International Business Machines Corp 8-K, filed Feb 7, 2025
International Business Machines Corp (IBM)
About this 8-K
International Business Machines Corp filed this 8-K on February 7, 2025, reporting on events of February 5, 2025.
Items reported
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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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. ¨
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed to incorporate by reference into Registration Statement No. 333-276739 on Form S-3, effective January 29, 2024, the documents included as (1) Exhibits 1.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 relating to €3,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the Registrant (the “Euro Notes”), (2) Exhibits 1.2, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8 and 4.9 relating to $4,750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the Registrant (the “USD Notes” and, together with the Euro Notes, the “Notes”) and (3) Exhibits 5.1 and 23.1 regarding the Notes. The Euro and the USD Notes were offered by means of separate prospectus supplements.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
IBM’s web site (www.ibm.com) contains a significant amount of information about IBM, including financial and other information for investors (www.ibm.com/investor/). IBM encourages investors to visit its various web sites from time to time, as information is updated and new information is posted.
SIGNATURE
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: February 7, 2025 | ||
| By: | /s/ Brien Wierzchowski | |
| Brien Wierzchowski | ||
| Vice President and Treasurer | ||
Exhibit 1.1
EXECUTION VERSION
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
€3,500,000,000
Debt Securities
€750,000,000 2.900% Notes due 2030
€1,100,000,000 3.150% Notes due 2033
€900,000,000 3.450% Notes due 2037
€750,000,000 3.800% Notes due 2045
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
New York, New York
Dated as of February 5, 2025
To the Representatives named in Schedule I hereto
of the Underwriters named in Schedule II hereto
Ladies and Gentlemen:
International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), proposes to sell to the underwriters named in Schedule II hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you are acting as representatives (the “Representatives”), the principal amount of its Securities identified in Schedule I hereto (the “Securities”), to be issued under an indenture dated as of October 1, 1993 (the “Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995. If the firm or firms listed in Schedule II hereto include only the firm or firms listed in Schedule I hereto, then the terms “Underwriters” and “Representatives”, as used herein shall each be deemed to refer to such firm or firms.
1. Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with each Underwriter that:
(a) The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) and has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) an automatic shelf registration statement as defined in Rule 405 (the file number of which is set forth in Schedule I hereto), including a related basic prospectus, on such Form for the registration under the Act of the offering and sale of the Securities. Such Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto filed prior to the Execution Time, became effective upon filing. The Company may have filed with the Commission as part of an amendment to the Registration Statement or pursuant to Rule 424(b) one or more preliminary prospectus supplements relating to the Securities, each of which has previously been furnished to you. The Company will file with the Commission a final prospectus supplement relating to the Securities in accordance with Rule 424(b). As filed, such final prospectus supplement shall include all information required by the Act and the rules thereunder, and, except to the extent the Representatives shall agree in writing to a modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to you prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional information and other changes (beyond that contained in the Basic Prospectus and any Preliminary Final Prospectus) as the Company has advised you, prior to the Execution Time, will be included or made therein. If the Registration Statement contains the undertaking specified by Regulation S-K Item 512(a), the Registration Statement, at the Execution Time, meets the requirements set forth in Rule 415(a)(1)(x).
The terms which follow, when used in this Agreement, shall have the meanings indicated. The term the “Effective Date” shall mean each date that the Registration Statement and any post- effective amendment or amendments thereto became or become effective. “Execution Time” shall mean the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto. “Basic Prospectus” shall mean the basic prospectus relating to the Registration Statement to be used in connection with offering the Securities. “Final Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus supplement relating to the Securities and containing the final terms of the Securities that is first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) after the Execution Time, together with the Basic Prospectus. “Registration Statement” shall mean the registration statement referred to in the preceding paragraph, including incorporated documents, exhibits and financial statements and any prospectus supplement relating to the Securities that is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and deemed part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B, in the form in which it or they has or have or shall become effective and, in the event any post-effective amendment thereto becomes effective prior to the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), shall also mean such registration statement or statements as so amended. “Rule 433”, “Rule 415”, “Rule 424”, “Rule 430B” and “Regulation S-K” refer to such rules under the Act. “Disclosure Package” shall mean (i) the Basic Prospectus, as amended and supplemented (including any preliminary prospectus supplement issued before the Execution Time relating to the Securities) to the Execution Time, (ii) the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule III hereto, and (iii) any other Free Writing Prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Disclosure Package. “Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean a free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405. “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433. “Preliminary Final Prospectus” shall mean any preliminary prospectus supplement to the Basic Prospectus which describes the Securities and the offering thereof and is used prior to filing of the Final Prospectus, together with the Basic Prospectus. Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, a Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 which were filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) on or before the effective date of the Registration Statement or the date of such Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference herein to the terms “amend”, “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Exchange Act after the effective date of the Registration Statement, or the date of any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be, deemed to be incorporated therein by reference.
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(b) On the Effective Date and at the Execution Time, the Registration Statement did, and when the Final Prospectus is first filed (if required) in accordance with Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date, the Final Prospectus (and any supplements thereto) will, comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act and the respective rules thereunder; on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date the Indenture did or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”) and the rules thereunder; on the Effective Date and at the Execution Time, the Registration Statement did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and, on the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date, the Final Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to (i) that part of the Registration Statement which shall constitute the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee or (ii) the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any supplement thereto).
(c) At the Execution Time, the Disclosure Package, when taken together as a whole, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Disclosure Package based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7 hereof.
(d) At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2)) of the Securities, the Company was not and is not an Ineligible Issuer (as defined in Rule 405), without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an Ineligible Issuer.
(e) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 4(A)(g) hereto do not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, including any document incorporated therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Disclosure Package based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7 hereof.
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(f) (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement, (ii) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), and (iii) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c)) made any offer relating to the Securities in reliance on the exemption in Rule 163, the Company was or is (as the case may be) a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405. The Company agrees to pay the fees required by the Commission relating to the Securities within the time required by Rule 456(b)(1) without regard to the proviso therein and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r).
2. Purchase and Sale. Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the purchase price set forth in Schedule I hereto, the respective principal amounts of the Securities set forth opposite each respective Underwriter’s name in Schedule II hereto, except that, if Schedule I hereto provides for the sale of Securities pursuant to delayed delivery arrangements, the respective principal amounts of Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters shall be as set forth in Schedule II hereto, less the respective amounts of Contract Securities determined as provided below. Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters are herein sometimes called the “Underwriters’ Securities” and Securities to be purchased pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts as hereinafter provided are herein called “Contract Securities”.
If so provided in Schedule I hereto, the Underwriters are authorized to solicit offers to purchase Securities from the Company pursuant to delayed delivery contracts (“Delayed Delivery Contracts”), substantially in the form of Schedule IV hereto but with such changes therein as the Company may authorize or approve. The Underwriters will endeavor to make such arrangements and, as compensation therefor, the Company will pay to the Representatives, for the account of underwriters, on the Closing Date, the percentage set forth in Schedule I hereto of the principal amount of the Securities for which Delayed Delivery Contracts are made. Delayed Delivery Contracts are to be with institutional investors, including commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. The Company will make Delayed Delivery Contracts in all cases where sales of Contract Securities arranged by the Underwriters have been approved by the Company but, except as the Company may otherwise agree, each such Delayed Delivery Contract must be for not less than the minimum principal amount set forth in Schedule I hereto and the aggregate principal amount of Contract Securities may not exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount set forth in Schedule I hereto. The Underwriters will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of Delayed Delivery Contracts. The principal amount of Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter as set forth in Schedule II hereto shall be reduced by an amount which shall bear the same proportion to the total principal amount of Contract Securities as the principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the aggregate principal amount set forth in Schedule II hereto, except to the extent that you determine that such reduction shall be otherwise than in such proportion and so advise the Company in writing; provided, however, that the total principal amount of Securities to be purchased by all Underwriters shall be the aggregate principal amount set forth in Schedule II hereto, less the aggregate principal amount of Contract Securities.
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3. Delivery and Payment. Delivery of and payment for the Underwriters’ Securities shall be made at the office, on the date and at the time specified in Schedule I hereto, which date and time may be postponed by agreement between the Representatives and the Company or as provided in Section 8 hereof (such date and time of delivery and payment for the Securities being called the “Closing Date”). Delivery of the Underwriters’ Securities shall be made to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representatives of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the Company by certified or official bank check or checks payable, or wire transfers, in immediately available funds. The Securities shall be delivered in definitive book-entry form through a common depositary or its nominee on behalf of Clearstream Banking, S.A. and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.
4. Agreements.
(A) The Company agrees with the several Underwriters that:
(a) The Company will file the Final Prospectus, properly completed, pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the time period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the Representatives of such timely filing. The Company will promptly advise the Representatives (i) when any amendment to the Registration Statement relating to the Securities shall have become effective, (ii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment of the Registration Statement or amendment of or supplement to the Final Prospectus or for any additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any notice that would prevent its use or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. The Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and, if issued, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof. The Company will not file any amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement to the Final Prospectus unless the Company has furnished you a copy for your review prior to filing and will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object.
(b) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), any event occurs as a result of which the Final Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Final Prospectus to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act or the respective rules thereunder, the Company will give the Representatives immediate notice of the occurrence of such event and promptly will prepare and file with the Commission, subject to the first sentence of paragraph (a) of this Section 4, an amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or omission or an amendment which will effect such compliance.
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(c) The Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Representatives as soon as practicable, but not later than 45 days after the end of the 12-month period beginning at the end of the current fiscal quarter of the Company, an earning statement (which need not be audited) of the Company and its subsidiaries, covering a period of at least 12 months beginning after the end of the current fiscal quarter of the Company, which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158 thereunder.
(d) The Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and each amendment thereto which shall become effective on or prior to the Closing Date and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by an Underwriter or dealer may be required by the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), as many copies of any Preliminary Final Prospectus and the Final Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any amendments thereof and supplements thereto as the Representatives may reasonably request.
(e) The Company will arrange for the qualification of the Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate, will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities and will arrange for the determination of the legality of the Securities for purchase by institutional investors.
(f) Until the earlier of the day on which the distribution of the Securities is completed or the business day following the Closing Date, the Company will not, without the consent of the Representatives, offer or sell, or announce the offering of, any euro denominated debt securities covered by the Registration Statement or any other registration statement filed under the Act.
(g) To prepare a final term sheet, containing solely a description of the Securities, in a form approved by you and to file such term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) within the time required by such Rule.
(h) If there occurs an event or development as a result of which the Disclosure Package would include an untrue statement of a material fact or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then prevailing, not misleading, the Company will notify promptly the Representatives so that any use of the Disclosure Package may cease until it is amended or supplemented.
(i) The Company agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433, other than the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 4(A)(g) hereto; provided that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule III hereto. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representatives is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company agrees that (x) it has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (y) it has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.
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(B) The several Underwriters agree with the Company that:
(a) The Representatives will pay the expenses of printing and distributing all documents relating to the offering.
(b) The Representatives will pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of outside counsel for the Company and the Underwriters relating to the offering.
(c) The Representatives will pay any fees of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s), Fitch Ratings Inc. (“Fitch) and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) relating to the rating of the Securities.
(d) The Representatives will pay the fees and disbursements of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP relating to the preparation of the letter required by Section 5(e) of this Agreement.
(e) The Representatives will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee.
(f) The Representatives will pay any and all fees associated with listing the Securities on any United States or foreign securities exchange.
(g) The Representatives will pay any and all travel expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the offering of the Securities.
(h) The Representatives will pay any and all other miscellaneous expenses and/or taxes associated with the offering.
(i) Each Underwriter agrees to furnish the Company with a copy of each proposed Free Writing Prospectus to be prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter before its first use and not to use any Free Writing Prospectus, to which the Company reasonably objects, provided, however, that without consent of the Company each Underwriter may use the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 4(A)(g) hereto and one or more preliminary term sheets relating to the Securities containing customary information.
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5. Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Underwriters’ Securities shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company contained herein as of the Execution Time, as of the date of the effectiveness of any amendment to the Registration Statement filed prior to the Closing Date (including the filing of any document incorporated by reference therein) and as of the Closing Date, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:
(a) The Final Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, have been filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); the final term sheet contemplated by Section 4(A)(g) hereto, and any other material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings by Rule 433; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, or any notice that would prevent its use shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or threatened.
(b) The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives:
(i) the opinion of the General Counsel, an Assistant General Counsel, an Associate General Counsel or other senior counsel of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:
(A) the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of New York, with full corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction within the United States which requires such qualifications wherein it owns or leases material properties or conducts material business;
(B) the Securities conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus;
(C) the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and the Securities have been duly authorized and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, in the case of the Underwriters’ Securities, or by the purchasers thereof pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts, in the case of any Contract Securities, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect);
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(D) to the best knowledge of such counsel, there is no pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, of a character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement which is not adequately disclosed in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, and there is no franchise, contract or other document of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or Final Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit, which is not described or filed as required;
(E) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto have become effective under the Act; any required filing of the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus and the Final Prospectus, and any supplements thereto, pursuant to Rule 424(b) has been made in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); to the best knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, as amended, or any notice that would prevent its use, has been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or contemplated under the Act;
(F) this Agreement and any Delayed Delivery Contracts have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;
(G) no authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to, consent of, order of, or filing with, any United States Federal or New York governmental authority or regulatory body is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or in any Delayed Delivery Contracts, except such as have been obtained under the Act and such as may be required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities and such other approvals (specified in such opinion) as have been obtained;
(H) such counsel has no reason to believe that (1) the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus (except the financial statements and the notes thereto and other information of an accounting or financial nature included therein, and the Statement of Eligibility (Form T-1) included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, as to which such counsel need express no view) were not appropriately responsive in all material respects to requirements of the Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder or (2) the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof at the time it became effective or at the Execution Time contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that the Final Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, either as of its date or the Closing Date contains or contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (in each case except for the financial statements and the notes thereto and other information of an accounting or financial nature included therein, as to which such counsel need express no view);
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(I) none of the issue and sale of the Securities, the consummation of any other of the transactions herein contemplated or the fulfillment of the terms hereof or of any Delayed Delivery Contracts will conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, the charter or by-laws of the Company or the terms of any indenture or other agreement or instrument known to such counsel and to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or bound, or any decree or regulation known to such counsel to be applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and
(J) such counsel has no reason to believe that the Disclosure Package, at the Execution Time, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
The statements described in one or more of paragraphs (B), (C), (E), (F), (G), (H) and (J) of this subsection 5(b)(i) may be omitted from the opinion of such counsel; provided, however, that in such event the Company shall also have furnished to the Representatives the corresponding opinion or letter of Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, counsel for the Company, described in subsection 5(b)(ii) or 5(b)(iii) immediately following.
(ii) in the event that the statements described in one or more of paragraphs (B), (C), (E), (F) or (G) of foregoing subsection 5(b)(i) is omitted from the opinion delivered pursuant to such subsection, the opinion of Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect of the statements so omitted.
In rendering such opinions, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the general corporation law of the State of Delaware or the United States, to the extent they deem proper and specified in such opinion, upon the opinion of other counsel of good standing whom they believe to be reliable and who are satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters; and (B) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials.
(iii) in the event that the statements in paragraph (H) or (J) of subsection 5(b)(i) are omitted from the opinion provided pursuant to such subsection, a letter of Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP dated the Closing Date to the effect that, having participated in conferences with certain officers of, and with the accountants for, the Company and having made certain inquiries and investigations in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, such counsel has no reason to believe that (i) the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus (except the financial statements and the notes thereto and other information of an accounting or financial nature included therein, and the Statement of Eligibility (Form T-1) included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, as to which such counsel need express no view) were not appropriately responsive in all material respects with requirements of the Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder or (ii) the Registration Statement at the Effective Date or the Execution Time contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, the Disclosure Package at the Execution Time contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or the Final Prospectus, either as of its date or on the Closing Date, includes any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (in each case except for the financial statements and the notes thereto and other information of an accounting or financial nature included therein, as to which such counsel need express no view).
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(c) The Representatives shall have received from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Securities, the Indenture, any Delayed Delivery Contracts, the Registration Statement, the Final Prospectus, Disclosure Package and other related matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.
(d) The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a certificate of the Company, signed by the principal financial or accounting officer (or Vice President and Treasurer) of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the signer of such certificate has carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus and any supplements or amendments thereto and this Agreement and that:
(i) the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date and the Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date;
(ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, as amended, or any notice that would prevent its use has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened; and
(iii) since the date of the most recent financial statements included or incorporated in the Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus, there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.
11
(e) At the Closing Date, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter or letters with respect to the consolidated financial statements and certain financial information of the Company (which may refer to a letter previously delivered to one or more of the Representatives), dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, confirming that they are independent accountants within the meaning of the Act and the Exchange Act and the respective applicable published rules and regulations thereunder, that the response, if any, to Item 10 of the Registration Statement is correct insofar as it relates to them and stating in effect that:
(i) in their opinion the audited financial statements and schedules thereto included or incorporated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and reported on by them comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Exchange Act and the published rules and regulations thereunder with respect to financial statements and financial statement schedules included or incorporated in annual reports on Form 10-K under the Exchange Act;
(ii) on the basis of a reading of the unaudited financial statements included or incorporated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and of the latest unaudited financial statements made available by the Company and its subsidiaries; carrying out certain specified procedures (but not an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards) which would not necessarily reveal matters of significance with respect to the comments set forth in such letter; a reading of the minutes of the meetings of the stockholders, directors and executive committees of the Company and the subsidiaries since the date of the latest audited balance sheet, through a specified date not more than five business days prior to the date of the letter; and inquiries of certain officials of the Company who have responsibility for financial and accounting matters of the Company and its subsidiaries as to transactions and events subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statements incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus, nothing came to their attention which caused them to believe that:
(1) any unaudited financial statements included or incorporated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus do not comply as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the Commission with respect to financial statements included or incorporated in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act; and said unaudited financial statements are not stated on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited financial statements included or incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus;
(2) with respect to the period subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statements incorporated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there were, at a specified date not more than five business days prior to the date of the letter, any increases in long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries or decreases in the capital stock of the Company or decreases in the stockholders’ equity of the Company and its subsidiaries as compared with the amounts shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet included or incorporated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, except in all instances for increases or decreases set forth in such letter, in which case the letter shall be accompanied by an explanation by the Company as to the significance thereof unless said explanation is not deemed necessary by the Representatives; and
12
(iii) they have performed certain other procedures as a result of which they determined that the information described in a schedule to be delivered on behalf of the Underwriters of an accounting, financial or statistical nature (which is limited to accounting, financial or statistical information derived from the general ledger of the Company) set forth in the Registration Statement, as amended, the Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, and in Exhibit 12 to the Registration Statement (including selected accounting, financial or statistical information included or incorporated in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated in the Final Prospectus or any of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated therein), agrees with the general ledger of the Company and its subsidiaries, excluding any questions of legal interpretation.
References to the Final Prospectus in this paragraph (e) include any supplements thereto at the date of the letter.
(f) Subsequent to the respective dates of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there shall not have been (i) any change or decrease specified in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (e) of this Section 5 or (ii) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, is, in the judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.
(g) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further information, certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.
(h) The Company shall have accepted Delayed Delivery Contracts in any case where sales of Contract Securities arranged by the Underwriters have been approved by the Company.
(i) Subsequent to the Execution Time, there shall not have been any decrease in the ratings of any of the Securities by Moody’s, Fitch or S&P and neither Moody’s nor Fitch nor S&P shall have publicly announced that it has placed any of the Securities on a credit watch with negative implications.
If any of the conditions specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled in all material respects when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and their counsel, this Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representatives. Notice of such cancelation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or telegraph confirmed in writing.
