false 0001094831 0001094831 2023-09-20 2023-09-20

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 20, 2023

 

 

BGC Group, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-35591   86-3748217

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

499 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 610-2200

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value   BGC   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

 

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

The information required by this Item 1.01 is set forth under Item 8.01 below and is hereby incorporated by reference in response to this Item.

 

Item 8.01.

Other Events.

On September 20, 2023, BGC Group, Inc. (“BGC Group” or “BGC”) issued a press release announcing the results (as of 5:00 pm, New York City time, on September 19, 2023, the early participation date (the “Early Participation Date”)) of its previously announced (a) offers to exchange the 3.750% Senior Notes due 2024, 4.375% Senior Notes due 2025 and 8.000% Senior Notes due 2028 (collectively, the “Old Notes”) issued by BGC Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation and BGC Group’s wholly owned subsidiary (“BGC Partners”), for new notes to be issued by BGC Group with the same respective interest rates and maturity dates (the “New Notes), (b) the related solicitation of consents to eliminate certain affirmative and restrictive covenants and events of default in the indenture between BGC Partners and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Old Base Indenture”) and supplemental indentures governing each series of the Old Notes (collectively, the “proposed indenture amendments”), and (c) the solicitation of consents from each holder of BGC Partners’ outstanding 8.000% Senior Notes due 2028 to amend the Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 25, 2023, by and among BGC Partners and the parties thereto (the “Old 2028 Notes Registration Rights Agreement”) to terminate such agreement (collectively, with the proposed indenture amendments, the “proposed amendments”), which in each case required the consent of the majority of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of each affected series of Old Notes.

As more fully set forth in the attached press release, approximately 82.81% of BGC Partners’ 3.750% Senior Notes due 2024, approximately 95.69% of BGC Partners’ 4.375% Senior Notes due 2025, and approximately 98.47% of BGC Partners’ 8.000% Senior Notes due 2028 were tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Early Participation Date. Also at 5:00 pm on September 19, 2023, consent revocation rights expired with respect to the consent solicitations (the “Consent Revocation Deadline”). As a result, at the Consent Revocation Deadline, the requisite noteholder consents were received to adopt the proposed amendments and on September 19, 2023, BGC Partners executed (i) the Fourth Supplemental Indenture to the Old Base Indenture to implement the proposed indenture amendments (the “Old Notes Supplemental Indenture”) and (ii) a written acknowledgement of the amendment to the Old 2028 Notes Registration Rights Agreement to terminate such agreement (the “Written Acknowledgement”). Each of the Old Notes Supplemental Indenture and the Written Acknowledgement will become effective on the settlement date of the exchange offers. A valid withdrawal of tendered Old Notes from the applicable exchange offer after the Consent Revocation Deadline is not deemed a revocation of the related consents and the holder’s consents will continue to be deemed delivered.

BGC Group is conducting the exchange offers to simplify its capital structure following the corporate conversion, effective as of July 1, 2023, whereby BGC Partners became a wholly owned subsidiary of BGC Group.

This Current Report on Form 8-K does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the New Notes, it does not constitute an offer to purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell, the Old Notes, and it shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offering, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated by reference herein.


Discussion of Forward-Looking Statements about BGC

Statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K regarding BGC that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include statements about BGC’s business, results, financial position, liquidity and outlook, which may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impact may differ, possibly materially, from what is currently expected. Except as required by law, BGC undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see BGC’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information set forth in these filings and any updates to such risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information contained in subsequent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The exhibit index set forth below is incorporated by reference in response to this Item 9.01.


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

   Description
99.1    BGC Group, Inc. press release dated September 20, 2023
104    The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report on Form 8-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

    BGC Group, Inc.
Date: September 20, 2023     By:  

/s/ Howard W. Lutnick

 

    Name:   Howard W. Lutnick

 

    Title:   Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

BGC Group, Inc. Announces Early Participation Results in Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations and Extension of Early Participation Premium

