8-K
false 0001571996 0001571996 2021-12-06 2021-12-06

 

 

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): December 6, 2021

 

 

Dell Technologies Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-37867   80-0890963

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

One Dell Way

Round Rock, Texas

  78682
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 289-3355

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

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 C Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   DELL   New York Stock Exchange

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 8.01

Other Events

Commencement of Debt Tender Offers

On December 6, 2021, Dell Technologies Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that Dell Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary (“Dell”), has commenced tender offers (the “Tender Offers”) to purchase for cash up to $2.500 billion maximum aggregate purchase price of (i) 8.350% Senior Notes due 2046, 8.100% Senior Notes due 2036, 6.200% Senior Notes due 2030 and 6.020% Senior Notes due 2026, each co-issued by Dell International L.L.C. and EMC Corporation, which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Dell (the “co-issuers”), and (ii) 6.500% Senior Notes due 2038 and 5.400% Senior Notes due 2040, each issued by Dell (collectively with the series of notes listed in clause (i), the “Tender Notes”), subject to a tender cap of $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount with respect to the 8.350% Senior Notes due 2046, and in each case subject to market conditions and other factors.

A copy of the press release, which summarizes the basic terms of the Tender Offers, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Proposed Offering of Senior Notes

On December 6, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing the commencement of a private offering of Senior Notes to be issued by the co-issuers. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this report and incorporated herein by reference.

Subsequently, on December 6, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing the pricing of the previously announced offering of the Notes by the co-issuers of $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.375% Senior Notes due 2041 and $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.450% Senior Notes due 2051 (collectively, the “Notes”). The offering is expected to close on December 13, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.3 to this report and incorporated herein by reference.

The net proceeds from the offering of the Notes are intended to be used to fund the repurchase of the Tender Notes pursuant to the Tender Offers. Any remaining proceeds not used to repurchase such Tender Notes will be used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of debt.

The offering of the Notes was made in a private transaction in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be “qualified institutional buyers,” as that term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, or outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits. The following documents are herewith filed as exhibits to this report:

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description of Exhibit

99.1    Press Release dated December 6, 2021, announcing the commencement of the Tender Offers.
99.2    Press Release dated December 6, 2021, announcing the launch of the offering of the Notes.
99.3    Press Release dated December 6, 2021, announcing the pricing of the offering of the Notes.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File — the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.


SIGNATURES

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

 

Date: December 6, 2021   Dell Technologies Inc.
    By:  

/s/ Robert L. Potts

      Robert L. Potts
      Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
      (Duly Authorized Officer)
EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Dell Technologies Announces Cash Tender Offers

for Certain Outstanding Debt Securities

ROUND ROCK, TX, Dec. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ – Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL) today announced that Dell Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary (“Dell”), has commenced cash tender offers (collectively, the “Offers”) for up to $2.500 billion aggregate purchase price (excluding accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the applicable settlement date and excluding fees and expenses related to the Offers) (the “Maximum Tender Amount”) of the debt securities listed in the table below (collectively, the “Securities”). The Offers are subject to the Tender Cap (as defined below) and proration procedures described in the Offer to Purchase dated December 6, 2021, as amended or supplemented (the “Offer to Purchase”), and order of priority (the “Acceptance Priority Levels” as set forth in the table below under “Acceptance Priority Level”), and are made to each registered holder of Securities (individually, a “Holder,” and collectively, the “Holders”).


The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Securities and the Offers:

 

Title of Security

  Issuer(s)   CUSIP
Numbers
  Principal Amount
Outstanding
    Tender
Cap(1)
(in  millions)
    Acceptance
Priority
Level(2)
  Reference U.S.
Treasury
Security
  Bloomberg
Reference
Page(3)
  Fixed
Spread
(basis
points)
  Early
Tender
Premium(4)
    Hypothetical
Total
Consideration

(4)(5)(6)
 

8.350% Senior Notes due 2046*

  Dell
International
L.L.C and
EMC
Corporation
  24703TAK2

144A:
25272KAR4

Reg S:
U2526DAF6

  $ 2,000,000,000     $ 1,000.0     1   2.000% UST
due
August 15,
2051
  FIT1   +190   $ 50.00     $ 1,742.76  

8.100% Senior Notes due 2036*

  Dell
International
L.L.C and
EMC
Corporation
  24703TAJ5

144A:
25272KAN3

Reg S:
U2526DAE9

  $ 1,500,000,000       N/A     2   1.375% UST
due
November 15,
2031
  FIT1   +175   $ 50.00     $ 1,551.34  

6.500% Senior Notes due 2038

  Dell Inc.   24702RAF8   $ 387,815,000       N/A     3   2.000% UST
due
November 15,
2041
  FIT1   +200   $ 50.00     $ 1,317.92  