13
6. Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses. If the sale of the Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 5 hereof is not satisfied or because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a default by any of the Underwriters, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters severally upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that shall have been incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.
7. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement for the registration of the Securities as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred, as incurred, by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use in connection with the preparation thereof. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.
(b) Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use in the preparation of the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have. The Company acknowledges that the statements set forth in the last paragraph of the cover page of the Final Prospectus and under the heading “Underwriting” or “Plan of Distribution” and, if Schedule I hereto provides for sales of Securities pursuant to delayed delivery arrangements, in the last sentence under the heading “Delayed Delivery Arrangements” in any Preliminary Final Prospectus and the Final Prospectus, constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the several Underwriters for inclusion in the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and you, as the Representatives, confirm that such statements are correct.
14
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 7, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 7. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to appoint counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party to represent the indemnified party in such action; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to defend such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to appoint counsel to defend such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 7 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel), approved by the Representatives in the case of paragraph (a) of this Section 7, representing the indemnified parties under such paragraph (a) who are parties to such action), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party; and except that, if clause (i) or (iii) is applicable, such liability shall be only in respect of the counsel referred to in such clause (i) or (iii).
(d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in paragraph (a) of this Section 7 is due in accordance with its terms but is for any reason held by a court to be unavailable from the Company on grounds of policy or otherwise, the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending same) to which the Company and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject in such proportion so that the Underwriters are responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the underwriting discount bears to the sum of such discount and the purchase price of the Securities set forth on Schedule I hereto and the Company is responsible for the balance; provided, however, that (y) in no case shall any Underwriter (except as may be provided in any agreement among underwriters relating to the offering of the Securities) be responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter hereunder and (z) no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 7, each person who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to clauses (y) and (z) of this paragraph (d). Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties under this paragraph (d), notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission to so notify such party or parties shall not relieve the party or parties from whom contribution may be sought from any other obligation it or they may have hereunder or otherwise than under this paragraph (d).
15
8. Default by an Underwriter. If any one or more Underwriters shall fail to purchase and pay for any of the Securities agreed to be purchased by such Underwriter or Underwriters hereunder and such failure to purchase shall constitute a default in the performance of its or their obligations under this Agreement, the remaining Underwriters shall be obligated severally to take up and pay for (in the respective proportions which the amount of Securities set forth opposite their names in Schedule II hereto bears to the aggregate amount of Securities set forth opposite the names of all the remaining Underwriters) the Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided, however, that in the event that the aggregate amount of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase shall exceed 10% of the aggregate amount of Securities set forth in Schedule II hereto, the remaining Underwriters shall have the right to purchase all, but shall not be under any obligation to purchase any, of the Securities, and if such nondefaulting Underwriters do not purchase all the Securities, this Agreement will terminate without liability to any nondefaulting Underwriter or the Company. In the event of a default by any Underwriter as set forth in this Section 8, the Closing Date shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding seven days, as the Representatives shall determine in order that the required changes in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the Company and any nondefaulting Underwriter for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.
9. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes. (a) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
(b) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
16
(c) For purposes of this Section 9:
“BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).
“Covered Entity” means any of the following:
(i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);
(ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or
(iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
10. Termination. This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice given to the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities, if prior to such time (i) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such Exchange, (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by Federal or New York State authorities or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or material escalation of hostilities or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on the financial markets of England, Germany or the United States is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable to market the Securities.
11. Representations and Indemnities to Survive. The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or the Company or any of the officers, directors or controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. The provisions of Sections 6 and 7 hereof shall survive the termination or cancelation of this Agreement.
12. Notices. All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Representatives, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to them, at the address specified in Schedule I hereto; or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to it, at Armonk, New York 10504; attention of the Treasurer.
17
13. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.
14. Applicable Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
15. Arms-Length Transaction. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other, (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction each Underwriter is acting solely as a principal and not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, (iii) no Underwriter has assumed an advisory of fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) or any other obligation to the Company except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement and (iv) the Company has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate. The Company agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriters, or any of them, has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Company, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.
16. Submission to Jurisdiction. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York or any federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York in respect of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Basic Prospectus, the Final Prospectus or the offering of the Securities, and irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts. To the extent that the Company has or hereafter may acquire any immunity (on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise) from the jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process with respect to itself or its property, the Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, such immunity in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding.
17. Waiver of Jury Trial. The Company and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
18. Judgment Currency. If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder into any currency other than United States dollars, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Underwriters could purchase United States dollars with such other currency in The City of New York on the U.S. business day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Company with respect to any sum due from it to any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than United States dollars, not be discharged until the first U.S. business day following receipt by such Underwriter or controlling person of such Underwriter of any sum in such other currency, and only to the extent that such Underwriter or controlling person of such Underwriter may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase United States dollars with such other currency. If the United States dollars so purchased are less than the sum originally due to such Underwriter or controlling person of such Underwriter hereunder, then the Company agrees to pay such additional amounts, in the relevant currency, as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If the United States dollars so purchased are greater than the sum originally due to such Underwriter or controlling person of such Underwriter hereunder, such Underwriter or controlling person of such Underwriter agrees to pay to the Company an amount equal to the excess of the dollars so purchased over the sum originally due to such Underwriter or controlling person of such Underwriter hereunder. Any amounts payable by the Company or any Underwriter under this Section shall be paid to the applicable Underwriter(s) or the Company (as applicable) as promptly as reasonably practicable.
[signatures follow]
18
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the Company and the several Underwriters.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Mark Hobbert | |
| Name: Mark Hobbert | ||
| Title: Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | ||
[Signature Page to the Underwriting Agreement (Euro)]
The foregoing Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted on the
date specified in Schedule I hereto.
For themselves and the other several
Underwriters, if any, named in
Schedule II to the foregoing Agreement.
BNP PARIBAS
BANCO SANTANDER, S.A.
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
DEUTSCHE BANK AG, LONDON BRANCH
RBC EUROPE LIMITED
SMBC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC
SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE
U.S. BANCORP INVESTMENTS, INC
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.
CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, LONDON BRANCH
ING BANK N.V., BELGIAN BRANCH
MIZUHO INTERNATIONAL PLC
MUFG SECURITIES EMEA PLC
SCOTIABANK (IRELAND) DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY
ACADEMY SECURITIES, INC.
BANCROFT CAPITAL, LLC
SAMUEL A. RAMIREZ & COMPANY, INC.
SIEBERT WILLIAMS SHANK & CO., LLC
[Signature Page to the Underwriting Agreement (Euro)]
| By: | BNP PARIBAS | ||
| By: | /s/ Luke Thorne | ||
| Name: | Luke Thorne | ||
| Title: | Authorised Signatory | ||
| By: | /s/ Chiara Picarelli | ||
| Name: | Chiara Picarelli | ||
| Title: | Authorised Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | BANCO SANTANDER, S.A. | ||
| By: | /s/ Alexis Rohr | ||
| Name: | Alexis Rohr | ||
| Title: | DCM Associate | ||
| By: | /s/ Matthias d'Haene | ||
| Name: | Matthias d'Haene | ||
| Title: | DCM Executive Director | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | BARCLAYS BANK PLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Janeeb Binning | ||
| Name: | Janeeb Binning | ||
| Title: | Authorised Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | DEUTSCHE BANK AG, LONDON BRANCH | ||
| By: | /s/ John Han | ||
| Name: | John Han | ||
| Title: | Managing Director | ||
| By: | /s/ Ritu Ketkar | ||
| Name: | Ritu Ketkar | ||
| Title: | Managing Director | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | RBC EUROPE LIMITED | ||
| By: | /s/ Elaine S Murray | ||
| Name: | Elaine S Murray | ||
| Title: | Duly Authorised Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | SMBC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Marko Milos | ||
| Name: | Marko Milos | ||
| Title: | Authorised signatory | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael Shapiro | ||
| Name: | Michael Shapiro | ||
| Title: | Head of Debt Capital Markets | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | U.S. BANCORP INVESTMENTS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Kyle Stegemeyer | ||
| Name: | Kyle Stegemeyer | ||
| Title: | Managing Director | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | WELLS FARGO SECURITIES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED | ||
| By: | /s/ Damon Mahon | ||
| Name: | Damon Mahon | ||
| Title: | Managing Director | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A. | ||
| By: | /s/ Adrien Ferrando | ||
| Name: | Adrien Ferrando | ||
| Title: | Executive Director | ||
| By: | /s/ Steffen Thiemann | ||
| Name: | Steffen Thiemann | ||
| Title: | Senior Vice President | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, LONDON BRANCH | ||
| By: | /s/ Simon Baker | ||
| Name: | Simon Baker | ||
| Title: | Executive Director | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | ING BANK N.V., BELGIAN BRANCH | ||
| By: | /s/ Kris Devos | ||
| Name: | Kris Devos | ||
| Title: | Global Head of Debt Syndicate | ||
| By: | ING BANK N.V., BELGIAN BRANCH | ||
| By: | /s/ William de Vreede | ||
| Name: | William de Vreede | ||
| Title: | Global head Legal Wholesale Banking | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | MIZUHO INTERNATIONAL PLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Manabu Shibuya | ||
| Name: | Manabu Shibuya | ||
| Title: | Authorised Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | MUFG SECURITIES EMEA PLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Corina Painter | ||
| Name: | Corina Painter | ||
| Title: | Authorised Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | SCOTIABANK (IRELAND) DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY | ||
| By: | /s/ Nicola Vavasour | ||
| Name: | Nicola Vavasour | ||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | ||
| By: | /s/ James Walter | ||
| Name: | James Walter | ||
| Title: | Head of Legal, Europe | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | ACADEMY SECURITIES, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael Boyd | ||
| Name: | Michael Boyd | ||
| Title: | Chief Compliance Officer | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | BANCROFT CAPITAL, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Ryan D'Alessandro | ||
| Name: | Ryan D'Alessandro | ||
| Title: | Associate, Capital Markets | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | SAMUEL A. RAMIREZ & COMPANY, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Robert W. Hong | ||
| Name: | Robert W. Hong | ||
| Title: | Managing Director | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
| By: | SIEBERT WILLIAMS SHANK & CO., LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Arion K Williams | ||
| Name: | Arion K Williams | ||
| Title: | Managing Director | ||
[Signature Page to UA - Euro]
SCHEDULE I
Underwriting Agreement dated February 5, 2025
Registration No. 333-276739
| Representatives: | |
| BNP PARIBAS | |
| 16, boulevard des Italiens | |
| 75009 Paris | |
| France | |
| Attn: Debt Syndicate Desk | |
| Email: mary.chapman@bnpparibas.com; rafael.ribeiro@us.bnpparibas.com | |
| BANCO SANTANDER, S.A. | |
| Ciudad Grupo Santander | |
| Avenida de Cantabria s/n | |
| Edificio Encinar | |
| 28660 Boadilla del Monte | |
| Madrid | |
| Spain | |
| Attn: Head of Debt Capital Markets | |
| Tel: +34 912572029 | |
| Email: syndicate@gruposantander.com | |
| Barclays Bank PLC | |
| 1 Churchill Place | |
| London E14 5HP, United Kingdom | |
| Tel: +44 20 7773 9098 | |
| Attn: Debt Syndicate | |
| Email: LeadManagedBondNotices@barclayscorp.com | |
Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch | |
| 21 Moorfields | |
| London EC2Y 9DB, United Kingdom | |
| Attn: DCM Debt Syndicate | |
| Tel: +44 207 545 4361 | |
| RBC Europe Limited, | |
| 100 Bishopsgate | |
| London EC2N 4AA, United Kingdom | |
| Tel: +44 20 7029 7031 | |
| Attn: New Issues Syndicate Desk | |
| Email: tmguk@rbccm.com |
I-1
| SMBC Bank International plc | |
| 100 Liverpool Street | |
| London EC2M 2AT, United Kingdom | |
| Tel: +44 20 4507 1000 | |
| Attn: Securities Legal | |
| Email: GBLOSecuritiesLegal@gb.smbcgroup.com | |
| Société Générale | |
| Immeuble Basalte | |
| 17 Cours Valmy | |
| CS 50318 | |
| 92972 Paris La Défense Cedex | |
| France | |
| Attn: Syndicate Desk GLBA/SYN/CAP/BND | |
| Tel: +33 (0)1 42 13 32 16 | |
| Email: eur-glba-syn-cap@sgcib.com | |
| U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. | |
| 214 N. Tryon St., 26th Floor | |
| Charlotte, NC 28202 | |
| Attn: Investment Grade Syndicate | |
| Wells Fargo Securities International Limited | |
| 33 King William Street | |
| London EC4R 9AT, United Kingdom | |
| Attn: International Debt Capital Markets & Syndicate Middle Office | |
| Email: james.wright3@wellsfargo.com | |
| Tel: + 44 (0) 203 942 8535 |
Title, Purchase Price and Description of Securities:
| Title: | 2.900% Notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”) 3.150% Notes due 2033 (the “2033 Notes”) 3.450% Notes due 2037 (the “2037 Notes”) 3.800% Notes due 2045 (the “2045 Notes”) |
| Principal amount: | 2030 Notes: 2033 Notes: |
€750,000,000 €1,100,000,000 | |
| 2037 Notes: | €900,000,000 | ||
| 2045 Notes: | €750,000,000 |
| Purchase price: | 2030 Notes: 99.749% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025 |
2033 Notes: 99.552% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025
2037 Notes: 99.220% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025
2045 Notes: 99.422% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025
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| Offering price: | 2030 Notes: 99.949% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025 |
2033 Notes: 99.902% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025
2037 Notes: 99.690% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025
2045 Notes: 99.972% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025
| Interest: | 2030 Notes Payable on February 10 of each year, commencing on February 10, 2026 |
2033 Notes Payable on February 10 of each year, commencing on February 10, 2026
2037 Notes Payable on February 10 of each year, commencing on February 10, 2026
2045 Notes Payable on February 10 of each year, commencing on February 10, 2026
Sinking fund provisions: None.
Redemption provisions: The Securities are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole upon the occurrence of certain tax events, or in whole or in part, each as set forth in the prospectus supplement dated the date of this Agreement.
Closing Date, Time and Location: February 10, 2025, 10:00 A.M. (London time), at the offices of Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York.
Delayed Delivery Arrangements: None.
Items specified pursuant to Section 5(e)(iii) to be covered by the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP delivered pursuant to Section 5(e): The unaudited capsule information in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.
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Other Terms:
1. Section 4(B)(a) - (h) are deleted.
2. Each of the Underwriters agrees that it will not offer, sell, or deliver any of the Securities, directly or indirectly, or distribute the prospectus supplement or prospectus or any other offering material relating to the Securities, in or from any jurisdiction except under circumstances that will, to the best of the Underwriters’ knowledge and belief, result in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations and which will not impose any obligations on the Company.
The Underwriters also agree to abide by the following offering restrictions:
Prohibition of Sales to European Economic Area (“EEA”) Retail Investors
Each Underwriter represents and agrees that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Securities to any retail investor in the EEA. For the purposes of this provision:
(a) the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following:
(i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or
(ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or
(iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended; and
(b) the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Securities.
Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
Prohibition of Sales to United Kingdom (“U.K.”) Retail Investors
Each Underwriter represents and agrees that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Securities to any retail investor in the U.K. For the purposes of this provision:
(a) the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following:
(i) a retail client as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No. 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“EUWA”); or
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(ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, “FSMA”), and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No. 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or
(iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; and
(b) the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Securities.
Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “U.K. PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the U.K. has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the U.K. may be unlawful under the U.K. PRIIPs Regulation.
Each Underwriter represents and agrees that it and each of its affiliates:
(a) has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Securities in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Company; and
(b) has complied with, and will comply with, all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Securities in, from or otherwise involving the U.K.
3. The last sentence of Section 7(b) shall be deleted and replaced by the following text:
The Company acknowledges that the statements set forth in the last paragraph of the cover page of the Preliminary Final Prospectus and the Final Prospectus, the two paragraphs immediately following the table of contents, the sentence “The underwriters have informed IBM that they intend to make a market in the Notes but are under no obligation to do so and such market making may be terminated at any time without notice.” and the statements contained in the fourth, eighth and ninth paragraphs and the first, third and fourth sentences of the tenth paragraph under the caption “Underwriting” in the Preliminary Final Prospectus and the Final Prospectus constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the several Underwriters for inclusion in the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, and you, as the Representatives, confirm that such statements are correct.
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4. The following shall be an additional condition added to Section 5:
The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives the opinion of Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date to the effect that the statements under the caption “United States Taxation” in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus constitute a fair presentation of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders of Securities.
5. The following shall be a new Section 19:
19. Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties hereto in any number of counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
6. The following shall be a new Section 20:
20. Agreement Among Managers. The Underwriters agree as between themselves that they will be bound by and will comply with the International Capital Markets Association Agreement Among Managers Version 1/New York Law Schedule (the “Agreement Among Managers”) as amended in the manner set out below. For purposes of the Agreement Among Managers, “Managers” means the Underwriters, “Lead Manager” means the Representatives, “Settlement Lead Manager” means BNP PARIBAS, “Stabilization Manager” means BNP PARIBAS, and “Subscription Agreement” means the Underwriting Agreement. Clause 3 of the Agreement Among Managers shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with Section 8 of the Underwriting Agreement.
7. The Company acknowledges, accepts, and agrees that liabilities arising under this Agreement may be subject to the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority and acknowledges, accepts, and agrees to be bound by:
(i) the effect of the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority in relation to any BRRD Liability of the Underwriters to the Company under this Agreement, that (without limitation) may include and result in any of the following, or some combination thereof:
i. the reduction of all, or a portion, of the BRRD Liability or outstanding amounts due thereon;
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ii. the conversion of all, or a portion, of the BRRD Liability into shares, other securities or other obligations of the Underwriters or another person (and the issue to or conferral on the Company of such shares, securities or obligations);
iii. the cancellation of the BRRD Liability;
iv. the amendment or alteration of any interest, if applicable, thereon, the maturity or the dates on which any payments are due, including by suspending payment for a temporary period;
(ii) the variation of the terms of this Agreement, as deemed necessary by the Relevant Resolution Authority, to give effect to the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority.
(iii) As used in this Section 7, “Bail-in Legislation” means in relation to a member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented, or which at any time implements, the BRRD, the relevant implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement as described in the EU Bail-in Legislation Schedule from time to time or, in the case of the United Kingdom, U.K. Bail- in Legislation; “Bail-in Powers” means any Write-down and Conversion Powers as defined in relation to the relevant Bail-in Legislation; “BRRD” means Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms; “EU Bail- in Legislation Schedule” means the document described as such, then in effect, and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time at http://www.lma.eu.com/pages.aspx?p=499; “U.K. Bail-in Legislation” means any laws, regulations, rules or requirements in effect in the United Kingdom, relating to the transposition of the BRRD as amended from time to time, including but not limited to the Banking Act 2009 as amended from time to time, and the instruments, rules and standards created thereunder; “BRRD Liability” has the same meaning as in such laws, regulations, rules or requirements implementing the BRRD under the applicable Bail-in Legislation; and “Relevant Resolution Authority” means the resolution authority with the ability to exercise any Bail-in Powers in relation to the relevant Underwriter.
(iv) The Company acknowledges and accepts that this provision is exhaustive on the matters described herein to the exclusion of any other term of this Agreement or any other agreements, arrangements, or understanding between the Underwriters and the Company relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.
8. The following shall be a new Section 21:
21. Stabilization Manager. The Company confirms the appointment of the Stabilization Manager as of the central point responsible for adequate public disclosure of information, and handling any request from a competent authority, in accordance with Article 6(5) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016 with regard to regulatory technical standards for the conditions applicable to buy-back programmes and stabilization measures including such Regulation as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the EUWA.
