trustee will select the debt securities to be redeemed using a method it considers fair and appropriate, provided that any debt securities issued as global securities will be selected for redemption in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary. After the redemption date, holders of redeemed debt securities will have no rights with respect to the debt securities except the right to receive the redemption price and any unpaid interest to the redemption date. (See Sections 1103 and 1106.)

Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease

NiSource shall not consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer or lease substantially all of its assets or properties to any person unless:

 

   

that person is organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof;

 

   

that person assumes NiSource’s obligations under the Indentures;

 

   

after giving effect to the transaction, NiSource is not in default under the Indentures; and

 

   

NiSource delivers to the indenture trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel to the effect that the transaction complies with the Indentures.

(See Section 801.)

Limitation on Liens

As long as any debt securities remain outstanding, neither NiSource nor any subsidiary of NiSource, other than a utility, may issue, assume or guarantee any debt for money borrowed secured by any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or other encumbrance on any property owned by NiSource or that subsidiary, except intercompany indebtedness, without also securing the debt securities (together with any other indebtedness of or guaranteed by NiSource or such subsidiary ranking equally with such debt securities) equally and ratably with (or prior to) the new debt, unless the total amount of all of the secured debt would not exceed 10% of the consolidated net tangible assets of NiSource and its subsidiaries (other than utilities).

The lien limitations do not apply to NiSource’s and any subsidiary’s ability to do the following:

 

   

create mortgages on any property and on certain improvements and accessions on such property acquired, constructed or improved after the date of the applicable Indenture;

 

   

assume existing mortgages on any property or indebtedness of an entity which is merged with or into, or consolidated with NiSource or any subsidiary;

 

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assume existing mortgages on any property or indebtedness of an entity existing at the time it becomes a subsidiary;

 

   

create mortgages to secure debt of a subsidiary to NiSource or to another subsidiary (other than a utility);

 

   

create mortgages in favor of governmental entities to secure payment under a contract or statute or mortgages to secure the financing of constructing or improving property, including mortgages for pollution control or industrial revenue bonds;

 

   

create mortgages to secure debt of NiSource or its subsidiaries maturing within 12 months and created in the ordinary course of business;

 

   

create mortgages to secure the cost of exploration, drilling or development of natural gas, oil or other mineral property;

 

   

continue mortgages existing on the date of the applicable Indenture; and

 

   

create mortgages to extend, renew or replace indebtedness secured by any mortgage referred to above provided that the principal amount of indebtedness and the property securing the indebtedness shall not exceed the amount secured by the mortgage being extended, renewed or replaced.

(See Section 1008.)

Events of Default

The Indentures provide, with respect to any outstanding series of debt securities, that any of the following events constitutes an “Event of Default”:

 

   

NiSource defaults in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series that becomes due and payable and the default continues for 60 days;

 

   

NiSource defaults in the payment of principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series when due at its maturity, on redemption, by declaration or otherwise and the default continues for three business days;

 

   

NiSource defaults in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due and the default continues for three business days;

 

   

NiSource defaults in the performance of or breaches any covenant or warranty in the applicable Indenture for 90 days after written notice to NiSource from the indenture trustee or to NiSource and the indenture trustee from the holders of at least 33% of the outstanding debt securities of that series;

 

   

NiSource defaults under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by it or defaults under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued, secured or evidenced indebtedness for money borrowed constituting a failure to pay in excess of $50,000,000 of the principal or interest when due and payable, and, in the event such indebtedness has become due as the result of an acceleration, such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled or such indebtedness is not paid within 60 days after written notice to NiSource from the indenture trustee or to NiSource and the indenture trustee from the holders of at least 33% of the outstanding debt securities of that series; or

 

   

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of NiSource.

(See Section 501.)

If an Event of Default occurs with respect to debt securities of a particular series, the indenture trustee or the holders of 33% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the debt securities of that series due and payable immediately. (See Section 502.)

 

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The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a particular series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the indenture trustee under the applicable Indenture, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the indenture trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. The indenture trustee may refuse to follow directions that are in conflict with law or the applicable Indenture, that expose the indenture trustee to personal liability or that are unduly prejudicial to other holders. The indenture trustee may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with those directions. (See Section 512.)

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any past default under the applicable Indenture and its consequences, except a default:

 

   

in respect of a payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any debt security; or

 

   

in respect of a covenant or provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each affected debt security.

(See Section 513.)

At any time after the holders of the debt securities of a series declare that the debt securities of that series are due and immediately payable, holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and cancel the declaration and its consequences: (1) before the indenture trustee has obtained a judgment or decree for money, (2) if all events of default (other than the non-payment of principal which has become due solely by reason of the declaration) have been waived or cured, and (3) if NiSource has paid or deposited with the indenture trustee an amount sufficient to pay:

 

   

all overdue interest on the debt securities of that series;

 

   

the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on any debt securities of that series which are due other than by reason of the declaration;

 

   

interest on overdue interest (if lawful); and

 

   

sums paid or advanced by and amounts due to the indenture trustee under the applicable Indenture.