5.400% Senior Notes due 2040

  Dell Inc.   24702RAM3   $ 264,389,000       N/A     4   2.000% UST
due
November 15,
2041
  FIT1   +205   $ 50.00     $ 1,197.01  

6.200% Senior Notes due 2030*

  Dell
International
L.L.C and
EMC
Corporation
  24703TAH9

144A:
24703DBD2

Reg S:
U24724AP8

  $ 750,000,000       N/A     5   1.375% UST
due
November 15,
2031
  FIT1   +100   $ 50.00     $ 1,280.54  

6.020% Senior Notes due 2026*

  Dell
International
L.L.C and
EMC
Corporation
  24703TAD8

144A:
25272KAK9

Reg S:
U2526DAD1

  $ 4,500,000,000       N/A     6   1.250% UST
due
November 30,
2026
  FIT1   +70   $ 50.00     $ 1,116.01  

 

(1)

The Tender Cap represents the maximum aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities that will be purchased. Dell reserves the right, but is under no obligation, to increase, decrease or eliminate the Tender Cap at any time, including on or after the Price Determination Date (as defined herein), subject to applicable law.

(2)

Subject to the Maximum Tender Amount, the Tender Cap and proration, the principal amount of each series of Securities that is purchased in the Offers will be determined in accordance with the applicable Acceptance Priority Level (in numerical priority order with 1 being the highest Acceptance Priority Level and 6 being the lowest) specified in this column.

(3)

The applicable page on Bloomberg from which the Dealer Managers (as defined herein) will quote the bid side prices of the applicable U.S. Treasury Security. In the above table, “UST” denotes a U.S. Treasury Security.

(4)

Per $1,000 principal amount validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline and accepted for purchase.

(5)

Includes the Early Tender Premium.

(6)

Hypothetical Total Consideration for each series of Securities is based upon a hypothetical Reference Yield (as defined below) determined as of 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on December 3, 2021 and assumes a settlement date of December 21, 2021. The Reference Yield used to determine actual consideration for the Securities is expected to be calculated as of 10:00 a.m., New York City time on December 20, 2021. The information provided in the above table with respect to the Securities is for illustrative purposes only. Dell and the Dealer Managers make no representation with respect to the actual consideration that may be paid with respect to the Securities, and such amounts may be greater or less than those shown in the above table depending on the Reference Yield as of the Price Determination Date. Total Consideration does not include Accrued Interest (as defined herein), which also will be paid.

*

Denotes a series of Securities for which the Total Consideration will be determined by taking into account the par call date, instead of the maturity date, of such Securities in accordance with standard market practice.


The Offers are being made pursuant to and are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. The Offers are scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on January 4, 2022, unless extended or earlier terminated by Dell (the “Expiration Date”). Tendered Securities may be withdrawn until, but not after, 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 17, 2021 (the “Withdrawal Deadline”), except in certain limited circumstances where additional withdrawal rights are required by law.

Holders of Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 17, 2021 (the “Early Tender Deadline”) and accepted for purchase will receive the applicable total consideration (“Total Consideration”), which includes an early tender premium of $50.00 per $1,000 principal amount of the Securities accepted for purchase (the “Early Tender Premium”). The Total Consideration for each series of Securities validly tendered and accepted for purchase will be determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to the applicable fixed spread over the yield to maturity based on the bid side price of the applicable Reference U.S. Treasury Security specified in the table above and in the Offer to Purchase. In calculating the applicable Total Consideration for a Series of Securities, the application of the par call date, if any, will be in accordance with standard market practice. Holders of Securities who validly tender their Securities following the Early Tender Deadline and on or prior to the Expiration Date will receive only the applicable Tender Offer Consideration per $1,000 principal amount of any such Securities validly tendered by such Holders that are accepted for purchase. The “Tender Offer Consideration” is equal to the applicable Total Consideration minus the Early Tender Premium. The Total Consideration and Tender Offer Consideration will be determined at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, December 20, 2021, unless extended by Dell (the “Price Determination Date”).

In addition to the Total Consideration or the Tender Offer Consideration, as applicable, all Holders of Securities accepted for purchase will also receive accrued and unpaid interest rounded to the nearest cent, on such $1,000 principal amount of Securities from the last applicable interest payment date up to, but not including, the applicable settlement date (the “Accrued Interest”).

The settlement date for Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline and accepted for purchase is expected to be December 21, 2021, the second business day after the Early Tender Deadline (the “Early Settlement Date”). The settlement date for Securities validly tendered following the Early Tender Deadline but on or prior to the Expiration Date and accepted for purchase is expected to be January 6, 2022, the second business day after the Expiration Date, assuming that the Maximum Tender Amount of Securities is not purchased on the Early Settlement Date.