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9. The following shall be a new Section 22:
22. U.K. MiFIR Product Governance. Solely for the purposes of the requirements of 3.2.7R of the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the “U.K. MiFIR Product Governance Rules”) regarding the mutual responsibilities of manufacturers under the U.K. MiFIR Product Governance Rules:
(a) each of BNP PARIBAS, Banco Santander, S.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, RBC Europe Limited, SMBC Bank International plc, Société Générale and Wells Fargo Securities International Limited (each a “U.K. Manufacturer” and together the “U.K. Manufacturers”) acknowledges to the other Underwriters that it understands the responsibilities conferred upon it under the U.K. MiFIR Product Governance Rules relating to each of the product approval process, the target market and the proposed distribution channels as applying to the Securities and the related information set out in the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and the Issuer Free Writing Prospectus identified in Schedule III hereto, each in connection with the Securities; and
(b) each of the Company and the other Underwriters notes the application of the U.K. MiFIR Product Governance Rules and acknowledges the target market and distribution channels identified as applying to the Securities by the U.K. Manufacturers and the related information set out in the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and the Issuer Free Writing Prospectus identified in Schedule III hereto, each in connection with the Securities.
10. The following shall be a new Section 23:
23. E.U. MiFID Product Governance. Solely for the purposes of the requirements of Article 9(8) of the MiFID Product Governance rules under EU Delegated Directive 2017/593 (the “E.U. MiFID Product Governance Rules”) regarding the mutual responsibilities of manufacturers under the E.U. MiFID Product Governance Rules:
(a) each of Banco Santander, S.A., Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch and Société Générale (each a “E.U. Manufacturer” and together the “E.U. Manufacturers”) acknowledges to the other Underwriters that it understands the responsibilities conferred upon it under the E.U. MiFID Product Governance Rules relating to each of the product approval process, the target market and the proposed distribution channels as applying to the Securities and the related information set out in the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and the Issuer Free Writing Prospectus identified in Schedule III hereto, each in connection with the Securities; and
(b) each of the Company and the other Underwriters notes the application of the E.U. MiFID Product Governance Rules and acknowledges the target market and distribution channels identified as applying to the Securities by the E.U. Manufacturers and the related information set out in the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and the Issuer Free Writing Prospectus identified in Schedule III hereto, each in connection with the Securities.
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11. The following shall be a new Section 24:
24. The Settlement Lead Manager or such other Representative as the Underwriters may agree to settle the Securities (the “Settlement Bank”) acknowledges that the Securities will initially be credited to an account (the “Commissionaire Account”) for the benefit of the Settlement Bank the terms of which include a third-party beneficiary clause (‘stipulation pour autrui’) with the Company as the third-party beneficiary and provide that such Securities are to be delivered to others only against payment of the purchase prices set forth in Schedule I hereto into the Commissionaire Account on a delivery against payment basis. The Settlement Bank acknowledges that (i) the Securities shall be held to the order of the Company as set out above and (ii) the purchase prices set forth in Schedule I hereto for the Securities received in the Commissionaire Account will be held on behalf of the Company until such time as they are transferred to the Company’s order. The Settlement Bank undertakes that the purchase prices set forth in Schedule I hereto will be transferred to the Company’s order promptly following receipt of such monies in the Commissionaire Account. The Company acknowledges and accepts the benefit of the third-party beneficiary clause (‘stipulation pour autrui’) pursuant to the Belgian or Luxembourg Civil Code, as applicable, in respect of the Commissionaire Account.
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SCHEDULE II
€3,500,000,000
International Business Machines Corporation
€750,000,000 2.900% Notes due 2030
€1,100,000,000 3.150% Notes due 2033
€900,000,000 3.450% Notes due 2037
€750,000,000 3.800% Notes due 2045
| Underwriters | Principal Amount of 2030 Notes to be Purchased | Principal Amount of 2033 Notes to be Purchased | Principal Amount of 2037 Notes to be Purchased | Principal Amount of 2045 Notes to be Purchased | ||||||||||||
| BNP PARIBAS | € | 75,000,000 | € | 110,000,000 | € | 90,000,000 | € | 75,000,000 | ||||||||
| Banco Santander, S.A. | 75,000,000 | 110,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 75,000,000 | ||||||||||||
| Barclays Bank PLC | 75,000,000 | 110,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 75,000,000 | ||||||||||||
| Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch | 75,000,000 | 110,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 75,000,000 | ||||||||||||
| RBC Europe Limited | 75,000,000 | 110,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 75,000,000 | ||||||||||||
| SMBC Bank International plc | 75,000,000 | 110,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 75,000,000 | ||||||||||||
| Société Générale | 75,000,000 | 110,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 75,000,000 | ||||||||||||
| U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc | 75,000,000 | 110,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 75,000,000 | ||||||||||||
| Wells Fargo Securities International Limited | 75,000,000 | 110,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 75,000,000 | ||||||||||||
| Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. | 9,375,000 | 13,750,000 | 11,250,000 | 9,375,000 | ||||||||||||
| Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, London Branch | 9,375,000 | 13,750,000 | 11,250,000 | 9,375,000 | ||||||||||||
| ING Bank N.V., Belgian Branch | 9,375,000 | 13,750,000 | 11,250,000 | 9,375,000 | ||||||||||||
| Mizuho International plc | 9,375,000 | 13,750,000 | 11,250,000 | 9,375,000 | ||||||||||||
| MUFG Securities EMEA plc | 9,375,000 | 13,750,000 | 11,250,000 | 9,375,000 | ||||||||||||
| Scotiabank (Ireland) Designated Activity Company | 9,375,000 | 13,750,000 | 11,250,000 | 9,375,000 | ||||||||||||
| Academy Securities, Inc. | 4,687,500 | 6,875,000 | 5,625,000 | 4,687,500 | ||||||||||||
| Bancroft Capital, LLC | 4,687,500 | 6,875,000 | 5,625,000 | 4,687,500 | ||||||||||||
| Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc. | 4,687,500 | 6,875,000 | 5,625,000 | 4,687,500 | ||||||||||||
| Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC | 4,687,500 | 6,875,000 | 5,625,000 | 4,687,500 | ||||||||||||
| Total | € | 750,000,000 | € | 1,100,000,000 | € | 900,000,000 | € | 750,000,000 | ||||||||
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SCHEDULE III
Schedule of Free Writing Prospectuses included in the Disclosure Package
Pricing Term Sheet dated February 5, 2025, as filed pursuant to Rule 433.
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SCHEDULE IV
Delayed Delivery Contract
[Insert names and addresses
of lead Representatives]
, 20
Dear Sir/Madam:
The undersigned hereby agrees to purchase from International Business Machines Corporation (the “Company”), and the Company agrees to sell to the undersigned, on , 20__, (the “Delivery Date”), € principal amount of the Company’s (the “Securities”) offered by the Company’s Final Prospectus dated , 20__, receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged, at a purchase price of % of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued , if any, thereon from , 20__, to the date of payment and delivery, and on the further terms and conditions set forth in this contract.
Payment for the Securities to be purchased by the undersigned shall be made on or before 11:00 A.M. (London time) on the Delivery Date to or upon the order of the Company in New York Clearing House (next day) funds, at your office or at such other place as shall be agreed between the Company and the undersigned upon delivery to the undersigned of the Securities in definitive, fully registered form and in such authorized denominations and registered in such names as the undersigned may request by written or telegraphic communication addressed to the Company not less than five full business days prior to the Delivery Date. If no request is received, the Securities will be registered in the name of the undersigned and issued in a denomination equal to the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be purchased by the undersigned on the Delivery Date.
The obligation of the undersigned to take delivery of and make payment for Securities on the Delivery Date, and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver Securities on the Delivery Date, shall be subject to the conditions (and neither party shall incur any liability by reason of the failure thereof) that (1) the purchase of Securities to be made by the undersigned, which purchase the undersigned represents is not prohibited on the date hereof, shall not on the Delivery Date be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which the undersigned is subject, and (2) the Company, on or before the Delivery Date, shall have sold to certain underwriters (the “Underwriters”) such principal amount of the Securities as is to be sold to them pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement referred to in the Final Prospectus mentioned above. Promptly after completion of such sale to the Underwriters, the Company will mail or deliver to the undersigned at its address set forth below notice to such effect, accompanied by a copy of the opinion of counsel for the Company delivered to the Underwriters in connection therewith. The obligation of the undersigned to take delivery of and make payment for the Securities, and the obligation of the Company to cause the Securities to be sold and delivered, shall not be affected by the failure of any purchaser to take delivery of and make payment for the Securities pursuant to other contracts similar to this contract.
This contract will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors, but will not be assignable by either party hereto without the written consent of the other.
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It is understood that acceptance of this contract and other similar contracts is in the Company’s sole discretion and, without limiting the foregoing, need not be on a first come, first served basis. If this contract is acceptable to the Company, it is required that the Company sign the form of acceptance below and mail or deliver one of the counterparts hereof to the undersigned at its address set forth below. This will become a binding contract between the Company and the undersigned, as of the date first above written, when such counterpart is so mailed or delivered.
This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| (Name of Purchaser) | ||
| By | ||
| (Signature and Title) | ||
| (Address) | ||
Accepted:
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
| By |
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Exhibit 1.2
EXECUTION VERSION
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
$4,750,000,000
Debt Securities
$1,000,000,000 4.650% Notes due 2028
$1,000,000,000 4.800% Notes due 2030
$850,000,000 5.000% Notes due 2032
$900,000,000 5.200% Notes due 2035
$1,000,000,000 5.700% Notes due 2055
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
New York, New York
Dated as of February 5, 2025
To the Representatives named in Schedule I hereto
of the Underwriters named in Schedule II hereto
Ladies and Gentlemen:
International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), proposes to sell to the underwriters named in Schedule II hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you are acting as representatives (the “Representatives”), the principal amount of its Securities identified in Schedule I hereto (the “Securities”), to be issued under an indenture dated as of October 1, 1993 (the “Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995. If the firm or firms listed in Schedule II hereto include only the firm or firms listed in Schedule I hereto, then the terms “Underwriters” and “Representatives”, as used herein shall each be deemed to refer to such firm or firms.
1. Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with each Underwriter that:
(a) The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) and has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) an automatic shelf registration statement as defined in Rule 405 (the file number of which is set forth in Schedule I hereto), including a related basic prospectus, on such Form for the registration under the Act of the offering and sale of the Securities. Such Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto filed prior to the Execution Time, became effective upon filing. The Company may have filed with the Commission as part of an amendment to the Registration Statement or pursuant to Rule 424(b) one or more preliminary prospectus supplements relating to the Securities, each of which has previously been furnished to you. The Company will file with the Commission a final prospectus supplement relating to the Securities in accordance with Rule 424(b). As filed, such final prospectus supplement shall include all information required by the Act and the rules thereunder, and, except to the extent the Representatives shall agree in writing to a modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to you prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional information and other changes (beyond that contained in the Basic Prospectus and any Preliminary Final Prospectus) as the Company has advised you, prior to the Execution Time, will be included or made therein. If the Registration Statement contains the undertaking specified by Regulation S-K Item 512(a), the Registration Statement, at the Execution Time, meets the requirements set forth in Rule 415(a)(1)(x).
The terms which follow, when used in this Agreement, shall have the meanings indicated. The term the “Effective Date” shall mean each date that the Registration Statement and any post- effective amendment or amendments thereto became or become effective. “Execution Time” shall mean the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto. “Basic Prospectus” shall mean the basic prospectus relating to the Registration Statement to be used in connection with offering the Securities. “Final Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus supplement relating to the Securities and containing the final terms of the Securities that is first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) after the Execution Time, together with the Basic Prospectus. “Registration Statement” shall mean the registration statement referred to in the preceding paragraph, including incorporated documents, exhibits and financial statements and any prospectus supplement relating to the Securities that is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and deemed part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B, in the form in which it or they has or have or shall become effective and, in the event any post-effective amendment thereto becomes effective prior to the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), shall also mean such registration statement or statements as so amended. “Rule 433”, “Rule 415”, “Rule 424”, “Rule 430B” and “Regulation S-K” refer to such rules under the Act. “Disclosure Package” shall mean (i) the Basic Prospectus, as amended and supplemented (including any preliminary prospectus supplement issued before the Execution Time relating to the Securities) to the Execution Time, (ii) the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule III hereto, and (iii) any other Free Writing Prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Disclosure Package. “Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean a free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405. “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433. “Preliminary Final Prospectus” shall mean any preliminary prospectus supplement to the Basic Prospectus which describes the Securities and the offering thereof and is used prior to filing of the Final Prospectus, together with the Basic Prospectus. Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, a Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 which were filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) on or before the effective date of the Registration Statement or the date of such Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference herein to the terms “amend”, “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Exchange Act after the effective date of the Registration Statement, or the date of any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be, deemed to be incorporated therein by reference.
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(b) On the Effective Date and at the Execution Time, the Registration Statement did, and when the Final Prospectus is first filed (if required) in accordance with Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date, the Final Prospectus (and any supplements thereto) will, comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act and the respective rules thereunder; on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date the Indenture did or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”) and the rules thereunder; on the Effective Date and at the Execution Time, the Registration Statement did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and, on the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date, the Final Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to (i) that part of the Registration Statement which shall constitute the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee or (ii) the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any supplement thereto).
(c) At the Execution Time, the Disclosure Package, when taken together as a whole, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Disclosure Package based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7 hereof.
(d) At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2)) of the Securities, the Company was not and is not an Ineligible Issuer (as defined in Rule 405), without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an Ineligible Issuer.
(e) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 4(A)(g) hereto do not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, including any document incorporated therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Disclosure Package based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7 hereof.
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(f) (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement, (ii) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), and (iii) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c)) made any offer relating to the Securities in reliance on the exemption in Rule 163, the Company was or is (as the case may be) a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405. The Company agrees to pay the fees required by the Commission relating to the Securities within the time required by Rule 456(b)(1) without regard to the proviso therein and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r).
2. Purchase and Sale. Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the purchase price set forth in Schedule I hereto, the respective principal amounts of the Securities set forth opposite each respective Underwriter’s name in Schedule II hereto, except that, if Schedule I hereto provides for the sale of Securities pursuant to delayed delivery arrangements, the respective principal amounts of Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters shall be as set forth in Schedule II hereto, less the respective amounts of Contract Securities determined as provided below. Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters are herein sometimes called the “Underwriters’ Securities” and Securities to be purchased pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts as hereinafter provided are herein called “Contract Securities”.
If so provided in Schedule I hereto, the Underwriters are authorized to solicit offers to purchase Securities from the Company pursuant to delayed delivery contracts (“Delayed Delivery Contracts”), substantially in the form of Schedule IV hereto but with such changes therein as the Company may authorize or approve. The Underwriters will endeavor to make such arrangements and, as compensation therefor, the Company will pay to the Representatives, for the account of underwriters, on the Closing Date, the percentage set forth in Schedule I hereto of the principal amount of the Securities for which Delayed Delivery Contracts are made. Delayed Delivery Contracts are to be with institutional investors, including commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. The Company will make Delayed Delivery Contracts in all cases where sales of Contract Securities arranged by the Underwriters have been approved by the Company but, except as the Company may otherwise agree, each such Delayed Delivery Contract must be for not less than the minimum principal amount set forth in Schedule I hereto and the aggregate principal amount of Contract Securities may not exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount set forth in Schedule I hereto. The Underwriters will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of Delayed Delivery Contracts. The principal amount of Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter as set forth in Schedule II hereto shall be reduced by an amount which shall bear the same proportion to the total principal amount of Contract Securities as the principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the aggregate principal amount set forth in Schedule II hereto, except to the extent that you determine that such reduction shall be otherwise than in such proportion and so advise the Company in writing; provided, however, that the total principal amount of Securities to be purchased by all Underwriters shall be the aggregate principal amount set forth in Schedule II hereto, less the aggregate principal amount of Contract Securities.
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3. Delivery and Payment. Delivery of and payment for the Underwriters’ Securities shall be made at the office, on the date and at the time specified in Schedule I hereto, which date and time may be postponed by agreement between the Representatives and the Company or as provided in Section 8 hereof (such date and time of delivery and payment for the Securities being called the “Closing Date”). Delivery of the Underwriters’ Securities shall be made to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representatives of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the Company by certified or official bank check or checks payable, or wire transfers, in immediately available funds. The Securities shall be delivered in definitive global form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company.
4. Agreements.
(A) The Company agrees with the several Underwriters that:
(a) The Company will file the Final Prospectus, properly completed, pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the time period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the Representatives of such timely filing. The Company will promptly advise the Representatives (i) when any amendment to the Registration Statement relating to the Securities shall have become effective, (ii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment of the Registration Statement or amendment of or supplement to the Final Prospectus or for any additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any notice that would prevent its use or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. The Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and, if issued, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof. The Company will not file any amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement to the Final Prospectus unless the Company has furnished you a copy for your review prior to filing and will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object.
(b) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), any event occurs as a result of which the Final Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Final Prospectus to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act or the respective rules thereunder, the Company will give the Representatives immediate notice of the occurrence of such event and promptly will prepare and file with the Commission, subject to the first sentence of paragraph (a) of this Section 4, an amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or omission or an amendment which will effect such compliance.
(c) The Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Representatives as soon as practicable, but not later than 45 days after the end of the 12-month period beginning at the end of the current fiscal quarter of the Company, an earning statement (which need not be audited) of the Company and its subsidiaries, covering a period of at least 12 months beginning after the end of the current fiscal quarter of the Company, which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158 thereunder.
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(d) The Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and each amendment thereto which shall become effective on or prior to the Closing Date and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by an Underwriter or dealer may be required by the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), as many copies of any Preliminary Final Prospectus and the Final Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any amendments thereof and supplements thereto as the Representatives may reasonably request.
(e) The Company will arrange for the qualification of the Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate, will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities and will arrange for the determination of the legality of the Securities for purchase by institutional investors.
(f) Until the earlier of the day on which the distribution of the Securities is completed or the business day following the Closing Date, the Company will not, without the consent of the Representatives, offer or sell, or announce the offering of, any United States dollar denominated debt securities covered by the Registration Statement or any other registration statement filed under the Act.
(g) To prepare a final term sheet, containing solely a description of the Securities, in a form approved by you and to file such term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) within the time required by such Rule.
(h) If there occurs an event or development as a result of which the Disclosure Package would include an untrue statement of a material fact or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then prevailing, not misleading, the Company will notify promptly the Representatives so that any use of the Disclosure Package may cease until it is amended or supplemented.
(i) The Company agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433, other than the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 4(A)(g) hereto; provided that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule III hereto. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representatives is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company agrees that (x) it has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (y) it has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.
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(B) The several Underwriters agree with the Company that:
(a) The Representatives will pay the expenses of printing and distributing all documents relating to the offering.
(b) The Representatives will pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of outside counsel for the Company and the Underwriters relating to the offering.
(c) The Representatives will pay any fees of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s), Fitch Ratings Inc. (“Fitch”) and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) relating to the rating of the Securities.
(d) The Representatives will pay the fees and disbursements of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP relating to the preparation of the letter required by Section 5(e) of this Agreement.
(e) The Representatives will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee.
(f) The Representatives will pay any and all fees associated with listing the Securities on any United States or foreign securities exchange.
(g) The Representatives will pay any and all travel expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the offering of the Securities.
(h) The Representatives will pay any and all other miscellaneous expenses and/or taxes associated with the offering.
(i) Each Underwriter agrees to furnish the Company with a copy of each proposed Free Writing Prospectus to be prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter before its first use and not to use any Free Writing Prospectus, to which the Company reasonably objects, provided, however, that without consent of the Company each Underwriter may use the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 4(A)(g) hereto and one or more preliminary term sheets relating to the Securities containing customary information.