NEW YORK, NY – BGC Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: BGC) (“BGC Group”) today announced that, as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 19, 2023 (the “Early Participation Date” or the “Consent Revocation Deadline”), the aggregate principal amounts of the three series of notes described in the table below (collectively, the “Old Notes”) issued by BGC Partners, Inc., BGC Group’s wholly owned subsidiary (“BGC Partners”), had been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in connection with BGC Group’s previously announced offers to exchange (the “exchange offers”) any and all validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted Old Notes of each such series for new notes to be issued by BGC Group with the same respective interest rates and maturity dates (collectively, the “New Notes”). In connection with the exchange offers, BGC Group (on behalf of BGC Partners) is soliciting consents (the “consent solicitation”) from (i) holders of the Old Notes to certain proposed amendments to the indenture between BGC Partners and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Old Base Indenture”) and corresponding supplemental indenture pursuant to which the applicable series of Old Notes were issued to eliminate certain affirmative and restrictive covenants and events of default (collectively, the “proposed indenture amendments”) and (ii) each holder of BGC Partners’ outstanding 8.000% Senior Notes due May 25, 2028 (the “Old 2028 Notes”) to amend the Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 25, 2023, relating to the Old 2028 Notes (the “Old 2028 Notes Registration Rights Agreement”) to terminate such agreement (collectively, with the proposed indenture amendments, the “proposed amendments”). A registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-274356) (the “Registration Statement”) relating to the exchange offers and consent solicitations was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on September 6, 2023, but has not yet been declared effective.

 

Title of Series of Old Notes

   CUSIP    Aggregate Principal Amount
Tendered and Consents
Received as of the Early
Participation Date
   Percentage of Total
Outstanding Principal
Amount of Such Series
Tendered and Consenting

3.750% Senior Notes due October 1, 2024

   05541T AM3    $248,420,000    82.81%

4.375% Senior Notes due December 15, 2025

   05541T AP6

U2100D AE3

   $287,073,000    95.69%

8.000% Senior Notes due May 25, 2028

   05541T AQ4

U2100D AF0

   $344,647,000    98.47%

BGC Group also announced today amendments to each of the exchange offers to extend the period during which validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) Old Notes are eligible to receive the “Early Participation Premium” from 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 19, 2023 to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 4, 2023 (the “Expiration Date”). The Early Participation Premium consists of $30 principal amount of New Notes having an interest rate and maturity identical to the applicable series of Old Notes accepted for exchange. In exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes that is validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to the Expiration Date and not validly withdrawn, holders of such Old Notes will be eligible to receive consideration which consists of $1,000 principal amount of the corresponding New Notes and $1.00 cash. The expiration time of each of the exchange offers continues to be 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 4, 2023, unless extended. The New Notes are expected to be issued promptly on or about the second business day following the Expiration Date.


BGC Group is conducting the exchange offers to simplify its capital structure following the corporate conversion completed on July 1, 2023, whereby BGC Partners became a wholly owned subsidiary of BGC Group, and to give existing holders of the Old Notes the opportunity to obtain New Notes issued by BGC Group, which will rank pari passu with BGC Group’s other unsecured senior indebtedness. In connection with the closing of the exchange offers, BGC Group intends to assume BGC Partners’ credit facilities. BGC Group also intends to be the issuer and obligor on future debt issuances and credit arrangements, rather than BGC Partners.

The adoption of the proposed amendments with respect to each series of Old Notes requires the consents of holders of the majority in outstanding principal amount of such series through the valid tendering of Old Notes (the “Requisite Consents”). Consents to the proposed amendments could no longer be revoked as of the Consent Revocation Deadline, at which time approximately 82.81% of BGC Partners’ 3.750% Senior Notes due October 1, 2024, approximately 95.69% of BGC Partners’ 4.375% Senior Notes due December 15, 2025, and approximately 98.47% of BGC Partners’ 8.000% Senior Notes due May 25, 2028 were tendered, and thus the Requisite Consents were received for each series. As a result, on the date of the Consent Revocation Deadline, BGC Partners executed (i) the Fourth Supplemental Indenture to the Old Base Indenture to implement the proposed indenture amendments (the “Old Notes Supplemental Indenture”) and (ii) a written acknowledgement of the amendment to the Old 2028 Notes Registration Rights Agreement to terminate such agreement (the “Written Acknowledgement”). Each of the Old Notes Supplemental Indenture and the Written Acknowledgement will become effective on or about the second business day following the Expiration Date.