Subject to the Maximum Tender Amount, the Tender Cap and proration, all Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline having a higher Acceptance Priority Level (with 1 being the highest) will be accepted before any validly tendered Securities having a lower Acceptance Priority Level (with 6 being the lowest), and all Securities validly tendered following the Early Tender Deadline having a higher Acceptance Priority Level will be accepted before any Securities validly tendered following the Early Tender Deadline having a lower Acceptance Priority Level. If the Offers are not fully subscribed at the Early Tender Deadline, subject to the Maximum Tender Amount, the Tender Cap and proration, Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline will be accepted for purchase in priority to other Securities validly tendered following the Early Tender Deadline even if such Securities validly tendered following the Early Tender Deadline have a higher Acceptance Priority Level than Securities validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline. Dell reserves the absolute right, but is not obligated, to (i) increase or decrease the Maximum Tender Amount or (ii) increase, decrease or eliminate the Tender Cap without extending the Early Tender Deadline or the Withdrawal Deadline, subject to compliance with applicable law. There can be no assurance that Dell will increase or decrease the Maximum Tender Amount or the Tender Cap.

As indicated under “Tender Cap” in the table above, the Securities at Acceptance Priority Level 1 are subject to a tender cap (the “Tender Cap”). The Tender Cap represents the maximum aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities that will be purchased pursuant to the applicable Offer. Dell reserves the right, but is under no obligation to, increase, decrease or eliminate the Tender Cap at any time, including on or after the Price Determination Date, subject to applicable law. Subject to applicable law, Dell may increase, decrease or eliminate the Tender Cap without extending the applicable Withdrawal Deadline. If the Tender Cap is reached in respect of the applicable series of Securities at or prior to the Early Tender Deadline, no Securities of such series that are tendered after the Early Tender Deadline will be accepted for purchase, unless we increase the Tender Cap.


If the Offers are fully subscribed at the Early Tender Deadline, Holders who validly tender Securities following the Early Tender Deadline but on or prior to the Expiration Date will not have any of their Securities accepted for purchase regardless of their Acceptance Priority Level.

Securities of a series may be subject to proration (as described in the Offer to Purchase) if the aggregate purchase price of the Securities of such series validly tendered and not validly withdrawn would cause the Maximum Tender Amount or the Tender Cap to be exceeded. The Offers are not conditioned on any minimum amount of Securities or any series of Securities being tendered. However, Dell’s obligation to accept for purchase, and to pay for, the Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the Offers is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase, including the financing condition described therein. Dell reserves the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to: (i) waive any and all conditions to the Offers; (ii) extend or terminate the Offers; (iii) (a) increase or decrease the Maximum Tender Amount or (b) increase, decrease or eliminate the Tender Cap without extending the Early Tender Deadline or the Withdrawal Deadline; or (iv) otherwise amend the Offers in any respect.

A beneficial owner of Securities that are held of record by a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee must contact the nominee promptly and instruct the nominee to tender such Securities on the beneficial owner’s behalf prior to the Early Tender Deadline in order to receive the Total Consideration or, in the case of Securities tendered after the Early Tender Deadline, but prior to the Expiration Date, in order to have an opportunity to receive the Tender Offer Consideration as described in the Offer to Purchase. A nominee may have an earlier deadline for accepting the applicable Offers.

Barclays Capital Inc. and BofA Securities, Inc. are acting as the dealer managers for the Offers (together, the “Dealer Managers”). The information agent and tender agent for the Offers is Global Bondholder Services Corporation (the “Tender Agent”). Copies of the Offer to Purchase and related offer materials are available by contacting the Tender Agent by telephone at (866) 924-2200 (toll-free) or (212) 430–3774 (banks and brokers), by email at contact@gbsc-usa.com, or at https://gbsc-usa.com/registration/dell/. Questions regarding the Offers should be directed to the Liability Management Groups of Barclays Capital Inc. at (800) 438-3242 (toll-free) or BofA Securities, Inc., at (888) 292-0070 (toll-free) or (980) 387-3907 (collect).

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell with respect to any securities. The solicitation of offers to sell the Securities is only being made pursuant to the terms of the Offer to Purchase. The offer is not being made in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. None of Dell, its affiliates, and their respective board of directors, the Dealer Managers, the information and tender agent or the trustee for any series of Securities is making any recommendation as to whether or not holders should tender their Securities in connection with the Offers, and neither Dell nor any other person has authorized any person to make any such recommendation.

 

Contacts:

  

Investor Relations

  

investor_relations@dell.com

About Dell Technologies

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) helps organizations and individuals build their digital future and transform how they work, live and play. The company provides customers with the industry’s broadest and most innovative technology and services portfolio for the data era.


Special Note on Forward-Looking Statements:

Statements in this press release that relate to future results and events are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and are based on Dell Technologies’ current expectations. In some cases, you can identify these statements by such forward-looking words as “anticipate,” “believe,” “confidence”, “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “guidance”, “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “possible;” “potential,” “should,” “will,” and “would,” or similar words or expressions that refer to future events or outcomes.