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5. Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Underwriters’ Securities shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company contained herein as of the Execution Time, as of the date of the effectiveness of any amendment to the Registration Statement filed prior to the Closing Date (including the filing of any document incorporated by reference therein) and as of the Closing Date, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:
(a) The Final Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, have been filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); the final term sheet contemplated by Section 4(A)(g) hereto, and any other material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings by Rule 433; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, or any notice that would prevent its use shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or threatened.
(b) The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives:
(i) the opinion of the General Counsel, an Assistant General Counsel, an Associate General Counsel or other senior counsel of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:
(A) the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of New York, with full corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction within the United States which requires such qualifications wherein it owns or leases material properties or conducts material business;
(B) the Securities conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus;
(C) the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and the Securities have been duly authorized and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, in the case of the Underwriters’ Securities, or by the purchasers thereof pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts, in the case of any Contract Securities, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect);
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(D) to the best knowledge of such counsel, there is no pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, of a character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement which is not adequately disclosed in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, and there is no franchise, contract or other document of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or Final Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit, which is not described or filed as required;
(E) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto have become effective under the Act; any required filing of the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus and the Final Prospectus, and any supplements thereto, pursuant to Rule 424(b) has been made in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); to the best knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, as amended, or any notice that would prevent its use, has been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or contemplated under the Act;
(F) this Agreement and any Delayed Delivery Contracts have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;
(G) no authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to, consent of, order of, or filing with, any United States Federal or New York governmental authority or regulatory body is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or in any Delayed Delivery Contracts, except such as have been obtained under the Act and such as may be required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities and such other approvals (specified in such opinion) as have been obtained;
(H) such counsel has no reason to believe that (1) the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus (except the financial statements and the notes thereto and other information of an accounting or financial nature included therein, and the Statement of Eligibility (Form T-1) included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, as to which such counsel need express no view) were not appropriately responsive in all material respects to requirements of the Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder or (2) the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof at the time it became effective or at the Execution Time contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that the Final Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, either as of its date or the Closing Date contains or contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (in each case except for the financial statements and the notes thereto and other information of an accounting or financial nature included therein, as to which such counsel need express no view);
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(I) none of the issue and sale of the Securities, the consummation of any other of the transactions herein contemplated or the fulfillment of the terms hereof or of any Delayed Delivery Contracts will conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, the charter or by-laws of the Company or the terms of any indenture or other agreement or instrument known to such counsel and to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or bound, or any decree or regulation known to such counsel to be applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and
(J) such counsel has no reason to believe that the Disclosure Package, at the Execution Time, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
The statements described in one or more of paragraphs (B), (C), (E), (F), (G), (H) and (J) of this subsection 5(b)(i) may be omitted from the opinion of such counsel; provided, however, that in such event the Company shall also have furnished to the Representatives the corresponding opinion or letter of Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, counsel for the Company, described in subsection 5(b)(ii) or 5(b)(iii) immediately following.
(ii) in the event that the statements described in one or more of paragraphs (B), (C), (E), (F) or (G) of foregoing subsection 5(b)(i) is omitted from the opinion delivered pursuant to such subsection, the opinion of Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect of the statements so omitted.
In rendering such opinions, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the general corporation law of the State of Delaware or the United States, to the extent they deem proper and specified in such opinion, upon the opinion of other counsel of good standing whom they believe to be reliable and who are satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters; and (B) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials.
(iii) in the event that the statements in paragraph (H) or (J) of subsection 5(b)(i) are omitted from the opinion provided pursuant to such subsection, a letter of Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP dated the Closing Date to the effect that, having participated in conferences with certain officers of, and with the accountants for, the Company and having made certain inquiries and investigations in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, such counsel has no reason to believe that (i) the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus (except the financial statements and the notes thereto and other information of an accounting or financial nature included therein, and the Statement of Eligibility (Form T-1) included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, as to which such counsel need express no view) were not appropriately responsive in all material respects with requirements of the Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder or (ii) the Registration Statement at the Effective Date or the Execution Time contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, the Disclosure Package at the Execution Time contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or the Final Prospectus, either as of its date or on the Closing Date, includes any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (in each case except for the financial statements and the notes thereto and other information of an accounting or financial nature included therein, as to which such counsel need express no view).
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(c) The Representatives shall have received from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Securities, the Indenture, any Delayed Delivery Contracts, the Registration Statement, the Final Prospectus, Disclosure Package and other related matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.
(d) The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a certificate of the Company, signed by the principal financial or accounting officer (or Vice President and Treasurer) of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the signer of such certificate has carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus and any supplements or amendments thereto and this Agreement and that:
(i) the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date and the Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date;
(ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, as amended, or any notice that would prevent its use has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened; and
(iii) since the date of the most recent financial statements included or incorporated in the Disclosure Package or the Final Prospectus, there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.
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(e) At the Closing Date, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter or letters with respect to the consolidated financial statements and certain financial information of the Company (which may refer to a letter previously delivered to one or more of the Representatives), dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, confirming that they are independent accountants within the meaning of the Act and the Exchange Act and the respective applicable published rules and regulations thereunder, that the response, if any, to Item 10 of the Registration Statement is correct insofar as it relates to them and stating in effect that:
(i) in their opinion the audited financial statements and schedules thereto included or incorporated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and reported on by them comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Exchange Act and the published rules and regulations thereunder with respect to financial statements and financial statement schedules included or incorporated in annual reports on Form 10-K under the Exchange Act;
(ii) on the basis of a reading of the unaudited financial statements included or incorporated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and of the latest unaudited financial statements made available by the Company and its subsidiaries; carrying out certain specified procedures (but not an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards) which would not necessarily reveal matters of significance with respect to the comments set forth in such letter; a reading of the minutes of the meetings of the stockholders, directors and executive committees of the Company and the subsidiaries since the date of the latest audited balance sheet, through a specified date not more than five business days prior to the date of the letter; and inquiries of certain officials of the Company who have responsibility for financial and accounting matters of the Company and its subsidiaries as to transactions and events subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statements incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus, nothing came to their attention which caused them to believe that:
(1) any unaudited financial statements included or incorporated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus do not comply as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the Commission with respect to financial statements included or incorporated in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act; and said unaudited financial statements are not stated on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited financial statements included or incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus;
(2) with respect to the period subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statements incorporated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there were, at a specified date not more than five business days prior to the date of the letter, any increases in long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries or decreases in the capital stock of the Company or decreases in the stockholders’ equity of the Company and its subsidiaries as compared with the amounts shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet included or incorporated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, except in all instances for increases or decreases set forth in such letter, in which case the letter shall be accompanied by an explanation by the Company as to the significance thereof unless said explanation is not deemed necessary by the Representatives; and
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(iii) they have performed certain other procedures as a result of which they determined that the information described in a schedule to be delivered on behalf of the Underwriters of an accounting, financial or statistical nature (which is limited to accounting, financial or statistical information derived from the general ledger of the Company) set forth in the Registration Statement, as amended, the Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, and in Exhibit 12 to the Registration Statement (including selected accounting, financial or statistical information included or incorporated in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated in the Final Prospectus or any of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated therein), agrees with the general ledger of the Company and its subsidiaries, excluding any questions of legal interpretation.
References to the Final Prospectus in this paragraph (e) include any supplements thereto at the date of the letter.
(f) Subsequent to the respective dates of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, there shall not have been (i) any change or decrease specified in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (e) of this Section 5 or (ii) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, is, in the judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.
(g) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further information, certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.
(h) The Company shall have accepted Delayed Delivery Contracts in any case where sales of Contract Securities arranged by the Underwriters have been approved by the Company.
(i) Subsequent to the Execution Time, there shall not have been any decrease in the ratings of any of the Securities by Moody’s, Fitch or S&P and neither Moody’s nor Fitch nor S&P shall have publicly announced that it has placed any of the Securities on a credit watch with negative implications.
If any of the conditions specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled in all material respects when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and their counsel, this Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representatives. Notice of such cancelation shall be given to the Company in writing or by telephone or telegraph confirmed in writing.
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6. Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses. If the sale of the Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 5 hereof is not satisfied or because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a default by any of the Underwriters, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters severally upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that shall have been incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.
7. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement for the registration of the Securities as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred, as incurred, by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use in connection with the preparation thereof. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.
(b) Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use in the preparation of the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have. The Company acknowledges that the statements set forth in the last paragraph of the cover page of the Final Prospectus and under the heading “Underwriting” or “Plan of Distribution” and, if Schedule I hereto provides for sales of Securities pursuant to delayed delivery arrangements, in the last sentence under the heading “Delayed Delivery Arrangements” in any Preliminary Final Prospectus and the Final Prospectus, constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the several Underwriters for inclusion in the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and you, as the Representatives, confirm that such statements are correct.
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(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 7, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 7. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to appoint counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party to represent the indemnified party in such action; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to defend such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to appoint counsel to defend such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 7 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel), approved by the Representatives in the case of paragraph (a) of this Section 7, representing the indemnified parties under such paragraph (a) who are parties to such action), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party; and except that, if clause (i) or (iii) is applicable, such liability shall be only in respect of the counsel referred to in such clause (i) or (iii).
(d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in paragraph (a) of this Section 7 is due in accordance with its terms but is for any reason held by a court to be unavailable from the Company on grounds of policy or otherwise, the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending same) to which the Company and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject in such proportion so that the Underwriters are responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the underwriting discount bears to the sum of such discount and the purchase price of the Securities set forth on Schedule I hereto and the Company is responsible for the balance; provided, however, that (y) in no case shall any Underwriter (except as may be provided in any agreement among underwriters relating to the offering of the Securities) be responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter hereunder and (z) no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 7, each person who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to clauses (y) and (z) of this paragraph (d). Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties under this paragraph (d), notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission to so notify such party or parties shall not relieve the party or parties from whom contribution may be sought from any other obligation it or they may have hereunder or otherwise than under this paragraph (d).
15
8. Default by an Underwriter. If any one or more Underwriters shall fail to purchase and pay for any of the Securities agreed to be purchased by such Underwriter or Underwriters hereunder and such failure to purchase shall constitute a default in the performance of its or their obligations under this Agreement, the remaining Underwriters shall be obligated severally to take up and pay for (in the respective proportions which the amount of Securities set forth opposite their names in Schedule II hereto bears to the aggregate amount of Securities set forth opposite the names of all the remaining Underwriters) the Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided, however, that in the event that the aggregate amount of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase shall exceed 10% of the aggregate amount of Securities set forth in Schedule II hereto, the remaining Underwriters shall have the right to purchase all, but shall not be under any obligation to purchase any, of the Securities, and if such nondefaulting Underwriters do not purchase all the Securities, this Agreement will terminate without liability to any nondefaulting Underwriter or the Company. In the event of a default by any Underwriter as set forth in this Section 8, the Closing Date shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding seven days, as the Representatives shall determine in order that the required changes in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the Company and any nondefaulting Underwriter for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.
9. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes. (a) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
(b) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
(c) For purposes of this Section 9:
16
“BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).
“Covered Entity” means any of the following:
(i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);
(ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or
(iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
10. Termination. This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice given to the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities, if prior to such time (i) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such Exchange, (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by Federal or New York State authorities or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or material escalation of hostilities or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on the financial markets of the United States is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable to market the Securities.
11. Representations and Indemnities to Survive. The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or the Company or any of the officers, directors or controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. The provisions of Sections 6 and 7 hereof shall survive the termination or cancelation of this Agreement.
12. Notices. All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Representatives, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to them, at the address specified in Schedule I hereto; or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to it, at Armonk, New York 10504; attention of the Treasurer.
13. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.
17
14. Applicable Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
15. Arms-Length Transaction. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other, (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction each Underwriter is acting solely as a principal and not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, (iii) no Underwriter has assumed an advisory of fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) or any other obligation to the Company except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement and (iv) the Company has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate. The Company agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriters, or any of them, has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Company, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.
16. Submission to Jurisdiction. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any New York State court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York or any federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York in respect of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Basic Prospectus, the Final Prospectus or the offering of the Securities, and irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts. To the extent that the Company has or hereafter may acquire any immunity (on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise) from the jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process with respect to itself or its property, the Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, such immunity in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding.
17. Waiver of Jury Trial. The Company and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
[signatures follow]
18
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the Company and the several Underwriters.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Mark Hobbert | |
| Name: Mark Hobbert | ||
| Title: Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | ||
[Signature Page to UA - USD]
The foregoing Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted on the
date specified in Schedule I hereto.
For themselves and the other several
Underwriters, if any, named in
Schedule II to the foregoing Agreement.
BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP.
BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
SANTANDER US CAPITAL MARKETS LLC
SG AMERICAS SECURITIES, LLC
SMBC NIKKO SECURITIES AMERICA, INC.
U.S. BANCORP INVESTMENTS, INC.
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
[Signature Page to UA - USD]
| By: BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP. | |||
| By: | /s/ Rafael Ribeiro | ||
| Name: | Rafael Ribeiro | ||
| Title: | Managing Director | ||
[Signature Page to UA - USD]
| By: BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Matt Gannon | ||
| Name: | Matt Gannon | ||
| Title: | Managing Director | ||
[Signature Page to UA - USD]
| By: | DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ John Han | ||
| Name: | John Han | ||
| Title: | Managing Director | ||
| By: | DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC. | |
| By: | /s/ Ritu Ketkar | ||
| Name: | Ritu Ketkar | ||
| Title: | Managing Director | ||
[Signature Page to UA - USD]
| By: | RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Scott Primrose | ||
| Name: | Scott Primrose | ||
| Title: | Authorized Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to UA - USD]
| By: | SANTANDER US CAPITAL MARKETS LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Richard Zobkiw | ||
| Name: | Richard Zobkiw | ||
| Title: | Executive Director | ||
[Signature Page to UA - USD]
| By: | SG AMERICAS SECURITIES, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael Shapiro | ||
| Name: | Michael Shapiro | ||
| Title: | Head of Debt Capital Markets | ||
[Signature Page to UA - USD]
| By: | SMBC NIKKO SECURITIES AMERICA, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Thomas Bausano | ||
| Name: | Thomas Bausano | ||
| Title: | Managing Director, Head of Capital Markets | ||
[Signature Page to UA - USD]
| By: | U.S. BANCORP INVESTMENTS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Kyle Stegemeyer | ||
| Name: | Kyle Stegemeyer | ||
| Title: | Managing Director | ||
[Signature Page to UA - USD]
| By: | WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Carolyn Hurley | ||
| Name: | Carolyn Hurley | ||
| Title: | Managing Director | ||
[Signature Page to UA - USD]
SCHEDULE I
Underwriting Agreement dated February 5, 2025
Registration No. 333-276739
Representatives:
BNP Paribas Securities Corp.
787 Seventh Avenue, 7th Floor
New York, New York 10019
Attn: Debt Syndicate
Email: DL.US.Syndicate.Support@us.bnpparibas.com
Barclays Capital Inc.
745 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Attn: Syndicate Registration
Fax: 646-834-8133
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
1 Columbus Circle
New York, New York 10019
Attn: Debt Capital Markets Syndicate with a copy to the same address to General Counsel
Email: dbcapmarkets.gcnotices@list.db.com
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Brookfield Place, 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor
New York, New York 10281
Attn: DCM Transaction Management/Scott Primrose
Email: TMGUS@rbccm.com
Tel: 212-618-7706
Santander US Capital Markets LLC
437 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attn: Debt Capital Markets
Fax: 212-407-0930
Email: DCMAmericas@santander.us
SG Americas Securities, LLC
245 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10167
Attn: High Grade Syndicate Desk
Tel: 212-278-7631
Fax: 212-278-6803
I-1
SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc.
277 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10172
Attn: Debt Capital Markets
Tel: 212-224-5135
Email: prospectus@smbcnikko-si.com
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
214 N. Tryon St., 26th Floor
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
Attn: Investment Grade Syndicate
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
550 South Tryon Street, 5th Floor
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
Attn: Transaction Management
Email: tmgcapitalmarkets@wellsfargo.com
Title, Purchase Price and Description of Securities:
| Title: | 4.650% Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) | |
| 4.800% Notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”) | ||
| 5.000% Notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes”) | ||
| 5.200% Notes due 2035 (the “2035 Notes”) | ||
| 5.700% Notes due 2055 (the “2055 Notes”) |
| Principal amount: | 2028 Notes: | $1,000,000,000 | |
| 2030 Notes: | $1,000,000,000 | ||
| 2032 Notes: | $850,000,000 | ||
| 2035 Notes: | $900,000,000 | ||
| 2055 Notes: | $1,000,000,000 |
| Purchase price: | 2028 Notes: 99.886% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025 | |
| 2030 Notes: 99.580% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025 | ||
| 2032 Notes: 99.467% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025 | ||
| 2035 Notes: 99.334% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025 | ||
| 2055 Notes: 99.250% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025 | ||
I-2
| Offering price: | 2028 Notes: 99.986% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025 | |
| 2030 Notes: 99.780% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025 | ||
| 2032 Notes: 99.767% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025 | ||
| 2035 Notes: 99.784% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025 | ||
| 2055 Notes: 99.900% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued interest from and including February 10, 2025 | ||
| Interest: | 2028 Notes Payable on February 10 and August 10 of each year, commencing on August 10, 2025 | |
| 2030 Notes Payable on February 10 and August 10 of each year, commencing on August 10, 2025 | ||
| 2032 Notes Payable on February 10 and August 10 of each year, commencing on August 10, 2025 | ||
| 2035 Notes Payable on February 10 and August 10 of each year, commencing on August 10, 2025 | ||
| 2055 Notes Payable on February 10 and August 10 of each year, commencing on August 10, 2025 |
Sinking fund provisions: None.
Redemption provisions: The Securities are redeemable in whole or in part at the option of the Company, as set forth in the prospectus supplement dated the date of this Agreement.
Closing Date, Time and Location: February 10, 2025, 10:00 A.M. (New York City time), at the offices of Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York.
Delayed Delivery Arrangements: None.
Items specified pursuant to Section 5(e)(iii) to be covered by the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP delivered pursuant to Section 5(e): The unaudited capsule information in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.
I-3
Other Terms:
1. Section 4(B)(a) - (h) are deleted.
2. Each of the Underwriters agrees that it will not offer, sell, or deliver any of the Securities, directly or indirectly, or distribute the prospectus supplement or prospectus or any other offering material relating to the Securities, in or from any jurisdiction except under circumstances that will, to the best of the Underwriters’ knowledge and belief, result in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations and which will not impose any obligations on the Company.
The Underwriters also agree to abide by the following offering restrictions:
Prohibition of Sales to European Economic Area (“EEA”) Retail Investors
Each Underwriter represents and agrees that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Securities to any retail investor in the EEA. For the purposes of this provision:
(a) the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following:
(i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or
(ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or
(iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended; and
(b) the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Securities.
Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
Prohibition of Sales to United Kingdom (“U.K.”) Retail Investors
Each Underwriter represents and agrees that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Securities to any retail investor in the U.K. For the purposes of this provision:
(a) the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following:
I-4
(i) a retail client as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No. 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“EUWA”); or
(ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, “FSMA”), and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No. 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or
(iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; and
(b) the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Securities.
Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “U.K. PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the U.K. has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the U.K. may be unlawful under the U.K. PRIIPs Regulation.
Each Underwriter represents and agrees that it and each of its affiliates:
(a) has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Securities in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Company; and
(b) has complied with, and will comply with, all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Securities in, from or otherwise involving the U.K.