The exchange offers and consent solicitations are being made pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the preliminary prospectus filed with the SEC on September 6, 2023 (the “Prospectus”), which forms part of the Registration Statement, and the related letter of transmittal and consent (the “Letter of Transmittal”). The consummation of each exchange offer is subject to, and conditional upon, the satisfaction or, where permitted, waiver of the conditions in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal, and the Registration Statement having been declared effective by the SEC. BGC Group may, at its option, waive any such conditions except for the condition that the Registration Statement of which the Prospectus forms a part has been declared effective by the SEC. All conditions to the exchange offers must be satisfied or, where permitted, waived, at or by the Expiration Date.

Tenders of Old Notes in connection with any of the exchange offers may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date of the applicable exchange offer; however, the associated consents will continue to be deemed delivered. Following the Expiration Date, tenders of Old Notes may not be validly withdrawn unless BGC Group is otherwise required by law to permit withdrawal.

The New Notes will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of BGC Group and will rank equally with each other and with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of BGC Group issued from time to time.

Each New Note issued in exchange for an Old Note will have an interest rate, interest payment dates and maturity that are the same as the interest rate, the interest payment dates and maturity of the tendered Old Note, as well as substantively the same optional redemption provisions. No accrued but unpaid interest will be paid on the Old Notes in connection with the exchange offers. However, interest on the applicable New Note will accrue from and including the most recent interest payment date of the tendered Old Note. Subject to the minimum denominations as described in the Registration Statement, the principal amount of each New Note will be rounded down, if necessary, to the nearest whole multiple of $1,000, and BGC Group will pay a cash rounding amount equal to the remaining portion, if any, of the exchange price of such Old Note, plus accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such portion of the Old Notes not exchanged.

Questions concerning the terms of the exchange offers or the consent solicitations for the Old Notes should be directed to the dealer manager for the exchange offers and the solicitation agent for the consent solicitations:

BofA Securities

620 South Tryon Street, 20th Floor

Charlotte, North Carolina 28255

Attention: Liability Management

Toll Free: +1 (888) 292-0070

Collect: +1 (980) 387-3907

Email: debt_advisory@bofa.com


Questions concerning tender procedures for the Old Notes and requests for additional copies of the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal should be directed to the exchange agent and information agent:

D.F. King & Co., Inc.

48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor

New York, NY 10005

Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (212) 269-5550

All Others, Please Call Toll Free: (877) 732-3614

By E-mail:

bgc@dfking.com

Subject to applicable law, each exchange offer and each consent solicitation is being made independently of the other exchange offers and consent solicitations, and BGC Group reserves the right to terminate, withdraw or amend each exchange offer and each consent solicitation independently of the other exchange offers and consent solicitations at any time and from time to time, as described in the Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal.

This press release is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein and is not a solicitation of the related consents. The exchange offers and consent solicitations may be made solely pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal and the other related materials. The exchange offers and consent solicitations are not being made in any state or jurisdiction in which such offers would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

A Registration Statement relating to the New Notes has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. The New Notes may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC. Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if the Registration Statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Discussion of Forward-Looking Statements about BGC Group

Statements in this document regarding BGC Group that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include statements regarding BGC Group’s exchange offers and consent solicitations and are subject to the risk that the anticipated results of the contemplated transactions may differ, possibly materially, from what is currently expected. Except as required by law, BGC Group undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see BGC Group’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information set forth in these filings and any updates to such risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information contained in subsequent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K, or in the Registration Statement.

Media Contact:

Karen Laureano-Rikardsen

+1 212-829-4975

Investor Contact:

Jason Chryssicas

+1 212-610-2426

v3.23.3
Document and Entity Information
Sep. 20, 2023
Cover [Abstract]  
Amendment Flag false
Entity Central Index Key 0001094831
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date Sep. 20, 2023
Entity Registrant Name BGC Group, Inc.
Entity Incorporation State Country Code DE
Entity File Number 001-35591
Entity Tax Identification Number 86-3748217
Entity Address, Address Line One 499 Park Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town New York
Entity Address, State or Province NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 10022
City Area Code (212)
Local Phone Number 610-2200
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Security 12b Title Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol BGC
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company false

BGC Partners (NASDAQ:BGCP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more BGC Partners Charts.
BGC Partners (NASDAQ:BGCP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more BGC Partners Charts.