Dell Technologies’ results or events in future periods could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements because of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that include, but are not limited to, the following: risks and uncertainties relating to our spin-off of VMware, Inc., including the potential effects on our business of the transaction; the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; competitive pressures; Dell Technologies’ reliance on third-party suppliers for products and components, including reliance on single-source or limited-source suppliers; Dell Technologies’ ability to achieve favorable pricing from its vendors; adverse global economic conditions and instability in financial markets; Dell Technologies’ execution of its growth, business and acquisition strategies; the success of Dell Technologies’ cost efficiency measures; Dell Technologies’ ability to manage solutions and products and services transitions in an effective manner; Dell Technologies’ ability to deliver high-quality products, software, and services; cyber attacks or other data security incidents; Dell Technologies’ foreign operations and ability to generate substantial non-U.S. net revenue; Dell Technologies’ product, services, customer, and geographic sales mix, and seasonal sales trends; the performance of Dell Technologies’ sales channel partners; access to the capital markets by Dell Technologies or its customers; material impairment of the value of goodwill or intangible assets; weak economic conditions and the effect of additional regulation on Dell Technologies’ financial services activities; counterparty default risks; the loss by Dell Technologies of any contracts for ISO services and solutions and its ability to perform such contracts at their estimated costs; loss by Dell Technologies of government contracts; Dell Technologies’ ability to develop and protect its proprietary intellectual property or obtain licenses to intellectual property developed by others on commercially reasonable and competitive terms; disruptions in Dell Technologies’ infrastructure; Dell Technologies’ ability to hedge effectively its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates; expiration of tax holidays or favorable tax rate structures, or unfavorable outcomes in tax audits and other tax compliance matters; impairment of portfolio investments; unfavorable results of legal proceedings; compliance requirements of changing environmental and safety laws or other laws; the effect of armed hostilities, terrorism, natural disasters, and public health issues; Dell Technologies’ dependence on the services of Michael Dell and key employees; and Dell Technologies’ level of indebtedness. This list of risks, uncertainties, and other factors is not complete. Dell Technologies discusses some of these matters more fully, as well as certain risk factors that could affect Dell Technologies’ business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, in its reports filed with the SEC, including Dell Technologies’ annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2021, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. These filings are available for review through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Any or all forward-looking statements Dell Technologies makes may turn out to be wrong and can be affected by inaccurate assumptions Dell Technologies might make or by known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those identified in this press release. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements made in this press release, which speak only as of its date. Dell Technologies does not undertake to update, and expressly disclaims any duty to update, its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of circumstances or events that arise after the date they are made, new information, or otherwise.

For additional information on these and other factors that could cause Dell Technologies’ actual results to materially differ from those set forth herein, please see Dell Technologies’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

Dell Technologies Inc. Announces Offering of Senior Notes

ROUND ROCK, Texas, December 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE: DELL) (the “Company” or “Dell Technologies”) announced today the commencement of a private offering of Senior Notes (the “Notes”) to be issued by two of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Dell International L.L.C. and EMC Corporation, as co-issuers (the “co-issuers”). The Notes will be guaranteed on a joint and several basis by Dell Technologies, Denali Intermediate Inc. and Dell Inc.

The net proceeds from the offering of the Notes are intended to be used to fund the repurchase of certain existing notes of its subsidiaries pursuant to certain tender offers being conducted by Dell Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Any remaining proceeds not used to repurchase such existing notes in such tender offers will be used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of debt.

The offering of the Notes will be made in a private transaction in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be “qualified institutional buyers,” as that term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, or outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

 

EX-99.3

Exhibit 99.3

Dell Technologies Inc. Announces Pricing of Offering of $2.25 Billion of Senior Notes

ROUND ROCK, Texas, December 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE: DELL) (the “Company” or “Dell Technologies”) announced today the pricing of the previously announced private offering by two of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Dell International L.L.C. and EMC Corporation, as co-issuers (the “co-issuers”), of $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.375% Senior Notes due 2041 (the “2041 Notes”) and $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.450% Senior Notes due 2051 (the “2051 Notes” and together with the 2041 Notes, the “Notes”). The 2041 Notes will mature on December 15, 2041 while the 2051 Notes will mature on December 15, 2051. The Notes will be guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the Company, Denali Intermediate Inc. and Dell Inc. The offering is expected to close on December 13, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

The net proceeds from the offering of the Notes are intended to be used to fund the repurchase of certain existing notes of its subsidiaries pursuant to certain tender offers being conducted by Dell Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Any remaining proceeds not used to repurchase such existing notes in such tender offers will be used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of debt.

The offering of the Notes was made in a private transaction in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be “qualified institutional buyers,” as that term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, or outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of any of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.