3. The last sentence of Section 7(b) shall be deleted and replaced by the following text:
The Company acknowledges that the statements set forth in the last paragraph of the cover page of the Preliminary Final Prospectus and the Final Prospectus, the sentence “The underwriters have informed IBM that they intend to make a market in the Notes but are under no obligation to do so and such market making may be terminated at any time without notice.” and the statements contained in the fourth paragraph, seventh through ninth paragraphs and the first, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh sentences of the tenth paragraph under the caption “Underwriting” in the Preliminary Final Prospectus and the Final Prospectus constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the several Underwriters for inclusion in the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, and you, as the Representatives, confirm that such statements are correct.
I-5
4. The following shall be an additional condition added to Section 5:
The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives the opinion of Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date to the effect that the statements under the caption “United States Taxation” in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus constitute a fair presentation of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders of Securities.
5. For purposes of Section 8, the 2028 Notes, the 2030 Notes, the 2032 Notes, the 2035 Notes and the 2055 Notes shall be treated as five separate series of Securities, and Section 8 shall apply to each series as if this Underwriting Agreement applied solely to such series.
6. The following shall be a new Section 18:
18. Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties hereto in any number of counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
I-6
SCHEDULE II
$4,750,000,000
International Business Machines Corporation
$1,000,000,000 4.650% Notes due 2028
$1,000,000,000 4.800% Notes due 2030
$850,000,000 5.000% Notes due 2032
$900,000,000 5.200% Notes due 2035
$1,000,000,000 5.700% Notes due 2055
| Underwriters | Principal Amount of 2028 Notes to be Purchased | Principal Amount of 2030 Notes to be Purchased | Principal Amount of 2032 Notes to be Purchased | Principal Amount of 2035 Notes to be Purchased | Principal Amount of 2055 Notes to be Purchased | |||||||||||||||
| BNP Paribas Securities Corp. | $ | 100,000,000 | $ | 100,000,000 | $ | 85,000,000 | $ | 90,000,000 | $ | 100,000,000 | ||||||||||
| Barclays Capital Inc. | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 85,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 100,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 85,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 100,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| RBC Capital Markets, LLC | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 85,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 100,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Santander US Capital Markets LLC | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 85,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 100,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| SG Americas Securities, LLC | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 85,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 100,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 85,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 100,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 85,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 100,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. | 100,000,000 | 100,000,000 | 85,000,000 | 90,000,000 | 100,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
| BBVA Securities Inc. | 12,500,000 | 12,500,000 | 10,625,000 | 11,250,000 | 12,500,000 | |||||||||||||||
| CIBC World Markets Corp. | 12,500,000 | 12,500,000 | 10,625,000 | 11,250,000 | 12,500,000 | |||||||||||||||
| ING Financial Markets LLC | 12,500,000 | 12,500,000 | 10,625,000 | 11,250,000 | 12,500,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Mizuho Securities USA LLC | 12,500,000 | 12,500,000 | 10,625,000 | 11,250,000 | 12,500,000 | |||||||||||||||
| MUFG Securities Americas Inc. | 12,500,000 | 12,500,000 | 10,625,000 | 11,250,000 | 12,500,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. | 12,500,000 | 12,500,000 | 10,625,000 | 11,250,000 | 12,500,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Academy Securities, Inc. | 6,250,000 | 6,250,000 | 5,312,500 | 5,625,000 | 6,250,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Bancroft Capital, LLC | 6,250,000 | 6,250,000 | 5,312,500 | 5,625,000 | 6,250,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc. | 6,250,000 | 6,250,000 | 5,312,500 | 5,625,000 | 6,250,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC | 6,250,000 | 6,250,000 | 5,312,500 | 5,625,000 | 6,250,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,000,000,000 | $ | 1,000,000,000 | $ | 850,000,000 | $ | 900,000,000 | $ | 1,000,000,000 | ||||||||||
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SCHEDULE III
Schedule of Free Writing Prospectuses included in the Disclosure Package
Pricing Term Sheet dated February 5, 2025, as filed pursuant to Rule 433.
III-1
SCHEDULE IV
Delayed Delivery Contract
[Insert names and addresses
of lead Representatives]
, 20
Dear Sir/Madam:
The undersigned hereby agrees to purchase from International Business Machines Corporation (the “Company”), and the Company agrees to sell to the undersigned, on , 20__, (the “Delivery Date”), $ principal amount of the Company’s (the “Securities”) offered by the Company’s Final Prospectus dated , 20__, receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged, at a purchase price of % of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued , if any, thereon from , 20__, to the date of payment and delivery, and on the further terms and conditions set forth in this contract.
Payment for the Securities to be purchased by the undersigned shall be made on or before 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the Delivery Date to or upon the order of the Company in New York Clearing House (next day) funds, at your office or at such other place as shall be agreed between the Company and the undersigned upon delivery to the undersigned of the Securities in definitive, fully registered form and in such authorized denominations and registered in such names as the undersigned may request by written or telegraphic communication addressed to the Company not less than five full business days prior to the Delivery Date. If no request is received, the Securities will be registered in the name of the undersigned and issued in a denomination equal to the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be purchased by the undersigned on the Delivery Date.
The obligation of the undersigned to take delivery of and make payment for Securities on the Delivery Date, and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver Securities on the Delivery Date, shall be subject to the conditions (and neither party shall incur any liability by reason of the failure thereof) that (1) the purchase of Securities to be made by the undersigned, which purchase the undersigned represents is not prohibited on the date hereof, shall not on the Delivery Date be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which the undersigned is subject, and (2) the Company, on or before the Delivery Date, shall have sold to certain underwriters (the “Underwriters”) such principal amount of the Securities as is to be sold to them pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement referred to in the Final Prospectus mentioned above. Promptly after completion of such sale to the Underwriters, the Company will mail or deliver to the undersigned at its address set forth below notice to such effect, accompanied by a copy of the opinion of counsel for the Company delivered to the Underwriters in connection therewith. The obligation of the undersigned to take delivery of and make payment for the Securities, and the obligation of the Company to cause the Securities to be sold and delivered, shall not be affected by the failure of any purchaser to take delivery of and make payment for the Securities pursuant to other contracts similar to this contract.
IV-1
This contract will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors, but will not be assignable by either party hereto without the written consent of the other.
It is understood that acceptance of this contract and other similar contracts is in the Company’s sole discretion and, without limiting the foregoing, need not be on a first come, first served basis. If this contract is acceptable to the Company, it is required that the Company sign the form of acceptance below and mail or deliver one of the counterparts hereof to the undersigned at its address set forth below. This will become a binding contract between the Company and the undersigned, as of the date first above written, when such counterpart is so mailed or delivered.
This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
| Very truly yours, | ||
| (Name of Purchaser) | ||
| By | ||
| (Signature and Title) | ||
| (Address) | ||
Accepted:
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
CORPORATION
| By |
IV-2
Exhibit 4.1
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., or its successor, as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”, and together with Euroclear, “Euroclear/Clearstream”), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of Euroclear/Clearstream (and any payment is made to The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of Euroclear/Clearstream), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, has an interest herein.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
2.900% Note due 2030
ISIN XS2999658136
COMMON CODE 299965813
CUSIP 459200 LL3
No.: I-1
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, or registered assigns, the principal sum as set forth in the attached Schedule of Increases and Decreases, at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose, on February 10, 2030, in such coin or currency of the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted or that adopt the single currency in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the Treaty on European Union as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, annually on February 10 of each year, commencing February 10, 2026, on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate of 2.900% per annum, from the February 10 next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid, unless the date hereof is a date to which interest has been paid, in which case from the date of this Note, or unless no interest has been paid on the Notes (as defined on the reverse hereof), in which case from February 10, 2025, until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the date hereof is after the record date (as defined below) and before the following February 10, this Note shall bear interest from such February 10; provided, however, that if the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on February 10, then this Note shall bear interest from the next preceding February 10 to which interest has been paid, or, if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from February 10, 2025. The interest so payable on February 10 will, subject to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the date (the “record date”) that is the clearing system business day (for these purposes, Monday to Friday inclusive except December 25th and January 1st) immediately preceding each February 10, unless the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted interest, at the option of the Company, may be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest established by notice to the registered holders of Notes not less than ten days preceding such special record date or may be paid in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed. The Company will pay the principal of, interest on and additional amounts, if any, in respect of this Note in immediately available funds. Interest on this Note will be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days in the period for which interest is being calculated and the actual number of days from and including the last date on which interest was paid on this Note (or February 10, 2025 if no interest has been paid on this Note), to but excluding the next scheduled interest payment date. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch will act as paying agent. The Company reserves the right at any time to vary or terminate the appointment of any paying agent, to appoint additional or other paying agents and to approve any change in the office through which any paying agent acts.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
| Dated: February 10, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION | |
| [SEAL] | ||
| by | ||
| by | ||
| TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION | ||
| This is one of the Securities of the Series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture. | ||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee | ||
| by | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to Euro 2030 Note]
This security is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company (hereinafter called the “Securities”), of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued under an indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, duly executed and delivered by the Company to The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995, between the Company and the Trustee, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Indenture”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the respective rights and duties thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Securities. The Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest at different rates, may have different conversion prices (if any), may be subject to different redemption provisions, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided. This Security is one of a series designated as the 2.900% Notes due 2030 of the Company (hereinafter called the “Notes”) issued under the Indenture.
In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof together with interest accrued thereon, if any, may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding of all series to be affected (acting as one class), to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, among other things, (i) change the fixed maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, or the currency of payment of, any Security; (ii) reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof; (iii) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the fixed maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date); (iv) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture; (v) change any obligation of the Company, with respect to outstanding Securities of a series, to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the Indenture for such series; or (vi) modify any of the foregoing provisions or the provisions for the waiver of certain covenants and defaults, except to increase any applicable percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities the consent of the holders of which is required or to provide with respect to any particular series the right to condition the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture as to that series on the consent of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities of such series or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby. It is also provided in the Indenture that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of the series affected. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, if any, and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.
The Indenture permits the Company to Discharge its obligations with respect to the Notes on the 91st day following the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Indenture, which include the deposit with the Trustee of money or Foreign Government Securities or a combination thereof sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal of (including premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes.
If the Company shall, in accordance with Section 901 of the Indenture, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Person named as the “Company” on the face of this Note, all on the terms set forth in the Indenture.
The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of €100,000 and any integral multiple of €1,000 in excess thereof. In the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge, Notes may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for such purpose.
All payments of principal, interest and additional amounts, if any, including payments made upon any redemption of the Notes, will be made in euro. If the euro is unavailable to the Company due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the Company’s control or the euro is no longer used by the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted the euro as their currency or for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, then all payments in respect of this Note will be made in U.S. dollars until such currency is again available to the Company or so used. The amount payable on any date in euro will be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of the most recently available market exchange rate for the euro. Any payment in respect of this Note so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture.
The Company will, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth below, pay as additional interest on this Note such additional amounts as are necessary in order that the net payment by the Company or a paying agent of the principal of and interest on the Notes to a holder who is not a United States person (as defined below), after deduction for any present or future tax, assessment or other governmental charge of the United States or a political subdivision or taxing authority of or in the United States, imposed by withholding with respect to the payment, will not be less than the amount provided in this Note to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the foregoing obligation to pay additional amounts shall not apply:
(1) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld solely by reason of the holder, or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder of the holder if the holder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation, or a person holding a power over an estate or trust administered by a fiduciary holder, being considered as:
(a) being or having been present or engaged in a trade or business in the United States or having had a permanent establishment in the United States;
(b) having a current or former relationship with the United States, including a relationship as a citizen or resident of the United States;
(c) being or having been a personal holding company, a passive foreign investment company or a controlled foreign corporation with respect to the United States or a corporation that has accumulated earnings to avoid United States federal income tax;
(d) being or having been a ‘‘10-percent shareholder’’ of the Company as defined in section 871(h)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or any successor provision; or
(e) being a bank receiving payments on an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business;
(2) to any holder that is not the sole beneficial owner of the Notes, or a portion of the Notes, or that is a fiduciary or partnership, but only to the extent that a beneficiary or settlor with respect to the fiduciary, a beneficial owner or member of the partnership would not have been entitled to the payment of an additional amount had the beneficiary, settlor, beneficial owner or member received directly its beneficial or distributive share of the payment;
(3) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed otherwise or withheld solely by reason of a failure of the holder or any other person to comply with certification, identification or information reporting requirements concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with the United States of the holder or beneficial owner of the Notes, if compliance is required by statute, by regulation of the United States Treasury Department or by an applicable income tax treaty to which the United States is a party as a precondition to exemption from such tax, assessment or other governmental charge;
(4) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed otherwise than by withholding by the Company or a paying agent from the payment;
(5) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld solely by reason of a change in law, regulation or administrative or judicial interpretation that becomes effective more than 15 days after the payment becomes due or is duly provided for, whichever occurs later;
(6) to any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, excise, transfer, wealth or personal property tax or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;
(7) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required to be withheld by any paying agent from any payment of principal of or interest on any Notes, if such payment can be made without such withholding by any other paying agent;
(8) to any taxes that are imposed or withheld pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any amended or successor version of such Sections), any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, any official interpretations thereof or any agreements entered into in connection with the implementation thereof;
(9) with respect to any payment to the extent such payment could have been made without such deduction or withholding if the holder or beneficial owner of the Notes had presented the Notes for payment (where presentation is permitted or required for payment) within 30 days after the date on which such payment became due and payable or date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever is later, except for additional amounts with respect to taxes that would have been imposed had the Holder or beneficial owner presented the Notes for payment within such 30-day period; and
(10) in the case of any combination of items (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (9).
This Note is subject in all cases to any tax, fiscal or other law or regulation or administrative or judicial interpretation applicable to this Note. Except as specifically provided in this Note, the Company shall not be required to make any payment with respect to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by any government or a political subdivision or taxing authority of, or in any government or political subdivision.
As used in this Note, the term “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia) and its territories, possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction, and the term “United States person” means any individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia (other than a partnership that is not treated as a United States person under any applicable Treasury regulations), or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source.
If, as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated under the laws) of the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in the United States), or any change in, or amendments to, an official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings, which change or amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after February 5, 2025, the Company becomes, or based upon a written opinion of independent counsel selected by the Company, will become obligated to pay additional amounts as described above with respect to this Note, then the Company may at its option redeem, in whole, but not in part, this Note on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of its principal amount, together with interest accrued but unpaid on this Note to the date fixed for redemption.
The Notes will be redeemable, as a whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at any time or from time to time, on at least 10 days, but not more than 60 days, prior notice to the holders of the Notes (by mail, electronic delivery or otherwise in accordance with the depositary’s procedures). Prior to the Par Call Date, as defined below, the redemption price for the Notes will be equal to the greater of:
| · | 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed; and | |
| · | the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments, as defined below, discounted, on an annual basis (ACTUAL/ACTUAL (ICMA)) at the Comparable Government Bond Rate, as defined below, plus 15 basis points, |
plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
On and after the Par Call Date, the redemption price for the Notes will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday (1) that is not a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or the City of London are authorized or required by law or executive order to close and (2) on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer system (the TARGET2 system), or any successor thereto, operates.
“Comparable Government Bond Rate” means the yield to maturity, expressed as a percentage (rounded to three decimal places, 0.0005 being rounded upwards), on the third Business Day prior to the date fixed for redemption, of the Comparable Government Bond, as defined below, on the basis of the middle market price of such Comparable Government Bond prevailing at 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Business Day as determined by an Independent Investment Banker, as defined below.
“Comparable Government Bond” with respect to any Comparable Government Bond Rate calculation means a German government bond selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity closest to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed (assuming, for this purpose, that the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities having a maturity closest to such remaining term of the Notes, or if such Independent Investment Banker in its discretion considers that such similar bond is not in issue, such other German government bond as such Independent Investment Banker may, with the advice of three brokers of, and/or market makers in, German government bonds selected by the Company, determine to be appropriate for determining the Comparable Government Bond Rate for the Notes.
“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Bond Dealers, to be appointed by the Company.
“Par Call Date” means January 10, 2030 (one month prior to the maturity date of the Notes).
“Reference Bond Dealer” means each of BNP PARIBAS, Banco Santander, S.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, RBC Europe Limited, SMBC Bank International plc, Société Générale, U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc and Wells Fargo Securities International Limited and their respective successors or a Primary Bond Dealer selected by any of them, and their respective successors; provided however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a broker or dealer of, and/or market maker in, German government bonds (a “Primary Bond Dealer”), the Company will substitute therefor another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a Primary Bond Dealer.
“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to each Note to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related Redemption Date but for such redemption (assuming, for this purpose, that the Notes matured on the Par Call Date); provided however, that, if such Redemption Date is not an interest payment date with respect to such Note, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be deemed to be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such Redemption Date.
The Company will notify the Trustee of the redemption price promptly after the calculation thereof and the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any calculation of the redemption price or of any component thereof.
On and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or any portion thereof called for redemption (unless we default in the payment of the redemption price and accrued and unpaid interest). On or before the Redemption Date, we will deposit with a paying agent (or the Trustee) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed on that date. If fewer than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee by a method the Trustee deems to be fair and appropriate.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Note at the office or agency of the Company for such registration in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for such purpose, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange herefor, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note, as herein provided, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice of the contrary. All payments made to or upon the order of such registered holder shall, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectually satisfy and discharge liability for moneys payable on this Note.
Individual certificates will not be issued in exchange for this Note, except in the limited circumstances set forth in the following sentence or as otherwise provided for in the Indenture. If Euroclear or Clearstream notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with this Note, and in each case we do not appoint a successor clearing system within 90 days after receiving such notice from Euroclear or Clearstream, we will issue or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in this Note upon delivery of this Note for cancellation. If the Company issues definitive Notes, interest on such Notes will be payable either by check mailed to each holder or, upon application by a holder to the registrar not later than the relevant record date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that holder’s account, which application shall remain in effect until the holder notifies the registrar, in writing, to the contrary.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released. Unless otherwise defined in this Note, all terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES
The initial principal amount of this Global Note is €750,000,000. The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
| Date of Exchange | Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Principal amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase | Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee or Securities Custodian |
Exhibit 4.2
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., or its successor, as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”, and together with Euroclear, “Euroclear/Clearstream”), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of Euroclear/Clearstream (and any payment is made to The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of Euroclear/Clearstream), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, has an interest herein.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
3.150% Note due 2033
ISIN XS2999658565
COMMON CODE 299965856
CUSIP 459200 LM1
No.: I-1
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, or registered assigns, the principal sum as set forth in the attached Schedule of Increases and Decreases, at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose, on February 10, 2033, in such coin or currency of the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted or that adopt the single currency in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the Treaty on European Union as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, annually on February 10 of each year, commencing February 10, 2026, on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate of 3.150% per annum, from the February 10 next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid, unless the date hereof is a date to which interest has been paid, in which case from the date of this Note, or unless no interest has been paid on the Notes (as defined on the reverse hereof), in which case from February 10, 2025, until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the date hereof is after the record date (as defined below) and before the following February 10, this Note shall bear interest from such February 10; provided, however, that if the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on February 10, then this Note shall bear interest from the next preceding February 10 to which interest has been paid, or, if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from February 10, 2025. The interest so payable on February 10 will, subject to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the date (the “record date”) that is the clearing system business day (for these purposes, Monday to Friday inclusive except December 25th and January 1st) immediately preceding each February 10, unless the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted interest, at the option of the Company, may be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest established by notice to the registered holders of Notes not less than ten days preceding such special record date or may be paid in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed. The Company will pay the principal of, interest on and additional amounts, if any, in respect of this Note in immediately available funds. Interest on this Note will be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days in the period for which interest is being calculated and the actual number of days from and including the last date on which interest was paid on this Note (or February 10, 2025 if no interest has been paid on this Note), to but excluding the next scheduled interest payment date. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch will act as paying agent. The Company reserves the right at any time to vary or terminate the appointment of any paying agent, to appoint additional or other paying agents and to approve any change in the office through which any paying agent acts.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
| Dated: February 10, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION | |
| [SEAL] | ||
| by | ||
| by | ||
| TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION | ||
| This is one of the Securities of the Series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture. | ||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee | ||
| by | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to Euro 2033 Note]
This security is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company (hereinafter called the “Securities”), of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued under an indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, duly executed and delivered by the Company to The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995, between the Company and the Trustee, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Indenture”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the respective rights and duties thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Securities. The Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest at different rates, may have different conversion prices (if any), may be subject to different redemption provisions, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided. This Security is one of a series designated as the 3.150% Notes due 2033 of the Company (hereinafter called the “Notes”) issued under the Indenture.