(See Section 502.)

Modification of Indentures

NiSource and the indenture trustee may modify or amend one or both of the Indentures, without the consent of the holders of any debt securities, for any of the following purposes:

 

   

to evidence the succession of another person as obligor under the Indenture;

 

   

to add to NiSource’s covenants or to surrender any right or power conferred on NiSource under the Indenture;

 

   

to add events of default;

 

   

to add or change any provisions of the Indenture to provide that bearer securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal or premium on registered securities or of principal or premium or any interest on bearer securities, to permit registered securities to be exchanged for bearer securities or to permit the issuance of securities in uncertificated form (so long as the modification or amendment does not adversely affect the interest of the holders of debt securities of any series in any material respect);

 

   

to change or eliminate any provisions of the Indenture (so long as there are no outstanding debt securities entitled to the benefit of the provision);

 

   

to secure the debt securities;

 

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to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series;

 

   

to evidence or provide for the acceptance or appointment by a successor indenture trustee or facilitate the administration of the trust under the Indenture by more than one indenture trustee;

 

   

to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the Indenture (so long as the cure or modification does not adversely affect the interest of the holders of debt securities of any series in any material respect); or

 

   

to conform the Indenture to any amendment of the Trust Indenture Act.

(See Section 901.)

Each Indenture provides that we and the indenture trustee may amend the Indenture or the debt securities with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the amendment voting as one class. However, without the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected, an amendment or modification may not, among other things:

 

   

change the stated maturity of the principal or interest on any debt security;

 

   

reduce the principal amount of, rate of interest on, or premium payable upon the redemption of any debt security;

 

   

change the method of calculating the rate of interest on any debt security;

 

   

change any obligation of NiSource to pay additional amounts in respect of any debt security;

 

   

reduce the principal amount of a discount security that would be payable upon acceleration of its maturity;

 

   

change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any debt security;

 

   

impair a holder’s right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment after the stated maturity or after any redemption date or repayment date;

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities, the consent of whose holders is necessary to modify or amend the Indenture or to consent to any waiver under the Indenture;

 

   

change any obligation of NiSource to maintain an office or agency in each place of payment or to maintain an office or agency outside the United States; and

 

   

modify these requirements or reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities, the consent of whose holders is necessary to waive any past default of certain covenants.

(See Section 902.)

Satisfaction and Discharge

Under the Indentures, NiSource can terminate its obligations with respect to debt securities of all series not previously delivered to the indenture trustee for cancellation when those debt securities:

 

   

have become due and payable;

 

   

will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year; or

 

   

are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the indenture trustee for giving notice of redemption.

NiSource may terminate its obligations with respect to the debt securities of that series by depositing with the indenture trustee, as trust funds dedicated solely for that purpose, an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt securities of that series. In that case, the applicable Indenture will cease to be

 

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of further effect and NiSource’s obligations will be satisfied and discharged with respect to that series (except as to NiSource’s obligations to pay all other amounts due under the applicable Indenture and to provide certain officers’ certificates and opinions of counsel to the indenture trustee). At the expense of NiSource, the indenture trustee will execute proper instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge.

(See Section 401.)

Governing Law

Each of the Indentures is, and the related senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities will be, governed by the internal laws of the State of New York.

Information Concerning the Indenture Trustee

Prior to default, the indenture trustee will perform only those duties specifically set forth in the Indentures. After default, the indenture trustee will exercise the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The indenture trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Indentures at the request of any holder of debt securities unless the holder offers the indenture trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liability that the indenture trustee might incur in exercising those powers. The indenture trustee is not required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of its duties if it reasonably believes that it may not receive repayment or adequate indemnity. (See Section 601.)

Because The Bank of New York Mellon is the trustee under the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture, it may be required to resign as trustee under one of those Indentures if there is an event of default under an Indenture.

We may appoint an alternative trustee for any series of debt securities. The appointment of an alternative trustee would be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

NiSource may issue warrants to purchase equity or debt securities. NiSource may issue warrants independently or together with any offered securities. The warrants may be attached to or separate from those offered securities. NiSource will issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between NiSource and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms may include the following:

 

   

the title of the warrants;

 

   

the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable;

 

   

the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each other security;

 

   

the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

   

the aggregate number of warrants;

 

   

any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased;

 

   

if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants;

 

   

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire;

 

   

the maximum or minimum number of warrants that may be exercised at any time; and

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder of warrants to purchase for cash the amount of equity or debt securities at the exercise price stated or determinable in the prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. When the warrant holder makes the payment and properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, NiSource will, as soon as possible, forward the equity or debt securities that the warrant holder has purchased. If the warrant holder exercises the warrant for less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, NiSource will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

NiSource may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from NiSource, and for NiSource to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock and the number of shares of common stock may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula stated in the stock purchase contracts.