In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof together with interest accrued thereon, if any, may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding of all series to be affected (acting as one class), to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, among other things, (i) change the fixed maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, or the currency of payment of, any Security; (ii) reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof; (iii) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the fixed maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date); (iv) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture; (v) change any obligation of the Company, with respect to outstanding Securities of a series, to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the Indenture for such series; or (vi) modify any of the foregoing provisions or the provisions for the waiver of certain covenants and defaults, except to increase any applicable percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities the consent of the holders of which is required or to provide with respect to any particular series the right to condition the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture as to that series on the consent of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities of such series or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby. It is also provided in the Indenture that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of the series affected. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, if any, and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.
The Indenture permits the Company to Discharge its obligations with respect to the Notes on the 91st day following the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Indenture, which include the deposit with the Trustee of money or Foreign Government Securities or a combination thereof sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal of (including premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes.
If the Company shall, in accordance with Section 901 of the Indenture, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Person named as the “Company” on the face of this Note, all on the terms set forth in the Indenture.
The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of €100,000 and any integral multiple of €1,000 in excess thereof. In the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge, Notes may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for such purpose.
All payments of principal, interest and additional amounts, if any, including payments made upon any redemption of the Notes, will be made in euro. If the euro is unavailable to the Company due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the Company’s control or the euro is no longer used by the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted the euro as their currency or for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, then all payments in respect of this Note will be made in U.S. dollars until such currency is again available to the Company or so used. The amount payable on any date in euro will be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of the most recently available market exchange rate for the euro. Any payment in respect of this Note so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture.
The Company will, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth below, pay as additional interest on this Note such additional amounts as are necessary in order that the net payment by the Company or a paying agent of the principal of and interest on the Notes to a holder who is not a United States person (as defined below), after deduction for any present or future tax, assessment or other governmental charge of the United States or a political subdivision or taxing authority of or in the United States, imposed by withholding with respect to the payment, will not be less than the amount provided in this Note to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the foregoing obligation to pay additional amounts shall not apply:
(1) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld solely by reason of the holder, or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder of the holder if the holder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation, or a person holding a power over an estate or trust administered by a fiduciary holder, being considered as:
(a) being or having been present or engaged in a trade or business in the United States or having had a permanent establishment in the United States;
(b) having a current or former relationship with the United States, including a relationship as a citizen or resident of the United States;
(c) being or having been a personal holding company, a passive foreign investment company or a controlled foreign corporation with respect to the United States or a corporation that has accumulated earnings to avoid United States federal income tax;
(d) being or having been a ‘‘10-percent shareholder’’ of the Company as defined in section 871(h)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or any successor provision; or
(e) being a bank receiving payments on an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business;
(2) to any holder that is not the sole beneficial owner of the Notes, or a portion of the Notes, or that is a fiduciary or partnership, but only to the extent that a beneficiary or settlor with respect to the fiduciary, a beneficial owner or member of the partnership would not have been entitled to the payment of an additional amount had the beneficiary, settlor, beneficial owner or member received directly its beneficial or distributive share of the payment;
(3) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed otherwise or withheld solely by reason of a failure of the holder or any other person to comply with certification, identification or information reporting requirements concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with the United States of the holder or beneficial owner of the Notes, if compliance is required by statute, by regulation of the United States Treasury Department or by an applicable income tax treaty to which the United States is a party as a precondition to exemption from such tax, assessment or other governmental charge;
(4) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed otherwise than by withholding by the Company or a paying agent from the payment;
(5) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld solely by reason of a change in law, regulation or administrative or judicial interpretation that becomes effective more than 15 days after the payment becomes due or is duly provided for, whichever occurs later;
(6) to any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, excise, transfer, wealth or personal property tax or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;
(7) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required to be withheld by any paying agent from any payment of principal of or interest on any Notes, if such payment can be made without such withholding by any other paying agent;
(8) to any taxes that are imposed or withheld pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any amended or successor version of such Sections), any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, any official interpretations thereof or any agreements entered into in connection with the implementation thereof;
(9) with respect to any payment to the extent such payment could have been made without such deduction or withholding if the holder or beneficial owner of the Notes had presented the Notes for payment (where presentation is permitted or required for payment) within 30 days after the date on which such payment became due and payable or date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever is later, except for additional amounts with respect to taxes that would have been imposed had the Holder or beneficial owner presented the Notes for payment within such 30-day period; and
(10) in the case of any combination of items (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (9).
This Note is subject in all cases to any tax, fiscal or other law or regulation or administrative or judicial interpretation applicable to this Note. Except as specifically provided in this Note, the Company shall not be required to make any payment with respect to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by any government or a political subdivision or taxing authority of, or in any government or political subdivision.
As used in this Note, the term “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia) and its territories, possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction, and the term “United States person” means any individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia (other than a partnership that is not treated as a United States person under any applicable Treasury regulations), or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source.
If, as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated under the laws) of the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in the United States), or any change in, or amendments to, an official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings, which change or amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after February 5, 2025, the Company becomes, or based upon a written opinion of independent counsel selected by the Company, will become obligated to pay additional amounts as described above with respect to this Note, then the Company may at its option redeem, in whole, but not in part, this Note on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of its principal amount, together with interest accrued but unpaid on this Note to the date fixed for redemption.
The Notes will be redeemable, as a whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at any time or from time to time, on at least 10 days, but not more than 60 days, prior notice to the holders of the Notes (by mail, electronic delivery or otherwise in accordance with the depositary’s procedures). Prior to the Par Call Date, as defined below, the redemption price for the Notes will be equal to the greater of:
| · | 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed; and | |
| · | the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments, as defined below, discounted, on an annual basis (ACTUAL/ACTUAL (ICMA)) at the Comparable Government Bond Rate, as defined below, plus 15 basis points, |
plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
On and after the Par Call Date, the redemption price for the Notes will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday (1) that is not a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or the City of London are authorized or required by law or executive order to close and (2) on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer system (the TARGET2 system), or any successor thereto, operates.
“Comparable Government Bond Rate” means the yield to maturity, expressed as a percentage (rounded to three decimal places, 0.0005 being rounded upwards), on the third Business Day prior to the date fixed for redemption, of the Comparable Government Bond, as defined below, on the basis of the middle market price of such Comparable Government Bond prevailing at 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Business Day as determined by an Independent Investment Banker, as defined below.
“Comparable Government Bond” with respect to any Comparable Government Bond Rate calculation means a German government bond selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity closest to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed (assuming, for this purpose, that the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities having a maturity closest to such remaining term of the Notes, or if such Independent Investment Banker in its discretion considers that such similar bond is not in issue, such other German government bond as such Independent Investment Banker may, with the advice of three brokers of, and/or market makers in, German government bonds selected by the Company, determine to be appropriate for determining the Comparable Government Bond Rate for the Notes.
“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Bond Dealers, to be appointed by the Company.
“Par Call Date” means November 10, 2032 (three months prior to the maturity date of the Notes).
“Reference Bond Dealer” means each of BNP PARIBAS, Banco Santander, S.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, RBC Europe Limited, SMBC Bank International plc, Société Générale, U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc and Wells Fargo Securities International Limited and their respective successors or a Primary Bond Dealer selected by any of them, and their respective successors; provided however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a broker or dealer of, and/or market maker in, German government bonds (a “Primary Bond Dealer”), the Company will substitute therefor another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a Primary Bond Dealer.
“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to each Note to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related Redemption Date but for such redemption (assuming, for this purpose, that the Notes matured on the Par Call Date); provided however, that, if such Redemption Date is not an interest payment date with respect to such Note, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be deemed to be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such Redemption Date.
The Company will notify the Trustee of the redemption price promptly after the calculation thereof and the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any calculation of the redemption price or of any component thereof.
On and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or any portion thereof called for redemption (unless we default in the payment of the redemption price and accrued and unpaid interest). On or before the Redemption Date, we will deposit with a paying agent (or the Trustee) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed on that date. If fewer than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee by a method the Trustee deems to be fair and appropriate.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Note at the office or agency of the Company for such registration in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for such purpose, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange herefor, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note, as herein provided, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice of the contrary. All payments made to or upon the order of such registered holder shall, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectually satisfy and discharge liability for moneys payable on this Note.
Individual certificates will not be issued in exchange for this Note, except in the limited circumstances set forth in the following sentence or as otherwise provided for in the Indenture. If Euroclear or Clearstream notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with this Note, and in each case we do not appoint a successor clearing system within 90 days after receiving such notice from Euroclear or Clearstream, we will issue or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in this Note upon delivery of this Note for cancellation. If the Company issues definitive Notes, interest on such Notes will be payable either by check mailed to each holder or, upon application by a holder to the registrar not later than the relevant record date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that holder’s account, which application shall remain in effect until the holder notifies the registrar, in writing, to the contrary.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released. Unless otherwise defined in this Note, all terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES
The initial principal amount of this Global Note is €1,100,000,000. The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
| Date of Exchange | Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Principal amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase | Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee or Securities Custodian |
Exhibit 4.3
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., or its successor, as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”, and together with Euroclear, “Euroclear/Clearstream”), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of Euroclear/Clearstream (and any payment is made to The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of Euroclear/Clearstream), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, has an interest herein.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
3.450% Note due 2037
ISIN XS2999658649
COMMON CODE 299965864
CUSIP 459200 LN9
No.: I-1
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, or registered assigns, the principal sum as set forth in the attached Schedule of Increases and Decreases, at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose, on February 10, 2037, in such coin or currency of the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted or that adopt the single currency in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the Treaty on European Union as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, annually on February 10 of each year, commencing February 10, 2026, on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate of 3.450% per annum, from the February 10 next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid, unless the date hereof is a date to which interest has been paid, in which case from the date of this Note, or unless no interest has been paid on the Notes (as defined on the reverse hereof), in which case from February 10, 2025, until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the date hereof is after the record date (as defined below) and before the following February 10, this Note shall bear interest from such February 10; provided, however, that if the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on February 10, then this Note shall bear interest from the next preceding February 10 to which interest has been paid, or, if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from February 10, 2025. The interest so payable on February 10 will, subject to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the date (the “record date”) that is the clearing system business day (for these purposes, Monday to Friday inclusive except December 25th and January 1st) immediately preceding each February 10, unless the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted interest, at the option of the Company, may be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest established by notice to the registered holders of Notes not less than ten days preceding such special record date or may be paid in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed. The Company will pay the principal of, interest on and additional amounts, if any, in respect of this Note in immediately available funds. Interest on this Note will be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days in the period for which interest is being calculated and the actual number of days from and including the last date on which interest was paid on this Note (or February 10, 2025 if no interest has been paid on this Note), to but excluding the next scheduled interest payment date. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch will act as paying agent. The Company reserves the right at any time to vary or terminate the appointment of any paying agent, to appoint additional or other paying agents and to approve any change in the office through which any paying agent acts.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
| Dated: February 10, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION | |
| [SEAL] | ||
| by | ||
| by | ||
| TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION | ||
| This is one of the Securities of the Series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture. | ||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee | ||
| by | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to Euro 2037 Note]
This security is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company (hereinafter called the “Securities”), of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued under an indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, duly executed and delivered by the Company to The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995, between the Company and the Trustee, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Indenture”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the respective rights and duties thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Securities. The Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest at different rates, may have different conversion prices (if any), may be subject to different redemption provisions, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided. This Security is one of a series designated as the 3.450% Notes due 2037 of the Company (hereinafter called the “Notes”) issued under the Indenture.
In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof together with interest accrued thereon, if any, may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding of all series to be affected (acting as one class), to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, among other things, (i) change the fixed maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, or the currency of payment of, any Security; (ii) reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof; (iii) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the fixed maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date); (iv) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture; (v) change any obligation of the Company, with respect to outstanding Securities of a series, to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the Indenture for such series; or (vi) modify any of the foregoing provisions or the provisions for the waiver of certain covenants and defaults, except to increase any applicable percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities the consent of the holders of which is required or to provide with respect to any particular series the right to condition the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture as to that series on the consent of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities of such series or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby. It is also provided in the Indenture that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of the series affected. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, if any, and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.
The Indenture permits the Company to Discharge its obligations with respect to the Notes on the 91st day following the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Indenture, which include the deposit with the Trustee of money or Foreign Government Securities or a combination thereof sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal of (including premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes.
If the Company shall, in accordance with Section 901 of the Indenture, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Person named as the “Company” on the face of this Note, all on the terms set forth in the Indenture.
The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of €100,000 and any integral multiple of €1,000 in excess thereof. In the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge, Notes may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for such purpose.
All payments of principal, interest and additional amounts, if any, including payments made upon any redemption of the Notes, will be made in euro. If the euro is unavailable to the Company due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the Company’s control or the euro is no longer used by the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted the euro as their currency or for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, then all payments in respect of this Note will be made in U.S. dollars until such currency is again available to the Company or so used. The amount payable on any date in euro will be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of the most recently available market exchange rate for the euro. Any payment in respect of this Note so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture.
The Company will, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth below, pay as additional interest on this Note such additional amounts as are necessary in order that the net payment by the Company or a paying agent of the principal of and interest on the Notes to a holder who is not a United States person (as defined below), after deduction for any present or future tax, assessment or other governmental charge of the United States or a political subdivision or taxing authority of or in the United States, imposed by withholding with respect to the payment, will not be less than the amount provided in this Note to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the foregoing obligation to pay additional amounts shall not apply:
(1) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld solely by reason of the holder, or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder of the holder if the holder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation, or a person holding a power over an estate or trust administered by a fiduciary holder, being considered as:
(a) being or having been present or engaged in a trade or business in the United States or having had a permanent establishment in the United States;
(b) having a current or former relationship with the United States, including a relationship as a citizen or resident of the United States;
(c) being or having been a personal holding company, a passive foreign investment company or a controlled foreign corporation with respect to the United States or a corporation that has accumulated earnings to avoid United States federal income tax;
(d) being or having been a ‘‘10-percent shareholder’’ of the Company as defined in section 871(h)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or any successor provision; or
(e) being a bank receiving payments on an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business;
(2) to any holder that is not the sole beneficial owner of the Notes, or a portion of the Notes, or that is a fiduciary or partnership, but only to the extent that a beneficiary or settlor with respect to the fiduciary, a beneficial owner or member of the partnership would not have been entitled to the payment of an additional amount had the beneficiary, settlor, beneficial owner or member received directly its beneficial or distributive share of the payment;
(3) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed otherwise or withheld solely by reason of a failure of the holder or any other person to comply with certification, identification or information reporting requirements concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with the United States of the holder or beneficial owner of the Notes, if compliance is required by statute, by regulation of the United States Treasury Department or by an applicable income tax treaty to which the United States is a party as a precondition to exemption from such tax, assessment or other governmental charge;
(4) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed otherwise than by withholding by the Company or a paying agent from the payment;
(5) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld solely by reason of a change in law, regulation or administrative or judicial interpretation that becomes effective more than 15 days after the payment becomes due or is duly provided for, whichever occurs later;
(6) to any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, excise, transfer, wealth or personal property tax or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;
(7) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required to be withheld by any paying agent from any payment of principal of or interest on any Notes, if such payment can be made without such withholding by any other paying agent;
(8) to any taxes that are imposed or withheld pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any amended or successor version of such Sections), any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, any official interpretations thereof or any agreements entered into in connection with the implementation thereof;
(9) with respect to any payment to the extent such payment could have been made without such deduction or withholding if the holder or beneficial owner of the Notes had presented the Notes for payment (where presentation is permitted or required for payment) within 30 days after the date on which such payment became due and payable or date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever is later, except for additional amounts with respect to taxes that would have been imposed had the Holder or beneficial owner presented the Notes for payment within such 30-day period; and
(10) in the case of any combination of items (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (9).
This Note is subject in all cases to any tax, fiscal or other law or regulation or administrative or judicial interpretation applicable to this Note. Except as specifically provided in this Note, the Company shall not be required to make any payment with respect to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by any government or a political subdivision or taxing authority of, or in any government or political subdivision.
As used in this Note, the term “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia) and its territories, possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction, and the term “United States person” means any individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia (other than a partnership that is not treated as a United States person under any applicable Treasury regulations), or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source.
If, as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated under the laws) of the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in the United States), or any change in, or amendments to, an official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings, which change or amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after February 5, 2025, the Company becomes, or based upon a written opinion of independent counsel selected by the Company, will become obligated to pay additional amounts as described above with respect to this Note, then the Company may at its option redeem, in whole, but not in part, this Note on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of its principal amount, together with interest accrued but unpaid on this Note to the date fixed for redemption.
The Notes will be redeemable, as a whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at any time or from time to time, on at least 10 days, but not more than 60 days, prior notice to the holders of the Notes (by mail, electronic delivery or otherwise in accordance with the depositary’s procedures). Prior to the Par Call Date, as defined below, the redemption price for the Notes will be equal to the greater of:
| · | 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed; and | |
| · | the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments, as defined below, discounted, on an annual basis (ACTUAL/ACTUAL (ICMA)) at the Comparable Government Bond Rate, as defined below, plus 20 basis points, |
plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
On and after the Par Call Date, the redemption price for the Notes will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday (1) that is not a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or the City of London are authorized or required by law or executive order to close and (2) on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer system (the TARGET2 system), or any successor thereto, operates.
“Comparable Government Bond Rate” means the yield to maturity, expressed as a percentage (rounded to three decimal places, 0.0005 being rounded upwards), on the third Business Day prior to the date fixed for redemption, of the Comparable Government Bond, as defined below, on the basis of the middle market price of such Comparable Government Bond prevailing at 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Business Day as determined by an Independent Investment Banker, as defined below.
“Comparable Government Bond” with respect to any Comparable Government Bond Rate calculation means a German government bond selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity closest to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed (assuming, for this purpose, that the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities having a maturity closest to such remaining term of the Notes, or if such Independent Investment Banker in its discretion considers that such similar bond is not in issue, such other German government bond as such Independent Investment Banker may, with the advice of three brokers of, and/or market makers in, German government bonds selected by the Company, determine to be appropriate for determining the Comparable Government Bond Rate for the Notes.
“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Bond Dealers, to be appointed by the Company.
“Par Call Date” means November 10, 2036 (three months prior to the maturity date of the Notes).
“Reference Bond Dealer” means each of BNP PARIBAS, Banco Santander, S.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, RBC Europe Limited, SMBC Bank International plc, Société Générale, U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc and Wells Fargo Securities International Limited and their respective successors or a Primary Bond Dealer selected by any of them, and their respective successors; provided however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a broker or dealer of, and/or market maker in, German government bonds (a “Primary Bond Dealer”), the Company will substitute therefor another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a Primary Bond Dealer.
“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to each Note to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related Redemption Date but for such redemption (assuming, for this purpose, that the Notes matured on the Par Call Date); provided however, that, if such Redemption Date is not an interest payment date with respect to such Note, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be deemed to be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such Redemption Date.
The Company will notify the Trustee of the redemption price promptly after the calculation thereof and the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any calculation of the redemption price or of any component thereof.
On and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or any portion thereof called for redemption (unless we default in the payment of the redemption price and accrued and unpaid interest). On or before the Redemption Date, we will deposit with a paying agent (or the Trustee) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed on that date. If fewer than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee by a method the Trustee deems to be fair and appropriate.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Note at the office or agency of the Company for such registration in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for such purpose, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange herefor, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note, as herein provided, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice of the contrary. All payments made to or upon the order of such registered holder shall, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectually satisfy and discharge liability for moneys payable on this Note.
Individual certificates will not be issued in exchange for this Note, except in the limited circumstances set forth in the following sentence or as otherwise provided for in the Indenture. If Euroclear or Clearstream notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with this Note, and in each case we do not appoint a successor clearing system within 90 days after receiving such notice from Euroclear or Clearstream, we will issue or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in this Note upon delivery of this Note for cancellation. If the Company issues definitive Notes, interest on such Notes will be payable either by check mailed to each holder or, upon application by a holder to the registrar not later than the relevant record date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that holder’s account, which application shall remain in effect until the holder notifies the registrar, in writing, to the contrary.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released. Unless otherwise defined in this Note, all terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES
The initial principal amount of this Global Note is €900,000,000. The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
| Date of Exchange | Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Principal amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase | Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee or Securities Custodian |
Exhibit 4.4
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., or its successor, as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”, and together with Euroclear, “Euroclear/Clearstream”), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of Euroclear/Clearstream (and any payment is made to The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of Euroclear/Clearstream), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, has an interest herein.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
3.800% Note due 2045
ISIN XS2999659456
COMMON CODE 299965945
CUSIP 459200 LP4
No.: I-1
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as nominee of The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as common depositary for Euroclear/Clearstream, or registered assigns, the principal sum as set forth in the attached Schedule of Increases and Decreases, at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose, on February 10, 2045 in such coin or currency of the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted or that adopt the single currency in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the Treaty on European Union as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, annually on February 10 of each year, commencing February 10, 2026, on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate of 3.800% per annum, from the February 10 next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid, unless the date hereof is a date to which interest has been paid, in which case from the date of this Note, or unless no interest has been paid on the Notes (as defined on the reverse hereof), in which case from February 10, 2025, until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the date hereof is after the record date (as defined below) and before the following February 10, this Note shall bear interest from such February 10; provided, however, that if the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on February 10, then this Note shall bear interest from the next preceding February 10 to which interest has been paid, or, if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from February 10, 2025. The interest so payable on February 10 will, subject to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the date (the “record date”) that is the clearing system business day (for these purposes, Monday to Friday inclusive except December 25th and January 1st) immediately preceding each February 10, unless the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted interest, at the option of the Company, may be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest established by notice to the registered holders of Notes not less than ten days preceding such special record date or may be paid in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed. The Company will pay the principal of, interest on and additional amounts, if any, in respect of this Note in immediately available funds. Interest on this Note will be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days in the period for which interest is being calculated and the actual number of days from and including the last date on which interest was paid on this Note (or February 10, 2025 if no interest has been paid on this Note), to but excluding the next scheduled interest payment date. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch will act as paying agent. The Company reserves the right at any time to vary or terminate the appointment of any paying agent, to appoint additional or other paying agents and to approve any change in the office through which any paying agent acts.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
| Dated: February 10, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION | |
| [SEAL] | ||
| by | ||
| by | ||
| TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION | ||
| This is one of the Securities of the Series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture. | ||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee | ||
| by | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to Euro 2045 Note]
This security is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company (hereinafter called the “Securities”), of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued under an indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, duly executed and delivered by the Company to The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995, between the Company and the Trustee, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Indenture”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the respective rights and duties thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Securities. The Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest at different rates, may have different conversion prices (if any), may be subject to different redemption provisions, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided. This Security is one of a series designated as the 3.800% Notes due 2045 of the Company (hereinafter called the “Notes”) issued under the Indenture.
In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof together with interest accrued thereon, if any, may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding of all series to be affected (acting as one class), to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, among other things, (i) change the fixed maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, or the currency of payment of, any Security; (ii) reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof; (iii) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the fixed maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date); (iv) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture; (v) change any obligation of the Company, with respect to outstanding Securities of a series, to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the Indenture for such series; or (vi) modify any of the foregoing provisions or the provisions for the waiver of certain covenants and defaults, except to increase any applicable percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities the consent of the holders of which is required or to provide with respect to any particular series the right to condition the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture as to that series on the consent of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities of such series or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby. It is also provided in the Indenture that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of the series affected. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, if any, and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.
The Indenture permits the Company to Discharge its obligations with respect to the Notes on the 91st day following the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Indenture, which include the deposit with the Trustee of money or Foreign Government Securities or a combination thereof sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal of (including premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes.
If the Company shall, in accordance with Section 901 of the Indenture, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Person named as the “Company” on the face of this Note, all on the terms set forth in the Indenture.
The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of €100,000 and any integral multiple of €1,000 in excess thereof. In the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge, Notes may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for such purpose.
All payments of principal, interest and additional amounts, if any, including payments made upon any redemption of the Notes, will be made in euro. If the euro is unavailable to the Company due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the Company’s control or the euro is no longer used by the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted the euro as their currency or for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the international banking community, then all payments in respect of this Note will be made in U.S. dollars until such currency is again available to the Company or so used. The amount payable on any date in euro will be converted into U.S. dollars on the basis of the most recently available market exchange rate for the euro. Any payment in respect of this Note so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture.
The Company will, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth below, pay as additional interest on this Note such additional amounts as are necessary in order that the net payment by the Company or a paying agent of the principal of and interest on the Notes to a holder who is not a United States person (as defined below), after deduction for any present or future tax, assessment or other governmental charge of the United States or a political subdivision or taxing authority of or in the United States, imposed by withholding with respect to the payment, will not be less than the amount provided in this Note to be then due and payable; provided, however, that the foregoing obligation to pay additional amounts shall not apply:
(1) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld solely by reason of the holder, or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder of the holder if the holder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation, or a person holding a power over an estate or trust administered by a fiduciary holder, being considered as:
(a) being or having been present or engaged in a trade or business in the United States or having had a permanent establishment in the United States;
(b) having a current or former relationship with the United States, including a relationship as a citizen or resident of the United States;
(c) being or having been a personal holding company, a passive foreign investment company or a controlled foreign corporation with respect to the United States or a corporation that has accumulated earnings to avoid United States federal income tax;
(d) being or having been a ‘‘10-percent shareholder’’ of the Company as defined in section 871(h)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or any successor provision; or
(e) being a bank receiving payments on an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business;
(2) to any holder that is not the sole beneficial owner of the Notes, or a portion of the Notes, or that is a fiduciary or partnership, but only to the extent that a beneficiary or settlor with respect to the fiduciary, a beneficial owner or member of the partnership would not have been entitled to the payment of an additional amount had the beneficiary, settlor, beneficial owner or member received directly its beneficial or distributive share of the payment;
(3) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed otherwise or withheld solely by reason of a failure of the holder or any other person to comply with certification, identification or information reporting requirements concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with the United States of the holder or beneficial owner of the Notes, if compliance is required by statute, by regulation of the United States Treasury Department or by an applicable income tax treaty to which the United States is a party as a precondition to exemption from such tax, assessment or other governmental charge;
(4) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed otherwise than by withholding by the Company or a paying agent from the payment;
(5) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is imposed or withheld solely by reason of a change in law, regulation or administrative or judicial interpretation that becomes effective more than 15 days after the payment becomes due or is duly provided for, whichever occurs later;
(6) to any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, excise, transfer, wealth or personal property tax or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;
(7) to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required to be withheld by any paying agent from any payment of principal of or interest on any Notes, if such payment can be made without such withholding by any other paying agent;
(8) to any taxes that are imposed or withheld pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any amended or successor version of such Sections), any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, any official interpretations thereof or any agreements entered into in connection with the implementation thereof;
(9) with respect to any payment to the extent such payment could have been made without such deduction or withholding if the holder or beneficial owner of the Notes had presented the Notes for payment (where presentation is permitted or required for payment) within 30 days after the date on which such payment became due and payable or date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever is later, except for additional amounts with respect to taxes that would have been imposed had the Holder or beneficial owner presented the Notes for payment within such 30-day period; and
(10) in the case of any combination of items (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (9).
This Note is subject in all cases to any tax, fiscal or other law or regulation or administrative or judicial interpretation applicable to this Note. Except as specifically provided in this Note, the Company shall not be required to make any payment with respect to any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by any government or a political subdivision or taxing authority of, or in any government or political subdivision.
As used in this Note, the term “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia) and its territories, possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction, and the term “United States person” means any individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia (other than a partnership that is not treated as a United States person under any applicable Treasury regulations), or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source.
If, as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated under the laws) of the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in the United States), or any change in, or amendments to, an official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings, which change or amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after February 5, 2025, the Company becomes, or based upon a written opinion of independent counsel selected by the Company, will become obligated to pay additional amounts as described above with respect to this Note, then the Company may at its option redeem, in whole, but not in part, this Note on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of its principal amount, together with interest accrued but unpaid on this Note to the date fixed for redemption.
The Notes will be redeemable, as a whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at any time or from time to time, on at least 10 days, but not more than 60 days, prior notice to the holders of the Notes (by mail, electronic delivery or otherwise in accordance with the depositary’s procedures). Prior to the Par Call Date, as defined below, the redemption price for the Notes will be equal to the greater of:
| · | 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed; and | |
| · | the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments, as defined below, discounted, on an annual basis (ACTUAL/ACTUAL (ICMA)) at the Comparable Government Bond Rate, as defined below, plus 20 basis points, |
plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
On and after the Par Call Date, the redemption price for the Notes will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday (1) that is not a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or the City of London are authorized or required by law or executive order to close and (2) on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer system (the TARGET2 system), or any successor thereto, operates.
“Comparable Government Bond Rate” means the yield to maturity, expressed as a percentage (rounded to three decimal places, 0.0005 being rounded upwards), on the third Business Day prior to the date fixed for redemption, of the Comparable Government Bond, as defined below, on the basis of the middle market price of such Comparable Government Bond prevailing at 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Business Day as determined by an Independent Investment Banker, as defined below.
“Comparable Government Bond” with respect to any Comparable Government Bond Rate calculation means a German government bond selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity closest to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed (assuming, for this purpose, that the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities having a maturity closest to such remaining term of the Notes, or if such Independent Investment Banker in its discretion considers that such similar bond is not in issue, such other German government bond as such Independent Investment Banker may, with the advice of three brokers of, and/or market makers in, German government bonds selected by the Company, determine to be appropriate for determining the Comparable Government Bond Rate for the Notes.
“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Bond Dealers, to be appointed by the Company.
“Par Call Date” means August 10, 2044 (six months prior to the maturity date of the Notes).
“Reference Bond Dealer” means each of BNP PARIBAS, Banco Santander, S.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, RBC Europe Limited, SMBC Bank International plc, Société Générale, U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc and Wells Fargo Securities International Limited and their respective successors or a Primary Bond Dealer selected by any of them, and their respective successors; provided however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a broker or dealer of, and/or market maker in, German government bonds (a “Primary Bond Dealer”), the Company will substitute therefor another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a Primary Bond Dealer.
“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to each Note to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related Redemption Date but for such redemption (assuming, for this purpose, that the Notes matured on the Par Call Date); provided however, that, if such Redemption Date is not an interest payment date with respect to such Note, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be deemed to be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such Redemption Date.
The Company will notify the Trustee of the redemption price promptly after the calculation thereof and the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any calculation of the redemption price or of any component thereof.
On and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or any portion thereof called for redemption (unless we default in the payment of the redemption price and accrued and unpaid interest). On or before the Redemption Date, we will deposit with a paying agent (or the Trustee) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed on that date. If fewer than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee by a method the Trustee deems to be fair and appropriate.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Note at the office or agency of the Company for such registration in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for such purpose, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange herefor, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note, as herein provided, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice of the contrary. All payments made to or upon the order of such registered holder shall, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectually satisfy and discharge liability for moneys payable on this Note.
Individual certificates will not be issued in exchange for this Note, except in the limited circumstances set forth in the following sentence or as otherwise provided for in the Indenture. If Euroclear or Clearstream notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with this Note, and in each case we do not appoint a successor clearing system within 90 days after receiving such notice from Euroclear or Clearstream, we will issue or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in this Note upon delivery of this Note for cancellation. If the Company issues definitive Notes, interest on such Notes will be payable either by check mailed to each holder or, upon application by a holder to the registrar not later than the relevant record date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that holder’s account, which application shall remain in effect until the holder notifies the registrar, in writing, to the contrary.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released. Unless otherwise defined in this Note, all terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES
The initial principal amount of this Global Note is €750,000,000. The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
| Date of Exchange | Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note | Principal amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase | Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee or Securities Custodian |
Exhibit 4.5
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
4.650% Note due 2028
CUSIP 459200 LF6
ISIN US459200LF63
No.: R-[●]
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of $[500,000,000][●] ([FIVE HUNDRED][●] MILLION DOLLARS), at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose, on February 10, 2028, in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually on February 10 and August 10 of each year, commencing August 10, 2025, on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate of 4.650% per annum, from the February 10 or August 10 next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid, unless the date hereof is a date to which interest has been paid, in which case from the date of this Note, or unless no interest has been paid on the Notes (as defined on the reverse hereof), in which case from February 10, 2025, until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the date hereof is after the fifteenth calendar day preceding a February 10 or August 10, as the case may be, and before such February 10 or August 10, this Note shall bear interest from such February 10 or August 10; provided however, that if the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such February 10 or August 10, then this Note shall bear interest from the next preceding February 10 or August 10 to which interest has been paid, or, if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from February 10, 2025. The interest so payable on February 10 or August 10 will, subject to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day preceding such February 10 or August 10, unless the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted interest, at the option of the Company, may be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest established by notice to the registered holders of Notes not less than ten days preceding such special record date or may be paid in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed. Payment of interest may, at the option of the Company, be made by check mailed to the registered address of the person entitled thereto. Interest on this Note will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
[signatures follow]
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
| Dated: February 10, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION | |
| [SEAL] | ||
| by | ||
| by | ||
| TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION | ||
| This is one of the Securities of the Series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture. | ||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee | ||
| by | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to USD 2028 Note]
This security is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company (hereinafter called the “Securities”), of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued under an indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, duly executed and delivered by the Company to The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995, between the Company and the Trustee, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Indenture”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the respective rights and duties thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Securities. The Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest at different rates, may have different conversion prices (if any), may be subject to different redemption provisions, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided. This Security is one of a series designated as the 4.650% Notes due 2028 of the Company (hereinafter called the “Notes”) issued under the Indenture.
The Notes may be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at any time or from time to time, upon notice (by mail, electronic delivery or otherwise in accordance with the depositary’s procedures) not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to holders of the Notes. Prior to the Par Call Date, the redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) for the Notes will be equal to the greater of:
| · | (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis, assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at the Treasury Rate, as defined below, plus 10 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and | |
| · | 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, |
plus, in either case, accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date.
On and after the Par Call Date, the redemption price for the Notes will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date.
“Par Call Date” means January 10, 2028 (one month prior to the maturity date of the Notes).
“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.
The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.
If on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semiannual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices, expressed as a percentage of principal amount, at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.
The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Company will notify the Trustee of the redemption price promptly after the calculation thereof and the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any calculation of the redemption price or of any component thereof, or for determining whether manifest error has occurred.
On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or any portion thereof called for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest. On or before the redemption date, the Company will deposit with a Paying Agent, or the Trustee, money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the Notes to be redeemed on such date. In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion deems appropriate and fair. No Notes of a principal amount of $100,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the Note will state the portion of the principal amount of the Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Note will be issued in the name of the holder of the Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original Note. For so long as the Notes are held by DTC (or another depositary), the redemption of the Notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary.
In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof together with interest accrued thereon, if any, may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding of all series to be affected (acting as one class), to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, among other things, (i) change the fixed maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, or the currency of payment of, any Security; (ii) reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof; (iii) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the fixed maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date); (iv) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture; (v) change any obligation of the Company, with respect to outstanding Securities of a series, to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the Indenture for such series; or (vi) modify any of the foregoing provisions or the provisions for the waiver of certain covenants and defaults, except to increase any applicable percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities the consent of the holders of which is required or to provide with respect to any particular series the right to condition the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture as to that series on the consent of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities of such series or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby. It is also provided in the Indenture that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of the series affected. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.
The Indenture permits the Company to Discharge its obligations with respect to the Notes on the 91st day following the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Indenture, which include the deposit with the Trustee of money or U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal of (including premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes.
If the Company shall, in accordance with Section 901 of the Indenture, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Person named as the “Company” on the face of this Note, all on the terms set forth in the Indenture.
The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. In the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge, Notes may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Note at the office or agency of the Company for such registration in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for such purpose, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange herefor, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note, as herein provided, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice of the contrary. All payments made to or upon the order of such registered holder shall, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectually satisfy and discharge liability for moneys payable on this Note.
Individual certificates in respect of the Notes will not be issued in exchange for this Note, except in the limited circumstances set forth in the following sentence or as otherwise provided for in the Indenture. If DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with this Note, or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and a successor clearing system is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after receiving such notice from DTC or upon becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered, the Company will issue or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in the Notes represented by this Note upon delivery of this Note for cancellation.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.
Unless otherwise defined in this Note, all terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Exhibit 4.6
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
4.800% Note due 2030
CUSIP 459200 LG4
ISIN US459200LG47
No.: R-[●]
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of $[500,000,000][●] ([FIVE HUNDRED][●] MILLION DOLLARS), at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose, on February 10, 2030, in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually on February 10 and August 10 of each year, commencing August 10, 2025, on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate of 4.800% per annum, from the February 10 or August 10 next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid, unless the date hereof is a date to which interest has been paid, in which case from the date of this Note, or unless no interest has been paid on the Notes (as defined on the reverse hereof), in which case from February 10, 2025, until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the date hereof is after the fifteenth calendar day preceding a February 10 or August 10, as the case may be, and before such February 10 or August 10, this Note shall bear interest from such February 10 or August 10; provided however, that if the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such February 10 or August 10, then this Note shall bear interest from the next preceding February 10 or August 10 to which interest has been paid, or, if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from February 10, 2025. The interest so payable on February 10 or August 10 will, subject to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day preceding such February 10 or August 10, unless the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted interest, at the option of the Company, may be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest established by notice to the registered holders of Notes not less than ten days preceding such special record date or may be paid in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed. Payment of interest may, at the option of the Company, be made by check mailed to the registered address of the person entitled thereto. Interest on this Note will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
[signatures follow]
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
| Dated: February 10, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION | |
| [SEAL] | ||
| by | ||
| by | ||
| TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION | ||
| This is one of the Securities of the Series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture. | ||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee | ||
| by | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to USD 2030 Note]
This security is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company (hereinafter called the “Securities”), of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued under an indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, duly executed and delivered by the Company to The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995, between the Company and the Trustee, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Indenture”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the respective rights and duties thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Securities. The Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest at different rates, may have different conversion prices (if any), may be subject to different redemption provisions, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided. This Security is one of a series designated as the 4.800% Notes due 2030 of the Company (hereinafter called the “Notes”) issued under the Indenture.