The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units that we call “stock purchase units.” Stock purchase units consist of a stock purchase contract and either NiSource’s debt securities or U.S. treasury securities securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the common stock under the stock purchase contracts.

The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase units or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations in a specified manner.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. The description in the prospectus supplement will only be a summary, and you should read the stock purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements, relating to the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the stock purchase units and the stock purchase contracts will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, NiSource will issue any debt securities offered under this prospectus as “global securities.” In addition, NiSource may issue other securities offered under this prospectus as global securities. We will describe the specific terms for issuing any security as a global security in the prospectus supplement relating to that security.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, will act as the depositary for any global securities. NiSource will issue global securities as fully registered securities registered in the name of DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co. NiSource will issue one or more fully registered global securities for each issue of securities, each in the aggregate principal, stated amount or number of shares of such issue, and will deposit the global securities with DTC.

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, 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 provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues and money market instruments that DTC’s participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among its direct participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between its direct participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s direct participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. 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. The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. The DTC rules applicable to its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of securities under DTC’s system must be made by or through a direct participant, which will receive a credit for such securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security, the beneficial owner, is in turn to be recorded on the records of direct and indirect participants. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but they should receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the participants through which they entered into the transactions. Transfers of ownership interests in the securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the securities is discontinued.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities that are deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of global securities with, or on behalf of, DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any changes in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts such securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by

 

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arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of like type, tenor and terms are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in such issue to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the global securities unless authorized by a direct participant in accordance with DTC’s procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy to NiSource as soon as possible after the applicable record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited on the applicable record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).

Redemption proceeds, principal payments and any premium, interest or other payments on the global securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information on the payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of the participant and not of DTC, NiSource or the indenture trustee, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements. Payment of redemption proceeds, principal and any premium, interest or other payments to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is the responsibility of NiSource and the applicable paying agent, disbursement of payments to direct participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners will be the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

Except as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, a beneficial owner will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of a security. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights with respect to such beneficial owner’s interest in a global security. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global securities.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the global securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to NiSource or, with respect to a debt security, the indenture trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depositary is not obtained, certificates for the securities are required to be printed and delivered to the holders of record.

NiSource may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depositary). NiSource understands, however, that under current industry practices, DTC would notify its participants of NiSource’s decision, but will only withdraw beneficial interests from the global securities at the request of each participant. In that event, certificates for the securities will be printed and delivered to the applicable participants.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information. We have no responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants of their respective obligations as described herein or under the rules and procedures governing their respective operations.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities to or through underwriters, through dealers or agents, directly to you or through a combination of these methods. The prospectus supplement with respect to any offering of securities will describe the specific terms of the securities being offered, including:

 

   

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

   

the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to NiSource from the sale;

 

   

any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;

 

   

any initial public offering price;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchange on which the offered securities may be listed.

Through Underwriters. If we use underwriters in the sale of the securities, the underwriters will acquire the offered securities for their own account. We will execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or underwriters once an agreement for sale of the securities is reached. The underwriters may resell the offered securities 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 underwriters may sell the offered securities directly or through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters. Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement relating to offered securities, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase those offered securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of those offered securities if they purchase any of them.

Through Dealers. If we use a dealer to sell the securities, we will sell the offered securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell those offered securities at varying prices determined at the time of resale. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

Through Agents. If we use agents in the sale of securities, we may designate one or more agents to sell offered securities.

Directly to Purchasers. We may sell the offered securities directly to one or more purchasers. In this case, no underwriters, dealers or agents would be involved. We will describe the terms of our direct sales in our prospectus supplement.

General Information. A prospectus supplement will state the name of any underwriter, dealer or agent and the amount of any compensation, underwriting discounts or concessions paid, allowed or reallowed to them. A prospectus supplement will also state the proceeds to us from the sale of offered securities, any initial public offering price and other terms of the offering of those offered securities.

Our agents, underwriters and dealers, or their affiliates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

We may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase offered securities from us at the public offering price and on terms described in the related prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery or forward contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. If we use delayed delivery contracts, we will disclose that we are using them in our prospectus

 

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supplement and will tell you when we will demand payment and delivery of the securities. The delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to the conditions we set forth in our prospectus supplement.

We may enter into agreements to indemnify agents, underwriters and dealers against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

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LEGAL OPINIONS

Sidley Austin LLP, Chicago, Illinois, will pass upon certain legal matters relating to the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus for us. The opinions with respect to the securities may be subject to assumptions regarding future action to be taken by us and the trustee, if applicable, in connection with the issuance and sale of the securities, the specific terms of the securities and other matters that may affect the validity of securities but that cannot be ascertained on the date of those opinions.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements, and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference from the NiSource Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of NiSource Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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Up to $750,000,000

LOGO

NiSource Inc.

Common Stock

 

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

 

Barclays

J.P. Morgan

KeyBanc Capital Markets

Mizuho Securities

Morgan Stanley

Wells Fargo Securities

 

 

February 22, 2021

 

 

 

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