The Notes may be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at any time or from time to time, upon notice (by mail, electronic delivery or otherwise in accordance with the depositary’s procedures) not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to holders of the Notes. Prior to the Par Call Date, the redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) for the Notes will be equal to the greater of:
| · | (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis, assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at the Treasury Rate, as defined below, plus 10 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and | |
| · | 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, |
plus, in either case, accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date.
On and after the Par Call Date, the redemption price for the Notes will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date.
“Par Call Date” means January 10, 2030 (one month prior to the maturity date of the Notes).
“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.
The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.
If on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semiannual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices, expressed as a percentage of principal amount, at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.
The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Company will notify the Trustee of the redemption price promptly after the calculation thereof and the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any calculation of the redemption price or of any component thereof, or for determining whether manifest error has occurred.
On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or any portion thereof called for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest. On or before the redemption date, the Company will deposit with a Paying Agent, or the Trustee, money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the Notes to be redeemed on such date. In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion deems appropriate and fair. No Notes of a principal amount of $100,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the Note will state the portion of the principal amount of the Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Note will be issued in the name of the holder of the Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original Note. For so long as the Notes are held by DTC (or another depositary), the redemption of the Notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary.
In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof together with interest accrued thereon, if any, may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding of all series to be affected (acting as one class), to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, among other things, (i) change the fixed maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, or the currency of payment of, any Security; (ii) reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof; (iii) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the fixed maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date); (iv) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture; (v) change any obligation of the Company, with respect to outstanding Securities of a series, to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the Indenture for such series; or (vi) modify any of the foregoing provisions or the provisions for the waiver of certain covenants and defaults, except to increase any applicable percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities the consent of the holders of which is required or to provide with respect to any particular series the right to condition the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture as to that series on the consent of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities of such series or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby. It is also provided in the Indenture that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of the series affected. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.
The Indenture permits the Company to Discharge its obligations with respect to the Notes on the 91st day following the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Indenture, which include the deposit with the Trustee of money or U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal of (including premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes.
If the Company shall, in accordance with Section 901 of the Indenture, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Person named as the “Company” on the face of this Note, all on the terms set forth in the Indenture.
The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. In the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge, Notes may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Note at the office or agency of the Company for such registration in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for such purpose, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange herefor, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note, as herein provided, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice of the contrary. All payments made to or upon the order of such registered holder shall, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectually satisfy and discharge liability for moneys payable on this Note.
Individual certificates in respect of the Notes will not be issued in exchange for this Note, except in the limited circumstances set forth in the following sentence or as otherwise provided for in the Indenture. If DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with this Note, or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and a successor clearing system is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after receiving such notice from DTC or upon becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered, the Company will issue or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in the Notes represented by this Note upon delivery of this Note for cancellation.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.
Unless otherwise defined in this Note, all terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Exhibit 4.7
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
5.000% Note due 2032
CUSIP 459200 LH2
ISIN US459200LH20
No.: R-[●]
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of $[500,000,000][●] ([FIVE HUNDRED][●] MILLION DOLLARS), at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose, on February 10, 2032, in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually on February 10 and August 10 of each year, commencing August 10, 2025, on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate of 5.000% per annum, from the February 10 or August 10 next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid, unless the date hereof is a date to which interest has been paid, in which case from the date of this Note, or unless no interest has been paid on the Notes (as defined on the reverse hereof), in which case from February 10, 2025, until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the date hereof is after the fifteenth calendar day preceding a February 10 or August 10, as the case may be, and before such February 10 or August 10, this Note shall bear interest from such February 10 or August 10; provided however, that if the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such February 10 or August 10, then this Note shall bear interest from the next preceding February 10 or August 10 to which interest has been paid, or, if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from February 10, 2025. The interest so payable on February 10 or August 10 will, subject to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day preceding such February 10 or August 10, unless the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted interest, at the option of the Company, may be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest established by notice to the registered holders of Notes not less than ten days preceding such special record date or may be paid in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed. Payment of interest may, at the option of the Company, be made by check mailed to the registered address of the person entitled thereto. Interest on this Note will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
[signatures follow]
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
| Dated: February 10, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION | |
| [SEAL] | ||
| by | ||
| by | ||
| TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION | ||
| This is one of the Securities of the Series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture. | ||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee | ||
| by | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to USD 2032 Note]
This security is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company (hereinafter called the “Securities”), of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued under an indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, duly executed and delivered by the Company to The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995, between the Company and the Trustee, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Indenture”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the respective rights and duties thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Securities. The Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest at different rates, may have different conversion prices (if any), may be subject to different redemption provisions, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided. This Security is one of a series designated as the 5.000% Notes due 2032 of the Company (hereinafter called the “Notes”) issued under the Indenture.
The Notes may be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at any time or from time to time, upon notice (by mail, electronic delivery or otherwise in accordance with the depositary’s procedures) not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to holders of the Notes. Prior to the Par Call Date, the redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) for the Notes will be equal to the greater of:
| · | (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis, assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at the Treasury Rate, as defined below, plus 15 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and | |
| · | 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, |
plus, in either case, accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date.
On and after the Par Call Date, the redemption price for the Notes will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date.
“Par Call Date” means December 10, 2031 (two months prior to the maturity date of the Notes).
“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.
The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.
If on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semiannual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices, expressed as a percentage of principal amount, at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.
The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Company will notify the Trustee of the redemption price promptly after the calculation thereof and the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any calculation of the redemption price or of any component thereof, or for determining whether manifest error has occurred.
On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or any portion thereof called for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest. On or before the redemption date, the Company will deposit with a Paying Agent, or the Trustee, money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the Notes to be redeemed on such date. In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion deems appropriate and fair. No Notes of a principal amount of $100,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the Note will state the portion of the principal amount of the Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Note will be issued in the name of the holder of the Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original Note. For so long as the Notes are held by DTC (or another depositary), the redemption of the Notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary.
In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof together with interest accrued thereon, if any, may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding of all series to be affected (acting as one class), to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, among other things, (i) change the fixed maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, or the currency of payment of, any Security; (ii) reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof; (iii) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the fixed maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date); (iv) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture; (v) change any obligation of the Company, with respect to outstanding Securities of a series, to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the Indenture for such series; or (vi) modify any of the foregoing provisions or the provisions for the waiver of certain covenants and defaults, except to increase any applicable percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities the consent of the holders of which is required or to provide with respect to any particular series the right to condition the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture as to that series on the consent of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities of such series or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby. It is also provided in the Indenture that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of the series affected. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.
The Indenture permits the Company to Discharge its obligations with respect to the Notes on the 91st day following the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Indenture, which include the deposit with the Trustee of money or U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal of (including premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes.
If the Company shall, in accordance with Section 901 of the Indenture, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Person named as the “Company” on the face of this Note, all on the terms set forth in the Indenture.
The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. In the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge, Notes may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Note at the office or agency of the Company for such registration in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for such purpose, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange herefor, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note, as herein provided, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice of the contrary. All payments made to or upon the order of such registered holder shall, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectually satisfy and discharge liability for moneys payable on this Note.
Individual certificates in respect of the Notes will not be issued in exchange for this Note, except in the limited circumstances set forth in the following sentence or as otherwise provided for in the Indenture. If DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with this Note, or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and a successor clearing system is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after receiving such notice from DTC or upon becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered, the Company will issue or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in the Notes represented by this Note upon delivery of this Note for cancellation.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.
Unless otherwise defined in this Note, all terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Exhibit 4.8
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
5.200% Note due 2035
CUSIP 459200 LJ8
ISIN US459200LJ85
No.: R-[●]
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of $[500,000,000][●] ([FIVE HUNDRED][●] MILLION DOLLARS), at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose, on February 10, 2035, in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually on February 10 and August 10 of each year, commencing August 10, 2025, on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate of 5.200% per annum, from the February 10 or August 10 next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid, unless the date hereof is a date to which interest has been paid, in which case from the date of this Note, or unless no interest has been paid on the Notes (as defined on the reverse hereof), in which case from February 10, 2025, until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the date hereof is after the fifteenth calendar day preceding a February 10 or August 10, as the case may be, and before such February 10 or August 10, this Note shall bear interest from such February 10 or August 10; provided however, that if the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such February 10 or August 10, then this Note shall bear interest from the next preceding February 10 or August 10 to which interest has been paid, or, if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from February 10, 2025. The interest so payable on February 10 or August 10 will, subject to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day preceding such February 10 or August 10, unless the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted interest, at the option of the Company, may be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest established by notice to the registered holders of Notes not less than ten days preceding such special record date or may be paid in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed. Payment of interest may, at the option of the Company, be made by check mailed to the registered address of the person entitled thereto. Interest on this Note will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
[signatures follow]
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
| Dated: February 10, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION | |
| [SEAL] | ||
| by | ||
| by | ||
| TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION | ||
| This is one of the Securities of the Series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture. | ||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee | ||
| by | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to USD 2035 Note]
This security is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company (hereinafter called the “Securities”), of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued under an indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, duly executed and delivered by the Company to The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995, between the Company and the Trustee, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Indenture”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the respective rights and duties thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Securities. The Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest at different rates, may have different conversion prices (if any), may be subject to different redemption provisions, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided. This Security is one of a series designated as the 5.200% Notes due 2035 of the Company (hereinafter called the “Notes”) issued under the Indenture.
The Notes may be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at any time or from time to time, upon notice (by mail, electronic delivery or otherwise in accordance with the depositary’s procedures) not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to holders of the Notes. Prior to the Par Call Date, the redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) for the Notes will be equal to the greater of:
| · | (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis, assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at the Treasury Rate, as defined below, plus 15 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and | |
| · | 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, |
plus, in either case, accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date.
On and after the Par Call Date, the redemption price for the Notes will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date.
“Par Call Date” means November 10, 2034 (three months prior to the maturity date of the Notes).
“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.
The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.
If on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semiannual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices, expressed as a percentage of principal amount, at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.
The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Company will notify the Trustee of the redemption price promptly after the calculation thereof and the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any calculation of the redemption price or of any component thereof, or for determining whether manifest error has occurred.
On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or any portion thereof called for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest. On or before the redemption date, the Company will deposit with a Paying Agent, or the Trustee, money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the Notes to be redeemed on such date. In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion deems appropriate and fair. No Notes of a principal amount of $100,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the Note will state the portion of the principal amount of the Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Note will be issued in the name of the holder of the Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original Note. For so long as the Notes are held by DTC (or another depositary), the redemption of the Notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary.
In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof together with interest accrued thereon, if any, may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding of all series to be affected (acting as one class), to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, among other things, (i) change the fixed maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, or the currency of payment of, any Security; (ii) reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof; (iii) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the fixed maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date); (iv) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture; (v) change any obligation of the Company, with respect to outstanding Securities of a series, to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the Indenture for such series; or (vi) modify any of the foregoing provisions or the provisions for the waiver of certain covenants and defaults, except to increase any applicable percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities the consent of the holders of which is required or to provide with respect to any particular series the right to condition the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture as to that series on the consent of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities of such series or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby. It is also provided in the Indenture that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of the series affected. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.
The Indenture permits the Company to Discharge its obligations with respect to the Notes on the 91st day following the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Indenture, which include the deposit with the Trustee of money or U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal of (including premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes.
If the Company shall, in accordance with Section 901 of the Indenture, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Person named as the “Company” on the face of this Note, all on the terms set forth in the Indenture.
The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. In the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge, Notes may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Note at the office or agency of the Company for such registration in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for such purpose, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange herefor, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note, as herein provided, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice of the contrary. All payments made to or upon the order of such registered holder shall, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectually satisfy and discharge liability for moneys payable on this Note.
Individual certificates in respect of the Notes will not be issued in exchange for this Note, except in the limited circumstances set forth in the following sentence or as otherwise provided for in the Indenture. If DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with this Note, or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and a successor clearing system is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after receiving such notice from DTC or upon becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered, the Company will issue or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in the Notes represented by this Note upon delivery of this Note for cancellation.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.
Unless otherwise defined in this Note, all terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Exhibit 4.9
Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
5.700% Note due 2055
CUSIP 459200 LK5
ISIN US459200LK58
No.: R-[●]
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of $[500,000,000][●] ([FIVE HUNDRED][●] MILLION DOLLARS), at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose, on February 10, 2055, in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually on February 10 and August 10 of each year, commencing August 10, 2025, on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate of 5.700% per annum, from the February 10 or August 10 next preceding the date of this Note to which interest has been paid, unless the date hereof is a date to which interest has been paid, in which case from the date of this Note, or unless no interest has been paid on the Notes (as defined on the reverse hereof), in which case from February 10, 2025, until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the date hereof is after the fifteenth calendar day preceding a February 10 or August 10, as the case may be, and before such February 10 or August 10, this Note shall bear interest from such February 10 or August 10; provided however, that if the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such February 10 or August 10, then this Note shall bear interest from the next preceding February 10 or August 10 to which interest has been paid, or, if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from February 10, 2025. The interest so payable on February 10 or August 10 will, subject to certain exceptions provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day preceding such February 10 or August 10, unless the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted interest, at the option of the Company, may be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest established by notice to the registered holders of Notes not less than ten days preceding such special record date or may be paid in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed. Payment of interest may, at the option of the Company, be made by check mailed to the registered address of the person entitled thereto. Interest on this Note will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
[signatures follow]
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.
| Dated: February 10, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION | |
| [SEAL] | ||
| by | ||
| by | ||
| TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION | ||
| This is one of the Securities of the Series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture. | ||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee | ||
| by | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
[Signature Page to USD 2055 Note]
This security is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Company (hereinafter called the “Securities”), of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued under an indenture dated as of October 1, 1993, duly executed and delivered by the Company to The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995, between the Company and the Trustee, as trustee (hereinafter called the “Indenture”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the respective rights and duties thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Securities. The Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest at different rates, may have different conversion prices (if any), may be subject to different redemption provisions, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided. This Security is one of a series designated as the 5.700% Notes due 2055 of the Company (hereinafter called the “Notes”) issued under the Indenture.
The Notes may be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at any time or from time to time, upon notice (by mail, electronic delivery or otherwise in accordance with the depositary’s procedures) not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to holders of the Notes. Prior to the Par Call Date, the redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) for the Notes will be equal to the greater of:
| · | (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis, assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at the Treasury Rate, as defined below, plus 20 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and | |
| · | 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, |
plus, in either case, accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date.
On and after the Par Call Date, the redemption price for the Notes will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date.
“Par Call Date” means August 10, 2054 (six months prior to the maturity date of the Notes).
“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.
The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) - H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.
If on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semiannual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices, expressed as a percentage of principal amount, at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.
The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Company will notify the Trustee of the redemption price promptly after the calculation thereof and the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any calculation of the redemption price or of any component thereof, or for determining whether manifest error has occurred.
On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or any portion thereof called for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest. On or before the redemption date, the Company will deposit with a Paying Agent, or the Trustee, money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the Notes to be redeemed on such date. In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion deems appropriate and fair. No Notes of a principal amount of $100,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the Note will state the portion of the principal amount of the Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Note will be issued in the name of the holder of the Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original Note. For so long as the Notes are held by DTC (or another depositary), the redemption of the Notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary.
In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof together with interest accrued thereon, if any, may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding of all series to be affected (acting as one class), to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series to be affected; provided however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, among other things, (i) change the fixed maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, or the currency of payment of, any Security; (ii) reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof; (iii) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the fixed maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date); (iv) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture; (v) change any obligation of the Company, with respect to outstanding Securities of a series, to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the Indenture for such series; or (vi) modify any of the foregoing provisions or the provisions for the waiver of certain covenants and defaults, except to increase any applicable percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities the consent of the holders of which is required or to provide with respect to any particular series the right to condition the effectiveness of any supplemental indenture as to that series on the consent of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities of such series or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby. It is also provided in the Indenture that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of the series affected. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.
The Indenture permits the Company to Discharge its obligations with respect to the Notes on the 91st day following the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Indenture, which include the deposit with the Trustee of money or U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient to pay and discharge each installment of principal of (including premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the outstanding Notes.
If the Company shall, in accordance with Section 901 of the Indenture, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Person named as the “Company” on the face of this Note, all on the terms set forth in the Indenture.
The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. In the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, but without the payment of any service charge, Notes may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York.
Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Note at the office or agency of the Company for such registration in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, or any other office or agency designated by the Company for such purpose, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in exchange herefor, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note, as herein provided, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice of the contrary. All payments made to or upon the order of such registered holder shall, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, effectually satisfy and discharge liability for moneys payable on this Note.
Individual certificates in respect of the Notes will not be issued in exchange for this Note, except in the limited circumstances set forth in the following sentence or as otherwise provided for in the Indenture. If DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a clearing system in connection with this Note, or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and a successor clearing system is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after receiving such notice from DTC or upon becoming aware that DTC is no longer so registered, the Company will issue or cause to be issued individual certificates in registered form on registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, book-entry interests in the Notes represented by this Note upon delivery of this Note for cancellation.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.
Unless otherwise defined in this Note, all terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Exhibit 5.1
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Office of the Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary
Armonk, New York 10504
February 7, 2025
International Business Machines Corporation
One New Orchard Road
Armonk, NY 10504
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am the Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Secretary of International Business Machines Corporation (herein called the “Company”) and an attorney duly admitted to practice in the State of New York.
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-276739) (the “Registration Statement”) for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), debt and other securities to be issued from time to time by the Company, including (a) €750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 2.900% Notes due 2030, €1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 3.150% Notes due 2033, €900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 3.450% Notes due 2037 and €750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 3.800 Notes due 2045 (together, the “Euro Notes”) and (b) $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.650% Notes due 2028, $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.800% Notes due 2030, $850,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.000% Notes due 2032, $900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.200% Notes due 2035 and $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.700% Notes due 2055 (together, the “USD Notes” and, together with the Euro Notes, the “Securities”).
The Securities are to be issued pursuant to the Indenture (the “Indenture”) dated as of October 1, 1993, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1995. The Euro Notes are to be sold pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement dated February 5, 2025 (the “Euro Underwriting Agreement”) among the Company and the several underwriters named therein (the “Euro Underwriters”) and the USD Notes are to be sold pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement dated February 5, 2025 (the “USD Underwriting Agreement” and, together with the Euro Underwriting Agreement, the “Underwriting Agreements”) among the Company and the representatives of the several underwriters named therein (the “USD Representatives” and, together with the Euro Underwriters, the “Underwriters”).
I, working together with members of the Company’s legal department, have reviewed such documents and records as I have deemed necessary or appropriate to enable me to express an informed and reasoned legal opinion with respect to the matters covered hereby. I am also familiar with the proceedings by which such instruments and the transactions contemplated thereby were authorized by the Company.
Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the Securities, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to the respective Underwriting Agreements, and assuming that the Securities are duly authenticated by the Trustee, will be validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws in effect and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
In giving this opinion, I express no opinion as to any laws other than the laws of the State of New York and the Federal Laws of the United States of America.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 7, 2025, its incorporation into the Registration Statement and to the use of my name under the caption “Legal Opinions” in the prospectus supplements relating to the Securities included in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not admit that I am within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
| Very truly yours, | |
| /s/ Jane P. Edwards | |
| Jane P. Edwards |